TEST DRIVE MEME #10

[sailmods]

a. that's where we both belong

[you wake up.

it doesn't matter where you were before. going to bed? dying? opening the door to face a great evil? same result. you wake up in a soft bed with starched sheets in a cool, darkened room, sunlight peeking out from behind thick curtains. maybe you're alone; maybe you aren't. maybe you immediately notice the folded paper on the bedside table near your head. if you don't, you better fix that real quick: you won't be able to even open the door before you read it.

the note itself is written in a neat hand on white card stock; there is a stylized logo of a ship with the words SERENA ETERNA printed underneath. the note reads as follows:

Dear Passenger(s),

As your cruise director, it is my great honor to welcome you aboard the Serena Eterna, your destination for fun and adventure! We know you could have chosen any cruise line for your vacation, and we're very grateful you chose ours! On behalf of the Captain, I would like to assure each and every passenger that will we do whatever it takes to fulfill all your needs and desires during your journey with us.

At your earliest possible convenience, please attend the mandatory lifeboat drill by the end of the day. I'm sure everyone is very eager to get started on all the fun and sun, but safety always comes first! You can find your life jacket in your cabin's closet; carry it to your assigned muster station on deck one, where I will take you through the drill. If you can't find me in the crowd, just look for the gal with the winning smile!

See You Real Soon!

Sincerely,
Gal Friday

you walk to deck one. you have no other choice: every time you try to step in a direction some unseen being considers "not towards deck one," you find your legs no longer move, staying stock still, frozen. whether compelled quickly by curiosity, or delayed by pure stubbornness, the result is the same, and you are left milling around with other similarly curious or stubborn people.

you see someone in uniform near the front of the crowd. she seems to be a gal, but is missing the winning smile, along with most of her other features. she seems to see you, though, rushing to your side and placing a lei around your neck with great formality. a voice, cheery but artificial, sees to come from nowhere and everywhere.]

Welcome aboard! I'm so happy you could join us!

[you touch the lei. rooster feathers, lotus seeds, and a carved circle of something white and hard, linked onto a silk string.

after the drill is completed, you are seemingly free to go. or, well, your legs work, now. and maybe that's as good as it's gonna get.]

b. and there's plenty of that down by the sea

[it’s strange to think about, isn’t it? how all those new passengers, the ones grumbling or shouting their way through the forced muster drill, have absolutely no idea what happened just last month. no idea about the labyrinth. no concept of why anyone around them would be a bit more hesitant around shadows.

they’ll learn.

sometimes a shadow is darker than it’s supposed to be. very rarely does anything come of that; just a vague sense that someone is watching you, and little more. sometimes, though, the shadows move. sometimes they grab at your ankles as you walk. sometimes they give you a shove as you go down the stairs. sometimes they pull your hair, or pinch your arm.

sometimes you feel something sharp cut into your lower leg.

that’s not a shadow, though. that’s a fiddler crab. you see the crab, sometimes. the cut isn’t from its claws, which don’t look very intimating; it’s not a very large crab. the cut is from the large kitchen knife crudely taped onto its back. it’s probably fine. it's not chasing you. there isn't evil in its heart. probably.]

c. think I'll go back to the Keys

[one day, in the atrium, two pedestals suddenly appear. on each is a large button: one green, and one blue. pressing the blue button gives you a little treat, popping out of thin air next to you. pressing the green button sends a small electric shock through your body. weird, but, hey, pretty avoidable, right?

except, it seems to be spreading. to every other button on board.

in the elevator. on the soda machine. the arcade. your phone. the bell on Friday’s desk.]

Comments

[guildmastermind]

"Shiroe, nice to meet you. Uh, have you been around here for long?"

The handshake is accepted with similar awkwardness. At least it's not bowing, the etiquette for exact angles for a bow is hard to calculate in a situation like this.

[pidgeypidge]

"I've just been assuming we're on Earth, but after seeing the space mall I'm willing to entertain the idea of there being space cruises," Pidge announces with a shake of her head. She's not even sure why she's been so willing to just assume this is Earth. Perhaps because the last thing she remembers before waking up in some strange bed is that they were trying to go home.

"You ever been anywhere else?" She's capable of being tactful when she genuinely wants to be, and she figures wording it that way is probably nicer than straight up asking if he's an alien. Some people don't appreciate the direct approach, after all.

[pineapplesalmon]

César hmms. "... unfortunately, the report was a little dry, but they were either scared or thought it was awesome since that was what they were trying to do. But either way, my brother managed to save them, so they're back to normal now. I hope the same for everyone trapped in your world."

[guildmastermind]

"I'm not sure I do. Not for everyone. Given the choice, while I'd like to get a message back to my parents, I wouldn't return to Earth. There's a kid in my guild, Touya, who was paralyzed in an accident years ago. In the game's world, he's able to run again. I'm not sure he'd be excited by the idea of going back, either."

[lightconductor]

Of course it's insulting. Half of this ship is insulting.

"I'd wondered. One does sometimes manage to miss people here and there, but generally a wholly new face is easy enough to pick out." Watson offers his head. "The name is Watson. Dr. John Watson."

