Opening Phase (backdated to Fairy Park)

[emorangerpink]

1.
[Late on the last evening before the Chalice departs from Fairy Park, a new face appears aboard - a pale, petite young woman with long red hair and the look of someone who isn't sure where they're supposed to be headed but doesn't want to admit it. It doesn't help that she appears to be steering around whatever concentrations of people exist at this hour, with the side effect of routing her away from most interesting locations. After a while of fruitless wandering on the Promenade, she gives up and hesitantly approaches the nearest person.]

Um, hello... I'm new aboard, and I need to see the captain, or whoever's in charge... do you know where I can find them?

Ah, I'm Laura, Laura Ericks. I'm here to join the crew, so I guess that means we'll be teammates - it's nice to meet you.

[Her left hand is tightly grasping a sealed envelope, while her right fidgets with a metal wristwatch on her left arm. Is this girl afraid of you, or just afraid of everything?

Laura's looking for the Captain - does she turn to you for help, or do you run in to her on her way there?]

2.
Hello... Dan?

[Laura pokes at the terminal uncertainly - she knows how to use a terminal, but not where a ship's AI might be found on one.]

Comments

[emorangerpink]

While you're obviously fitting in perfectly.

[Deep breath.]

I'm not asking your permission, I'm telling you. It's my decision and I've made it. So aside from the vote of confidence, is there anything else you want to talk about?

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Decide to stay here and you may as well relocate your quarters to this cell. Powers like that of a Shifter are feared... so everyone will try to limit them.

You have been warned. I have nothing else to say.

[emorangerpink]

[Right, because it's being a Shifter and not theft that's the cause of Devon's predicament. Laura's totally buying that.]

...I don't believe you.

But I'll leave you be for now. I'll be back tomorrow if you think of anything to say by then.

[Laura turns to leave.]

1/2

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

The world believes it does not need Shifters anymore. I will prove it wrong.

2/2

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

[And seeing as Laura is going to leave on her, Devon quickly moves to the door. So quickly, that it almost seems desperate.]

You should not have to see me like this.

[She says quietly.]

[emorangerpink]

[Laura pauses at the door to the brig and takes a moment before turning back to Devon.]

Like what? How do you think I see you right now?

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Trapped...

[It's not easy for Devon to admit this. But this is the actual fact - no use denying it, except for hurt pride. However, there's a lot of hurt pride involved.]

In here. In this cell.

[emorangerpink]

Would you rather I not come by? When you get out, would I see you at all?

It bothers me to see you locked up, yeah. But it bothers me more to see you in the state that got you locked up in the first place. And when it comes to things I shouldn't have to see... well, at least this way you can't run away from them. Or me.

I don't think the cell is what has you trapped.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

[A sudden frown on Devon's face. Like if she was going to say or act threateningly next.

But she doesn't. She does the exact opposite, moving away from the door.]

Stating your opinion so straightforwardly...
What is it, then? That has me trapped.

[emorangerpink]

I think four years ago you wouldn't have gone so far as to get yourself locked up. I don't pretend to know just what got you to this point, but I think that's a bigger problem than what it resulted in.

Maybe you can tell me what you think it is - tomorrow.

[Laura turns to leave again - less likely to turn back this time. There's only so much she can handle at the moment, and she knows it.]

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

...

[Devon does not say anything, letting her old friend leave. Her comments are said only once Laura is gone.]

That's right. And it will not happen again.

Lecturing me...

[She was supposed to be relieved that Laura is safe and sound. And yet, this encounter only worsened her mood.]