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[thespaceopera]

[according to the scanners, the fleet is hitting some kind of anomaly today... or is it? the electronics have all been acting very strangely today. it's hard to tell which readings are real, and which are errors.

like this reading here that says the temperature is plummeting into the negatives. it doesn't feel cold, does it? and this one saying that life-forms are popping up all over the ship is very strange.

though, then again, maybe you're seeing things. if there is something going on with the electronics, maybe it's affecting the augments as well... because some of these things that you're seeing just can't be real.

or maybe you're feeling fine (you're sure of it) and that crewmate of yours--the one who is sitting in the corner and meticulously wadding up an entire roll of toilet paper--he is the one obviously having problems.

either way, between the electronics malfunctioning and the crews' questionable grasp on reality, it's impossible to tell if the strange broadcast crackling through waves of static is even really happening.]

TEN. NINE. [--the voice is digital. robotic. nothing like the boisterous man's voice that follows]

Am I calibrated? I don't feel calibrated... [more static. hissing and buzzing.]

EIGHT. --No, I can't do that. Just get it done, and-- SEVEN. SIX.

Ha! [he laughs. and a woman laughs along with, somewhere deeper in the interference.] Like that would ever happen. FIVE. ...Yeah, get a load of this guy, right? Classic.

Don't forget to smile, darlin'. FOUR. ...Okay, okay. I got it.

[the buzzing rises. and he suddenly sounds much more serious.] Sure. Whatever you say.

THREE. TWO.

--I hate this part--



(ooc: happy april first, floots. these effects only last ICly for today, but feel free to backtag and whatnot if you come to the party late. feel free to use this post for all reactions, hallucinations, confused broadcasts, checking on your crew, or any other related hijinks. have fun!)

Comments

[everydayhero]

[hiro's not too great at being physically assuring to people that aren't his brother, but... he's started to realize that when he's really upset like this, physical contact really does help. so he scoots a little closer to belthazar and puts an arm around his shoulders.]

It's okay. I'm working on it... and from the sounds of it, you haven't gotten a lot of chances to do that. I bet she'd be proud of you for trying, though.

[arcanepower]

[Oh gosh, a hug. That's not something he's expecting to happen, and his eyes get even bigger. He doesn't want to be consoled for a sibling who died. Sorry Hiro, this is kind of a Big Thing for him.]

I don't want her to be proud of me. They never found her body, so she has to be alive. I have to find her! I have to--

[He opens his mouth to say something else, but no sound really comes out. (He imagines it's like a horrid screech of bats or something but no. Just nothing.)

Tears fill his eyes and he tries desperately to blink them away. He hates crying. Crying is such a childish thing to do, especially in front of his (maybe???) friend. At the very least they're crewmates and he really ought to be stronger than this. But here he is, crying and miserable. His grip in Hiro's hoodie tightens. He ducks his head, but it's too late to hide what's happening.]

[everydayhero]

[no body means they lived, it's canon]

... We don't know if we get to keep what we learn here. But I bet you do. So while you're here... you should learn everything you can. That way it'll be easier to look when you get home.

[Hiro's not really sure what other advice to give here. He can't tell him "I'll help you look," he's here with him. All he can do is be someone to cry on for this kid he wasn't sure about until today, and maybe make things less awful while he's here.]

And hey, I meant what I said earlier. You're not alone here, okay? I don't know how the other ship crews might work, but here on the Bishop, we're a family.

[arcanepower]

[ESPECIALLY IN HIRO'S CASE...

Belth sniffles pathetically and wipes his face on his big sleeve. Hiro is trying so hard but Belth resists. It's not because he never wanted those things, but because he's never thought he could have them.]

I've always been alone, [he manages, his voice very small.] I don't think you want to know someone like me.

[everydayhero]

I'm already getting to know you. It's too late to run from friendship, dude.

[his voice is a little more lighthearted there.]

[arcanepower]

[Belth blushes now, a nice little pink from his cheeks to his nose. It touches the tips of his ears. He makes a face.]

When I said I have always been alone, I mean I have never had a friend. Not a one.

[Belth tries to look as strong as he can despite his tear-streaked cheeks and the clinging to Hiro's sleeve just a minute ago. He does a pretty good impression of aloof regardless-- tilting his head back, his lips making a haughty thin line-- even if it quivers at the edges.]

How do you know I won't just set you on fire?

[everydayhero]

Well, you have one now. And because if you set me on fire, I'm pretty sure it'll be because I did something to deserve it.

[in other words, he doesn't know, but it won't end the friendship if you do.]

[arcanepower]

[His eyebrows go up. He's... somewhat impressed.]

You are persistent, aren't you?

[everydayhero]

I've heard it's one of my best worst traits.

[shoulderpat.]