001 The Lone Wolf

[theladyofwinterfell]

Who: Sansa Stark
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: only on Marsiva, as Sansa doesn't have a ship assignment yet
When: 12.08.2017

( Sansa has never been in such a situation as this one. She's lived in court, yes, and she's lived as a captive in both King's Landing and in the Vale. She's come to her own home and found it hostile. She's never been in a place where everything is so clean and white as this and one that has strange devices she doesn't understand. She's been acclimated to them somewhat, thanks to an...instructional program (it was a program, that was the word, wasn't it?) but it's still foreign to her. Still, if everything foreign was something she fled from, she'd not be alive today.)

( Once she's had a chance to determine how the video works (a novel concept in and of itself), she arranges her hair neatly and addresses the fleet. Perhaps it's a ship that sails through the stars and not water but a ship is a concept that is not untenable for her at the moment. She's grateful she has on a dark dress of her own design, a dark cloak. The stars are cold, it seems, and the warmth is helpful.)

Greetings, fellow travelers. I am Sansa Stark, lately of Winterfell, and I appear to have become part of your conscripted crew for the time being. I've never been on ships for any long stretch of time and certainly not those that sail through the starry night instead of ploughing the ocean so I beg your indulgence as I acclimate myself.

I welcome any advice you may have for me as I embark on this journey for I fear that I am quite out of my element.

( Sansa adjusts her cloak a bit and smiles toward the device, hoping her face is in focus. Hopefully this has worked correctly.)

Thank you.

Comments

video

[bryces_pup]

[Having been in the fleet going on two years, Riona knows to watch posts and then have the reaction before responding. At first, she'd been glad to see Sansa, but as it became clear Sansa had no memory of her prior stay here, her heart sinks. This is always hard, seeing a friend but having to start over. However, there's a bright spot in the dark: Sansa's older looking than she remembers, which means so far, she's survived the horrors Westeros has continued to throw at her. If there's any place that's shittier than Thedas, her world, it's Westeros.

With her initial reaction out of the way, Riona composes herself as she hits the button to reply.]

Welcome, Lady Stark. [Of Winterfell? Had Sansa been able to return home after all?] I'm Riona Theirin, something of a long-timer here. [Not THE longest by any stretch, but long enough.] You're currently on the Marsiva. It's an enormous ship that the other ships are more or less tethered to as we travel. In about a week, you'll be randomly assigned to one of the other ships. Until then, you're effectively stuck on the Marsiva, but once you're sorted you can travel freely between the ships, though you cannot return to the Marsiva.

Re: video

[theladyofwinterfell]

( It's not much of an explanation but the woman giving it is kind and it appears to fall in line with the information Sansa's been able to glean on her own. On the face of it, she can trust it, and there's so little she can trust these days. She grants Riona Theirin a small smile, though it does not quite reach her eyes. )

My thanks for your welcome, my lady. It is good to know that I will not be stranded here for long, I suppose, and that I will have some freedom of movement. In a foreign place, it is good to know one's boundaries and how to navigate them.

Which ship has granted you passage?

[bryces_pup]

I am on the Blue Fish. One of about... [Riona has to pause and do a rough count in her head. The ship numbers have fluctuated during her time here, so it's hard to keep track of the exact count.] Fourteen or so ships? [Fifteen, to be exact.] Each ship is laid out similarly, though there are variations depending on what manner of crew is on board.

[All thanks to the augments.]

While I could prattle endlessly on about things here, I don't want to overwhelm you all at once. It's quite a lot to take in when you first arrive, especially if you're from a world that doesn't have the technology and what-have-you the fleet has. Are there any burning questions you have that I can answer? [Best start with those and go from there.]

[theladyofwinterfell]

Burning questions? Well, I know how to use this device because I had a little help with it but how do you...I only know how to broadcast myself this way. How would I go about sending just you a message, my lady?

( This seems like absolutely pertinent information to have the longer she stays here. )

Video

[alwayscomeback]

Sansa!!! Oh man, it's so good to see-

[Sokka's utter delight in seeing her again is caught short as he realises that she doesn't remember this place. Or him. His smile softens, but doesn't fade completely. She's older- and she's still alive. As awful and terrible as Westeros is, Sansa is surviving, and that means the absolute world to him. He clears his throat.]

