065th metal

[godsays]

[ spam ]

[ He stares out at the stars half-panicked, wide-eyed. They're so clear: more of them than he's ever seen before.

He burns steel/iron/tin/pewter, shields with copper, stretches out with bronze. He can't hear anything.

He's darted around the ship, lurked in the shadows, moved quick and quiet and unobtrusive as possible, but what is on deck stuns him. ]

[ video ]

[ The feed is trained on the stars. ]

Why are the stars like this.

Why is it all metal.

[ His voice is flat and cold.

And much too young. ]


[ replies from venturemistborn. ]




Cassel: lump of atium. It seems inadequate, but it’s not just because of the metal, or because Zane hopes someday Cassel might be able to duplicate it. It’s that Zane used to depend entirely on this metal and stockpile and hoard it. It was his closest ally in a world where friends didn’t exist. He was never addicted to it, not like his father thought, but it had such value. Now there are other things that have that value.
Touko:
Babs: A handmade wrap, a shawl from Zane’s own world.
Iris:
Jerry:
Bush
Chris
Jean: A necklace with a fire opal pendant.
Anya: A bracelet that looks somewhat nice and plain, but is actually a very flexible multitool. Compass, firestarter, knife, etc.
Morgana: A pin that’s a twisted silver-and-red rose, beautiful. A long, fancy red coat.
Marsh: Different threads woven with different sorts of metal. Some living plant that does well in the dark with heavy mineral concentrations in it so that Marsh can see it more clearly.
Mickey:
Emperor
Allison: A set of glass and obsidian knives.
Arthas
Sylvanas
Arkin: An elaborate clock that needs to be put together, with instructions.
Steve:

Comments

[clockworkflower]

We're on the Barge, everything's different here. It's okay. There was a forest too, last time!

What's your name?

[venturemistborn]

Does it matter?

[clockworkflower]

It's only so I know what to call you. But I can call you Sidney if you'd rather. You look like a Sidney.

[She tilts her head curiously.]

Maybe Dirk. You can be Dirk if you like. I'm Lilith.

[spam]

[themissingpiece]

[Don't mind the kid on deck packing snow into a ball]

What's your problem?

[spam]

[venturemistborn]

[ He turns. Eyes the snowball. ]

What's yours?

[spam]

[themissingpiece]

Nothin'. I'm not the one staring.

[He's the one throwing the snowball at you.]

[Video]

[thekidsnotalright]

[Alex ordinarily wouldn't bother. Just some little kid asking stupid questions. Except he actually looks worried, like there's something wrong with it, and he heaves a sigh, rolls his eyes because he DOESN'T CARE but turns his end on anyway ]

They're always like this. They're stars.

[Video]

[venturemistborn]

I know what stars are!

{ Frustration, in his voice. ]

Re: [Video]

[thekidsnotalright]

Okay, so what's the problem?

video;

[notdreaming]

Because it has to be, to not fall apart. This ship is moving through space, and it puts up with a lot of damage from both the environment and the inhabitants.

video;

[venturemistborn]

And so it has to be metal?

[spam]

[youwillgotohell]

Zane?

[It startles her, and she might not have recognized him had she not caught him at the deck - but she has always been good at recognizing the people close to her.

She hesitates, starts forward again, and spare's a moment's thought to be thankful that for once this flood has passed her by.

(Though now she thinks she wouldn't mind the reminder of childhood friendships.)]

Are you all right?

[spam]

[venturemistborn]

[ Twists around, and he pushes himself off the ground, jumping back and landing lightly on the rail. He isn't afraid of falling. But he's ready to fight. ]

Who are you?

[heisrisen]

Did you expect a wooden spaceship?

[venturemistborn]

Metal's dangerous.

[Spam]

[runslikethewind]

[She sees the boy staring stunned up at the stars and sidles up beside him, quiet even on the snow that's accumulated on the deck. Stealth is one of the first things they teach you when you want to become a Ranger. And she wanted to be the best Ranger ever, so she practices all the time.]

Pretty, isn't it?

[Spam]

[venturemistborn]

[ He doesn't startle. But it's only because of self-control - he only heard the last part of her approach, and that fact unnerves him a little bit.

He steps away from her, turning his back on the rail. Ready to fight. ]

They're stars.

[ They always are, is what he means. They awed him the first time he saw them, is what he means. ]

[mistconduct]

No way.

[venturemistborn]

What do you mean?

[spam]

[bornonthefourth]

[You're being approached by a skinny eleven year-old who's got some folded paper and a pencil in one hand; Steve's a little out of breath from coming up the stairs, but it'll pass. He's spotted Zane and isn't sure whether the guy wants to be left alone or not, but something in him can't just walk by.] Are you okay?

[spam]

[venturemistborn]

[ The fact that there's no stealth, no strength, in the way Steve moves - that's the only thing that keeps Zane from flinching back and going on guard. ]

Where is the mist?

[strangehistorian]

We're flying through space! I think it's very pretty, but it can be a lot to take in. Are you doing alright?

[venturemistborn]

I figured that out!

Spam

[firefledged]

[Jean is struck by the stars, too, in ways she doesn't truly understand. She feels drawn to them; they feel like home, as much as her own family.

She doesn't realise, as she comes closer, that she's stepping on air.]

Spam

[venturemistborn]

[ She doesn't notice, but he does. He shifts into a crouch and Jumps up, hovering above the rail. His balance is strong and steady, but not the same graceful artistry that his adult self shows. ]