a blip

[thespaceopera]

[the fleet has been clear of the musical signals for a day or so... but things still aren't quite right. signals occasionally fail, there is static in the wires. and, apparently, the ships' scanning equipment hasn't been as sensitive as it should be.

it isn't until the fleet is far from the last planet's range that some kind of invisible cloud clears... and several blips show up on every ship's radar. those ships that have a communications officer on-board will actually hear a little alert. and those that don't may miss it entirely, if no one else on board happens to glance at the monitors.

--you aren't alone.

for the first time, there is something showing up on the scanners that isn't the innocuous signatures of local traffic between stations, or the lone, short-range ships out doing their jobs. this is something else.

the communications officers and pilots can attempt to scan them, maybe try and hail... but they lie at the absolute far edge of the equipment's range. just hovering--maybe watching, maybe waiting. maybe not realizing that the drifting fleet is unblinded enough to see them. and there's no telling how long they may have been there.

and once noticed, they only remain for a few minutes before disappearing again into the black.]

...

ooc: this is an entirely-optional mini-event. you can reply or not, and there is no rush to do so. the ships on the radar cannot actually be reached, and will disappear regardless of what is attempted. but if you want to try anyway, post reactions, etc., go ahead and knock yourself out here. they won't answer, but maybe they are listening regardless. this can also be used as a mingle, if anyone wants to talk to each other, or try to bludgeon their communications officer into getting off their butts to actually do anything.

this is just a small event, or clue, and can be played with or ignored as you all wish! enjoy!

Comments

[alwayscomeback]

[Sokka, on the other hand, looks ecstatic.]

Wow. A whole building made of meat. I would live in that building and never, ever leave.

[blindoptimism]

I-It would be so slimy! [oh geez, composure, ummmm]

Although, I suppose, there would be benefits.

[alwayscomeback]

No, no, it'd be juicy.

You would never go hungry.

[blindoptimism]

And it would be very nutritious... [grooooooooooooosssssssss]

Maybe a nice compromise of the two would be best.

[alwayscomeback]

Darn right it would! [He could get Suki and they could get married and live in a house of meat forever and ever. ]

I don't think those two things mix all that well...

[blindoptimism]

You've never had a meat pie?

[alwayscomeback]

You'd call that a desert?

[blindoptimism]

Not exactly, but it would be a combination of the two. Meat with pie crust-- and element of desserts?

[alwayscomeback]

I dunno, deserts are usually...sweeter. Like cakes!

[blindoptimism]

Hm... I suppose you're right, it would be difficult to make a true dessert that featured meat.

[pause, pause, pause]

Yes, nothing is coming to mind.

[alwayscomeback]

Maybe that just means we'll have to make something.

[blindoptimism]

[ugh, SOKKA YOU ARE PRECIOUS]

Hmm, maybe we could put bacon in something? I've heard people can pair bacon and maple...?

[alwayscomeback]

[Sokka gives a gasp, the sort of gasp one makes then they have landed on some super important discovery that could change the fate of the very universe.]

This might be crazy, but what about...

BACON. PANCAKES?

[blindoptimism]

[his gasp is so dramatic it causes her to take a sharp inhale of breath too. She waits... ????? and then smiles at his idea]

Mm, that sounds quite tasty! I wonder if we could find the ingredients at the way stations?

[alwayscomeback]

[It is the greatest idea in the history of great ideas.]

You really think so? That would be great. No one would skip out on a breakfast like that.

...Except maybe Allen. I'm working on that.

[blindoptimism]

Oh, does he not care for pancakes?

[alwayscomeback]

Worse!!! He doesn't eat meat.

[He is legitimately horrified, like Allen has an incurable disease, or something.]

[blindoptimism]

He's vegetarian... [lamo, Sokka... she can't quite hide all of her amusement at his disgust]

Maybe we can find... fake meat? I've never tried tofu bacon, but I'm sure it's tasty. [and a thing? she's not sure?]

[alwayscomeback]

That's like...the second one I know. It's sad.

Maybe? Aang liked tofu.

[blindoptimism]

Aang? Is he a friend of yours?

[alwayscomeback]

Yeah, he's a pretty big deal where I come from. We're saving the world together, but Aang is like, the most important piece.

[blindoptimism]

That sounds like a lot of pressure... What is he like?

[alwayscomeback]

He's-

He's a good guy, y'know? He just really, really wants everyone to be at peace, for all the fighting to stop with as few casualties as possible. I guess it's a monk thing.

[It is a lot of pressure. He remembers Aang going missing, how they thought everything was going to fall apart. His friend has definitely been feelings it, more and more. What's worse, he's still not convinced Aang will do what needs to be done, should he defeat Ozai. ]

[blindoptimism]

That's... really admirable. [it's her ideal too, but in the end it was an ideal that she couldn't stick to when things mattered most. She thinks for a moment about those thousands of soldiers, and those faraway bombs...

But only a slight inhale and exhale of breath betrays her quiet thoughts] It takes a lot of courage to look for peaceful solutions.

[alwayscomeback]

It does, I just hope he can pull it off. If he doesn't everything is over. The whole world will suffer for it.

[And he can't let that happen, he's come too far to let that happen. He can't do anything, not on that air ship, but Sokka is nothing if not resourceful. He'll think of something. ]