February System Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: EVERYONE!!!
Broadcast: Possibly
Action: The Shinda BR-10 System
When: The fleet will be in this system from 1/26 to 2/23



Welcome to the Shinda system! There are three explorable planets here - Duotera, Ebrion, and Philias - each with its own current temperature state. Get out there and see the sights - but do please prepare for the extreme weather as necessary!

→ More system info is here!

Comments

Justice

[whatisright]

Wildcard

Justice needs a distraction. Things have been... hard for the past few weeks, and he doesn't like locking himself in his room and reading all day. So he goes out and makes himself helpful however he can, doing his best to keep himself busy. He has tentatively chosen to remain visible to those around him, but he is ready to go unseen the moment someone he isn't ready to speak to comes along. As much as he hates to admit it, he's still in an uncertain state of mind.

Even to those who don't know him, he doesn't look well. His face doesn't look quite right, and his complexion has become ashen, like he's sick. That doesn't stop him from running around everywhere, though.

Philias

Loyalty refuses to stay on this planet, so for once, Justice is alone. He is resistant to the heat, never looking as though he will sweat, but even he is forced to acknowledge the heat by taking off his shirt and putting on sunscreen.

"Would you please help me put this on my back?" he asks periodically to whomever passes by when it feels like the suns' rays have worn down the protection. The women of the planet--and a fair amount of men--don't seem to mind helping, though he is utterly oblivious to anything put the practicality of it.

He does everything that is possible to do, even things he usually would shrug at. He helps dig a new well. He delivers fresh flowers to graves for those who don't dare venture into the midday suns. He solves at least three decade-old murders.

He is a man possessed with the absolute need to work, especially to help others.

Ebrion

In Ebrion, Justice is much the same, though he keeps his shirt on and now he is followed by the loyal snow leopard who chose to follow him since the last planet.

Loyalty, as he'd come to call her, is happy to romp in the snow as Justice feverishly finds work to keep himself occupied. She rolls in the snow, stomps in the snow, and cheerfully wanders into random people's houses to track the snow everywhere. She is clearly completely untrained, and her fur is matted and thin in places--she is hardly underfed, but she has clearly not been getting a proper leopard diet.

At one point, Loyalty eats the wrong rat, and a very angry native carries her to Justice, who's busy shoveling the paths outside of an elderly man's house.

"Your cat ate my son's pet!" the native bellows, holding out Loyalty, who makes no attempt to look guilty. Justice barely looks at the native, busy as he is.

"She is not my cat," Justice says automatically with the air of someone who's said the exact same thing a hundred times. "She chose to stay in my company of her own free will."

The native shakes Loyalty for emphasis, which makes Justice look up and scowl. "She ate my son's rat! Do something!"

"Do felines not normally eat rats for food?" Justice takes Loyalty into his arms, if only to stop the shaking. Loyalty purrs and flops against his shoulder. "It seems unjust to punish her for slaying a creature for food. Shall we punish butchers as well?"

"She ate my son's pet!" the native bellows. It looks like this argument might go in circles for a while.

philias

[veilstrike]

Interesting.

Leilani watches from a distance, at least for a little while, her head tilted as her eyes drink Justice in. As before, he's completely unaware of the impact his new body is having on the people around him; the natives of this planet are interested in him and he seems to be completely oblivious to the fact that he's attracting them. It's as though he's honey and they're flies, all desperate to come and talk to someone who is both handsome and kind all at once.

Walking over, she steps into his line of sight and reaches down, picking up the sun lotion before she shakes her head, offering him something like a smile. It's been just long enough that the sour ache from their last conversation is something of the past: she can relax, now, stepping behind him before she squeezes some of the cream into her hand.

"How long have you been out here now?"

[whatisright]

Leilani. He feels her coming before she's there, and he briefly considers going unseen, but he finds himself craving her company. She's one of his few friends, and perhaps the only friend he has who isn't wrapped up in the horror of his future.

Her presence is an unexpected and unfathomable relief. Some tension leaves his shoulders that he didn't realize was there, and he stays still in anticipation for the lotion.

"I have been out here for three days," he says, as though that is a normal amount of time to toil in boiling heat. It's exhausting, but he's happy to feel like he's out and being productive. He's made a habit of sleeping recently, and he doesn't like what it's been doing to him. "There is much work to be done. It is good that I am here to do it, as the others risk heat stroke if they wander outside for too long."

