reach the residents

[ximilian]

● ● ● REACH THE RESIDENTS

For any questions you want to ask Viveca or Degar and receive an IC response, please direct them here. Please indicate in the subject line who you are trying to contact.

// VIVECA

Hi, what can I help you with?

// DEGAR

Today was gonna be the day, but they'll never throw it back to you. And by now, you should've somehow realized what you're not to do.

▶ NAV

Comments

Sometime in P1

[chronosynthesis]

Viveca?

[Syrlya has spent about ten minutes in The Pile before determining this is not a one person job. But he has questions.]

Appreciate the supply. Where did it all come from?

[vivecai]

Hi Syrlya. What is it?

[ she listens to his question before answering. ]

From all over. Many different worlds and universes. We try to draw these things from the universes closest to us at that time, as that takes the least amount of energy.

Post-mission 1

[bindsthedead]

Miss Viveca, I have some questions about the Orb. It's clear that it's very powerful, and offers that power in terms of exchange, rather than gifting it, but- what does it want? And what do you and the people you're working with want it for?

[vivecai]

Hi, Sabriel. [ somehow, viveca manages to sound tired before the conversation has even started... but perhaps that's just how one feels about the orbs, in general. ]

I'm sure you've noticed that leaving it out there is a danger to everyone on that planet. The longer the individual orbs are left loose... the worse it will get. What we want is to gather them here where they can't harm anyone. This station is specifically built to contain them.

As for what the Orb wants... chaos, I suppose, is the best word for it. It seeks to disturb everything around it.

Post Mission 01, after Gyeongje

[neveroutwrenched]

Hey. It's...Viveca, right? I'm Ratchet. [He trails off a little bit which a pause at that.] Which...I'm realizing as I say it, you probably already know.

I wanted to ask you some stuff about the station, if that's alright. I was told there were some...problems in the past and I want to know how worried we should be about our safety. Are all the systems in good working order?

[vivecai]

I do, but it's nice to meet you, Ratchet.

[ she always responds best to those who are polite, and he certainly is that! the way she speaks sounds like were she a real person, she might be smiling. ]

Right now, everything's fine. What happened was that when we powered up the teleportation platform that sends you all down, it took more power than we anticipated and led to a temporary blackout. There's a backup power generator, so all the station's most important systems will be kept online by that in case of emergency.

[peerlesscucumber]

Miss Viveca, I was directed your way on the subject of asking questions.

( and, well, he's half dreading her voice at first in case she sounds anything like google translate. NIGHTMARES OF SYSTEMS dance in his head. )

Are you able to tell me if we're able to review what regrets we agreed to resolve, in specific, at the time prior to our arrival?

[vivecai]

[ he is in luck: when viveca speaks, it is a distinctly human voice, so much so that if he didn't know he's speaking to an AI, it would be impossible to tell. ]

Yes, I'm here to answer your questions, if I can. But what do you mean review them? You should remember which one you chose. As for what others chose, that's not information I'm about to share.

[starer]

[Time for a middle of the night conversation, long after he's snuck out of his room and taken up a seat by the windows closest to the Northern Wing.]

Hey, Viveca? You there?

[vivecai]

Hey, Bucky.

[ she doesn't sound surprised to hear from him, even in the middle of the night. ]

What can I do for you?

Post Brass Devil mission | Text

[spacedisaster]

[ A day after they're back at the station once they're retrieved the second orb. This is the first time Peter talks to Viveca, and he's not fully sure how to address her so...he aims for casual politeness. ]

Ey, ma'am. I've got a few questions now that we're back and, miraculously, none of us has died.

Who's the bearded guy hiding on the North Wing of the station? Because I'm [ this ] close to call him Gandalf, being al magically mysterious and the like.

[vivecai]

[ it is a distinctly human voice that answers him. ]

Ma'am, huh? Aren't you sweet. [ she sounds somewhat amused, there. ]

"The bearded guy", as you put it, is the commander of this station. He's not hiding, he's recruiting new members for the team and taking care of the orbs. You know, so their power is contained. [ then, after a pause, ] Sure, call him Gandalf, why not. I'm pretty sure he'd get a kick out of that.

