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

[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."

[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."

[hunter_marked_soul]

That brought a chuckle, although Nathanial hadn't blinked yet. "I have a tendency to be rather formal myself." Nor did he seem at all disturbed or bothered by how toothy that grin was. His manner was relaxed, if anything. "I've no problem asking one of the others for help if needed. Was there anything else about the concept of a scavenger hunt you didn't understand?"

[sowgoodseed]

"We could ask together, if you prefer. That way you do not have to explain their explanations to me, and we can all work together. After all," he smiled, "one raindrop raises the sea."