comm 004

[scanninggaydis]

Who: Felix Gaeta
Broadcast: Yes!
Action: The Vanquish
When: Morning/Afternoon of the 11th


Action
[Somewhere in the late morning today, there's a new face roaming the Vanquish. Or...a new-ish face? In any event, there's a teenage boy where there was not previously a teenage boy. No fanfare, no pudding, just a new body. It's not the right time for new crew-mates anyway, so that's strange too.

Felix is definitely cautious as he wanders around. He's not...look, he's not going to cry, he's too old to do that. Even if he is suddenly in a spaceship with no memory of how he got here. The signs definitely point to something not good happening. His posture is tight. Ready to defend himself or probably....probably just run. Not really the scrappiest of fighters, Felix.

When he comes across his first person, his posture gets even tenser. Maybe he just passed into a new room, maybe someone walked into the room he's currently in. He freezes for a long moment, barely breathing.

Assuming they don't immediately attack him - because why would you?? - he lets out a deep breath. Still tense, still scared. But gods, he needs to figure out what's happened to him.]

...Are you... [He really doesn't know what he wants to ask, this situation is weird.] ...I'm not supposed to be here.

[So. Not a question, then. But pretty much the best he can do under the circumstances.]


[Later, when he's at least had things explained to him, he's a little less cautious and a little more curious. He'll definitely be poking around all the areas of the ship with determination. He's been on ships before, but not like this! Not a ship designed for long-term habitation. Not ships where he's gotten to be on the bridge or in the engine room. It's the small silver lining to being...here. Suddenly. If he sees anyone else, he smiles politely, if somewhat awkwardly.]

Hi! I'm, um. I'm Felix. [The way he says it makes it clear that he already knows how weird this is.] What's your role on the ship?


Video
[When the video feed turns on for this particular broadcast, the face on the screen belongs to a young man. Or at least, a kid who looks to be roughly in the latter half of his teen years.

He holds himself with a certain amount of nervous poise, his back a little bit too straight. His hands are clasped in front of him on the table. Public speaking is not...his best talent. But he has some questions! Or, a question, really.]

Uh...hi. My name is Felix. Gaeta. I guess some people here might...already know me? But as an adult. [He strays from that nervous posture just a little, enough to rub the back of his neck, looking off camera for a couple of seconds.] Which is really weird. I mean, it's kind of cool, too. In a way. Because I have no idea how someone would pull this off. Like, did they mess with my DNA somehow? I know that it shouldn't be possible for them to reverse aging this much...but then again I know how to fly an entire spaceship right now, I shouldn't really know how to do that. And the part where I don't remember being here, that's not a DNA thing at all....

[...He's getting distracted, this wasn't what he actually meant to say when he decided to address the Fleet. Right! His question!]

But, um, anyway. Back home, we definitely have the ability to travel in space, but as far as I know, no one has ever come across another populated system. Not even way back before the Colonies were founded. It's really cool that this fleet passes through so many different systems. I was wondering if people could tell me about the most interesting things or people they've encountered.

[He loosens up marginally as he keeps talking, getting into the idea of space and exploration. By the end, Felix is leaning forward a little, curious and engaged.]

Thanks. In advance.

Comments

[mongoosecrow]

What, really? What's with the whole trend of ages changing lately?

[He isn't sure if he should feel very confused or very amused or both.]

[scanninggaydis]

Is it something that's been happening a lot?

[Felix's tone is curious. Maybe a little concerned, but mostly curious.]

[mongoosecrow]

Well there's you and there's Sokka. He got aged up by choice though.

By the way, I'm Gil. Since you don't know me right now, do you?

[scanninggaydis]

[As if it's his fault, Felix shakes his head a little sheepishly. It's got to be weird, after all, for other people. It's definitely weird for him.]

No, I don't. I'm sorry, sir. It's nice to meet you though.

[Sir. Enjoy that, Gil.

But then he tilts his head to one side, still curious.]

Oh, okay. I guess it's nice that it's done on request too. [Something occurs to him.] ...Do you know if anyone's ever been aged down by request?

[mongoosecrow]

Sir? Ouch kid, way to cut to the bone. [Though his tone is playful and there's a smile on his face. He doesn't seem to mind that little!Felix is so polite.]