He is almost afraid to hear what name he gets in return.

[not_the_last]

She catches that assessing look, and returns an attempt at a reassuring smile.

"Are you newly arrived? I don't believe I've seen you before."

[fonomena]

"Something in shadows, hm?" ...Jade's steps continue, until he's joining Shirou on the landing, but at the answer...well. There's a slight pause in his words; unnaturally red eyes narrow just slightly. "...On the contrary, sir, I daresay paranoia can be a useful trait in this place. Do you think you could say that the thing might have been shadows, in its own right?"

Events of the last month are still rather fresh on the mind, you see. Another even sharper glance is cast to the darkened corners about them. Then, with an almost world-weary sort of sigh but without much more fanfare, Jade summons a full-length spear into his right hand that materializes with a crackle of fonons.

"Regardless--which way were you headed? I'd suggest we should proceed, either up or downstairs, and not stay put for too long. With two pairs of eyes we can at least keep watch both ahead and behind, as we go."

[guildmastermind]

“Yes, I just arrived this morning. I’m…still figuring everything out. Any advice you have would be appreciated.”

He’s trying to figure her out. Good manners. Good posture. He’s vaguely reminded of Raynesia when she’s wearing the ice princess mask, playing up her role.

[hate_gettin_older]

"Nah, man, I just got here. Got brought here," he clarifies, "wasn't my fuckin idea, I was fine where I was, thanks very much. You?"

[pineapplesalmon]

"... oh." César understands instantly. "I keep forgetting most Earths don't have the tech to fix paralysis."

He hums. "I get the feeling, but...."

César cuts himself off and shakes his head. "I hope it all works out in the end."

Because considering how quickly Providence's motto was about to switch from "Cure, Contain, Kill" in that order to just the last option when the first option wasn't available anymore and the second was deemed 'too expensive'... he can see them immediately filing for bankruptcy and shutting off the servers without even trying to solve why people have fallen into comas.

[guildmastermind]

“Yes, it certainly could have been shadows.” As Jade summons his spear, Shiroe changes his grip on his staff. If this is going to be a fight, well. He knows his role with a partner he’s worked with before. With a stranger, it’s harder. But he readies himself nonetheless.

“I was exploring the ship, since I’ve only just arrived. If you have ideas for a safe area to rest, I’d love to hear it.”

[besixdouze]

[Not like the Voyager probe was ever famous for its magical glowing, was it? This little guy doesn't seem to have much in the way of the expected metal bits, either. Yet still.........]

Yes. Some of them have been here a long time...and some of them, have only just arrived, like me. Are you new too? Did you wake up in a bed? [A soft and thoughtful hum.] I can't find who did the summons this time...

[besixdouze]

The thump of her harpoon indeed only earns a curious blink, on Voyager's part, before a new wave of bubbles trickles through his head to deliver the words for the answer. The novelty of the sensation continues to offset the vague impression that he's getting water in his ears somehow...but Voyager raises a hand to thoughtfully rub at one anyway, just to be sure.

"Euclides is a...mathematician." The word is enunciated especially slowly and carefully, as this is a number of syllables-in-a-word he still has to handle with deliberation. "But, I don't know if a 'Muse' could be something like that. What's a 'Muse'?" And, for that matter-- "Why's there a lot of concern about them?"

[besixdouze]

[The Dioscuri--] Oh, the star people!

[Recognition indeed blooms across Voyager's features in a match to the words, his eyes widening. This news of their location, though...]

Disappeared? Did they leave? Or...were they defeated...?

[Though it'd be quite the immense feat, for Servants like them to be defeated by anything. A real disaster, surely. Voyager's questions come with a pensive sort of air, as if the idea is a new and strange one that needs some processing to properly grasp. There's a pause, and a tilt of his head.

After all...Natsuno's features may very well seem impassive outwardly, but Voyager's studying them all the same, as if that expression might yet divine more answers. His next question is a slower one.]

...Hey, were you a friend of theirs?

[besixdouze]

[Admittedly Voyager might have been testing the waters here, watching Yan's demeanor for any hints of disapproval as he'd tentatively floated his donut plans in this way. The stranger's eyes might be closed, which makes things just a bit trickier...but the slight relaxing of his posture is a good sign. The smile even more so!

Yan speaks his own thoughts on the matter, and Voyager brightens, clearly quite pleased to have found a kindred spirit after all.]

Yeah! Yeah, nobody's said there's a rule against it here. You don't mind it too? Then... [Voyager picks the original donut off his plate again. But now, instead of raising it to his mouth, he seems to have a moment of thought...before he offers it Yan's way instead.] Here, you should try one too! We can try them together!

[besixdouze]

Huh? [No...no, he didn't think to remove the knife first at all, if his clear astonishment at the idea is anything to go by. Voyager blinks and stares down at the tape binding the knife to the crab in his hands.] Well...it looks like somebody put it on this crab, right? It was probably hard to do that. So there must be a reason for it.

[He didn't want to assume anything!!!]

[besixdouze]

['Really glowy'...oh, right! Voyager has to take a few slow blinks to realize what Fio's referring to, but it's accompanied by a little laugh when he remembers.]

