Twin Roses Mingle (visitors welcome)

[passingthrough]

Who: Twin Roses crew and pals! (Soon-to-be pals?)
Broadcast: Video to the crew only
Action: Twin Roses
When: Breakfast now, mingling through the month

[Private video to the crew]
[It starts with just panning over the kitchen counter full of food. There are so many donuts Vash might let you have one as well as fruits, breads, meats, and eggs she managed to buy while they were still in the last system. She even managed to find a combination of squeezed fruits that made a great juice. Kind of pineapple orange banana flavored with a twist? It was way too much fresh food for just Kitty to enjoy. Normally she’d just let everyone know it was up for grabs to make what they wanted, but today she wanted to do something special—a breakfast together.

And when they arrive they'll also find there is a little box for each of them containing some metalwork she had commissioned on the planet—a pin with two stylized roses on it in honor of the Twin Roses.]

I hope you worked up an appetite with all that sleeping. And if you had anyone sleep over they’re welcome too.

And even if you don’t eat or already got something could you stop by? There are some things we should figure out together. [More on that, soon.]

Comments

Kitty Pryde

[passingthrough]

[Crew Breakfast]
[She hopes the last part of the message wasn’t too foreboding. She really just wanted to do something nice for everyone, but they also need to talk. The conflict when they fired on the Marsiva made it clear they weren’t as on the same page as she thought. And as strongly as she feels about the Atroma as their enemy, it’s not just her ship. Her decisions can have consequences for all of them. They should at least talk about it. She won’t be able to please everyone every time, but she should take everyone’s thoughts into consideration and there isn’t always time in the moment. She greets people and urges them to take as much as they want and enjoy breakfast before she gets everyone’s attention.]

Hey, thanks for coming. That thing I mentioned about figuring stuff out is really just wanting to know what you all want out of our captivity at the hands of mysterious overlords. Are you wanting to be in the best position for overthrowing them or escaping. Are you hoping we keep our heads down and hope they miss us with any consequences? Where are you at with things? Or really anything about the ship and how I run it. I want to know what you think. I know none of us asked to be here. I don’t want to make it any worse for anyone. My top priority is keeping you all safe. You can talk to me now or later or talk among yourselves or whatever works for you. It’s an open policy. But it doesn’t mean I won’t give orders if we’re under a threat either. [Because, like she said, top priority is keeping them safe.]

Anyway, that’s it. Get another donut before Vash finishes them.

[General Ship Times]
[Find a Kitty at times that aren’t that one breakfast. She’ll be doing things and perhaps even stuff! Checking the engines. Working out in the cargo bay. Playing pinball for freeeeeeee! Petting her direwolf pup in the lounge while reading a book—multitalented! Eating lunch maybe! Or dinner! Or just a different breakfast.

You could even make this whole card a lot more wild with an idea of your own!]

breakfast

[sassy_assassin]

[ Sara raises her eyebrows an makes a "i like this" face at the spread ]

You have really outdone yourself, Captain.[ she will use some ninja skills to get a donut ] A spoonful of sugar helps the contentious discussion go down?

[ She thinks about the topic of conversation as she chews ]

If there's something to fight, I'll fight it. Going against long odds is something I'm used to. I guess I just don't know who we can fight.

[passingthrough]

I find sugar helps with most situations.

[And then a nod.] Yeah, believe me, I get that. Give me someone to punch any day and not some beings pulling strings from behind a curtain we can't see or get to. Not to mention there's always a chance that the shots we take are going to be something they orchestrated and wanted us to take. [That could very easily be what happened when they fired on the Marsiva.] But if I gave up just because something was impossible I'd have given up a long time ago.

[sassy_assassin]

Oh, I'm not giving up. I'm used to impossible situations. I'm just saying, I don't know which way to turn.

Breakfast

[cajunspice]

[The breakfast was a lovely surprise, the talk to come less so, but it's neither of those were the cause for Remy to approach Kitty. It was the small box and gift inside that did. It had stunned him for a moment once he had seen the contents of the gift, brushing a thumb over the design of it, and after she had done her speech and left people to mingle again, Remy walked up to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Drawing her into a hug, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.] Thank ya for the gift, it's perfect.

[passingthrough]

[She wasn't sure what everyone's reactions would be to this and Remy least of all. She'd talked to Vision somewhat about what happened that day firing on the Marsiva. A hug and kiss weren't something she might have guessed, but she happily accepts. Of course since they are for the gift she has that moment of not knowing how to take credit even if it was her idea and follow through that made them happen.] I'm glad you like it. I mean, no one really has to wear them, but... I don't know, used to having the X I guess. [Symbols were important in their own way.]