I don't know of anyone being aged down by request, and it's hard to imagine the older you wanting to do that.

He's kind of reserved. Cute though and wicked smart. Er... so at least you'll have that going for you in a few years? Probably got the smart part down already.

[scanninggaydis]

[It's a little weird to hear someone talk about him as he will be.

Reserved seems...likely. He know he tends to be pretty quiet. Not sure what to do with people, really. Then there's...the rest of that.

Gil's way too old for him, obviously. That's not the reason he suddenly looks down, a little flustered. It's just...you know, the suggestion that at some point in the future, a guy is going to think he's cute. That's definitely not something he's experienced yet.

After a second, Felix looks back up. Cute is a compliment he's yet to hear, at least not from adults who don't mean it to talk about how adorable he is. Smart is though.]

Maybe. I mean, yeah. I think so.

[Confidence, Felix!]

[mongoosecrow]

I think so too. [He says with a bit of amusement how even this more innocent version of Felix can't just take a compliment and roll with it.]

So, kid, how are you settling in? Did you need anything? This place can be crazy for the most well adjusted among us, I hate to think of someone young having to adjust and yet... They seem to like to drag kids in as much as the rest.

[scanninggaydis]

I'm okay.

[A brave little smile, because he is but also because Gil was kind enough to ask about how he's doing.]

It is...weird. But interesting, too. I've never been out in space like this before. I've only ever been on, you know, passenger transport ships.

[mongoosecrow]

Oh. Oh, wait. You eventually travel through the stars. We've talked about it before.

[scanninggaydis]

[Man, if only they had maybe talked a little bit more about the how and why of Felix traveling through the stars. But still.

Felix's smile becomes a little brighter. Right, right!]

I do want to join the Colonial Fleet. And...I found dogtags in, uh, my room on the ship. So I guess that means it's going to happen.

[mongoosecrow]

[Man kid, you are adorable.]

I think so too. I'm thinking I should see if I can get you to talk about your life a bit more, then I could answer questions if this ever happens again.

Though, in general, I try not to be the prying sort.

[scanninggaydis]

Maybe that's for the best, though. I mean, not knowing too much. It might cause a temporal anomaly or something if I did.

[Plus would it really be good to tell a young kid that in another 17 or so years, his civilization is going to be all but wiped out? No it's probably better not to know all that.]

[mongoosecrow]

That's a good point.

Man, I haven't even thought of that! Time travel's a new jam to me. Don't know all of the steps just yet.

[scanninggaydis]

[Felix tilts his head to the side a little, still smiling.]

I just sort of figured...you know, it's what they worry about in the stories, right?

[He pauses, laughs a tiny bit.]

I guess I am time traveling. Even if I didn't mean to.

[mongoosecrow]

Sounds like brand new territory. How's it feel to be a time explorer?

[scanninggaydis]

I guess it would be a little more fun if I'd had any control over where I was going.

[Still smiling though.]

I'd also say I expected the future to be a little more advanced but...comparing different galaxies might not be fair.

[mongoosecrow]

Have you had a chance to check out the way these ships travel between systems?

[scanninggaydis]

[Felix shakes his head.]

I guess I already kind of know about how navigation works. I've looked in the engine room, but I haven't really poked around.

[mongoosecrow]

Well that's where you need to step up, kid. Poke around a lot.

[scanninggaydis]

[That actually gets a very small, short laugh from him, and a nod.]

I'll work on that. I don't think the engineer here will mind that much.

[Shepard has been very decent, especially considering he was the first one to be confronted by a suspicious, scared teenager.]

[mongoosecrow]

You could always come to my ship too. I don't think the engineer here would mind. I'm on the Blameless.

[scanninggaydis]

[For a second Felix looks a little...uncomfortable? Because even if Gil is saying it's okay, he doesn't know the--

But he's a smart cookie, even at 17.]

The engineer is...you?

[mongoosecrow]

The one and only. So look me up if you need a place to poke around. Otherwise, I'll let you get your bearings, enjoy the sights, and all of that.

[scanninggaydis]

[He smiles and dips his head in a little nod.]

It was nice talking to you.