And everything I stir into my tea, comes back to conquer me

[decohere]

Who: Ava and whoever

When: Early June

Where: Various

Summary: More Cute! More Fun! Pre-camping ponderings. Possibly some thievery! 

Warnings: Currently none

i. NOT TOO BAD - (closed to Ed)
Ava narrows her eyes suspiciously as she reads over the changed details of the new yet shamelessly the same sign up sheet. Is it really that simple? Or is it just a false sense of security to lure more people in, fall for the same trick twice. It's got to be different, right? Somebody's been texting that annoying call for unity letter around, and she doubts they'd be given much a chance to attempt pulling it off.

She traces her finger over where she'd written her name before, now covered in a scribble, and ponders whether she ought to put her name back on the list.

"What do you think?" she asks, aware of the presence of somebody nearby, turning her glance and, oh, it's Blackbeard. She smiles.

ii. DOOM SCROLLING - (ota)
Since the new sign up sheet went out, Ava periodically checks back to see who else has added their name, how many more are willing to chance the excursion. If it's anyone she knows, what their plans might be to prepare.

"Are you worried?" she asks, either to somebody that's just signed up, or somebody that's instead turned away.

iii. INTO THE WOODS?
Back in the library, Ava is flipping through books that might take place in a forest, involves camping. Mostly she's going by covers, as much as she knows the old saying not to judge a book by one. A lot of them seem to be horror stories, but there's plenty of fairy tales that take place in the woods as well.

This really isn't getting her anywhere at all, and she gives a frustrated sigh at her growing pile, resigning herself to the fact they'll be eaten by bears or sacrificed in some weird ritual and there's nothing she can really do to prepare. The book in her hands gives her a confused pause though.

"You ever go on vacation?" she asks whoever else in the library.

iv. FINDERS KEEPERS? - (ota)
Other passengers seem to keep getting all sorts of neat stuff, and Ava has no idea why all she's gotten so far is some giant Hello Kitty. Is she doing something wrong? Is she supposed to want things a bit harder? Does whoever summon those gifts simply not like her? Is her player just too lazy?

Whatever, Ava knows one whole way to get what she wants. Stealing. She'll lurk about in common areas and the hallways, invisible, watching to see if anyone's got anything neat worth taking. Better not turn your attention, or she's going for it.

Alternatively, she might find another reason to spy on your character. Are they looking suspicious? Up to anything odd? Having a hushed conversation? (Feel free to even link to another thread that she's welcome to come spy on!)

v. KNOCK KNOCK - (open to cr or their roommates?)
It's the middle of the night, which is when Ava tends to be most active, most bored, and most likely to seek out somebody to talk to. She knocks quietly at a cabin door, dressed in pajamas and fuzzy slippers and holding a mug of tea.

vi. STEWING - (ota)
There's an uncomfortable awareness that the population of the ship is growing. Which has made the use of the hot tub a bit more competitive, and other areas of the ship far more busy as well. There's less and less place to simply be alone and undisturbed. But she catches the hot tub empty at some point and slips in, a piña colada in one hand and one of those Baby-Sitters Club books in another. Yes, the pages are a bit damp. No, she doesn't care.

If anyone choosing to join her is somebody she knows, Ava will give a small "hey" in welcome. If it's somebody she doesn't, she'll simply glare over the top of the book.

vii. WILDCARD - (ota) HIT ME UP!

Comments

[makesomedeals]

There's a pause, the apertures of his eyes adjusting with a soft whirr before he continues. He likes Ava, but there's still things he doesn't like to disclose. "From experience, it's worse if they haven't lost all sense of identity. If they're still fully conscious and sentient and yet can't resist or stop what they're doing. If they're trapped in such a way, it's better if they're not aware of it."

He shakes his head, not wanting to dwell on that.

"Oh that seems even more likely. And we're being paid in room and board and company scrip like a mining facility from the early Americas."

[decohere]

Experience... she wonders if he means personal, if he was once part of a network and managed to get free. But the way he describes it, she definitely understands how much more horrific awareness must be.

But she doesn't want to push it, can tell that he's wanting to move on from that subject.

"Owe my soul to the company store..." Ava quotes from an old song she'd heard, knowing exactly what Max is referring to. "Maybe you should ask him for a promotion and a raise," she laughs.

[makesomedeals]

"A small kickback to not report his illegal practices to the World Trade Organization." a laugh because he's definitely not going to say any of this to the Captain. Max has no power or leverage here.

"If nothing else it might be confusing enough to him to be amusing. That seems to be what he's interested in. It's all some sort of entertainment."

[decohere]

No, but it's still amusing to imagine. "No more empty of a threat than those trying to kill him," Ava muses. "Which wouldn't be favorable, for anyone."

She nods along, no idea what the Captain might find entertaining since he's so elusive, mostly just operating off her own sense of humor. "No point unless there's actually something you want. Information, a favor... special privileges. I already have everything I want. The trick is figuring out how to keep it."

[makesomedeals]

"Other than not being here, there's nothing I desire. It's difficult in a place where the economy runs on invisible spirits and intent to purchase." He's selfish and wants money and possessions and power in order to command respect. It has never occurred to him that maybe people would respect him more if he wasn't a pompous jackass.

"I'll think of something eventually."

[decohere]

"And when you do, I'll help you achieve it, Max," Ava promises.