[veilstrike]

He's being honest with her, which is a good thing, at least. She had expected something akin to awkwardness, but the way he greets her has Leilani softening, relaxing a little even as she nods her head, rubbing the lotion into his skin. This, she thinks, is intimate, oddly, and gentle - something that she hadn't expected to share with him but she's not exactly uncomfortable with. If it hadn't been her it would've been one of the native population; she just happened to get there first.

"Three days?" Frowning, she tilts her head to look down at him. That's not a good amount of time, even for a spirit that might be able to do things that most humans would be incapable of. Telling him to stop doesn't seem like it might work, especially if there's a reason for Justice having been working out here for so long. It's not her place to pry, but as his friend she thinks it is her place to nudge him gently into talking.

"Isn't it time you took a break, then? I'm sure the people won't mind if you took twenty minutes away to spend some time with a friend."

[whatisright]

"A break?"

Justice is reluctant, and it shows in the furrow of his brow, but... her hands on his back are nice. Her voice and gentleness are nice. Being able to talk to someone important to him without obsessing over what will happen is nice.

He's lonely, but he doesn't quite know that that's what he feels. He leans into her touch, completely oblivious to the way some natives stare at them jealously from their places in the shade.

"...I suppose there is no harm in spending twenty minutes with you," he allows.

[veilstrike]

There are some things she's good for, Leilani knows that, and being supportive and gentle is one of those things. She had done with Dorian, had been at his side for the worst parts of his life, and she had done the same for so many others: the Iron Bull, Cassandra, Varric, Cole... Solas. She knows how to support and comfort, and it shows in how gently she handles Justice now. She might not know what's troubling him, but she can support him all the same.

"Some people might think it a gift, spending time with me." It's easy to tease, and she squeezes his shoulder gently before she leans back. Slowly, carefully, she reaches out and offers her hand - her Anchor, ready for him to hold and touch, if he wants it or needs it. It won't hurt her, but it might comfort him, and that's more important.

"Shall we get something to drink? Does your new body let you indulge like that? Or would you rather just go for a walk?"

somewhere aboard the blameless???

[invigorates]

In the short time she has been aboard the Fleet, Lioriley has tried her best to acquaint herself with the rest of the Blameless crew. Unfortunately, some — either purposefully avoiding social interaction or otherwise — have managed to elude her. Lioriley does not actively hunt any of them down, of course, that would be rude, but there's a lingering excitement if and when she happens across someone she does not recognize.

Like Justice for instance. It happens seemingly randomly, with her catching sight of him out of the corner of her eye like hadn't been there a moment before. The tiny Lunari turns toward him, eyes wide with excitement; at least until she gets a good look at him. He doesn't look great — well, health wise anyway. Then again, maybe that's just how he looks? It's not like she has a means to compare him to any other state but this given how this is their first meeting. She's staring. She stops, glances to the wall briefly and then back to him.

"Good e—" a beat. "Evening?" time in space is stupid. "I do not believe we have met."

[whatisright]

Justice has seen the new arrival around. She hasn't seen him because he's chosen not to allow her to, but sometimes he forgets that he's never revealed himself to many of his crewmates. He feels her staring, and for a moment he's tempted to disappear again, but he keeps himself visible. He can't avoid people forever.

Or he can, but that sounds miserable.

"We have not met." Justice doesn't mean to sound curt, but that's how it comes out as he dips his head in greeting. "You are Lioriley, lab support. I am the security officer."

As usual, he forgets to give his title. Names are such a mortal thing, and he may never get used to how attached they are to them.

[invigorates]

She blinks owlishly at that, momentarily confused at the fact that he already knows her name and position aboard the ship. Maybe someone else told him? Definitely a possibility.

Either way, she doesn't seem to take his curtness as an insult or potential offense, and bows her head in greeting. "We have not, and yet you know my name before I know yours." She says with a quiet little laugh as she raises her head again, attempting - if he so allows - to look him in the eyes as she speaks. "'Tis a pleasure to meet you, ser."

[whatisright]

"You do not know my name because I do not have one."

Yeah, Justice is never going to tell people that his name is literally Justice. It feels dishonest. But he also doesn't feel quite right telling her to call him Justice, either. He's not sure if he really deserves that title now.

But mortals need something to call him, and 'Justice' is the only moniker he knows.

"Call me Justice." He gives her a short nod in acknowledgment, but he doesn't give her nearly the warm greeting she gives him. He doesn't mean to be rude; he's just awkward. "You can speak to me if you have concerns about the armory or matters of security."

