The HS Maldua

[thespaceopera]

[Well, it's finally happened. The Maldua has docked and now is your chance to deliver your gumball cargo--regardless of whether or not it's in perfect condition, it would seem.

Multiple ships can dock on the Maldua at once, as can individual shuttles. So whether you're helping, breaking things, or watching others do all the work--interaction can be between pretty much anyone, not just crews.

Here's the event post, for reference. Have fun!]

Comments

ota

[dirth]

[ Solas stands aside from most of the action, more than content to watch as people unload and prepare, placing things here and there and generally proving themselves to be either a nuisance or an aid, depending on their nature. It is interesting to him to see which ships have succeeded in their goals and which had failed and, perhaps, in the end, to see what the so called reward will be for their ventures.

He doesn't seem to have much interest in being social, sat alone with paper and charcoal in hand, but he can be easily convinced to join in conversation should he be approached. What becomes more than obvious is the fact that he is watching and learning, his eyes taking in everything he can from the new ship before he gets up, pushes himself away from his solitude and moves to the halls.

Sometimes it is down to the worst to do the exploration. ]

comes in like a wrecking ball

[ofkirkwall]

[ Not one to enjoy being cooped up for too long, the moment the ships dock she slips from her own to wander, to explore - to do something other than play with droids. It's funny to watch them skitter to clean up scorch marks against the ground but... well it's only funny for a while.

It's a combination of her own itchy feet and the clearly anti-social behavior that draws the champion towards him - well, that or she might have a fondness for bothering elves who clearly prefer isolation than company - reaching in time to see paper and charcoal stashed away. ]

What is this? Is he doing something other than draw? Sweet Maker I think I feel faint.

[ Hello Solas. ]

[dirth]

[ Solas is enjoying some of the peace, enjoying the comfort of a few moments away from the hustle and bustle of the ships and the explosive noise that comes with it - he cares for his crew, of course, some more than others, but even he needs time for his own personal solitude. Peace and quiet is often far and difficult to find, and he finds some comfort in discovering it in the strangeness of a new ship.

Of course, he's not entirely surprised to see the Champion herself come and find him. She has always been sociable, she has always been particularly thrilled to see him and evoke his company, and he bows his head and offers her a smile when she comes, fighting back his own witty remark and tucking it to one side. ]

Perhaps you ought to find a place to sit before you harm yourself.

[ His smile comes, thin and wan. ]

[ofkirkwall]

[ What can she say? Something about bothering him is just so enjoyable, it'd be a crime if she didn't intrude upon his isolation every now and again. And he isn't bad company, oddly enough, in fact he is rather pleasant company - a fact that still surprises her, even now.

It's with a laugh that she leans upon her staff, fingers curled tightly around the slightly worn wood, eyes glinting with barely contained amusement. Always good when her remarks are countered, makes everything a lot less awkward and begging for some sort of inappropriate joke. ]

With knees as weak as mine? I do not think I shall make it. [ Grin comes easily, spreading across her lips like a wildfire. ] You'll have to catch me.

[dirth]

I am sure there is someone far better suited than I.

[ And they might well be around the Fleet somewhere. Solas has no interest in bending over backwards to help her, not really, considering, but he manages to be polite and as kind as possible before he shakes his head and tilts it to one side. He did not get to know the Champion well either in Thedas or the last time he was a visitor upon the fleet, but he supposes there is no worse time to know her.

He gives her a softer smile, crossing his arms behind his back and adjusting the weight on his feet. ]

I am but a simple mage, after all. I do not think I would have the strength for you.

[ofkirkwall]

[ He is right there and she can think of one in particular though the thought is quickly pushed aside, instead she scoffs and waves a dismissive hand about the air.

What better time to know someone than when one is trapped in space on some sort of warped entertainment ride? Besides it isn't as though there is much time otherwise. Which is a shame, honestly, with the whole world falling apart around everyone's ears and all that. ]

Whoever said because you are a mage you have about as much strength as a child is idiotic. I think you're stronger than you look, Solas. [ Eyebrow raise and a pointed look, it's almost as though she is eyeing him up to test the theory somehow. ]

http://tinyurl.com/hb3kehr

[goodjob]

[Fiona is helping move the crates. Initially, she was content with directing a helper robot to move the crates from point A to point B, but she accidentally tripped one-- they just don't seem to react to or notice things-- and it broke. Since then, not trusting something incompetent to do work for her, she's been moving the crates herself. This is a tall order for someone who's barely a hundred pounds soaking wet, but Fiona's never been one to let that stop her.]

