Windrose, where the wind blows

[tothefly]

Who: Windrose crew and you, distinguished visitors!
Broadcast: Naaah.
Action: Windrose, various points in the near vicinity
When: Until we get off this frozen rock

[On New Year's Day, the crew on board the Windrose and those nearby may notice the chill as the doors to the cargo bay are left open, and their captain making quite a bit of noise as she inspects their newly expanded home away from home. This is likely to go on for a while. Feel free to come investigate, chat among yourselves, complain about the cold, etc!]

Comments

[tothefly]

He's hard to miss. About three feet tall, curly brown hair, really likes the accordion. Also, he's a pony. [She's not even joking, sorry.] Don't worry, he's not on this ship. Pilots the Bishop, I think.

Communications, good. We don't have a communications officer yet. I'm pilot as well as captain, for what good it does in our little sandbox here. We've got two security officers, an engineer, and someone in maintenance. I'm sure you'll meet them all soon, it's not exactly a big ship.

[As she pushes off the doorway and comes the rest of the way onto the bridge, it's clear that while she carries herself like someone much taller, Natasha only has maybe three inches or so on Leia.]

I'm sure you got the basic welcome package on the Marsiva, but if you have any questions, I'll answer what I can.

[imahologram]

A pony. [She's seen the ponies on Endor, and she really can't picture them piloting anything. Clearly, things are different in other galaxies.]

It sounds like we're well-appointed. [Compared to some of the stories she's heard of crew vacancies, anyway.]

I don't have too many questions for you at the moment, unless you have an idea what the chances of leaving are. I have unfinished business at home.

[A lot of it.]

[tothefly]

A pony. [Other galaxies are definitely different. Some of them are apparently full of cities named after ridiculous horse puns like Canterlot and Manehattan.]

Unfortunately, those odds are slim. No one's sure what gets Atroma to kick someone off, and while Atroma says we go back to where we came from, they conveniently leave out if we go back to when we came from. I have my own doubts about all of this, anyway, but so far it looks like the only way out is to win whatever game they haven't given us the rules to.

[Spoken with more than a little frustration under the casual words. She has better things to be doing than this, but she's beginning to think she'd like to tear Atroma apart first before she goes.]

[imahologram]

[This is the news she's started to expect, but it's not the news she wants.]

Which means settling in for the foreseeable future.

[Natasha's brusque undertone of annoyance is echoed in Leia's words. No doubt the captain has plenty to do besides flying to salt planets, herself.]

It's helpful to know--thanks.

[tothefly]

Unfortunately. It's better to take it one day at a time, or let your plans stay flexible.

[Natasha nods at the thanks, then pauses as she thinks of something else. Possibly relevant to her own plans, or Leia's. She does have more to do than just hang out here.]

Is there anyone else you know, here?

[She's already met Han, but feels zero need to mention him and get into the meta of this situation.]

[imahologram]

A few people. From what I understand, there's been an influx from my galaxy.

[The usual mix of brother, boyfriend, the father who eventually tortured everyone, and so on.]

At this rate, there won't be anyone left at home.

[tothefly]

Nobody really knows what goes on back home. Some people think that we go right back to the moment we came from, or that the person we are here is actually just a copy of the person there. Not much use in worrying about it, I guess; nothing I can do about back home from here, yet.

They let people transfer ships, from what I hear. If you'd rather be with familiar faces, I understand, but we could use you here.

[It's a choice that should be hers to make, they get so few of them here.]

[imahologram]

[Leia would be fine--more than fine!--with that first theory, but the second makes her skin crawl. The thought that she might some kind of clone...ugh. It's unsettling.

Addressing the captain's other concern is far easier, so Leia focuses on that.]

I wouldn't leave you without ensuring someone else can take over my work. Communications is too important for that.

[tothefly]

[She isn't the only one. In fact, each theory Natasha comes up with is worse than the last. But hey, that's part of being prepared for anything, isn't it? Expecting the worst.]

[Leia's response gets her a nod, satisfied, and a smile that's small but genuine.]

I agree. Then welcome to the Windrose, Leia. We're lucky to have you.

[Hopefully we all survive, she doesn't say, but it might be more or less implied.]