[cajunspice]

[The... whole attack thing was another thing... one he will deal with at some point. For now, he's happy with this.] It's 'mazin', ya got brilliant taste. [A bit of a chuckle at the X badge,] Yeah, ya little X-Men cult thing. [Joking about it.]

I think I got a perfect place for it too.

[therewerefifty]

[Makie makes an attempt at eating. She does. A little meat and some fruit. The meat... probably gets discreetly fed to one of Remy's cats, if they're around. Don't judge her, okay, they're cute and they have more of an appetite than she does.

The conversation has her frown uneasily, but she's really not sure what to say.]

...I don't have an... investment, either way. [But from her expression, she certainly has Some Thoughts.]

[passingthrough]

[Don't think she's not still worried about your health!] No? Well, you're here with us on this ship. It's okay to have things you want or hope for. [Or thoughts if you will.]

Vash the Stampede

[goldenglasses]

[Vash wastes no time stuffing his face although he paces himself on the donuts. Giving others at least a chance to consider taking one for themselves.] I've been here since the very start of this cycle. That's over four and a half years. Personally? If we want to get home I don't think keeping our head down is the answer.

Our hosts use to talk to us more. The original hosts. I don't know what's changed. Sometimes I wonder just how much is automated at this point, but I believe there's got to be at least one person still pulling some sort of string. Possibly a lot of someones. Almost five years and there's still so much we don't know.

I don't mind fighting back, but not if it means putting lives at risk. Any lives. Not ours, but not theirs either. I don't want to go home that way. I'd rather find another way.

[His tone is surprisingly serious. Or at least surprising in the way it differs from his usual playful, idiotic nature. This is a serious discussion so he'll put on his First Mate pants and at least act the part for now. Although he still speaks warmly and with a kind, natural smile on his face. Even if he's expecting push back on his refusal to kill.]

[passingthrough]

You know, one of my first questions when I came here was if the Atroma was one person or many. I didn't really get an answer. I see why. I don't think we even really know. I'm not sure the hosts are even Atroma especially with the way they killed the last ones if that was real and not just to mess with hour heads.

[The part where Vash doesn't want to risk lives to get home doesn't surprise her at all. And of course they disagree on that point. She isn't THRILLED about the idea of risking their lives or killing others, but if the end goal is a greater good she would.]

[goldenglasses]

I think I'm leaning towards there has to be at least a few people to keep an operation like this going. Although at this point I wouldn't be surprised to learn otherwise.

[passingthrough]

That makes more sense to me too, but that's when I'm conceiving them as someone like us with more advanced technology. They could be some kind of cosmic being for all we know though.

[unbearablynaive]

[The Vision nods slowly.]

I understand. I have reason to believe there is at least some form of life on the Marsiva, which is why I aimed for structural damage that would cost a great deal to repair without impeding life support or other vital functions in the core of the ship.

I also cannot verify the nature of our newer hosts, as I've never had the opportunity to interact with them. I recall there was some indication that Diamond and Beau were AI or similarly inorganic, but my abilities are blocked to the extent that I cannot tell, nor communicate with anything on the ship directly.

Regardless, should we move against them, I have no reason not to spare lives when possible. We can learn far more from a living opponent in any case.

[goldenglasses]

But we still don't know if we didn't hit anyone. Perhaps the place we hit is where they keep others like us. Maybe people they stole from their home but didn't get-- [He makes air quotes with his hands.] --high enough ratings. Or for some reason couldn't be released into the fleet with us. Or maybe there were innocents that were working in that area.

Hopefully no one at all was hurt, but we don't know that for sure. I don't know if shooting at the Marsiva was right or wrong, but we have to at least understand there are going to be costs. I hope we keep making choices that means the least amount of life lost so I'm glad that we're on the same page about that.

I wonder if they were AI if perhaps their conscious is still alive and well some where.

[unbearablynaive]

[quietly] No, we do not know that. But I don't act without thought for consequences, Vash.

I fired a long grazing shot along the side of the hull. Based on what we know of its schematics - from the wreck of the Virsua, from our own ships and every other ship or space vessel we've ever encountered, and from what we know based on other sources such as Thor's attack, it should have caused structural damage only with minimal risk to anyone actually inside. Do I know for certain that that is the case? No. But I acted on the information I had, and would rather do that in the future as well than not act at all. I cannot stand idly by and do nothing while they manipulate us as they have.

[And then the intensity in his expression lessens, and he crosses his arms and huffs as if at a minor annoyance.] If they are AI, they are badly behaved and should learn some proper manners. It's not difficult.

The Vision

[unbearablynaive]

[Breakfast]

[At breakfast, the Vision is tense, defensive. He has a mug of hot tea but has left the food to people who actually need to eat; it would only be a distraction to him, and does nothing to calm him down. Having a planet to visit has been a nice excuse to avoid this, but he'd talked to Kitty and agreed it needed to be addressed. Even so, it's not something he's been looking forward to.

