do the mingle shuffle!

[carreau]

Who: you! me! everyone! it's like a really big party!
Broadcast: if you want!
Action: see above!
When: right now!!!

[ So the weekly shuffle has happened. We got new captains, people who have mysteriously disappeared-- I mean, who have never existed, and new people aboard the ships. That's exciting! Wow! ]

[ New people, get acquainted with your ships? Press all the buttons? Introduce yourself like a polite individual? Old people, keep aging? Welcome them with open arms and confetti? Punch the person who just opened the door while you were in the shower??? ]

[ Who knows! It's a mingle post! Don't ask me!]

[ (But seriously, how bout those people who never existed, huh.) ]

Comments

[proteusmoon]

I know. I know. It's just... who knows when it'll be.

[aberrant_type]

The best I can advise is finding productive work in the meantime.

[proteusmoon]

Mm, here's to hoping the rest of my crew doesn't disappear too.

[aberrant_type]

There's space on our ship, so in the event that comes to pass you're welcome to come on over.

[proteusmoon]

And help you wear down Z's defenses, you mean?

[aberrant_type]

If you'd like. If not, you can... enjoy his silent, hulking company?

[proteusmoon]

[ In spite of herself, she smiles a little. ]

He reminds me a bit of some people I used to know.

[aberrant_type]

The big, quiet, boring types are ubiquitous, aren't they?

[proteusmoon]

Well, I'm sure they think their quietness makes them interesting.

[aberrant_type]

Were yours correct in that?

[proteusmoon]

[ She stills a little at the question, his lips fixing into a tight frown, brow furrowing. She gets a pensive look on her face and quiets, obviously deeply thinking about something. Her answer comes out as rather serious and honest, tinted with just a touch of vulnerability: ]

No.

[aberrant_type]

[A pause... because there's obviously a great deal more going on there than a simple "no."

Why would Cecil lie? It's the first thought that Hange goes to, however accurate or inaccurate it may be. But... well. She's actually somewhat hesitant to press Cecil overly hard about that.]

Oh?

[proteusmoon]

[ She hesitates, but she doesn't take long before she divulges details. ]

I... can't remember some things from my time in Court. I feel like I'm missing whole chunks of my memory— people, events... It's uncomfortable and unnerving.

[ She sucks in a sharp inhale of air. ]

My best friend, Kain... Some part of her wants me dead, because she envies me. We've been friends since we were girls. And deep down, she wishes I'd die because she feels inferior, because... the man she loves is in love with me instead of her.

They're not secrets I can say I'm glad I know.

[aberrant_type]

[What did this have to do with quiet types, she wonders briefly, and then discards the thought because... wow. Clearly not the time to ask. That's a pretty serious thing to reveal.]

That's extremely unnerving. [Evidence of memory manipulation taking place in her own world notwithstanding...] Yes, I see why you're wary of this place. I wonder what the purpose for taking actions like that would be.

How did you come to learn these secrets?

[proteusmoon]

It's a long story.

[ She shakes her head and Hange gets the answer to her unvoiced question anyway. ]

He reminds me of Kain, in a way. Kain was like that too-- always separating herself from others, never saying more than she was forced to, especially near the end of our old way of life, before the country fell into turmoil.

He also reminds me of someone I knew in Court... somehow...

[ She frowns deeply again and lifts a hand to her temple, as if trying to recall the details causes her physical pain to some degree. ]

...but I can't remember his... his name... or his face...

[aberrant_type]

A person important to you, yet someone you can't remember?

[There's a pause as she mulls it over. The conclusion is obvious, but she says it anyway.]

You don't seem like the type to easily forget your friends. I'll assume it's the work of these things in our heads, that they can suppress memories as easily as they can introduce knowledge. Incredible technology... but I'd love to get my hands on the person who did this to us. [And there is just a hint of danger in her tone there.]

Well, I presume you guessed that's the power of these augments.

[proteusmoon]

[ The dangerous undertone to Hange's voice doesn't scare Cecil so much as vindicates her own anger and feelings of having been violated. She's become rather grateful for Hange. ]

The question is whether it is intended or if it's a malfunction and who else is suffering a similar side effect.

[aberrant_type]

[It's nice to have other driven women about, right?]

I don't suppose you'd feel comfortable asking publicly?

[proteusmoon]

[ Cecil falls silent for a moment, obviously considering Hange's question rather seriously. ]

If it's for the benefit of everyone... I'll do it.

[aberrant_type]

There's always sniffing around more subtly if you're uncomfortable with that kind of exposure.

[proteusmoon]

Whichever will get us more valuable responses.

[aberrant_type]

It's easier to tell a secret than take it back, so my opinion is start subtly.

[proteusmoon]

[ Well, Hange has a point there. And as fearless as Cecil might want to be, she should be more practical than heroic. Hange reminds her with her remark that once matters change, it's often permanent. ]

Right. You're right. Being careful would probably be better. I... wouldn't want to start a panic, at the very least.

[aberrant_type]

That's good thinking.

Take care, Cecil. If we keep an eye out, I think we have a shot at being all right.

[proteusmoon]

I will. Thank you. Take care of yourself as well.

[ Cecil out! ]