( february event log )

[hownkai]

Who: Everyone
When: February 16th and on
Where: Throughout the Moira
What: After an exhausting month and a half, the crew tries to relax.
Warnings: Please label accordingly!

E V E N T

move & lull "Sometimes, the thing that brings us together also pulls us apart. " The beginning of the month was a whirlwind of confusion—for both seasoned and new members of the crew. Link’d Inc’s unsavory methods for obtaining information were revealed, the company’s front runner was murdered and planted on the ship, and with the help of Benjamin Link, the crew was able to free the kidnapped children and unlock the ship so that the Moira could get as far away as possible. It was a mess, but after the refugees were taken to a nearby by planet to start over, things have finally begun to settle down. The ship also has more crew than it’s ever had, and that can only mean one thing: more work. An unfortunate side effect of having so many bodies in one place, everyone is being asked to contribute; the captains implore everyone to chip in and do their share. Clean up after yourselves, don’t miss your shifts, and give fellow crew members a hand with their tasks if they can’t get them done on time. ☄ SPACEWALK ( 02.16 - 02.23 ) Eventually, Manasseh comes to the crew with a training opportunity. The captains are well aware that not everyone on board have learned essential skills for surviving and working in space. To remedy that, she has offered to take a week to train groups in the skill of performing space walks on the hull. Those who already have experience are welcomed as assistant instructors. Those willing will learn how to safely don a spacesuit and secure oxygen lines and tethers—for both themselves and others. All skills that will come in handy in case there is a need for emergency repairs, or if the crew encounters a low-atmosphere environment they wish to explore. Mysteriously, there is also a promise of something interesting on the horizon for those willing to learn. ☄ TREATS N' SWEETS ( 02.16 - EVENING ) As a way of extending an olive branch to the crew, the captains have cleared out the kitchen and mess hall early in the afternoon. Later that evening, the crew is asked to come down - via their MIDs - as the captains have a surprise for them. The tables are lined with finger foods, sandwiches, pretzels and chips, but the table in the very back is where the captains are lingering. They’ve made desserts for the crew, but they aren’t just any typical sweet concoction. They are each unique, and there are small, hand-written signs in front of each: •JUST RELAX: Mint chocolate chip ice cream scooped out into bowls and is the most sweet of the three. The first bite does little to the person eating it, but each subsequent taste results in an increasingly relaxed state. The more that is consumed, the more mellow the person becomes. •BE HONEST: A delicate concoction of science and the culinary arts, this dessert is refreshing and semi-sweet. The fruity flavors burst in your mouth, loosening your tongue, and result in a brief period of honesty. The reactions vary from person to person—anywhere from being more blunt than normal to answering any question that is asked without a filter. The effects wear off after an hour. •YOU'RE SWEET: A selection of small chocolate cheesecakes offer something rich and decadent to enjoy. Each one brings something a little different in terms of flavor, the taste lingering for some time after you’re done. Some make you feel indulgent, some make you feel romantic; this makes you feel both. Those that sample this dessert will feel lighter, happier, and more likely to indulge in romantic endeavors. The effects last for only one night, dissipating after a good night’s sleep. Those that do not require sleep will suffer the effects for two days. ☄ LANTERNS IN THE BLACK ( 02.23 ) The day starts out differently than most. The captains send a message saying that everyone has been granted light duty for the day, and once they finish their necessary chores, they are given the remainder of it to themselves. Around midday, an announcement will be made. The pilgrim fleet of Librae Prime will be performing their yearly Celebration of Life. They are on their way to a system decades away, and each year, they celebrate the lives gained and lost within their ranks by releasing a multitude of brightly colored lanterns out into space. The Pilgrims make a habit of inviting ships within range to participate as it is a joyful event for them. The entire crew is welcome to watch from the observation deck, the lights dimmed so the view can be properly appreciated, but those members of the crew who have participated in the space walk lessons or have previous experience have a special opportunity all their own. Manasseh invites them to the airlock with a supply of flying lanterns and an offer to put their new-found skills to use by releasing the Moira’s own lanterns. The morning after the flight of the lanterns a special surprise will await everyone in their mailboxes. A small lantern sits waiting for each member of the crew. It casts a soft light comparable to a simple nightlight and will hover in a stationary position when activated.

