eighteenth jump;

[mathematically]

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

[littleduck]

[A dog. Prim's face lights up upon seeing another animal here, especially one so golden and obedient. She almost doesn't hear its owner's question at first, she's so busy smiling at the dog while trying to block out how terrible Buttercup sounds.

But eventually the words register with her and she slowly nods, turning her head to glance up at the man.]

He's normally not this bad, not really. I think being here is just finally starting to get to him, that's all. He really doesn't like it much. [But then again, Buttercup doesn't like much of anything at all. Prim looks back to the dog.]

You're very lucky that your dog doesn't mind it. He is yours, isn't he?

[suit]

[ Peter doesn't necessarily mind how Prim ignores him in favor of Satchmo. Truth be told, if Prim hadn't acted that way, he'd be a little concerned. So he waits for her to actually acknowledge the question before he says anything else. ]

Animals can get a little testy in new environments. They get used to being in one place and dropping off in a new place that smells weird and new and threatening to them can get even the calmest ones a little mean. [ And Buttercup already didn't like anything so it's a bit of a horrible combination, isn't it. ]

Yeah, Satchmo been mine for about ten years. Mine and my wife's, technically but just mine here, I guess.. Honestly think the only reason he's calm is he's attached enough to me to just think me going anywhere is safe.

You have a way to get him out after he calms down?

[littleduck]

He'll come out on his own and follows me. He's good about always being able to find me, no matter where I am.

[Prim's answer comes across a bit distant, as she focuses in on Satchmo. She smiles up in the direction of Peter before cautiously stepping in closer. She ignores a pathetic meow coming from Buttercup, in favor of reaching out to let the dog sniff at her hand so she can pet him.]

I'm sorry your wife isn't here with you. [She thinks to say, glancing back at Peter.] My sister was here with me, but she isn't anymore. It's hard to be here without the people you love.

[suit]

Probably a sign that he's close to you and just about no one else. Cats don't typically do that unless they're really attached to you.

[ He nods slowly to tell her it's fine for her to pet Satchmo, that he'll be a good dog and not hurt her. Satchmo ends up sniffing her hand like it's the most fascinating thing for a good moment before looking up at Peter and waiting for him to nod at him so that he can be petted. When he does, Satchmo kind of headbutts Prim's hand. ]

I'm starting to get used to it. Got someone— several someone's from home and well, this big guy came at just the right time for me. It's not as bad as it could be. You have anyone here at all? [ And almost as an afterthought. ] I'm your sister left, by the way.

[littleduck]

[The second Satchmo's head is nudging at her hand, she smiles, and crouches down so she can pet and scratch behind his ears. She's gotten used to Summer and Grey Wind, and Satchmo is just as lovely as they are.]

I have people from home here. My sister's mentor, and her -

[What is Effie, exactly? Prim shrugs, continuing to focus on Satchmo.]

Handler. [She finally decides on a term, glancing back and over at Peter.]

I spend more time with Robb and Bran Stark, though. So I'm not here all alone, don't worry.

[suit]

[ When Prim crouches down Peter can't help but smile, because the scene almost feels normal with how she's petting Satchmo and how he's lapping up the attention without a care in the world. ]

What kind of handling does she do? [ Forgive him for the question, but you're talking to the man who handles Neal Caffrey for a living. ]

They're pretty company for someone to have. Honorable at least. And I imagine the wolves are good company. Maybe a little terrifying at first though.