Allegiance
Captain’s log, stardate 77665.1: I am unable to sleep this night, but I do not know why. The feeling of foreboding I’ve felt in the past day has become a sense of inescapable dread, as if a storm greater than the one outside is about to strike.
Having mentally reviewed the testimony of my dear friend Emerald Wave’s experiences in the VibeCity space port, I feel as though I am heading into a similar situation: from the cruel overseer of the enclosed location, the imprisonment of innocents, the random assemblage of creatures from across time and space… all of this has happened before. All of this will happen again. Perhaps sooner than I think.
I feel now, perhaps, as Jean-Luc Picard did before the battle at Wolf 359… before he was assimilated into the Borg collective and forced to act against the crew of the Enterprise, and Starfleet at large. He, at least, had Guinan to confide in. I am not so lucky.
Daybreak
The King has died!
Her Majesty The King has been brutally murdered in the night! This is a shocking development, and, as Cardinal and the King’s Favourite, it will be my solemn duty to investigate. Or, to put it another way, it is my solemn duty to force all of you to investigate!
That’s right! I’ve already locked the castle using my master key, and nobody may leave until I have secured the regency for myse- I mean, until we have learned what has happened to the King, and bring the perpetrators, whoever they may be, to justice!
Succession is a strange business here in Chessteros, of course. The new King is decided not by family lines, but by the mysterious forces at work in this very castle. At this very moment, our most important resident ghosts will be anointing a new King, chosen from those currently within these walls. This means that the new King will be… one of you!
But whoever it is, I advise you do not reveal yourself. Whoever killed the previous King may well wish to kill the new one, too. In fact, I am all but certain of it. I will be the Acting Regent until such a time that it is safe for the new King to reveal themselves.
But of course, in secret, the new King can act. Each day, and each night, the King may grant status to one of their subjects. It usually takes weeks to get a full castle of friends with status, but we may not have weeks, so I advise that the King starts handing out patronages right away. They will be very helpful to you, so long as you grant them to the right people. Of course, giving patronage to your factional enemies, or giving out the wrong kinds of patronage at the wrong times, could be very harmful indeed, and may even result in the King’s death!
Today, as a day of mourning, the new King may choose two Patronages to give out. They must choose these two Patronages, and inform me privately of who they wish to give them to, before Nightfall.
Meanwhile, the rest of you are automatically granted Noble status until such a time that the killers are brought to justice. My theory? The killers are probably Evil Ghosts. They’ve always wanted to cause trouble regarding the Throne! So we shall refer to them as such until they are brought to justice.
Collectively, you must figure out who they are, and execute them. There will, God-willing, be an execution this very evening. You must vote for who you think should be executed by responding to this post with your emoji of choice. Today, you may choose to execute nobody at all, but you must still vote for this if you wish to, because voting is mandatory.
Aífe emerges from her chambers, sleepy-eyed "what'dimiss"
Bryan: Captain Shadow's sense of foreboding worries me Shark.
Shark: Me too Bryan. Captain Shadow has been honest and upfront since we all got here.
Bryan: I hope there's nothing in that. Please let it be paranoia Shark, I really don't want to die!
Shark: If anything happens Bryan, I'm with you to the end.
Bryan: Because I'm your vessel.
Shark: Because you're my vessel and I'm stuck with you, yes.
Gem: As the news of the Queen’s death reaches them, Gem finishes her morning earl grey, straightens her uniform, and looks determined. She’s a commanding officer again.
“Vacation time is over. We have work to do, and murderers to find.”
Buster: Oh so you can dedicate a whole day to finding out who murdered the King, yet Rabbit With Apple still remains missing, I see how it is 😠
Poxxy: I wasn't aware that we were having a "vacation" in the first place.
Gem: “I’m certainly not.” She bows her head. “I send you my condolences for your most unfortunate loss, Regent. I’ll do everything I can to ensure the killers are brought to justice.”
Poxxy: That is well. It truly is a tragic loss - I put a lot of energy into becoming The King's Favourite, and now I must do so all over again! And of course it is a great loss for the Kingdom too
Gem: “Exactly. The quicker we work, the less likely the kingdom descends into anarchy.”
Victoria: Whuzzat? How long was I asleep for?
Ah, the idiot has awoken. Do you remember what we’re in now, vessel?
A…coffin, I think? Who am I? Who are you?
Oh for the lifestream’s sake, you’re serious, aren’t you?
