Act 1 | text

[poisoninmypocket]

Who: Monty Navarro
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: SS Heron
When: September 16th

[Monty isn't a complete stranger to being one place and then suddenly being another. This typically has some element of delusion or other magic involved, though. Suddenly finding himself aboard a random ship in the fleet is disconcerting. But Renart's given him a basic rundown of what's going on, and he's glanced through this latest communications network. There's far too much to take in. But there is one matter he's been wondering about.]

To All Souls Present,

My name is Lord Montague D'Ysquith Navarro, most recently of the Fortress Between. I should extend my apologies if this is a query that has been answered before, but is there, perhaps, a list of persons who once were held within the confines of this fleet who have since departed? And is it known where these disappeared persons might go?

Regards,
Navarro

ACTION - SS Heron

[Monty's not entirely sure how much he should go just wandering about a strange ship when he's just arrived, really. He probably ought to introduce himself to the captain, find out if there's some place for him to actually sleep, where the food Renart mentioned might be... But, well, a man does get distracted. Specifically, he's been distracted by the Med/Science Lab. Everything in it should, by rights, be absolutely foreign, but his hands seem to know what they're doing when he picks up devices, and he knows what the different medicines he finds are and what they do.

It's unnerving, disturbing, whatever had he done to be so deserving of such an augment? And how in god's name is this possible? He's really trying to take it in stride, but he's back to being a no one, stranded away from all the people he's known for more than a year, except Renart, whom he hasn't even found, yet.

Anyone stepping into the medical lab will find a young gentleman dressed to the nines in a suit from a bygone era, moving around and trying desperately to keep himself distracted from... everything by mucking about with the equipment.]

Comments

[poisoninmypocket]

[ An inheritance, then. At least Monty assumes inheritance given how youthful the other man appears.

Unless he's immortal.

And that may very well be a possibility with the mention of special powers. ]

Oh? Do you have special powers of your own, then?

[axiomed]

Yes. I can read minds.

[ And much more, but Charles is no longer applying for full disclosure. ]

[poisoninmypocket]

[ There's a drawn out pause as Monty's own thoughts grind to a halt before kicking up and running away at a frightened rabbit's pace. He shouldn't assume this man is reading his mind right now. He might be joking. Or there might be some limitations. Or he might be polite enough not to without permission. But dear god is that ever unnerving. How can you tell?

Can you tell? ]

I see. [ His voice is a little faint. ] Is there some indication for when you're doing that?

[axiomed]

[ It's always the same. Charles is actually kind of darkly amused by it now. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. ]

I'm afraid there are no red flags. At the most, I don't. You'd be surprised how dull a person's mind can be.

[poisoninmypocket]

[ Well, he can't blame the man for taking it as you will. He's probably used to the reaction. Monty pushes down the anxiety and aims for dry humor and mock-indignation to ease himself and the other man. ]

I beg your pardon, Professor, but are you calling my mind dull? That seems really uncalled for!

[axiomed]

[ His lips twitch. ]

Once you've seen as many minds as I have, you've seen them all.

[ Literally, in his case. ]

[poisoninmypocket]

Surely there must be something unique to find in each. A poor musician playing music on the streets has little in common with the lords and ladies of noble houses.

[axiomed]

Why not? Why can't a poor musician feel the same about food, or clothing or life? What is the difference between hate and love, anger and fear?

Simply because they take different shape does not mean the feeling itself or the thoughts themselves are unique.

[poisoninmypocket]

[ That gets a surprised raise of Monty's brows followed by a gentle and more genuine smile than he's worn before. It reminds him just a little of the song Phoebe had sung to him at their first meeting.

An oyster shell itself is unassuming,
but look inside--you'll find a pearl.
A man who otherwise is unpresuming
may share the same blood as an earl.
Do not dismiss a woman of position.
She can be tender-hearted, have no doubt.
The world would be in awfully good condition
if we could all live inside out. ]

I know lords and ladies of many a noble house who would rail against such words, Professor. How uncouth! How ignorant! Surely, they must be different from any commoner.

[axiomed]

[ He nods. Charles would sort of count as nobility, having his own family crest and motto. ]

I'm sure they would. However the way I feel and express myself will always be of my own volition and choice and that's more important to me than catering to others.

[poisoninmypocket]

[ Monty nods. ]

A man of firm convictions. I can imagine it's served you well in academia and in the wider world.

[ To a greater and lesser extent. Monty is a rebel to a point, but he's usually careful with his words and actions. There are machinations to see to, and sometimes that means keeping his mouth shut or smiling when he doesn't feel like it. Charles seems to favor the more vibrant spirits. So, he'll offer one. ]

I wonder if you've expressed yourself to our hosts, then? Or had any opportunity to do so.

[axiomed]

I find it's more important that it serves me personally and I am at peace with myself.

[ Charles shrugs. ]

We don't get many opportunities. And when we do, I doubt they listen.

[poisoninmypocket]

I take it your abilities have a limited range of effect, then? Or are the Atroma simply shielded from you?

[axiomed]

[ Charles looks blase at the idea that his powers may be limited or shielded. ]

Who knows? It's hard to say.

[poisoninmypocket]

Is it? [His gaze turns sharper for a moment once more.] You mean to say you can't tell when someone's consciously blocking you out?

[Because testing the limits of his range seems elementary, really.]

[axiomed]

I did say I try not to read people's minds without permission. I could sense some shielding, but it would have to be very conscious of that.

[poisoninmypocket]

I should think our captors a special case indeed for that particular and most-welcomed personal code, professor. One forfeits the right to complain of unwanted intrusions when they're in the habit of ripping people from other realities. Or facilitating whatever force is in the business of it.

[axiomed]

They still need to be within my range and there's no sign of them on the Fleet.

[poisoninmypocket]

They're not in the Marsiva, either? [Monty's brow furrows.] I was only on one deck, and everything was automated, but... surely it's not entirely robots. Unless...

Could the Atroma, themselves, be robots?

[axiomed]

Anything is possible. But that's the problem. We cannot narrow down any theory without having proof.

[poisoninmypocket]

Mm... signals! How do our communications devices work? A gentleman of my acquaintance explained the internet and wireless telephones to me once. He said you could... you could find the place where a signal originates if you triangulate it? [Monty's expression turns thoughtful as he reaches back to conversations with Joseph and Lisbeth. He's trying to remember the terms properly.]

Can we do that with any signal from the Atroma?

[axiomed]

[ Charles debilitates on it. ]

If the signal is decipherable, yes. But there are a lot of factors required for us to triangulate such a signal. For instance, how far is it? What if the signal cannot be traced by our equipment?

[poisoninmypocket]

Then I would suspect we might like to consult our Communications officer or someone with more skills in such matters than a stockbroker from 1909, professor. [Monty offers an carefully apologetic smile.] My apologies. I am being... overly-aggressive, perhaps, for a man who's spent very little time here.

I'd just like to help. Idle hands, and... one does crave diversion for the mind that it might not dwell upon what's lost.

[axiomed]

I am our Communications officer. However, while I know how to use these devices, you need to remember that my pertinent information comes from the Atroma and therefore, they can easily hide the truth.

[ He nods. ] You'll find a way.

[poisoninmypocket]

[That is an interesting point. Someone with outside knowledge who might be able to break into the system might be more appropriate, then. Monty bows his head, all deference, in any case. He needs to build up a network and seek out a bit more information before jumping headlong into such things.]

I'll try, professor. But in the meanwhile, I'll look forward to assisting you with any experiments here and getting to know the rest of our crew.