ELEVENTH WAVE

[astrogate]

CHARACTERS: any and all
LOCATION: Gravity Couches and beyond
WARNINGS: maybe some swearing, or even some violence, and more than likely some implied (and possibly explicit) nakedness.
SUMMARY: Another month, another jump, another round of new faces.
NOTES: Keeping up with the tradition and copy pasted like always from the last one


You wake up in darkness.


There's a breathing tube jammed down your trachea, and you're suspended in a tube of clear blue fluid. Upon registering your level of consciousness, the gravity couch drains the fluid surrounding you and retracts the breathing apparatus; the doors in front of you open, and you're deposited on the floor of a stark, sterile medical bay.

You are not alone.


There are others who have come before you, others who are awakening beside you. Some may be familiar to you, perhaps even friends. Others have much less amiable plans. Some are merely alien and inexplicable, but there are always those who might mean you harm.

After you catch your breath and your vision returns, you notice a number on the inside of your forearm. Maybe it's a familiar number. Maybe it means something. Maybe it's just a number. But the number—completely unique to you—is a tattoo, and it does not come off.

If you enter the room adjacent to the medbay, you will find a small locker with your number on it, surrounded by rows upon rows of identical lockers. Inside, you will find a few of your personal items, a communications device, and a ship's uniform in your exact size. The comms device is fully powered and connects directly to the ship's network; it's your only means of communication beyond physical conversation. Upon turning the device on, a neutral, automated voice will say, "Please take the blue lift to the passenger quarters." Any other attempts at communicating with the rest of the network are met only with static.

This is your welcome party.

Comments

perfectly fine!

[dwellsonthe]

[At that friendly smile, Bardo's ears perk up, a small smile of his own settling on his lips. Given that he's seen no other Ribika around, Bardo's not entirely startled by how Soysauce falters and stares, though it is a bit amusing and his tail inadvertently curls, Which probably doesn't help Soysauce draw his eyes away from the striped appendage, but oh well.

But Bardo's not necessarily annoyed, and he clears his throat before questioning.

The Tranquility? Is that a town?

[He's...uncertain, it's nothing like what he knows back home.]

[shoyu]

[ gosh it's hard trying not to stare at those little twitching ears and that fluffy tail, especially given how much he loves animals, and soysauce has to put in a conscious effort to keep from being rude. ]

The Tranquility is, well. The size of a town, for sure. Perhaps even bigger. But it's -- a vessel, traveling through outer space. The destination is unknown, unfortunately, and there's no known way of returning back home, I'm afraid.

[ hands folded behind his back, soysauce fidgets briefly. ]

People often end up here without knowing how -- like yourself, sir. So we've amassed quite the population in that manner.

[dwellsonthe]

[He appreciates it, really! And given that Soysauce is actively trying to keep from simply staring at the stirring tail and the ears, well, it earns a bit of Bardo's favor. He rather likes being treated as if they're the norm, because to him them are.]

Space? You mean with the moons and all? [...that's a weird notion and he's not sure whether he should believe in it. But....this place is different and stranger than any he's seen in his life so who knows.]

....I see. So this [He gestures at the goo still clinging to his fur and skin.] is common? And more Ribi--ah, I suppose that's not the right term....Others often come through the cages like this as well?

[shoyu]

Aah, it's a rather strange idea, isn't it? Traveling among the stars? I must admit, I was quite skeptical at first, too, but after having been here for a while -- [ a soft, somewhat awkward little laugh as he rubs at the back of his neck. ] Unfortunately there aren't any windows or holes through which we can see outside the ship, but I promise I'm not making this up as some sort of awful joke.

[ and there's a small blink when bardo gestures down at the gel clinging to his skin. realizing rather belatedly that the other man's still standing around not-quite-dressed and covered in that mess. ]

Oh, um. Just a moment, please --

[ it takes him just a few seconds to fetch a clean towel from one of the numerous racks around the place and hold it out to bardo as he trots back. ]

-- unfortunately, yes. We're required to rest in those pods once a month while the ship travels, and newcomers tend to show up unexplained during those times. A rather rude introduction to the place, I'm afraid.

[dwellsonthe]

Well, it is very different than Sisa...[He eyes the metal of the walls, offers a bit of a sheepish smile.] Does everything look so...stark?

[That said, Bardo eagerly reaches for the towel Soysauce offers and clears off the stasis fluid from his skin, gently reaching up and cleaning blue out of his ears. He's more than pleased with the towel as his first attempt to bathe had him assaulted by the highly unpleasant taste of statis fluid.]

Is there a reason we are required to go back in them? [He doesn't want to :( ]

[shoyu]

[ he can't help watching kind of curiously as bardo gets the blue gel out of his ears, wondering if they're really really real. not for long though -- he looks away politely enough after a moment or two, giving a slightly awkward laugh at that question. ]

Ah -- I'm afraid so. Unfortunately, I don't know all of the details about the technology involved, but it seems the ship travels very rapidly once a month, and the gel in those containers are the only things capable of keeping people safe during those times.

[ it really would be nice to not have to deal with all this messy gel so often, wouldn't it? but alas. ]

As for the atmosphere, most of the ship is rather, ah. Sparsely decorated, to put it politely. But there's an area with many trees and plants, a beautiful place, perfect for resting in. I could show you where it is later, if you'd like?

[dwellsonthe]

[Yup, they're most definitely really real! They twitch and fold closer to his head as he cleans them off, perk up once he's done.]

Ah, well if it's for safety then...[There's a little pause here, towel running over his hands.] Have you been here for many moons then? If you're used to the cages?

[AND THEN THE LAST PART REGISTERS AND WOAH TIGERDAD IS WAY INTERESTED IN THAT.]

There's a forest here? Is it close by?

