Knock Knock, Anybody Home?

[peacockherald]

Who: Vanyel + Tourist Crew + Anyone
Broadcast: VRD, yes
Action: S.S. Tourist + Station/VRD
When: After the shuffle for the Tourist, anytime after shuffle for station/VRD

[ Tourist Crew ]

_{[ Teleportation always made his stomach queasy, and now was no different. He took a full minute standing to get his bearings, blinking rapidly to ward off dizziness. The effect made him look something like a startled deer, but that wasn't so far from the truth either. He regained himself quickly, battle honed instincts kicking in, looking around the new location, his mind already buzzing trying to find weak points, what to do about them, and most of all, who was even here. ]}

Hello? Is anyone else aboard?

<sub>[ He called, stepping further in, dressed in pure white from head to toe and looking nothing so much like a gentleman off a romance novel cover. A cheesy one at that. At least he had his shirt on.

Regardless of answer, he continues exploring, exploring the ship, poking his nose into rooms that would open or did not look otherwise private, eventually beginning to hum to himself as he did so. ]</sub>

[ Station ]

<sub>[ The first chance he's had in a long while to stretch his legs proper, to breath without feeling like he was being closed in. It was no Valdemar, but the wider spaces were appreciated, and he could not deny he was curious. The Castle had sent its residents into "space" only once, perhaps twice, but nothing like this. The experience was wholly new, and despite any formal training for court, Vanyel could not quite keep the astonishment off his face as he wandered through the areas. And he would wander through them all, making a full circuit of the station.

He spent quite a bit of time exploring the available games, astounded by the technology even though his augment allowed him to understand it in general terms. Eventually the noise and clashing lights would drive him towards quieter areas, his stomach towards food and that was adventure all on its own. He recognized nearly none of the available offerings, more than a little lost as he tried to comprehend shapes and colors in an attempt to guess taste, and often gazing woefully at whatever his choice would be. If there was music to be heard, he paused to listen, drinking in like a man come to an oasis in the desert, his face often filled with rapture, though there was the rare occurrence of wincing that did not quite touch on grimacing. The courtyard offered a place to sit, but especially for one so used to green and plentifully space, it just ended up being sad. It hardly stopped him from taking a moment to relax though, and watch everyone else going by, hoping he did not stand out overmuch in his medieval pure white heralds uniform... ]</sub>


[ VRD Large & Small - Broadcasted & Action ]

<sub>[ Eventually, Vanyel made his way to the VRD system. He had heard whispers of it, seen some things through the broadcast, and his curiosity got the better of him. So he hopped the shuttle and waited his turn to enter, pining for some taste of him. A fool's dream, of course. Why torture himself with this? But why should he not at least try? Ease the ache some, though perhaps it would only make it sharper...

Entering the large dome, he at first felt at a loss for what to say, what to ask for. Haven, his home? The Vale, where he had come to understand himself, find for himself companions and family that accepted him as he was? Slowly the words came, pouring out of him in a rush.

The central dome shifted, trees growing from nowhere, tall and magnificent, giants and keepers of secrets. If one looked close enough, in their boughs one could make out what seemed to be houses, pathways crossing between. Peace flooded the space, welcome and shelter, yet somehow seemed open enough to allow for the field that sprang up beneath Vaneyl's feet. Far off in the "distance", a castle hunkered, decked in the finery of royalty holding court, and before it white shapes moved, horse-like. All of them pure white, down to the last, though never so close one could reach out as if to stroke them. Fragments only of a concept even some in Valdemar could not quite grasp.

He walked the paths he made between trees and field, the emotion plain on his face as he drank it in. But like a dream, it didn't last, overtaken by the next person, and instead he wandered to one of the private rooms to the side.

Here it was easier, already knowing what it was he desired. The room took on the texture of wood, the inside of a tree, filling with bright colors and sunlight, the shadows of leaves darting across the floor. The space looked lived in, well loved, the bed rumpled with sheets cast aside in the hurry of waking. A trunk sat at the foot, cracked open, a saddle and bridle colored blue and silver standing out against the rich brown and yellow cream. Fireplace, rug, chair, books set across a desk and a lute leaned against the leg of the chair itself. He almost reached out to touch it, but caught himself.

At first silent, the room began to fill with beautiful tones, lapping and weaving between each other. A ballad, a call for home, Vanyel pouring his Bardic gift into the words. The lantern glowing in the dark, the long road home, a warm fire, a warm heart to welcome you, peace, weariness, pleasure, exhausted pain, forgiveness. All of it woven into a single song that poured from him, a dam broken, pulled from him as he stood in the fiction of the place that had brought him peace and saved is soul. ]</sub>

Comments

Tourist

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris has only just started to accept his current crew's.. existence, so the sound of someone new showing up isn't especially welcoming. Still, he'll peer around the door of the armory, not noticing the extra flexarmor and weaponry that have appeared with Van's arrival.

