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

For Viveca, post ai/commander

[singlelogbridge]

[He waits a few days for things to calm down and for word of everything to get back to them. For word to get back to her. It takes that much time to get things right anyway.

He doesn't call for her over the network like he usually does, or ask her to meet him in the training room. He doesn't seek her out for conversation at all. It shouldn't be a conversation. Not when he never should have seen it in the first place. Instead, he rolls up the piece of parchment once he's satisfied and attaches it to the door of the North Wing, only sending her a brief text message that he's left something there for her.

When Viveca retrieves the paper, it will come with a short note that says only who it's from.

Unrolling it will reveal an ink drawing, lovingly and skillfully crafted. Its subjects sit side by side on a log, a simple pose to keep the focus on the two individuals instead of anything else. His detailing of Viveca was easier to do, and her expression as she engages with the man sitting next to her isn't too unlike some of the rare fond smiles he's seen flicker across her face from time to time.

Viveca will recognize the man sitting next to her as Lathlaeril. His expression too is fond, if more reserved. It's the unfortunate product of guesswork more than reality given his limited and rather traumatizing references to work with, but he'd seen the love and affection with which the man had looked at her, and he only hopes he's done him justice. If nothing else, the picture leaves no question as to the fondness shared between its two occupants.

He doesn't know if she'll appreciate it or if it's overstepping. If she tears it in two or burns it, she'll have every right, but he hopes that the drawing will bring her some small measure of peace.]

[vivecai]

[ she retrieves the roll of parchment with curiosity — by now, she knows of what's happened, and there is a quiet unease in her, one that finds it hard to reconcile the fact that everything they'd determined not to speak of is somehow known to the crew, now.

she wonders what it is he's brought her — something from the past station?

but when she takes the roll to the north wing and opens it, slowly, carefully, it's something else entirely. it's a memory made real; a beautiful painting so well made that the subjects nearly jump out of the parchment. she focuses little on herself; quietly, she sits down, traces the features of the man she'd called her brother with a faint smile. her eyes are dry — an android does not cry, but if she could...

the painting will find its way to the sleeping quarters, above the bed she no longer uses, next to the few frames she'd been brought from e-23b. now lathlaeril smiles down at her the same as callan and yvonne do.

it is the next day that she finds him in the training room. she stops once she's inside the room, and the moment he realises there's someone else there with him, she says, ]

Thank you.

voice (for viveca); un: naruhodo | nebulously post ai/commander

[locumstudentesquire]

[He's kind of taking a plunge here, with his feelings tugging him in two different directions at the moment... And he doesn't know yet which path he's going to take. He's still stinging a bit from his argument with Itachi and Wei Wuxian; said he'd do better, and he wants to make good on that promise... But he also can't say he's coming into this without some frustrations.

...Well. If they're really crewmates... It's probably best to talk those frustrations out with her, isn't it?]

Miss Viveca? I was wondering if I might bend your ear for a moment...?

[He sounds nervous. Because, you know... He IS nervous 8/]

[vivecai]

Of course, Mr. Naruhodo. That's what I'm here for.

[ to help them and answer their questions when needed, that is. of course, she does plenty of other things as well — but degar has... well, never been the guy to go to answers, really. if she can field questions so he doesn't have to, that's a small thing to do. ]

for degar. voice, un: strange

[rehandle]

[ There's a lot that's gone on between the last time they were on the station and now, and Stephen's certain plenty of people are talking to both Degar and Viveca about it. Important that they do. But when he reaches out it's not to ask about pasts or commiserate over consequences, instead focusing on the much more pertinent topic of... ]

Thanks for taking care of the cloak. I didn't get a chance to pick up a thank you gift, but if you ever want to trade trade secrets I'll be around for shop talk between regularly scheduled tours of the omniverse.

[ Magical nerd hours may not be much of an offering but it's one he'd be glad to receive, so there it is. ]

[stationmaster]

[ honestly? it's a refreshing change of topics, and he'll take it.

he's still ... not sure how to feel about the whole station's crew seeing something so insanely personal to him. ]

Oh man, your cloak and I had a blast. [ not even a little bit of a lie. ] You can leave him with us any time you need to or want to, no favours in return required. [ he chuckles lightly. ] But you know, I don't get to talk trade secrets often ... so what'cha got?

audio; un: felix; for Degar; few days after the ai and the commander mission

[swordandshield]

Anyone make fun of you for your most embarrassing moments yet?

