driftfleet | but seriously, what's the deal with space food?

Who: Emblica
Broadcast: Network, voice-only.
Action: Fellow members of the SS ~~Dysfunction~~ Pathstone
When: In the middle of the night. Space night. Insomniacs, ARISE.

[ It's kind of weird that even in space, people still have a sort of schedule. Sleep during the same few hours, wake up and then stay awake for a while, then go back to bed. Even the fact that all around them, it's dark, doesn't seem to take away from that. In a way, it's almost impressive.

Of course, there are always people who don't...quite adhere to that "normal" sleep schedule. Maybe you can't sleep. Maybe you were taking a shower before bed and then you ran out of hot water and the cold water woke you back up. Maybe your bunkmate snores way too loud.

If you are one particular member of the Pathstone (hint: the one who basically only leaves the sickbay about four times a day), then it's a combination of weird unpleasant dreams and the knowledge that there's a good chance of most of the others on board being asleep right now.

Also, hunger. It's not like she's particularly craving weird solid protein stuff, but when you have to eat, you have to eat.

And so she's sitting in the little dining room, trying to find something among the options here. It is not easy. So, to the network (the ones who aren't sleeping): ]

Has anyone thought of a good way to eat the food here? I keep trying, but it still feels wrong when I eat it.

The flavors don't make sense to me, either. I only know what a few of them are. Are they strange for everyone else?

[ If anyone from the Pathstone is around, she'll be hanging around, poking at some chicken solid and some mixed vegetable solid. And actually not hiding her face. It's...kind of hard to eat with it on. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No, things are more thanks to the gods than any sort of luck.

[ Casually, like it's not really a big deal or anything. ]

Exorcists...? We don't have any of those.

The gods? [ah. one of those.] I guess...you could see it as that way as well.

[Though Allen honestly after his experiences with the Order- prefers to keep God out of things like this]

That's a good thing. My world is in the middle of a war. There's someone trying wipe out humanity. Exorcists are who fight against him.

It all comes down to the same thing in the end, doesn't it? We're here, some aren't, either way.

[ Fair enough; she's not a huge fan, herself. ]

That does sound challenging.

Mm, I suppose you're right.

[He'd nod, but you can't see that]

Yes. It's not an easy job in the slightest.

It's difficult to say something's one thing or another when it's all invisible, too...

You sound a bit young to be a soldier. Do you hear that often?

[TOO OFTEN]

Yes.

But I swear, I'm older than I sound!

[ Laughing: ]

I have a very similar problem.

You do?

[A KINDRED SPIRIT??]

All the time.

[ Which...is probably because she stopped aging and is like 900 years older than she sounds. ]

I'm often treated like a child because of it.

[Yeah okay so he's just 22 who looks like he's 15/16- but still! KINDRED SPIRIT. He gives such an understanding sigh. Preach it girl]

Me too. It even happens when they know my real age!

I know people mean well, but it gets so annoying sometimes!

[ It totally counts. ]

If they meant well, they'd act with more respect.

Maybe...but usually they are doing it to try to protect me from harm, so I can't see it any other way but meaning well- even if they aren't being fair.

It's nice, having people who care about you... isn't that right?

[There's a slight pause. When he answers, his tone is sincere]

It is. Even if it can be annoying when they forget I'm not a child, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

That's good-- don't let go of that.

I won't, promise.

[ Her tone softens a bit. ]

That's nice to hear. Good friends are hard to come by.

[ Geez, Emblica. What are you, his mom? ]

[God seriously Emblica. He's an adult!!]

Mm. They can be sometimes.

[ S-she's adulter than he is...]

Situations like this would make it more difficult, too. Or so I'd think.

You'd be surprised, actually. Situations like these have a tendency to bring people together. I mean, as long as tempers don't fray or personalities clash...

Oh? It'd be a pleasant surprise, certainly.