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

Entry tags:

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

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fine.

In my kingdom, there are two types of schools: Trade schools and magic guilds. Want to study magic but don't have any mana or an elemental affinity? Too bad. Royal decree shoves you into a trade school. Provided you can afford it.

Know who can't afford a trade school? An orphan. I just lucked out to have been taken in by and apprenticed under a master blacksmith.

Doesn't matter how smart you are. Doesn't matter how passionate you are. If you're not born special, you don't get a choice. Why? Because everyone in the royal family can use magic and they don't want the riff raff to study something considered royal privilege.

On that note, if you show magical affinity, you're basically guaranteed a good life. Your education is paid for by the guild that takes you in, and you're given preferential treatment anywhere and everywhere. I mean, guilds are the first place royalty looks for suitors. You're essentially groomed for perpetual success.

It doesn't matter how much you want to learn. It doesn't matter if you want to just...experience everything the world has to offer. Learn your limits, expand your horizons. If you're not born special, then you better be born rich.

That's an awful way to run a kingdom. What kind of leader ignores their own people, particularly those who need the aid of the crown most?

What would have happened to you, then, if you hadn't found someone to apprentice under?

[He shrugs casually.]

I'd probably be dead. Either from starvation or from monster attacks. Who knows? I was five.

Point is, people like me have two real options: Be rich and get into a trade school, or join the military.

As for how to run a kingdom? I don't really have an opinion on it. We were at peace despite the rising tensions on our borders, but that was a worldwide thing.

I just...guess I always wanted more.

But would that kind of peace last? You couldn't have been the only one who wanted more.

[Do you want a coup? Because this is how you get a coup.]

Is that why they made you an engineer here?

It's lasted so far. It's not picture perfect, but most people are content with their lot in life. I guess after you lose everything once, you get restless for something more. In the end, I'm probably the odd one.

As for why I'm an engineer? Beats the hell out of me. I'm good with my hands and I'm a fast learner. Not much use for a blacksmith in space so I guess the Ingress is where I could be the most useful.

[She still doubts that first part, but -- you know what, let's not press it. They're finally not yelling at each other, let's not ruin that progress.]

Well...

The craftwork could be useful. After all, if something should happen to the ship, all it takes is one missing part to leave us all stranded.

On the other hand, there's a reason these aren't normally crafted by hand.

[Darin nonchalantly leans back in his seat and crosses his arms behind his head.]

I don't have any experience working on starships, just the usual ocean faring kind. Doesn't mean I wouldn't be willing to learn. In fact, I plan on taking every opportunity I can to learn whatever I have access to before something happens.

As for crafting the parts, I don't see how they could be crafted any other way. And if there was another way, nothing beats doing it with your own two hands anyway.

Handcrafting isn't precise, though. A deformity no greater than a hair's width in the wrong place could destroy the whole ship.

Handcrafting done my amateurs isn't precise.

I'm a master.

Do you know what happens when a spaceship's hull gets breached? You can't bail buckets of space out of it until you reach the next planet.

I'll have you know that I know exactly what happens when a spaceship's hull gets breached on account of the fact that I tried to punch a robot through the airlock!

It's something called explosive decompression, and it sucks everyone out into space where everyone dies.

Oh! Now what, Princess! Now who's the idiot?!

[JUST THIS LOOK.]

[okay but also.]

Why were you punching a robot?

Because he pissed me off.

Why else would you punch a robot.

... ... ...

... fair point, but -- you almost got us all killed because of it!

You can't solve your problems by running around punching everything. Especially not on a spaceship!

Sometimes I use a hammer.

...I didn't have my hammer that day. Actually, come to think of it, I haven't had my hammer since I got here.

Anyway, I'm getting off track.

The point is, he explained to me that I'd kill everyone on board, so I stopped. No harm, no foul. Geez, you gotta learn to relax a bit, Princess.

And what'a going to stop you the next time you endanger the ship?

[... hmm.]

Perhaps, rather than a new job, what you need is someone to monitor you.

What, like a mentor or a master?

See, that's an idea I can get behind. Sign me up!

More like a chaperone. Or a babysitter.

Nope. Nope, now you went and ruined it. Just for that, next time I'm at work I'm going to scissor kick the screen that displays vital read outs and diagnostics.

Seriously, aren't you a princess? Isn't it like...your job to not piss off the people who work for you?

Based on your track record? You were probably going to do that anyway.

...Well, I mean...when you've got super sweet moves like I do, it's hard to resist showing them off.

And that's why you need someone to help you resist. To act as your better judgment, since you don't seem to have it yourself.

[She takes a look off-camera. Darin won't see it, but the mice are on standby.] Maybe the green one...?

Yeah no. Thanks but no thanks, Princess.

Believe me when I say I know more about control than I think you could ever learn.

You believe you have better control than I do?! You joined the ship and immediately set things on fire, whereas I have actually been in control of a ship before! Both in terms of responsibility, as well as literally flying it through space!

[ALSO, SHE'S NOT THREATENING TO MURDER HIM RIGHT NOW. THAT TAKES, LIKE, SAINTLY SELF CONTROL.]

Oh, I guarantee I have more control than you.

Case in point: I'm not the one yelling right now~

Thaaaat's Darin: One. Princess Pointy Ears: Zero.

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

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO] 1/2

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]

[VIDEO]

Re: [VIDEO]