E.S. Berkhard---1st Mission. "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...."

[proxy_explorers]

Each crewmate had woken up in a cabin assigned to them, with their name and role on the door outside. It was a pretty nice little cabin, private and with a private bathroom. Like a basic hotel room honestly, in shades of deep blue and rich brown wood and steel. Clean sheets on the bed, clean linens on the desk waiting for use, and a closet full of uniforms for their use. (Each consisting of dark blue BDU pants and jacket with rank and name, a black undershirt, and black boots. These uniforms are modified for non-humanoid wear as needed.)

A small note was on the desk, on top of the linens. "Welcome Explorer! For your first mission, you are to proceed to the Waystation's VR deck. There is a map accessible on your Omniband, which will also be used to lock and unlock your cabin. Each Omniband is individually designated. It is recommended Omnibands be worn at all times." Indeed, there is a small blue, silver, or grey band that looks like a circular smart-watch on the desk. The 'band' itself will expand to fit over any width, or can be unlocked and flipped to form an 'S' type shape with the screen, to act like a traditional phone.

Explorers can explore their ship if they want. Although they won't be able to undock or leave the Waystation. Heading out further into the Waystation, they're free to explore there as well. They will be prompted by their Omniband though, to gather in the VR Holodeck. The longer one takes to get to the VR Holodeck, the more insistent the prompts will get--starting with a beeping, that will only get worse the longer it takes. There is no way, short of hacking the Omniband, to disable this beeping. This is the first 'mission' after all!

Once there, the sliding doors will open to reveal what almost looks like any good 2010's employee conference room, although the table has been moved to the side and laid out with snacks and drinks. Stepping in will prompt a "My name is ____" badge to appear with the person's chosen name on their clothes in an appropriate place. Also on the table are various ideas for Ice-Breakers! A big banner spans the room and says "Welcome Explorers!"

It appears your first mission is for everyone to get to know each other!

OUT OF CHARACTER
This is for your chars to get to know each other, since you'll all be working as a crew. The MDSOBs have tried to make it welcoming and easy and encouraging. Below there will be a thread for some different Ice Breaker Activities. Please respond there for threads.

Comments

Soma Cruz, the late arrival

[notquitedracula]

Waking up someplace other than where he'd last been was not, in the grand scheme of things, a new thing for Soma. Waking up on what looked to be a ship of some kind? That was new.

The memories of why he was here were slow to resurface, but the insistent beeping from the wristband on the desk brought him to more or less full awareness. Right - this was a ship, but not the kind he was thinking of. Apparently he was in space, now - far away from home, from the castle, from those he wanted to keep out of harm's way. This was for the best.

That didn't stop it from hurting, somewhere deep in his chest. He hadn't even left a note; just grabbed what few things he felt he would need and ... and what? He couldn't really remember the next part.

That beeping was slowly getting louder and more insistent; enough so now that it broke him from the trance of memory. He scoops it up, looking for a button, an interface of any kind, to make it stop. No such luck; he sighs and fits it around his left wrist, the traditional place for a watch, and picks up the letter. VR deck? Where - ah, a map. So the watch-thing DID have functions other than that annoying alarm.

Dressing, he foregoes the uniform jacket in favor of his white long coat, swapping the nametag from one to the other. Checking his pockets he finds... not a whole lot. A single sword, some food items, and some potions. No money, no relics... just the things he 'needed'.

It's with slight trepidation that he finally makes his way to the VR deck. Judging by the crowd, he's probably the last to arrive - and very few of them appear to be human. Well... space ship, he should have expected that. Time to get to the introductions!

Re: Ice Breaker! WHODUNIT!

[notquitedracula]

Soma's penmanship is pretty elegant - the product of several centuries of past lives.

I once fought a castle and won.

It fits on a standard index card.

[hunter_marked_soul]

The quick movements instantly had Nathanial alert, ready to dodge or quick step as needed. Too often he'd been surprised and had learned, and it didn't matter if he had weapons with him or not. (He did not.) Once he'd realized he was not a target, that the 'blur' had been a running young woman straight for the snack table, did he calm with a breath in and out.

"That's one way to make an entrance I suppose." He murmured under his breath.

[hunter_marked_soul]

Nathanial had alternated being social (fulfilling his curiosity) with waiting. A plate of snacks (of various kinds from the offerings) and a drink, and he also found a spot where he could observe and watch others. Some he'd met, others he hadn't met yet. What a strange crew this was.

Still, he'd made his choice and was here--and so far, he needed to be 'human'. Not the Hunter--could he do that anymore? So far he'd managed, even if he felt as though he were faking it and awkward. Currently, it was a time to observe--pale-golden-brown eyes watching everyone.

Easily noticing the woman who moved with purpose and confidence, and then his eyes' alit both on her nametag, as well as the marker of "Captain" on her clothing. Ah...he should warn her that he would be very little use in the running of this ship without some aid in understanding things. Besides simply introducing himself.