Are you my conscience?
…Okay yes, I’m your conscience. We’ve not spoken for a while. Hello, idiot.
Hi?
Do you think you can try getting us out of here, and not hitting your head this time?
The lid’s stuck.
Of course the lid’s stuck, it’s meant to slide open.
Well how do you do that from in here?
Good point. You have your gun, right? Maybe if you fire it someone will hear you.
In a stone coffin? I don’t think that’s a good-
I’m gonna fire it.
I don’t think consciences are supposed to be able to do tha-
[BANG]
Ow!! You could have killed us. You’re not actually my conscience, are you?
No, but it was very funny. Anyway, you can’t die by conventional means, remember?
…Can’t I?
Fuck. Vessel, I’m not even going to try to talk to you until you’re not concussed any more. You’re annoying enough with your memory. But to answer your question, your wound already healed. Just wait until someone arrives, they’re bound to after that.
Hope they don’t take long. It fucking reeks of gunpowder in here. Dick.
Gem: “Gunfire!” Years of instinct spurs Gem into action. She gallops in the direction the sound had come from, reflexively reaching for her phaser, and then remembering it wasn’t there. “At least I still have my magic…”
Finding herself in the crypts, she looks around the room, finding an open coffin. “What the… in my experience, living beings don’t generally sleep in coffins.”
Reep: Speak for thyself! I occasionally am wont to clamber into stone coffins I happen across in my dungeon delving in the dubious hope that I’ll be transported to an arena where I can fight the malicious undead. Speaking of which, I trust thou is not malicious, Victoria Valentine?
Gem: “I’d certainly hope not, Sir Reep.”
Victoria: Argh, light! [Shielding her eyes, she grabs the side of the coffin and pulls herself over the side, getting caught in her tattered cape and landing in a heap] Oof.
[She gets to her feet and addresses Gemini and Reep] Right now, I’m not sure what I am, other than…lost. And very thirsty. Anyone have any water? Help a gal out, would you?
Gem: “Allow me.” Gem produces a cup from somewhere, and with her magic, creates a stream of water, which she uses to fill the cup. She hands it over, smiling politely. “Hopefully that should help… very useful when surveying the desert planets of the Jolari system.”
Victoria: [she gulps it down gratefully] Thanks. Sorry, bit woozy. Ah, that’s much better. Head’s a bit sore.
Gem: “I can imagine,” Gem replies. “Firing a pistol at such close range… good grief. I’m glad you aren’t hurt.” She offers her hand. “I am Captain Gemini Shadow, of the Federation starship Endeavour. With me is Sir Reep, knight of Nernia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Victoria: Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Gemini and Reep, I'm...I don't know.
Gem: ”You don't?" Gem tilts her head and frowns concernedly. "Amnesia, perhaps? Or some other sort of mental trauma?"
Victoria: Hm. I think possibly concussion. [She jabs her gauntleted thumb in the direction of the coffin.] I hit my head in there. It'll come to me I'm sure. [She lifts her gun, inspecting it in the light, seeing two letters inscribed there] 'V. V.'...Ah! [she stumbles, holding her head]
I remember bits and pieces now. My name is Victoria Valentine. I used to work for Shinra, in the Department of Administrative Research. I think...I think I was shot, and then brought back, after that I only know that this body experienced many horrors, and eventually confined myself to Shinra Manor...for...for my sins. I may possibly count as undead, but not malicious.
Are you not forgetting something, Vessel?
Oh fuck. Yes, this is going to sound a bit weird, but I have a demon sealed inside me. I keep her under my control, though. Her name is Chaos.
Under your control? You'd like to think so. Anyway, yes. My name is Chaos. Displeasure to meet you all, ha.
Gem: ”Chaos..." Gem quirks an eyebrow and tilts her head. "Fascinating. I was brought to this place by a member of the Q continuum, often called the spirit of chaos on my world. I wonder if the two of you know each other..."
Ha, I doubt it! I was born of this planet, of Gaia itsel-
Victoria: Hmph. That's quite enough. No more using me to talk. You can talk in my head, for all the good it does you. [Victoria looks Gemini and Sir Reep upside down quizzically] So, what kind of Shinra experiments are you? Wait a minute...this isn't the Shinra Manor? This is not my beautiful crypt, this is not my beautiful coffin...how did I get here?!
Gem can only shrug, "I cannot say. Perhaps you simply appeared here, as I did. What I can say is that I am no sort of experiment, I am a space traveler from the planet Equus in the Zacherle cluster."
