ataraxionlogs | twenty-sixth jump;

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: Your average, run-of-the-mill jump—except some characters don't seem to be waking up from stasis like they should.

Don't worry.

THEY NEEDED THE REST.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes. I love him. [ She isn't ashamed of that fact, either, her head held high as she watches Emma. She knows very little about the other woman's experiences, only knowing things that she's witnessed as she and Rumple helped one another, but she isn't sure how wary she should be of her pride in her love. Still... ] I just want to know he's safe. That's all that matters to me. [ It's hard to explain the panic and fear you feel when your true love is out of reach and suddenly there again; the fleeting joy and panic all rolled into one. ]

Well, as far as this ship is concerned, he's fine. [ she navigates through the pods, peering in to try and catch a glimpse of whether rumple might still be tucked in one. it's ... odd. more than usual seem to still be resting inside. emma's brow furrows more the further they walk among them, but she keeps talking plainly. ] And no matter what he and Hook have to say on the subject, I'm pretty sure it's gonna take more than a fairy kid in a green hat and Neverland to change that. [ seriously she has no idea why they're pissing themselves over peter pan wtf. ]

[ She nods, obviously brightening. ] That's good. I'll be able to see him soon, then? It has only been a few days, but... [ But he'd left with the intention to die and that's not something she can forget. Belle's eyes flicker over the pods, leaning close to examine the faces, looking for the one she'd know anywhere. ] I think he has a plan - a good one. He sent me a message asking for me to send him something... Pandora's Box.

Maybe he can shed some light on how that's supposed to help us save my son when he wakes up. [ she stops in front of a pod, casually gesturing down at it and turning to belle. ] There's your guy. [ it's still bothering her, in the back of her mind, refusing to quiet. a tiny question of why the hell he hasn't gotten out of that pod yet - he should have. everyone should have, but some remain. ]

[ Belle brightens instantly, going to the pod and putting her hands on the glass. That's him, that's her Rumple, asleep in there, almost waiting for her to come and wake him up. She smiles softly before she turns back to Emma. ] When will he wake up?

He really already should have.

[ there's hesitation in the way she says it, because she clearly knows that's not good news, but it's something belle needs to be aware of. 'any minute now' might be comforting, but it's not gonna prepare her for if that doesn't happen. ]

I wonder what's wrong? Does this usually happen?

[ It's easy for Belle to slip down and settle beside the pod as best she can, content to stay and watch Rumple and see if he awakens. She'd attempt their kiss if she could, but the pod makes that quite... Difficult. ]

Not that I can remember, but that doesn't mean much. I haven't been here that long. He'd be able to give you a better answer if he weren't the one sleeping in. [ she grinds her teeth for a moment, hands finding her hips, then she finally offers; ] There's a ship-wide intranet. Some kind of network to communicate. Like a phone, I guess, but everyone can pick up the receiver. You might try asking someone there.

I will wait a few days and then try, I think. [ Belle is quite happily settled against the pod, watching Rumple with a soft smile. He might be asleep but she's assured that, somehow, he will awaken eventually - otherwise she would be quite fretful about it all. Instead, she runs her fingers along the glass. ]

Probably a good idea. [ not getting worked up right away, but giving it a few days. emma hadn't expected that out of her, but maybe it's time she stopped underestimating people. ] Do you need help with anything else? Ship's pretty straightforward. The tattoo'll take you to the room that's set aside for you.

The tattoo? Y-You mean the numbers here? [ She lifts her arm and strokes over them absently, tilting her head before she nods. ] I will find my room after I've watched over Rumple for a little while. He might wake up. [ Still, never let it be said that Lady Belle was at all rude. She shifts to stand, smiling and reaching to squeeze one of Emma's hand. ] Thank you so much for all your help, Miss Swan.

Emma. You can call me Emma.

[ she squeezes belle's hand in return, offering a smile. ] Let me know if there's anything you need.

Emma.

[ She nods, letting her hand drop slowly and turning back to Rumple. ]

I will. And I'll tell you if he wakes up, too.

twenty-sixth jump;

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