⛆ XENIAL ⛫ at ECHO SHORE ⛆

[SHIVERS]

let's try to talk to each other, right?
like Jenkins said
we can crew this ship better if we're on the same page.

well, as for Saying things...
Murmur is probably busy right now, 
but we definitely need to apologize when we can.

Agreed. 
let's wait for a better opportunity to present itself.







You have a brief conversation with yourselves.



You resolve to address the-
Well.
You resolve to... sort out the 'panic attacks' - you don't really know if you can call them that.
They're not quite That bad.



Really. 


You're pretty sure.



You'll sort out whatever's going on with those later.



















For now,
your eye turns to the corvice.






You walk up beside the bird, trying to keep as casual as possible.
"...You seem really interested in your stone."

"H-huh? Oh!" 
The corvice holds up their stone, its saucer-like shape unmistakable.
"It's just...I don't think anyone else got this shape. 
It's surprising to me, considering it... 

...well, 



it's nothing."

You peek over their shoulder to get a better look.
"Considering what?"

They look around a little, 
glancing to make sure no one else is listening.
"...you'll think I'm nuts."

You cock your head.
"I think you're a corvice.
Aren't you?"

They finally get a good look up at you, startling. 

"I-I mean...yes. 
Yes, I am, but that's not...
...what are you? "



You're not sure whether to feel self-conscious or proud of your appearance catching such a look.



"Vessel.
Vess."

You put your arms out to the side regardless,
checking yourself over.



You only now realize that you're TWICE as tall as the corvice you're speaking to.

Given your height,
it's probably something you'll have to get used to . . .



"I'm the catalyst."

"Oh! 
Oh, that explains it."
They look relieved, 
as if whatever option they had been considering was a lot more worrying.

"Fascinating form you've chosen. 
Do I detect... volare?"

You nod excitedly. 
"Yep! 
Yes.
And lots of others.
Gesabott, 
chorosy, 

...boat."



"Incredible..." 
They can't help but look you over more, 
not exactly subtle about it.
"It really does look like I'll be seeing things beyond my previous understanding."

You mirror their movements, 
needing to duck down at points to look the corvice over as they size you up.





"What did you mean before?
About your stone?"
You hold up your own for comparison as you speak, 
the red rubber ball looking much less impressive.

"Yours is a ball?"
They crane their head in a decidedly birdlike way, 
peeking around at it.
"Does it roll? 
Bounce? 
Ricochet?"

You hold your ball up a little higher, out of their view.
"You tell me, I tell you."

"A-ah! 
That's very fair..."





They hold up their saucer-like stone for you to look at, 
though it's clear they have no intent of letting it go. 
"It's shaped like... well, 
I don't even know if you know what a UFO is, 
but it looks like one!"

"Why is that surprising to you?"

"Because... it is aligned with my interests."


 
They puff out their chest a bit, 
clearly trying to look cool and confident. 
"I am Laurel Pinweight, 
an astronomer and aerospace expert. 
I study space, essentially."

You look side-to-side.
"...And UFOs?"

"...yes, 
but not on the record."

"Any reason why not...?"



Dots connect in your head.



"...you're looking for aliens...?!"
You blurt out before giving them a chance to answer.

"Shhh!!! 
Shhhhhhh!"

You cover your gasmask, 
a question mark appearing on your screen.





The two of you get a few looks from the crowd.

"...yes,
I am. 

Sort of. 

It's complicated, 
but I don't want anyone to think I'm out of my mind with it...
...they aren't exactly believed in."

You lower your stance as you walk, staying quieter; 
trying to help keep the secrets secret.





"Have you found anything before...?"

"Some things,
but nothing that'd convince the masses. 
I heard though, that this place has the chance for extraterrestrial contact..."

"I think it's 'extranatural.'"

"Similar. 
It's... like squares and rectangles."



You put a claw to the tip of your gasmask, 
pretending like you're thinking that over.



You nod.

"Mhm."



You don't know what they're talking about.













You aren't sure what else to say, either.
There are too many things you could ask about.
This is your first conversation outside of Model and Murmur.

You want to make it count.