B.M.A. [8/11/17]: Where They Get Got

"Hello, Classified, it's nice to meet you. Can I call you 'Classy' or do you prefer to be referred to as Ms. Information?"

Vivian: Continue exploring the ship.

“What about your name, is that classified information too?”
“I'm afraid so. When I was assigned to this project I was sworn to secrecy and I won't betray that trust.”
“But you're not even working for the imperials anymore! This is a rebel ship now!”
“Be that as it may, but the nature of my tasks hasn't changed even if the person giving me orders wears a different uniform now. I won't jeopardize the integrity of this mission.”
“I have to call you something.”
“What's wrong with 'you there’? It worked perfectly fine for the Elsingians.”
“No, no, that won't do, it has to be something classier. Classy, classified...how about Cassie?”
“I’m not sure…”
“It could be your secret code name.”
“Oh! Then it's perfect! I like it!”
“Pleased to meet you Cassie! My secret codename is 'Vivian’ but you can call me Viv if you want to.”

You make a conspiratorial wink and nudge before saying your goodbyes, leaving Cassie humming happily as she works. You think you made a good impression on her and technically you did not even lie - you took the name Vivian when you moved to the empire because your lizardfolk name is kinda hard for humans to pronounce, and you wanted to fit in.

Side objective achieved - Make a new friend!





A) Captain’s quarters, Helm
B) Sickbay
C) Gun deck
D) Galley
E) Common room
F) Crew quarters
G) Officer quarters
H) Storage, Workshops
I) ~Mystery room~
J) Engine room

I) Aft stairwell
II) Main loading hatch, Main stairwell
III) Secondary loading hatch
IV) Fore stairwell

Where to next? The areas you have explored are highlighted in white. Your cabin resides in area F.

I fully support this policy of dibs-calling. Make your way to area F.

It looks like you'll have to go through H to get there, so you might as well inspect the cargo and the workshops. What sort of things are made down here? Is the cargo stowed securely? An unbalanced load could capsize the ship in a storm, you know!

I'm gonna go with the crew quarters too. Always search for the comfiest pile of dirty fabrics in the ship to sleep on! As your long since eaten great great uncle used to say (even though you've never met him) "Low expectations always make a Lizardfolk happy!"

The Mystery Room is guarded by Cassie, who is a firm believer in not letting in unclassified people - you. Maybe getting to know her better would help?



Stowing cargo properly is an entire field of expertise in its own right. Back at the swamp your family used to own a punt that rotted during a particularly rainy dry season and you have watched stevedores working in case they dropped something you could salvage, and that is as far as your knowledge of maritime affairs goes. The odds of you being able to help are slim.

You take the stairs along the main loading hatch but entry to the workshops is closed on this side too - you need permission from someone in charge.

Side quest added - gain entry to the workshop area.

You peer through the keyhole. The area is dimly lit by light permeating through ventilation shafts, and from your restricted vantage point you can make out something that looks like carpentry shop. Surely whittling is one of the ways the crew to amuses itself during long journeys, but what you are hoping to see is a loom. What you wouldn’t give to try your hand at one of those fancy mechanical ones!



That is a good idea, you would not want to make a scene at the dinner table. But there is one thing you need to do first...





The next area smells of varnish and spent sweat. This is where the common seamen would sleep in hammocks, their empty slings now swaying listlessly as the ship rocks. Along the walls are narrow wooden cupboards for the crew's personal effects, but going through them would be terribly rude.



They also happen to be firmly locked.

There is only a handful of people on board and everyone is entitled to the luxury of having a cabin, so there is no need to call dibs. Your room is at the fore part of the common room where petty officers would be stationed. You go there.



The inside is furnished sparsely with a cot, chest, wardrobe and a writing desk.



Your cot is now laden with the comfiest pile of dirty fabrics raided from the laundry hamper. In theory you could have used clean linen instead, but growing up at the swamp instills a certain kind of modesty into a person. Your great grand uncle Jerky - widely recognized as one of the most sagacious swamp dwellers ever born - was fond of saying 'lowered expectations are key to happiness’. He died as he taught, in a tragic accident involving a lit fart, and his folksy wisdom has served as cautionary tale to impressionable youth ever since.



