driftfleet | +1.5: Free Time Event

No. What? It's basically a fancy way of saying doctor. That's usually a one-on-one kind of thing.

The ship isn't that big. Trust me, you don't need secret passages to get around.

But if one of them becomes ill, the crew is still equipped to look after their sick, right? Having backup roles like that can be helpful.

Just because you don't need it doesn't mean it isn't there. [Komaeda gives a visible vent a fixed stare for a moment.] Doesn't that sound like the right sort of unsettling reveal for a setting like this?

Then you'd be looking at needing back ups for everyone.

For a setting like... a reality show? [ He's not following. ]

If you're looking at a practical situation, having medics is more important than anything else, really, since they're the only ones supporting the crew rather than the ship, right?

... Sure. A reality show!

Maybe. Thing is, it doesn't exactly choose people always suited to the job. [ says the demon who is currently assigned to be a doctor ]

What do you think it is?

Do you think so? Does it even matter, though, since it seems like we have the abilities regardless? [And that is an unsettling, strange idea that he's been slowly unpacking in his own mind, so don't mind his mouth's slightly perplexed twist.]

Oh, I couldn't possibly be so presumptuous as to say that it's one thing or another! I'll definitely concede to somebody who has a longer history onboard.

There's definitely something to be said for knowing about the field beforehand. [ This is obvious in his tone, because he's been having a much easier time adjusting to the tech than any of his fantasy RPG shipmates. ] So a bad fit's still a bad fit.

Uh-huh. Did you want... a tour or something, or...?

To a certain extent, I suppose so. [Komaeda perks up at the offer. Based on his location, it's entirely likely he doesn't need a tour, but...]

That's so kind of you to offer! I feel truly lucky to be blessed with such a kind shipmate who's willing to display his knowledge to such an uneducated beginner as me! [Yeah, he's got the general layout of the ship figured out. What he wants to know is, how this guy thinks about the ship layout. He's not likely to learn much about the ship-- but Chris? He'll gladly learn about him.]

[ Man, this kid is weirding him out. Super enthused about all the wrong stuff as far as Chris is concerned, and he doesn't know what to do with it. ]

Yeah... just consider it me doing my captain duties and let's leave it at that, all right? C'mon, we'll start back at the bridge.

[Komaeda follows him as gently as a lamb, still looking about carefully as they go.]

If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been on this ship?

Today would be four weeks. [ Because of the shuffle and all. ] Long enough, I guess. Other people have been here a few months longer.

Interesting. Has it been peaceful while you've been here? [He wants to ask if he's met anybody who says they've been here for months in person, but he feels like maybe he should just ask somebody else that later. Paranoia: a driving force in Komaeda's life.]

More or less. There was some kind of forest planet we stopped on that had some weird stuff, but it wasn't exactly... disruptive. Just odd.

[ He shakes his head. ]

There was some kind of attack down on the waystations recently but I don't really know more than that.

[ And that's a lie, but Chris isn't the type to just say everything at once, either. ]

Oh? An entire planet? What was it like?

[But hey, hey, what was that? That's a piece of information right there. Komaeda gives a little start.] An attack! How unnerving! Was it on people from other ships, or by them?

Foresty. There was a spa there too, but the forest was the big thing. And by big, I mean it was most of the entire planet.

[ Chris isn't surprised someone reacts to that. He's just not going to treat it as a big thing even if it is because he doesn't know this kid well enough. ] Both? Like I said, I don't have too many details. Aggravated assault or something like that.

Hmmm. [It sounds kind of nice, Komaeda muses. Though- and here he can't help but look down at the arm in the sling- he probably wouldn't exactly be able to soak in the communal hot springs, would he.] It sounds rather nice. [For once, there's no hidden edge to the comment. He just thinks an unending forest would be nice.]

Oh no, that's so tragic...! I'm sorry that such a despair-inducing incident happened. I'm sure only further hope can arise from something like that. People are resilient, after all, aren't they? [Komaeda definitely gets the sense that there's more to the story than he's being told. He'll ask after that to somebody else, he supposes.]

Not really. It was like a maze and... well, it tried messing with you pretty hard.

[ No, yes, Chris gives the new kid such an odd look for the phrasing. Who the hell even says stuff like that? ]

Uh... maybe. I'm not exactly sure how many people are in despair right now, though.

You're not sure?! [He physically hunches up, his good hand rising to clutch at air urgently.] Do you mean to say that an unknown number of people are in despair right now!?

Okay, hold on. Who uses despair anymore?

.... Well, I mean, it's.... [Komaeda looks so fundamentally puzzled that it's probably funny.] It's just what it's called. Especially nowadays.

Nowadays? What kind of nowadays do you come from?

I mean, what with the.... Ultimate.... Despair.... incident.....?

[His voice is getting quieter and more uncertain with every word. He tips his head to look at Chris sideways.]

[ Nope, no recognition at all. Chris momentarily considers that Komaeda might be referring to the time when Wyatt takes over the world, but it sounds like a title for the incident and nobody really has anything to call that event except "when the world went to hell". Besides... ]

Looks like nobody told you. We're... not all from the same places here.

Oh, really? ... Ugh, that's right, I'd forgotten. Sorry. It was pretty thoughtless, which is to be expected of total trash like me.

Anyway, what's your world like? [To be honest, he had sort of forgotten about that. It still seemed like it was a bit much to take in all at once.]

[ Well. That escalated quickly. Total trash like him? Wow, kid. You got issues. When Chris Halliwell thinks you have issues, that's pretty bad. ]

It's... my world. Hard to say. More advanced than a lot of the others here from what it looks like. It's 2004 and I'm from California if any of that means something to you.

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