( OOC: Please label any material with content warnings. All events are dated for those that need them, but you don’t have to wait until those dates OOCly to do the prompts. For questions, go here! )

Comments

Manasseh

[galalith]

[ SPACE WALK 2/16-2/23 ]

[ The ship's Navigator isn't always the most social of the three captains but she is making an effort since this is her training exercise. As crew members arrive they'll see her waiting and already in a space suit of her own. For those unfamiliar with her, Manasseh stands quite tall compared to the average person. As the volunteers put on their suits she takes the time to check on each person in turn to make sure that they're in a calm state if mind and ready for the trip outside the airlock. Occasionally she'll stop to secure a loose tether or demonstrate where they went wrong in putting on their suits.

To those volunteering to help teach due to prior experience in space walking, Mana takes the time to quietly thank them for their assistance. And both before and after each lesson she lingers near the airlock making sure each suit has been properly stowed in case anyone needs to have a word. ]


[ TREATS 2/16 ]

[ The evening of the 16th, Mana takes her place at the dessert table alongside Curré and Thán to serve the crew their special treats. She'll explain the purpose of the carefully crafted cheesecakes if anyone asks her. Do you dare try to flirt with her after taking a taste? Do so at your own risk. ]


[ LANTERNS 2/23 ]

[ On the day of the lantern launch Mana releases a lantern with the others, though returns inside afterward. She spends an hour on the observation deck watching, using her MID to record footage of the Celebration. Though solemn as always there is a light in her eyes as she takes in the view before she has to return to her duties. ]

[shoppingtrip]

[Cordelia is happy to help with the spacewalking. She's also curious about how the ship is run and the way the Captains handle... well, everything. So when Manasseh thanks her for helping, she seizes the conversational opportunity.]

Captain Manasseh, I'm told you're the navigator? I'd love to get to know the ship's systems a bit better - I know I'm the Relationships Officer, but I used to be an astrocartographer. [and a spaceship captain, actually] If there's any way I can be of assistance please don't hesitate to ask.

[galalith]

Yes, I am. [ The mention of astrocartography draws a small smile of interest. There were some things that were always useful to have in supply. ]

I appreciate your offer, Crewmember Vorkosigan. If you wish I can register you as an auxiliary navigations officer. You would be welcome to visit Navigation as well.

[shoppingtrip]

Call me Cordelia, please. That sounds excellent. I've been wanting to come and check out Navigation, but I didn't want to be in the way. If I might ask - I haven't felt any wormhole jumps the entire time I've been on the ship, and yet we seem to have traveled quite far. Is it true that this ship is capable of true faster-than-light travel?

[she is SO excited about the technical details, Mana.]

[galalith]

The design of our ship's engines is rather unique compared to existing models. The solar sails absorb solar light and radiation to power our engines. It allows us to travel more quickly than conventional fuel sources would allow. I'm sorry to say, faster-than-light travel hasn't been well researched since the Ingress system has been established across so many worlds.

[ Her smile a bit wry. ]

Most consider the cost of research too high when there's already a convenient system in place.

treats

[songoftime]

[The cheesecakes are actually the only ones Link isn't trying. He's stopping and reading the cards, and partaking in the other two, but... As much as he's eyeing the cakes, because they look really good, and smell really good, he doesn't add one to his plate.

But as he's licking the ice cream off his first spoonful, he wanders over towards the captains, his gaze curious.]

Did you really make these?

[galalith]

[ Mana leans down a bit to talk to Link, not from any form of condescension but because he's just so small. ]

Yes, I did. Just as Captain Curré and Captain Thán made the other two dishes. Did you find them acceptable?

[songoftime]

[Link, luckily (or maybe unluckily), is so used to it that he doesn't think twice about it. He doesn't even really notice. Such is his life, and will always be his life, since he knows that even as an adult, he's on the shorter side.]