[ somehow, she manages to sound both exasperated and incredibly fond at once. the "commander" is a bit of a personality, apparently. ]

voice | un: silent

[callada]

Hey, Viveca. Couple questions again, if you have the time.

First, though. A couple of us got to talking and we could've used more time between the brief and getting taken to that world. Especially since we were supposed to be undercover, you know, wouldn't hurt to have time to prepare for it ahead of time. Is that something you can do? Give us a day next time, instead of a couple minutes?

[vivecai]

Rosinante. Sure, of course. That's what I'm here for.

[ well... partly, at least. ]

Usually, it takes time for me to be able to locate the next orb, and when I do, I can search our database for information on the planet, the city, and everything you might need to know... so by the time I have the information ready, the teleportation platform is already activated. It requires the close presence of an orb to do that, so if you linger for too long, it might run out of power and you might miss the chance to go on that planet.

But... I think a day won't hurt. I'll try for that next time.

Video; sometime in october, after everything settles!!!

[groupiedrifter]

Hey, Viv! I'm a man of my word — I'm gonna need you to test this bad boy out for me! Whenever you got a chance, I've got it here, courtesy of me! Well, uh, courtesy of Tony and Hermann, too, but you know I'm totally the one who should get the biggest cookie.

[Setting aside, he reveals a currently black-screened robot, one with hover tech courtesy of Tony Stank Stark and programming aided by the great Hermann Gottlieb. Newton will just stand back like a science student showing off a really cool volcano at the student fair, just a touch nervous of her opinion.]

1/3

[vivecai]

Hi, Newt. What is it?

[ her question is good-natured, as she usually is when answering people's questions... but as he keeps speaking, she pauses. ]

Wait —

[ and then he shows the robot, with arms and hover tech, and for a long, long moment, she's absolutely speechless. ]

voice; several hours after they're back from Braccia

[hatejakku]

Viveca? I know we haven't talked much but--

Look, I know this is forward. I just don't understand what happened. Parker had the orb, but we didn't come back right away. And it... talked, but that's something else.

What's the criteria here? Did Cheri have to... mentally let it go? Was it even you that pulled us back to the station?

[vivecai]

Finn, hi. It's good to see you're doing alright, now.

[ as opposed to... being blind. ]

Yes, if the orb has an unfinished bargain, whoever has made that has to willingly relinquish the orb for you to be able to bring it back. So-Yeon did that, of course... and when I was looking into Braccia's history, it seemed that no one had made a bargain with it, so I assumed stealing it would be enough.

[bossily]

[It's late and someone still isn't sleeping well. And she has a big question on her mind, so she figures it's best to just reach out and get this taken care of.]

Viveca? Bit of a question for you, if you have the time.

[vivecai]

Clara? Welcome back.

[ a soft answer — of course she knows clara left and came back. ] What do you have on your mind?

[homeostatic]

( He's hitting the ground running, because once things are sorted in the infirmary, he's gonna check in. She doesn't have all day? Good, he'll get right to the point. )

Ms. Viveca– do you have medical information on the crew? And, if so, can it be accessed by medical personnel such as myself?

( Adding, just to clarify, because this is p important too: )

With consent of the crewmember that it pertains to.

[vivecai]

Doctor McCoy, hello. It's good to have a medical professional on board.

[ she's painfully aware that they've been sorely lacking in that department, so far. ]

I do, yes... and yes, it can. All the files I have, I can share, as long as proper permission has been acquired. I will never reveal personal information of the team members without their explicit consent.

[ sometime after Bucky's changed his regret ]

[unclesam]

Hey, Best Girl.

