driftfleet | [Video] Oh god she found out she can't permanently damage the ship

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[Video] Oh god she found out she can't permanently damage the ship

Who: Looma Red Wind
Broadcast: Video
Action: Anyone unfortunate enough to be aboard the Bishop
When: Evening of 5/21? Does space even have evenings? Space dinner time?

[For the past few weeks, Looma had been in A Mood and pricklier than usual. All that came to a screeching halt though, once she took out some of that anger on the ship and discovered something wonderful. And of course she's sharing it! So there's a giant, multi-armed and armor-clad princess gracing the network for you flooters, and she's positively beaming from the cargo hold of the SS Bishop.]

I have discovered the most exciting thing! This ship can repair itself!

[While that wasn't technically true, that was totally the case from Looma's point of view. And she was more than willing to show everyone so that they might better appreciate the superiority of the floating collection of spare parts that she'd been forced to crew against her will okay. It was clearly a superior piece of junk.]

Observe!

[And with that she's just gonna turn around and punch the absolute hell out of the closest bulkhead. It's loud, the video quality takes a hit as the camera's jostled by the pressure wave and falls on its side, and those two fists of hers have caved in a section of the hull the size of a Winnebago. Also the instrument panel up on the bridge is probably lighting up like a Christmas tree but honestly that is so far from being her problem that it really doesn't matter, right?

But as soon as she pulls her arms back, there's a loud creaking and groaning of metal as the wall just pops itself right back into place, good as new! And the novelty clearly hasn't worn off yet, because Looma's still as excited by this as ever as she turns around to set her communicator back upright.]

Is every ship capable of this?! To think I had been worried I might break something- this is wonderful!

[...okay, yep, she is going right back to beating the hell out of the ship again. And again. For the love of god someone stop her because at this rate she's liable to have everyone aboard convinced that the ship had found its way into an asteroid field or something. Just stop her for their sake, okay?]

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[Billy is somewhat alarmed to see this.]

I believe that's a common feature, yes...but I don't know the limits of it, and I worry about testing it while we're adrift in space.

[She sees what he's getting at, really- that's why she just scoffs before giving it one more strike before turning around to respond properly. If only to be impertinent.]

As if I would test the limits of such a delightful feature on my own ship!

[Not at all reassuring, but also just some of her usual posturing. Even as enthusiastic as she was, she was still waiting for any damage to repair itself before causing more- it was closer to a workout than it was any attempt at causing serious damage.]

[He had to reluctantly concede the point.]

Fair enough. I can't say I understand that particular feature, but I'm glad it's there. Last thing we need is to go out the airlock.

Even with such a capability, who would be foolish enough to use the hull?

[Give her some credit here Billy, she's no stranger to space. Hull integrity is kind of an important thing and she knows it- it's why she's been limiting herself to the interior bulkheads.]

...several people I could name, actually, but I didn't come from the sharpest of schools.

So you involve yourself with idiots.

[She'd probably be more sympathetic if that weren't a problem she'd solve by punching them until they stopped acting on bad ideas, tbh]

Not by choice. By assignment. I'd considered testing out and into university, but I have friends worth staying for.

I see. So you have taken up the burden of reining in their more foolhardy impulses.

[While seeing the limits tested or at least explored is informative, there's still the part where space is a thing.]

Just out of curiosity, are you trying to murder your crew or did this start as an accident?

[She'll just turn back toward her comm to give it the most disbelieving look she can muster, because honestly...and also, she still had yet to get used to certain aspects of human interaction.]

...are you suggesting that would be difficult for me?

[Not ethically, but, you know. Physically.]

I don't know you so I'm asking a question. [She doesn't know if it would be difficult ethically or physically.]

[There's an annoyed exhale of breath there, but Looma's grasp of human etiquette is at least keeping her from making any audible expression of annoyance. There wasn't much she could do about the look on her face, though.]

I have no intention of putting my crew at risk, human. If I wished it, I could crush every last one of them through much more direct methods, but they are under my protection.

And the ship's resiliency was discovered by chance.

Good to hear. [Nothing more reassuring than hearing how easy it would be to crush them all...] Thanks for sharing. [They both sound a little sarcastic but she is glad it was shared in general. It's good to know about the ships. Her power was restricted somewhat by the augment to prevent her from short circuiting the ships but apparently they have additional methods of protection. Almost makes her wonder if they actually should be trying to destroy their homes.]

[He's not...actually on the ship because he spends roughly half his time on the Goldstone with Tempest. But he does happen to catch this broadcast.]

I'm not sure that's the wisest course of action.

