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[purrtagonist]

Soooo how's everyone feeling?

[THIS MESSAGE HAS A PURPOSE HE SWEARS]

Serious question, by the way. I talked to Astoria as soon as we got back, and she was pretty worried about the way I. . . felt to her?

[GOD PUTTING IT THAT WAY SOUND WEIRD]

She said that I brought something back with me from Struxta. Something dark, evil, heavy. . . wrong? I don't know about you guys but absolutely none of that is confidence inspiring. Wonder why.

[AHA]

She also told me that the wilting plants around the temple aren't normal. "Everything here seems to be just here. Present, alive, blooming," is what she said, word for word. She's never seen anything here die before.

[. . .]

I don't really know what she's talking about, especially because I feel just fine. I don't think she does yet either, though I imagine she's going to investigate. Just be careful, all right? And if you notice anything off about yourself, let me or someone else know.






Because if we all came back possessed by space demons or infected by robot tuberculosis I'm gonna be pretty pissed.

Comments

[bleps]

Yes.

I realize that none of us were sick during the time we were there. But we also don't know how this illness worked, in regards to timeframe and exact symptoms. The information we uncovered never went into that kind of detail.

This is all speculation, of course. But I'm doing my best to draw supporting connections.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . nnngh. he's right. Akira was kind of hoping their lack of illness while on Struxta meant that the virus was long gone]

This is the same sickness that apparently wiped out Struxta's biological ancestors.

Noooot exactly the most comforting of theories.

[bleps]

[…Ah. Right.]

Sorry. There is the possibility that I’m getting ahead of myself.

But even you have to admit that something that serious aligns with “dark, evil, heavy, and wrong.”

[purrtagonist]

Yeah. It does.

[much to his chagrin]

If that is what Astoria senses, then I guess our question should be, "what are our treatment options?"

[bleps]

Hard to say. Though I hate to apply a “wait and see” approach in a case like this.

I should’ve been more thorough while we were still on Struxta. But I was so focused on the Storm that I hadn’t given the research regarding the sickness the proper sort of attention.

[purrtagonist]

[aw, Connor]

Don't blame yourself. I don't think any of us really thought to take precautions against sickness when we were exploring the tunnels.

[bleps]

I still shouldn’t have glossed over it. I’m supposed to be very detail-oriented, so not taking this into consideration can only be seen as a fallacy on my part.

[Little to be done about it now, though.]

You said you think Astoria is going to investigate this further, right?

[purrtagonist]

[Connor!! Akira frowns deeply, because he doesn't agree with that at all, but also. . . he knows arguing probably won't help. so he tries a new tactic]

I still don't think you should blame yourself. But if that's how you feel, then let's focus on what we can do from here on out.

[forward-thinking Akira]

And yeah, I think so. She did ask me to show her the wilted plants.

[bleps]

[That's the way to do it, because forward-thinking and stubbornly searching for a solution is how Connor likes to operate.]

Then maybe it would be prudent for me to follow up with her on this, as well. I'll ask and see if there's anything I can do to lend a hand.

[purrtagonist]

[it's how Akira likes to operate, too. on that note, they are similar]

Good idea. The more people who talk with her. . . the better. That's what I believe.

[bleps]

Right. You seem to be more friendly with her than most of us here.

[Friendly? Familiar? He's not sure to what degree it is to apply the right term, but doesn't bother to correct himself.]

If you agree that speaking with her is a good idea, then I'll defer to your judgment as well.

[purrtagonist]

Yeah. I think I'm on pretty good terms with her, compared to Rooney else. Not that I blame anyone for wanting to keep their distance.

Astoria's a little naive. That can be dangerous, but I don't believe her intentions are malicious.

[bleps]

Naivety still isn't a trait you want from someone who's not only taken people unwillingly from their homes, but places them on foreign planets with the expectation of helping others to the best of their abilities.

I don't doubt her intentions. But this still isn't the most effective way to inspire faith.

[purrtagonist]

["compared to anyone else" wtf was that typo]

I know.

[a small sigh to himself]

A lot of people have been trying to talk her into making this a more voluntary recruitment.

[bleps]

[it's okay i knew what you meant!!]

I think she would be met with less complaints and people who are more inclined to practice the art of teamwork if she did.

Granted, not that any of us are doing a bad job of it now. But she should expect for us to be just a little suspicious.

[purrtagonist]

She does.

I don't think she likes the fact that some people here don't trust her, but she promised to do her best for us despite that. And she promised to do her best to EARN our trust, if that's what it takes.

[bleps]

Then we'll see if she manages it.

A lot hinges on how she deals with whatever "darkness" she perceives to exist. If it is from Struxta, then some of the burden of responsibility also falls on her shoulders.

[purrtagonist]

I agree.

[Akira's opinion of Astoria was slowly growing, but. . . yeah. he agreed]

I don't think she intends to shirk those responsibilities.