[invigorates]

She looks him up and down once more, as if to silently confirm her assumption that he is in fact human. But humans, so far as she knows anyway, always have names. Is he something else, then? Or do people of his world not have names in general? Too many possibilities and she cannot rule out any of them. She doesn't outright ask however — his curt reply does not leave much room for questioning currently. So she just nods, folding her arms over her chest idly.

"Justice, then." She confirms, her smile still present despite his tone. If he doesn't wish to speak to her, she assumes he'll just stop. "I will be sure to do so, though I doubt I will have much use of the armory myself. I am not inclined towards weaponry of any sort - especially that of such advanced technology."

philias because you know why

[trudge]

Rowan doesn't need an excuse to be shirtless, but it's nice to have the option. The ungodly heat makes sure that Rowan, in all his battle-scarred glory, ends up with his own shirt off and a pair of sweet shorts on. You know the ones — bright, flower printed stupid things no man should wear. He'd go naked if he could but he'll at least give the locals the chance to imagine what might be underneath the pathetic excuse for clothes he's wearing right now.

Spoiler: It's hot and sweaty. That's what's under there right now. Rowan would complain were it not for certain benefits of things being hot and sweaty. Like seeing Justice donning - almost - the same look. Not that he knows it's Justice, given their last meeting involved him looking kind of corpse-y, but that won't stop him.

"Don't mind if I do." He says, grabbing the lotion and promptly slathering it all over the other man's shoulders. Nice and slow, kneading a bit. I hate him.

[whatisright]

Justice remembers Rowan, if only for the very distinctive way his presence feels so similar to Riona's. He's safe for the time being--someone who seems able to tolerate Justice's manner without being involved in the mess of his future.

And as usual, Justice completely forgets that humans can't recognize him based on presence, so he just assumes that Rowan knows who he is despite the change in his appearance.

Justice is, however, pretty sure that the pressure on his shoulders isn't necessary for applying lotion, but he doesn't complain. It does actually feel kind of nice.

"Is that how you always apply lotion?" Justice says it with the same flat, stern tone he says most things. It could either be taken as flirtation or reprimanding, but really he just means it as curious.

[trudge]

It's not, but that won't stop Rowan from continuing to knead his shoulders regardless. A little massage never hurt anyone, right?

"Depends. I'm not usually applying lotion to people's backs, though." If he can discern the tone the other man is attempting to convey then he does not make it obvious, answering as flirtatiously as he always does.

Lotioning someone up takes all of thirty seconds to do, but Rowan seems to be determined to make it longer while he presses his thumb between Justice's shoulder blades and rubs at a particular spot like he feels a knot. He can get knots right? He's in a human body?? Whatever. "I haven't seen you around before. Are you from the Fleet?"

[whatisright]

There is stress in Justice's back. It hasn't bothered him so far, but suddenly Rowan's hands are breaking it up and he's aware of it in a way he wasn't before. It hurts a little bit, but it's a good hurt.

Justice frowns at the ground when Rowan says he hasn't seen him around. Justice saved his life on the planet before last. Surely he's not that forgettable? It's not as if mortals can forget on demand like he can.

And then he remembers--oh right, mortals use faces to identify each other.

"You have seen me around before. I have simply changed my appearance since we saw each other last." Justice glances over his shoulder, though he doesn't try to disrupt whatever it is Rowan is doing with his hands. "You call me Justice."

[trudge]

Since no objections have been made thus far, Rowan continues. Thumbs work over knotted muscles, pressing just hard enough to try and ease some of the tension there; and he only pauses when he hears the name the other man gives.

"Justice?" he leans forward, around Justice's shoulder so she can get a good look at his face. "Maker's breath, you look — " Hot? "Far less like a corpse than you did when we met. I didn't even recognize you." Obviously. "What made you pick that form? Not that I'm complaining."

Ebrion

[passingthrough]

Kitty was used to her hometown being pretty cold in the winter, but it doesn't mean she loves the temperatures here. Still, it's better than the all sun, all the time planet and she was at least curious about what she'd find here. Plus, her direwolf pup, left to her by Robb is enjoying the snow and the time off the ship. Of course, she's starting to think about heading in (as she was from the moment she left the ship) when she overhears some arguing and wanders closer with Seeker bounding after her. She catches enough of the conversation to get the idea of what's going on and she recognizes Ander's friend.

"Hey, hi." She greets the native with a glance over to Justice. "What is it you want? Payment so your son can get a new pet?" Hoping to just throw a few credits at the problem. It does suck for the kid after all.

