Don't go where the path may lead you

(Backdated to Jan. 30th)

[Public video]
[He's still in the Pub, looking rather more refreshed after an uninterrupted power nap. He's emptying out coffee filters, shaking his head.]

I'm here to make drinks and serve coffee. And right now, I'm all outta coffee.

Not joking. We emptied out the Pub's coffee supply. On the off chance that someone has a surplus, we could really use some.

[Private to Rocket]
[Duke and Rocket were only paired a few hours ago and already he's got a headache. He can roll with most of the Barge's punches and get past the "talking animal" thing without making Disney jokes, but this is going to be one tough assignment.

Rocket's already proven that with Mason.

At least he and Rocket have mostly gotten along so far, despite his anger over the new pairing. He thinks he can work with this.]

You've got a choice. We can talk with or without oatmeal cookies, because I just made some.

[Backdated to Flood's End]

That was incredible! It was eloquent and lyrical and insane and I haven't been that confused since my first acid trip.

Well done, Admiral. Three out of five stars.

( Filtered to wardens )

( Private to Philip )

( But my misery haunts me even in my dreams )

[Video]
[Duke’s eyes are downcast, only flickering up to the lens occasionally. He keeps it brief, sighing before he speaks, quietly and honestly.]

I’m sorry. All of you – I’m here now.

[Duke's first hint that something was different comes in the form of Brownie scratching at the door and whining when he fixes coffee in the morning. Nathan's always up, and even in the brief times when he drops off he wouldn't sleep through his dog's crying. Duke lets her out and she bounds into the stateroom, standing at his side; the room she emerges from, Nathan's room, is empty.

He tries Nathan's communicator, gets nothing; waits an hour, tries again, gets nothing. After about six attempts he's nearly knocking down Nathan's official cabin's door. He's not in the art room, he's not in the mess hall - he just isn't anywhere, just gone. Like a Trouble took him.

One more try to reach Nathan and Duke gives up, sure of it this time.]

I think Nathan left. I know he didn't mean to.

That was a trip.

[Duke's first breach. He's not going to dwell on it, the mantra "It's a Barge thing" running through his head although once again he never expected a Barge thing like that.]

If anyone's taking opinions, I for one would prefer not to do that again. Hell of a universe, though. Star Wars meets Virgil meets the Borg - I didn't even know places like that existed. It makes where I come from look almost boring. [Hyperbole of the century.] And let's face it, everyone here's from somewhere special that's probably weird to lots of other people.

So… what's it like where you're from? If anyone wants to share.

( Private messages for Cassel, Bush, River, Nathan, Mindy )