He can't help but grimace a little at the sight of the newcomer. He looked like something Varric would write up after a night of drinking that strange concoction found behind the bar of the Hanged Man, which everyone could only describe the contents as 'Purple'. He's amazed there isn't a rain of cherry blossoms following this guy.

He gives a grunt that might be a welcome, before going back into the armory. Nope. Not talking to that one.]

Re: Tourist

[peacockherald]

_{[ He might not have been half wrong, though thankfully none of Vanyel's magic covered illusion, otherwise he might have been sorely tempted. Curious, he made his way to the armory, his augment providing exactly what this place was, and the items within. Despite never having touched a gun in his life or seen flexarmor, he knew exactly what to do with every piece he saw as easily as he knew the pieces of parade tack down to the last silver clasp. He reached out, touching one of the weapons, running fingers over cool metal and shivering. ]}

Pardon my intrusion. My name is Vanyel Ashkevron. I believe I have been assigned to this ship as part of "security".

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris wasn't expecting anyone to follow him into the armory. It's an unspoken rule of the Tourist to leave him the hell alone. This is his space, as is evidenced by the blankets and pillows on the floor, the small piles of books, and the great hulking greatsword propped against the wall. He lives in here, and the intrusion is not a welcome one.]

I'm the security on the ship, I assure you, we need no other.

[Did he not defend them against the attackers well enough? There were plenty of the enemy ships shot up, thanks to him. ]

[peacockherald]

_{[ Well, it wouldn't be the first time Vanyel had run across such open hostility. At least the other wasn't launching himself at him and attempting to kill him on sight. ]}

I can only tell you what it is I have been told. I have as little control of being here as you.

_{[ He glances around, seeing the little bits that decreed the space taken on a personal level. A small touch of guilt ran through him, but reminded himself he had little control of this. He would be just as happy on any other ship, especially ones with companions he already knew, but for the time being this was where he found himself. ]}

And I assure you, I am here for security.

_{[ He took one of the guns off the racks, expertly checking it over, worrying for knowing how at all when he preferred sword and magic. ]}

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris frowns, watching this guy put his paws all over the weapons. He doesn't much care for them (that's why he has the greatsword at all) but having his personal space violated is not welcome. ]

Fine. But I would rather you not be in here. I sleep here.

[Pointing to his crappy floor-nest. ]

[peacockherald]

_{[ He looks over to it and back at Fenris, setting the gun back onto the rack. ]}

I can abide by that. Though considering what I am meant to do here, it might become necessary for me to have access from time to time.

_{[ It seemed a fair warning, all things considered, but he hoped not to have to much reason to come here anyways. His usual weapons of choice where his magic and his rapier, the former he had and the latter missing. Perhaps he could see to getting himself one, seeing Fenris' great sword... ]}

Though, pray tell, where am I to sleep?

[wolfuncaged]

If you must. [Ugh he hates this. He points, to the door. ]

There are shared quarters. You will have your own bed there.

Tourist

[innercactus]

... Hello?

[ This is a new voice. Asteffiel pokes his head out of the medical bay, potted plant in hand, and looks up and down the hall. ]

Re: Tourist

[peacockherald]

[ Vanyel turns to the voice, doing his best to keep his face passive at the sight of the purple skinned stranger, managing somehow, though his eyes did grow a bit wide. ]

Hello. Are you a crew member? My name is Vanyel Ashkevron, I've just been assigned to this ship.

[innercactus]

[ Purple bark would be even more accurate. Have fun, Vanyel. ]

Oh. Yes! I am Asteffiel. I have the.. uh... augment that means I know more about medicine. So I am mostly in here!

[ Definitely wood against metal sounding thunk as he knocks one foot against the doorframe. Complete with leaf shifting sounds from his clothing. ]

[peacockherald]

Ah. I have been designated to security, but I know some little of healing if you ever desire aide. It is not my strongest Gift, but I know something of herbs and poultices and dressing.

_{[ The sounds are interesting as he approaches, finally beginning to realize the other seemed to be made more of wood than he did flesh. Another astonishment, though he hid the reaction much better this time. ]}

A pleasure to meet you, Asteffiel.

[innercactus]

So you would know which ones I should grow more of! I didn't learn human medicine until this place.

[ He looks more like a human mimicry from a distance - close, its much more clear he is weaving and layering of plant to look vaguely like a human. And in leaf clothing.