Dear Mina,
Alas, alas, the King of Chessteros is dead! And Cardinal Poxxy has gone quite potty. He is insisting thatwe* execute people until we have ascertained the identity of the killer or killers! How utterly barbaric! On the first day, he permits us to vote to kill nobody, so of course that is what I have voted for.*
He also thinks that the killers of the King will target more people for death every night. Oh, my dear Mina, I do not want to leave you. I shall keep writing to you up until the bitter end, and if I die, at least you will have this journal to remember me by.
I shall enumerate for you here the many suspects - yet these are also the people I must work together with to try to eliminate the killers! There are supposedly three killers Among Us.
Firstly, I myself am regrettably considered to be under suspicion.
Then, the rest…
That infernal “Chef” who ruined my blue clothes;
The strange pale boy who believes himself to be possessed by a demon shark - and after everything I’ve seen lately, I’m becoming more inclined to believe him on that note;
The kind unicorn who was gentle with me when I was terrified (still am);
The strange floating dress;
A beautiful, sad Irishwoman;
A pleasant young woman named Agatha;
A pleasant young woman named Artoria;
An unpleasant young boy named Eustace;
A wizard who dresses all in green;
A ghostly rabbit;
A man with a hooked hand;
A pugnacious talking cat;
A young actress;
A woman who’s possessed by a demon;
And an unknown identity represented by a rose.
Well, I must return to the deliberations, dear Mina. I take courage and strength from thinking of you, my love.
Jo
Reep: The feeling is mutual, my good lady, though I resent the notion the I am an experiment! I am a cat of Nernia, through and through! Hmm, as I mentioned, however, I have encountered transporter coffins before. Perhaps thou entered one without meaning to? Or was placed within one?
Aife: ”Is your one a shark too?"
Victoria: Hm. I apologise, I have never seen creatures like yourselves before. But yes, that is possible, because that is not the coffin I went to sleep in...however long ago. I do not think sharks have wings, so...this is unlikely.
Aife: ”That seems fair enough... Things being what they are, I won't say it's a pleasure to meet you... but I'll reserve judgement, hmm?" She gives a tight smile.
Victoria: What is all this cacophony, anyway?
You deliberately avoided saying chaos just to spite me, didn't you?
Victoria: Yes. I'm not saying that.
Artoria: stumbles down the stairs morning every one--oh hello miss new guest, welcome! ...what a time to come visit here huh? Man
Gem: ”You join us at an unfortunate moment, Ms. Valentine: the ruler of this land was killed last night, and we are currently beginning to investigate. Information is at a minimum." Gem looks as serious as can be.
Eustace: August 31st. Everything somehow worse than expected. Still a prisoner in this castle, and now I hear there's been a murder - of the King, no less! Not sure what that dreaded Poxxy hopes to gain by locking the rest of us in with a bunch of regicides, though I shouldn't be surprised if he hopes to kill us all and take the throne for himself. Exactly the sort of nonsense one grows to expect from this absurd place.
Poxxy claims a new king has been crowned in secret somewhere, which seems about right considering the total primitivism of the legal systems in these parts, but as I have not heard anything about it from anyone but him, choose to believe he might be lying.
Suppose I did not expect to become King myself, though I would have done a good job of it too. Would not expect any of these brutes to recognise this, though; they lack discernment to an alarming degree. Hope at least they have not crowned the Cat.
Victoria: Hmph. I have little and less regard for authority, and the only royals I've ever known of were on stage at the Gold Saucer. However, if we've been drafted in to investigate innocent lives may be in danger...
Artoria: Is there any breakfast around here? Some gruel or millet perhaps?
Gem nods. "Exactly. We must all work together to solve this crisis, the sooner the better... but the murderers walk among us. We must trust in each other, but cautiously."
Aife: ”How are you faring, child?"
Eustace: Not well!!!!
Artoria: Did you hear we all got made nobles? I've never been a noble before! Maybe I'll get butter for my bread while I'm here. I'm sorry you're not doing well Eustace...
Aife: She sits and rubs the temples. Then you are much the same as myself. I just wanted to come by and check on you, since you are much younger than the others here... much as you irritate me.
Reep: Indeed, young Mister Scrubb was just reciting as much for all to hear as he penned his diary! I'll have you know that I would make a perfectly adequate monarch, though I hold no such ambitions myself
Gem: ”It is a difficult and frustrating situation... we'll all try to comfort you as best we can."
