002 ➛ video

[squanderlust]

Gawds! What is with everybody lately?

[seemingly oblivious to the general mood of the place, Severa's decided to lodge a complaint with the network. she looks pretty much the same as usual. maybe a bit grumpier. it seems like she's missed the general message of "keep your head down". or she just doesn't care.]

It's not like we blew up that shuttle! We can't even figure out a way through the relay, never mind how we even got here in the first place. Some of us don't even know what half the words in that last sentence were! So why is everyone pinning the blame on us? Is it just because we're outsiders? Because I don't remember being asked to come to this spinning death rock.

[she makes a sharp noise of disgust.]

This is completely unfair.

Comments

video;

[forgetyourusedtobe]

You don't think if it was reversed - that they were the outsiders and we weren't - that we wouldn't wonder if it's their fault?

[squanderlust]

No, because I think we'd be smart enough to figure out that people who have never heard of space shuttles before wouldn't know how to blow one up!

[forgetyourusedtobe]

People don't always think clearly when they're in a panic.

[squanderlust]

Everybody who could've been panicked is already on Thessia, aren't they? It's a mystery ship that exploded. That has to happen all the time around here.

[forgetyourusedtobe]

Since you've been here, has it happened?

[squanderlust]

No, but I haven't been here very long. At least, it doesn't feel like it's been very long. Space is weird.

[forgetyourusedtobe]

[Okay, that's a fair point, but...]

Okay, but nobody knows what was on the shuttle or what happened to it. The unknown's going to freak anybody out.

[squanderlust]

Then how about we do what normal people do when something unknown happens and band together to solve it? "Figure out what happened" isn't a hard goal!

[forgetyourusedtobe]

That's what they're trying to do.

video;

[jumpiness]

We've gotta find a way to prove that we didn't do this. It sucks, but that's pretty much the only option I'm seeing right now.

[ he's also (not seriously) considering throwing derek under the bus for this one. but. ]

I would also like to get off the spinning death rock, though.

[squanderlust]

Yeah, because this spinning death rock sucks. [she does look happy that one of her phrases has caught on, though.]

What more proof do they need from us? Must we bleed for them?

[jumpiness]

Also, some of us have things we need to be doing back home? Like graduating, for instance.

[ never mind that he's still two years off from graduating. the mention of blood makes him uneasy though. ]

If it was bleeding in the sense of giving blood I might not mind. But if they wanna cut me? Nuh uh.

Still, there must be something we can do 'sides fixing up the place.

[squanderlust]

[hold on, hold on. something doesn't sound right. she gives this man—boy? teenager.—a scrutinizing look.]

Graduating? Gods, they brought scholars here? What good would a scholar do in this company?

[jumpiness]

[ he gives her a strange look when she says that. ]

I'm not really what you'd call a scholar. Well, a scholar of the strange, sure, but no, I just go to school, and I'd like to graduate. Alive.

[squanderlust]

Oh, just a student, then.

[hrm. Elena's suggestion might not work, but it can't hurt to at least try to make more friends. Severa tries to make herself seem friendly.]

What do you study?

[jumpiness]

Well, I mean, not only a student -

[ he's about to go on about how he's also a player of lacrosse and a kick-ass research guy, but then she asks him what he studies so naturally, in a puzzled tone, ]

Everything? They kind of make us do that.

[squanderlust]

...Generalized? Is that the word? So what are you any good at, then? [so much for sounding friendly.]

text;

[papshooshing]

BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PIN THE BLAME ON SOMEONE, OBVIOUSLY.
APPARENTLY IT MUST BE A UNIVERSAL CONSTANT TO RUSH TO FUCKING CONCLUSIONS INSTEAD OF USING THE GRAY MATTER THAT EXISTS BETWEEN THEIR AURICULAR SPONGECLOTS.
I MEAN OH YEAH
WE SURE *DO* WANT TO BLOW UP THE SHIPS THAT ARE HERDING US TO THIS PACE STATION.
THAT'S A COMPLETELY LOGICAL THING FOR US TO DO, MMHMM.

