for lastvoyages: First Vision [video+spam]

[can_has_vodka]

[Have a spritely young bald woman in filmy clothes, perching on a scratched wooden desk and beaming at you. Her eyes are bright, bright purple and almost seem to glow slightly, and she is very pale.]

Hullo everybody! I'm Arkady, and I'm from the Island of Whitechapel. Of course, for most of you Whitechapel isn't an island, but we had a little problem with the Thames getting loose from its banks, and ever since then things have been a bit wet in London. Whitechapel has about twice as many people as this place, and we just took on a hundred more. We'll make do, though. We just need to pull together. [It's not clear whether she's speaking of Whitechapel or the Barge. Both maybe?]

I'm to be a Warden here, and if there's a need for help anywhere, do let me know! [She pauses, blinks at the screen, and then leeeeans forward and peers into it as if she can see some of you on the other side. A giggle; the purple eyes blink and she pulls back again.]

I'll be up on Deck in the gardens if anyone wants to say hello! Yay flowers!

[A few seconds later she literally appears a few feet from the Colour Garden, which she immediately crouches down to inspect.] Hello flowers!

Comments

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

The tea had a sweetish smell and taste to it, minty but with a sort of pineappley aftertaste, as if it had been sweetened with a few drops of pineapple juice.

"You're a person, Claire. That's all that matters. My mum was human which means I'm tied to humans as well as the FreakAngels. All of us are tied together. I could show you an example but it's a little trippy." She poured her own tea and then went back to pettingses.

"I am the psychonaut of our group. I learn the powers and unpack the Package and lead the way for the others to learn new powers. I also teleport. Which means I can get people to the Infirmary very fast!"

A curious blink. "You have a Package too?"

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[Claire found the tea to her liking and was grateful Arkady brought a pot, as she looked forward to a second cup. She chuckled, watching Chester lick at the other girl's hand.] He sure likes you.

[Which was comforting since he oft times seemed able to judge the people she allowed in her room.

She listened to Arkady explain with a look that crossed between confusion and interest. At the question asked, she nodded, assuming that Package meant ability.] Yeah, I can heal. Rapid cellular regeneration. It...comes in handy, [she laughed.] I knew someone who could teleport. He could travel back in time too with it...can you do that?

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Animals and childred get on with me very well for the most part. I haven't tried talking to a doggie's mind yet though. Just birds.

[Blink blink] Oh. Oh, that's lovely! It must be uncomfortable at times, but lovely.

[She sips her tea and thinks on it, brow wrinkling slightly.] I can see some bits of the future, but I cannot go forward or back yet. Perhaps some day! But not now. Your friend has opened his Package a bit more than I have opened mine.

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[Claire nodded about her own ability, having found a new appreciation for it on the Barge. Especially when she had Inmates like Armand and the Joker.]

Wait, you can talk to animals?

[Now she's really intrigued.]

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[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

It's a new thing I just learned! Animal minds are a little different. You know how people talk to themselves in their heads--subvocalizations? Animals don't have that. They just have all the stuff that comes behind the words. Feelings and sensations and memories. Like having a conversation with a baby. It's all happy noises and sad noises and that sort of thing.

So I can tell you what sort of treat your doggies want, but not what their opinions on politics are.

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

That's totally awesome, [she exclaimed, looking from Chester to Arkady.]

I mean, basic or not, it's still pretty amazing. Can you tell me what he wants now? [Adds:] Please. I don't mean to put you on the spot, you can turn me down, you know.

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, that's all right! [She peers down at the dog and her eyes flicker a little bit.]

He's curious about me, and the leafwater because it's a new smell. He is very hopeful on the prospect of the treats from the crackly bag. I'm not hitting the right spot behind his ears--ah, there, fixed. He'll need a widdle in about half an hour.

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[She hushed up instantly, not even risking a drink lest she slurp or something, and watched Arkady at work.

When the girl was through, Claire sat there in awe, grinning wildly.]

Seriously, that's so awesome. Do you want to give him a treat?

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Ooo TREATS! [OK, she's clearly suffering a bit of an after effect from the doggie link.] Um, I mean...that'd be lovely!

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[Claire giggled and set her cup aside to grab the bag of said treats. This, of course, got Izzy's attention. Both dogs were vigorously wagging their tails and had their eyes glued to the bag.

She handed it to Arkady as Izzy barked his eager approval twice.

They can do some tricks if you want to try.

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Enthusiasm. Doggies have it down! Don't you? [She twiddles her fingers at the pups before fishing in the bag.]

[She crouches down before them.] Do you feel like showing off for me?

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[Claire picked up her tea and settled on her bed again, crossing her legs. Between sips, she explained:]

They can sit, speak, roll over, and leave the treat. Chester can play dead and do a little circle dance. Izzy can only stand on his hind legs and paw the air. [Chuckles.]

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

I'll keep it easy. [She held the treats one in each fist.] Sit for me proper, loves, and you'll get treats!

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[And sit they do, tails thumping on the carpet.

Claire still watched, amused by her mannerisms. If one thing could be said about the girl, it would be that she was cute. Chipper. A breath of fresh air for the Barge (okay, so that was three things).]

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Thank you for having me over and introducing me to the doggies. [She offered them the treats.]

I'm sure there will be bad times as well as good here, but...I'm from a tough breed. We weathered the end of the world, after all....

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

Yeah, of course! Thank you for the tea, this is really good! Maybe next time I can make you some.

[Claire smiled. Though she didn't yet say it, she could relate to end of the world situations, sadly.]

Can I be forward and ask you something?

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

[More earscritchies] Go right ahead and ask.

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

How old are you?

[Claire was all about finding people her age lately.]

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Twenty-three! [Going on eight sometimes.]

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

Cool. I'm twenty-one. [She thinks. Between not knowing how time works here and her body not again any more, Claire is left to guess.]

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

You know what needs doing? A spa day. Hot tubbing, gossip, people doing each other's toes.

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

[Could Arkady be her new BFF Stephanie?

She smiled brightly and nodded.] Totally agree. I haven't done that since Stephanie left. She was my best friend here, but she left a few weeks ago.

[It still sucked. It still hurt. But she'd move on, just as she had with friend before.]

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

If the tailgate partiers are getting a tailgate party, then people into spa-y things should have a spa party!

P'raps I'll paint my nails to match my eyes...

Spam

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

Tailgate party? What party?

[Now what had she missed?]

Spam

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

It's just in the planning stages. But yes, some of us were talking about maybe doing a cookout with deliberately terrible-for-you food. And beer and margaritas.