"Nor do I. I am already a starship captain, I do not aspire to anything else."
Hook: The Green Man trains young boys to kill for the Fairies. Just putting that out there. Eyes Eustace
Artoria: Eustace since we're the youngest ones here--well aside from the kid with the shark but that feels different to me somehow--we should stick together!
...the rule of faries sure is a cruel and unjust one
Hook: That Eustace boy mentioned the Green Man by his true name, you know. The name he had back when he had a soul. Whispers Peter.
Artoria: Does that mean that this... Peter tries to come after Eustace!?! Is he in danger!?! Are the faeries going to take him away and replace him with a pile of twigs!?! I won't let them!!!! Big sister Artoria will stand in the way!!!
Bryan: I’m only twelve!
Shark: But I'm an eternal entity from beyond perception!!
Bryan: Not helping, Shark.
Buster: I’m 8
Artoria: Yes that eternal entity thing muddled things for me.
Shark: I’ve only been in this vessel for ten years and he is my first one. Does that make me ten?
Artoria: Oh! Well you can join our kids club then
Buster: Yay!
Shark: If I agree to stay silent, Bryan could join Kids Club.
Bryan: Oh yes please!!
Artoria: I guess you can join too then!
Bryan: Hooray!!!
Shark: Don’t let us down. You're good kid, don't get cocky.
Hook: I’m... Well, I forgot how old I was when I went to the fairylands, and you kinda stop aging there so I don't know how long I was there either. I've worked at this gift shop for... Five months?
Gem: ”I am 31 years old, and have been the Endeavour's captain for five of those years. Therefore, I'm a little old for the kid's club."
Aife: ”26, though I feel about 90."
Artoria: It’s exciting to meet so many women who have grown to adulthood--I was the only girl on the farm back home so I had no idea there were so many different ways we could be like as grown ups!
Gem gives Artoria a hug, "I hope you too are given that chance... you have all the makings of a wonderful woman yourself."
Artoria: Oh thank you miss Gemini--er lady Gemini. Wait I'm also a lady now so... well Nevermind, thank you! I hope to grow up to be someone my late mother could be proud of
Gem chuckles softly, "Just Captain is fine. And I'm sure you will."
Jo: I have a question. How do we know that Cardinal Poxxy didn’t bump off the King, to gain power for himself?
Hook: Because he's boring.
Poxxy: Ridiculous claim! I had all the power I needed already
Victoria: Gemini, did you say the murderers walk among us? Very suspicious. What if they do not have feet?
Poxxy: See? He's self-satisfied... Boring.
Jo: He’s already spoken about dissolving monasteries. How do we know he didn’t dissolve the King.
Gem: ”It is sometimes better strategy to remain as the first officer rather than the captain, the big chair isn't aways desirable. Therefore, the Regent does not need the throne to have power."
Jo: Because they found the body
Gem: ”I was simply being metaphorical, Ms. Valentine. But you do raise a good point."
Eustace: I think this whole plan is rubbish. How are we supposed to investigate ourselves? Shouldn’t we call the police?
Hook: NO POLICE!
Gem: ”Inadvisable, they would simply make the situation worse. In battle, you go in with the crew you have, rather than the one you want."
Eustace: Why?? Have you got something to hide??
Hook: You’re one to talk, aren't you, Lost Boy!
Eustace: I don’t see why you all insist this has to be a battle! Especially not when we could solve all this in a reasonable and civilised manner! I don’t see why I should have to be in this absurd situation at all! I am not lost, I am being held against my will! In a castle with a bunch of lousy murderers!
Hook: That’s what you all say, and then you go and attack my crew with wooden swords and slingshots and dogs!
Gem: ”Such is the hazard of military life, one sees battles everywhere."
Artoria: You can't trust the cops!
Eustace: I don’t think we can trust anybody!
Gem: ”Not entirely, no. We can only trust cautiously."
Hook: I trust my crew! They're a finely selected group of upstanding citizens/ghosts/unicorns/demon sharks
Artoria: You can trust big sis Artoria! She's trustworthy!
Eustace: Yes, but why should they trust you? You’re clearly one knife short of a drawer!
Hook: Why would you keep your knives in a drawer? Put them in a belt!
Eustace: See! This is what I mean!