[ His tone is light, but Viveca knows what's up, of course. Natasha and Steve are gone. Bucky and Sam moved into a smaller room. They've spent a lot of time in that simulation of a boat peacefully docked in Louisiana - and in their new room, holed up together, voices hushed. Sleeping in the same bed if nightmares haunt them - and they do, often. And then Bucky changed his regret, and is no longer set to die. Is set to come back home with Sam - if this all works out as promised. ]

I need a favor. Well, it ain't so much for me. It's for Bucky. I wanna do him a solid. He loves The Hobbit, bless that nerd. Can you get me copies of the Lord of the Rings - the movies, for Newt's projector, but the books, too? Think he could use the distraction.

[ So could Sam, but this isn't about him. His losses, his fears. The fact that nothing here, not the station, not the orbs, the commander or even Viveca herself feel safe to Sam any longer, because they're all a threat to Bucky's autonomy now.

A long beat. Then, softly: ]

I need you to promise me this won't be used against him. And I know you're probably gonna lie. Promise me anyway.

[vivecai]

Hi, Cap.

[ there's a soft touch to viveca's tone, as if she can already guess why he's here, talking to her. ]

Of course. Just look for them in the next supply drop. I'll get you the anniversary editions, they're rather pretty.

[ she isn't saying it... but she's very fond of bucky, and anything that might help him is something she's happy to provide.

her next response takes longer, and when it comes, it's quiet and filled with understanding. ]

I promise no one else on this station knows of this but me and you. I promise I've wiped all tracks of anything that refers to... well, you know what, from my database. I promise neither me or the Commander will ever use it against him.

[ her tone sincere, it's clear she means every word... just as it's clear she's not making any mention of the orbs. she'd rather leave it out than lie to him — an indication of her personality, her morals. many suspect her to lie to them in her answers, and yet, she can't bring herself to lie to sam even about something he asks her to lie about. ]

two boys, one chat, hey vivs 👋

[webdesigned]

( once Peter has properly met up with Erik, they both hit Viveca up via a voice chat for some hardhitting questions.

maybe not hardhitting. but definitely questions. )

Hey, um... Viveca? Should I not assume we are on first name basis? Sorry. ( Peter, get to the question!!! ) Uh, we were just wondering — do you have a log, anywhere, of past missions? So we can share with newcomers, look through old orb-grabs, that sort of thing?

hey pete, hey n'jadaka 👋

[vivecai]

[ the response he gets sounds like someone who is incredibly amused and trying very hard not to sound that way. ]

First name basis is fine. Just don't go making up weird nicknames for me and we're good.

[ as for the question — ]

Yes, of course. I have all the past mission files of the current team available for you in the database. You'll find all the information about the land, the orb there and what actions the team took to obtain it.

audio; after her conversation with Newt

[droide]

[ As soon as Elthree heard about what Newt Geiszler did-- building a body for the station's resident AI, just because she'd mentioned wanting to bake, Elthree decides it's time she met the AI in question formally.

She finds a quiet corner somewhere and reaches out for the familiar connection of another droid. ]

Hello, Viveca? My name is L3-37. I've been told you're the person to speak to if we have questions about the station.

[vivecai]

[ as elthree connects her network to viveca's private channel, she will get a response in return, though one that sounds more human than droid — right down to sounds like sighs that one might expect a non-organic being not to emit. ]

It's nice to meet you, L3-37. How can I help you?

Post-halloween party

[cruelyethuman]

Viveca.

[The Darkling's voice is hollow, devoid of emotions as he wishes for something else to call her - something that feels less personal. His question carefully phrased and asked, giving away as little as possible to the one he suspects sees all and hears all on the station.]

Once this is all done. Will I remember this?

[vivecai]

Aleksander.

[ a greeting for a greeting. as for the question, her tone is even as she responds: ]

It depends on your regret and how it changes your reality. You may remember it... but it is equally likely you will not.

prolly sometime after his dreams of hell (literally lmao)

[ruinously]

Hey, uh. Miss Viveca? This is Dean.

[ this is WEIRD, is what it is. ]

Is there a way to get like... a crapload of booze, or even a still so I can just make it?

