quack quack

[forsometimenow]

Who: The crew of the SS Wonderduck and any visitors
Broadcast: N/A
Action: SS Wonderduck
When: The first few weeks of April

[The crew has changed a lot since the last mingle. What're you up to, Wonderducks? What nasty and/or hilarious rumors are being spread about you?]

Comments

[servantnotserving]

[The post-it notes are weird. He's not really one hundred percent sure what they're even about. But he'll still stare up at then in confusion anyway. Maybe it's supposed to be a joke? Were these letters from 'the fans'? ]

It seems strange they would chose the hair, no? Do they expect you to drape it on open wounds? I am not doctor, but I am sure that would be very messy.

[forsometimenow]

Yeah, hair inside a wound isn't pleasant to have to deal with. So I'm not sure how it works, either. [She wrinkles her nose as she tears another note off the wall.] Here's one about you! Apparently you plan to replace your arms with scented candles.

[servantnotserving]

Perhaps they expect the magic to work on charm alone, mon capitaine.

[He seems to consider that for a moment, glancing down at his own (depressingly regular) arms, then back up at her. ]

Does it say what smell I apparently want to swap them with? I hope it's something sensuous. No point otherwise.

[forsometimenow]

Well, I do have charm in spades. So maybe I just wave my hair over the wound, and it seals itself shut.

[She squinted at the note.]

"Passionate Pomegranate". "Sensual Strawberry". "Luscious Lavender". Lots of fun choices here.

[servantnotserving]

Perhaps! Though I would not recommend trying it on anything too large. Perhaps a paper-cut at first? Work your way up?

[Okay, see, those, those he can live with. ]

Now those are the sorts of scents a person could get used to. Perhaps if I had them from the start, my curse would be a little more eventful no? It would allow for more romantic candelit meals, that is for certain.

[forsometimenow]

Yeah, I'd like to know my limits first.

[She laughs.]

You could even switch them out, depending on the mood. Or if there's ever a nasty smell in the kitchen, why, just swap an arm out and let the air be filled with lovely scents.

[servantnotserving]

[Sure, Jennifer, he'll be a glorified air freshener. But at least he'll be useful. He'll take it. ]

But of course! All someone would have to do is snap their fingers, and I would be there in an instant. Banishing foul odours and offering mood smell whenever it is needed.

[Like a candley superhero. ]

[forsometimenow]

Sounds good to me.

[Jennifer smiles at that, but then turns more serious.]

Well, rumors aside, have you been settling in well so far?

[servantnotserving]

[Aww, what a good, considerate captain. He offers her a smile.]

Aside from the very understandable strange looks, very well, merci! I am still getting used to all this technology, but I am sure I'll master it in no time.

[It's honestly a nice break from sitting around the castle waiting for love between two people to happen.]

[forsometimenow]

I can only imagine. The only reason I didn't do the same is I've been here for so long, well... a man in the shape of a candlestick doesn't make me bat an eye.

Well, if you need any help with that, you need only ask. The technology here is pretty similar to what I had back home.

[servantnotserving]

[It gives him an insane amount of joy whenever anyone actually refers to him as a man. It's easy to forget, and he really does appreciate the effort. ]

So eventually you really do see everything there is to see?

I would appreciate that a lot, mon capitaine. It must be simple, when it is so familiar, but we do not even have electricity back home yet.

[He says electricity very carefully and very slowly. It's not a word he's used to saying yet. ]

[forsometimenow]

Yeah, if you stay here for long enough. I saw a lot of strange things back home, too, but it's kinda nice, in a way. I try to think of it as me having experiences I never would have otherwise.

[She raises her eyebrows at that.]

No electricity, even? Coming here must have been a big culture shock for you, then.

[servantnotserving]

Honestly, aside from the curse, nothing strange ever happened back home. [Then everything got a little too strange. ] But that is a very good way of looking at it. Different experiences.

[He shakes his head. Nope. ]

It is 1752. If you want to light a room, well. [He waves a little candle hand. ]

[forsometimenow]

And a curse is a pretty big thing. [She grins.] I didn't really stray outside my hometown aside from going to school to be a doctor, and now I'm in space. Not many people can say that.

[She nods.]

Do you like it here, at least?

[servantnotserving]

True. [A small island of crap in an otherwise pleasant lake of calm. ] That is also true! I don't think many people expect to suddenly be in space.

[He offers her a bright smile. ]

I do, everyone here is excellent company. You run a wonderful ship, mon capitaine, a real home among the stars. You should be proud.

[forsometimenow]

I have been in space before, but back home, most people didn't know it was possible beyond brief trips. So it's been a good experience.

[She blushes at that.]

Well, you're very kind to say so, thank you. I only recently took over the job a few months ago, so I'm still trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. I'm glad I seem to have a stable crew, too- we've had a lot of people cycle in and out.

[servantnotserving]

[He catches that blush and grins wider. It's always nice to see on a lady. ]

Well, if you have only been doing it for a short time, it is all the more impressive! You were clearly born for such a role. They do? I hope that doesn't mean you've been alone a lot.

[forsometimenow]

You say such nice things, good sir. I was beginning to feel like I was doing something wrong, truthfully, even though my logical brain knows I have no control of people coming and going. And it hasn't been too bad- Eugene and I have both been here for a while, and I think he intends to stick around.

[servantnotserving]

They are nice things, but nice things I have come to see for myself. You are doing a wonderful job.

[He says as if he's some expert on running a spaceship. ]

I have to admit, I have important things to get back home to. But while I'm here, I'm happy to be at your service here. The Wonderduck is a good place to live.

[forsometimenow]

I'll do my best to make sure it continues to be so. And try not to worry too much about home- time freezes while you're here. So when you go back, it will be the exact same moment it was when you left. ... I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but it's true.

[servantnotserving]

That is what I have been hearing, I hope it is true. I am on a very tight schedule. Not something I am usually a fan of, but this one is important.

[forsometimenow]

I understand. If it helps, I fell asleep once and woke with some new memories of home. My life was just like I'd left it. So whatever you have to do will be waiting for you.

[servantnotserving]

Really? How interesting. And your body remained here? So it was like a dream...but with memories?

[He'd ask how that works but changes are the answer will just be 'magic'. ]

[forsometimenow]

Yeah, that's a good way to describe it. I didn't remember the Drift Fleet at all, and there was some confusion when I woke up back here, but my body stayed here the whole time. I try not to think too hard about how it works, honestly, but it was reassuring to know everyone will be waiting for me and will never know I was gone.

[servantnotserving]

Then that is a great weight off my mind. It means a lot to me, to know time will not pass while I am away.

[He offers her up a gentle smile, genuine. ]

And I am glad you have people waiting for you, back home.