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

[millay]

Maeve's going to find a way home. She's not entirely sure how, but she'll find a way, even if she has to use the mechanics of this ship to do it. "It is, yes. I'm rather determined to find a way back. So hopefully I will."

She looks down. "Someone important to me. I left her in the care of someone else to keep her safe, but I'd like for us to be reunited." It was the easiest way to explain it. It's the driving force that's kept her going anyway.

[decohere]

"Everyone seems to have something worth fighting for, to get back to," except her. But all that motivation... it's so hopeful. Yet nothing really indicates there's a way to survive. She's sure all the passengers of the previous cruises felt the same determination and drive. And what good had any of it done.

"I hope you see her some day again, soon," Ava remarks. "But I'm not so sure they'll even notice us gone..."

[millay]

Maeve looks off to the side. "She doesn't even remember me anyway," she says in a soft voice. "So she wouldn't know to notice." She shakes it off mentally, clearing her throat. "Anyway...none of that really matters. I can figure that out later."

[decohere]

"A child?" Ava asks, because she has such fragmented memories of her own mother, and over the years she's not even sure how much of it is simply impressions of what she wants to believe and how much of it is real.

But she sighs, doesn't want to dig too deeply into that either. "Luckily there's plenty of people trying to figure things out. Apparently, the Captain has offered some sort of... kind favor in exchange... if somebody is able to figure out his name, who he used to be?" So was said in the information exchange. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."

[millay]

There's a sad, wistful smile then. "Yes. My daughter." She shakes off the image of her, focusing on the girl in front of her again.

"If someone could figure out the Captain's name or who he used to be, they get a favor?" That's peaked her interest. She doubts that it would be easy or that she'd manage to get the information. Still, it can't hurt to try. "Who do you think is the most likely to be able to glean that information?"

[decohere]

"I always have the unfortunate habit of... asking upon lost family members," Ava admits. "And lovers. Lots of people here with dead lovers. I guess perhaps it's easier, than longing for them with no way back. At least it's easier for me, I lost my parents so long ago. How old is she, your daughter?"

She goes back to her drink for a bit, thoughtfully. "They implied it was a way to get everyone home. But. I'm not sure if that's what the deal has to be used for. Not sure though, who's likely to put any of it together. Considering he could be anyone."

[millay]

“It’s fine. It’s just…one of those unfortunate things.” She could hate Lee and Ford for it, but she doesn’t want to do that. She just wants to get her back in any way she can. The ache of it is buried so deep in her that it’s the only thing she can think about sometimes. She can push it aside, but it’s her driving force. “She’s…ten.”

It could be used to get everyone home. She wouldn’t want to make people that don’t wish to go home go. She knows Sharky especially wants to stay. She can’t take that from him. “I suppose it depends on who figures it out and whether we have to consider those that want to go and those that don’t.”

[decohere]

"We're all unfortunate sorts here," Ava has no idea who all Maeve has spoken with yet, to know that this ship apparently attracts all sorts of tragic souls. "I hope she's afforded a better life, than the ones we've had." That's all you can really hope for children, she thinks.

"I suppose it does, doesn't it? It'd be naïve to think that just anyone would use it in the best interest of others. Or that we'd be able to figure it out at all, honestly. When we're dealing with countless dimensions, anywhere within the timeline. And he can't even remember himself?" It's the only string of hope they have, and yet it feels... out of reach.

[millay]

She's not wrong. Maeve has heard many tragic stories since arriving. It's strange to know how many have suffered back home. "I think she will," Maeve says quietly. She's in the Valley Beyond, somewhere safe. She hopes anyway.

"If there's one thing I have learned, it's that people rarely can be trusted and almost no decision comes without sacrifices." Willing or otherwise. She's lost too much to gaining freedom. It's just one of those things. "And there's no saying he truly doesn't remember, but I suppose it's possible that he doesn't." But where could they look for answers?

[decohere]

"Could just be a way to keep the people plotting against him occupied," Ava remarks, but she does suspect there's at least some truth to it. There's no way you do all this without losing some chunks of yourself in the process.

"But I try not to get too close. I don't have all that much to sacrifice, and very little I want in return for it. There's no point in poking for answers when you don't even have the question."

[millay]

That's also possible. People have done stranger things. She wouldn't put it past anyone. But she hopes there's a way to get home.

She frowns. "I'm not certain that will stop anyone. Especially if they can find a way home or get something else." She just wants to go back for her daughter, willing to sacrifice a lot for it, but she's not sure she'd kill people for it. Unless it was the Captain.

[decohere]

"You weren't here for the afterparty of the island slaughter, were you?" Ava asks. She was a bit distracted with her own issues at the time, and focusing more on the captain and his interactions with the other passengers than any newcomers that might have been about.

[millay]

Maeve shakes her head. "No. I don't think that I was there for that. I've heard some about it, however." But not enough to understand that it was a mess.

[decohere]

"It was the first time that the Captain made himself openly present to the group," Ava informs her. "Some used the opportunity to take shots at him. Swords, bullets, words. He's immune to it all. There's no point in attacking directly, it's only a waste of energy."

[millay]

That does make things more complicated. "So outright murder is unlikely," she says after a moment. "Well, I suppose that's something, at least." She's not certain what they can do if violence isn't an option, but there's always something. She just hopes they're able to figure out what.

[decohere]

"Unlikely, yes. He allowed," and Ava's pretty sure that's all it was. Allowed. Not Clarke finding any actual weakness. "A young woman to crack straight into his skull using dining utensils. And all there was to him, was a black nothingness."

[millay]

Maeve frowns at that. Well, that’s not something she’s encountered, but magic is involved. “I guess if something changes, there’s the meetings to consider. Someone might find a way. But I guess I’ll just figure out how to deal until then.”