RETURN JOURNEY

The video feed shows a young man with mousey brown(ish) hair, dressed in neat, but worn black clothing. His eyes are bright blue, and his smile is soft and genuine.

"Hello, I'm Luke Skywalker. I've been brought aboard as a Warden, and it's good to meet you. I'm not great at introductions, so you're welcome to ask me whatever you like, and I hope you'll forgive a trite question to break the ice."

Looking suitably contrite, he ducks his head, and scrubs a hand over the back of his neck.

"What's the best and/or worst advice you've been given?"

[Loki doesn't look nervous, just cautious. But his expression does seem strangely serious when the video first begins, and it takes just a bit longer than usual for a charming smile to flash across his face.]

Hello, everyone. There's something I'd like to...share with you. Perhaps I should have said something sooner, but in truth, it's been a while since it's come up. A rough few years, you might say.

[Some of which he spent masquerading as someone specific so he hardly had the option. And then, recently, he'd thought he'd lost the option entirely for the time being. But it turned out there were exceptions to the limitations the Navarch had placed.]

Some of you might be aware of my talents, but if not, well. [Loki holds a hand out, face up, and a miniature fireworks display erupts from his palm.] My specialty is illusion. This...can mean a lot of things, honestly, but I bring it up because, well. You never know what might happen, on these ships. So I'd rather you all know what possibilities to expect.

[Two fingers go up.] Two possibilities, really. One is that I might be forced to take my Frost Giant form. That's my...natural appearance, but not the one I'm accustomed to. [He grimaces, uncomfortable.] Blue skin. Red eyes. Raised markings. I'd rather not show that off if I don't have to, truthfully.

[He drops one finger as he goes on.] But the second is more of a...choice. Sort of. [He's not getting into all that right now, it's hardly the point.] So I'd like you to know what that looks like.

[Finger still thrust in the air, a green-gold flash rolls over him. In an instant, he's shifted to his "female" form. Same dark hair and high cheekbones. Still tall and built out of lean muscle. But there's softness where there hadn't been before, even as a characteristically sharp grin crosses his face. When he speaks, his baritone has been replaced with something more like an alto, but it still clearly sounds like him.]

Ta-da? [The hand he's held up flourishes out as he gives a joking half-bow.] So. Now you all know there isn't some strange woman aboard, should you see me around. [He shrugs.] That's all, really. Didn't want to scare anyone. If anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer.

[Another smile-- slightly shy with how genuinely happy it is --and he leans in to end the feed.]

[WARDEN FILTER]

It appears that the limitations placed on my shapeshifting powers by the Navarch don't affect these two forms. From what I can tell, I'm unable to shift into others' forms, but I can turn into myself just fine. I hope this is honest enough, for now. I'm not sure how wise it is to reveal any more than that to the inmates, at this point. But you are all welcome to disagree.

(Maybe somebody is tired of having her case file tossed from warden to warden without her permission, so:)

Inmates: how would you rank the wardens? List from best to worst.

[ It's been a rough month, between March, losing a friend (maybe the only one he's had here) and the simulation.

It's not like Rhys is new to hitting rock bottom, hell, this is far from the lowest he's ever been. It's never a fun process, but of all wisdom Jack imparted on him one remains true: You've gotta break things down to build them back up again. When you're at a low point, after marathoning all 10 seasons of How I Met Your Second Uncle Twice Removed and ice cream binging, you pick yourself up, put your nose to the grindstone and rebrand.

THAT'S RIGHT BABY Rhys is New Coke-ing himself. Let's not worry about the fact that everyone hated new coke.

Rhys sits in front of the camera, his expressions are practiced, corporate. Earnesty without any of the earnestness, but it still reads somewhat genuine. ]


Hey gang, Rhys here. Just wanted to put a little something out there, for all of you to hear, know where I'm at.

We've all made mistakes in our past. Some of us more than most. Even me.


That's why I'm coming to you all with a pitch: New day, new Rhys. What can I do for you? C'mon people lets see those requests!

Who among you has experienced one of these “simulations” before?

[that’s right - no introduction or pleasantries, mello just cuts right to what he wants to know. he’s not here to make friends, just collect whatever information he can - which shouldn’t be too hard, he thinks. people typically enjoy talking about themselves.]