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For those who knew them: Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Clark Kent, Scott Lang and Foggy Nelson are gone.

[ Bruce doesn't know whether or not to leave it at that. He wants to keep it a brief announcement, almost detached, but in the process he's making it fairly obvious that some of these people leaving has affected him a lot. But then again, that's why he went with text, so he can avoid any slip of his expression or tone of voice that might betray just how upset he is.

He doesn't really want to talk about it. Or maybe he does, but he doesn't know with whom, or how to bring it up. It's not like he's ever been the best at expressing himself.

Best to just leave it at that. Short and... not really sweet, no. ]

That's it.

(( ooc: forward-dated a couple of days just to avoid overlapping recent drop notices! ))

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[ She leaves it at that, not wanting to cause any discomfort or the like. Actually, Elsa is completely prepared for the conversation to end there, so when he replies with a change of topic, it's a surprise.

Not a bad one, of course. ]

I've been doing all right, thank you. Things have been better, I think, in some ways.

[ She's been practising her magic!! And it hasn't been going terribly, minus the frozen state she leaves whatever room she practices in. ]

Though I have been avoiding the...recent dramas around the ship, I must admit.

[ He just doesn't want to come off as so dismissive, but at the same time he's not really ready to talk about any of this. And he does care about how she's doing, so it seems like a nice compromise. ]

Smart move. It really is for the best you stay out of it. I've been trying to do the same myself.

[ And even then, his minimal involvement is only due to the fact that someone he cares about is right in the middle of the whole mess. ]

Yes, I certainly thought so. Things got so vicious there for a while...

[ She hadn't felt comfortable interjecting her opinions into any of the situations in play and definitely hadn't wanted to be involved in any arguments. Staying off on the sidelines and keeping an eye on things seemed the much smarter way to go. ]

It's good to see that things have calmed some now. I worried it was going to last longer than it has.

I'm glad that's not the case. Things still aren't completely resolved, it's true, but at least they seem to be headed in the right direction now. I was a little worried for a while, admittedly.

[ And to people like him and Elsa, it's not good to be in a place with such a hostile and unbalanced environment. Things already are complicated enough as it is for them, being stuck on a spaceship as they are and often having to deal with certain things going awry, the last thing they need is for deep distrust and hostility to take over the crew too. ]

Yes, me too. It felt as though everyone was at odds with one another and prepared to leap into argument at the smallest provocation. While it doesn't feel as much that way now, I'm still worried that it may have affected some people long-term.

[ It had certainly been a rough couple of weeks with everything seeming as hostile as it had. Elsa had taken to secluding herself more often again in an attempt to avoid as much as she could. Perhaps not the best option while she's been doing better at getting out and interacting with others, but safer for everyone else in the long run. ]

We've already had so much trouble with working together and all this may have only made things worse.

It's a tough situation for us all. No one likes being stuck in one place, and living in such a limited space with the same people, all of them so markedly different, was bound to have a few of them clashing sooner or later. When it's just arguments and overall tension, that's easier to live with, but when those arguments escalate to physical violence, it's complicated, and dangerous. Not just to those involved, but everyone around them too. And to people like us, especially.

[ He thinks she knows what he means with that, and hopes she won't be upset or take offense. He doesn't mean to draw too many parallels between their situations, but the fact of the matter is that neither of them can be put under too much stress, or there would eventually be a trigger to their powers, something that would have them slip from their control. Bruce doesn't particularly like isolating himself either, these days, but he'd be lying if he said he hasn't kept a lot more to himself as of late, either staying in his room or sticking to the science department. ]

I think it's all calmed down now. But I've been keeping an eye out, as I always do. If I feel there's any danger again, I'll let you know.

You can always come by the science department, by the way. If you're ever looking for a place to feel safe. I can promise you'll be safe there, and you won't have to be alone.

It seems likely that it will happen again in the future, as well. Hopefully not for some time, but arguments and tension will build again. That seems inevitable, especially as we gain more new crew members.

[ She does understand what he means, and she doesn't mind any parallels drawn. They are similar in terms of their powers, it can't be denied, and part of her is even somewhat glad for it. It's nice to not be the only person with the problem, though it would be more ideal if no one had the problem at all, of course. ]

Thank you, I'd appreciate that. Of course, if I notice anything, I'll be sure to extend the same courtesy.

