Yadrolla System Mingle

[lacyprincess]

Who: EVERYBODY
Broadcast: Yeah, sure, I guess
Action: The Fleet and the Yadrolla System
When: 4/29 - 6/8

[Hey, hey, look, we have a new system! Let's go compete in stuff and root for sportsball teams! System info is here!

GO WAVES!]

Comments

Dr. Stephen Strange | OTA

[nomadeupname]

A. Knowledge is key

[It's barely been weeks since Stephen found himself part of the fleet, and this system, is the first one he visits. It's beautiful, impressive too, and it's a mild balm against the itch of wanting to go back home. But after a day or two of exploring, Stephen feels that it is high time to learn more about this system and its people, having come across many species he's never seen before.

And so for the first week or so, he can be found visiting any museum he comes across, on any of the planets that compose this system. He spends hours ready any notes attached to artifacts and art pieces, though he doesn't seem to take any notes of his own about his visits. If there are guided tours available in the museum, he avoids them, preferring to walk around the building on his own.

In the libraries he stops by, Strange reads all and any books available about this system, its culture and its history. When he's done with that, he often goes for the medical encyclopedia available, or at times the biography of important people for this place. Here again, he takes no notes, and when his body gets too tired, he simply sleeps there with his head on the table. Those that might find him like that might notice an opened book on the sit opposed to his sleeping body, the pages slowly turning from time to time, as if someone invisible is reading them.]



B. I'll take pop culture for 200$, Alex.

[Stephen's never exactly been much into sports in his life, even less into competing in one. As a young man, he was too busy studying for his MD and PhD, and later on, he was too busy making sure he was one of the best neurosurgeon (if not the best) in the world as well as making sure his research would be well worth remembered long after him. But if there is one thing he can not deny himself, it's a good knowledge challenge. And so when he learns that one of the many competitions in this system includes trivia and quizzes, he signs up for them, if only to fight the boredom (but really maybe just to stroke his ego a bit).

And of course, he excels at them. The few answers he doesn't get, he calls on a review of the decision (when possible) and can be seen smirking when the point is finally awarded to him. He doesn't choose a team to side with, but he might be persuaded with the right incentives.]


C. Down time, fun time.

[When Strange is not competing or studying this system, he can be found around shopping, mostly for medical supplies when they are available, and native herbs. There's not a team color he seems to favor, obviously going for what's practical more than what's aesthetical.

He visits the beach as well, mostly early in the mornings to jog around the deserted sandy banks, or late in the day, where he often meditates after watching the sunset. And yes, he might be floating in midair while doing so.]


D. Wildcard!.

[Make your own adventure coming across Dr. Strange!]

C;;

[reconstitution]

[ The weather is nice, particularly near the shores of the beach. Early in the morning as the sun is starting to rise is the perfect place for a run, and it seems like he isn't the only one with that idea. As he jogs along the waterline, he comes up on someone else, probably a little more quickly than they're used to. ]

On your left.

[nomadeupname]

[The beach is usually deserted when he goes jogging, which makes the hailing a bit surprising. Stephen none the less moves further to the right, yielding passage to whom ever is coming up on his left. The man passes him with a faster pace than expected, and for some reason, that pushes Strange to pick up his own pace. It's not really out of pride, well not that he wants to admit that it might, and while he slows down the distance the other man puts between them, after a mile or two, it's clear that this is a bad idea, period.

Stephen slows down and stops, breathing deeply and feeling the effect of lactic acid build up in his thighs and calves. He stretches slightly as he watches the other man keeps on going, and shakes his head slightly:]

Are you even human?

[reconstitution]

[ Stephen isn't left alone for long as he turns back around at the other edge of the beach and comes running back toward him. Seeing the other guy stopped, he slows his pace and does the same not too far from him. ]

Having trouble keeping up?

[ Of course he'd noticed someone following him, or rather, trying. It's a noble effort, at least. ]

[nomadeupname]

[Stephen chuckles breathlessly, hands on his knees as he tries to regain a normal breathing rhythm.]

That obvious, huh?

