[action]

[kingofbadlifechoices]

Who: Robb Stark & People at the Blue Fish and the Vanquish :) (and some closed logs)
Broadcast: n/a
Action:
When: backdated 28th of February to the 1st of March


Action – The Blue Fish
[Anyone who wishes to drop by is welcome to do so. Robb has sent a polite message to everyone on the ship with the question if they are interested to learn to shoot with the weapons available on this ship.

He has cleaned up one of the cargo holds to create a sort of shooting range, the targets all made from scrap iron. All he truly knows of shooting ranges are those in Winterfell and Riverrun. Made for archery practice instead of shooting with these space guns. Still, Robb figures that it must do for now.

He decides to wait for a couple of hours, slowly chewing on a piece of bread. If no one should come...well, at least he tried.]


Action – SS Vanquish
open
[Robb does not like to fly these small ships and it shows in the way how it shakes and wobbles when it approaches the ship. It also shows in the way he docks the tiny ship and how he stumbles out of it. Space is something he can understand a little, weapons are also not a problem, but flying, no...Robb Stark is not made for flight.

A sigh of relief escapes his mouth when he sets foot onto the vessel, glad to feel something solid underneath his feet again.

Not every ship is the same, he knows that by now and he enters it slowly, calling out to someone who might hear him.]

closed to Hermione
[After a deep nod he smiles. He is not sure if he truly wants to learn magic. His wolf dreams are already one thing he does not wish to go into, but actual magic...it makes him feel a little uncomfortable. Yet, he does not want to decline such a kind offer. Lady Granger means no harm. She is kind and warm and the color of her hair reminds him of Jeyne.]

Let us start at the beginning. [He hopes his voice sounds neutral enough. That he is able to hide his wariness. She is not going to harm him but it is not for a king to become a sorcerer. His men would turn from him. They would whisper worse things than ‘half wolf-half boy’.] Or you can show me first. [And then he can decide to politely decline or not.]


Action – Closed to Dany
[Now his chambers aren’t the most neutral place for a conversation like this and he has been fussing over whether he should don his crown or not. Or the clothes he came with. For once he wonders if all of this has a place in space. And, of course, there is the worry that they are recording everything. They are watching his every move because, apparently in modern societies, it is something amusing and entertaining.

So without crown and without his Westerosi outfit he waits for her by the docking station, sometimes moving his fingers through his hair or touching his chin to determine he has stubble there or not.]

Comments

[kingofbadlifechoices]

Aye. It also is a good way to waste time. Better hone your skills instead of sitting around.

[Her second shot is much better and Robb claps his hands briefly after she's done.]

Let me try to top that. [For a moment he fumbles a little with the gun.] Do you prefer weapons like this when fighting? [He aims at the target while asking that, his finger on the trigger. His second shot is better than the first one but no better than hers.]

[dancingmd]

Well, I prefer not to fight at all if I can help it but yes, phasers are standard issue for Starfleet officers, so it's what I'm used to.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

These look like phasers then? [That could very well be. Phasers sound like a better, modern name than ‘guns’] You come from something like this? This space ship world?

[dancingmd]

[She nods.] I've lived most of my life on a starship. But my fleet certainly does not kidnap people for entertainment or for any other reason. We're an exploratory organization, dedicated to advancing our knowledge and establishing diplomatic relations with other worlds.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

Then this must be quite an easy life for you, my lady. Well, except for the entertainment part. [He shakes his head in a disapproving way.] I like it not.

It could very well be that your ships will meet these ships and end this...show, is it not? [Just like Westeros can exist on one planet and what not.]

[dancingmd]

[An easy life. She knows what he means, knows what everyone means when they say that to her. There's an advantage in coming into this with prior knowledge of life in space, it's true, but that doesn't make such comments sting any less, doesn't make her miss home any less.

She shakes her head.]

I don't think so. We're much too far away for my people to reach me.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

Do you truly think that? Or is that something the lords of Atroma have told you? I understand that space is a large...place but it is not something akin to infinity, not? [You have to remain hopeful.]

[dancingmd]

Actually, as far as we know, space has no end, no boundaries. And even if it did, and even if we were in the same universe as mine - which is doubtful, given how many versions of Earth are represented here - we are obviously far, far away from Federation territory, as I have not recognized any of the planets or species we have encountered on our journey. It might take my friends a lifetime or more to reach this part of space. So no, I don't believe anyone will come for me.