Um. Sorry. I meant to say- welcome to the Fleet, Lady Stark. I'm Sokka, captain of the Blue Fish. If you've got any questions, I'll happy answer any of them for you.

Re: Video

[theladyofwinterfell]

( He speaks so familiarly, as if he knows her. Sansa frowns a bit, confused, and tips her head a bit as she inquires further as to the source of this warmth. )

You speak as if you know me quite well, Captain. How would you? I've only just arrived. Did you mistake me for someone you knew?

[alwayscomeback]

[He laughs, a little nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

Okay, you're...probably not gonna like this. You were here before, younger- but sometimes, Atroma bring people here a second time and wipe their memories of the first time they were here. Which, you know, rude, but there it is. You were a member of my crew, a while back. But you won't remember any of it if Atroma don't want you to.

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa frowns a bit deeper at this knowledge. She doesn't recall ever having being here before, which falls in line with what he's saying about Atroma not allowing it. She doesn't like the idea of her memory being manipulated and she wonders...oh, she wonders. )

How old was I when I was part of your crew, my Captain? Where did I say I had come from? I have no memory of it but I would like to know how much younger I was.

video;

[universal_charm]

I have to say, 'conscripted crew' is the most elegant way I've ever heard our predicament put.

_{[ He dips his head in a sort of bow. ]}

Nice to meet you, Sansa. I'm James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the Tourist. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and I can try and answer as many as I can. Though since you asked for advice, mine would be to take your time and learn the functions of a ship and get used to being on it. You might find things like the gravity and controls for things a little difficult at first.

Re: video;

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa dips her own head in deference; a captain is the most esteemed position one can have in a navy, aside from being Master of Ships for an entire realm. She owes the captains here her respect as they may hold her fate in their hands someday, if she should be a passenger aboard their ship. She would serve at their pleasure. )

My warmest welcome, Captain Kirk. Would I be expected to know how to steer one of these ships? I know nothing of sailing on water, save that I get a sick stomach at sea, so I wouldn't begin to know how to navigate the stars.

Re: video;

[universal_charm]

_{[ Ah, Sansa, that's giving the whole system a bit to much credit, probably, though Kirk was an actual captain in his home world too. ]}

Ah, unless you have a Piloting Augment, no, you would not be expected to, though it would not be a bad skill to learn if you so desire. And please, you can just call me Kirk or Jim, Sansa, no need for formality.

Re: video;

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Formality is Sansa's crutch in unfamiliar situations and to be invited so quickly to use a personal name with this Captain is throwing her a bit off guard. The culture here is far more relaxed than court or even Winterfell and she supposes she ought to conform with it, assimilate herself. )

Jim, then, if you insist. I wouldn't want someone to call me simply Stark, reduce me to only my family heritage. I'd rather we have the use of our given names if you want to use them.

I have not been given a Piloting Augment, I don't believe.

Video

[passingthrough]

[She'd really had very little interaction with Sansa when she was here before, but she recognizes her and feels like she should speak up. She is Robb's little sister after all. He trusted her to watch after his direwolf pup* when he disappeared. Checking in on Sansa seems like the least she could do.]

Hi, Sansa. You sound like you're handling it pretty well considering. [Considering how much of an understatement "quite out of my element" is coming from what she knows of her world.] I'm Kitty Pryde. I'm the captain of the Twin Roses. [Co-captain. Details.]

(OOC: Not actually Grey Wind but a direwolf pup (that won't grow to regular size) he got from one of the game events.)

Re: Video

[theladyofwinterfell]

My lady captain, well met. ( Sansa laughs softly, a bit of a smile curling her mouth. )

Twin Roses? House Tyrell of Highgarden would appreciate what you've called your vessel.

Video

[passingthrough]

I didn't exactly name it, but Margaery Tyrell used to be aboard and she did appreciate it from what I remember. [Okay, technically it was the Windrose and didn't become the Twin Roses until it merged with another ship, but that feels like a lot to explain to a new arrival. When there are more important things to cover.]

Re: Video

[theladyofwinterfell]

Margaery Tyrell was aboard your ship? Was it long ago, is she still among the fleet?

[Video]

[tallasaking]

[He is absolutely wary of the face that appears on his screen. Of course he has every right to be wary because the last he has seen of Sansa Stark she was .... cod and angry, altogether.

So it is with a civil and careful tone he states.]

Good day, Lady Stark.