[squanderlust]

at least somebody has some sense around here.
if only they would listen to us instead of treating us like the scum of the earth.
or whatever passes for the earth in this place, i suppose.
it can't truly be that difficult.

[papshooshing]

YOU WOULD HONESTLY BE SURPRISED AT THE ASININE IDEAS THAT SOME BULGEBITERS LET FESTER IN THEIR MINDS.
NONE OF THIS SHIT SURPRISES ME IN THE LEAST.
IT ONLY SERVES AS A MEAGER FUEL SOURCE FOR MY PERPETUAL STATE OF IRRITATION.

[squanderlust]

gods, you're certainly dramatic.
i'm sure you'll find irritation in no short supply here.
even ignoring this unjustified cold shoulder treatment, between the bullets and the tavern brawls, it's a wonder anyone knows the words peace or quiet.

[papshooshing]

THAT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THAT AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT IT WON'T BE THE LAST.
THE IDEA OF BEING GIVEN THE "COLD SHOULDER" ISN'T A NEW CONCEPT FOR ME TO WRAP MY MIND AROUND EITHER.
WHAT IS BOTHERSOME ABOUT IT IS THE FACT THAT WE "OUTSIDERS" STICK OUT LIKE
SHIT.
A SORE THUMB? THAT'S THE RIGHT ANALOGY, ISN'T IT?
ANYWAY, THERE'S JUST NO WAY TO BLEND IN FROM THE LOOKS OF IT.
IRONICALLY THE BRAWLS AND BULLETS MIGHT EVEN BE A WELCOME SIGHT AFTER BEING STUCK WHERE I WAS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
PEACE AND QUIET ARE SEVERELY OVERRATED IF YOU ASK ME.
I JUST WISH THAT PEOPLE WOULD USE THEIR FUCKING BRAINS ALONG WITH THEIR FISTS INSTEAD OF LETTING THEIR HOT BLOOD COMPLETELY TAKE OVER.
PIPE DREAMS, I GUESS.

[squanderlust]

if whoever blew up that shuttle is an actual threat, i see no problem with being hot blooded once we identify them.
i definitely do not appreciate being stuck here.
but if i have to be stuck here, i may as well defend myself, right/
and if it was truly time travel that brought me here, i must be here for a reason.
anyway, have you seen the people who 'live' here/
blending in doesn't seem to be much of a concern for anyone.
even if it seems you've already picked up the vernacular.

[papshooshing]

YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY FIND OUT WHO DID IT FIRST.
POINTING PRONGS IN THE MEANTIME DOESN'T DO JACK SHIT, SORRY TO SAY.
ALL IT DOES IS TURN EVERYONE AGAINST EACH OTHER AND THAT MAKES US INTO WOOFBEASTS CHASING OUR OWN TAILS INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING.
THAT'S MOSTLY WHAT I MEAN.
ONCE THE ASSHOLES RESPONSIBLE ARE TRACKED DOWN THEN GO ALL OUT
WHAT THE FUCK DO I CARE?
GRANTED, I'M NOT SAYING TO NOT DEFEND YOURSELF.
I FULLY INTEND TO ALLOW MY SICKLE TO GET INTIMATE WITH THE FIRST SHITHEAD THAT WANTS TO MAKE IT A POINT TO GET UP IN MY BUSINESS.
SINCE I *HAVE* SEEN ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT RACES THAT RESIDE HERE, I DON'T THINK THAT HAVING THE IDEA TO PROTECT YOURSELF IS A BAD IDEA.
"BLENDING IN" IS ONE OF THOSE METHODS.
SOME OF US LIKE KEEPING OUR BLOOD IN OUR BODIES DESPITE OUR OWN RATHER SHOUTY AND VIOLENT NATURES.

[squanderlust]

you could have just said you agree with me.
it would have been much faster.
a sickle, though/
are you a farmer/
i've only known one who could do any good in a fight, and even he had a lance.
you might want to find a more effective weapon if you're so devoted to keeping your blood inside of you.