theclipper_tlv | SHIPWIDE EFFECT - Forward-dated to the 29th

[Starting sometime on the 29th and throughout the 31st, changes begin on each of the volunteer barges that have taken on new passengers.

On the Clipper, the following effects are observed:

The shattered top of the tree starts putting out small shoots and leaves.

The damage to the Sick Ward starts repairing itself when no one is looking, supplies re-stocking and equipment turning shiny and new.

The wearables no longer backfire, although the effects may still wear off unreliably quickly.

Patient power suppression is restored.

The hole in the top of the ship is smaller, causing the plastic sheet taped over it to dip with extra slack.

Additionally, the Nurse breaks their usual silence.]

Some have you have mentioned you would, ahem - and I only say this because I'm quoting - "rather die." I am, at the moment, renegotiating some of my agreements to make that possible! You have until then to decide if you were serious. Do behave in the meantime, or I'll put you right back in time out without bothering any of my hard-working assistants.

[After this, anyone who tries to harm the tree is simply teleported to a bed in the restored Sick Ward, and any Assistant who tries to release a patient will be demoted and strapped down in the bed right next to them. Although no one is being drugged, this time around - they're free to think and talk and wriggle and yell as much as they like.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I mean exactly what I said. Obviously I'm happy to do my part to save as many people as we can from a decommissioned ship!

But I did take you all on as a favor, you know, and for those who don't want a second chance - third or fourth, really, for some of you - perhaps we needn't bother!

[That didn't actually answer his question. Specifics, Nurse. He's looking for specifics.]

May I ask, what are your criteria for giving someone permanent death?

It's going to be your choice, dears. I'm not going to change this place for the fussing of violent interlopers I rescued from being consigned to null. Anyone who can't accept that simply will not have to!

But I do hope you'll choose to stay, you've been lovely.

[Okay, that is slightly better than just randomly killing someone for causing a fuss. Which was his biggest fear, here. He couldn't handle it if Steve started another riot and got himself executed.

The last makes him huff out something that's almost a laugh. He's been lovely. He's terrified and miserable and he's been lovely to have aboard. The Nurse really doesn't care about true happiness, do they?]

Well, I don't want to die, so that's something.

Thank you for answering my questions.

You're welcome, dear.

[He's quiet for a little while, but then something its him and he comes back to this.]

Sorry to bother you, but you said "decomissioned ship". Is the Barge okay? They didn't kill her, did they?

[There's a long pause before the nurse answers. Their voice is a little more somber than usual, quieter and less chipper.]

That's...a complicated question, dear. For ships like ours...'death' isn't precisely the same sort of thing it would be for you mortals. She won't be destroyed, not utterly. But she wouldn't be allowed to continue in the shape you knew her, and when that happens...much is lost. Decommissioning isn't something I'd ever want to happen to my own ship.

I'm sorry it isn't better news.

[Oh.

There's a long pause on his end, too, before he replies,]

The Barge was my home and I like to think she was a friend, too. Thank you for telling me.

[He's gonna... go grieve for a while now.]

[The Nurse is not at all sure telling him was the right choice. This is uncomfortable and they don't like it.]

I'm sure she was.

[And this, too, is oddly sincere - they haven't seen anything like B's conversation with the Clipper in a long time.]

Edited 2022-08-30 02:46 (UTC)

SHIPWIDE EFFECT - Forward-dated to the 29th

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Maybe an hour later

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