Hook: Also the cat is trustworthy, I forgot about the cat but they're trustworthy too
Victoria: If you'd seen what I'd seen, you would not be so quick to call for police, kid. But even so, look around you. Do you even think there are police?
Reep: If there is one thing I cannot abide, it is false sincerity, and considering three among ye are wicked spirits intent on killing us all, I shall cast a suspicious eye upon any who exhibit an overly sentimental and earnest manner lest they be wolves in sheep’s clothing! A healthy dose of suspicion is recommended until such a time as we can confirm allegiances
Artoria: My friend Mash married a cat once, I heard they were very happy.
Eustace: For once we agree. What is this feeling? No, I suppose you’re right - this really is nothing like a civilised society!
Reep: Comradeship my dear boy. Though I urge you don’t omit myself from your suspicions! Stay vigilant
Hook: Artoria, speaking of the Green Man, would you like to join my pirate crew? Once all this murder stuff is over, we'll be off to the fairylands to KILL the Green Man. He helps the fairies take children away, you see. And he's the reason my left hand is gone!
He raises his hook for demonstrative purposes
In case you don't recognise me, I was disguised as "Jimothy" a couple of days ago. A cunning disguise, no-one suspected a thing. You may call me Sir Captain Hook.
Artoria: Oh! Jimothy! I'll have to think about it, it is a tempting offer though. I do have to make sure I don't miss any lessons with Merlin, they're very important, but overthrowing fairies is too... hmn.... let me stew on that
Hook: nod, evil laugh, exit stage right
Captain’s log, supplemental: A curious note was passed through my ready room door this morning after breakfast. It revealed that I am a noble and on the side of good. This is reassuring: I had been afraid (as per my previous log entry) that I would be forced to act as a creature of evil, the equivalent of Locutus of Borg. I am glad to be wrong.
What concerns me now is that there are almost certainly other Locutuses in our midst. How many, I cannot say. I know now that I cannot trust anyone that I’ve met these past few days… but I also know that a captain cannot work alone. I must take the risks and trust people anyway. After all, risk is the business of all Starfleet officers.
I am a captain. And I must act like one.
***
Galdalf: Ah, that was a very refreshing sleep, time to do more translation wor- Fuck! The king! Not very easy to do translations when there's a threat of death! Thankfully I am used to working under pressure
Artoria: I can help if you like! Since I can't leave the castle I can't do a lot of my magecraft experiments anyway
Galdalf: Sounds like a plan! What I'm translating is, as I've mentioned, the inscription on the Bad Ring
Artoria: is excited to work with a mage more experienced than her who isn't Merlin on anything I see. Can I see this ring?
Galdalf: Here we are
Artoria: Oh wow, its.... not very ornate is it? Is it bad partially because the designer was lazy?
Galdalf: Actually, the designer is the Dark Lord Simon. But I guess we can call him lazy, yeah. He's not got a very good eye for decor.
Artoria: nods I know the type. Well, let's see what Simon says, then!
Galdalf: The inscription is only visible when exposed to flame. It's written in an Evil Language. Mainly, French
Artoria: Oh! I can set things on fire! One of my specialties is homemade fire bombs and— long pause Merlin says is shouldn't mention that bit. Oh, I know French that's the language the Fairies speak! Almost like the Fairies invading our plane of existence was often a metaphor for the French invading—haha what am I even saying
Galdalf: This French is a very special brand of French. From a dark and terrible land by the name of...I can't even speak the name...okay, fine, Quebec.
Artoria: Quebec? That sounds like the kind of place that would push for independence even if it was mostly relying on the support of the rest of a country to support itself.
Galdalf: I think you have it down pat, Artoria. Not a place I wish to revisit any time soon…. I must reiterate, I do not possess the Bad Ring. That is in the hand of my friend, Fraggle Batches. If I were to possess the Bad Ring, I'd be no better than an Evil Ghost. It's a very corrupting influence. Now you may ask - what about my friend who does possess the Bad Ring? Gotta be honest, I wasn't thinking that far ahead
Artoria: Oh, I'm sure it will work out. Merlin had me pull out this powerful magical staff from a rock when I was just a little kid, and I've only accidentally blown up a FEW things with it!
Buster: I was meant to have an appointment with The King this evening, but when I went to his quarters he wasn’t there. Elvis had left the building.
Artoria: The King's name was Elvis?
Buster: Uh-huh
Galdalf: Yeah I'm calling bs on that one
Bryan: Elvis is a terrible name for a king.