[He doesn't like to admit it, but he's nowhere in a shape to compete with Bucky, even if the man was to pick a more normal pace for a human being. It's a humbling realization that Stephen really needs to hit the gym more often.]

I might be too old to try and keep up.

[He jokes, because that's easier than to admit defeat. Not that he even had the slightest chance of keeping up.]

[reconstitution]

[ It's okay, Stephen, most men aren't. ]

You say that, but you did make the effort. Most wouldn't have, it's admirable.

shopping!

[watermarks]

[Katara is also shopping for herbs, specifically the kind Ginko had planted in her garden a long time ago - perilla, rosemary, chamomile, mitsuba... Stephen might notice that most of the herbs in her basket are of the sort which have medicinal purposes.

She's currently eyeing up a planet that looks like aloe, but isn't quite right - the color is just a bit too light. Katara glances about to see if she can find someone to help her figure out what the plant is for, but when no one is there, she touches it like she's tempted to just break a leaf and figure it out for herself.

Glancing up one more time, she spots Stephen and her hand drops back to her side.] Excuse me, have you seen the person who works here?

[Since... you know, his skin's not orange, so he probably doesn't work here.]

[nomadeupname]

[Stephen looks up from the basket full of what looked like dried juniper fruits at the young woman's question, looking around to see if he really is the intended recipient of it. He shakes his head before answering:]

Not since I've been here, no.

[His gaze drops to her basket, where he easily recognize a few plants he himself shopped for a few days before, in another stall. His tilts his head, raising an eyebrow slowly:]

Are you looking for something in particular? Maybe I can help you?

[Given the fact that he spends most of his time reading about this system, he might very well be able to help her.]

[watermarks]

Really? [She frowns; that's pretty poor customer service. Oh well, maybe they're on a coffee break, or their favorite team is competing in their favorite competition or something.]

I was just trying to figure out what this is. [She pokes at the plant again.] I don't see a label for it anywhere.

[nomadeupname]

Mmm. I don't see why they would be actively avoid me. [He is here to give them business after all.

Strange moves closer to the young woman to give the plant she pokes a better look. It does look like aloe, but the leaves are thicker and paler and missing the spots that's so unique to aloe, and Stange frowns lightly:]

That looks like Agave americana to me. Is your goal to poison someone?

[He's not really judging, but the raised eyebrow might be a sign that he might be disapproving.]

[watermarks]

[She looks taken aback and offended at the question.] What? No. What kind of a question is that? I told you that I just wanted to know what it was.

C

[passingthrough]

[The sun has gone to bed and she should probably go with it—at least back to the ship, but she doesn't. She walks across the sand, carrying her shoes in her hand and wearing the closest thing she's been able to find to jeans and an orange t-shirt. She does her best to avoid the team colors. She typically wears a lot of blue and she was tired of all the rivalry and team spirit that came with it.

Even with the sunset there's still plenty of ambient light from the various transportation networks and their soft glow. The better to see a man hovering in a sitting position ahead. She heads toward him, rising up from the sand herself to walk on the air as she approaches at his level.]

Weird place for a nap.

[nomadeupname]

[He hums approvingly at her comment:]

Mmm. Good thing I'm not napping, then. [Opening his eyes slowly, he turns his head to the young woman before uncrossing his legs. The Cloak flares lightly at its base, as if it had just catch the wind even though there isn't a breeze, and Stephen stands up in midair.

It's impossible not to notice that she's seemingly floating as well and he raises an eyebrow, clearly interested:]

That's a nice trick. How do you do it?

[passingthrough]

[She notices the movement, but can't tell if there is a breeze in her current state. She wouldn't feel it and being on the beach there is less to mark its passing though the sand seems undisturbed.]

Standing on the molecules of air. [In her phased state. She's always doing it in some sense while phased or she'd just be falling constantly.]

You?

[nomadeupname]

Right. Standing on molecules. [He repeats, with a bit of wonder in his tone. In another life, he would have laughed at such explanation, but now, he could accept that.] Do you do that often?

[The Cloak on his back gather fabric into a corner and waves at the young woman, causing Strange to roll his eyes slightly.]

Cloak of Levitation. Although I could 'walk' on shield spells too, if needed I suppose.

