@all (from @r.asuka)

[luciformis]

[ On the morning of the 15th, there is a network-wide ping issued approximately twenty-three minutes after the roster is released to the public. ]

Hello.

As I'm certain you all are aware, a roster has been sent to each of our devices. Given that this is yet another item on a growing list to be examined by us all, I believe it's important for each of us to come together to discuss any possible concerns or ideas that may require teamwork.

@PALPATINE and I earlier discussed the possibility of a non-compulsory meeting to sort through these issues. We agreed it would be in our best interests.

If you're inclined, please come to the Mess Hall at 19:00 in three day's time.

[ ooc: so! this will be broken down into sub-headings as discussed on the ooc plot post and utilized as a kind of "catch-all." if you think anything needs to be added at any time, please feel free to contact me through pm, at rasasvada, or on disco at morning star#3715. or, you know, add it yourself! i don't mind.

noticeably, this is self-directed! if you character wants to speak or make a point to everyone, feel free to do so. no one is policing how this goes or making introductory comments or whatever else. open floor, y'all. ]

Comments

[contorta]

I need to get a better impression of what's already been done and what's still needed first.

( but he manages a smile for frank. ) Once I do, I'll call you. ( and he will. ) Do you have any experience with gardening?

[oorah]

[ he nods, to both things, trusting prax to keep his word. ]

Uh... not really. I'm okay with flowers. [ but they weren't usually in the ground anymore. he always was better with dead things than live, but he wants to give this a shot. especially if it'll help. finally his insomnia might pay off?? ]

[contorta]

It's not that different. The important things are water, nutrients and light. ( and then he smiles, a little softly. in the pocket of his jumpsuit is the soy sapling he's been carrying with him since the battle at ganymede. ) And care, in general.

[oorah]

[ he nods. seems straightforward enough. he's good at routine, formulas. things that are the same no matter what. he thinks he could be good at gardening, especially you know, since their lives depend on it. but also fine yes because he cares. goddamnit prax, you're as bad as karen. ]

Only problem is where to get the plants then, right?

[contorta]

Yes.

( prax lowers his voice a little, like it's some big secret. it isn't, really, but — ) I have a sapling. Soy bean, Glycine max. It was still with me when I arrived. But it's just one sapling.

[oorah]

[ secret plants!!!! how salacious. frank leans in like it's that important for him, too. ]

One's better than none, right? Things keep showing up, maybe plants are next.

[ or maybe they'll finally get into the rest of the goddamn ship - he really is trying to be positive here ]

[contorta]

One is better than none.

( and for a moment, prax looks almost pleased. excited, even. he can do a lot with one plant. or, well, he can do something.

but — )

What do you mean, things keep showing up?

[oorah]

[ he points to max, shrugging a shoulder. ]

I woke up yesterday and he was in my room. I got something else back too. [ he didn't actually mean to make that sound cryptic, and then he tacks on: ] I'm not the only one, either.

[contorta]

I've never seen a real dog.

( images, sure. videos. pictures. but never the live animal. prax doesn't bend down to pet max immediately or anything like that, but he does shift a little, body angling toward the dog and its owner a little more. and then he crouches down and musters max. )

Hello.

[oorah]

[ oh right, space probably doesn't have a lot of dogs. alex had said the same thing about mars. max isn't sure what to do with a man at eye level with him at first, but curiosity wins out and he edges forward until they're face to face. frank is watching carefully, hanging back to ensure max doesn't feel like he has to protect him. ]

His name is Max.

[ the dog turns to look up at the sound of his name, panting happily. and then he turns back to prax and licks his nose in greeting. HI NEW FRIEND ]

[contorta]

( prax is pretty good at crouching. his is a steady crouch. a squat, if you will. it's the only reason he doesn't fall over in his surprise when max licks his nose. he does lean back a little, confused, but then, after a moment, tentatively smiles.

hi, new friend.

the smile turns a little watery. ) Mei would like him.

[oorah]

[ he bites back a little laugh at max's greeting, and then prax is being depressing anyway so the remnants of his smile fall away. ]

Yeah. Max would like her too.

[contorta]

He doesn't bite, does he?

( of course, the thought only comes when he thinks of mei throwing her arms around max, not when he himself was getting down on eye level with the dog. )

[oorah]

[ he starts to shake his head, but an acrosss-the-board 'no' isn't wholly accurate exactly. prax clearly has nothing to fear from max though, his tail going a million miles a minute as he emits a little whine to try and get the man's attention. PET ME PET ME PETT MEEEEE ]

Only people who deserve it. [ so obviously mei is not in that category either ]

[contorta]

( prax is obviously not concerned for himself, or maybe it's just an instinctive understanding that max is not threatening to him in any way right now, but he reaches out and scratches max behind the ears after a moment, reaction to that low whine. )

That's — good, I guess.

( for a moment, his mind goes to amos. )

[oorah]

[ frank nods, picking up on the other man's (understandable) hesitation. ]

He used to work for some pretty bad guys, but he's a good boy. He's still learning how to trust people again is all. [ and he's not the only one ]

[contorta]

Okay.

( no hesitation in that assessment, now. that's something prax can understand.

after another moment of petting max, he comments: ) He doesn't seem to have a hard time with it.

[oorah]

[ that gets a soft smile, a rare sighting indeed. ]

He's a dog. He's a good judge of character. [ it helps that prax telegraphs his harmlessness like a beacon ]

[contorta]

I didn't know dogs were good judges of character. I don't really know much about dogs at all.

( plants are his area of expertise. )

[oorah]

Well, now you know. [ it isn't patronizing, but patient. kind. ] Dogs are the best at identifying scumbags and separating them from people who don't completely suck.

Which doesn't explain why he likes me, but we all have a blindspot, right?

[contorta]

Or maybe it means you're a good man, too.

( prax offers a smile. it's small, barely there — but it's almost hopeful. )

[oorah]

[ jesus christ prax. his gerbil heart can't take shit like that. he visibly stalls a moment, looking a bit pinned by the words. then he just blurts- ] Not. But what you don't know won't hurt you, doc.

[ and frank would never hurt someone like prax. he was trying to do something for everyone here when he didn't have to. when his only priority should be mei. it makes frank want to protect him at all costs. ]

He probably just thinks he owes me for stealing him from even worse dickbags.

[contorta]

Did you? ( it's mostly a rhetorical question and prax doesn't wait for an answer before continuing: ) What happened?

( he scratches max behind the ears, almost as if in an attempt to provide comfort after the fact. )

[oorah]

[ he nods, crossing his arms over his chest. ] He was security for these hardasses in Hell's Kitchen... uh. That's in New York.

[contorta]

I don't know what that's like.

( he knows new york, at least, but nothing more. )