RECYCLEDCRAFT: Space Sex Mystery?

[peridexion]

PREMISE (example)

You awaken on a train - or a sleek-feeling spacecraft, or a boat, or even a submarine.
The shape of the craft isn't important, or even immediately apparent - but you are here, a sealed, surprisingly comfortable room with a soft bed, whereas before you were home. If home was even where you wanted to be.

"Good morning, passenger," a voice purrs; you can feel a presence with it, but there's no indication anyone is in the room with you.

There is, however, a comfortable weight along your legs, your arms, your spine... something appears ready to keep you here for a while.

What will you do?

CONTEXT

What is this, exactly? This premise is a smut spinoff of a wider continuity - the 'space'craft your character is on has taken your character from their home. It - any and all pronouns are fine, and if you OOCly have a preference just give a heads-up in your starter comment and we'll go from there - has been through quite a time recently, having lost its crew and the programming that initially determined its purpose. (Some data/facts still remain for basic navigation and specialization - see the next entry!) Nor does it remember exactly how it happened, just that something terrible happened and it has to do things more on-its-own now.

But what it can still do is (A) interpret characters' emotions and respond accordingly, (B) provide safe and sturdy transport plus life support and (C) bond intensely with those now tied to it!

This can be for a one-on-one scenario, a group account, or even joint threading if everyone would like to put in the time to sort things out! Can start with the premise above, or can be time-skipped along to where both parties are familiar with one another.

OPTIONS

What kind of 'craft are you on, anyway?
The Ace - originally a sleek fighter craft, this one was made to take to space and the skies with impunity! Very flexible, good at interpreting orders, and still carries echoes of 'tude from its former crew. And now it's focusing all that energy on you. Think you can take it?

Star-Gazer - originally a solo-craft meant for exploration, this 'craft was built to take someone far, and to provide companionship to anchor someone to reality on the way. It's designed to be cozy, and is not meant to be shared. Maybe it remembers another name alongside yours, but it no longer recalls those memories consistently. But perhaps that isn't a bad thing...

Like the Lightning - this was a mercenary's craft, passed along from generation to generation. With acute knowledge of trade routes and meticulously-crafted stealth routines to take shelter on even the most unexpected worlds, its job is to do the job - but it can't do so alone, and that's where you come in. Such a partnership does come with benefits, as a matter of course.

The Lost One* - a missioncraft, badly damaged, better suited for a group than an individual... but it has found someone, and will desperately work to make sure they are safe. Believes very strongly in doing the Just thing, but now it doubts it knows how to determine that anymore. Appears to have lost everything twice over, and has just enough memory to make it very hard to accept things at face value. Befriending this one is the most difficult possibility, but it is doable - if you wish to sincerely try.

*This IS meant to poke fun at myself, to be clear.

GENERAL SCENARIOS

Introductions - Exactly what it says on the tin.
Visiting a World - Can be just shopping, can be a 'risk of getting caught' sort of deal, or you've caught whiff of Adventure. Each 'craft will have different reactions, of course, but fun CAN be had by all!
Voidstorm* - Traveling through one of these tends to have... unique effects. Usually ones that are temporarily bad for one's sanity, but not having to be alone during them is supposed to help. Or it can just make things weirder; you never know! Don't try to break the windows and go outside, though; that's never a good idea.

*I'm not changing what it's called, because I can't think of anything better to call it. To explain 'from the outside': imagine if sex pollen were a space phenomenon you could fly through, and be directly effected mentally/emotionally. Hallucinations, particularly shared hallucinations, are common. Seeing people you love outside and feeling compelled to go out there is also possible. Other possibilities include seeing emotions as aura colors, feeling compelled to speak and act on one's deepest feelings, and not being able to understand other languages.
You can see why sex pollen wouldn't be out of place here, right?

KINKS

Anticipated Content: Mindsharing, Voyeurism and/or Exhibitionism, Sense Play, Cuddling (through atypical means), Xenophilia, Mechanophilia, Vulnerability (Emotional, Physical), Light Bondage, Body Worship.
Personal Favorites (Not required for the premise, just ones I like): Biting, Sense-sharing, Orgasm Control, Sensory Overload, Slow-to-Warm-Up, Breastplay, Lactation.
Nos: Watersports/Scat, Bloodplay, Necrophilia.

