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]

[Natasha takes in the kimono with a glance, the faintly lost look on her face she's come to associate with those from time periods unfamiliar with anything as complex as a microwave. That's fair. With one hand, she points to several of the buttons on the front of the beverage dispenser, taking her time and showing the new woman as she makes herself a cup of faux tea.]

You'll pick it up fast. Hit this one for hot, the one next to it for cold. Here are your flavor options, they're all labeled. Put your cup here, and press this button until it's full.

[When the tea, or whatever this approximate is, is finished, she offers it to Makie with a polite smile.]

[therewerefifty]

[Makie looks faintly bewildered by the button pushing, though she follows it easily enough. It's not until the cup is steaming and in Natasha's hands that comprehension really dawns, along with surprise.]

That fast...? [She takes the mug, if only so she can investigate its contents. It's certainly hot enough.] Everything is so different. [And then with a hint of amusement:] What do you do with all your free time?

...thank you.

[tothefly]

That fast. Definitely not as good as an actual cup of brewed tea, but it's something.

[Her smile twists just a little at Makie's question, wry.]

It's definitelly difficult to fill all those hours. Personally, I've taken up knitting.

Actually, you'd be surprised to see just how busy you can get here if you don't just settle in and accept the circumstances we're placed in. Or even if you decide to play Atroma's games instead.

What's your name?

[therewerefifty]

Otono-Tachibana Makie. [She blows gently on the hot liquid, then smiles a little.] Just Makie is fine.

I'm not sure what I will do. I think I shall need to grow used to these circumstances and this... technology, first. [And not being deathly ill would also be a start.] Which do you choose?

[Acceptance or rebellion?]

[tothefly]

Makie, then. I'm Natasha.

The implant they gave you on arrival will help a little with the basic functions of most things. How to work your comm, whatever your assigned station is on the ship. The knowledge is there in your head, if you look for it. Better not to ask how, you probably don't actually want the answer to that.

[As for her choice...]

Adaptation. I'd be stupid to ignore the resources Atroma hands us, but I'm not going to settle for being captain of a small cargo ship for the rest of my life. However long that ends up being here.

[therewerefifty]

[She'd already realised some things were out of place, but at Natasha's words her fingers reach up to touch, feather light, at the base of her skull.

She won't ask. She's seen enough bizarre she knows not to ask.]

That sounds like the wisest choice. I'm... [Hmm.] I'm not sure what role I'm meant to have. 'Tactical' seems out of place on a quiet ship.

[tothefly]

[It's hard not to constantly touch the spot. Natasha's never getting used to it, no matter how long she stays here, but she has at least trained herself to not develop a tell.]

It doesn't always stay quiet. There are lulls, but it isn't always safe here. The planets we land on have their own hazards, but the fleet itself has been attacked several times in flight.

[therewerefifty]

[That was something she'd been unaware of, and Makie straightens, looking less uncertain and more assessing.]

Under attack by whom?

[tothefly]

There's another fleet of ships out there somewhere. Judging by posts on the network from the first attack, that's the assumption that's been made, anyway. I'm not sure if I prefer the idea of the same group attacking multiple times, or the idea of multiple groups after the fleet.

The last attack was several months ago. If it happens again, we're better prepared than we were. There's posts in the network archives you can access, I can show you how to read back through if you'd like.

[therewerefifty]

Yes, I would appreciate that.

Being attacked by another fleet would be like... a fleet of sailing ships attacking each other, wouldn't it? Does the ship have weapons? Does anyone board?

[tothefly]

It's very similar, yes, but no one's tried boarding that I've been able to see.

[She looks at Makie again with renewed interest. The taller woman doesn't look at all afraid or worried, and the questions she's asking are ones Natasha would have asked in the same situation.]

We have basic weapons, both for the ship and the crew, and our security officer's capable. Shielding, as well, thanks to Engineering, and I'm the current pilot as well as captain, so we have mobility. We can handle ourselves in a fight.

Do you have any combat experience?

[therewerefifty]

[She looks more uncertain when Natasha asks, but it's only for a moment. Then Makie merely looks thoughtful.]

I do. But none in this type of situation. And... my weapon is lost.

[It certainly didn't make the trip here with her.]