[LOOMA PLZ. There are some limits that you shouldn't test.]

Oh? And what would you have me pummel instead? At least I know this can actually withstand it.

["know" might be a bit of a stretch here, but it's not like this was the only part of the ship she's used as a punching bag]

[Can his answer be "Ideally, nothing"? He really wants to suggest that.]

I'm only worried that there might be an extent to which it can't withstand anymore.

[Have a very unconcerned, four-armed shrug.]

Well, it's hardly my concern- it's not my room on the other side.

[...wait, it's not, right? Welp.]

...at least, it shouldn't be.

It might be concerning to whoever is on the other side.

[He's just saying.....]

That being said, it is an interesting discovery.

They'll live.

[So dismissive. But also nobody's barged in here screaming yet, so she's probably in the clear right?]

Of course, I am not certain why the ship repairs itself, but the shuttles remain damaged...

[...Man, that's not his room on the other side, is it? He ends up staring at the screen for a few moments to try and figure that out.]

Perhaps because the shuttles are more of a luxury. I'm not sure.

If you plan to do this again, maybe a warning to the crew might be in order.

But that will be so tedious! Eventually they will just accustomed to it anyway!

[Yes this is exactly what it sounds like when a giant battle-princess resorts to whining]

So you expect everyone to simply accommodate you without taking their opinions and comfort into consideration?

[The way he's approaching this isn't harsh, necessarily, but it is serious. He doesn't appear angry, but neither does he appear particularly friendly. Of course, the question itself isn't entirely neutral. He has a better rein on his anger these days, but he's not perfect.

He just wants Looma to at least consider how she could be in the wrong here.]

Of course!

[Welp]

It is not as if the crew is in any danger.

[Oh yeah, this is going well. Sayid's expression barely changes, but it becomes slightly clear that he's not entirely happy with that answer. His head tilts, his eyes narrow a little bit more.

He'd rather not anger her. He'd rather the ship stay a comfortable, nonthreatening place to live. Even if he does have an escape that he can easily make use of, the Bishop is his home for now. But this isn't behavior that should be encouraged.]

It isn't about danger. It's about respect. And compromise.

I have done nothing but compromise since my arrival.

[Behind the not-unexpected anger in her words, there is a decidedly pointed accusatory tone there.]

It is why I tolerate serving beneath a human captain I have yet to see demonstrate any justification for holding that position, and forgive several remarks that would otherwise be met with force.

[While she hasn't yet made the leap to delivering an actual threat here, it's clear she's at least offering a warning of some sort. Tolerating and adapting to human custom was usually something she could deal with, under most circumstances, but she did not like the tone Sayid was taking at the moment. Or the implications she felt he was making.]

Are you suggesting I seek permission before any action I decide to take from this point on? For no other reason than you or the others may not like it?

[Sayid can't and doesn't speak to her first point. He's barely interacted with Cersei himself and for now, the justification is essentially "she was here first". Not something Looma is going to appreciate. (Not that Sayid necessarily thinks she should anyway.)

She's angry, but he doesn't back down. Not entirely. His tone does change and soften a little, to become more explanatory than anything.]

I'm sure your restraint was appreciated.

And not for everything, no. Of course not. But you can understand how battering the ship at random could cause alarm, surely. Perhaps if you had a set time to do it?

[See? Compromise.]

So I should instead ensure that I schedule my own training to be more convenient for you?!

[For a moment, it might seem like Sayid's change in approach had no effect. If anything she was just getting angrier. But to his credit, the level-headed and patient approach to dealing with Looma's angry growling actually did have a way of paying dividends. Usually. Small ones, but the sort that would never come from actually butting heads with her.

Fortunately, this was one of those times. And he had just enough points in his favor as a fellow warrior that she was at least willing to try negotiating more favorable terms, with at least some attention given to his point of view.

She doesn't like it, but she'll cross her arms in front of her and reluctantly try to restrain herself somewhat.]

Suppose I instead alert the rest of the crew beforehand- would that not also avoid any unnecessary alarm?

[....Didn't he just suggest that, Looma.

Okay, though, Sayid isn't going to argue when it isn't productive. Instead, his expression smooths out, becomes decidedly more pleasant again.]

I think that would work well.

...Are you sure that's a good idea?

Of course! No true warrior should permit themselves to sit idle, even in times of peace.

[...relative peace anyway, there was that whole asteroid coup business. But that was unplanned.]

I must remain at my best, even with this ship's pathetic excuse for amenities.

[She would break that stupid treadmill with every step okay it was built for people way smaller than her.