[It's a theory one day he'll have to test one day.]

[passingthrough]

Pretty much whenever I'm using my powers. [Whether it looks like it or not.

Her head tilts at the way the fabric moves as if of its own volition and she lifts a hand to return a somewhat confused wave at it.]

Is the cloak a... [A what? A person? A sentient object? A fever dream?] Did he wave at me? ["He"]

museum

[outstandingbalance]

[Funny where you run into people, isn't it? The list of people Natasha thought she might run into who she recognized here was fairly short. Not no one, but... short.

From the look of it, Strange doesn't necessarily seem like a man who wants company.

Only one way to say for sure.]

Finding anything interesting?

museum

[nomadeupname]

[It shouldn't be such a surprise, considering how Strange isn't such a fervent fan of sports, but that part of probably never made it into his HYDRA file after all. Art, culture, history are more what he's into, beside science.

He's not against company, but he's not the one that would invite it in the first place. Still, his smile is pleasant when he turns to Natasha:]

It depends on what you find interesting? There's plenty of fascinating facts about the history of the different teams, as well as their records, but nothing else much.

[outstandingbalance]

[A thoughtful hum, noncommittal. Natasha doesn't in fact, have much interest in team stats. There's something to be consider about how it reflects the local politic, but it's still a stretch.]

I'm sure there are people out there who find that very interesting.

[nomadeupname]

[Stephen hasn't even thought of how these competitions might interfere with the politics of this system, but then again, he's never been one to play well the political game. He's always been more of a 'I do what I want' than favoring the more subtleties of making sure his words pleased everyone. Even when rubbing elbows with the deep pockets in the medical world, he had let his research and talent spoke for themselves instead of cozying it up to them.]

Most certainly. But all of this information doesn't quite give a good idea of why we've stopped here in the first place.

[It's very possible that their captors don't have a real plan for them other than space tourism, but Strange isn't quite ready to dismiss it.]

[outstandingbalance]

Hard to say. Sometimes we show up places, and there doesn't seem to be any ulterior motives. No big picture. Other times...

[Natasha shrugs, her attention apparently fixed on the art before them, still in team colors. Of course.]

There might be a plague about to break out, or else a meteor is about to hit and we're swept up in the evacuation effort.

Only one way to find out for sure.

c.

[rebuildyourruins]

[It's not hard to notice Strange on the beach, hovering in midair like he is. He certainly isn't sunbaking the way most people would. Thor steps up next to him, looking him over as he sips from the drink he got at a stall not far away.

This is probably the kind of thing someone shouldn't interrupt.]

So you don't like walking or chairs.

[Thor interrupts anyway.]

c.

[nomadeupname]

[One would think that floating midair with closed eyes would be a good sign as to not disturb Strange, but clearly such politeness hadn't been taught in Asgard.]

Nor do I like to be interrupted, [he starts before finally opening his eyes and turning his head to Thor,] and yet, here we are.

[The Cloak of Levitation flares as Strange uncrosses his legs and hovers for a brief moment before standing on the ground. He gives their surroundings a quick look before coming back to the Asgardian:]

I see you have managed to outrun your hordes of fan?

[Don't think he hasn't seen all the merchandise with your face on it. Not that it's much different than Earth, truth to be told.]

[rebuildyourruins]

[He did wait a good couple of minutes. That counts.]

So it seems! [Light and breezy. At the mention of his fans, Thor laughs a bit. He honestly enjoys the attention and always has.] They know when I'm due to compete, so there isn't much chasing they need to do. I like getting to meet them.

[nomadeupname]

[It's really a wonder on how sarcasm flies over Thor's head considering who his adopted brother is. But for now, Strange shrugs off the interruption.

It's impossible not to smirk lightly at that comment:]

Yes, I am sure you do. [He believes Thor when he says that: for all his rougher edges, if there's something true to the demigod, it's how caring he is of other people. It's what will make him a great king, no doubts.]

Do they let you compete in any of the challenges you want? It does sounds quite fair for the rest of us, does it?

[Not that Strange would even deem physical challenges worthy of his attention, but surely there are other humans here interested in competing in those.]