Re: No worries <3

[sowgoodseed]

String and rope are things with which he is familiar. And adhesive is a concept he understands even if he's never seen clear tape before, so the explanation helps and he nods his thanks.

He considered. "That's a headscratcher. I've helped build walls and wells of course, we've all helped build houses and when things go well, hatcheries." A warm smile, though with all those teeth it might not come across as intended. "Though never have I made any of those things with uncooked pasta."

[sowgoodseed]

"I am unsure what the word even means, to be quite honest. And being unaware of how the device functions makes irrelevant the context. I still do not even know if there are small creatures turning the scroll inside, and if so how d I thank them and share my meals with them?" Are they sentient? Can they speak? How do they know what to do and when?

[sowgoodseed]

"While I have heard that some dolphinbacks have called us dragons, we are not, I assure you. I, personally, am a Dilophosaurus. Dilophosaurus Wetherilli in the language humans call Latin. Though most dolphinbacks classify us all as Dinosaur generically when they first arrive. In specific, I am Goodseed. It is a pleasure to make you acquaintance. Breathe deep, friend. And Seek peace."

[crimsongirl]

She was getting a lot of attention, and unfortunately nothing good it seemed. Noticing the stares, she sighed, raising the omniband.

"Look, I can only take so much of this noise, alright?"

Not that it stopped her from immediately hitting the snack table.

[crimsongirl]

"Surrender the...shit, do the rooms even have keys?" She shrugged. "Screw it, I ain't an alien. Just a ninja who was annoyed by this thing."

She raises the omniband for the man to see.

Re: Main VR Holodeck

[callsignhornet]

"Yeah. The operative word in that sentence is 'some'."

Hands propped on her hips, Shepard found herself scowling. Another kid taken as a volunteer wasn't exactly pleasant to her.

"Mind introducing yourself between bites there, champ?"

[callsignhornet]

Shepard barely managed to suppress the look of surprise that threatened to explode across her features. Instead, she gently put one hand out to stop him as he turned, ensuring they were facing one another.

"So, you mind telling me about yourself?"

Hopefully, his cheerful demeanor meant that talking was a good way to keep him from clearing the refreshments table singlehandedly.

[callsignhornet]

As she made her rounds through the conference room, Shepard noticed the man doing his level best not to owlishly stare at the rest of the crew. He was about halfway successful, which meant that Shepard made a note to approach him after hitting the refreshment table.

Little plate of pastry wrapped weenies in hand, the captain approached.

"Settling in alright?"

[hunter_marked_soul]

"Ah well..." Nathanial said softly, taking a moment to choose his words. "Yes, and no. I've seen far stranger than any of this--things that humanity's mind cannot properly comprehend, and yet...I understand far less of this ship or our circumstances.. The technology is far more advanced than what I am used to, and I am not used to working with non-humans. Or other humans for that matter, for some time."

[hunter_marked_soul]

"I've heard worse, but it was indeed a rather insistent and annoying sound all the same." Nathanial hadn't expected to be overheard, but he supposed he should've been. Best to be on 'alert', even if a different sort than he would be as a Hunter. Time to observe and learn.

[hunter_marked_soul]

"Which word?" Was perhaps this being even less familiar with things than he was? Oh what a mess this would be. And yet here they were, to be crew anyways. Somehow they would learn--Nathanial was good at observing and learning quickly based on observations.

[sowgoodseed]

"Photo...graph...?" Was he saying it correctly?

[hunter_marked_soul]

It was hardly a 'crowd'--they didn't even fill up the VR deck or it's 'boardroom' overlay right then. It was certainly a motley enough lot though. Nathanial watched one of their later arrivals--much as he'd tried to watch and observe any who had arrived after him. He had to chuckle a bit at the long white coat.

He'd worn the uniform--it probably wouldn't have done to show up in Hunter Gear. Making his way over too, this one seemed to be about his age thankfully. "I have to wonder how you'll keep your coat clean, if you're wearing it on missions." Dry-humor more than snark in his tone, as he wanted to be friendly.

[hunter_marked_soul]

Nathanial blinked, then shook his head at himself with a soft laugh. "I'm not surprised that you don't know the term, and AM amused at myself for thinking a dinosaur might." Not upset though, and he certainly meant no offense. If all of this was new to him, and futuristic, what might it be to a dinosaur, even one that was clearly from a functioning civilization?

"A photograph is a new way--well, new in my world--to record information. It is a still picture of objects or people captured in the 'moment', that is far less arduous than sitting for a painting. It is also less inclined to the artist's interpretation than a painting would be, and thus considered more realistic and accurate." Pausing to be sure the other followed that explanation. "I suspect that there are no tiny beings in our devices, but that it is simply a further-advanced still technology compared to what we might be used to. Much as the photograph is superior to the painting, in advancement level, the pictures these omnibands show us is likely superior in advancement level still."