Yeah. They're tasty. [Cue Link digging his spoon back into the ice cream. But before he eats it, he asks another question.] They're magic, right?

[galalith]

[ She shakes her head and gestures to the plates on the table. ] There isn't any magic involved in these dishes, I promise you that. Captain Curré knows many things, including how to induce certain feelings through chemicals.

[ She offers a small smile. ] I am glad to hear you're enjoying them, though. The ice cream was my favorite as well.

space walk!

[notglitching]

[Rinzler observes each procedure carefully, saving the data to memory. Still, when the suits are actually distributed, the program hesitates, black helmet angled curiously toward the shape. Mana's arrival is well-timed.]

Request clarification: suit functions.

[The words aren't spoken, but typed, displayed in a holographic projection from his MID. Rinzler's constant noise rumbles out evenly as he glances up to the user, stance only a little tenser than his default hunch. Supervisor on the ship or not, she isn't his admin, and probably won't object to the use of words. If she does, he isn't coded to obey. He loops the reminder through his processing, trying to wipe the instinctive unease.]

[galalith]

Explained simply, the suit functions are to convey breathable air to the crew wearing them, protect against the cold of the vacuum and to prevent decompression. If you'd like a more in depth explanation, with your permission, I could upload a file with technical specifications to your MID.

[ She looks him over and then selects a helmet from the shelf that's a size larger than the standard so that Rinzler will be able to fit his head inside it easier. ]

Do you have any other clarification requests, Crewmember Rinzler?

[notglitching]

[Rinzler's attention remains fixed, data absorbed and cross-referenced. Her elaboration's useful, but the basic functions aren't anything he hadn't heard before. Still, in its own way, that answers his real question. Breathing. Cold. Decompression.

Three things that aren't a concern for programs. Especially those who don't take off their masks.

The program's head dips in a nod: permission granted for the upload. He accepts the suit helmet in one hand, stalling a fraction longer before the other returns to the MID.]

Suit required for tutorial?

[galalith]

[ Mana takes a moment to tap something onto her MID, a command to upload space suit schematics to Rinzler's MID. Everything someone might want to know about how the suits worked so long as they had the technical know how to parse the terms.

His second question draws a pause from her as she considers it. ]

...Are you quite positive that the changes in pressure between the ship and the vacuum won't negatively impact your physical form?

im sorry about miles

[forwardmomentum]

[ by the time miles actually makes it all the way back to the dessert table, he's already had portions of the ice cream and cheesecakes both, and he looks almost unnervingly serene, considering what a barely contained ball of manic energy he usually is. he drifts over to manasseh's side of the table with a bright-eyed smile.

he hasn't had the pleasure of speaking to manasseh in person very often -- she's always up in navigation, and miles spends so much time in his office he's crawling up the walls by this point. this seems like an excellent chance to unwind a little and talk to one of the captains -- the most striking captain, surely. tall and dark and totally unnerving in demeanor? check, check, and check. he gives her a bright grin and sweeps her an exaggerated bow. ]

What a pleasure to see you, Captain Manasseh. [ he definitely does not swoon. ] And may I say you look lovely tonight? Absolutely striking.

[galalith]

[ Mana hasn't had many opportunities to directly interact with Miles, though she knows of his reputation. Thán held him in good regard, employed him as an intermediary to handle some crew issues. Curré seemed to feel rather differently after the incident in the morgue.

The bow earns Miles a raised eyebrow. The ship doesn't have much in the way of discipline or formal acknowledgement of rank. Bowing seems entirely unnecessary. ] Good evening, Crew member Vorkosigan. I see that you've been availing yourself if the offered desserts.

I must disagree with your assessment. I look as I always do.

[forwardmomentum]

Well, of course you do. You're always striking.

[ his smile at her is almost dreamy. he props an elbow on the table to cup his chin in his hand so he can properly gaze up at her, rather admiringly. ]

It'd be an insult not to at least taste them, wouldn't it? Say, which of these was your concoction?

[galalith]

Is there a reason you default to using violent words to compliment someone?

