thisavrou_log | ( august event log )

( august event log )

Who: Everyone
When: August 16th and on
Where: The Moira + the Luminous Sea
What: The original Captain and the First Mate try to find the closest Ingress for help. The crew ventures into the Luminous Sea.
Warnings: None for now. Please label your content!

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reset in the regress
"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst."

With the Moira in a sort of low maintenance state, Captain Ira and First Mate Egan have been forthright with information at their disposal, and as the weeks have progressed, not much has been answered in terms of what has happened with the ship itself or why some of the crew are informing the Captain and First Mate of Ingresses all across the universes being broken. Early on the 16th, Captain Ira decides that Manasseh has been in cryo long enough to warrant waking her. With that decision comes the restoration of all ship functions—including normal water and power usage. Rationing continues, but it isn’t as strict (or enforced) as it has been the last few weeks. However, the Navigator appears and acts no differently than before, which troubles the Captain, and rather than shut down the Moira’s functions once more, he decides to redouble efforts to contact someone at the Midway Hub.

As before, when he first tried, no one answers.

Not completely discouraged, Captain Ira orders First Mate Egan and those in both Navigation and the Tower to put out a transmission to anyone with an Ingress in hopes of finding a technician or someone with enough information pertaining to the machinery to perhaps fix the one aboard the Moira long enough to get them to the Midway Hub without having to travel the length of the Runoff. Within the hour, they receive a peculiar return transmission that’s worth investigating since it’s considerably close. During this time, Captain Thán sends the following MID message to all Moirans:
Crew,

The last few weeks have been hectic, and I'm sure everyone has questions that they need answered. When Captain Ira and First Mate Egan approached us, we asked for evidence of their legitimacy and were given it through credentials, logs, and the private access codes that they had in their possession. It allowed us to see that they were, in fact, the previous leadership of the Moira.

Explaining why we took a knee is rather simple. They know what they're doing, and it is clear now, more than ever, that we do not. Every bump in the road that we've met, you have survived because of your own tenacity, and many of the deaths and hardships were our fault in some way. We found this ship unmanned and took it without any skill. It worked, at first, but then, you were all here, and it changed everything. We needed to grow to accommodate, and we weren't fast enough. As captains, we've failed you, but we do believe that Ira and Egan can do so much better. We'll be working with them to make the end of this trip as short as possible. You deserve to go home, and they can make that happen.

You also deserve honesty. The blame for the events on Caducus Primary are our burden to carry, not yours. The statues that their people believed had been stolen were on this ship, and we were responsible for them being here. Not long after boarding the Moira, we stopped there and were approached by a person offering us the items at a lower trade rate. We knew that it wasn't strictly by the books, but we did the deal anyway. When those actions came back around, we attempted to remedy them but were not fast enough and many lives were lost.

This is one of the reasons we have given leadership rights over. We've done enough damage, and you don't deserve anymore by our hands. For what it's worth, we do apologize for everything, and we'll be staying on the ship until we reach the Midway Hub.

-Thán
Whether believed or not, the previous Captains can still be found around the ship in their usual places of work. Onward, the Moira goes—

WELCOME TO THE LUMINOUS SEA

Unlike most places the Moira has come across or visited, the Luminous Sea is thus called due to its soft turquoise glow. While other parts of the Runoff consist of stars and planets, there is no life or anything remotely sentient found within this part of the universe. Yet, the most fascinating thing about the Luminous Sea is not the fact that it appears empty but for the sole reason of why the Captain and First Mate first approached it in the first place: it’s very reminiscent of Ingress energy. The ship is slow to move through the Luminous Sea, all those stationed in the Tower asked to observe and collect data to be sent to Navigation as well as those who have been reassigned to the Ingress. However, even stranger things are afoot the longer the Moira lingers within the ocean of blue-green space...

☄ IN, OUT, AND ALL AROUND

Needless to say, things are now a little… different on board thanks to the anomalies caused by the energy of the Luminous Sea. What once had been a simple journey using MPS to navigate your way around the ship has now become a risk in Location Roulette. Perhaps you’re simply planning to head to the library, but when you walk through the door, you’ve somehow ended up in the middle of the Mess Hall. Or you’re fresh from a nice, long shower only to find yourself in the middle of the Cargo Bay wearing nothing but your towel! It seems that the space inside the Moira has rearranged itself to make life interesting for the crew. The changes happen at random and aren’t guaranteed to work the same in reverse. Sometimes, a doorway will work to take you back the correct way, and other times, it might deposit you in yet another part of the ship you hadn’t intended to visit. Also, be wary of those areas of the ship that have been sealed for the protection of the crew and never go anywhere alone. Because nothing good ever came of walking through a door to suddenly end up outside the Moira or within the room that holds Ploiatos.