[notquitedracula]

Soma offers a slight, wry smile. "My coat takes care of itself. Magic has its uses."

It's not hard for him to tell this is no ordinary human, even at a glance - but exactly what he is? That's not so obvious. Still, he's a fellow crewmate, so there's probably no immediate danger. "Name's Soma. I'm in Engineering, but I'm more of a jack-of-all-trades sort, so odds are good I'll be going with the mission crew as well." He offers a hand to shake, still wearing that slight smile.

[hunter_marked_soul]

"The arcane does have its place. I'd be curious to know how you manage it so with regards to your coat." Nathanial took the hand, grip firm but polite. Confident. "Nathanial, just general crew I believe." Besides just his coloring--but really who was Nathanial to judge?--there was something odd about Soma. At least that's what Nathanial's instincts were telling him. But they were meant to be crew, so likely allies at the very least.

[sowgoodseed]

Goodseed rested back on his legs as he listened, taking that all in as he listened. Why would he have not known it just because he was a dinosaur? Curious. A real head scratcher. He set that aside mentally for later and focused on what was being still said.

"I thank you for the explanation, but I am afraid I find myself disagreeing with you upon one point, friend. With the way you described a photograph, I do not see how it could be possibly superior to a painting. Different, yes. And I can see, I suppose, a use for both. However, if they asked us to use a photograph, then it seems as though it is expected that anyone can create one. When you see a painting you are indeed, as you said, seeing an artist's interpretation, but that is the beauty of the painting. I could go to Waterfall City or Canyon City and see the cities change from day to day. I can see how the river might be stronger one day or the wind moving leaves in different patterns at different times. A single photograph, from what you are saying, might be an image of that moment... however without the context how can it be either more accurate or superior? And I do appologize if I am misinterpreting your explanation. Please do feel free to correct me if I am."

He tapped his scales with a claw as he considered what he wanted to say. Or rather, how he wanted to say it.

"With a painting, the artist can show the flow of wind around leaves that is not just what is there in the, as you said, moment, but what is there in the living breathing life of the place. The artist not only adds context in their painting but also something personal, something of themselves. No two people, human, saurian, or other, would paint the exact same painting, even if they spent the same day in the same spot looking at the same view. One might be fascinated by the colors of the clothing being warn by the members of a parade passing down the street. The other might be moved by the way the water has been spraying in a pattern for most of the morning, casting tiny momentary rainbows. When an artist allows you to see their painting, when they share it with you, it is as though they are sharing their song. That sharing is one of the most beautiful things in the world. In or out of the nest. So how can something that is less open to interpretation be superior?"

He wasn't sneering, he wasn't looking down his impressive nose. He was asking a genuine question. He would love to learn new and wondrous things. He just cannot understand how something without artistic interpretation could be better than something with it.

[hunter_marked_soul]

Nathanial raised both brows, moved to cross his arms and sit more into one hip. He was amused more than anything. "Are you always so nitpicky?" He asked, tone mild. "I see your point as well, but less was meaning to make it a debate about art versus photographs, and more trying to explain exactly what the unfamiliar term meant. Whether one is superior to the other indeed depends on the use and purpose. For my intents and purpose in speaking, I meant the photograph was superior only technologically."

He did his best to keep the snark out of his tone; he wasn't here to make enemies.

[sowgoodseed]

"Ah, then I do appologize," he said, with as much of a bow as his body could manage. "I had no intention to be nitpicky, rather to have a discussion. And I misunderstood your use of the word superior. I do wonder at these translations, I think it might be rather easier for me to do without and just learn your languages myself."

[hunter_marked_soul]

"It is a discussion we can have some other time if you'd like." Nathanial's brows stayed raised. "No need for such formality--at least, not for long if we're to be crew." Not that he couldn't be rather formal himself. Privately he didn't think it was the translations so much as a misread of the situation.

"In any event, the instructions seem to imply we're to use our Omnibands to photograph the items that qualify for the Scavenger Hunt. I've no idea how to do so, as this technology is arguably far more advanced, if not superior," And here he let a wry smile come to his face, pale golden eyes studying the other that he might learn the other's cues and tells more easily. "to that of when I am from."

[sowgoodseed]

He smiled as well, though his was far more toothy. "I do not know either. Perhaps we should ask the others? Also, I do appologize if my manner of speaking comes across as stilted or formal. This is the manner of human languages we are taught in Waterfall City. Speaking formally in anything other than my native Saurian is more natural to me than attempting to come across as casual. My cousin says even in Saurian I tend to sound formal. So perhaps it is less an artifact of my schooling, and more a part of who I am." He tilted his head. "I never considered that. It is a head scratcher."