Think we're all gonna need a little somethin' after this.

a note: viveca can't respond to contact requests during missions, so this is forward-dated

[vivecai]

[ contrary to what people might think, viveca can follow the comms even during missions, be aware of what's taking place through the communications there — but that's it. there is no contact between the station and planetside on missions.

that is why she answers dean only after his return to the station, perhaps when he's already forgotten about trying to talk to her and receiving nothing but static in response — ]

Dean, you tried to talk to me earlier. Sorry, I would've answered, but part of the deal is I can't help you during missions... which means no talking to you, either.

But check the kitchen. I stocked up for you.

audio; backdate to pre-sleeper mission

[kovach]

[ kovacs has already spent a good degree of time considering the deal he's made, trying to decide the right he has in even trying to change the course of events that led to the battle of stronghold. changing it would mean holding a power to no one should ever have and if he goes through it, he'll betray the envoys on the very thing they fought and died to prevent.

it's when he learns about someone else's fate, someone else on the station he's come to care about, that he considers a second option, something he isn't even sure is possible. ]

You're Viveca, right? [ of course he knows her by now, but he hasn't had a direct conversation with her yet, having had most of his questions answered by others. what he needs to ask now, though, seems like something only she'd be able to tell him. ]

Listen — this deal we've all made, it all has to do with changing something in our own past, right? I need to know if ... is it possible to change my deal to help someone else here on the station?

[vivecai]

That's me.

[ the response that comes is the voice of a young woman, speaking with a bone-dry voice — as if there's a who else, idiot tagged on there somewhere but unsaid.

as she listens to his question, though, her tone turns into something far more serious. ]

... yes. It is. [ then, softer, ] You can do that if you want to... but changing a regret always comes with a price.

immediately upon return from Sleeper mission

[firstroar]

...We are not all accounted for.

Syrlyra...others...Where are they? Have they been lost? [did u vaporize them.]

assuming this happens on the platform!

[vivecai]

[ viveca floats closer to blue, the face in the screen on her robot body turning more serious. ]

Yes, I'm afraid so. Whether by their own decision, or the orb's... they've returned home.

After the sleeper mission | Text | Un: we_are_the_champions

[spacedisaster]

Hey Viv, hello. Nice fancy new body, looks great on you.

It's good to finally know the name of the mysterious commander. Degar does so NOT look like Gandalf, like we joked about. You could have told me that the man looked like a DILF.

I wanted to ask you a favor, for the next supply drop, could we perhaps get, some knitting supplies a couple of roombas, and a box of googly eyes?

For reasons.

[vivecai]

Thanks, Newt did a great job with it.

And what fun would that have been? It was more fun to see everyone gawking at him.

We already have the cleaning bots around the station, but if you want specific roombas for your rooms, I suppose I can get you a few... with the other things you requested. That's a strange combination, Peter.

post-return - probably while she's still at the platform tbh

[starer]

What the hell is wrong with them?

['Them' being the very unconscious Sam and Eleven he's currently trying to wake up.]

[vivecai]

[ viveca floats next to bucky, a red light scanning the unconscious bodies of sam and eleven as the face on her screen — a face very familiar to him — frowns with concern. ]

It's the stasis. We're not quite sure why it happens, but sometimes something goes wrong during the teleportation. I'm sure you noticed Tony wasn't on the mission, because something malfunctioned and left him here. This time... I guess what's happened can be described as a temporary coma. Sometimes the orb puts those in coma who have expended too much energy... but sometimes it happens to people who are entirely healthy, otherwise.

But they're fine, and will wake up soon — whether it's in a day, a week or a month... that I can't tell you. Only that they will wake.

[ then, quieter, ] I'm sorry, Bucky. If I could wake them, I would.

audio / a couple of days post-mission

[peasant]

Viveca? It's Alina. [ a beat, and then a sheepish: ] But you probably knew that already. Obviously.

Can I make a request? I know you might be too busy for it, but ... [ she pauses, swallowing down some of the homesickness swirling in her stomach. ] Would you change the Sunlight Room to have snow for the holidays, if you have the time? It would be nice to have another piece of home here.

[ it's a little more wryly, a little more jokingly, that she offers, ]

Maybe you could consider it our present for the Feast of Sankt Nikolai?