[whatisright]

Justice recognizes the woman. She was friendly enough on the network, and she seems better equipped to calm the native than he is, so he is pleased that she is here.

The native, on the other hand, seems apoplectic. "I don't want money! I want that beast put down! She's a menace!"

That makes Justice's permanent scowl become well and truly etched into his face as he slides his arms around Loyalty more protectively. "She shall not die for behaving as cats do."

[passingthrough]

"Yeah, that's dumb. Go away." What? She tried. If the local can't be reasonable then she'll just be efficient. How do you negotiate when someone's opening bid is death? "Maybe keep a better eye on your rats."

[whatisright]

The local points an accusing finger at Loyalty. "She ate my son's pet!"

"We know. You have said as such," says Justice as he rubs Loyalty behind the ears. Loyalty, for her part, is happily purring on Justice's shoulder, her tail swishing lazily back and forth. "If your son wishes restitution for the loss of his companion, I would speak with him on her behalf, but a cat eating a rat commits no more injustice than a human eating a chicken. Therefore--"

"I am not letting you talk to my son! I don't care about your stupid vegetarian logic!"

Justice squints at the native. "My what?" He has literally never heard of vegetarians, but it looks like the native is happy to keep yelling at him regardless.

[passingthrough]

Kitty looks at Justice. "Vegetarians don't eat meat? I don't know. I don't get it either."

"Listen," looking back at the local. "this isn't going to work out for you like you want. Move on. Comfort your son. I'll get the big guy to keep a better eye on the cat. But no one is dying here. I'd say take it or leave it, but you don't really get an option here."

Ebrion

[wolfehawke]

[Andraste's fingernails, brilliant...

Being the diplomatic soul he is, Adalwolfe leaves the sled he'd been using the deliver packages in town and hurries over to try and mitigate.]

I'm terribly sorry serrah. My friend here is very slow.

[He leans in conspiratorially and points to his head.]

You know, a bit touched.

[He pulls out a handful of chips, far more than a rat is worth, and presses them into the angry woman's palm.]

Here, take this. I know it won't replace your dear late pet, but hopefully it will do something to ease the sting of loss.

[whatisright]

[Slow? Touched?]

Lying is wrong.

[Justice doesn't care that he's being insulted. No, he cares that there's lying. Wolfe knows Justice isn't stupid or crazy.

The native, on the other hand, takes one look at all the money and pockets it with a scowl, glaring at Justice past Wolfe's shoulder.] "Put your 'slow' friend on a leash and put down the cat. I have a child to comfort."

[Justice's glare just becomes fiercer as he scratches the cat behind the ears.] No harm shall befall Loyalty simply because you cannot accept cat behavior.

[The native throws up a rude gesture at Justice, but the native is already starting to back away.]

[wolfehawke]

[Likewise, Adalwolfe attempts to push Justice in the opposite direction apace.]

I wasn't lying, per se. You are slow on the uptake when it comes to mortals.

[He huffs out a breath, folding his arms.]

You're not wrong that your cat - Loyalty, was it? - that she was just acting how cats do, but the animal she killed was the friend of a child so of course the child's parent is going to be angry. You understand that, don't you?

[He eyes Loyalty appraisingly.]

She needs to be trained so she can focus her hunting on animals that aren't going to cost me half my Wintersend shopping money. Think of it as her version of lessons on how to function within mortal society.

[He pauses for a moment, then decides to just forge onwards.]

You know who's an expert on cats? Anders.

[whatisright]

You knew she would take it a different way. It is still deceptive.

[Justice keeps a tight grip on Loyalty, like he still half-suspects the native will come back and try to grab her. But that still doesn't stop him from looking down at her with a frown.]

I do understand why the child grieves. I would grieve if a wolf devoured Loyalty, though the wolf would not be guilty of injustice.

[Justice would have been willing to talk to the child, but he would not talk to a parent demanding the death of Loyalty. He considers Wolfe's suggestion of 'functioning in mortal society' lessons for Loyalty, scratching behind her ears as he thinks.]

I do not like the idea of 'training' a living creature to do anything. But I suppose lessons would not go amiss. She is able to eat without killing. [Justice winces at the mention of Anders, like Wolfe has just splashed him with boiling water.] I know he is.

[His voice is tense when he says that. Yes, he knows Anders is an expert on cats. Yes, he knows Anders loves cats and would be able to tell him all about what's best for Loyalty. But he's also not entirely sure Anders wants to talk to him, and he doesn't know what to say. He's hurt Anders so much.]