vartex | IC: CONTACT

[A creepy, possibly haunted town. Get it right.

Can he hear that small chuckle? Probably. Kaname's smiling right now.]

I'm still working that out. From our last trip, I made a rough layout of the area, so it's in progress. [She pauses.] Actually, do you want to take a look? I'm on the Bloodsport right now, and I can grab some food if you want to meet me.

[well at least someone's happy about this.]

Alright. I'll gather some backup supplies, then.

[he'd rather not have EVERYTHING they have come from the planet, in case this goes terribly wrong. also gives him a chance to try out the shuttles, which he has... mixed feelings about. first time piloting since Al Shahal.

it's fine, though. he's fine.]

Don't worry about that right now. We can figure those out once we pick a place to set up camp, so to speak. It's also about time I showed you around my ship. I don't think I told you, but I have an office here.

[So does Freyja.]

[shit is this a social visit or a mission, he doesn't know what mindset to put himself in like this

HE'S ILL-EQUIPPED]

An office?

[wtf is the office for, he's not exactly an expert on what the other augments entail.

he's headed over now, though. walk and talk, let's go, efficiency.]

[It's both. Mission: Socialize Messer! Or whatever.

Look, there's that chuckle again.]

An office. Like Freyja said before, we both have the Personnel augment, which grants us each an office. I've been trying to put mine to use, but it's mostly been for friendly visits thus far.

[mostly unused? a spot reserved for Kaname on her ship? mental note of this officially made.]

How seriously are we meant to treat these roles we're given?

[AKA they're performers back home, so this is kind of old hat. are they continuing that here?]

As seriously or not as we'd like. Some are more difficult than others, but it doesn't seem to be a definite requirement. They can provide a good starting place for some useful projects.

I'll hang up now so I can have some food ready by the time you get here, okay? See you soon.

[See that? Faith he doesn't crash or anything. When he gets there, Kaname will be waiting for him in the cargo bay.]

[As if crashing is a legitimate concern for him.

Regardless, he makes it over to the Bloodsport without incident, climbing out and offering her a slight nod. Look, she invited him out and he showed himself! This is what we call progress. Sure, she had to frame it as a mission, but still.]

[Close enough.

His appearance and general being there get a warm smile from the singer as she walks to meet him.]

How're you managing to acclimate? I hope your crew's been all right.

[There's something nostalgic about the way she smiles at him now, in a way he can't really give a name for. It's hard to look at, sometimes.]

They keep to themselves, I have no complaints.

[No one's overly annoying or causing him problems, so hey, there's that.]

[She chuckles. Typical Messer. It's good to see he's managing at the very least.]

I'm sure if you had one, you'd share it. [Now she turns back towards the way she came.]

This way. Do you want a tour or should we just head to my office?

[He falls in line to walk with her, half a step behind her- at her side, but following her lead.]

Whichever you like. If I don't see the ship in full now, I'll scout it later.

[Gotta make sure the place she and Freyja are living is safe, after all, but he doesn't have to force her into handholding him through the process if she'd rather get moving. She seemed really intent on checking out the planet again.]

Hm, well, it is about lunch time, so let's just go ahead and eat. I know I'm hungry.

[Kaname leads him from the cargo bay to a door a little ways down the hall. Inside is her office, complete with desk, couch, and a couple chairs. There's a shelf lined with odds and ends: a few pictures, a glass sculpture or two, a puzzle. She tries to make it welcoming.

Sitting on her desk are two plates, each with a sandwich and a thermos of what might be tea. Space tea. With a glance back at him, she looks sort of sheepish.]

It's not much, but please make yourself at home.

[Messer ventures into the office after her, peering around to take in every detail. It's quaint and quirky, obviously far more lived-in than his current quarters- more even than his usual room back home, truth be told. His gaze lingers on the pictures, even as he sits down at the desk where she's set everything up. He doesn't recognize the people in them, but Kaname looks very comfortable around them.]

You really have been here for a long time. It's hard to imagine, considering...

[Considering just a few days ago he saw her on Al Shahal? Yeah, it's weird.]

I know what you mean. [She smiles at him as he looks over the pictures, taking in the small details of her life on board the fleet. Kaname sits on the arm of his current seat, letting her toes touch the floor.]

Freyja and I've been here for about six months now. We've been to a few systems, but nothing's familiar. Not all of it was easy going, either. [She points to a picture of the two singing in what appears to be a ship's cargo bay.] We found out that our singing can have different effects here as well. On this one, they stunned the alien species, like a paralytic. Luckily, nothing's come up since then.

[Looking at him, she shrugs a shoulder.] A lot's happened, but I'd like to tell you about it, if you're willing to listen.

[He shifts a bit in his seat, not used to her (or anyone for that matter) being so close, but he doesn't move away. Six months... it's genuinely startling to be given an actual time frame. "A long time" is nebulous, it could mean anything. Six months is significant. If it was anyone but Kaname saying it he'd assume it must be an exaggeration.

And for their singing to be affected by this place as well- to have different effects... does that mean they've been enhanced, or are they no longer able to affect the Var? He really doesn't want to think about that, especially with him being the only one of the Delta team to be brought here, nor does he want to test the issue, so he shoves it aside for now. There's more important things to deal with.]

Of course.

[She knows she can tell him anything. At least, he hopes she does.]

IC: CONTACT

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