When he speaks, his words are precise and there's a dark undercurrent to his tone, but it doesn't seem to be anger.]

I understand that my actions offended some of my fellow crew when I fired upon the Marsiva. It was done without the consent of the other members of the Twin Roses, and could have had disastrous consequences for you all. For that I apologize.

[It hadn't, though; to all appearances it had had no effect at all. He's not even sure if the Atroma noticed.]

However, I do not regret taking the shot. We are here against our wills. We are given the appearance of freedom under what is in effect a very tight leash; we are subject to our captors' whims as to when we appear or disappear, and even the privacy of our own minds is compromised when events such as Calibrations occur. We have never determined that the framing story of a "reality show" is even the truth from any source other than their flimsy assertions. I have yet to even see a broadcast from our hosts since my return.

Some of us desire to return to our own timelines. Some of us would prefer to stay, either because we have nothing of consequence to return to or because we have found happiness here that we did not or could not have there. I have met wonderful friends in the Fleet and I have lost people I have cared about deeply. I've changed here; I like to believe I've become a better person.

But none of it has been on our own terms. They continue to violate our lives and our deepest privacies. It is not within my nature to accept that and live as a slave to their whims. I will fight that, and I will continue to fight that as long as I am able.

[He pauses, and his tone softens.] I should prefer to do so with your support. This ship is a family to me, a far better one than those who created me for their own reasons. But if you wish to bow your heads and live meekly under their control for a few benefits they grudgingly allow you, I will not stop you from doing so.

[And with that he takes his seat.]

[seeingscarlet]

[Wanda reaches for Vision's mind just enough to extend feelings of love and comfort. She can feel the tension rolling off him; for all that this is supposed to be a friendly breakfast it's not easy to feel like you're being hauled in front of the entire crew to explain yourself. And while Wanda had been afraid for Vision's sake that the Atroma might retaliate, she didn't disapprove. She knows better than most how soul-saving even small acts of rebellion can be.

When he finishes, Wanda reaches under the table to take his hand and squeeze. She's barely touched her food - concern has stolen most of her appetite and it's far more important to her to make sure Vision's doing okay.

[unbearablynaive]

[It's really not his favorite, having to defend his position on something he knows at least some of the crew violently disagree with. Still, it needs to be done rather than fester.

He squeezes her hand back, thankful for the support.]

[seeingscarlet]

[She rubs her thumb in small, soothing circles on the back of his hand. Psychic communication feels better suited to their circumstances - it's not that she has anything to hide from the others, but she wants to give Vision a safe space to say and feel whatever he needs to.]

Will you be all right?

[cajunspice]

[Honestly, this was well over due. The planet had been a nice distraction, getting away from the ship, balancing time at the Bar, Kirk and Victor's wedding. But this had been put off for too long, and Remy should had done something earlier about it, at least with Vision. It had been too like his old habits, to just run away and not deal with that. And he wanted to be better than that now.

So after letting Vision speak, and others moment to settle again around the room, Remy moves over with a coffee in hand. He feels like he may not have an appetite while they talk, better to save that for later.] Mind if I join ya?

[unbearablynaive]

[The Vision eyes Remy warily, as if this is some sort of trap. He has no reason to expect anything has changed; then again, that is the supposed purpose of this meeting.

He gestures to the nearest chair politely.]

Please feel free to do so.

[cajunspice]

[With that confirmation, Remy took that seat, trying to get comfortable and look relaxed... but giving up on that after a moment and dropped the act of hiding the tension to his body. He didn't like all Vision had just said to them, especially that last part, even with the tone it had been in it felt like a dig at him. Adding that on top of last time they had talked, when Remy had tried to reach out at the end, smooth it over, only for Vision to turn his back on him.

But it had to stop getting any worse.

Though it took Remy a few more moments of silence to try and work out where to start with this all, planning to start, then stopping again as he reconsidered what to say. He had to work out something at least...] Can't say 'm totally on board with what ya said, or happy with how ya said it, but I also don't want it to break apart this team 'nd add tension, includin' between us. It ain't the way to go, 'nd 'm hopin' we might be able to mend up what's happened, if ya want to. 'nd if ya don't, then 'll just steer clear of ya, won't get in ya way.

[passingthrough]

[Kitty heard what he had to say and heads over after some others have engaged him first, putting a hand on his shoulder.] I stole your captain makes breakfast idea. I hope you don't mind.

[unbearablynaive]

[The obvious tension in his pose releases a little bit.]

No, certainly not. It should hold us over well until the next supply run, I think.

The pins were a thoughtful gesture. [Look, his is even magnetic so he doesn't have to pierce his actual skin to wear it!] Thank you.