New kid on the block

[ezra_of_lothal]

WHO: Ezra and anyone, shipmates especially welcome
WHERE: Network and hangar
WHAT: Introductions and settling in
WHEN: Mid Feb/first few days after Ezra arrives
WARNINGS: Some discussion of violence and body horror

.
A. Network [Video]

So, I'm new. My name's Ezra Bridger. I'm from Lothal, if you know where that is.

Mr. Vanth recommended I go by the hangar, so I'll be doing that in a little while, if you want to say hello face to face. It looks like I'm assigned to the Vanquish. Whatever that means, in a practical sense.

I guess my first question is - what needs doing around here? I have some experience scavenging and setting up base in only sort of habitable spots, but this situation doesn't quite fit anything I've done before.

How are we doing on, oh, food?

B. Hangar

He can see why people might congregate here. It's a relatively enclosed, defendable space, and the ships have systems that are probably easier to maintain than the entire infrastructure of a mostly abandoned city. And it's familiar to him, too, sharing ships about this size with a handful of people.

On the other hand, before he joined the crew of the Ghost, he'd had an entire communications tower to himself. It had taken him a while to get used to sharing a cabin with Zeb, and adjusting to all the demands of being part of a crew.

He hasn't made up his mind, which living situation he's leaning towards, here and now. He plans to pitch in, regardless, that's nothing wrong with having some space to himself again.

Once he actually lets himself onto the Vanquish, he's very open about looking around, and a little more cautious about touching than he'd been years ago, the first time he really was on a ship. Years of Hera being particular about her ship have made their mark.

Anyone he come across, he tries to shoot them a friendly smile.

Comments

B

[tempredmental]

[When Ezra got to the hangar, he found Keith finishing up on some work on the Bloodsport. Keith glanced at him, caught the smile, and nodded back in greeting.]

Hey. New here?

Re: B

[ezra_of_lothal]

Very new. I'm Ezra.

[tempredmental]

Keith. Nice to meet you.

[He nodded, noting the other seemed to be headed for the Vanquish.]

Are you on that ship?

[ezra_of_lothal]

That's what I'm listed under on the communicator thingy. What that means - no idea yet.

[tempredmental]

Oh, that just means you'll be on that ship when we head out to do like missions and stuff. [Keith shrugged.] I'm on the Bloodsport.

[ video ]

[beholding_archivist]

[ And for a change Jon willingly turns on the video feed to greet Ezra with a little nod and a smile. ]

Hello, Mr. Bridger. I'm Jonathan Sims and- I admit I'm unfamiliar with Lothal. If tis is the name of a planet, then Earth would be the one I come from.

It appears we will be stuck on the same ship should we get sent out again. I left some tea on the Vanquish, which you are welcome to.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Yeah, Lothal's a planet. And I've never heard of Earth. Hmm. [Who names their planet 'Earth'?]

I won't say no to tea, at least without giving it a try. Thanks. [He'd take coffee too. He's not picky, and both have some positive associations with some of his favorite people.]

So we're shipmates. And the ships just...sit there, unless we're being, um, sent out?

[beholding_archivist]

I'm surprised there are so many planets inhabited by humans, I must admit. And I can't claim familiarity with either of them.

[ Don't worry, Ezra. It's good tea. Though Jon would drink coffee as well, he's too British not to have stored tea almost everywhere.

He nods and gives a little sigh. ]

As far as I know they don't start unless we are required to use them.

[ezra_of_lothal]

I guess that keeps them from being stolen in an effort to get away, but it's also just stupid. We could be using them to explore more of this planet. You know, the entire area effected by the storms, not just this corner.

[beholding_archivist]

I know, I know. I have been thinking the same. Even tried asking the Agrii, but... You see where we are still.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Continued from here.]

Ezra grins at BD-1; the little droid seems pretty cheerful. He's used to Chopper and AP's various forms of grumbling.

"Yeah, communicating with animals, I'm pretty good at. I'm sure there are all kinds of things I don't know because I only have a few years of training. I did have a lightsaber, but I left it behind when I went up to the fleet, since I was supposed to be surrendering. Kinda regret not having it now."

