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[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara ought to look excited, despite the natural wariness and frustrated curiosity. Instead, she looks a little devastated.]

You know when you're pretty sure something isn't going to work, and you try it anyway? It's silly, isn't it? [Her voice almost cracks.

Then she takes a deep breath, and sets her shoulders, and makes herself sound strong.]

I've got to wonder if combining our abilities would let them reach further, but it's not an experiment I'm willing to try just yet.

Could everyone who's ended up with Admiral abilities check in, please? [She's kept track, of course, but that's no guarantee, she hasn't spoken to everyone directly.] I'd like to know what everyone's managed to do, and what their status is.

Cambridge - do you think scanning us would be worth it?

Comments

[no_tell_belle]

[Venus doesn't know Barbara but she's heard enough from Iris to not be surprised she'd want body armor.]

It...tasted like normal barge food. It didn't cause any adverse effects either, other than the headaches from using the powers.

[bodilesswarrior]

So what we can make - or summon - is functionally identical to the real thing. Probably. [Her fingers drum against her wheels.] I wish we could figure out how it works.

[A rueful smirk.] But then I've been saying that for years now.

[no_tell_belle]

[She offers a smile of commiseration.] Honey, I don't understand how any of this works and haven't since I arrived. I don't expect I'll be any help with these new developments but I'll do whatever I can.


Do you know if anyone's tried something truly big? Like actually driving the boat for example.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara smiles back, soft and warm before it drops from her features.]

I tried to bring someone back. Nothing happened.

And I know a few of our Inmates tried to leave, without any results. So there are some restrictions we can't circumvent, at least individually.

[no_tell_belle]

Well, that's reassuring. I'm all for having a little fun but it's probably for the best no one has too much power. I'd hate to think what some of the people on this ship would do if they could.

[bodilesswarrior]

...I'm not sure about that, actually.

I think the Barge is choosing certain people for a reason.

[no_tell_belle]

I do hope so. [She still hasn't quite processed how a ship can choose anything but it's one of those things she's mostly chalking up to unexplainable magic.]

Not all the inmates have these powers so it does suggest there's some sort of selection process.

[bodilesswarrior]

No. It looks like it's favouring people who have positive - or at least not destructive - feelings towards the Barge, and maybe the passengers.

[no_tell_belle]

That would seem to indicate then that it is the Admiral or the ship, or both, are in control, wouldn't it? [She's been assuming as much but she hasn't seen any actual proof.]

If this were simply some lingering damage from Arthas and Sylvanas' little trick, or anyone else trying to harm the ship, then surely the powers would be distributed in a more random fashion.

[bodilesswarrior]

I'd think so. [There's that edge of frustration, because she doesn't know, but she marches onward.]

It's possible the Admiral is still here, but - too weak to do anything assertive, or in some sort of hibernation.

[no_tell_belle]

Therein lies the crux of the problem, doesn't it? Nobody really knows where he is or what he's doing. Nobody ever knows, do they?

[bodilesswarrior]

No. No, we don't. [She thrust her hands through her hair, yanking out a few tangles.] It's always be annoying as hell, but now...

[no_tell_belle]

But now it could turn out to be more than a mere annoyance. [She gets that, and yes, it does concern her. She simply doesn't know what to do about it.]

Do you know if there's any way one of us, or perhaps several of us working together, could use these powers to track back to the Admiral? Perhaps at least find out where he is?

[bodilesswarrior]

I think it's worth a try. But I'd rather we worked up to it - combine our reach for something smaller. Let people scan our physiology while we attempt it. Monitor our own reactions.

With this much power - I don't want to rip a hole in the universe or something. ...Or each other.

[no_tell_belle]

I will definitely defer to your greater knowledge and experience in these sorts of things. [Honestly, no one needs to worry about Venus trying something stupid and/or extreme. She knows just enough to know she doesn't know enough.]

You let me know, though, if there's any way I can help.

[bodilesswarrior]

[She smirks at that, shaking her head.] I've barely scratched the surface. [But it will have to be enough.]

Of course. I'm thinking we can do trial runs, soon - just a few of us focusing at once. See if it makes a difference, what kind of toll it takes.