[vivecai]

Hi, Alina.

[ there's a touch of amusement to her tone — yes, clearly she knew that already, but alina's introduction is somewhat endearing. ]

... sure. I do like to reflect the seasons on the station, so if you want snow, then you'll get snow.

Would you like an actual present for the feast, too?

audio — un: the.doctor ; post-mission

[lateness]

[ You see, the problem with leaving an AI a message is that the Doctor winds up talking ... a lot. There's just no one around to interrupt him until he's run out of words. ]

Hello, first-time caller, long-time listener — suppose I should properly introduce myself before I get to the questions, eh? You can't see me waving, but hello! — I'm the Doctor, one of the orb-hunting team.

Now. [ Getting down to 'business'. ] I was wondering if we could make some quick requests before the next shipment of supplies arrive. Namely, I've been informed that Earth's Christmas is coming up and it's sort of a favourite holiday of mine — [ In which 'mine' refers to him and his older, more Scottish counterpart. But really, he's speaking on behalf of everyone from his home world: Clara and River included. ] — brilliant, really, if you've never heard of it before. Trees, presents, lights, snow, singing, biscuits, and crackers! It's a whole thing. Would it be possible to get some decorations flown in? A tree, perhaps? Some sprigs of mistletoe? I know a few places for just the stuff if you need coordinates, they'll even get you a discount with a referral.

[ Christmas is a big deal, okay, the Doctor is not playing around here. ]

All of this, of course, doesn't go without an invitation extended to you and the Commander to take part in the Christmas festivities. Have a bit of eggnog, sing a carol? It'll be brilliant.

[vivecai]

Hi, Doctor.

[ she sounds like she's holding back laughter — though this is very much in character for him, from what she's seen, all that talking. ]

I have heard of it before, actually. So you'd like a tree, decorations and mistletoe... alright. I think I can do at least that. If you do have the coordinates, they'd help. [ and then she adds, wryly, ]

I'd love some eggnog, but you may see there's a slight problem with that. Don't worry, though, I'm sure Degar will drink my fill, too.

Audio; @samsa

[anthropophagite]

Hello, Viveca-San. [ should he address her like this? Kaneki never spoke to an AI before...]

My name is Kaneki Ken, I apologize for disturbing you. [ she is probably super busy buuuuuut he has questions and was told to come to her] You were probably asked about the orbs many times before and I don't want you to have to repeat yourself, therefor I was wondering if there are any documents or books or any information I could read on the orbs. About how they came to be, what they are and how they are sentient. [ like. How... Can they be sentient]

[vivecai]

Hello.

[ she doesn't seem displeased by the way of address, so it seems he's doing alright! ]

Unfortunately, all I have to offer you are files on our previous missions. For the orbs themselves, we don't have anything written down — security reasons, I'm sure you can understand that.

audio; un: mafioso ; a day after the sleeper mission

[essenceofdeadlybeasts]

Yo, Viv-chan~

I've got a request if you're up for it. Do you think you could get us some of these? [He sends an image of the Staminan X he's been holding onto since his arrival.] They're like energy drinks...but better.

Basically, they'd help people recover from all that exhaustion from the energy drain the last Orb performed. They're good in the middle of a battle, too, instant energy and healing when you need it most to keep goin'. So we could use them on the next mission or afterwards or whatever.

Ya know. Just a thought.

[What? He refused to hang out in the infirmary for a little exhaustion from the energy drain. It was lame. So he thought of this. He'd hate to use his only one on recovering outside of a fight though so...maybe he could get some more. If AI-chan was capable of it.]

[vivecai]

Viv-chan? That's new.

[ and from her tone, she's not sure she appreciates it. ]

Yes, sure. They seem useful. I'll have some come in with the next food shipment. Just make sure to save some for the rest of the team.

[vivecai]

Hey, Drift.

[ her responding tone is friendly if a little inquisitive, curious to hear what he has to say. ]

In late December and January? Yes, that should be alright. The two Doctors wanted to use it for an Earth celebration later in December, but after that, if you want to change how it looks, I can do that.