Galdalf: Or a great name for an elf. Untold adventures have been happening to me in my absence. I was exploring the deepest part of the library, looking for books to help me translate the black language (Quebecois French) when I came across a book that has never been opened.
Why do I know this book hasn't been opened? It told me so. It's a talking book, you see. Open it I did, and it declared that it could help me with my translations. Unsurprisingly, I was very excited by this. I asked the talking book (which kept telling me that it's a "tablet" and that its name is "Siri", but I know a book when I see one) how it could do this.
"Looking up ancient ring inscriptions on Google", it said. Dunno what that meant, but it did take me to a page that showed an encyclopedia of ring inscriptions. Too many to count, really. Now, I'm an experienced witch. I know when I'm being duped. The book, Siri, whatever you wanna call it, when I asked it to translate the ring for me, it took me instead to a song.
Get this - the book fucking rickrolled me. Honestly. I thought I was better than that. Fucking ancient books. This one clearly was built to simply annoy people. Avoid the lower library levels, folks. I also found a musical wind-up box which only plays Wonderwall. We clearly have poltergeists. Those are our Evil Ghosts
***
Meanwhile, Gem has returned to her ready room and is pacing back and forth, thinking very hard. A cup of earl grey is held in her magic. Then she hears someone knocking at the door, and she looks up.
Gem: “Come!”
Aife: If you have a moment, Captain?
Gem: Yes, Ms. MacMurrough? What may I do for you?"
Aife: There’s something about the curse that I didn't share with you right away. And despite the circumstances, I feel ready to trust you.
Gem nods. "You have my complete attention. Continue."
Aife: She breathes in and puts her hands together. "The enchantments I've put on myself over the last few years will have disguised this, but I wasn't, ah. Born like this. Woman-like."
"I was expected to be more of a warrior, if you know what I'm getting at."
Gem nods, "I do. But you felt as if that warrior was not what you were?" There's something interesting in her face... a look of acceptance, and preparation. The slightest nervous flick in her tail.
Aife: ”Exactly that, ma'am. I was about to be inducted into the warrior band of the Fianna, but... well. I tried to speak to my mother, but my father burst in at just the wrong time."
"I think, if he had not known, I might have been alright. I think it is because he found out that the curse has come upon me, because that is when I was cut off the family tree."
"And the coven wouldn't take me either. So I've been wandering e'er since."
"I just." She kicks the ground. "Thought it could be useful to know."
Gem takes Aífe's hands in hers and whispers softly, "I thank you for telling me, and trusting me with this... I feel I must return the favor... and to ask you a question."
Aife: ”Please."
Gem nods, takes a very deep breath, summons up every scrap of courage she has, and begins. "I am... like you. Born as one, grew into another. My mother loved me and accepted me when I told her what I really was, and so did the ponies in the towns I called home... it was not until I prepared to take the Academy exams that I ran into trouble."
"There was one admiral who had somehow managed to uncover my original birth information, and brought this up to the Academy chancellor as a reason to deny my application. He said he felt that a cadet who would willingly lie about such a thing did not deserve the privilege of attending there, little yet the rank I wanted."
"But the chancellor... I have known this man since I was five years old, when I first set a cautious hoof on the floor of his shuttlebay and told him I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. He was one of the first people I told, after my mother. And he accepted me just as much as she did."
"So when this admiral came to him and told him my application should be rejected, not only did the chancellor refuse to reject it, he told the admiral that if he ever tried anything like this again, that admiral would be dishonorably discharged."
"The chancellor's name was Jean-Luc Picard, and in ways big and small, he has shaped me into the mare I am now. I never did learn the admiral's name, but it doesn't matter. Allies can be powerful, if we allow them to be, and if they prove they are worthy of the title. And Picard has done all of that and more."
When she's finished all this, she looks into the other woman's eyes. "I'm presently in the last phase of my first seven year mission. I have already been cleared for a second. My Fenririan first officer has been offered a command of her own, and I've encouraged her to take it. What I would like to know is if you would like to take her place. The universe can be a difficult environment for beings like us, and we need all the safety in numbers we can get. And though we've only known each other a short time... I feel in my heart I can trust you."
"So... what do you think?"
Aífe is tearing up. "These last years, I have wanted more than anything to belong. A coven." She places a hand on Gem's shoulder. "I will happily join your crew, so long as you don't turn out to be a murderous ghost."
