Whatever you are, we have more in common than not.

[This time Mark is feeling fit enough to post with video, and he assumes people are far less likely to be alarmed with the bruises now on his face than the swellings that used to be there. Still, he is not quite up to his old self and chooses voice again, if only because it's easier to pretend that way.]

Since there's still interest in learning dances and we could probably all use some levity right now, how does Sunday evening sound for everyone? If it's possible to reserve space in the gym I think that would be the best meeting place. If it isn't, we can probably take a classroom in the learning annex. My thoughts are that we'll start with some simple ballroom dances from 20th century Earth, but anything goes! Everyone's welcome to come.

[Private, Bush]
Welcome back! I'm sorry to greet you this way, but I had a note about your inmate.

[Private, Sylvanas]
We need to talk.

[MARKETPLACE
“Junior scholar” has multiple meanings in the hierarchy of professors and advisors and deans, most of them relating to or synonymous with “heavy lifter”. Mark Lilly, a divinity and theology student at Jordan College, has been given a task by his teachers: go to the market and come back with the necessary supplies for the new school term.

It’s a large job for one man and he is tottering around the marketplace under arms laden with books, sheaves of blank paper, pens and pen-knives, sealing-wax and candles. The pile has already grown so high he has trouble seeing over the top, made more difficult by Annie perched on top of it. He knows better than to grumble, but looks distinctly un-amused as a box of pen nips falls from his arms and spills open over the ground.

JORDAN COLLEGE
Like any student Mark spends most of his time in classes or in discussion with professors around his school. Jordan College demands a lot of its scholars and Mark strives to meet the expectations, always attentive in his classes regardless of how little sleep he’s gotten, always quick to answer a question even if he’s unsure he’s correct. Annie mirrors his enthusiasm, flapping her wings or hopping on his shoulder to sound out in excitement whenever he answers correctly. Occasionally, someone else’s daemon hisses for her to calm down.

His studies this term are theology and European traditions, the ethics of peace and war, the history of saints, and modern criticism of the Magisterium. He’s pressing himself hard, asking questions of every scholar who might be more knowledgeable than he is.

BODLEIAN LIBRARY
Although his heart, brain, and money belong to Jordan College, sometimes the place just doesn’t have exactly what he needs. The Bodleian Library’s selection of books on divinity, ethics, and Magisterium history is much more complete, and when he can get away between classes Mark is frequently found wandering the stacks, poring over old texts and referencing them against more modern interpretations and criticisms. Annie flits through the high bookshelves, calling out to Mark whenever she finds a title that might prove promising.

THE IVORY SCORPION
The scholastic life isn’t all studying and work, however. Oxford has an ancient history of taking in the uneducated, shaping their minds, and letting them go out at night for a little drink. Mark favors the Ivory Scorpion for his evening imbibing, comfortable in the setting and enjoying the eccentric innkeeper‘s company. Oddly, much of the time Annie is the one sitting on the rim of his glass, dipping her beak into his pint of ale, but after the glass is partially empty he seems to be feeling the effects nonetheless.]

[Public]
[Mark isn‘t his usual chipper self today. He‘s much more somber, and his voice is softer than usual. This is partly due to not feeling himself, partly because it‘s not the day for happiness.] I’ll make this brief. After all that, some of you might need to get a few things off your minds.

As always, I’m here to listen.

[Locked to Friends (if you think you’re on here you are)]
I know that was a horrible experience for virtually everyone. If you’re hurt, please let me know. Heck, let me know even if you’re not.

[Private to Charles]
That PTSD support group? We might want to revisit the idea.

[Infirmary Spam]
[Mark doesn’t look so great. He’s paler than usual and badly-rested if the shadows under his eyes are any indication. He’s been stitched up after Victor’s attack, his stomach wrapped in gauze, and he winces if he turns or bends at the waist. But nobody’s going to stop needing help because he‘s got a few cuts, so he’s in the infirmary all scrubbed up and prepared to do everything he can. There’s plenty he can’t -- he’s not a doctor and so many of the people injured this port badly need one -- but if there are smaller wounds to be dressed, medication to be administered, and patients to be soothed he is available and ready.]

[Los Angeles had been entirely carefree for Mark; with Sylvanas starting the port off in Zero he had no innmate to look after and had been free to make his way around the city being the world's most identifiable tourist. Somehow he escaped being mugged, and has brought back gifts for two inmates.

The first is a package marked "For Touko, from Mark" and is reasonably small: A photo scrapbook he put together, including pictures of the Hollywood sign, Sunset Strip, the LaBrea Tar Pits, and other famous landmarks around the area. There's even a picture of Kurt Russell ducking into a convenience store. On top of the book is a pair of these.