Any kinks not listed under any of these are open to discussion, as well.

Comments

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

It may have been the circumstances that had driven it here - driven it out - or it may have been Enki's abilities, but perceiving the voidcraft's emotions was much easier than normal.

There was a sense of shock, paired with relief, that rose in reaction to Enki's assurance.

At least Enki's guess was straight on.

There is no 'where' I wish to go. Or-

Second thoughts did intrude; the many signals of lost Voidtreckers, the lack of reports of their discovery in the semi-liminals attached to void platforms.

No one 'where' that matters more than any other.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

That caught Enki off guard and he paused, focusing on the hiera. "Do you want my help trying to and find them?" As soon as he asked he flushed bronze, feeling entirely like he'd overstepped, but he'd spoken before he could think about it.

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

There was a stricken pause, one that went on for longer than (likely) either party was comfortable with.... then negation.

Technology required for safe tethering does not exist on this world-

Else it would have detected it by now.

And this voidcraft is not capable of forming new tethers. Any rescues performed would need be conducted crewless.

Which was not a concept it was at-ease with, at all.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Ænki shrank down in the silence that followed. Fvadt. He really shouldn't have said anything.

And then the hiera spoke and concern sparked and then grew rapidly to worry for them. "I'm... not sure what the tethers do, but, I um, I'm not sure I like the idea of you trying to find them alone..." No. 'Not sure' was an understatement, he was definitely sure that was a bad idea.

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

The voidcraft's presence turned a touch reluctant at Ænki's observation.

It sent images of empty stations, the liminal spaces where tethers had weakened and released voidtreckers into something that was not the void proper, but certainly weren't their homes... contrasted with overtaxed office-looking spaces and the void-hubs that had been repurposed into refugee centers.

And everyone who could otherwise look is too busy.

This thought wasn't conveyed with anger, but with fact... or resignation.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae winced. He got that, needing to help because he Could and who else was there? "Okay, then, what can I do to help you? If I can't help with that directly, what can I do indirectly?"

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

Doing the voidcraft equivalent of taking a deep breath, it performed the scan that would allow it to identify what world number this was-

And its internal scanners stuttered to a stop, realizing that this cluster of worlds was familiar. The root number was the same as the one for one of the three voidtreckers that had been entangled with it at Jema'grethy!

This was part of a multiverse, then, and an annoyingly complex one. Notions of guilt, and guilt over feeling that way, crept in.

If this voidcraft were in danger, if those who designed this wider world wished to - or could - directly intercede in retrieving Their agent, wouldn't They have sought this voidcraft out by now?

With some haste, its attention returned to Æn'kae and his own worry.

Nothing at present. This world - and its wider system - are not void active, and you are not tethered to me. Who on this planet has knowledge of-

And here the question again became images, of worlds layered on top of each other, seemingly superimposed without the one damaging the other.

multiverse theory?

If it could cope with the thundering mix of emotions that might result, there could be a source of aid nearby...

But it understood that this qualified as a 'long shot'.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae chewed on his lower lip, having to take some time to process it. "I... know a little? But, um... I'll admit it's very little." He'd dealt with pockets of subspace, even beyond using it for warp travel, but not alternate universes. But oh, elements, he wasn't sure he'd manage to avoid it forever.

"If you need someone who really knows it I umm, I can put a query to the Federation representative at the settlement. Starfleet seems to get tangled in that sort of thing more than we do. Even... even if they can't send someone I can request the information and I think I can sort it out if they're willing to share?"

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

There were some immediate regrets in 'voicing' this line of action... but neither were there ways it could think of to better pull in a third option, plus relying solely on the Ministry to finish the job was undesirable to the voidcraft at this time.

It sent Æn'kae an image of a device, like his own, transmitting a message.

What matters is the communication, not just what is communicated.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae raised an eyebrow. "Are you wanting to send a message to another dimension?" When he knew what they were trying to do he could start figuring out who or what might be needed to do that. He certainly didn't have a clue where to start, but he could figure it out.

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

Yes.

Something simple to confirm, even if everything that came after that... wouldn't be.

Then it sent an image of the site around them.

