driftfleet | +2 nerdchildren

Who: Sorey & Mikleo / OPEN
Broadcast: Fleet-wide
Action: Marsiva
When: Now!!

[ACTION]

[It's probably not normal for a lack of something to be the first thing one notices upon waking up, but Mikleo opens his eyes to the realization that there's a serious lack of... weight on his chest, one he'd become resigned to feeling ever since leaving Elysia. Malevolence was everywhere in the world, and only his contract with Sorey and Lailah had kept him from growing sick because of it, or worse.

Here, though, he feels not even an ounce of it. Which immediately brings to mind the question- where...?

Once he's up and on his feet and staring out the nearest window - witnessing the state of the sky, what in the world - it takes him a while to shake off the shock. He feels like his head's been invaded- thoughts, understanding forced into it, making his head hurt. This is space. He doesn't know why he knows this, but he does. Space, a fleet of ships traveling the universe like a fleet of whales in the ocean, prisoners for entertainment...

What does it even mean?

Sorey. I need to find him. Forcing himself away from the glass, he wanders the hallways, drawn to his Shepherd like a lost sheep. He has to be here. This feeling is unmistakable.]

[BROADCAST: VIDEO]

-ink this is how it works? Where’s the part I talk into? Try the top corner, it's flashing. Do you know why? -well because it’s communicating, isn’t it? Don't look at me. Oh! No no, it’s working now. ...yup. Okay! Geez…

Wow, this is so cool! Can everybody really hear me? -oh man, we can make recordings with this! You know, instead of having to lug around parchment all the time? We absolutely have to bring this back home.

Like people need more reasons to fear the Shepherd.

-ah, right! Introductions! I’m Sorey. I’m supposed to be an Engineer? I’m not totally clear on everything involved in that, so please be patient with me! Um, and since it sounds like we’re all in the same boat- I mean, this might’ve been asked before but does anybody know who we can talk to if we really, really need to get back? It’s kind of an emergency. This seems like a kidnapping but we’re not in a cell or anything, so it’s not as bad as it could’ve been, I suppose.

But definitely! Any clarification on how to get back would be really, really helpful.

You should probably stop talking like you're with someone, Sorey. People will think you're more weird than you already are.

Sorry, you’re right. It’s just really hard to pretend you’re not here when you look right at me like that...

[ACTION PART 2]

[Sorey and Mikleo can be found exploring the Marsiva. To those who can see Mikleo (have a look at his permission post please!), they'll both be there, talking animatedly. To those who can't, feel free to call Sorey out on, you know, talking animatedly to himself.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[IRRITATED HUFF. Seriously, can you be more obvious, Sorey?]

Right now? That would be the whole fleet. But I do manage a better job at keeping it to myself.

Mm, yeah, that's probably for the best. [still working on that. still feel weird ignoring his friends when they're standing right there] Do you get a lot of grief over it? Are you just talking to yourself to sort out your thoughts, or are you actually talking to someone who can answer?

[It's weird to be the ignored one, too, albeit familiar. Actually, that's why this place is getting to be so weird.]

We really need to work on your subtlety, Sorey.

Doesn't really matter that much, does it? Though your buddy could stand to come off screen and dispel the illusion.

[Yeah now that he's paying attention to the video, it's clear there's someone else.]

Oh he's right next to me! [Gestures grandly with hands.] Yeah he's here. It's not an illusion.

Perhaps there's some sort of flaw in the technology.

[Curious, how it would transmit the verbal, but not the visual. Maybe it's based on perception? No...]

[This is going to be his day, isn't it. Some jackass who can't even point his camera right. Where do they find these people?]

Right. It's a flaw alright.

Youuu sound like you don't believe us. [Okay. Usually Sorey is supposed to just let this sort of thing go since it's unbecoming of a Shepard to show off. But with what Mikleo is saying being noticeably audible it's not like they haven't already dug this hole. Might as well fill it.]

He really is right here! See, look. [Sorey reaches for his copy of the Celestial Record and holds the book out for Mikleo to take. Floating book that reads itself? That'll convince this guy, right?]

[Mikleo resists at first. Seriously, buddy, he's not your trick pony. But... if it's the only way to get someone to believe he's even there... ugh.

Reluctantly he accepts the book, opening it to flip a few pages. Yes, yes, floating book in mid-air, how ridiculous--

--Ooh, wait, he really likes this passage.]

[At this point, a floating book isn't even all that unique. Still, he'll take them at their word because a guy who is rendered invisible by the video sits firmly in the acceptably bizarre.]

So the video doesn't show him, then. So what is he - some kind of vampire?

[thanks mik] No no, he's a seraph. Like a spirit. People usually can't see him anyway.

What about the people you talk to? Are they vampires?

[Sorey, why are you taking this so nonchalantly, he's talking about monsters. As in hellions??]

He said he talked to himself, Sorey. I think he was making fun of you.

[What the hell is a seraph? Greed doesn't ever go to church or anything.]

So you've got a ghost bud, huh? Well, my own situation is a little bit different. See, I've got a mouthy little brat stuck in here. [He jabs a thumb at himself.] Seems to think he's my conscience or something.

[It sounds crazy but whatever, Greed is out of fucks to give.]

[sorey nudges mikleo in the ribs and gestures to the comm. see? there IS someone he's talking to!!]

So he stays inside of you? I hope that's not too uncomfortable.

It feels a little bit like indigestion.

[You're a bit more like a tumor, Greed.]

It's probably true that a conscience can be unpleasant if what it's saying isn't what you'd like to hear. All the more important for somebody to have one then, isn't it?

Sometimes the additional voices in your head exist only to keep you focused on what's important.

[Hey. Hey Sorey. Remember all those times your seraphim buddies told you to keep your eyes on the prize.

Also stop looking so serious. You okay?]

I'll give my inner voice something though - he has the decency at least to keep his observations where only I can hear them.

[Sorey's conscience was less well behaved. :|]

Hahaha. [UNCOMFORTABLE] Well, all my 'inner voices' are their own people, so I can't say it's the same for me. I don't think I'd want it that way anyhow.

I can't say I'm the biggest fan, but it is what it is. [A shrug.] Welcome to the Fleet.

[omg stop talking about me like I'm not even there, assholes]

Thanks for that, I suppose.

[sorry dude

Sorey turns to Mikleo after the conversation has concluded with that Look on his face. He kind of wants to keep a lookout for this guy.]

[Message received, and Mikleo nods.

Him too.]

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