[shoyu]

[ would it be rude to ask if he can touch those ears? or -- or the tail? his hands are itching to stroke that soft-looking fur, and soysauce is twisting his fingers against the hem of one sleeve to try and hold himself back. looking up, slightly startled at that question. ]

Ah, well. 'Forest' may be a close enough word, I suppose. They're called the Oxygen Gardens, but they're certainly much bigger than any garden I've seen before.

[ and a small pause before he gives a sheepish laugh and gestures loosely towards the showers. ]

I'd be more than happy to show you where they are, sir! They're just a bit of a walk away. But -- perhaps you'd like to wash up first? You should also find your clothes in a locker outside of the showers.

[dwellsonthe]

[Well, asking is certainly better than just reaching up and petting those ears, but you better take him on a date first mister!!! Actually, Bardo's not too oblivious and he can see the way Soysauce's fingers twitch and twine against the hem of his sleeve and after a bit of thinking he realizes that oh yeah, ears like his are probably a New Thing to Soysauce.

Also, he's not against getting ear rubs even though they tend to be a bit of a familiar thing. But as they are now, it's slick fur and actually highly uncomfortable for the poor Ribika, so he simply nods at Soysauce's words.]

A tour of those gardens would be welcome, thank you! [A flash of a grin and he looks off towards the showers.] But I can't turn down a bath right now.

[So maybe he takes a step and the flicks a look Soysauce's way, wonders if he'll be tagging along.] You said my clothes would be in a locker? Do you know which one?

[shoyu]

Ah! Well, that's -- [ soysauce pauses briefly mid-sentence to unbutton the cuff of one sleeve, hiking it up to his elbow so he can hold his arm out and point at the series of numbers tattooed there. ]

-- I think you should also have a number? Your locker is the one with the matching number. If you had any belongings right before being brought here, they're usually waiting for you in the lockers! But in worst case, there will at least be a set of clothes that you can wear. [ a pause, finger tapping at his jaw before he mumbles mostly to himself, ] I think that covers just about everything concerning the lockers, at least.

[ a small exhale before he looks back up at bardo and smiles. a nice, friendly, if somewhat sheepish little smile. ]

I've been here for several months, now, and I'd be more than happy to answer any further questions you have about the ship. Perhaps I can wait near the locker rooms to show you to the Gardens?

[dwellsonthe]

[He catches on rather quickly as to just why Soysauce is shoving up his sleeve, but it takes a second for him to actually connect the dots. That said, Bardo easily takes a step forward, holds up his arm next to Soysauce's to compare numbers. He can't exactly tell the differences, simply takes note as he listens to Soysauce speak. In the end, he nods and smiles, relieved to have found a friendly spirit in such an odd place.]

Sounds like a plan, I'll try not to keep you waiting too long, but I'd love to groom this all off my fur if you don't mind?

[A bit of a sheepish tint to his own smile here, tail giving a sad little movement behind him.]

[shoyu]

[ a small nod as he rolls his sleeve back down, and soysauce gives an agreeable grin, turning towards the door out into the hallways. ]

No need to hurry, sir! I'll be waiting just out that way!

[ and true to his word, soysauce takes a seat on the floor in the hallway just outside the locker room. by the time bardo emerges from the locker rooms, he's quietly polishing his saxophone, lovingly rubbing a soft cloth against the gleaming metal. he looks up when he spots bardo out of the corner of his eye, though, returning his saxophone to its case and climbing back to his feet. ] Ah, I just realized, but I was awfully rude -- completely forgot to introduce myself! Please call me Soysauce, it's a pleasure to meet you! [ a beaming smile as he politely extends a hand. ]

[dwellsonthe]

[He doesn't take too long in the showers either way, not wanting to be rude and leave Soysauce out there waiting for very long. So by the time he leaves the showers he's dressed in his usual garb and a pleased look on his face given the fact that finally all that blue goo is off of him.

Which is probably right around the time he spots the gleam of metal and gives Soysauce's saxophone a curious look. But hey, no big deal right? Right.]

Ah--no it's my fault as well I didn't introduce myself eitheer. [Sheepish laughter as he takes Soysauce's hand and gives it a firm shake, grin wide.] The name's Bardo, nice to meet you, Soysauce!

[His tale give a friendly shake as he pulls back, fluffy given his recent shower and grooming session but Bardo's interested in the Gardens. If he was a younger cat, he'd be twitching with excitement. All this metal is driving him mad, he misses fauna and the bustle of a city at his feet.]

[shoyu]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Bardo.

[ what an unusual name. (though he knows better than to say that out loud, given his own nickname.) but then again, maybe it's not too unusual given his physical features? soysauce gives bardo a bright, beaming smile as he pulls his hand back -- crouching down briefly to snap his saxophone case shut and sling it over his shoulder. ]

Now -- shall we get going? The Oxygen Gardens are a bit of a walk away, but nothing too bad. Certainly worth the trek, they're very beautiful!

[ there's a cheerful bounce to his step as he straightens up and gestures down the hallway in the direction they should be heading. though his gaze does linger curiously on bardo's tail for a moment, thinking it looks so temptingly fluffy. ]

[dwellsonthe]

[He wouldn't necessarily know just how odd Soysauce's name could be perceived as. Perks of being a cat perhaps, but it just means Bardo can smile easily and not think too hard on something simple as names. Though he does spend a curious second watching Soysauce pack away his saxophone and sling the case over his shoulder. Interesting....]

I wouldn't mind a walk, might clear my head a bit.

[Which is to say, lead the way! And Bardo matches steps, a bit of a spring to his step. He felt like a kitten who's finally gained sight and hearing, exploring the world like he'd seen nothing before. Which might explain why he doesn't notice the stare at his tail, as fluffed and swaying as it is.]