driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Beverly Crusher and all you other fine redheads
Broadcast: Networkwide Video
Action: Blue Fish, Cargo Bay
When: Right after the shuffle!

[The video feed cuts on to show Beverly, grinning with amusement, though her tone remains professional as she addresses the fleet.] Attention, Drift Fleet! This is Dr. Crusher of the SS Blue Fish. [Sorry guys, it's going to be a while before she stops talking to the network like she's in Starfleet.] We've received an... interesting delivery here on board the Blue Fish that I think some of you will want to see.

[She steps back from the camera for a moment, revealing the Blue Fish's cargo bay, stacked floor to ceiling with crates of what looks like... shampoo? You'll also see the Blue Fish's intrepid Captain Sokka in the background, mouth open in angry shock about this intrusion into his cargo bay. Beverly walks over to the nearest crate and pulls out a bottle of shampoo to hold up closer to the camera. The shiny red bottle looks suspiciously similar to a certain famous salon brand of hair care products from late 20th or early 21st century Earth, if any of you happen to be familiar with that. "JOHN FLOOTER" is emblazoned prominently on the top along with the words "RESPLENDENT RED" in gold.]

In case you can't tell what is in the crates, it's shampoo, and tons of it.

[Her face pops back onscreen.]

Someone out there must really have a thing for redheads. [She waggles her eyebrows.] But who can blame them?

[She sets the shampoo back in its box before continuing.]

Of course, it's not all for just me and Kairi! They sent a list, which I'll upload onto the network, and if your name is on it, you can come by the Blue Fish at any time to pick up your gift. Or, if it's easier for you, just let me know and I'll bring your box by your ship at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

((ooc: if your character is a redhead, assume they're on the list. someone in the audience just really wanted an excuse for all the redheads to get together, okay???))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

To other ships? Or if no one wants them maybe we can just jettison them. They're taking up space. Atroma just-just dump things here and then we got to try and deal with them. It's so stupid. Who needs this much shampoo?

[This is so not about the shampoo. ]

A settlement of people if the next system isn't very well off. Could probably get money out of the crates that don't get taken if we're lucky.

[Since Allen can always see the money making angle. But yeah, even he can tell this is weird to freak out about the crates.]

It's not like they're taking up space we were using that much, Sokka. What's going on?

...I guess that's a good idea. We could probably use some extra cash.

[He gives one an annoyed kick all the same, instantly regretting it. As he hops on his uninjured foot, clutching the other with a soft 'ow ow ow', he casts Allen a look. ]

You mean aside from all the crates of shampoo that literally only two people on our crew can even use?

I'm sure the rest of us could use it. It's not dye, it wouldn't turn your hair red. [A beat] ...I think.

[excuse him as he tries to get a bottle out from one of the nearby crates to doublecheck]

But yes, aside that. You're taking shampoo much too personally.

I wouldn't trust it, not from them.

[Atroma can just go fuck themselves.]

No, I'm taking Atroma messing with us too personally. I'm sick of being some big- big joke to them.

...You're upset about Suki.

[SORRY SOKKA, LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT TALK ABOUT IT AFTER ALL.]

[ALLEN THAT IS SUPER RUDE. That hits where it hurts, and it shows. Sokka's shoulders slump, before he folds his arms, moving to lean on one of the crates. ]

Gee, you think? I don't know where she is. I don't know if they sent her home or if she's on the Marsiva somewhere, or off on some other stupid show that they're doing or what. She could be anywhere, and I haven't got a single solitary clue where.

[He's failed her. Again. He found her in the Boiling Rock by sheer luck. He isn't sure he'll be able to pull something like that off a second time. Not with the vastness of space meaning she could be anywhere, at any time.]

Edited 2015-06-04 01:25 (UTC)

[There's a pause at that, and concern shows on his face. Yeah. While he has a couple ideas, it's not like he knows for sure]

...If it's like the last place I was, then she was likely sent back to the exact moment she left your world, with no memories of this place.

If it's not like that, then my guess would be on the Marsiva, somewhere. Maybe put into some sort of sleep, like some people in the fleet seem prone to do. [He's heard a few people now fall asleep for a month. The idea wasn't too farfetched]

But I don't think it's likely she's in danger. It's a show, they want to keep their audience happy and entertained. And their audience might get angry and not watch if they found out they were doing something to harm the people who don't stay.

I don't know. I mean, it's not like we haven't been put in danger before. Maybe they have a whole other show, with a whole different theme? You know, like different Nations have different ideas of what's entertaining? [Probably not, he has limited experience with things outside his own world.]

I just don't trust that they haven't hurt her. And why take anyone away to begin with? It doesn't make sense.

I don't know...it just seems unlikely they have that.

[He thinks it over. Clues, hints- anything that could give sokka some peace]

- Oh! I know. Is there anyone from your world that remembers more than you? Er, I mean if they're from the future?

Yeah, everyone but Zuko is ahead of me, Suki was further ahead than any of us.

[A slight nod]

And did any of them ever mention you going missing in your world?

I-

Well, no. I'm pretty much accounted for.

Right.

So that must mean, at some point in the future, somehow you'll get to go back to the moment you left. Otherwise your friends would have noticed you missing surely.

...

That makes sense. But why say the prize for winning this dumb show is going home?

Unless we're all just copies of ourselves, or something, and the real ones never left.

...Trust me, Sokka. I've known you awhile now and I'm very sure there's no way someone could imitate you.

[Seriously Sokka. You are the most special of snowflakes]

But I don't know. That easily could have been a lie to encourage us to go along with it, or the winner gets to remember when they leave, or there's something more to it. I'm still trying to figure that part out.

...I have a sneaking suspicion that was more insult than compliment.

Maybe. I just wish there was a way to find out for sure.

No! It's just that you're very unique!

[TAKE THAT AS YOU WILL]

Me too. Maybe we'll get to learn more eventually, if we keep our eyes peeled.

....That could go either way, too.

Trust me, I'm not going to let anything slip away. I'll get to the bottom of this.

[And woe betide them if they do still have Suki.]

[UGH] It's mostly positive, okay?

[He gives a little nod]

Of course. And I'll be there to help you.

[That gets a brief smile. ]

Thanks, Allen. That means a lot.

[He just gives a little reassuring smile]

Even if she's not here anymore, Suki's still a member of this crew. It's my job to help look after the crew, isn't it?

I guess you're right. And we'll figure out a way to beat Atroma. Somehow.