2 - {audio}

[nonhuman]

So! Uh. Hi, everyone.

Question for the masses.

[Bennett fidgets a bit with his communicator, fingers audibly shuffling up the side and back down.]

If, if I haven't met you yet, my name's Bennett Marrow. I was a professor and researcher, back home. I-- I had a little bit of a second job, too.

[Evasive, but he's getting to it.]

Um, my question is kinda... multi-part, bear with me here.

So, we've-- we've been here for a little while, some of us longer than others, and, uh. I'm, I'm always looking for ways to understand the world around me. Aaaaand, uh, obviously, there's-- there's a lot to understand here. So, if anybody has any information about the nature of the Black Tide, or-- or, the previous ship that I've heard about, the MS Elegante-- could you please contact me? I would love to interview anyone who would care to step forward so we all have a log of information about our, uh, houseboat. Boat-home. This will not be confidential and I will be happy to share it with anyone who needs it at any time.

Also, on the, uh, confidential side of things. I, uh-- I know there are some other nonhuman and supernaturally-inclined beings-slash-people on this boat. If you need any help-- if you need anything, please let me know, okay? I'm-- I'm never going to tell anyone, but I know how-- h-how terrible it feels to try and find the help you need all alone. I'm, I'm a werewolf myself. I, I ran into a few of you last weekend.

I used to run a network for the supernatural crowd so I could bring help to anyone who needed it. I might not have all the tools I used to, but I know I can build that network here again.

[He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, fiddling with the communicator again.]

This-- this got kinda long. Sorry, everyone. Anyway. Um, I'd normally tell you to meet me at my room if you didn't want to talk over the network, but, uh, it's-- it's flooded entirely right now, so I'm, uh-- you can find me in the back corner of the shopping area. I've made a little, uh, cave.

Hit me up if you need anything. This is, is, B-bennett Marrow, signing off.

Comments

[talkback_hound]

[Hound knows better than to openly offer information about the Black Tide over the comms - Rowe's watchful eye is ever-present over the network, and if not hers then her little watchdog Sam's; always looking out for the ingrates. He was just dropping by to tell Bennett that he should be more grateful, is all.

The blonde pokes his head into the shopping centre and keeps his thumbs hooked in his belt loops. Places like this made him nervous for Reasons, and he did frequent shoulder-checks to put himself at ease. He stayed as much in the middle of the area as he could as well, high visibility in all directions. Better safe than sorry, and boy, had he been made sorry before...

It didn't take long to find Bennett Marrow's little man cave nest, and close to the den of this self-proclaimed werewolf he was put on edge. The guy didn't sound so tough, but he was probably super jacked. Werewolf professor and researcher? Researcher of what? Supernatural creatures? Hound reckoned that you should have to be some behemoth of a man to qualify for anything in that field.

Doing another shoulder check, he spotted some lanky, gawky nerd floating around the place.

Hound squinted at the guy, leaning on some shelving.]

[nonhuman]

[I'm sorry, Hound, super jacked? This twig? I mean, yeah, a week ago he could have punched you and made it hurt, but now he'd wind up with a sprained wrist and tears in his eyes, probably. Ben's wandering back to his little corner, dragging a rolling clothing rack behind himself to set up for some privacy.

He almost rolls over Hound before he realizes he's there.]

O-oh! H-h--

[First thought: holy shit, it's a Nameless. They still skeeve him out a little bit. He can handle zombies in various states of decay because he knows how aware they are. He hasn't had time to figure out the Nameless.

Second thought, when he gets a little closer: holy shit, it's that Nameless. The one with emotions, expressions-- the one that seemed like it was human, or, at least, alive. He... sincerely doubted this guy was going to make a connection between the wolf from before and the dweeb standing here now.]

H-hello. Can I help you?

U-uh, I'm... I'm not in the way over here, am I?

[talkback_hound]

[Hound shakes his head and gives him a very unsubtle once-over - looking Bennett up and down, the expression on his face makes it very clear that the Nameless before him thinks very, very little of him in terms of being a physical threat. More than anything, he looks a little bored. Stepping aside for Ben to do his thing with the clothing rack, he looks around again for the jacked werewolf prof. But this guy had the unmistakable anxiousness he'd heard over the comms, and all of his hopes of meeting some Jason Statham looking motherfucker (albeit with an embarrassingly tiny voice) were dashed.

The blonde pointed at Ben and then gestured to his comm, shooting him a questioning look.]

[nonhuman]

U-uuh-- was-- was that me, I'm guessing that's what you mean?

[He swings the rack around into position and holds up his own comm for emphasis.]

I-- uh. I, I must not be up to standard, if-- if that's the look I've won.

[hahaha can he be a puppy again it was so much easier to talk to you then.]

[butcherofblaviken]

You admit to being a werewolf?


[Geralt kills werewolves.

