- VIDEO - backdated to a few days back to be safe -

[patchricide]

[By now, life aboard the Moira has likely adjusted everyone to a wide variety of strange, unusual characters. Still, with the crew being more or less predominantly human, the space elf who appears on the camera may look more like a fictional character than a real member of your crew. (Like, seriously? Look at that hair of hers. No one actually has hair that nice, do they??) However, she's quite real, as a number of crew members who have already met her can attest. She speaks with confidence and a charming accent.]

Greetings, crew of the Moira. As some of you know, I was among the new arrivals to this ship several weeks ago. However, now that I've learned more about this ship [and she's reasonably confident that it is not secretly owned by the Galra] it is high time that I introduced myself to you all properly: I am Allura, princess of the planet Altea.

[She does her best to smile, albeit awkwardly, as she continues:] However, for the time being, there is little need for such formalities. I will be taking the far more modest role of this ship's Veterinary Assistant. And please be assured, I will show your pets the same attentive care and respect as I do my own.

[But her expression shifts into a more serious one.] ... that being said, I haven't entirely abandoned my previous duties, either. One doesn't merely take a vacation from their birthright, after all.

As such, I would be interested in organizing a meeting with representatives of different groups aboard the ship. Other than humans, many of the races -- and robots -- that I have seen aboard this ship are entirely new to me. And even humans are relatively new to me, rather than an old affiliation of the Alteans. As such, I would relish this opportunity to learn about your kinds, and perhaps to forge new alliances.

[She hesitates for a moment here, as if she's not sure how frank she wants to be about this next part. This seems to be well outside the Empire, but...]

Additionally, if there is anyone -- anyone -- who has previously encountered the Galra Empire -- if you have suffered at their hands, or if your home is under Emperor Zarkon's dominion -- please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Comments

text;

[a_shadow]

There are a lot of different kinds of technology aboard, some of it sentient and some not. You may have to take it on a case-by-case basis.

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[patchricide]

So, how do you tell the difference between the non-sentient and the ones that don't want to talk to you?

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[a_shadow]

Sorry, I'm not a very good diplomat.

audio;

[shiro2hero]

Looks like you're settling in pretty well.

audio;

[patchricide]

As best as I can. Going from the castle crew I once knew to just a small handful of Alteans and Paladins was one thing...

It helps that there's such a big upside to focus on.

audio;

[shiro2hero]

Ah... right. I forgot this isn't the first time for you.

Is there anything I can do? To make this easier?

video;

[grandpaladin]

Hello!

It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady! I am Reinhardt Wilhelm. Formerly of Overwatch.

video;

[patchricide]

The pleasure is mine. Could you tell me more about Overwatch? I've heard of such a...

[She hesitates. The man looks mostly like a human, and the name doesn't sound like a planet.]

... an organization?

video;

[grandpaladin]

Ahh, that is because it no longer exists.

[That big, broad grin turns to something sad.]

It was once meant to uphold justice, protect the innocent... but no longer.

video

[pleasereset]

[A fuzzy, former prince of monsters pops up on the screen.]

Howdy, princess Allura! It's nice to meet you, I'm Asriel!

...

Um, what's a Galra Empire?

video

[patchricide]

It's nice to meet you, too!

As for the Galra... uh, well... they are an intergalatic empire of doo-doo heads. [SHE'S NOT GOING TO EXPOSE THIS CHILD TO THE HORRORS OF SLAVERY AND ANIMAL ABUSE, COME ON.]

video;

[pidge_out]

[Pidge is turning on the video feed to reply, showing herself sporting a really rough looking set of headphones tapping away on a laptop as she speaks.]

It seems like we're pretty far out of reach of the Galra here, assuming we're even in the same universe as our own. We may be the only ones who know anything about it.

video;

[patchricide]

That's the impression I'm getting, too. Still, the only way to be sure if anyone knows about it is to ask directly.

Is there any way to test if we're in the same universe, though?

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[knaval]

MONARCHY IS BOLLOCKS AND SO IS THE EMPERIAL SYSTEM
ANARCHY FOREVER

[honestly? bored in the medibay.]

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[patchricide]

You're not part of the welcoming committee, then, are you?

[That's bait, Allura, you really ought to ignore it...]

And you do realize your logic is akin to saying, "I don't like eating green goo, therefore we should stop eating altogether"?

[VIDEO]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Because of course you're a princess.

[VIDEO]

[patchricide]

"Of course"--

What's that supposed to mean?!

Video

[crowkiller]

[Hot. Damn.]

I have not heard of Galra, but I would not hearing about them if it allows me to listen more to that lovely voice of yours, princess.

Video

[patchricide]

Are you sure about that? If you're looking for a pleasant conversation, it might not be best to start with a subject so ugly.

[Oh boy, clearly this is a good networking contact and not something that's going to turn into a Lance situation quickly.]

[audio;]

[dancingblade]

[There is a spirit, floating in the middle of a hallway somewhere, STARING LOUDLY at seemingly nothing as she considers the post. Hmmmm]

Such an endeavour is ill-advised; the amount of time required to select representatives of each group would be unfeasible. Each major group contains smaller subgroups, which also contain their own variances within them. What classifications can be reached has a low probability of remaining. In short, the crew aboard this vessel changes at semi-random intervals and while one may meet a majority of the crew, there will no doubt be some who will remain absent or will abstain from such introductions.

[/captainobvious]

[video;]

[patchricide]

Wh--

[She doesn't switch from the regular channel, and she's making a face like "where did that come from".

After a moment, though, she regains her composure.]

But why should that matter? Even if they might leave, or there might be people we won't understand, or people we never have the opportunity to meet -- doesn't that just make it more valuable to learn as much about each other while we can, and help each other while we're here together?

video; I'm sorry in advance

[a_perfect_end]

Such courtesy! You're the first in a while to extend us Greetings.

[There is something a little off, even though it's warm with approval--something sharp and hard about the smile.]

Welcome, Allura. Is--is it Your Highness, or Your Majesty?

Gotta say, I am very interested in your plan to bring us all together. There are many factions here, and you may be just the one we need.

video; at least they could have rad glow-in-the-dark parties

[patchricide]

It's simply Allura for the time being, or Princess if you would prefer. There's no sense in lofty titles when I'm not even in command of this ship.

[Her expression falters at his phrasing, though. "The one we need."] Is the crew divided, then? Even if they're being gathered from different places, the situation should have helped them band together...

video;

[divagated]

[She knows that feeling all too well, that hope that someone might just be from the same galaxy, that they would know and understand. Unfortunately, she can't really help there, but she can still lend an ear, alien to alien.]

It's nice to meet you, Princess Allura. I'm Ahsoka-- Ahsoka Tano. [She gives a small nod, trying her best to seem respectful. Even if this isn't Altea, this woman was still a princess.]

I think that's a great idea, having a meeting like that. It started before I got here, but several months back, there was a lot of hate between organics and nonorganics. Maybe something of that nature could help keep the peace?

[And since she feels it's only fair to let her know:]

And...sorry, I wish I could say otherwise, but I've never heard of Altea before. It must be from a different galaxy than mine.

video;

[patchricide]

I was worried that might be the case. So far, my encounters with the technological-based members of this crew have been very tense. I haven't been threatened yet, but they're defensive...

[She's frowning thoughtfully. It's an expression that's less personally bothered, and a little closer to trying to find a solution to a riddle.]

But it's nice to meet you as well, Ahsoka. [And then, trying not to sound too disheartened,] I'm actually not surprised that you haven't heard of my home. There's a reason I asked if anyone had encountered the empire we oppose, rather than my people.