[She's having some trouble with a box of cargo that's not properly closed, and trying to elbow it shut before the contents spill out. She looks up to see some bald guy-- what is he doing, drawing? To her credit, her tone isn't nearly as sharp as it could be:] A little help, here?

[dirth]

[ Solas has little interest in actually helping unload any cargo - why would he? He paid little attention to it when it was on his ship and he cares even less for it now. To him it is nothing more than another of Atroma's tasks or trials, another means for their unseen overlords to judge and watch them. Why would he put himself out to help someone that had trapped him here not once but twice, chaining him to a fleet that feels strange as much as it does a comfort?

When she speaks Solas lifts his head, watching her before he stands and moves, waving his hand. Magic surrounds the crate, lifting it and moving it to one side and down to the ground, giving Fiona a little space to move and lighten her load. ]

As you say.

[goodjob]

[Fiona knows magic exists, yeah, but she never knows how to react to it. Any unknown factor surely has harmful variables. She steps back quickly, trying to get out of the way.] Jesus-! You're- [She finally gets a good look at him.] From Lord of the Rings. Of course.

[She shakes her head, and squats down to tinker with the crate. One of the sides just won't close properly.] You wouldn't happen to have a spell that'd get me a nail for this thing, would you? I'll settle for duct tape; might as well do the job cheap and sloppy.

[It continues to chafe at her, how this thing was organized.]

[dirth]

[ Lord of the Rings. Solas raises his brows, but says nothing, curious and wondersome even as he moves to help a little more. It's not entirely out of his nature, certainly when asked, and he crosses his arms behind his back as he watches her. He has no idea what she is talking about, of course, and all she can do is watch her with increasing interest. ]

I do not think magic can simply summon a nail. [ He leans down to look at the crate all the same, shifting and pulling with his magic. He's used to the forces of the Fade, of course, and he shoves the lid down with all the strength he can manage, trapping the contents with a sharp, loud noise. ]

Will that do?

[goodjob]

[Fiona flinches when the crate snaps closed.] Remind me never to get you angry. [But she's in good humor. It's so fucking rare, to see someone actually help-- and help well-- when she asks for it. She reaches back to tap the box, trying to see how well it's wedged closed.] Jesus, they'll never get it open. That's perfect.

[Fiona has a low opinion of her kidnappers as well. She can just never move herself to do nothing.]

[She stands, and holds out her hand, smiling slightly. Whoever this weird fucker is, he's in her good books for now.] Fiona Gallagher. Thanks, really.

[dirth]

I am certain I will never have reason to be angry at you. [ He doesn't imagine this stranger is going to be going around enslaving anyone or torturing spirits, certainly not here, so it's unlikely she'll draw much ire from him. Solas is aware of the humour in it, though, and offers her a small, though brighter, smile, nodding his head. ]

Perhaps they will find a way around it. Perhaps not. That is their task now and no longer in our hands.

[ Hesitating for a moment, Solas reaches out and takes her hand, shaking it once. ]

Solas. You are welcome.

[goodjob]

Famous last words. [Fiona's pretty sure she can piss anyone off, these days. Dusting herself off, she stands more fully, and kicks the box. It stays closed.] Well, the labor's free, and you get what you pay for.

[If she were the Atroma, Fiona knows what would annoy her more than a job undone: a job done badly.]

So... why can magic slam shit closed but not cough up a nail? I mean, if you don't mind my asking. Seems weird to me.

[dirth]

I wonder what they wish to use these things for. [ They don't seem to be dangerous, and Solas can't quite see what sort of use they would have, beyond being a kind of food for whoever runs this particular ship. Considering they're surrounded by what seems like robotics...

Well, he has more reservations than he would ever admit. His eyes glance around the room, as if he's imagining they're being watched, before he shakes his head. ]

I am a mage, and it was a simple force spell. Summoning items is not in my area of schooling, I am afraid.