You could store your valuables in the chest but at the moment you have none (0). You hope that this will change in the near future…?



You have little use for the wardrobe. It was bit of a culture shock to discover that humans wear clothes even indoors, and led to some quite awkward situations. Lizardfolk have a rather ambivalent attitude towards clothing to begin with - it's not like you have anything to hide - and most of the time wear just a cloak to ward off rain. Taking your clothes off before entering someone's hut is seen as good manners because then you are not carrying mud inside.



The desk has several drawers, and you see that you have been furnished with paper and ink. Other items you find are spare nibs, fleam, shears, some coins of unknown origin, needle, yarn, lint, three buttons of different colors and shapes, tweezers, paperclips, and stopcock grease. The bottom drawer is locked and you do not have the key, but when you tilt the table you can hear something rolling around in there.

You sit down for a moment. It is the first time in your life you have had a room of your own, but its emptiness starts feeling oppressive after a while. Your family is loud and quarrels a lot, but at the same time they were always there for you...and you left even without being able to say your goodbyes. You need to get out of here before the silence grows deafening!



You dash out of the room and straight into someone's​ midriff, driving the air out of them. “You!” they gasp for breath, doubled over on the floor “They chose you!?”

Quickly rub stopcock grease on yourself in panic. Explain (falsely) that this is an act of contrition among your people.

Nervously apologize to the bulky stranger whom we clearly do not recognize and have never seen before and got no clue who it is.

Also point out that you are someone else, not the lizard they expected.



EASY PEASY, girl! This is what your [mystery entry] stat was made for.

> Depends on he means by chose. If he's talking being entrusted with the glowy egg crystal, then it was less a choice and more a "there's a person that probably won't turn around and hand it straight to the guys we are protecting it from" thing.
(...I think.)

>Huh? Who? What? Who the heck even is this guy? You're sure you haven't met them before, have you?

Vivian:
Tell the "doctor" that he needs to "look" at Blake and "treat" his injury.

All the winking and elbow nudging makes you start to think you might need medical attention too. Ask if anyone knows where you could get some.

The chaise has to be there for a reason! Open up to the Doctor, tell them how it feels to possibly be the only sane person in this ship.
>Vivian: Disseminate

“Hi boss, hi miss Vivian. How can I help you today?”, the lanky rabbitfolk doctor(?) intones as you enter.

The cramped room smells of a hundred different things, of camphor oil and formalin and exotic herbs both bitter and sweet. To your left is a cabin with dozens of glass jars where weird things float suspended in time by chemical bath. To your right is a lustrous red leather couch, and you sit gingerly on its edge.



You explain that you bumped into the tiger accidentally and now he needs attention
“He does indeed seem a bit choleric, more so than usually” the rabbit replies and steeples his fingers to take a good look before he rises from his chair. Blake grumbles and denies being hurt, but the rabbit is already prodding him and stretching his limbs.

“I determine the pain you feel as pent up stress tension exacerbated​ by a sharp blow to the stomach. I prescribe muscle relaxant herbal infusion, and as your physician recommend taking a three week vacation from stressful duties.”
“Not possible.”
“Your entire back is one giant knot, and you are well on your way of getting a stomach ulcer.”
“Later. I rest when I'm done.”
“Taking down the entire human empire is going to last longer than your body will.”
“We'll see about that.”

With that Blake makes his exit, nodding at you as he goes and leaving you alone with the doctor.



The rabbit sighs and sits down behind his desk. You notice that it is a cardboard box instead of real wood for some reason.

“You know, we have this same discussion every week. I like to think it’s his weird way of showing appreciation-” he inhales then crumples into a ball of resignation “-but I’m afraid that it’s his perfectly ordinary way of showing stubbornness.”
He shakes his head, then perks up. “So, what can I do for you?”
“Tell me your name for starters? You have me at disadvantage, doctor!”
“Sorry, miss! I am Doctor Lapin, MD, at your service.”
“I thought they accepted only humans to medical school?”
“Doctor is my given name not a title. I can see how that might cause confusion, but my parents were very optimistic about my prospects.”
“You’re pretty open about being a fraud, mister!”



