driftfleet | Your friendly neighborhood space bugs!

[For about a week, now, all ships in the Drift Fleet have had clearance to land on the Blue Planet whenever they'd like. The humanoid natives have all been very open and sociable, nothing short of grateful that the Iskaulit is no longer sending pods down to raid their towns and infect their insectoid brothers.

At first, the Nunnilis themselves stayed very quiet, hiding for safety... But as word of a stable cure spreads through the islands, more and more of them have been spotted out in the open. Now, it's not so unusual to spot a couple of them helping with repairs, and many have been assisting passengers in curing their sickly kin.

Have you been looking for a chance to talk to one? A lot of basic information has already been passed through the Fleet, but perhaps you're looking to ask your own questions about the situation, offer condolences, or just get to know a little more about the Nunnilis themselves. They seem perfectly friendly in their own strange, dozen-limbed way, so there's no time like the present!]

ooc: This is a post for anyone that wants to talk directly to one of the Nunnilis! Mention in your first comment if your character is talking to a particular bug or looking in a specific place (examples include: "someone helping with the cure", "a bug in the marketplace", "someone who looks like they might be in charge", "literally the first random bug they run into on the street"), and we'll go from there! Details on already-common knowledge and this mini-event can be found here (scroll down to "The Iskaulit Saga"). If you need a refresher on what they look like, check out this old info post. This post will be open and running all event, so it's never too late to tag in!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[it's a little difficult to tell who is more "in charge" than the others, especially with how they seem to be a little hive-minded together... but this darker-shelled Nunnilis seems nothing but curious at her approach, scuttling its many legs around to face her properly.

she has probably already noticed that while their use of the common language is passable, they still sound kind of like someone is running a text-to-speech program through a moving fan.]

If Doctor Beverly Crusher would like. How may I help you?

Oh, it's not for me. I am just concerned that our fleet's supply of the cure won't last much longer. Besides, I'm uncertain - I don't know how much you know about our situation, but we have no control over when or where our... [Hesitating for a moment as she decides on the best word for this] mothership decides to take us. That being the case, I would like to know if there is someone I should speak with about the possibility of manufacturing the cure here on your planet, so that you don't have to depend on us.

[it makes a low burbling noise, almost a hum, while tapping the ends of its upper arms together in thought...]

You do not need to worry. Our kind shares many thoughts, and we speak between each other often. Our minds are not separated like those of our mammalian brothers... You speak to many when you speak to one.

[it seems to duck its head a little, face pincers tucking closer. ...shy?]

We have already spoken about you much, Doctor Beverly Crusher. You have been very kind to us, for which we feel deep gratitude.

[Like the Borg. Yet not like them at all.

In response to the compliment, she gives the insectoid a small smile, quick, but genuine.]

You're welcome. I only wish I could have done more, for your people on the Iskaulit.

Ah... You have done more than many would.

[the bug scuttles carefully closer, reaching out with one of its smaller torso arms to touch Beverly's hand with the round end of its claw.]

I will work with you and your fleet to develop a long-term solution, if you do not mind. I can also take you to several islanders that work in our labs. They have, ah...

[it takes its arm back, clicking its claws together.] ...Thumbs.

[The gesture means a lot to Beverly and she lays her other hand lightly on top of the Nunnali's claw in thanks, for just a moment. Being here, among them... it doesn't change what happened, but knowing, at least, that the crew of the Iskaulit will not go unmourned by their own people and that the fleet doctors' efforts have not been in vain brings some measure of comfort.]

Of course... my thumbs and I are at your disposal.

[their claws are a little bristly, like a crab. it doesn't seem to mind. humans have very strange ways of communicating, but the Nunnilis have at least grown very used to it.

with her agreeing, it pulls its claw back so that it can repeatedly tap both sets of arms together--a little like clapping.]

This is wonderful! We have hopes that we might be able to adapt a cure against other variations that may arise, as well... Perhaps, after the threat is neutralized, we can send some files along to the Nunnilis home world...!

[it taps all of its legs against the ground, excited...?]

[Beverly can't help but smile at its excitement, despite the comment about the possibility of other variations of the disease cropping up, which is...concerning.]

Is your home world far away?

Oh, yes. Very far.

[it tucks its little forelimbs close, and its eyestalks tilt up toward the sky. they don't have much modulation to their voice, but there still seems to be something reverent about how it speaks now.]

Home world is so far that we do not know where it is. We relay our knowledge to the closest colony, and they send it to the next, and we hope and believe that it will make it all the way home, someday.

[Naturally, this piques her curiosity, but the insectoid's reverent stance keeps her from peppering it with a thousand questions.]

I hope so too. The collective knowledge of your species... it must be amazing!

[it quickly returns to its curious stance, and its pedipalps wave up into the air in her direction.]

You think it amazing? We have often found the closed minds and habits of our mammalian brothers to be fascinating. You are like them, yes?

You are a people of secrets?

[She can't help but smile a little in amusement at that choice of words. It'd perhaps be a more apt description of Romulans than humans.] If you mean we're used to our thoughts being private, then yes. For humans at least... it's not always the case for other species, even other mammalians.

Oh, yes. And we have noticed that there are many species within the visiting fleet.

We keep no secrets, so have been eagerly sharing all that we've seen. It has all been quite fascinating.

[and it expresses this excitement with an energetic buzz and clicking of forelimbs.]

So, to think that you find anything about us interesting is very nice.

Oh, but of course I do! My people, we're explorers, and we like to learn as much as we can bout other people and their worlds.

Your friendly neighborhood space bugs!

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