Abigail Hobbs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
versusnurture) wrote2014-12-07 02:09 pm
versusnurture) wrote2014-12-07 02:09 pm
twenty-three ♢ spam & video
spam } everywhere!
[When Abigail wakes up, she isn't afraid. She isn't even concerned. She knows that this isn't the room she's used to, but she knows, too, that it's sort of hers and she has a right to it. So she springs out of bed, inspects it from top to bottom, and then heads out to explore the Barge.]
[There's a confidence in her that might surprise those who know her well as an adult. She investigates everything as if it belongs to her, spending a while on the deck looking at the stars and (loudly, incorrectly) identifying constellations. When she's done there, she curls up in the library with a stack of books almost taller than her, some on space (since that seems to be today's theme), some on anatomy, and some science fiction books, because that's basically the same as space.]
[In the end she gravitates towards the kitchens, where she inexplicably feels the most comfortable. She stays through lunch shift and well into the afternoon, investigating, tidying, wiping down surfaces.]
[Soon enough, she has a question.]
voice
I've been paying attention to the kitchens, [she says in a lofty voice, commanding attention in the way that only children often do.] And I need to know something.
Where does the food come from? It has to come from somewhere.
private } admiral
Excuse me, Admiral. I need to know where the food in the kitchens comes from, please.
( ooc; replies will come fromnaturalizing! )
[When Abigail wakes up, she isn't afraid. She isn't even concerned. She knows that this isn't the room she's used to, but she knows, too, that it's sort of hers and she has a right to it. So she springs out of bed, inspects it from top to bottom, and then heads out to explore the Barge.]
[There's a confidence in her that might surprise those who know her well as an adult. She investigates everything as if it belongs to her, spending a while on the deck looking at the stars and (loudly, incorrectly) identifying constellations. When she's done there, she curls up in the library with a stack of books almost taller than her, some on space (since that seems to be today's theme), some on anatomy, and some science fiction books, because that's basically the same as space.]
[In the end she gravitates towards the kitchens, where she inexplicably feels the most comfortable. She stays through lunch shift and well into the afternoon, investigating, tidying, wiping down surfaces.]
[Soon enough, she has a question.]
voice
I've been paying attention to the kitchens, [she says in a lofty voice, commanding attention in the way that only children often do.] And I need to know something.
Where does the food come from? It has to come from somewhere.
private } admiral
Excuse me, Admiral. I need to know where the food in the kitchens comes from, please.
( ooc; replies will come from
naturalizing! )
[ Kitchen Spam ]
He hadn't tried to say anything. Just followed her until his shift began in the kitchens, and then greeted her when she showed up anyway, to his surprise. There are far too many children, all extremely ill-behaved, making him feel anxious both because of and for them - so he keeps an eye on her while he goes about Rhade-learned methods for feeding them all, until there's a lull.
He's uncertain, visibly so, like a domestic creature approaching something he should recognize but doesn't entirely when he puts down the towel he's just finished using to wipe down his working area of the counter, nervously wiping each of his fingers long after they're clean.]
Abigail. Do you require anything?
[ Kitchen Spam ]
[Taking the towel from him, she folds it neatly even though it's dirty, then reaches for his hand and gives him a serious look.]
No. I'm helping. Do you require anything?
[ Kitchen Spam ]
She's so small. Part of Ben worries that she'll draw the wrong sort of attention and be deco-...]
Yes, you have been helping. There will be another meal period in four hours, but for now, our service is completed.
I don't... [Her age doesn't confound him as much as it might others, nor does it adjust his opinion of her much; as a child her age, Ben was already capable of the majority of things he was by adulthood before the Barge. All he lacked was strength due to developing musculature, and experience which could not be fabricated. However, she is still his responsibility, and he has even less idea how to communicate with her now than ever.]
Would you speak with me? For a while?
[ Kitchen Spam ]
[Right now her highest priority is on keeping him safe and calm. It's her job to keep him safe, she knows, and she'll feel better if he's calm. So she squeezes his hand and nods, since that's what he seems to want from her.]
Okay. Do you want to go sit down somewhere quiet where we can talk?
[ Kitchen Spam ]
[It's not quiet but he wants to be near in case children come looking for food; and they can take their lunch break, too. Ben has discovered over the course of being on board the Barge that actually, conversations held at a reasonable volume in a public space are much more likely to be completely ignored than those sequestered off into an out of the way corner.
Either of their rooms are off limits for this specific moment, due to previously mentioned reasons. Ben doesn't let go of her hand, but leads the way to the doors, out into the part of his shared territory with tables and chairs.]
[ Kitchen Spam ]
What are we talking about?