And we're all adrift together through the cold mist, 'til we're lifeless together

[dokkalfheimr]

[The preparations hit differently this time.

Last weekend was at least an attempt at being festive, even with the light supplies they have; at being joyous, at giving people at least one nice thing to look back upon before things inevitably took a turn for the worse. And now two people are dead, and instead of trying to figure out structure placement and how best to keep everyone entertained and occupied and well-fed, the preparations now are given to much more practical purposes.

Large amounts of bottled water from the machine. Bagels and bread and muffins, light starchy things to avoid forcing anyone to keep meat or seafood down after seeing a corpse. Fruit for the sake of providing energy. Avoiding including bananas for any reason. Quietly pulling aside one of the first people she sees with any experience in the matter and asking them to help her make tea.

Once she's got one of the tables at the party zone set up and the tea is on its way to being prepared, she'll set around letting people know; the invitations are simple, written in Freyja's broad, elegant handwriting:

I think another gathering tonight would be beneficial. Not to celebrate, but to remember; perhaps more importantly, to ensure that no one is alone if they don't want to be.

Tonight is hard. There is nothing further to do but get through it.]

Comments

[ltcommandroid]

Correct.

[There's a twitch to Data's eyebrows that could almost be amused, if we hadn't just covered this.]

What happened was tragic and regrettable, but I am incapable of mourning either loss. [...] How are you feeling?

[scouserer]

I have a feeling that 'tragic' and 'regrettable' are going to become reoccurring motifs on this ship.

[A pause.]

Me? I'm right as rain. What do you care, anyways?

[It's a lie, of course. Constantine does nothing but lie about himself. He fidgets slightly in his seat, tilting his head to the side.]

[ltcommandroid]

[Data tilts his head as well.]

I am concerned for your emotional well-being. It is only natural that events like this would be distressing.

[scouserer]

Well, don't. I'm perfectly capable of caring for my own emotional well-being, thanks.

[Liar.]

Do you happen to fear death, Mr. Data?

[ltcommandroid]

No human is entirely self-sufficient. You are social by nature.

[Though he would certainly understand if you preferred another human, or even another organic being.]

I would much prefer not to die. But I suppose it would be inaccurate to say that I fear it.

[scouserer]

I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

[Oh, please. Constantine is just a miserable bastard who tries to keep everyone at arm's length, if he can. He grunts.]

What happens if you need maintenance, then? Or need to be shut off for something? Surely that's a form of death, init?

[ltcommandroid]

I suppose you could view it that way. But in that case, I would be reactivated.

[So, you know, not all that much like death?]

There are few procedures that require me to shut down entirely. I am capable of doing much of my own maintenance.

[scouserer]

[Listen, Constantine knows like -1 things about robots besides, like, magical constructs, but magical constructs usually have an obvious purpose like ‘killing things’ or ‘protecting a person’ and aren’t entirely sapient. This is a completely new territory of thinking!

Though, something Data says does make him raise an eyebrow.]

Shard said he couldn’t self-repair here. If someone caught you off guard and tried to attack you, what would you do?

[ltcommandroid]

I would attempt to restrain them. I am most likely physically stronger than anyone else here, so I believe I would have a good chance of success.

[Not totally discounting one of those weird murdergame swerves, but. He's pretty tough, at least.]

I am not capable of responding in fear. [Like Shard, he does not say]

[scouserer]

Unlike Shard, then.

[Which Constantine does say. Unfortunately.]

[ltcommandroid]

[Data inclines his head.]

Yes.