To be honest, I hadn't even thought about visiting the science department. I very well may take you up on that offer. It does get tiring, being alone to remain and keep others safe. Company on occasion would be nice. Thank you, Bruce, really.

[ He's just been so helpful to her since she arrived, she has so much gratitude that she doesn't know how to express. ]

It's only to be expected when people see themselves forced to live together in such an enclosed space like this. But hopefully we'll learn from past mistakes instead of making things worse by holding onto grudges and seeking revenge for past grievances.

[ Bruce sincerely hopes so himself, otherwise he can see life on the Moira get much more complicated for him— and much more dangerous for anyone else around him. Which, on a space ship, means literally everyone on board. ]

Sure. I'd like to have you around anytime, and it really is very quiet down here. There aren't a lot of science officers on board either, so even when we have more work it's still generally peaceful and not crowded. Also, we have a 'no fighting' policy.

[ Which is funny considering Bruce's ability, but he really has had it with the violence on board and he won't stand for it past the doors of the department. He will physically throw people out if he has to— and he can. ]

I suppose that's true. I've never had experience in an enclosed space with so many people before I was brought here, so I've never had to think about it that way. We can certainly hope to learn and move on, and I truly do, but with so many people and all so different...

[ She doesn't finish the sentence, but the conclusion seems easy enough to reach. So many different personalities, universes, and morals, there's no real telling if grudges will be held or let go. Maybe she's just pessimistic, but she can't help but worry. Things are complicated enough around here without the fighting and the hostility. ]

That sounds wonderful. I'm interested in seeing where you're working now, anyway. Peacefulness and no fighting will just be little bonuses. You can certainly expect me to stop by from time to time.

You and me both. I've been in some pretty populated places but my world is much bigger than this ship. There's always somewhere to run to, when I feel the need. Here, there are only so many places I can go to in a moment of need.

[ Which is why having the cage at the cargo bay is more comforting than it is worrisome. He knows it's a safety net, something he can resort to if he feels he might be at risk of turning. He'd never suggest that to Elsa, though. They'll just find other ways for her, but not a cage. That's something for monsters like the Hulk. ]

Great, I'll be expecting you, then. Besides we can study a little more how the cryo units work. There's a lot you can learn about your work while you're here, I think.

There really are so few places. Even my room isn't always ideal, with two roommates who may be in there while I need some time alone. It's...certainly added complications.

[ Perhaps what they need to look into is opening up a room for people like them. Somewhere for one person to sit in at a time, to get some quiet and to calm themselves. It's something for Elsa to think about, anyway, and maybe look into the possibility of it. ]

I would love that! I believe I've managed to pick up a thing or two about the units, but certainly not enough. I didn't need incentive to stop by but I won't turn it down, either.

[ There's no shortage of locked rooms on the ship, so there's that— Elsa could always take up one of them and make it into some sort of project. He knows he'd appreciate something like that, and he's sure there are other people on board who would too, even those that don't have to worry about keeping their powers under control. ]

You've gotten better at it, for what it's worth. An impressive feat in and of itself, considering this kind of technology was completely foreign to you.

[ It's an idea that's growing on her the more she ponders on it. Something of a "safe space" room, somewhere for people to go for some peace, to calm down, to get some time away from others... Not only useful for people like Bruce and herself, but people with things like anxiety issues, or even people having bad days.

Yes, she just might look in to what she can do with this. ]

You're sweet, thank you. I can't say it's been easy, but I have been trying. You start picking up on these technology things, being surrounded by them daily. I suppose I've adapted since my arrival.

I know, and it's good to see you have. You don't have to see this place as home by any means, but living here is already complicated enough even when you're settled in. It must be draining for those who never get used to it.

[ Bruce kind of assumes there are some people like that, at least, but he's relieved to know that the majority of the people eventually adapt. ]

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you around. Whenever you want to, feel free to drop by.

Yes, I can only imagine just how draining it must be for them.

[ She can't say she's run in to any people who aren't new who aren't at least mostly used to things around here, but she knows she hasn't met a large portion of the crew, either. It's possible there are people trying to deal with that struggle. ]

I imagine you'll be seeing me fairly soon, in that case. I'm looking forward to it, as well.

Try to have a good day, Bruce.

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