007 ☺ Voice ☺ Then there's all of the others, all our sisters and brothers

[moreincommon]

Well... it appears we've had a couple of suicides.

I want to urge everyone to remain calm, and to not follow that example. We're all working on a solution. Please don't do anything drastic, and definitely don't hurt yourselves. Don't try to leave, either, because we don't know what's out there. But we can figure this out if we all try.

[Private to Hannibal and Charles]
At this point it seems pretty likely that we're going to have a rash of new post-traumatic stress disorder cases. Would either of you be willing to help me set up a support group when this has run its course? If it runs its course.

Comments

[Private]

[wedonot]

Of course.

[Private]

[moreincommon]

Thanks, Charles! [Because it's hard to teach people to get over PTSD if you're still working through it yourself.]

[Private]

[wedonot]

Things will work out, Mark. One way or another, we'll find a way to solve this problem.

[Private]

[moreincommon]

I really hope so. I've never been in a situation quite this insane, and I've –– well, never mind.

[Private]

[wedonot]

Unfortunately, this is far from the worst thing the Admiral's ever put us through, regardless of who's in charge at the moment and how much of a hand he actually plays in sending us places.

[Private]

[moreincommon]

But there's no reason for any of this to happen. This isn't like having to land somewhere in an emergency, this is an emotional outburst that's being treated as a policy change. This doesn't make any sense at all.

[Private]

[wedonot]

I don't think so. If it's someone who's had to work under the system and just pretending to be the Admiral, maybe they just finally had enough.

[Private]

[moreincommon]

That narrows it down but not much. Do you think this is someone who's got history as an inmate? This seems to be an act of desperation out of some kind of helplessness, that could explain it.

[Private]

[wedonot]

Possibly. Or an extremely disgruntled warden, or someone else entirely.

[Private]

[moreincommon]

Someone else entirely? What do you mean?

[Private]

[wedonot]

I don't know. It wouldn't be the first time someone stowed away and caused problems.

[routemistress]

What Mark said. 'Ang in there, boys and girls. We are a staggeringly brilliant group of people on this boat an' we will fix this.

And you, Fake Admiral? We're going to fix seven kinds of 'ell out of you.

[moreincommon]

Uh, we'll see about that last part later.

[routemistress]

There is no later. There's only now, chuck.

Don't fret, I'm on it. You carry on keepin' people together.

[moreincommon]

Just – we don't know if this person is dangerous or not, but let's all try to approach this peacefully. All right?

[routemistress]

[ALL THE INSINCERE INNOCENTFACE]

Of course, lovey! Peaceful it is.

[Not.]

[moreincommon]

Iris.

[routemistress]

Our Chris is in Zero being baked and mindfucked right now, Mark, and it's put me in a pulling off 'eads mood. I'll try peaceful first if I get the chance, but I'm telling you now I don't 'ave a lot of patience left.

[moreincommon]

Then with all due respect, it might be best if you took some time to cool down before acting. Here: I want you to take a deep breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth.

[routemistress]

[Iris eyes him as one might eye a many-legged creature in one's food, and then she obediently breathes in through her nose. Then she crosses her eyes and breathes out in a loud raspberry.]

That's much better, Mark lovey. Now I'm going back to me brainstorming session, if that's all right with you.

[moreincommon]

[This look.]

[burnmythoughts]

Suicides? [Jean's voice is small and sad, completely at odds with her mask.

She takes a breath, and gives strength to her words.]

I'm not - qualified, or anything. But if you need anyone to listen, or just sit with someone...

[moreincommon]

Two people jumped off board last night and I don't think they're the only ones getting that desperate. The more people we have available to listen, the better.

[burnmythoughts]

[Jean's hand raises to her lips, before her fingers curl and fall to her sides. Her nod is determined.]

I can do that.

[patheticvillain]

They weren't suicides.

[moreincommon]

They weren't?

[patheticvillain]

No. They were trying to get home.

[moreincommon]

Oh. [He manages to sound even more crestfallen – that's worse than if they were trying to kill themselves. At least if they were trying to die they might have succeeded.]

[patheticvillain]

Yeah. So don't spread that around. My brother didn't kill himself.

[moreincommon]

That was your brother? Oh, wow, I am so sorry.

[patheticvillain]

Did I ask for your pity?

[moreincommon]

Remember, you're not alone if you need to talk to someone.

[patheticvillain]

Maybe not, but I'm sure as hell not talking to you.

[moreincommon]

But you do have someone to talk to?

[patheticvillain]

I have my warden. You know. Best friend. Thanks for your concern.

[private]

[cannibalmind]

I will be perfectly happy to provide whatever services and medications are needed once this situation is corrected. [His voice sounds slightly strained.] I also suggest that we provide a necessary ear for each other, as our own mental integrity should be in good shape to perform this much work for so many.

Besides, in order to work well together we should get to know each other.

[private]

[moreincommon]

Thank you. I think that would be best. Dr. Xavier's agreed to help too, so we should have a good support network in place.

I definitely agree, and once this whole imposter thing is done we should get started on that.

[private]

[cannibalmind]

Of course.

One thing, however. I am going to ask that I be excluded from providing care to whomever is responsible for this disaster. The temptation to punish this individual as he or she truly deserves would be far too great.