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

[untamedantinous]

Not professionally, by any means; save only some number of pamphlets and articles and the like. I studied law, at home. Should you wish to speak with a writer -- there is Prouvaire, whom your Albert knows already, and Combeferre may well be keeping a record of this place.

[There's a slightly sheepish smile.] I am afraid I do not quite have the patience for such things, save when there is good cause for it.

[discretion]

So many of your friends are here, how delightful! [Franz is only slightly jealous. While he is deeply, almost wretchedly fond of his friend Albert he would give anything for the strength of his friend Maximilien, for the clever nature of Lucien. It is a strange thought, to realize he may well be here forever and never see another friend's face again. In that case, he is glad it happens to be Albert.] I shall have to arrange to meet them all.

I studied law too at home! I was readying to become a diplomat, actually. I don't see how there's much call for that on a space ship, even if my focus was inter-galactic relations.

[untamedantinous]

It has only been recently that they arrived. An acquaintance of ours was the only fellow I knew from home for months, before that. But if you do wish to meet them -- and you shall, more than likely -- they are called Combeferre, Courfeyrac, and Pontmercy.

[And he brightens, at that news, a bit more charm and some of that fire shining through all the stress from the jump now.]

Did you? So did Courfeyrac and Pontmercy, though Pontmercy was the only one who passed the bar. Courfeyrac and I were ah....otherwise occupied.

[discretion]

[Franz nods, and then slightly frowns in remembering something. Damn, it's not like he can ask about it, right? Not right here in front of Albert. He doesn't know yet if other people are dead here, Albert hasn't mentioned that part, but he certainly doesn't seem suspicious that Franz has arrived like this. That would infer it's not so unusual, but that's not polite conversation whatsoever.]

I didn't have a chance to finish my studies before ending up here, either. I might continue them if I have time, but I suppose the right thing to do would be to find out how this ship works and see if I can be of use somehow.

[untamedantinous]

[Well, Enjolras would certainly be able to answer if he were asked.]

It is ....difficult to be easy here, I have found. There has been talk of making a set of laws for the ship, but apparently earlier attempts have been unsuccessful. There has been nothing save discussion, as far as I am aware, but perhaps, if you were willing -- I do know at least one other lawyer aboard.

[discretion]

I can't imagine it would be easy. If we're from so many different places, the values will be different. And we have no reason to trust one another, though I would hope facing danger together would change that a little.

[Franz shakes his head a little.] I'd have to understand the situation more before I could say more than that, but if it seems such things are needed, I'd definitely do what I can to help.

Honestly, I don't know what they're thinking bringing someone like me here. I know it's supposedly random, but my friend and I were separated and yet here we are, together again. And so many of your friends are here! It cannot be coincidence.

[He rubs the back of his neck.] What do you think?

[untamedantinous]

It does, a bit, and not all of the people are untrustworthy, I have found.

[A shrug.] I do not know, either, but I am grateful for it, as selfish as that may sound. My friends and I were ...separated as well, but we have found ourselves together again here. I did not think I would ever see them again.

[discretion]

[Franz nods, looking pained.]

I'm glad you could be reunited, then.

Is there anyone in particular I should watch out for, here?

[Though Albert's taste in friends isn't always reliable, he has a good feeling about Enjolras and hopes his advice will be good. Any insight to this blind situation will be helpful.]

[untamedantinous]

Oh -- not that I have noticed. There are, of course, intruders from time to time; some speak of beasts in the hallways, but I have never yet seen any.

[Then again, he hasn't been out of his room much until recently.]

[discretion]

...Well, that's wonderful news. I was hoping to be constantly worried about making my way through the halls. [When in doubt, respond with sarcasm.] God only knows what kind of thing could wind up on a ship like this.

[untamedantinous]

Indeed. Have you a weapon? If not, I am certain one might be found for you.

[discretion]

[Franz flinches slightly at the question, but quickly tries to appear as if he's unaffected.] A weapon? Not a suitable one, no... What did you have in mind?

[untamedantinous]

There are not a very many proper weapons on board, but I suppose a knife would do.

[discretion]

A knife. I do know how to use a sword but I... [A bit of a flinch.] I would prefer not to, if I could help it.

But if this place is dangerous, I'll need something like that, I suppose.

[untamedantinous]

It is understandable, of course, I do not use one myself.

You shall, yes.