002} you'll shoot across the sky like a broken arrow [video/spam]

[theresalwayshope]

[PUBLIC]

[The image of Allison's smiling face is a little too close for comfort, and visibly jostling. She's walking somewhere, and her voice is being kept deliberately low to this end.]

So...my best friend, Lydia Martin, is making herself ship's cruise director or something, and she's enlisted her friends to do her bidding. So.

[Her smile grows...nah, she's not bothered. This part's fun.]

How would everyone feel about a monthly party? Like a mixer for each floor. Every month, different level's common room. Anyone can come, but it gives everyone on each level a chance to just...mingle. Get to know each other. It's a morale thing. Hit me back and let me know your thoughts.

Also? If you want to join the party crew, also hit me back. I'll tell Lydia to talk to you.

[PRIVATE: Scott, Lydia, Stiles (aka, Pack Filter)]

Saturday I'm doing Pack Movie Night. My cabin, dress code is comfy pajamas, and extra cookies will go to those who bring pillows and super cozy blankets so we can pile up on the couch. Or the floor...whatever's comfortable at the time.

And because I'm a nice hostess? First to arrive gets to pick the movie...oh, and attendance is mandatory. [Sorry, Scott, she's the alpha of Movie Night.]

Bottom line: I want quality pack time. Period.

[SPAM: OPEN]

[Once she's done with her video messages, Allison shuts off her comm and pockets it with a grin, marching through the ship's corridors in search of Lydia's cabin. Yes, she's being a goofball. Yes, she should warn Lydia she's coming.

No, she does not care: her best friend is wearing the poodle pajamas to Movie Night.

She's open to running into anyone in the corridors, and sidetracking if needed, but Allison is a woman on a mission. Eventually, she ends up at the door to Lydia's cabin and knocks, very calmly, waiting for the door to be opened.]

Comments

[theresalwayshope]

[Allison has no doubt that everyone probably has their own Lydia Martin, so there's a knowing quirk to her smile at his admission. His observation, however, sobers her as she thinks of her friends...of how she found them the night she boarded.]

Not a good look, no. It's been mostly my room, the gym, and the library. And the galley, when I think to eat. I heard about the port, though...saw the aftermath. My friends...

[She trails off, something cold and black sliding through her features as she remembers Lydia's confusion, the wreck that was Stiles...Scott the walking dirt clod, God bless him...]

It was hard on them. [There's an edge to her voice now.] It won't be next time.

thank you, gmail, for not notifying me about this

[hearrrtofgold]

If you want to see more, the CES or CTS - which are apparently not the same thing - and you want company, I'm around.

[He sombers, glancing down in sympathy.] Yeah. It wasn't easy on anyone. ...I'm glad I didn't see it, is that selfish?

STOOPID GMAIL. *smacks it*

[theresalwayshope]

I think I heard about the CES...that's the artificial outdoor environment, right? CTS is new to me, though. But I won't say no to a little company, you know? I was actually curious...does the ship have any place like a range or a shooting gallery? I was hoping to get some target practice in.

[She pauses, then offers him a small, understanding smile.] It's not, by the way...selfish, you know? I mean, you seem like a nice guy. There's no reason you should have had to go through any of that, so the fact that you didn't? That's completely okay. [She wishes to God she had been there, though...places like the one she'd heard about were not for people like her friends. She wishes she could have been there instead, endured their horrors for them.

Protecting them has never been more important than it is right now.]

[hearrrtofgold]

Yeah, that one. The CTS is a fight simulator, but I haven't been in there yet. [He nods at her next question, as that's closer to his comfort zone. Duke's a practiced brawler but not a warrior. A marksman, though--he's good at that.] There is! I take it you've got a gun.

[He chuckles, both self-deprecating and understanding. The weirdness of living in Haven then on the Barge means Duke's built up the kind of back this stuff can slide off of. But Allison's wistfulness, he knows that all too well.] The Admiral's going to try making up for it. That target practice should help.

[theresalwayshope]

...technically, yes. [Granted, it's her father's gun...several, in fact...but those are still in their hiding places in his office because...well, they aren't hers. They're her dad's, and even if he isn't here, she's not going to disturb them unless she has to.] But guns are my dad's thing, arrows are mine. I'm an archer.

[She can't help but smile at him a little more warmly, because...he sort of seems to get it. How, she's not sure, but that odd little laugh makes her wonder if maybe he knows more about her world than he might admit to.]

What about you? What's your weapon of choice?

[hearrrtofgold]

There's a guy in my hometown who's got a thing about guns and keeps a crossbow in his house instead. I bet Dwight would like you. [In fact, considering Dwight's reasons for disliking guns, he'd probably be relieved.

Duke doesn't know about her, precisely. But he knows her friends aren't exactly normal, that their town might be as weird as his.

Blood he almost answers, but catches himself with a pensive pause.] Whatever works, really. Fists or guns usually do.

[theresalwayshope]

Wow. If he can use a crossbow with any sort of competency, I'd like him. [She smiles, broad and genuinely happy, her whole face lighting up with pleasure at the idea of meeting someone who liked archery as much as she did. Then again, if they were both very lucky, this Dwight guy would never see the Barge.]

Well, Duke, if you ever want to put your guns and fists up against my bow and... [She pauses with a smile, lifting one delicate fist in a makeshift boxer's stance] ...my tiny teenage fists, I'd be happy to oblige you.

[hearrrtofgold]

Then I'll have to watch out if you two ever meet. It'll be like Legolas teaming up with Katniss Everdeen. [Duke grins. Dwight's archery thing is more due to the gun aversion than a preference for the weapon, but still. Not a team he'd want to get on the bad side of.

Then he laughs and shakes his head.] Target practice I'm down for. Hitting you, I don't think so.

[theresalwayshope]

Hey! I can shoot circles around Katniss, and I taught Legolas everything he knows! [This is said with the utmost seriousness, offense...and a teasing, bratty twinkle in her eye.

And it gets no better when he refuses to spar with her. Inspired, she sticks her tongue out at him, dark eyes still sparkling with humor.] Wuss. C'mon! I need to fight guys who are bigger and stronger than me. [Mostly because she fights werewolves in her spare time, and humans...just don't offer the right challenge unless the scales are balanced against her.]

[hearrrtofgold]

You'll have to see if you can shoot circles around Dwight. [Hopefully not literally.

He rolls his eyes in good-natured amusement, a half-smile on his face.] And why do you need to do that?