PT 015 Grax and Xho

USS Adventure07/03/2020

Grax reaches into his cabin and pulls out an old sort of bomber jacket with the planefleet colors and a stripe similar to Xho's sash.  It isn't the same as a uniform...but it creates and effect.

[11:05 PM]

"Maybe that'll help?"

Xho07/03/2020

... yes. Thank you.

[11:07 PM]

... I am in someone else's body and his lack of uniform is making me uncomfortable.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"Normally I'd talk to ARTI about manufacturing a new uniform...but I don't think giving Cass more to do is a good idea.  Just know you'll be back soon, I guess.

Xho07/03/2020

shrugs the jacket on and zips it, or buttons it up.

[11:10 PM]

Yes. Thank you. It is a very nice jacket, sir.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

It's actually hard to get on with just the one arm and Grax leans in to help.

[11:11 PM]

"No problem...it is a very nice jacket."

Xho07/03/2020

((Can I tell if it's his size or someone else's?))

USS Adventure07/03/2020

((It's not his size.  It's a little bit bigger.))

Xho07/03/2020

... are you sure I should wear this, sir?

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"I've worn it before.  Trust me, it's not gonna be missed."

Xho07/03/2020

... are you all right?

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"...I'm now in Duma's body.  I watched Ironspine in my body scratch my ass before grunting.  Given the circumstances, I think I'm great."

Xho07/03/2020

I did not think I would miss not breathing.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"...how does it feel breathing again?"

Xho07/03/2020

Automatic. It is just happening.

[11:23 PM]

And I have a heartbeat again, and a pulse. Which I can hear.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"I guess I'd never really thought about those things before."

Xho07/03/2020

It blends in with everything else.

[11:26 PM]

I keep reaching for things with a hand I do not have.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"Well...we can all look forward to being ourselves again.  Never thought I'd miss my own face but...Duma's just...I don't know.  It's just wrong.  I can tell."

Xho07/03/2020

... you do not really read as Duma to me.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"I should hope not."

[11:31 PM]

"...Duma's just not for me."

[11:31 PM]

"...Commander, have you noticed any...strangeness in his behavior recently?"

Xho07/03/2020

Duma's?

[11:32 PM]

... not particularly, no. Is something wrong?

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"He's been spending a lot more time in the chimera chamber and he's been a lot more...unrestful, lately.  Maybe it's just me overanalyzing, but he seems to be adjusting his uniform a lot and uncomfortable when talking."

[11:35 PM]

"I tend to keep an eye out for discomfort.  Try and remember it in people if I need to exploit it or soothe it."

Xho07/03/2020

... this is pure speculation. But the alternate world's Duma was a woman.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"...................you don't think....."

Xho07/03/2020

shrugs.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

".......huh......well....that's not my business, I guess."

Xho07/03/2020

I have no knowledge either way.

[11:40 PM]

However, it is somewhat disturbing to be in an incorrect body.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"It is.  ...I guess I can relate...if that's what that is."(edited)

Xho07/03/2020

If it is.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"...you know, other me was shocked Duma hadn't transitioned.  Apparently he and other Duma were good friends in his timeline."

Xho07/03/2020

Are you?

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"Not really.  Only met him for this mission.  Read his file and he seemed impressive, but...that's as far as it goes."

Xho07/03/2020

nods.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"You two seem to be friends, though."

Xho07/03/2020

I am not sure. We do not talk extensively.

[11:51 PM]

We are acquaintances.

USS Adventure07/03/2020

"Hm.  ...well...I hope he has friends, then."

Xho07/03/2020

((My brother is talking politics at me, sorry, I'm not tracking both things at me.))

2

USS Adventure07/03/2020

((I'm sorry.  This is all squish, so it can end whenever.  I am sorry about your brother, though.))

Xho07/03/2020

((I don't wanna stop, I just want him to stop talking to me.))

USS Adventure07/03/2020

((  That's fair.  Sadly, I can't do that.))

Xho07/03/2020

((I know.))

[11:58 PM]

((He just told me he's empathetic and he totally listens to me.))

[11:58 PM]

((I'm like, suuuuuuure.))

USS Adventure07/03/2020

((Empathetic to who?  All the people whose welfare he wants to take away?))

July 4, 2020

Xho07/04/2020

He is very personable. ... do you have friends, sir?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"...I mean...I like to think we're friends."

Xho07/04/2020

smiles.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"And I do know people outside of the crew."

Xho07/04/2020

People we have been cut off from.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"...yeah...that bit stings.  I will admit."