Re: [Video]

[theladyofwinterfell]

( This is a face she recognizes, a face she knows very well. She hasn't spoken to him since hearing that he'd become hand to Daenerys Targaryen but she'd urged Jon to treat with him, to listen. He's not like his family, Tyrion Lannister, and he is a truly good man. The smile she has is genuine because he is the closest to someone she can trust of anyone she's seen. )

My Lord Tyrion, it's been ages! We've corresponded through raven, of course, but I've not had a chance to speak with you myself. If I were to want someone to help me and not have Jon or Arya, the gods favor me to send me the hand of Daenerys Targaryen.

Re: [Video]

[tallasaking]

[His mis-matched eyes widen in surprise, and a faint bit of suspicion. He leans back a little, squinting at her as he asks quizzically.]

I beg your pardon, Lady Stark? We haven't spoke in Westeros since before my trial .... but. Ah!

[His expression lightens. This is a different Sansa.] You have come from the world where I am already the Hand of the Queen yes?

video! also, i am sorry about her

[poisontippedcure]

'Conscripted crew' is certainly one way to put it, although I wouldn't phrase it nearly as nicely.

[Even though Rose has only been here for a few months, the constant influx of people is starting to become a chore. She doesn't bother commenting on the majority of network posts that come through, but she can't help herself here.]

If it's advice you're looking for, I'd recommend keeping your wits about you. The majority of us here are out of our element, and the Atroma are fully aware of this.

[theladyofwinterfell]

You give precious advice, lady, and I do not take it lightly. Sometimes wit is the only weapon one may have to hand.

( Sansa swallows a bit, tries to school her face so she doesn't seem to be nervous. )

The Atroma seek to exploit our naïveté?

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose crosses her arms as she looks down. On the one hand, it's nice to speak with someone who isn't radiating directionless optimism. On the other, this conversation only serves as a reminder of how frustrating this situation actually is.]

The Atroma seek to exploit us. Naiveté only makes their job easier.

[Memories of the last couple months come flooding back, and Rose sighs. Whatever the Fleet is, it's definitely not a vacation.]

According to the Atroma, we're here for entertainment. How comfortable you are with that explanation will depend on you.

video

[tough_love]

[If she were the thoughful, sensitive type, she might have opted to keep her response to voice-only. But Looma being Looma, that's not something she's not likely to do anytime soon, even if her intentions are actually more-or-less good. So, yeah.

Sansa's getting a response from a hulking red, four-armed alien bruiser decked out in plate armor. With half her face hidden, thanks to a piece of weighted fabric hanging down under the left side of her helm- she probably could find time to get ahold of a proper eyepatch at this point, but she can't be bothered.]

You will find these ships are more comfortable than those you are accustomed to. At least when underway.

[So long as they're in space, it's barely noticeable that the ship's even moving, after all. At least to Looma.

She'll hold up one hand for the camera though, and raise all three fingers as she ticks through a short list of pointers for the newest "guest" in the fleet.]

Firstly, lower your expectations for comfort. Especially related to food. If you are fortunate enough to be given a captain who bothers to acquire real food, it will be less of a nuisance- but you will have to subsist on the disgusting food dispensed by the kitchen aboard each ship eventually.

Secondly, it is in your interest to better yourself. If you do not know how to fight, learn. But you will also be expected to assist your crew in much more mundane ways, such as keeping the ship operational.

Finally, if someone here warns you to take shelter or flee, obey without hesitation. It is not common, but our hosts seem to find it entertaining when we are thrust into dangerous situations. Occasionally lethal ones.

Re: video

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Her appearance may be strange but her words seem to be advice that Sansa ought to take to heart. She has no issue with taking food that may be unpalatable - disgust is better than starvation. She doesn't know how to fight but she can learn. Arya learned, didn't she? Sansa thinks she can as well. As to the last, to being told of lethal situations, well. Sansa needs no introduction to that. )

How often are we put into peril? Is this a common thing?

[tough_love]

Not frequently. Typically it has been confined to isolated instances- individual threats rather than an entire planet full of them. The last two worlds have been unusual exceptions to the rule.

The last planet was one battle after another, over several weeks. Even I was injured.

[She'll helpfully point at the fabric over her face, rather than lifting it up outright. She does have some manners.]

The one before that was struck by a meteor. Several among us did not survive. Myself included.