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

voice; un: redgrave, for degar, little bit post-mission

[shishkabob]

[There’s a long, long moment before Dante finally speaks, sounding more tired than ever before:] I had a brother, once. His name was Vergil—my parents were big Divine Comedy fans, I guess that they couldn’t pass up the opportunity. [A soft chuckle. Then he sobers up, and says,] Lost him to something a lot like this—his own thirst for power, at any cost.

It’s not the same, I know, but…I get it.

[stationmaster]

Man, I'm really sorry, Dante.

[ there's admittedly very little preamble. just a deep resonating feelings-cocktail of confusion, sadness, guilt, and ... loss. ]

Did you see it coming?

un: newt | text. | a couple days after mission

[groupiedrifter]

Hey Degar, my dude
uhmm
how good are you at fixing lutes?
I've got one from your world, but I kind of broke it on an orc's head.

[Is Newt smart enough to fix it himself? Probably.

But his skillset's in robotics and machinery, and he would be mid-tier at best... Plus, he figured maybe this would be a good way to talk about stuff. And maybe it's, like, therapeutic? He's bad at this.]

[stationmaster]

[ it's probably no surprise that a response doesn't come right away.

then again, degar's never been too prompt about his replies to begin with so maybe nothing's changed.

(no. everything's changed.) ]

Hey Newt

I used to make them

Made my own, in fact, so I guess you could say I've got some experience

Broke it over an orc's head, huh? That's a pretty badass way to bust one

Voice; un: belova (for Degar, post-dnd mission)

[laviny]

[Yelena is maybe not the best at navigating other people’s feelings but she makes an effort to be gentle here.]

Hey, Degar, your mom is a badass. She gave me something to pass along to you. I will keep it safe until you are ready to come out and get it.

[stationmaster]

She is, isn't she?

[ even hearing mention of her squeezes something tightly in his chest. you know, in addition to everything else he's feeling at the moment that he can't quite make coherent. ]

Thanks Yelena.

[ he pauses. ]

I'm glad you guys found her. And I'm glad she was able to help.

audio; un: felix; for Degar; several days after D&D mission

[swordandshield]

Your friend was a dick.

[A lengthy pause. Felix knows the guy has no reason to respond to that unless Degar wants to fight. For Felix, that would be cathartic. For everyone else, that's just rubbing salt in the wound.

So he has to find something else to say in hope of getting a reaction beyond "fuck off and die." And despite his on and off again consciousness over the past few days Felix does remember the death threat from the not-entirely-an-AI Viveca. This is probably not his finest moment but he's a bit beyond that these days so YOL..T.

His tone sounds more serious when he resumes.]

Do you know why we're here? The individual reasons for each person, I mean. Yes or no, I'm not asking to pry into someone else's business.

Do you know why I'm here?

[stationmaster]

[ while he doesn't disagree with felix's initial ... opening remark to this conversation, he also chooses not to comment on it. ]

If you're talking about your regret — yeah, it'll be in your file. Viv makes sure to have that stuff memorized. [ the way she can put so many facts to memory is truly impressive to him. ] I tend to let people tell me themselves if they feel like it.

[ regardless, it's a small part of the recruitment process and one that degar hasn't always paid much attention to, truthfully. ]

audio (un: major.yzak.jule) | it's a DEGAR PARTY

[coordination]

It's pretty disappointing to find out someone wasn't who you thought they were. Happened to me and made me feel like a fucking idiot. So I get why you're probably pretty pissed off right now.

I'm sure Newton or someone is going to be yelling over the earpieces that there's another get-together or movie night again. I hope by then you're feeling a little more social.

Your well-being is just as important as ours is.

🥳😭

[stationmaster]

That means a lot, Yzak. Thanks. Just for you, I may try and make an appearance at the movie night. [ it's not actually likely he'll be leaving his room for ... a while, still. but he wants to. ] Last time I saw a movie ...

[ well. he can't say he remembers what movie that was, or what it was about; he's still pretty fascinated by the idea of them existing in the first place. ]

Can I tell you something Yzak? I don't even know if I'm pissed off. And I should be, right? I feel like I should be.

Degar; text

[legalcy]

I found an alcoholic beverage in our kitchen that somewhat resembles the ale I had in our last mission. Despite the sharp taste, I can see why organic beings enjoy it.

Do you wish to share a drink with me?