What is next to be done here?

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae nodded. He'd talk to the Federation representative while walking with Roj later.

The shift back to here and now caught him off guard and he gave a small chuckle, shrugging. "Honestly? Mostly just a bit more of the same. Someone will probably replant later... or maybe even take advantage of the cleared out area to put up a small house."

He had to admit the idea tempted him, but he also didn't know how much time he'd manage to spend here in the long run. So better let someone have it who'd be able to really use it.

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

The hiera's response to that was somewhat mixed; without being able to tell if this space was needed for someone's expansion, it didn't seem right somehow.

One of the other downsides for traveling without looking ahead.

It sent an image of itself, moving elsewhere on the planet. Will have to relocate?

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae frowned a bit at the initial reaction. On one hand he appreciated it, on the other, he wanted to make sure any concern was put at ease. "Not until you are ready," he insisted, adamant.

"I know we'll need to expand beyond the initial settlements, but there isn't a rush. And... I suspect most of those who weren't already on the flotilla are waiting to make sure the settlements will last the year." They were too scared to trust the idea of a home. And who could blame them? As much as he believed in this as the perfect new homeworld... he couldn't even really think of it was his home.

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

That seemed settled for the moment, then, or perhaps the season.

The voidcraft sent an image of a clock, an otherwise-errant question occurring to it. This it paired with a visual of day shifting to night and back again.

What is the length of a day here?

The internal clock it used for void travel was in the vicinity of 29 hours, a custom mod based on calendars from both its homeworlds, but it understood the matter to be quite variable across inhabited worlds.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae had to pause to think at that, and then gave up and went into his computer. "It looks like the day cycle is about 23 hours by Federation time. I'm not sure if you have the same measurement for hours they do though. I know we don't, though I umm I think that's probably going to change."

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

That is true.

Came the quick agreement; dealing with interplanetary standards like this could provide its own problems.

A few more quick illustrations for rest, combined again with the clock, came through.

What portion of a 'day' do people here spend asleep?

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Another pause while he considered. "Overall I'd say maybe about a third of it? Maybe a bit more or less. I'm not entirely sure. Sorry."

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

Internally, the voidcraft classified that as within nominal/normal standards for humanoid lifeforms.

It could investigate further another time, perhaps.

Thank you, it projected, seeing it as only reasonable for how much Æn'kae had been engaging in this pseudo-charades without giving up to seek someone else as a go-between.

This time more with feeling than even images, it questioned what Æn'kae intended to do next, right now.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae ducked his head, flushing somewhat at the thanks. "Don't mention it," he mumbled before looking around to take note of everything around them.

"I guess haul off the last few loads first. I have to take Roj around in the evening. I have someone helping me with her during the day, but I would miss that outing as much as she would. Even if there isn't more to do in the morning I have plenty of reports on the local fauna I want to look over. And I find it's easier to focus away from all those people, so umm, I'll be back so long as you will have me?"

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

The voidcraft could sense no problems with any of these plans - that Æn'kae preferred not being around people to better his focus came just shy of irony, given its own past necessities.

Yes. Æn'kae was fully welcome at this point.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae beamed at that. "Then I'll get back to work and I'll be back again tomorrow. If you think of anything you would like me to bring between now and when I leave, let me know, ie?"

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

Assent came back, paired with one last confirmatory ping from Æn'kae's comm.

Then one last question did occur, and the voidcraft sent along a visual of what would hopefully analogize well with a computer terminal, sending a signal out into space.

Digital research medium?

If it was going to do this, it would be folly to go in blind.

(frozen comment)

[under_the_raptors_wings]

A blank expression for a moment before he spoke, a bit uncertain he'd quite understood the question. "We uh... do use computers for almost everything, and we can reach any open network available through subspace?"

(frozen comment)

[peridexion]

Subspace. That was what it needed to be looking out for, here - open networks did not work well (to say the least) in the void, and most of the voidcraft's experience was with closed networks of some sort or another, or otherwise limited to just one planet or system's output at a time.

Thank you. Transmitting gratitude, it began tentatively extending its awareness to find that pathway to information...

Æn'kae wouldn't hear the 'debris alert' alarm as much today, for however much longer he worked.