second labyrinth

[lord_wizard]

Who: Felix Harrowgate
Broadcast: Starstruck crew & Fleetwide
Action: Mor, outside Dorian's villa
When: pre-dragon mob

[Video to the Starstruck crew]

I realize we've gotten one or two new people in the last month. I regret that I've not had the chance to meet you, but I've decided to remain on the planet for the time being. Nothing against any of you, of course, but I'd prefer better accommodations.

On that point, I understand we are given the opportunity to improve our ships and I think we could all benefit from improved sleeping quarters. The more of us request it the more quickly things will improve.

If you'd be so kind as to take care of that right away...

[later that day - action and fleetwide audio broadcast]

[It had hit him like a wave that made him stomach roll in near nausea. One moment everything had been fine, and then it was there like a thunderstorm. It wasn't quite like any magic he'd ever felt, but the flavor had been unmistakably noirant.

He left the villa and walked a few paces to stare out at the trees with an expression of unease. If he didn't know any better, he'd have called that sudden feeling of mikkary, but a forest couldn't gain the effect of centuries of violence and misery in the matter of seconds. Could it?

When he can breathe properly again, he fumbles with the communicator. The reception is full of static]

Did anyone on the planet feel that just now? There was an immense release of energy I might best term as 'dark' from the direction of the woods. I'm quite certain of it.

[He's not about to go charging into investigate, but years in the castle have taught him it's best to be on his guard. Likewise, he may not have the same attachment to the fleet, but he can't let the rest of them go un-warned of any potential danger.]

Things may not remain quite so calm down here. I should have known...

Comments

audio;

[noctiphile]

Why, Felix. That almost sounds like a demand.

[you fucking slacker he has had to play greeter while you've been lollygagging about no way is he making this easy]

And here I had my heart set on something else.

video

[lord_wizard]

[There's a reason he's spending half his time around a villa and the other half getting drunk. The ship sucks.]

It's a firm reminder. Don't tell me you don't want a decent bed to sleep in.

[noctiphile]

I have other priorities. Did you know the improved showers come with curtains?

[He says it so brightly it almost sounds smug.]

[lord_wizard]

[Dammit, that does sound appealing. And he really would make a joke except it would bring to light the fact that he usually locked the door whenever he used it.]

I find it more likely more of us will be sleeping at the same time as we will be bathing.

And I also understand that if we siphon enough funds into it, we will gain separate rooms eventually.

[noctiphile]

A pity. I've grown accustomed to sleeping with others. I'd hate to lose their companionship for silent walls.

Though, I would enjoy more hot water.

[lord_wizard]

[Don't think about Mattias in the shower....don't think about Mattias in the shower....]

It's nothing personal against you. I'd simply enjoy a little privacy now and again.

[He sighs] If I go with your suggestion this month, will you help me pay for the improved bunks next month?

[noctiphile]

I would have thought so much time off the ship would help with that.

[Is he offended? He might be offended. Still, even he knows he's being petty. The upgrade really doesn't mean that much to him. Sighing:] ... Reverse the offer and I'll do it. Bunks this month, then baths.

[A beat. On a whim:] And dinner. As payment.

starstruck crew

[pocketpal]

Well, I don't see what's wrong with them.

[lord_wizard]

Of course you wouldn't. Do you even sleep? [See, he managed not to mention her height, though that's probably more of a factor than anything else]

[pocketpal]

Of course. Two and a half hours per cycle.

[lord_wizard]

That probably explains why I've seen you doing it.

In any case, we do need some kind of improvements. What would you rather have?

[pocketpal]

Our resources are perfectly adequate to my needs.

...but, I suppose, if there is something the crew wants, I'll lend my support.

[lord_wizard]

Well, as I mentioned, I'd appreciate upgrades to our bunk area. Mattias desires the same to our bathroom. Either would be fine to start. Thank you. [He smiles brightly]

starstruck

[normallycharmed]

[ Oh look, it's the wayard team--shipmate. That's it. And while she can't disagree with the sentiments of having a bigger bunk space, she's also used to it by now from even before. So it seems being dry humor is more her forte. ]

Asking for things before you meet someone, huh?

forever

[lord_wizard]

[He takes it in stride, and he smirks wryly. It got her attention.]

I'm only thinking about the welfare of the crew as a whole.

[This is followed by a faint narrowing of his eyes. Something about her face brings up a feeling of deja vu]

Re: forever

[normallycharmed]

They seem to be managing.

[She raises an eyebrow at the look. ]

Yes?

[lord_wizard]

[Whoops. Caught.]

Oh...it's maybe nothing, but I feel as if we have met before.

[normallycharmed]

Hah. Yeah.

[ A beat. ] Well, we might have, but I wouldn't know anyway.

[lord_wizard]

[That gets a raised eyebrow]

And why would that be?

Video

[onlyanapple]

After as long as you've spent in Paradisa, I hope you're not planning on investigating the creepy dark energy.

audio

[lord_wizard]

[He scoffs] No, of course not. [Not right now, anyway]

But it has also taught me that some like that is just the herald for trouble. Some of these other people may not be quite so aware. [Or paranoid. Maybe that's why that word is spelled that way. Hm...]

[onlyanapple]

True. It's after the dark energy we usually have our minds played with, or some horrific monster shows up at our doorstep.

I wonder if that's Atroma's game, though. Seems a little fake, for them. Too rehearsed.

[lord_wizard]

Does it? It seems to me they thrive very well on the artificial.

[onlyanapple]

True, but this seems...off. I don't know. Why not make a show about these people, why not just shatter their little illusion? Wouldn't that make great television?

[lord_wizard]

Likely because that's only a trick you can pull once.

[He gazes off screen, in the direction of the woods]

I still don't like it. It feels as if someone performed a hundred years worth of sacrificial rituals at the same time. I don't know...