[stationmaster]

You talking about Fribbington's ale?

It's the best drink I've ever had that's for damned sure

I'll admit the offer's pretty tempting

audio | un; mal (for degar)

[tochnyy]

Was your friend, the Great Mulgrowe, always so excited about pipeweed?

I was thinking you may need some after watching all that. [ after learning a friends wasn't who you may have thought he was, after knowing how many people were hurt in the end. ]

[stationmaster]

Hey, Mal. You know, I wouldn't say he was always excited about it so much as ... he just always had some on hand. You know, he actually doesn't share it with just anyone so the fact that he gave you some is kind of a big deal.

As for me, I haven't used pipeweed in a long time.

[ not even for any particular reason at all. maybe he's really become ... responsible. ew. ]

this is literally just a pitch im sorry viv

[groupiedrifter]

Viveca! Before you say anything — hear me out, okay? Just hear me out a sec, this is totally a great idea. You said we can't have pets, but you didn't say anything about robo-pets. Right? So my pitch here is — if you give me a few months to make them between missions, y'know? I could have enough cool robo-fish for a fish tank installation. Nothing too crazy! Just, like. A wall. Maybe. I could do a wall! And the fish in question, they're awesome. Super self-regulating, they'll charge by lighting fixtures in the tank, it'll be awesome. And super soothing! Hopefully!

I even have a prototype. And a work in progress after that that I think you're gonna like.



This is the Newtetra. Not going to lie, it's about as basic a design as possible; I might've gutted a toy Robo Alive fish.

But the next one is gonna be awesome!

I call it the TARDISH. Uh. It's a placeholder. Maybe. But check it out!



And just think of the other possibilities! Robo-jellyfish! Shrimp! An awesome shark!

Without any hassle of worrying about living creatures that poop and pee and try to eat each other!

[vivecai]

[ there's a half-amused, half-dreading utterance of "newt", said somewhere between her own name and the rest that follows; he'll hear another muttered "newtetra" with a tone that's drier than sahara, but otherwise she stays quiet until the end of his pitch.

and then, ]

... right. Right, Newt, that's — not entirely terrible. But if I let you do this, and that's a big if, I want you to listen to a few things. Firstly, it's just the one wall, that's it. I don't want anyone asking for tanks in their own rooms after that. And secondly, it's just the fish. You're not going to go on to build robo-dogs and cats and geese and whatnot. Anything going around the station freely is a liability that I won't take the risk of having.

text; un - nightmoves (Viv)

[ruinously]

Take it away.

[ u know what he means. the update, the memory of cas, losing him twice- ]

apologies for the delay!

[vivecai]

Dean. I don't have the power to alter memories... nor would I do it, even if I could.

I'm sorry.

present —

[malta]

[ taped to the wall by the door to degar's quarters is a paper that says FOR DEGAR with an arrow pointing to a package on the floor. the package is wrapped in the remains of one of joe's tee shirts, repurposed. inside is a quilt made from the fabrics and textiles joe had bought from degar's mother's shop, hand-sewn by joe and andy.

nestled securely and safely inside the quilt is also a paper folder containing an incredibly detailed sketch of nina darkwood, lovingly rendered with the soft expression that had made joe cry, and a page ripped from joe's journal with degar's old lyrics scribbled at the top. there is also a hasty sketch of a moonwalking bear for some reason.

on the bottom joe has scrawled in his loopy english: ]

From your mother's shop

[ it is unsigned. ]

{ audio } un: joric | for viveca

[drawsblood]

Could I ask you something about what happens when we get our regrets undone?

[vivecai]

Yes, of course. [ her voice doesn't betray her apprehension, but it is there regardless. ] What it is?

text | un: lion cub (for viveca)

[heyciri]

Nothing I do can harm the station itself, right?

[vivecai]

It can't. It's not something you need to worry about.

But, Cirilla, if you're asking that... are you alright?

audio | un; 20/20 (for viveca, post-cirawei)

[hindsights]

Hey Viveca -- or, um. Do you prefer Viv? [ off to a great start for the poorly socialized gremlin. ] Would I be able to get something specific from home?

It's another Holocron. Not another copy of the one I brought with me, the broken one, but there's a different one back on the Mantis. [ he's rubbing the back of his neck as he asks, a little uncertain. ] It's technically Cere's but, uh, I don't know that she'd notice or if there's a way for you to bring it here without her noticing.