Hehe...yes, I am. Thank you. I must be feeling pretty good this morning!

[Which might seem like a bit of a non-sequitor out of context, admittedly, but Voyager's attention is already apparently moving elsewhere. He's visibly more and more intrigued as the distance between them closes, after all, casting another long stare at the bear after he speaks. --But, as he reaches for the offered toy, he does brighten in the more metaphorical sense at Fio's introduction.]

Fio...okay. It's nice to meet you too, Fio. I'm Voyager, and--whoa!

[His hands have closed gently around Judy's middle...and now, even before he's properly lifted the toy from Fio's hands--!

His glowiness is definitely suddenly intensifying!!]

[besixdouze]

[To receive the entirety of a song really is a marvelous sort of thing. Whole, not in pieces or in parts. Set down the way it was meant to be...

It's a bit strange, perhaps, the intensity with which Voyager absorbs the performance. As soon as Alex begins again he's completely still in his seat save for the perpetual flutter of his scarf, frame bent slightly forward, eyes wide and nearly unblinking as they track the movement of the hands on the violin. A riveted sort of concentration on his features, as if every ounce of his focus is currently being poured into listening and committing every single note to memory.

...But then, at length, it's properly over...and the odd trance ends as well. Voyager stirs, sighs, and--remembers, a thing that people would sometimes do, at the end of performances. Sitting upright in his seat, he claps his hands: once, twice, three times. The gesture still needs some practice, but!]

Thank you! I did enjoy it. I really did. What a beautiful song. [He beams up at Alex, hopping off his seat. Studies the walkways around the stage, a moment, before idly starting towards the nearest one leading up a set of steps to join the young man up there. But as he goes...] Just a part of a story, is it really? 'Swan Lake'...I don't think I've heard of that story before.

[Humanity's come up with so very many stories. He wonders if he'll ever really be able to learn of them all...but, as indicated by the curiosity plain in Voyager's tone, he certainly doesn't mind chipping away at that count. For that matter...]

What's a 'ballet'?

[yourexoduslaughing]

Flan gives the girl her own sad puppy look, pouting a little. "I'm not mocking you! For real, cross my heart. I don't know why you're shocking yourself but you've clearly got a reason, so I'm going to cheer you on!"

Words straight into her mind don't bother her anymore than the harpoon does. Flan is used to weirder and more dangerous things. She just wants to meet new people and have fun!

[glassaxolotl]

Dedue pauses, thinking. “Most, yes. But not all. I do not trust our captors. And there are some passengers with violent tendencies that can make them a danger to others.” (He’s definitely thinking of Daisy here.)

[myagic]

[Wow, this kid is a real space case, isn't he? Rita rolls her eyes, just barely resisting the urge to facepalm.]

Who cares what the reason is? It'd have to be something stupid. Nobody tapes a knife to a crab for a good reason!

[conclusively]

Taking it, he gives a quick handshake, firm but not one that overly lingers. And there is no recognition in those gray eyes, not a flicker of knowledge about a future that to him is still years away, and may yet take a different form.

"Mycroft Holmes. It's a pleasure, Dr. Watson."

[yourexoduslaughing]

"Oh wow you are really out of it, huh!" She grins broadly at the dandy. His discomfort is radiating off of him right now. Flan lets him look at the cigars and tucks her hands in her overalls. "You're from my past, and I'm from your future! We're like, 200 years apart? Victorian Age is what we call the period of time you're from."

She pauses as she does a little math of her own and makes a face as she has a truly unpleasant realization. "Oh urg, we better get rid of the monarchy quick, because I can deal with being half in the Elizabethan Age, Two! but I REFUSE to live under the Charlestian age or whatever they call it."

"Anyway, I totally wasn't expecting you to change your mind. You're Victorian!" She flops in one of the fancy chairs, swinging her legs over the arm. "I've got a whole three shelves devoted to various cursed stuff you guys are directly responsible for! But if it helps any, the Edwardian era? Also totally cursed. All of 'em really."

[aurthor]

"Life is inconvenient," Arthur muttered, unaware he said it out loud, but digs into his suit pockets for the raided infirmary first aid supplies.

He laughs about the crab, "I'll make sure to parry him if he tries anything, but right now my first task is guarding my patient. Just a little bit of patience required, you know." It is pretty superficial, not even as deep as his vampire bites, though it wouldn't heal so quickly, of course. "Let's see.." Arthur stuck his tongue out sideways and took out a bandage and some cleaning ointment and medical tape before quickly making a small healing patch.

"Who knows what other things are lurking around here waiting to pounce?" He looks satisifed, unaware that there's no bacteria or germs on the ship (somehow) it's better to take precautions. "I'm Arthur by the way!" He offers a friendly handshake!

[not_the_last]

"Welcome, then," she says, "and condolences if that's appropriate; I know all of us are here against our will, but some find it an improvement over their prior circumstances. I don't know that I have any advice to offer, but if you have any particular questions, I'm happy to answer them to the best of my ability."

With an inclination of the head and shoulders somewhere between a nod and a half-bow, she adds "My name is Cassandra de Rolo. And yours?"