☄ 50 SHADES OF AGE

While in the Luminous Sea, some members of the crew are likely to wake up and find themselves a changed person. Literally. The unstable nature of the energy that encompasses the Sea and its ability to bend both time and space means that those affected by it might find themselves suddenly years younger. Or even older. What’s more, some crew members who do become younger might possess no memories of have ever been on the ship and will see the Moira through brand new eyes. Those who find themselves jumping to a point further down their timeline won’t be affected as harshly, though they will be tarnished with age as time tends to do. What’s best for the new and old alike is to remain calm and continue on their daily routines until otherwise instructed by the Captain and First Mate. Hopefully leaving the Luminous Sea will wear away this reversal in time and return you to the person you once were.

( ooc; For questions, go here. Please comment to job sign-ups as well! )

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[This certainly takes him back. It's been a few good years since his sister was that small, but he remembers being followed around for the sake of stories and company. He leans down, smiles at the little girl and look around to see if anyone's near by to collect her. The problem of half the crew aging and de-aging all over the place is that it's hard to keep up with who's who.]

You want a story, huh, little lady?

[He takes the book, putting a hand on her hand to muse her hair.]

[Yes, Elizabeth has no idea who Peter is, or even any memory of an argument. All she knows is this wonderful person is playing with her, and is going to read to her. That's enough to get a thrilled squeal from her as she reaches up to grab his hand with both of her tiny ones-- she's missing her right pinky, but it doesn't seem to bother her.]

Story! I want a story, yes please!

[The missing pinky sparks a little recognition, and he narrows his eyes for a fraction of a second before smiling wide. He lets her toy with his hand for a moment before reaching down with the intent to pick her up. He goes slow, waiting to see if she'll get upset.]

Do I get to know your name first? I like to know who I'm reading to.

[She is the opposite of upset when she realizes this boy is going to pick her up-- Elizabeth hops a little with her arms extended, and hangs on tight to him when he picks her up.]

'Liz'beth~ [She chirps while trying to maneuver the book while hanging on to Peter.]

[That confirms it. He's not sure whether to be a little upset their rightful first mate was a toddler or be glad she's too young to be mad with him.

He holds onto her tightly, hoisting her high on his side to carry her into a room where they can sit. He kicks out the first chair he can find, settling her on his lap and holding out a hand for the book back.]

Little Lizzie, then. I'm Peter. [He gives her a little squeeze.] I'm very pleased to meet you.

[Definitely upset she's a toddler-- if Elizabeth had any memory of Peter, she'd be feeling equally uncomfortable and probably very awkward. But she has no such memory, so Elizabeth giggles and clings to Peter as they sit down.]

Pleased to meet you, Peter. [She's parroting back, but it sounds like she understands what it means for the most part. Elizabeth presents him with the book, holding it out with both hands.] Someday I'll read by myself, but right now I need someone to do it for me. Can you read to me today?

[That sounds a little like she's parroting something else, too.]

You look about old enough that you'll be reading by yourself in no time.

[He takes the book back, flipping it open to the first page. It's weird but he can handle this. He thinks.]

I think I can manage that. I used to read to another little girl, you know. I'm pretty good at this.

[To demonstrate he starts off the story in the most over the top accent he can manage. He always figured laughter was a quick way to bond with a kid.]

[She giggles like Peter just said the funniest thing ever.] Noooo, I'm just a child!

[Elizabeth wriggles a little on Peter's lap, clearly excited as he opens the book and finds the first page. The accent gets a shriek of laughter from her-- obviously because that's clearly not his normal voice, and that's hysterical-- but she quiets down quickly enough so she can listen and repeat words in giggly mutters, testing them out.]

[He laughs under his breath.] Even kids can learn to read.

[It's nice to get that response again, making some kid happy with something so simple. He puts more into it; making elaborate hand gestures to go along with the story, growling along with the bad guy and tickling her at the 'scary' parts. It's almost like being back home, being a few years younger and reading his sister to sleep.

Peter's a little sad by the time he's shutting the book and handing it back over to Elizabeth.]

How'd I do?

[Peter's the best storyteller she's ever heard, and she tries emulating his fancy hand gestures, hides her face like she's scared during the growly parts, and screeches with laughter when he tickles her.]

[She's clearly sad when he holds out the book to her, giving it back. Elizabeth's little chubby face falls and she looks at the book, already disappointed.]

Going away now...?

[He frowns, putting a hand on top of her head to muss her hair. He keeps his tone light, not wanting her to think he's upset with her.]

I can't just leave you alone, now can I? [He leaves out that he thinks she's too young to be alone. Who knows what trouble she could cause on her own? Or worse, she could get hurt.] If you're okay with hanging out with me for a while, I mean.

[Elizabeth immediately brightens and flops down onto Peter belly-first, the book in between them. Not the most comfortable thing, but she seems relieved. Usually when she sees someone, they leave fairly quickly after checking on her. No story, no pat on the head, no comforting words that she wasn't about to be left alone.]

I like you. I like it here. Can I stay?

