video;

[tearsinajar]

It occurred to me the other day that I haven't had a chance to write anything, and that's, to me, a little depressing. There's been so much here that's happened, not just to myself and the friends I've made, but to everyone else. To you.

My day job, back home, for those of you who don't know me, it deals with investigative journalism. I write to uncover the truth, to shed light on scenarios that are otherwise dark and bleak.

Since I got here, everything has been nothing but a whirlwind of events. Each month there's been something new; whether it's stopping off at various planets, or it's daily occurrences on the ship. [ RIP Moira. ] There hasn't been time for me to sit down and write it all out.

[ Elena pauses and her eyes drift downward, off to the left. For those who knew about the incident with the Descendants, how she'd walked away from that moment on the ship with her left arm broken and bleeding out where it'd bitten her...she no longer wears a splint and padded cast. There's no visible sling. It's almost as though none of that had ever happened.

An injury as deep as that, bones needed time to mend. They needed a full two months. It's been less than that.

It shows that she's trying to think of how to word what she wants to say next, without giving anything away. ]

I'm interested in writing about abilities. [ Here she looks up, looks directly into the TAB camera. ] I'm interested in learning about them.

If you're comfortable with discussing this, that's great. I'm available for one-on-one meetings, if you would prefer, or you can reach me privately through the messaging system.

Also, if you're interested in learning more about the stories I've done, I won't mind sharing. Ask me anything you'd like.



[ Except you, Flynn. ]

Comments

[tearsinajar]

[ Elena stares. ]

That's...quite the gift.

[ She leans forward. Holy shit. ]

What does it feel like? Does it hurt in any way?

[saveyourserpent]

It certainly is.

[Probably not the sort of thing most people would want, for sure!]

Feels like... not a lot, really. No pain, just... a bit disjointed maybe? It's a hard thing to describe. Perhaps the sensation when there is no sensation.

[tearsinajar]

[ Not quite! ]

What exactly can you do in that form?

[ A short pause as she purses her lips. ]

...form seems like a right word, doesn't it...?

[saveyourserpent]

I suppose. Not sure what else to call it, really.

[It's just a thing that happens. Form works.]

Generally, float around. I'm pretty sure I can fit through screens and small spaces and that sort of thing, but I haven't tested that much because, well. Since it's been volatile, if I change back somewhere I shouldn't be able to be... well, I don't want to figure out what happens when that happens, you see?

[tearsinajar]

It sounds like it would be something that could come in really handy for infiltration. Maybe even spying on someone you're not sure about, if you want to take it that far.

[ He has a great advantage with that ability. ]

You said you got it back on the colony?

[saveyourserpent]

Oh yes, absolutely, which is why I've been really working on making it work.

[While infiltration for him's always been a more disguise-based ordeal, this should work nicely, eventually.]

Yeah. Had a lovely time in the world of sports, then someone who apparently had the ability to give this to people thought they should try to kidnap me. It's... a long story.

[tearsinajar]

If you're not comfortable discussing it, I completely understand.

[saveyourserpent]

Oh, it's not anything about discomfort, don't get me wrong. It's just rather complicated. But, to make a long story short, if you see someone with smoke coming out of their orifices and they're not smoking, stay far away.

Breathe that in enough, and you turn out like me.

[tearsinajar]

Wow, that is...

If I hadn't seen it firsthand, I would laugh right now and not believe it.

Is there any way to reverse what happened?

[saveyourserpent]

It is a bit on the unbelievable side.

[He switches back to human form, and manages to do it all at once this time.]

I don't know. I didn't try, anyway. It's useful enough in theory that getting the hang of it would mean I'd have an advantage, and I wanted to utilize that.

[tearsinajar]

It would definitely give you the advantage over most. As long as it doesn't hurt you or slowly break you down.

[saveyourserpent]

Ah, good, something to worry about that I hadn't considered.

Hah. So far so good, I suppose. It doesn't seem particularly harmful, at least.

[tearsinajar]

At least. Or you mean yet.

We may have only just met but... Be careful.

[saveyourserpent]

Okay, fine, I mean yet.

But I'm not going to not utilize something I have just because it could be potentially harmful. That's a good way of never achieving anything.

But, all the same, I do appreciate the concern.

[tearsinajar]

I understand what you're getting at.

With the ship crashed, everything pretty much going to shit, it's in everyone's best interest to stick close. That's all. We don't know yet what's out there.

[saveyourserpent]

I'll do my best to be careful.

And if anything does happen, you can always tell me 'I told you so.'

[tearsinajar]

I'll try my hardest not to. I'm not that mean.

[ Spoiler: She is a troll, she so would. ]

[saveyourserpent]

Hah, you don't have to hold back for me. I'm sure, at that point, I'd deserve it.

Because I'm pretty confident I'll be just fine.

[tearsinajar]

Well, as long as you're sure you'll be fine. Then you'll be fine.

[saveyourserpent]

It tends to work out for me that way, sure.

[No, not in the least. But still.]

[tearsinajar]

If you say so, then what other choice do I have but to believe you.

[saveyourserpent]

No other choice whatsoever. It's all you can do. Don't worry, believing me is great.