[ video ]

[moon_in_her_hair]

[She's still trying to determine whether this is wise, but the offer had been a saving grace for her. She wanted anything that could remove her from the mountains and the horrors of war. This may not be what her father intended for her with her life, but this life was her choice.

That at least would comfort at night.]

My name is Alice Munro and I am new to this ship. [Ship. That in itself would take time to grow used to. It wasn't like the ship that brought her to the colonies at all.]

Those that are wardens, if you would be so kind to offer me advice perhaps on those here assembled? I know why I am here, but I would like to be made aware of what I am in store for. I do not want to be caught unawares. Not again.

[She hesitates before addressing the inmates.]

Those that are imprisoned, if you also have any information about the ship itself, I should be grateful.

Comments

[chaotica]

General caution will serve you well; the pasts of our inmates are not public knowledge.

I am Hugh Cambridge, doctor, and head of the Infirmary. Can you tell me what year it is you're from?

[moon_in_her_hair]

[The mention of an infirmary had more warmth returning to her face. That was familiar to her, compared to the large shock of the ship.]

1757. I was given to understand that time is a bit different here?

[chaotica]

1757. Colonial era in the Americas.

Yes. You will meet individuals from many times and places, some from places where things happen that you think are impossible. It takes a broad mind, and it may be quite difficult.

I, myself, am from the 2380s, six hundred years into your future.

[mercurialize]

[He notices the hesitation before she addresses inmates, it bothers him.]

What about ex-inmates-now-wardens, what questions would you like to ask us?

[voluntaryapnea]

[Stiles lifts his hand in a wave and offers the newcomer a small smile.]

Hey, Alice. I'm Stiles Stilinski. Warden.

As for everyone assembled here...we only know our own inmate's histories in depth, and it's a confidential thing. [One he takes pretty seriously.]

[demolitions]

You might wanna direct your questions about the ship to the wardens, as they have a lot more access to its various features than we inmates do.

[withtheoldbreed]

Private Eugene Sledge, ma'am. I'm a warden here. [And his accent is probably pretty different from most you've heard before coming here, considering moving from the southern colonies up to your neck of the woods was kind of an odyssey. ... Also the British don't own Alabama yet.] Is there anything specific you're interested in learnin' more about?

[moon_in_her_hair]

Yes, that is where I was when the offer was made for me to come here.

How is it that you sort out such...bizarre things? [600 years? It made her head spin]

[moon_in_her_hair]

[She's sensing some animosity and glances at the video, somewhat dazed and startled.]

I... [she takes a moment to consider her answer.] I didn't imagine inmates would become wardens, as I didn't know others wished to remain after being imprisoned. But you're advice would be helpful, given that you were successfully graduated.

[chaotica]

I remind myself that just because I've never laid eyes on magic doesn't mean magic doesn't exist; I remind myself that in some of those places, magic is more real than the natural laws I've studied for my whole life.

I also remind myself that I don't know everything, despite all impressions to the contrary.

[moon_in_her_hair]

[She manages a smile in return, even if it is small.]

I don't need the histories of inmates, only...advice on what has proven successful? Of the sort of environment this is? It's different than what I know.

[Understatement.]

[moon_in_her_hair]

[That at least makes sense, but the imprisonment seems a lot different than the jails that would be used on seditious soldiers in her father's command.]

For the inmates though, I suspect they have a different sort of life here?

[Video]

[whatthewrackspurt]

Hello, Alice. I'm Luna Lovegood. I'm a warden here, too.

It's nice to meet you.

[moon_in_her_hair]

[It's definitely a different sort of accent than what she knows. The south doesn't extend much further than the Carolinas and she fortunately never had to go that far. But friendliness counts for something, as does basic etiquette. That he refers to her in a proper way eases some of her tension. There is civilization here.]

I suppose...more about the day to day life. Do we have set schedules, as the army might?

[mercurialize]

A deal's a deal. Even previous inmates could benefit from it. Besides, it's nicer here than a lot of places, let alone prisons. Food, a roof, a warm bed, sure things go wrong sometimes but some of the people may never have had those kinds of things before.

[He waves it away, he really shouldn't be angry with her. She doesn't seem to know better.]

But that's not even the advice. My advice would be don't treat the inmates differently. They make mistakes just like everyone else. Some of us just got caught in the act.

[moon_in_her_hair]

[She can agree with the last one. In the past few days, she's seen strange and frightening things. Barbarity and true kindness. She doesn't know what is right anymore and what is natural.]

Magic, but certainly that is a fairy story? Magic doesn't truly exist, does it?

[withtheoldbreed]

No, ma'am. There're three meals a day in the mess hall, but apart from that, we're expected to make our own schedules.

[chaotica]

Here, fairy stories can be quite real.

[moon_in_her_hair]

[Everything he says rings true to her. The whole reason she took this deal was to find somewhere better and safer than where she was. It's not a surprise the inmates would want the same.]

It is comforting to know that others have found this place preferable to other settings. It's strange here, but it isn't as frightening to know that.

[She nods]

What was it that your warden did to help you towards graduation?

[Video]

[moon_in_her_hair]

[It's a strange name, but not the first strange name she's encountered.]

Have you been here long?

[Video]

[whatthewrackspurt]

Not as long as compared to some. At least, not long enough to graduate my inmate.

About four months or so.

You seem a little out of sorts. Is this your first time traveling in space?

[mercurialize]

Yeah, I'll say. Been to the enclosure yet? You'd appreciate that.

[It takes him no time at all to answer, not even a second thought.]

She didn't give up on me when she had every opportunity to.

[moon_in_her_hair]

[She doesn't know how to feel about that. Both fear and satisfaction are battling it out.]

Have you been here long?

[moon_in_her_hair]

It might be presumptuous to ask, but I should like more to do than simply act as a warden. I have some experience in infirmaries, helping my father's unit over the years. I would be glad to assist somehow in the clinic?

[Video]

[moon_in_her_hair]

I suppose it is not something that can be done easily or quickly.

Yes. This is the first I have been on my own as well.