He doesn't look the slightest bit amused.]

how fucked is ben? so fucked. so incredibly, hilariously fucked, probably.

[nonhuman]

I-it's-- it's easier than hiding it, you know? It makes some people feel safer to know what's around them, like... y-you know, like, once-- once you know about sharks and stuff, you feel safer swimming, 'cause you know how they work.

B-besides, I'm-- I'm a really boring wolf. I just try and sleep it off most of the time.

[His incredible werewolf senses find no danger here.]

He can still save himself. There's a chance.

[butcherofblaviken]

[Geralt can lift curses, but it sounds like this man is determined to stay a bloodthirsty beast.]

You're not serious. How does your wife feel about that? Your family?

[Geralt is from the Middle Ages. Someone Ben's age would definitely be married with children. Finding out that Ben has no wife or children won't soothe Geralt's mind any. In fact, it would just convince him that Ben is crazy. Who would want to stay a werewolf?

Geralt wishes for his silver sword, which would make the fight lopsided in his favour, the way he likes it. Werewolves have lots of good body parts for potion-making. He squints at Ben.]

[audio]

[needsnobottle]

[Do you have no sense of self-preservation? Geez.]

Pretty sure that the only thing that keeps supernatural beings alive is the whole element of mystery thing.

Based on my extensive research of pop culture.

But let me know how this whole "out and proud werewolf" thing works.

[audio]

[nonhuman]

[No, actually, he doesn't.]

I've got no reason to hide anything, I'm-- I'm like, the most boring, least dangerous werewolf y-you'll ever meet. Other people might have reasons to hide, but... you know, if I can help, h-here I am.

[...He wants to say he's not going to let you get him down, but you're getting him down.]

Re: [audio]

[needsnobottle]

To some people "the most boring werewolf" is about as dangerous as "the friendliest axe murderer." A small fire is still a fire.

[Trust her, she knows. Not that she ever had any illusions that she wasn't dangerous.]

Video

[thequeensown]

[Have a pretty red head, Bennett... save for that scar from temple to chin on the right side of her face, but she doesn't ever hide it so don't let it bug you!]

I'm Talia. I was on the MS Elegante for several years and would be more than happy to share with you anything I might know. I was not nearly so involved in much of the intrigue, but I've no need to hide anything.

[She offers a smile.]

I'm also an empath. [In case you missed her big announcement about a week ago to that fact.]

[video]

[nonhuman]

[Ben's got a thing for people with scars, normally, so it doesn't even register to him. He smiles broadly the second he figures out the video feed... and gets someone who is actually... willing to help with his cause instead of patronize him for it.]

Talia! It's-- it's a pleasure to meet you. A-anything you'd be willing to share, please, feel free. We can arrange a time and place, if you'd like, or-- or, or not, it all depends on what you'd like. I can do anything you need.

And-- and an empath to boot! Thank you. That's-- it's great to know you're here. We-- we might need some of your help sometime, who knows.

T-thank you again for contacting me.

[Can you tell he REALLY appreciates it?]

[video]

[thequeensown]

[Talia smiles right back, because a full smile deserves a full smile. She's only just met you, Bennett, and only over the comm, but she likes you. It was nice to have someone genuinely interested in the good of others, as she was; it was extra awesome that this was someone that wasn't fully human and was fully open to discussing it.]

I might suggest not doing so over the communicators, but otherwise, I am open to anything you'd like to know at any time. [Heralds were givers and she'd meet him whenever was best for him. The last earns a dip of the head, smile as she inclines it. She'd had to use her Gifts already, so she had little doubt it would be needed again.]

I'd much rather it be known than not... I'm not ashamed of it.

Video

[allthesame2me]

[Well, hello there Bennett! Have yet another warm smiling face looking at you from the communicator.]

Hi, Bennett... I'm Alex. I just got here and unfortunately don't know anything about this place or the other one you mentioned... First time I've ever been magically whisked away onto a boat, actually.

But, about the other bit... [His flirtatious smile eases, but the one that remains looks happy and there is an undeniable quality of relief in his tone.] I'm a Wereleopard... It's a bit of a relief to find out there's someone else on board. [Someone that would understand the 'furry' side of life and that wasn't afraid to talk about it.]

Video

[nonhuman]

[You are too pretty, Alex. Ben's a little red-faced when he turns on his video feed, but he gives his best smile to make up for... not being as much of a looker.]

Alex, it's-- it's a pleasure to meet you. I can do my best to fill you in with the information I have as far as the boat goes. I'd say it's a first for all of us, but, uh, some-- some of the passengers here have been kidnapped before, and this is... just, more of approximately the same for them.

[He's like... 95% sure you're male, which is embarrassing him even more. He swallows and continues. The more he talks, though, the more he geeks out, and the more he geeks out, the easier it is for him to keep talking.]

