Chapter Text
You're hungry. The packaged meals provided by MIRA alone couldn't satisfy anyone, let alone an impostor like you. Your tendrils instinctively sprawl out under your suit, in anticipation for the hunt - but killing's off the table. It always has been, for you. You're almost tempted to drink straight out of the vials you've been analyzing.
(You may be an impostor, but you're still a scientist. Maybe you shouldn't be drinking out of test tubes. At least not until after you've identified them.)
"Hey, Cobalt. Just checking in."
You turn your head towards the doorway - it's Captain Slate. He gives you a small wave before approaching. You briefly bring up your hand in acknowledgement.
"How are you holding up?" he asks, almost concerned. "I haven't really seen you around with the others. Looks like you've been mostly just doing your tasks."
You feel a sudden desire to look away. The samples are almost ready. "Is that bad?"
"No, it's just... we're going to be on this trip for a while. I know that trust isn't easy to come by, especially after that announcement."
He thinks you're concerned about impostors on the ship. He couldn't be farther from the truth - you could kill him and sate your hunger here and now. The thought makes your mouth salivate. Instead, you single out the anomaly on the machine in front of you, watching the vials descend, and wait for him to continue.
"At the very least... I hope I can earn your trust, eventually. I'll see you around."
He leaves. You're still hungry. Maybe you should have drank from one of those vials.
Notes:
This story, and the series that might come out of this at some point, come from me experimenting with Mythic, a system often used for solo role-playing. It involves asking questions and rolling for answers that can help move things forward. Kind of like a prompt, I guess.
In my previous writing tests with Mythic, I ended up getting a pretty clear idea of who Slate is as a person. He's a very humble leader who truly cares for his crew. Even if there were impostors on board, he'd accept them - which may be good for Cobalt, but for the other impostor, whoever it is? We'll see. Maybe.
Chapter 2
Summary:
"So, how are you doing? Eating well? Don't usually see you around here."
"I, uh... usually just eat in my quarters." Easier to eat in your true form than while pretending to be a completely different species. You don't say that part out loud.
But also, you've just been kind of avoiding everyone. Apparently that's common knowledge at this point. Either way, you haven't been to the cafeteria since that meeting. You hope she doesn't pick up on that.
Notes:
Whoops! Surprise second chapter! Didn't really plan for this to have a continuation, but hey, that's Mythic for you. It felt right to continue.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
You leave Medbay, having completed your assigned tasks for the day, and you find yourself wandering your way to the cafeteria.
Violet notices you in the hallway. She calls to you loudly from across the room, and you try not to flinch from the sudden noise. "Hey, Cobalt! I'm just replenishing my carbs," she says, casually gesturing at her meal (is that... chicken?) before inviting you to sit at the table.
You're almost tempted to ignore her and head straight to your quarters. But after what Slate said earlier, you decide to indulge her. She seems eager to talk to you, anyway. Might as well get to know the crew better. You take a seat at the bench to her right.
"Just finished refuelling the engines. Carrying a full gas can all the way from Storage to Upper Engine makes for a surprisingly nice workout. And then you've gotta walk back and do it all over again! I definitely got all of my steps in today, that's for sure."
Is this what they call "small talk"? You're completely unprepared for this. Instead, you opt to have a staring contest with the grilled chicken on her plate. Thankfully, Violet pipes up once again. "So, how are you doing? Eating well? Don't usually see you around here."
"I, uh... usually just eat in my quarters." Easier to eat in your true form than while pretending to be a completely different species. (You don't say that part out loud.)
But also, you've just been kind of avoiding everyone. Apparently that's common knowledge at this point. Either way, you haven't been to the cafeteria since that meeting. You hope she doesn't pick up on that.
"Nice try, Cobalt. But we've got more meals than there really should be by now, and everyone else has been eating them... And you've been staring at my plate like it's the most delicious thing you've ever seen." You pale. Great. You've just been caught in a lie. You're going to get thrown out of the airlock, at this rate. Your eyes dart around the room. The vent's right over there. If you could just --
Suddenly, Violet grabs your arm and stands up, pulling you up on your feet. "Nuh-uh! You're coming with me. I'm going to make you some some real food. None of that bland, pre-portioned MIRA nonsense. You can't do your tasks on an empty stomach!"
Well, at least you won't be hungry.
Notes:
Like with Slate in the previous chapter, by the end of this one I think I ended up getting a good idea of who Violet is as a character now. She's a personal trainer, and a decent cook (though her recipes are all just protein and carbs). Her drive can be a little frightening sometimes.
P_o_i_n_t on Chapter 1 Sun 22 Jan 2023 07:15PM UTC
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imbeingheldhostage on Chapter 2 Tue 04 Apr 2023 01:13AM UTC
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