[vivecai]

Either works. [ ther's a wry smile to her tone, of someone trying to conceal her amusement. ]

Another Holocron? What would you use it for?

video; to either viv or degar

[shadysided]

Hey, so... Quick question. I got this — reward? This treasure?

I think Peter won it in that underwater mission, and he left it for me to figure out... but I don't exactly have a manual for it. Instead of, like, trying to use it and accidentally blowing myself up, do you think you could... I don't know. Study it? Do a reading? Or something?

[She proceeds to hold up the gun in question:]

[vivecai]

[ the video that comes to her in return shows one of the rooms in the north wing; viveca's face obscures most of it, though. ]

I'm sure I could, yes. [ then, with a wry smile, ] That's an uncharacteristically smart way of going about this, for this crew.

audio: Lockwood (set sometime after the mission file has been distributed)

[recklessenough]

Hello! [ Lockwood sticks to his habit of going audio when looking to address any adults he hasn't yet met. Even though technically he's met these adults? Sort of?

Regardless, his trademark smile is in his tone as he tries to contact them. ]

I'm Anthony Lockwood, which you already know but I feel it never hurts to introduce one self. I've read over the mission file you sent out [ gasp! he read the file ] and I have a question. Actually a bit of a request; if I may?

[vivecai]

Hello, Anthony.

[ is she aware that he prefer to be called lockwood? of course. is she calling him that? no. ]

Yes, what is it?

audio, un: strange (for Viv after latest mission info goes out icly)

[rehandle]

Hi. I have a favor to ask.

[ A little out of the blue from a man who hasn't spent a great deal of time attempting to get to know her at all since arriving? Sure. But here he is anyway, sounding a touch sheepish. ]

[vivecai]

Hello, Stephen. [ said with a slight smile to her voice — he may not have spoken to her before, but she did follow along the entirety of the ciraiwei mission. ] What is it?

viveca, following mccoy's network post about memorials

[heyciri]

I'm not sure what is meaningful to most people as a monument to those who've been here, and those who have since left. Let alone for anyone to come, but...

Do you think we could have some sort of place to put letters? To the people not here. Not so they're delivered, not because I think you can. To feel like we can almost talk to those not here?

This might be a shitty suggestion.

[vivecai]

That's not a shitty suggestion at all.

Would hanging the letters on a tree work, what do you think? Put the envelopes to hang from the branches.

audio ↪ un: うちは (degar - pre departure to Zeta Alatheia)

[blackfire]

Commander.

（ it's polite. perhaps... gentler, than it used to be — which is partly viveca's influence, and partly that he has himself come around to believing that degar is exactlty as he presents himself.

it's a step in the right direction, at least... which is perhaps why the distant note of despairing frustration that bleeds through just barely in his next statement is comical rather than caustic. ）

What on earth is the bottle of yours?

（ he has turned this over in his mind for literal months, okay. he's tired of trying to puzzle it out on his own in the dark, pouring over books and records from alydhion.

this man does not like mysteries when he can't piece them apart, so obviously now here he is. ）

[stationmaster]

[ maybe it's about time someone asked him about it. maybe he's never really noticed whether other people have noticed it.

degar's chuckle is soft and a little surprised. ]

Noticed it, have you?

Voice: UN Wei Wuxian: for Viveca. Pre A Matter of Import

[singlelogbridge]

Do you have a moment, Miss Viveca?

apologies for the long delay!

[vivecai]

For you? Always, [ comes her answer, smile in her voice. ]

↪ action (post-ai/commander)

[blackfire]

（ his jaw is set, watching the proceedings as they carry on in much the same way as always. the orbs returned, the people victorious. but, she and degar show no signs of awareness as to what was witnessed, or seen, and itachi is not about to let anyone blindside them both with it. in an aside, as degar takes the orbs — ）

Viveca. May I speak to you privately? It is urgent.

（ she knows him well enough by now to be aware he would not say as much were it not true. ）

[vivecai]

[ the raise of an eyebrow is the only way in which she betrays her surprise — but her nod is instant, and quietly, she leads him down the corridor, to another door leading into the north wing. it hisses open before them; she steps in, knowing he will follow. the power and life support room is silent as always as she turns to look at him. ]

What is it? [ no beating about the bush: she knows it has to be important, for him to describe it as urgent. ]

for degar; audio? action?