The second gift is for his own inmate, a dress that seemed made for her (and was a lot less revealing than most of what she already wore). Mark leaves it outside her door and doesn't knock, knowing she'll find it eventually. There is of course no indication who it's from: there's a printed label on the box reading WINDRUNNER but nothing else.

Much, much later he sends off a few private messages.]

[Private to Dean]
Do you still need to talk? I'm sorry I haven't been more available, but it sounded like you were really struggling. How are things now?

[Private to Chris]
Long time, no talking. Did you want to get together again this week?

[Private to Sylvanas]
What did you do in your free time?

Ms. Windrunner,

I'm Mark, your new warden. Do you mind if I call you Sylvanas? I feel like it'd be a good idea for us to talk.

[He's looked at her file, but won't discuss the specifics at all. This is purely a getting-to-know-you chat, they can go into psychoanalysis and their plans later.]

Ladies, gentlemen, and neuters of the Barge,

It's both my honor and my pleasure to offer my congratulations to Satsuki on her graduation. She's come a long way and done a lot of work since she first arrived and we all should be proud of her.

Also, I know the last flood was kind of unpredictable. Pretty sure nothing harmful came out of it, but... well, we made a mess. I'm planning to pitch in with cleaning, and if anyone wants to volunteer too I'd love the help. Maybe we could even get a full janitorial team for the day.

[Private to Chris]
Hey. I heard you got into an argument, want to talk about it?

[The feed is dark, silent and empty until a hand strikes a match; the communicator is propped up to focus on three unlit votive candles on the chapel altar, Mark's voice narrating from offscreen.]

We've all been through some horrible things lately, things I'm sure we'd rather forget. But there are some things in Silent Hill that are worth remembering.

Zev Bellringer deserves to be remembered. [He touches the match to the wick of the first candle.] Dr. King Schultz deserves to be remembered. [He lights the second candle, blowing out the match after he does.] They were both our crewmates, fellow passengers who touched us, inmate and warden alike. Not all of us were close to them, but none of us are unaffected by their absence.

Everyone in Silent Hill deserves to be remembered, especially those we had to leave behind. [He lights the third candle off the second and places them in their neat, sturdy little row.]

Where I come from it's customary to honor those we've lost with a moment of silence and reflection. Please join me, if you'd like to.

[The feed records nothing but the three little candles burning in the darkness and silence for a full minute before cutting off.]

[OOC: Someone tell him about Kael'thas]

[Private to Satsuki]
I have to say, of all the people on board I could have been paired with I'm glad it's you.

That said, I do have some questions. Would you like to go over your file together?

[Private to Lisbeth]

Hello, I have some presents for you. Where would you like to meet?

[Warden Filter]
Steph reminded me of this yesterday – welcome back, Steph! – and I realized we hadn't had a formal discussion about what to do with Toshiko.

I know there have been threats of violence, and I think we can all agree that none of us want to see her hurt, even if we're angry with her. Therefore, I want to recommend that she's escorted by at least one warden every time she's out of her own cabin. This probably isn't going to be fun for anyone but it's for her own safety. There's also the possibility that someone under the duress she's going through might attempt self-harm or suicide, so any wardens who work with her will have to be on the lookout for that. Is there anyone who'd like to volunteer? [Please don't let Mark be the only one with his hand raised; he can't exactly safeguard Tosh in the bathroom or the shower.]

Secondly, Iris and I have been discussing a, uh, public forum with Toshiko, basically. Consider it a hearing, or at least a chance for her to explain her thought process and actions. This isn't necessarily a completely therapeutic act, although this is something I'm planning on working through with her. As a social worker, it's my opinion that the people on board who were hurt or upset by her actions deserve an explanation – sort of like the Truth and Reconciliation Committee after apartheid, although this is obviously not racially motivated. So I want to reiterate: not a punishment, but still a necessary part of the healing process.

As for an actual punishment, I'm not sure what the regular procedure is on the Barge. I know she's already served a week in Zero, although that might not have been very corrective. So... is there anything else humane and productive you can think of that might be worth exploring?

[Private to infirmary staff/psych staff (ie Charles and Hannibal)]

Megamind's pretty sure the fake Admiral is Toshiko Sato. From the information I've been given it sounds like she's not doing any of this consciously but she has some sort of biomechanical upgrade that lets her access and influence the ship.

He's going to try to convince her to come to the infirmary. I'm going to be there, and – well, I can't find a delicate way to say this. I don't think we can do anything to fix this situation unless we can convince her to have her "jack" removed. At the very least, I think we'd need to sedate her.

Is this something we could possibly do?

...I'm sure I don't have to tell you this but please don't share her identity with anyone. We haven't confirmed it's her yet, and we don't need anyone going to hunt her down. That won't help anyone.

[ETA: Filtered to current wardens]

Is anyone available to help at the infirmary? We need security.