Gem raises her hand. "On my word as an officer, I am no ghost. You came here on your own, but you will not leave here in the same way."
"For no one is alone on the USS Endeavour. And as long as I am her captain, no one ever will be."
Then she smiles. "There is a ceremony to these things... a speech I have to give, an entry into the ship logs... but given the circumstances, I think one or two timing adjustments are in order. What say you... Commander?" A playful wink.
Aife: She beams. "Sure go on, so!"
Gem teleports over a scroll and a quill, dictating as she speaks. "Then let it be noted that as of stardate 76359.7, you have been granted the rank of acting Commander with all the associated rights and privileges thereof, pending your application and acceptance to Starfleet Academy." She shakes Aífe's hand. "Welcome aboard."
Aife: ”Lovely! Thank you so much for this, Gem. This feels like an entirely improbable turn of good fortune, like being made Vice President of a publishing house or somesuch."
Gem grins, "Funny how luck works, is it not?” She notes the time, and her smile fades. “The hour is late, Number One... and no doubt the ghosts are ready to claim their next victim. Return to your quarters and get what rest you can, I feel this nightmare has only just begun.”
Aífe nods and salutes her captain for the first time. "Aye aye, ma'am. But before I do, one question... why did you call me Number One just now?”
Gem: ”It is an ancient British naval tradition," Gem replies, "And it has quite a long history within Starfleet as well. Though in my specific case? I call you that because that is how Picard addressed William T. Riker when they served on the Enterprise together. It seemed only appropriate for me to do the same.”
Aífe nods, and smiles. "Thank you, Captain... it feels very nice to be a part of something. Have a good night.”
Gem smiles back. "You as well, Number One. Dismissed."
Shark: This is getting a bit mushy.
Bryan: Feel free to intervene any time you like, I’m happy to watch how this plays out.
Shark: Whatever. Suit yourself. I haven’t got the energy.
Bryan: You’re secretly into this. I see you Shark. You can’t admit it, but you like them together.
Shark: HOW DARE YOU BRYAN.
Bryan: You’re in my mind. I see everything you see, your thoughts are not hidden in there.
Shark: Well I… you… DID YOU REALLY NEED TO SAY THAT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE???!!?
Gem just starts to laugh, as all her composure falls away and suddenly she's just an ordinary unicorn in silly clothes. "Mr. Bryan, Mr. Shark... I am very glad the two of you are here. You brighten the atmosphere tremendously.”
Commander Aífe falls into giggles too — it feels good. She's scarcely smiled since coming here.
Nightfall
You fools! You have not voted to execute anyone! We will never find out who committed regicide at this rate!
This means that there is very little to report as we are enveloped by the darkness. Some will need to take actions in the night. People such as the three EVIL GHOSTS who are all very much ALIVE! Do none of you fear for your safety!?
In any case, at least we can be sure that The King survives, which is something. Presumably, their first two Patronages will be secretly distributed now. I hope this makes you all happy.
You will know that your Patronage is genuine if you get a message that says: “Patronage Alert! You have been granted the [X] Patronage!”
I will see you all in the morning... unless of course you do not all make it through the night alive!
Captain’s log, stardate 77666.3: First, the positive news. I have acquired two new crew members today: Ensign Agatha Alden and Commander Aífe MacMurrough. Ms. MacMurrough and I had a heart-to-heart shortly before nightfall, and I was so touched by what she had to say that I offered her the position of first officer, to replace Commander Lykos when she accepts command of the USS Larissa. It is my fondest hope that we all survive long enough to return to the ship.
That brings me to the second piece of news, one that I am decidedly less happy about. Shortly after nightfall, I received another note when I returned to my ready room following the commissioning ceremony: I was made a rook. The description for that patronage reads as follows: “If the King is targeted in the night, this person dies instead. This process takes place automatically. If this role is held by a Ghost, it is rendered null.”
It was as if I had laid eyes upon my own death warrant already. I felt a cold chill go down my spine, as if I could already feel a wolf waiting to pounce. While I very much doubt the ghosts have any more of an idea as to the identity of the king than the rest of us do, I am still concerned.
So much so that I immediately convened a meeting with those aforementioned new officers, and discussed things with them. We agreed that I should keep my silence (as a captain ought to do) rather than blurt things out, as Emerald did. It worked out for her, but it might not work for me. Besides which: my training will not permit me to speak to anyone other than my senior staff.
I hope I do not die tonight. While chances are slim, they are also not zero.