[12:07 AM]

"...I think maybe I should talk to Duma more."

Xho07/04/2020

Probably we both should, sir. I have studied orcish culture but it varies so much from tribe to tribe that it is not very helpful.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"I think it's better to just get to know Duma."

[12:09 AM]

At this point, Itsy (who still looks like Itsy) enters.  "So, apparently while I was in sleep mode everything went haywire."

Xho07/04/2020

Yes. ... are you still Itsy?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "Pretty sure I am.  Being switched off must've kept me out of the whammy."

Xho07/04/2020

I'm Xho. This is the captain.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "...whoa.  This is like a whole funhouse mirror of whammy."

Xho07/04/2020

It is a little disconcerting.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "Yeah, it's freaking me out."

Xho07/04/2020

... how so?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "Cause it's like...you're you, but you're also this other guy, and you ain't that other guy, you're you.  See?"

Xho07/04/2020

... I have been dead for approximately 10 years.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"...I don't think ye ever told me that."

Xho07/04/2020

From my perspective this is largely a minor inconvenience.

[12:18 AM]

No. I expect not everyone aboard knows yet. Until recently it was not common knowledge.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "...I know as a hologram I can't afford to be picky, but I kinda wish I'd known what was in this pond before I dived in, you feel me?"

Xho07/04/2020

... do you wish to leave the ship? I am certain that can be arranged.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "Nah, kid.  Just tryin' to process through some sarcasm."

Xho07/04/2020

Ah, I see.

[12:23 AM]

... for what it's worth, I don't feel dead.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "In the end...I think that's all any of us can hope for."

[12:26 AM]

Itsy: "I don't feel like a hologram most of the time."

[12:27 AM]

Itsy: "You just try to find that stuff."

Xho07/04/2020

Have people been more respectful recently?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Itsy: "It's gotten better.  Your friend Sage keeps a tighter ship once he knows what's up."

Xho07/04/2020

Good.

[12:30 AM]

eyes Duma-Grax.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "...what?"

Xho07/04/2020

It is a little strange to see your habitual movements coming from Duma's body.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "...you should see it from my end.  The Professor does not move at all like you."

Xho07/04/2020

I keep underestimating my stride. His hips are not... correct.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "I imagine he's having some similar issues."

Xho07/04/2020

Almost certainly. Missing pieces. Having other pieces. ... I do feel he is smart enough not to accidentally Darkness himself.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "Heh.  I bet that'd be funny, though."

Xho07/04/2020

... can you hear that?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "...hear what?"

Xho07/04/2020

My heart.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "Not from here, no."

[12:37 AM]

Grax: "...is it...nostalgic?  Having a heartbeat again?"

Xho07/04/2020

takes his hand and puts it on her chest. HEARTBEAT.

[12:39 AM]

No. I find it oddly noisy. Maybe I am just imagining it.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

He blushes slightly, but doesn't pull back.  "Huh...interesting.  I don't know how I'd feel without a heartbeat."

Xho07/04/2020

... apologies. It just.... feels very loud.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"Well...temporary inconvenience.  Do you have any idea how hard it's been figuring out how to talk with tusks?"

Xho07/04/2020

You do sound rather odd. Do you miss your horns?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"I honestly forget they're not there.  It's strange.  I wouldn't notice until I reach up...and I've trained myself not to do that...cause of the horns."

Xho07/04/2020

... are you dying to go and play basketball?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

"...I do kind of want to see what this body can do on the court."

[12:50 AM]

Itsy: "You're gonna have to wait.  Duma's holed up in there with that special program."

Xho07/04/2020

That may be for the best.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "Eh.  He can't spend all two hours in there.  I may have some time yet."

Xho07/04/2020

He may. If not, however, may I come with you?

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "...you want to play basketball as Theo?"

Xho07/04/2020

I do not think I could, or at least, not without the prosthetic, which I could not get to work.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "...I'm not sure I understand what you meant, then."

Xho07/04/2020

I could keep you company, sir. But if you'd prefer not, I can go and read. And breathe, awkwardly and extremely noisily.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "Oh!  No, having a real fan on the bleachers would actually be great."

[12:56 AM]

Grax: "...I just hope Duma doesn't mind me...joyriding in his body, I guess."

Xho07/04/2020

I feel basketball would be within the limits of acceptable activities.

USS Adventure07/04/2020

Grax: "I may ask, anyway."

Xho07/04/2020

nods. "That would be kind, sir."

July 10, 2020