[out_of_order]

"Most of the creatures I've come across have been hostile, but I've managed to make a few friends," Cal says. "Not really my specialty though." He knows some Jedi have that affinity though, and Ezra's certainly coming off as one of those.

"I've only really just recently gotten back to the level I'd been before everything. I had to relearn a lot of things." Surrendering? "Except you weren't really surrendering," he mused with a lopsided smile as he put things together. He lifts his hands in a shrug. "Well, it might not have made it along with you anyway. It seems like the Agrii limit what comes along with people. I think I was lucky to still have BeeDee. I had a lightsaber before I got here but...it wouldn't have been much use."

[ezra_of_lothal]

"Shattered crystal?" Ezra asks, wincing in sympathy and thinking of his first lightsaber.

[out_of_order]

Of his memories from before he was brought to Agra 10, that one is the freshest. Cal nods slowly, still unsettled by the experience. "...I was on Dathomir. I've been traveling with another Jedi- seeking out a holocron that has a list of Force sensitives. The key to finding it was hidden there, and I think it was some kind of test."

He remembers the shadow of his master, the harsh words. Cal closes his eyes, shaking his head. "...I failed."

[ezra_of_lothal]

"I've been to Dathomir, briefly," Ezra says, thoughtfully. "I don't know what it was like then, and I know the people who lived there weren't Sith, but it felt...very Dark while I was there. Are you sure it was the sort of test you were meant to pass? Or even would want to?"

Bbbb

[on_repeat]

The white armor has been familiar to several of Temba's residents, but not always in the best of ways. Still, it has its distinct markings; blue stripes seem to be a theme all over the trooper's kit as Echo steps out of the Bishop.

Even just stepping outside of the ship is all very professional and poised, just like a soldier should be. Except after a beat, he glances down briefly to swat at his kama to get rid of a few lingering sparkles.

"...It'll have to do," he sighs through the vocabulator, shaking his head before looking up again to see Ezra hanging around the...well...hangar. "Hey. Are you looking for something to do?"

[ezra_of_lothal]

"I'm partly getting my bearings but sure, if there's something I can help with..."

He squints; he definitely knows that helmet shape. That can't be a coincidence, right? "Are - are those 501st colors?" he asks, a little hesitantly. It certainly looks like the blue on Rex's armor.

[on_repeat]

As soon as Ezra mentions the 501st, a click of recognition immediately sets in. "Yeah. Yes, they are." Echo's tone is tinged with the slightest bit of relief, yet it's almost as if he isn't sure if he's hearing this correctly. "You've heard of the 501st?"

[ezra_of_lothal]

"I know Rex," Ezra says, breaking into a smile. "The war was before I was born, but he still had most of his armor."

[on_repeat]

Another one further down the timeline from where Echo is, but there's a degree of consolation found in what Ezra says about Rex.

"He's still alive..." Mixed feelings color his own words, but he manages to recompose himself. "Not that I didn't doubt he'd survive. He's the captain, after all." After a moment, he decides to break the seal and remove his helmet, slipping it under one arm to reveal the same clone face – only younger. And maybe a tad concerned. "ARC-1409, Echo. How long has it been since the war ended? And where did you last see Rex?"

Network [video] for tommy

[ezra_of_lothal]

[There is, thankfully, a handy directory so Ezra sends a message directly to Tommy.]

Mr. Sims said you could use a pair of hands to help with feeding people? I'm not a great cook, but I'm good with animals, willing to learn, and happy to pitch in.

[doubled_speed]

Mr Si-

Oh! Jon! Uh, yeah. We could definitely use more worker with the diner, or the animals.

[Wow, they're just getting more people in the kitchen who can't, you know, already cook very well. Fun plans.]

[ezra_of_lothal]

[He's not actually given to formality most of the time, he just has no idea what people prefer to be called and Jon gave a full name.]

You're Tommy, right? I'm Ezra.

I guess I'll let the Agriculture Data Point scramble my brain, then.

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, I'm Tommy. And the points don't scramble your brain, geez.

[Who told him that? People need hurt for creating that idea.]

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Sorry, Tommy. He came up with that one on his own.]

I was mostly joking. But good to have some confirmation, I guess.