[coordination]

Commander.

I'd like to speak with you about the details of our additional orb acquisition.

up to you 👍

[stationmaster]

Hey Yzak! Sure.

If you know anything more than we do, we're all ears.

video; un: geraniums (a few hours post ai/commander)

[rootlessly]

[After the crew makes it back to where they’re meant to be, Vash hangs back, thinking on everything that’s happened. He doesn’t want to interfere with any reunions, when the others have much deeper connections to Viveca and Degar, but there is ... something that keeps nagging at him.]

Um...Degar? We haven’t spoken before, but I wanted to ask you something.

[stationmaster]

[ a quick moment later, and degar's video feed flicks on. ]

Hey, you're one of the newer recruits. Welcome! [ and in the same breath: ] And uh — sorry, the double-mission thing isn't really standard.

What's up?

{ audio } un: joric to viveca

[drawsblood]

[ He knows tensions are running high because many crew have been here a long time and want to protect Viveca and Degar from unpleasant news. That was clear when they started comparing memories and the issue of privacy came up. And it's true that he's been wondering if someday his private moments will be watched by future members of the crew wondering what happened to all of them. Yet from the way the pair responded on their arrival back it seems they have little knowledge of what happened, so he figured he'll give a briefing.

He waits a few hours though, both to eat and think on what he wants to say. ]

Viveca. I'm not sure how much information you've been given so far on where we've been, but I wanted to give voice to it. I thought if you knew what occurred you might have a way of preventing it in future.

[vivecai]

Hi, Joric, welcome back. [ as always, she starts with the pleasantries that
now come very easily to her; once, they didn't. but she's been the contact person for the crew for long enough now. ]

I was told some of it, [ she says, voice tired. itachi had pulled her aside to speak to her of it; not details, but enough to give her the general idea. ]

But if you want to give me your account, I'd appreciate that. [ the more thorough picture she has of it all, the better. ]

a few days after mission 14 return | viveca

[heyciri]

I don't think I needed to see so explicitly why trust between crew here is more important than anything the orbs do, or will do, and I wouldn't have wanted to. So I'm forgetting what I saw, but not what I understand about trust and corruption.

I'll work harder at it. The trust thing. I think I've been doing better, but more than anything else, I understand exactly how powerfully important that is, even if it's not my first instinct. Trusting Chaos that isn't mine or Yennefer's is the one thing I won't make the mistake of doing. Trusting people... some I won't. Can't. Others I do, and will.

I'm sorry the path that led here was unkind. I hope you've had happinesses with it, even so.

Thanks for being here for whatever wrecks we all are.

[vivecai]

I'm sorry you had to see it in the first place. But if it helps you, at least a little... then I'm glad it wasn't for nothing. [ witnessing the whole thing — everything they had to sacrifice... if it yields at least something good, then she can't be entirely sorry that it happened. ]

Luckily, I don't think the point of learning to trust is to trust everyone. It's being able to trust those who have earned it.

... I hope maybe eventually, you'll be able to count me among those. But for what it's worth, I'm glad I can be here for you. Many of you here have been through much more unkindness than I have. If I can help you undo at least some of it... then it's worth it.

a few days after mission 14 return | degar

[heyciri]

I haven't spoken directly with you really, Commander, so I'm... hello. I said this to Viveca already, but I'm forgetting the things I saw that weren't for me, while remembering what I should about trust and corruption. For what that's worth. I'm sorry the path that led here was unkind. I hope you've had happinesses with it, even so.

Thanks for being here for whatever wrecks we all are.

We stay here because of our contracts, right? Once we've helped you both finish this, all of us alive, that's important even if we're not all alive back home or whatever it is we face. Once that's happened, can we decide to accept nothing from our contract? Can we in the end accept nothing from the Orb, or the orbs.

[stationmaster]

Hey, it's okay

I'm not really the usual Answers Guy so people choosing to go to Viv for a more practical response is what I'd recommend anyway

And you don't have to thank me or Viv. If anything we should be thanking you. Without you guys, we wouldn't be where we are now, and all the people you guys have helped, the planets you've saved ... that's a testament to you

But yeah you're here because of your contracts

And I guess you could try to refuse what you've asked for but I don't really know why you would

You'll still have made it this far and the orbs won't go easier on you because you decide you don't want anything anymore

A deal's a deal, you know?