“What can I say, lying feels complicated so it’s easier to tell people the truth. Besides, I’m not a fraud - I practice the medical tradition that has been among my people for centuries: herbal infusions, chiropracty, breathing exercises and so on. That’s what the MD stands for.”
“I see...what are those things over there then?” You point at the jars.
“Oh I consider myself bit of a naturalist, those are curious specimens I have collected over the years.”
“I guess everybody needs a hobby, but-”
“They’re also my lunch.”
“What.”



“Like this here!”
“Eww, what is it? Brain in a jar?”
“No, pickled cucumbers!”
“Oh. Can I have one?”
“No, as your physician I prescribe you one. It’s good for your body humors!”





You would like to unburden your heart and Lapin is at least sympathetic even if his credentials are a tad dubious. You intend to ask about the things foremost in your mind, glowing magic crystals and becoming a weapon, but you still your tongue - Blake warned you about telling anyone just seconds ago, and this rabbitfolk seems incapable of keeping secrets. Instead you let your mind wander.

“I don’t know about this, doc. It feels like such a huge burden suddenly placed on my shoulders. And what about my family and friends back home, how are they faring with me away?”
“I know Blake personally. He may sound harsh, but he is also a very fair man. If you are with us then it means he will have someone to look after your loved ones.”
“And if I don’t want to?”
“He wouldn’t force you. I’m sure he would let you go if that’s what you honestly wanted.”
“I think it might be more complicated than that…”



You clamp up with the conflicting emotions roiling in your chest. You are afraid, of course, but also a little bit hopeful… which is marred by growing worry of being used by these people only to be tossed aside. You do not know what to do!

“Miss Vivian, please tell me something. We picked you after our mission in Vanda where you had been living for a while. How you ended up moving to the imperial capital?”
You shrug. “There was nothing left for me at the swamps. I picked up what little possessions I and my twin little sisters had and went to the big city to make ends meet. My useless brother followed us afterwards.”
“Just like thousands of beastfolk before you, and the orcs before them?”
“Yeah.”
“And tell me, at any point did you feel like you belonged? Felt accepted?”
You blink. “...No, of course not. It’s a human city!”



“That’s the thing with the empire. They are keen to talk about bringing progress and stability, but less so when it comes to talking about the cost that other people pay. The bright future they are building is not meant for the likes of us, and they’re not even hiding it.”
“But I’ve heard that they’ve built up towns in the colonies, and that trade is flourishing, it can’t be all bad?”
“It isn’t, of course. There’s always someone who profits - and that is part of the problem. They don’t care who they work with and who has to suffer as long as it’s the most convenient solution. They don’t think in terms of good and evil, but whether you’re useful or not.”
“So you have a personal stake in this?”
“Everyone on this ship is collateral damage of the empire’s expansion, one way or another. Well, everyone except me - my family has a cushy job overseeing the Bunnyland redevelopment project - but others, human and beastfolk alike, have suffered.”
“Bunnyland?”



Before Lapin can start to explain how the ancestral homeland of his people got its name, a figure slams open the door. It is the Captain!

“We are under attack! Ready yourselves!”




Who is this captain? Let’s find out!

Please fill in the following details:

Gender: Coin flip - either, because see personal style.
Race: Human (because, I find it funny to have a Human captain of the ship of people marginalized by the Human Empire.)
Trait: Better than you. Not in skills, or ability, but in honor, and morals, and steadfastness. The Captain is a leader and is just such a force of goodness that they are the beacon by which to guide the crew.
Personal Style: The Captain is a child. About Vivian's height, with oversized (but clearly posh) clothing. Agree with Tegerioreo --> Maritime coat, tri-corn hat, epaulets, and tassels. How did this kid get in command? Who knows, but they command the respect of the crew.
Approachability: In true commanderism, The captain knows their strengths, and their weaknesses, and knows when to delegate. The Captain holds themselves to a high standard, but tries to remain friendly and open. Largely, their duties keep them busy, so most interaction with The Captain is done up through the chain of command, to the First Mate, or down as an order. However, the Captain will show a softer side when you need support. The Captain tries to uphold the image of regal command, and so tries not to fraternize with the crew idly.
True Will: ~Fated Destiny~