[Felix's tone was casual and relaxed, just a little friendly teasing amongst peers. In fact, if Degar were to ask Viveca to spy on him at this moment they'd find the mercenary lounging in his room, making small gestures as he talked as if Degar were right in front of him for this conversation.

It's been awhile, and he probably has no right to treat Degar this way, but that's the mercenary for you. Fake it till you make it. Or maybe he just actually thinks he can be friends with the commander. Debatable(y not).]

I'm kidding. I didn't see anything embarrassing. Just... painful.

[Felix didn't have strong feelings on love--but he imagines if he did that last shared memory would have been heartwrenching. A pang of something bitter and acidic knotted his stomach when he thought too long on it so he very carefully did not analyze it too closely. (If he did, he might recognize it as jealously.)]

So! On that note... I have a request. You guys do that, right? Take requests?

[stationmaster]

Not yet. [ said equally as casual. maybe not as relaxed, but he can fake it till he makes it too. ] Guess that last one really set the tone.

[ painful indeed. ]

Sure, if it's within our power to grant we can see what we can do. What's up?

Private audio: For Degar or Viveca

[recklessenough]

Ms. Vivica, or Commander Degar? I apologize for not knowing which one of you to address with this request. [ He does sound genuinely apologetic, and heavy hearted. ]

I've been doing some thinking. If it won't cause significant disruption to either of you or the crew, I'd like to discuss dissolving my contract with the orbs and returning home.

( video | un: offseer ) for degar or viveca

[offseers]

Hello?

I have a question if you don't mind.

[stationmaster]

Hi, Noah.

'Course not. That's what we're here for. What's up?

for viv - text (prior to mission, not long after his arrival back \o/)

[ruinously]

Uh. Hey. Guess you guys just couldn't function without me.

There any way I can get some of my crap back?

apologies for the long delay!

[vivecai]

We were absolutely desolate without you, Dean.

Sure. Do you want all of it, or just some of it?

degar, post mission 17.

[medicative]

Commander Degar, though I understand there are more immediate and pressing concerns, when you do have some free time, I would like to speak with you.

I want to ask if there is a way to create a contract with Ximilia Station, independent of my contract with the orb, so that I might be able to continue working with the team.

Thank you for your time.

[translation: she can't go back. she can't go back there, even if it makes her the worst coward in existence. even if the world is changed, the possibility is still so staggeringly awful that she can't.]

[stationmaster]

Hey Emily, I've got a moment right now

So your question has an easier answer logistically than you probably think

See you can't exactly create a contract with the station itself, you know it's just a station it's where we work and where we hang out during the downtime

And we're coming pretty close to the end too, I'm not sure there's gonna be much of a team to continue working with after this

video.

[shadysided]

[It's probably very expected, but Ziggy is quick to approach after the mission in Amaryllis Grove — with panic in full force, of course, and still somewhat peaked on the adrenaline from the moment before their arrival.]

What the hell happened? Did I do something wrong? What did I screw up?

[She can't help but stare at her hands, like maybe if she looks again there'll be an orb there.

But no, nothing. Even after that light and feeling the slight weight of it in her hands, it's just — gone.]

[stationmaster]

[ it doesn't come to either degar or viveca as a surprise when ziggy approaches them post-mission. they'd more or less invited her after all — and this ... yeah. this is important.

and more or less unprecedented.

degar shakes his head though, offering ziggy what he hopes is a reassuring smile. ]

Hey — hey, first and foremost, you didn't do anything wrong. Something sure happened, something neither of us are overly familiar with, but you didn't screw up, okay? We'll figure it out. Teamwork and all that.

[ he's ... thinking, resisting the urge to scratch at his head, and glances in viv's direction before turning back to ziggy. ]

Maybe you can tell us exactly what happened at the end?

for idk whOEVER WANNA SNATCH THIS

[coordination]

If sustaining the barrier is becoming difficult, you'll undoubtedly get support from members of the team. I'm sure many have already long put the offer out there.