[He lets out an exaggerated groan, holding an arm out in case she goes rolling off. He tries to grab at the edge of the book with the other hand, not wanting her to be complaining of bruises later.]

I like you too Lizzie. [Even with how awkward things had been, the disagreements and teenage temper tantrums, he didn't hate her. It seemed safer to admit that when she was still a child, like she wouldn't remember it once everyone was back to normal.] You can stick with me as long as you want. I told you I wouldn't leave you alone, didn't I? I'm not going to make you go anywhere.

[Things had been awkward, and Elizabeth, older Elizabeth, does regret it. Not just because she and Wanda are friends and she's been trying to keep the spat to herself and avoid putting Wanda in the middle-- but because she'd let her own feelings on the subject run away with her. Again. Unfortunate habit she has.]

[But as a child, Elizabeth doesn't feel awkward at all about letting Peter direct the book out of harm's way and remaining flopped on his chest. She pouts.]

The men in the white dresses leave me alone. You're nicer than them.

[And this is were the uncomfortable feeling comes back. His instinct is to ask what she means. But he knows she's only talking to him about this because she's currently a child, too guileless and open to know when to keep something secret. Her doesn't have a right to make her talk about anything that he knows her older self wasn't ready to share.

It doesn't mean he's still not going to.]

What do you mean? What men?

In the dresses. [Duh, Peter.] They come in through the door, they listen to my heart, they look at my pinky-- [She holds up the severed one to show him.] -- they tell me to be brave and poke me here-- [She points at the inside of her elbow.] I don't like that part, but they keep doing it even when I say no. [She frowns.] And then they leave me alone. Sometimes they take my toys, too. They won't read to me, even if I'm brave when they poke me.

[Obviously she's tried this, just so someone will read her a book.]

[Well obviously. How did he not realize.]

They don't even let you have your toys? That's awful, honey. [He pets her hair, trying to be comforting.] I bet you're brave a lot when they poke at you. You act like you're a really good girl. But do you know why they do that? Did they ever tell you what it was about?

[He doesn't expect her to know much, not at her age. But kids hear things, pick up on more than adults realize. He knows his little sister understands more about their family situation than their mother realizes. Maybe Elizabeth has picked up on something.]

No, they leave some, but sometimes they take ones and then give them back later. They should ask, I would say it was okay. [She's all about the sharing, after all. It's the nice thing to do-- and maybe they would play with her instead of take her teddy somewhere she couldn't see.]

[The weight of Peter's hand on her head is nice, and she buries her face further into his shoulder. She is a really good girl, she tries to be at least. She eats all the food she's given, she doesn't run away from the men in white anymore, she even offers her toys when they show up.]

...maybe because I made the lady mad. [She sounds especially sad now.] I used to live in a big house with a man and a lady. Then the lady kept shouting at the man because I wasn't her child, and told him I couldn't live there anymore. Maybe that's why no one stays with me, and the men poke me. I made her mad.

That's still really mean of them. You can't just take stuff without asking.

[Says the thief. But she's not at an age to know that about him and he's trying to stay in the kid's trust zone.

He hugs her to him. It's the least he can do, dispense some comfort to the child he's more or less tricking into talking to him.]

I don't think it's your fault that she's mad. [It reminds him a little of his little sister's father and the way he looked at Peter and his twin. The way all his mother's boyfriends turned their noses up at the kids.

He pulls back to look her in the eye, holding tight to her shoulders.]

That's not your fault at all. Okay? It's not your problem that your not somebody's kid. The woman's- [A lot of words that Peter probably shouldn't say in front of a child, righteous anger or not.]

She doesn't sound very nice.

...she isn't very nice. She screams so much. [Elizabeth starts tearing up, remembering the fighting and the yelling. She didn't like it when the woman and the man fought. She tries to push back into Peter's chest to hug him. She doesn't want to talk about this anymore.]

Will you read it to me again?

You don't have to keep talking about it I'm sorry.

[He is. He'd never had much strength against a little girl crying. He lets her lean against him, rubbing her back and making soft noises until she speaks again. He won't press it anymore. He feels bad enough for making her cry as it is.]

I can do that. [He smiles down into her hair, reaches for the book again. He shifts her around in his lap so she doesn't have to sit up to see the pages, just turn her head.] So, once upon at time...

[Peter is stellar at calming her down, Elizabeth curling comfortably against his chest, her little fingers clinging to his shirt as he picks up the book again. She listens, quietly this time, not as animated or prone to repeat words. And eventually, she's asleep on him, her hand still holding tightly onto his shirt.]

[As her breathing slows he lowers his voice, finishing off the story in a low whisper. He puts down the book as carefully as he can, returns to holding her as quickly as he can without jostling her. This part is familiar too, holding still long enough to let a child get a nap through. From the smile that stretches on his face, it's clear it doesn't bother him.

Not even a little.]

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( august event log )

Storytime

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