Speaking of breaking, that bulkhead's getting hit again. It's not the same kind of punch though, since she's trying to make a point- instead of one big hit, it's a speedy succession of punches that alternate between faster, comparatively lighter punches and a stronger follow-through from another hand. Evidently, this was the closest thing to a four-armed alien's version of a boxer's one-two punch.]

[Prompto is unfortunate enough to be on the Bishop. And also, headed down to the cargo hold. He heard there was a treadmill down here, and while it isn't ideal, it's better than nothing.

Except for all the noise, which has him pausing and then sitting on the stairs when he finds the cause. No way does he want to get too close, and so, engaging via video.]

So, uhhh, did you discover the ship was self-healing before or after you tried to damage it?

Before, of course.

[...that was not entirely true, but it wasn't really a lie either. She hadn't been trying to damage it the first time around- she was just upset- but the wall bouncing back into shape was definitely a surprise.]

It was an unexpected surprise!

That's so reassuring!

[It's not reassuring. That's horrifying.]

Is this something you do often?

Oh, it most certainly will be! A warrior must remain ready for battle, even in times of peace!

[This is the sort of company you'll be sharing the ship with, buddy]

This just happens to be the best of many awful options. Unlike the rest of you, this ship can take a punch!

[...the fact that particular statement didn't have any sort of malicious tone to it- more like a casual observation than a criticism- might not be the best thing]

That's, um. I get it, really. But ... the ship?

[Wonderful...]

Oh, yeah. Please don't ever punch me.

[It's a little scary, to be honest. But Gladio made comments like that all the time. Just - Prompto was pretty sure he couldn't dent a ship like that.]

It's not an ideal solution, but it is one of the only things that won't be destroyed after one use. Many Tetramands are proud warriors, and much stronger than most beings in the galaxy.

[Not the strongest though, but it was a short list when it came to any race that could challenge them. One of which was actually larger than the ship, so the odds of them showing up was pretty low.]

And I will not harm you unless given sufficient reason. Do not present a threat to any part of this crew, do not attempt to steal from me, and do not insult me. They are simple rules to follow! You will first be warned for the last one of course- I am aware most of you humans are incredibly new to dealing with the rest of the galaxy.

Wow, really? That's, actually, pretty cool.

[They could have used someone like that. Gladio was impressive, but he wondered how his mountain of a friend compared to this?]

Yeah. [He laughs. It's a little nervous.] I've been a lot of places, but outer space is not one of them. ... Well, it wasn't. It is now. Anyway! Good rules. No threatening, no stealing, no pissing you off. Got it.

[Really, he says that, but that's proooobably due to a whole lot of context being deliberately withheld. Most people don't respond well to "might makes right" being an actual legal justification. Or the whole "millennia of actual civil war" thing.]

Much of the galaxy shares that sentiment. My understanding is that those of us who leave Khoros find ready employment as mercenaries or hired muscle.

[Or criminals, but that one isn't really a career choice she approves of. She's not 100% certain he understands her warning- on some level, she's usually pissed off at the people around her- but the man seems to understand enough that Looma doesn't see any point in correcting him. So she'll just give a nod of approval.]

Then there is no reason this arrangement will be an unpleasant one.

Unless you insist on continuing to pretend you aren't hiding from me.

[She's not hard of hearing, Prompto. She noticed pretty early on that she was hearing you from two different places- the fact the Bishop has a pretty unique interior compared to the other ships didn't help things. And she may or may not be looking squarely at the entry to the cargo hold to let you know just how busted you are.]

[Busted. He laughs. It might be a little forced.]

You call it hiding, I call it exercising extreme caution. But if you're not going to punch my head off my shoulders, I'll come on down.

[He didn't mean to offend. It's just, he likes living.]

Why would you even think to test that?

[Did she know nothing about the dangers of space? Really!]

I didn't. But I did choose to continue toying with it.

[Because that's reassuring right?]

You know you could put your whole crew in danger if you damage it badly enough, right?

[Because, please... please tell Keith Looma was at least that aware of how space worked.]

I do not know how humans design their ships, but we Tetramands do not house vital components in the cargo hold. Neither do the Atroma. And as I have already explained to another, I am not so foolish as to damage the hull.

[Well, at least not until they're in atmo at the next planet, so that they would actually not die if that part of the ship didn't fix itself.]

[Keith huffed and mumbled something about barely knowing her so how would he know how her people designed their space ships or that they even had space ships.]

Well, fine then. Have fun with your punching toy.

[Yup. He was grumpy. Some people, man...]

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