One thing is for certain: I will not be able to sleep tonight either.
Buster: What do Galdalf and Henry VIII have in common? Green sleeves.
Dear Mina,
Spent most of today on a side-quest looking for new pen so that I can write to you, after last one broke. Thankfully, we unanimously voted not to execute anyone today. But tomorrow, that blasted Poxxy Cardinal is FORCING us to execute someone!!! I am extremely stressed, but shall try to get some sleep.
Your ever-loving
Jo
In the gift shop, Captain Hook closes for the day, removing his Hook because wearing a sharp object while sleeping is about as ill-advised as going off on a random kid because they said the name "Peter" one time. As he walks by the window, he notices that one of the stars outside is of exceptional brightness... the second one to the left. The first step in reaching the fairylands.
"I do hope Smee is alright back there... I didn't mean to abandon you, Smee, it's just that... well, the Crocodile was chasing me and I had to get away. You understand, right?" He chuckles. "Oh, of course you do. You always understand. That's why you're the best on the ship- yes you are, don't be modest! I hope my crew respects you while I'm gone. Do be warned though; I'll be back soon enough!"
He walks away and into his bedroom underneath the Gift Shop.
Jo: Look, er, have we considered the possibility that the @Bren might have killed the King by accident? Only, well, he does carry around a number of weapons, and he can be quite clumsy.
Gem: “I certainly hope not, but the possibility is there.”
Chef: as he pops up from behind a table, his hat flops around "Zeere-a is nu ruom fur meestekee-a in zee-a keetchee-a, oune-a vrung meesteke-a und BOOM."
Gem: “Speak of Tirek, and Tirek will appear,” Gem mutters to herself. “In all seriousness, it is impossible for him to have killed the King. He is simply too ridiculous to commit murder.”
Jo: Yes. well, we've seen you make quite a few mistakes already, haven't we? Like when you threw a sandwich at me and got jam all over my blue tunic.
Chef: ”Vell zeengs get fery stressffuol in zee-a keetchee-a, sumetimes yuou hefe-a a leettle-a vhuopsy duo. Buot drupped suondviches dun't meke-a zee-a heelt inspectur a teensy ungry iff zeey're-a puot in been fery quoickly."
Victoria walked through the castle, trying to settle herself. She shivered a little. She knew she wasn’t supposed to overhear the conversation between Gem and Aífe, but she’d been leaning against the wall when she heard things, that reminded her of her situation…of mother, and father…and everything that came after…no. She’d swept her fringe over eyes to hide the tears, and stalked away.
Now she was fidgeting with her gun, she tried to fire it out of a window, but the shot she’d fired in the coffin turned out to be the only ammo she had. Anything else had been removed from her person.
Ah, hell.
She continued to pull the trigger regardless of her lack of bullets, the gun felt good to fidget with and after it had been out of her hand for so long comforted her.
Vessel? Are you okay? I mean, not that I care, or anything.
Chaos addressed her, but the note of slight concern that had crept into her voice belied her words.
Victoria took a deep breath, went to speak, before she found she could not and shook her head and went back to fidgeting with her gun.
Gem is out wandering herself, her captain’s composure back in place. As she nears Victoria’s location, she clears her throat softly and asks, “Are you alright, Ms. Valentine? You seem troubled.”
Victoria wiped her eyes and tried to rearrange her face into a mask, her customary facade almost back in place. Hmph. She said, trying to give an impression of detachment, and only just failing.
A little, thank you for your concern. I…no, I don’t want to trouble you. Perhaps if we both live, we’ll talk more. I must leave now, but thank you.
She gave Gemini a slight smile, made her gauntleted hand into a fist and stalked away in search of somewhere to sleep.
Gem smiles back, returning the fist with a Vulcan salute, before making her own way off.
Galdalf: Fairly sure nobody is awake now, but that just means it's prime opportunity to get some translation work done. Right now I've found something that may help me decipher this inscription… On page 12 there's an old stain but still, helpful… Maybe I shall finally understand the mysterious language of the Quebecois, and finally know for certain if we're dealing with the Bad Ring...
Artoria: brings you coffee, organizes notes, refills inkwell
Agatha: flicks through her notes Busy day today. A bit worried about what the morning will bring.
Galdalf: Nearly through my coffee. Time for the hot chocolate, I guess. Then it'll be tea. Yet still no closer to this translation. Alas. It's a big work