[ Striking. An odd choice in words. ]

Your choice to sample them is your own, none of us would take insult if you chose not to eat any of the desserts. [ She pauses. ] I made the cheesecakes.

[keelahselai]

[When she eventually gets back from releasing lanterns, from watching them drift off into space from the outside of the hull, it's to go straight to the observation deck and keep watching from there, entranced.

It takes her a while to notice Manasseh, and when she does it's another long moment before Tali recognises her. The captain looks just as engrossed in the display as she herself, so she's a little hesitant in approaching her.]

Captain Manasseh? Could I have a minute?

[It's her automatic instinct as soon as she comes across anyone with the 'captain' rank - to be as polite and deferential as possible. That might never really fade.]

[galalith]

[ When Tali approaches it takes her a moment to tear herself away from the sight of the lanterns. When she does though, her attention is focused entirely on the quarian. ]

Of course, I'm always available should anyone need to speak with me.

[keelahselai]

[She can see the Captain having to drag herself away from the view, and she can't help smiling a little, glancing out at it again herself.]

Sorry, I didn't want to drag you away from all of this. [She inclines her head towards the lanterns, the fleet behind them in the far distance.] But I wanted to ask about them - about the pilgrims. If you know anything else about them.

[There's a longing in her voice that's evident - the way her gaze keeps darting back towards them too. The whole time they've been visible from the ship, she's had such a mixture of profound homesickness and excited recognition it's near radiating from her.]

[galalith]

It's fine, Crewmember Tali'Zorah.

[ She looks back out the window, focusing past the laterns and to the Pilgrim fleet which is bursting with light of its own. ]

I've read about them, though this is the first time I've ever seen one of their fleets with my own eyes. The entries I've read about them say that they do this Pilgrimage once every generation. Their population is split between two planets, Librae Prime and Woden Alpha.

The journey itself takes 15 to 20 years to complete and each cycle the planet that has received its sister's pilgrims sends another fleet back. The exchange helps provide genetic diversity and they say that their time spent in the fleet fosters a stronger love for their new home when they arrive.

[ She pauses. ] If you would like, I could upload a report on their culture to your MID so that you might study them at your leisure.

Lanterns - Observation Deck

[petrifiedshadow]

[ Starflight had been watching the lanterns from the safety of the observation deck. Even if he hadn't been in cryo just days ago, he was certain he wouldn't have been able to handle a space walk to go out of the ship. But the observation deck had a perfectly good view, and Starflight was happy to watch the lanterns from there.

Seeing the captain begin to leave, Starflight dashed after her, matching her stride. ]

Captain Manasseh! Do you want me to record more of the lanterns for you? Do you need my help in Navigation?

[ There was a note of anxious earnestness to his voice, eager to please. Waking up from cryo and finding out both his roommates had been promoted had put his situation on the ship in perspective. And while he might not have what it took to be Chief Science Officer, he could at least attempt to be the best assistant supervisor he could. ]

[galalith]

[ Starflight was a hard worker, one Manasseh was pleased to see him released from cryo and back on duty. He offered a unique view of things being one of the minority of residents who were nonhumanoid.

So when he comes chasing after her she pauses and waits for him in the hall. ]

Crewmember Starflight, do you know the odds of being in the right place at the right time to witness this celebration?

[petrifiedshadow]

Oh. [A test. And he didn't know the answer. That was never good. He was quiet for a few moments, face scrunched tight as he tried to do the math, but there were far too many variables he didn't know.]

I- well, you se- um, No, I don't. I'm certain it's very significant though, unless it was planned to meet with the Librae Prime fleet in the first place, but I know it wasn't. At least I'm pretty sure it wasn't. Did you plan for us to be here?

[galalith]

There is no planning for something like this. To be in the right place at the right moment to witness this is a chance of one in millions.

[ And while Manasseh isn't the warmest person, tending to stay aloof most of the time, she gives Starflight a kind smile. ]

I wouldn't ask you to leave this sight to attend to simple tasks. There will be work enough to occupy us in the coming months, take this evening to relax and watch what very few will ever get see.