That's-- that's actually really interesting though, being, uh, a, a wereleopard. You're-- that's really, really uncommon where I come from, especially in more, uh... northern-hemisphere societies. I mean, technically that shouldn't even be classified as lycanthropy, but the clinical form does act as an umbrella term for all animal forms, but-- I, I, uh, does yours function with free will? Or are you chained to a moon or biological cycle like I am?

Video

[allthesame2me]

[Not much of a looker? Bennett, you are right up Alex's alley. ;) He's very much the kind of guy that likes people more for their personality than how they look, but it's cool 'cause you're totally cute!! And that blush? Yeah, that's going to soften Alex's smile and bring a little twinkle of delight and flirtatiousness to his tone.]

I'd be totally thrilled to hear anything you know; especially since you say it's happened to some people more than once.

[And yessir. 100% male that just believes you should be able to wear whatever you feel good in. For Alex this means hat sometimes (a lot of the time) you'll see him in skirts and dresses or other similarly closely clothes. Plus, they look super good on him. He's also a boy that likes boys (and girls, but mostly boys). [WINK]

The more Bennett talks, the more he seems at ease and Alex settles back on his own seat (somewhere in the shopping area) and grins as the questions begin.]

'Were' is a pretty all encompassing term back home and includes pretty much every species you can imagine... I got my lycanthropy from a guy that attacked me. Wasn't too keen on a guy wearing a dress. [He shrugs. He's heard it all and had it all yelled at him; he just happens to be secure enough with himself not to care.] Mine functions with free will for the most part... I have to change on the full moon, though. Happens whether I want it to or not... [Finally the smile slips, his expression closing off a bit.] I retain human intelligence, but I can't control myself... I have to hunt and I want to hurt things... bleed them. [He looks away from the communicator, brows furrowed as he frowns. He looks back again a moment later.] I'm... I'm not looking forward to my first full moon here... I don't know what'll happen or where I can secure myself. I don't want to hurt anyone.

[ audio ]

[dogfighting]

[Lily has been avoiding Bennett because, y'know, she ate him on the Golden Shore, but... She can't avoid him forever.]

I know lots about the MS Elegante. I lived there for a looong time.

[Two years is long when at the time you'd only been conscious for four.]

And I'm human. Totally human. Like... entirely.

[ audio ]

[nonhuman]

[He gives a warm chuckle the minute he hears Lily's voice.]

I-- I was actually thinking about you when I made this request, after hearing there are... s-so many other people from the Elegante on here. Anything you can tell me would be great to have, Lily.

Though, uh, your human claims sound more like an oddly specific denial, haha.

[He's kidding. Probably.]

[ audio ]

[dogfighting]

[OH ZESHAT HE KNOWS]

I just want you to know that I am like, WAY human! Don't wanna--Like--I can't be mistaken for anything but human.

[Just stop now.]

So! What do you wanna know about the Elegante?

[santos]

[Nick is quite certain everything else Ben had just said was very important and when he's had a chance to calm down, he will go back through this post a little more carefully. For now though, his brain's zeroed in on "I'm a werewolf."]

That was you?!

[This is so terribly embarrassing.]

[nonhuman]

O-oh-- oh no.

I-- I'm sorry, Nick. I-- I don't-- did I run into you? I don't remember... I normally have a pretty good memory when I change, but sometimes... I'm-- I'm sorry, what-- did I do something to you?

[Yes, it's more likely that he just licked you to death, but... after Hound's reaction to finding out, Ben's just going to assume he ruined the day of every single person he came across that didn't already know.]

[santos]

[No. No. This is good. This means Ben doesn't remember that wreck of a cat he met. This is excellent news in fact.]

No, no. It is absolutely fine.

[muteforareason]

Well, I'll gladly tell you what I can about the Elegante. If you'd like to do this face-to-face, I have a pad of paper I carry around I can write on.

Ah, what's a 'werewolf'?

[audio]

[nonhuman]

Whatever is most convenient for you! I-I can meet you somewhere at your convenience, or-- or we can just t-text.

[There's a little pause as he looks at the communicator in confusion, though. Werewolves are standard, accepted lore (or reality) damn near everywhere, from what he's seen so far.

Aaaand then again, he's met more than a few colorful characters from very different worlds than his own.]

A-- a, a werewolf is, uh, someone that can transform into a wolf. Usually against their will, debatably with influence from the full moon. They have a reputation for being somewhat dangerous due to, uh, a primal need to spread the infection to others, via bite.

....I-I'm pretty tame, though.

[text]

[muteforareason]

Well, this is fine, I guess. It might be a little faster, unless you happen to know sign language.

[Sorry Bennett, Jael is from a world that doesn't have any of the traditional lore whatsoever. Have fun with that!]

Oh. I've never heard of that before. Are there other werewolves from your world that tame like you, or are they all dangerous?