001} video: if love is what you need, a soldier i will be

[theresalwayshope]

[When the video switches on, Allison's face fills the screen in extreme close-up, an intensely thoughtful look on her features as she struggles to navigate the function of her communicator.]

C'mon...are you even on? [Her voice is low and impatient...then her expression comes alive when she realizes she's on display. Flinching a little, then smiling at her work, she backs up enough to be seen, visible seated at the desk in her cabin.]

Hi. [She smiles and offers up a little wave, then pauses for a moment before laughing as she lets her gaze drop.] Okay, this is way weirder than I thought it was going to be.

[She starts talking with her hands a little, not quite speaking to the communicator anymore.] I guess...I'm just restless. Out of practice, I haven't had to move around for a long time. I haven't been assigned to anyone just yet, but I know I will be. And I just want to introduce myself, you know? Put myself out there for anyone who wants my help. And I honestly do want to help. It's why I came.

[She lifts her head more fully, looking into the communicator with something a little different in her gaze...a little less friendly teenager and a little harder, a little older.]

It's...one reason I came.

[The moment passes, the look fades, and her smile brightens again as she takes a steadying breath.]

But I'm not here to complain about myself, right? So! Um... [A hand goes to her chest as she gestures to herself.] My name is Allison, I'm from Beacon Hills, California...and if any of you need anything at all? Just let me know. I look forward to getting to know everyone!

[She shifts, and part of her body moves out of the picture.]

Now if you'll excuse me...I still have to get settled in.

[She turns around to survey the rest of her room...neat as a pin, in perfect order...not a lot to be settled, really.]

Or...not...

Comments

[routemistress]

[Have a cheerful blonde lady grinning at you, Allison. Iris is outdoors, her video feed wobbling as the two German Shepherds and the pit bull terrier with her dance around jockeying for the next frisbee throw.]

Beacon 'Ills? Friend of our Scott and Stiles and Lydia, then? Quantum resonance strikes again, eh? Welcome aboard, Allison lovey!

[theresalwayshope]

[Despite the last few days and the toll they've taken, Allison can't help but laugh with a very genuine smile at the woman and her dogs on screen. It's just so carefree and...unexpected that it takes her by surprise and tears a moment of real happiness from somewhere inside.]

Yeah, they're my friends. [There's laughter still in her voice as she leans forward a little, relaxing. Scott and Lydia seem to be popular, and seem to have told everyone about both her and Stiles. It's weirdly flattering, and it makes things feel a little easier, at any rate, since so many people seem to know who she is already.]

Seems like I'm not the only one with friends! Who are those pretty fuzzballs fighting me for your attention?

[routemistress]

[She smiles and tilts the video feed to focus on each dog one after the other.]

This is Elvis, this idiot chasing 'is tail is 'is brother Solace, and the short chap with the big 'ead is Tony. 'E belongs to our Bruce, but Bruce 'as got a touch of the deads so I'm walking 'im. And I'm Iris - Iris Wildthyme, transtemporal adventuress, intergalactic darts champion, former Miss Scunthorpe and warden.

'Ow'd you like it so far?

[theresalwayshope]

So far, I...haven't really seen much of the ship, but...I'm doing okay, I think.

[She's vaguely distracted, but smiling from watching the dogs, so it takes her a second to register what Iris said...the she's blinking and leaning in a little, as if that might somehow make it easier to process or hear what she's just been told.]

Hang on, did you say that Tony's owner was...dead?

[routemistress]

[There's a pause while Iris deftly flicks three bright-coloured frisbees into the air and squeals with pleasure at Solace's athletic leap to snatch his.]

...sorry? Oh, 'e got shanked in the caves, 'e's fine now. It's like 'aving a very bad flu. Perks of the voyage, lovey, we'd 'ave a hard time getting bugger-all done if people 'ad to stay killed. Does make some of us a bit careless, mind.

[Says the current Barge Death Bingo champion.]

[theresalwayshope]

[Allison opens her mouth...then closes it. Then opens it again...

Then closes it.]

So...everyone who dies on this ship just...comes back to life. Like...rises from the dead? Seriously?

[routemistress]

Oh yes. Be impossible to work with some of the really violent inmates otherwise, wouldn't it? My Victor, now, I think 'e got to double figures, bless 'im. Even if you don't count me twice.

[She winces at the memory; not because of Victor's bloodbath, but because she still misses him horribly.]

Made your Lydia a bit screamy when she got 'ere at first, poor lass. This boat's neckdeep in 'orrible murders. Spock and me researched the process when 'e was 'ere - honestly, we couldn't find out a lot, but my guess is it's a kind of very localised temporal reset. That's why you still feel it, after - morphic echoes. While your actual state of being reasserts itself over the reality you died in.