[Not by ship anyhow. There is still always that hope in the back of her mind that Wesley might find a way but... If he knew she was gone and could reach her, surely he would have come by now.

No, they can't depend on outside help. They must escape on their own.]

sorry for the late & tl;dr

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Wait...what? Robb understands space in a way that there is one big space with planets inside of it. And it is vast and enormous and it could very well be never ending.

Now Robb does not know how his planet is called. He only knows Westeros and Essos and some of the island lying around those realms. It could very well be that maesters know of the planet Westeros is on. Or the planet is simply named Westeros. But that would be odd, shouldn’t Essos be mentioned as well then?]

I have understood that Earth is a planet. Yet, I do not know of versions of it? You make it sound as if this space has different versions as well. [This is just really scary... How can things be that way? It is something Robb cannot wrap his medieval mind around.]

I want to go home. [Robb frowns while saying that, obviously frustrated. Despite all the safety and warmth here he has to return.] We need to, my lady. To serve as a form of amusement is beneath us. [Robb is sure he has had this conversation with her before but her can’t help being frustrated again.] If... [He takes a deep breath.] ...if I could arrange an escape, would you go with us?

[At least she knows space better than he does. That would come in handy.]

no worries!

[dancingmd]

[That is exactly what she is saying but... too complicated and anyway it's not nearly as important as the rest of Robb's words. She sets down her gun, her gaze soft and sympathetic as she looks at him.]

I do want to escape - even if we can't go home, I'd rather be out of the clutches of Atroma. However, I won't go for a plan that doesn't include all of us. If only a few of us leave, who knows what Atroma will do in retaliation to those who are left behind?

[kingofbadlifechoices]

Aye. At least that. [He nods slowly, brows furrowing a little as he thinks. Escaping this place is one thing, but escaping space is a whole other sort of business.] It will grant us freedom. [In space...but it is still freedom. And he’ll manage, he is sure of it. As long as he has his siblings with him, gods be good, he will never go anywhere without them again.]

Hmn... You have the right of that. And I do think it is important to bring as many as possible. [Even though he could do without the lady Toph. Still, Bran would probably not forgive him.] I think many of us would not want to leave without their loved ones. And it will make us stand stronger. On this ship some of us are able to move fire and stone around. With some sort of magic. And we have some swordsmen as well.

[His thoughts are back at home, at all that is waiting for him.]

We have to inform others.

[dancingmd]

Inform?

[Beverly raises an eyebrow. Probably not the best choice of words, if he's wanting people to join him.]

I think you'll find, Robb, that many of us have already been thinking about escape, for months. And others... you have to be prepared for the idea that some don't want to leave. You're going to have to be patient.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

Thinking is different from doing it, my lady.

[Thinking is a good thing to do to pass time.] We can all think. [Oh, Robb knows of that.] I think my brother does not wish to go. And my sister...mayhaps. [Because they were happier here. They said so.] I will convince them of this cause. It is important that they stop seeing this situation as a happy one.

I am not known for having great patience, my lady.

[dancingmd]

[She draws herself up, unconsciously adopting her more commander-like demeanor, shoulders back and gaze steady.]

You're going to have to learn it. You think no one has tried to escape? That we've all been just sitting here, waiting for rescue? Far from it. People have tried to stay behind on planets or book passage with other ships, only to be teleported back to the fleet. They've tried opening portals to other dimensions, only to be blocked. They've tried removing the augments, only to collapse with excruciating and unbearable psychological and physical pain. We are fighting an enemy that is more technologically advanced than us and an an enemy that knows us far better than we know them. Getting away from Atroma is going to take planning, it's going to take cunning, and it's going to take time.

robb no, no robb, don't

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Robb does not like it to be spoken to in such a way and it shows when he presses his lips onto each other while his mouth tightens a little.]

Do not speak to me as if I am a child and need a slap on the wrist. [But Robb, you are a child. You are just a teenager.] You have spoken to me about the impossibilities of facing Atroma.

When I was younger they did not think me able to cancel the siege upon Riverrun. [Robb also straightens his shoulders and the look on his face turns deadly serious.] A man’s age does not determine a man’s knowledge. [And Robb knows planning and cunning. Tywin Lannister has been on the receiving end many times.]

These technical matters are not my forte, it is true. But I know of strategy. And I do think the answer lies in all this...technology.