.. And obviously, healing humans doesn't quite match with healing himself, because there's all those flesh things. ]

I can also do a little healing magic, but one works only when there's dirt, and another works when I have a staff... [ which.. are two things he lacks, in space. ]

[peacockherald]

A few yes - at least the basic ones I rode with on circuit for emergencies.

_{[ He would never have wears greens, certainly, but Heralds needs to have the skills necessary to handle any emergency on their travels. ]}

You are a magic user as well?

_{[ Intrigued, though from Asteffiel's words he would not be able to show him any of it. A pity. ]}

VRD

[radiantwingedone]

[ Homesick is a bit too strong - Duke had been completely willing to leave the place behind, but he'd been in one of the rooms until he heard that familiar voice.

So he wanders over, and ... listens, leaning against the wall by the door. He's not great judge of these things, having little range, but... It's nice. Even if it tugs at feelings he hadn't thought to come across. ]

Re: VRD

[peacockherald]

_{[ Eventually the song draws to an end, Vanyel breathing slowly, facing the "window" of the room. He rubbed at his wrist, quiet, suddenly feeling the prickle of being watched on the back of his neck. He turned, seeing Duke, at once embarrassed and glad to see his friend in person. He came to him, embracing the other man briefly. ]}

It is good to see you, my friend! In person, no less.

[radiantwingedone]

[ Okay he wasn't really expecting that hug there. Thinking back he probably should have, so there's an awkward return before Vanyel steps away. Thank you for doing that. ]

Your voice carries well. [ He'd been in the area. ]

[peacockherald]

_{[ He knew Duke was not one for much physical contact, but he could not help it. A week upon the Marsiva, aching to properly meet his friends, companions once again. Of course he had hugged him, made certain it was him in truth and not a figment of his imagination.}

A please smile crossed his lips, a certain brightness to his eyes. Ah, how he had missed singing! ]

Thank you. I hope not to far, though. I did not wish to disturb the other users.

[radiantwingedone]

[ He will get better about it the more he's exposed to, it's really just that he's not used to it.

Duke does notice that, and a small corner absently wonders if that's what it's like to get him on a topic he enjoys - looking more alive. ]

Unlikely. I was near. [ About the lute over there, Duke nods slightly at it. ]

So far, everything created in one of these rooms will feel real. Whether it sounds true...

[peacockherald]

_{[ He looked to the lute, not having wanted to try it, afraid his fingers would pass straight through it. Illusions were just that, after all. Slowly he made his way over, grasping it, the program arranging the image to his movements. Hands shifted into proper position without thinking, even having gone three years without touching one, plucking at the strings.}

The sounds of a guitar flowed out - acoustic, of course, but a guitar. Not quite what he had in mind when he crafted the lute, but it would do. He nearly wept, creating music once more. ]

It is true enough for its purpose.

VRD (a million years late, sorry)

[lord_wizard]

[When Felix haunts the rooms of the virtual reality dome it's largely an effect of morbid curiosity, because anything he sees there are just comfortable lies and looks at what he'll never really experience.

He does end up walking past when the sound of singing lures him to take a look inside the room. Although he's never heard it before there's something about it that's familiar, and he's not entirely surprised to find that it's Vanyel.

He waits politely in the doorway until Van stops]

You know, in all the years we have known each other, I think that might be the first time I heard you sing.

Re: VRD (a million years late, sorry)

[peacockherald]

_{[ Vanyel turns, delight spreading over his face at seeing Felix in the flesh. ]}

That would be because the Castle forbade here. Here, I am free of such restriction.

_{[ He crossed the space separating them, hesitating only a moment before wrapping his arms around the other man in a quick hug and stepping back again. It felt good to touch him, to know that he was real and not a figment, some bits and pieces of data across a screen. ]}

I hope I did not sound horrible. It has been many years since I tested my range.

[lord_wizard]

[Unexpectedly or not, he doesn't really respond to the gesture, though he doesn't push the affection away.]

Ah. Well, no. Quite the opposite. I hope you didn't mind the audience.

[peacockherald]

I admit, I have missed performing, just a bit.

_{[ He laughed softly, motioning for Felix to come further in, going to sit on the "window seat" such as it was. ]}

Do you have any requests?

[lord_wizard]

[He follows, taking in the details of the room but holding his questions for the moment]

Nothing you'd know, I'm sure. How about something...happy. Peaceful.

[peacockherald]

Lucky for you I am in the mood for it.

_{[ He's quiet for a moment as he considers, then chuckles to himself before he begins. It's a tavern song, so the beat is lively, but the lyrics are sweet, extolling a lovely night and warmth by the fire. ]}