audio;

[backsassin]

[Zam really wishes this weren’t necessary. It’s bad enough that he has to divulge a weakness to the entire crew, without the added rub of having to ask for help at the end of it. But seeing as the captains have given no indication that this temperature problem is going to fix itself anytime soon, he doesn’t really have any other options. He takes a short breath and then reluctantly speaks.]

There’s not really any way to sugarcoat this, so here it goes: you know how a lot of races have that thing where their body temperature self-regulates? Mine doesn’t. Which means, I don’t do very well in the cold. As in, my metabolism will slow down until I eventually enter a hibernatory state. Which I’d really, really like to avoid.

Basically, I need help staying warm. And staying awake. [Interpret that as you will. Zam is in such a state that he doesn’t even bother making it into an innuendo. It’s that bad.] I’m in Moro Deck #003.

Also, if you’re on Moro Deck and you’re missing your blanket… Well, I guess you know where to find it now.

Comments

[stompadour]

Hmh. You looked human. What are you, then?

[backsassin]

A Clawdite. Does that word even mean anything here? [Besides humans, he hasn’t been able to identify any of the other alien races represented on the ship. He half-suspects he’s as much of an anomaly to them as they are to him.]

[stompadour]

Not to me... I've seen a lot of worlds, though. After a while you don't bother keeping track.

Anything I should know about Clawdites?

[backsassin]

[Oh boy, what a question.] We’re all extremely clever, beautiful, and charming, without exception.

[stompadour]

[It's a shame Zam can't see the UTTERLY UNIMPRESSED face Jasper is making.] Really. I hadn't gotten that impression.

[backsassin]

It’s okay. It takes a while to take it all in. [He doesn’t seem offended; just amused.] Just out of curiosity, what impression did you get of me? [He honestly doesn’t remember much of their interactions besides the fact that they themself were… not at their most clear-headed.]

[stompadour]

[A brief pause – in person, Jasper's folding her arms. There's the sound of a quiet, vaguely annoyed sigh.] You sounded like there was something wrong with you.

[backsassin]

[That at least gets Zam’s attention.] Something wrong with me? Like what?

[stompadour]

You were incoherent and confusing. [A pause, and then, kind of sarcastically:] More so than humans usually are.

[backsassin]

[A pause.] I don't know if you noticed, but I was drunk.

[stompadour]

[Another. Pause. Jasper doesn't understand this colloquialism.] ...You were what?

[backsassin]

You know... Inebriated. Intoxicated. Had one too many. [There's an incredulous tone to his voice.] You really don't know what I'm talking about?

[stompadour]

[She considers his words for a moment.] ... You were poisoned?

[backsassin]

[Zam laughs.] I guess you can think of it like that. It’s something that happens to you when you drink too much alcohol. You become… [He considers for a moment.] Well, it varies from person to person. Generally speaking, you become forgetful, uncoordinated, impulsive… [Wow. Come to think of it, it does kind of sound like poisoning.] It can also change the way you feel and act. So someone’s drunk self isn’t always the same as their sober self.

Which is why I was wondering what I was like. Believe it or not, I don’t actually get drunk that often. [Though at least some alcohol in his system would make him feel a little warmer.]

[stompadour]

Hmh. I've never heard of this 'alcohol'. What's it for if it isn't poison?

[backsassin]

[This conversation is getting weirder and weirder. Has Jasper never been on a planet with a bar before?] People drink alcohol for all sorts of reasons. To be more confident, to fit in, to forget…

[A smirk appears on Zam’s face.] You want to try it some time?

[stompadour]

[Jasper is perfectly confident as is, has no desire to fit in with a crew that's for the most part full of humans, and she can't really think of anything she'd like to...

Well.]

... I think I'll pass, Clawdite.

[backsassin]

[Zam shrugs.] Suit yourself.