[dancingmd]

I'm not speaking to you as a child, I'm speaking to you as one of my crewmates. I would - and have - said the same thing to people twice your age. Nor am I questioning your intelligence, your abilities, or your determination. I'm simply trying to prepare you for the realities of our situation: this is not a siege and this is not a sword fight on the battlefield and the people here are not your soldiers. Some of them have been in a situation like this, torn from their universes, for years. Some for almost a decade. You can see, can't you, how that would be frustrating to be... imprisoned for years and to have someone come in and tell you that you just have to take action, that you have to fight, and you'll be free, when you have tried time and time again, seen others try time and time again, to do exactly that?

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Robb reigns himself in a little after those words and lets out a heavy sigh. He taps his foot in an impatient way and finally starts to speak.]

I have been quite harsh, my lady. And no, this is no siege. And I do not believe we need armor here either. [He smiles just a little.] I think these guns cut through bloody everything.

Can you give me names of those who have tried? Mayhaps there is a solution. Somewhere. It would be folly to lose hope.

[dancingmd]

[Though he may be still agitated, she relaxes visibly. It seems she has gotten through to him, at least somewhat. She returns his small smile with one of her own.]

Don't worry about me, I will always have hope.

As for those who've tried - I myself have experimented with the augments, to no avail.

[Her look grows sharp again, remembering Leia.]

And I want you to promise me that if you try removing it in any way, that you'll tell me, so I can be there with you, in case things go badly.

[When things go badly would be more accurate, but she learned her lesson with Leia: if someone is determined to mess with the augment, she'd rather be there than not.]

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Hope is such a bloody fragile thing that Robb has learned to let that go. He puts his money on luck lately. Mayhaps, if he was lucky he would win the Freys back. Or he would win the war. Or he would free his siblings. But he does not mention that here.]

With your own, or those of others? [Robb rubs his thumb over the bump just above his ear.]

If I would do it I will turn to a...doctor. So I will turn to you. [Even though she does not wear any chains from the Citadel, he does trust her. She seems capable.]

I do not fear pain. [It is the truth. With war came death and pain and all things unpleasant. If he would fear that, it would be ten times worse. Robb has always learned to conquer his own fears and push down whatever emotion that might hold him back.] I do not fear much, really. [There are some things, though. But those are his own little secrets.]

[dancingmd]

It doesn't matter what you do and do not fear, not with this. Remember, the augments affect our minds, what we know, what we feel, what we see. The result is always the same, whether I try to remove it from myself or someone else: incapacitating, overwhelming dread.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Robb straightens his back a little and frowns once again. Everytime he hopes he looks a little like a man when he does that but instead of that he looks like a very serious teenager.]

Isn’t fear based on that as well? What we see and feel and know? [While saying that Robb realizes that he is a bit scared. Just like he has been scared after deciding he’d go to war.] Fear shouldn’t be considered a weakness. Someone who is afraid can lash out.

[dancingmd]

No, you're right: fear isn't a weakness. It's a natural human response to danger, it's what helps keeps us safe, tells us when to run and when to fight. The problem is when the fear becomes too overwhelming and you can't do anything to overcome it.

[She gives him a gentle, sad smile.]

I'm not saying any of this to say you ought to give in to Atroma, I just want you to have a better understanding of what we're up against.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Robb is fairly sure that he would never allow his fear to paralyze him. After all, it would not be something a king would do. He would lash out, afraid or not.]

I do not believe that fear is something that stays forever. And I do not fear these lords of Atroma. [As he says that he realizes he is not lying. Even though he is sure these modern lords can do quite awful modern things to him and they have a lot of power as well, he does not feel very anxious.

When facing lord Tywin in battle he felt more than now.]

Are you afraid of them?

[dancingmd]

[Beverly suppresses a sigh. It seems Robb might be one of those who has to learn the hard way. It's not a matter of will and besides... everyone has a breaking point. She's seen it.

And even if he does lash out instead? That still won't get him anywhere, as far as the augment is concerned.]

Of course I am. [Said without hesitation or shame. It'd be foolish not to be afraid of them, after seeing what she has, particularly in the calibrations.] But I don't let that fear rule me either.

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Yes, Robb is someone who needs to learn things the hard way. He is too stubborn to accept things right away.

When he opens his mouth he sounds quite like an old man with the body and face of a teenager.]

When I went to war I was afraid as well. I feared... [He feared he would not be taken seriously. Just a hotheaded boy with a will to avenge his father.] ...going up against an enemy with far much more experience. But I managed quite well. And I learned to not to fear those who seem stronger. It does not always mean that they are.

My lady, I have other things to waste time with instead of fearing them.