Why not ask those willing and just as eager to ensure that these things stay where they are for help? For additional power, ways to support and enhance the magic already there. Or even reach out to those we've met on our missions who are now aware of our existence and what these things are as well as what they can do?

[stationmaster]

Hey Yzak

This kind of choice isn't an easy one to make and we don't want or expect anyone, not our team or anyone we've met over the course of this big mission, to give everything up to do this, we never did

Besides I figured I could handle it

I've gotten pretty good at this whole barrier-keeping thing over time

(present delivery for his favourite person and degar too ig)

[blackfire]

（ on one of the occasions the north wing is open, itachi slips soundlessly inside, padding along the now-familiar corridors like a cat. he skirts the orbs, mindful and respectful of degar's work and not terribly interested in getting any closer than necessary to get to his destination.

dressed in mostly dark colours save the lopsided holiday hat that someone or other has jammed on his head, he makes a poor santa, but then he isn't exactly trying to come down anyone's chimney (what a ghastly legend).

instead, two presents, each wrapped with the sort of terrifying precision with which he approaches everything. true christmas spirit is perfectly coiled ribbon and wrapping paper that's cut in a way that the pattern overlaps on itself without interruption or error.

one package is left on degar's desk — one of the ugly sweaters in the man's size, and an assortment of goodies and treats, all handmade in the kitchens. there is also a selection of hand-written sheet music, mostly transcribed during down time from gwen's substantive music collection, and his own memories of having been undercover as a koto player once. hopefully somewhere in the carefully curated pages will be something that's entirely new to him.

for viveca — she'll find it contains the requisite ugly sweater (he happens to be wearing one as well) inside, and a little hand-bound book of poetry — written first in japanese and then translated, though he's certain she would read even the antiquated kanji of his ancestors without issue. some of the poems are remembered from his world, some are his own — thoughtful waka composed of layered meanings and imagery.

but the last inscription is not a poem, just a simple assertion: ）

思　り　可　わ　か　そ　俺
い　抜　能　り　ら　ば　は
ま　け　な　ま　す　で　あ
す　た　嵐　で　べ　、　な
。　い　を　、　て　こ　た
　　と　切　不　終　こ　の

aww thanks buddy

[stationmaster]

[ next time itachi sees degar in passing, he'll absolutely notice the commander proudly donned in said ugly sweater, wearing it like some kind of badge of honour.

and if and when itachi ever passes by the closed door of the north wing, he may occasionally hear a familiar snippet of a tune from some of the sheet music he'd provided. because, yeah: a lot of it is new, and that's exciting. ]

[vivecai]

[ he will find her wearing the sweater — of course — over the course of the following weeks, not proudly like degar does, but nonchalantly, like it's just any item of clothing she might choose to wear.

the book of poetry rests next to her bed in the north wing, the bookmark within on a new page every day.

itachi, for his turn, may find a few days after christmas a small bundle outside his door: inside, he'll find a headband, engraved with the figures of a crow and a fox; it doesn't have a band long enough for it to be worn, though, but rather meant to be kept. with the bundle comes a small note:

You make my life better by being in it. Thank you. ]

For Viveca | Locked

[singlelogbridge]

[Normally he would greet her after a mission, or ask her how she's been, but for once Wei Wuxian gets straight to the point, the words trust no one still ringing in his ears.]

You think the orbs have corrupted someone. [The way they did Emerton, he doesn't say, but knows she'll hear the unwritten words all the same.]

[vivecai]

[ it's not a question — and it doesn't have to be. ]

I hope I'm wrong... but I like to be prepared for the worst.

And the orbs are predictable, once you've dealt with them long enough.

After the final mission, but before shit gets wonky.

[chilloutdickwad]

Viveca. You are familiar with repairing synthetic bodies, correct?

[Robotic, even. Organic skin withstanding.

He may or may not need a little help in fixing some of the... unpleasant damage received last mission.

... He seems pretty chill about it, all things considered.]