NPC CONTACT: OPEN

[futurologists]

NPC CONTACT CONTACT   ✉ ☏ 📷 Here is a post to reach any of the NPCs active within ALASTAIR. Please specify which NPC you are looking to reach in the header of your first comment. As a note, NPCs will not always be available to reach. They are often busy on their own missions or with other mechanics within ALASTAIR, so please check to be sure the post is currently open before beginning a thread. ICly, a message sent to an unavailable NPC will bounce back to the character that had sent it as an unanswered echo of their original message. The NPCs should be contacted for plot-relevant purposes and direction only. Think of them more as plot devices than characters. CURRENTLY ACTIVE NPCS: CASSIOPEIA TITLE: Weapons Expert "Moral support," weapons R&D. ( cassieology ) CHERENKOV TITLE: Magitek Developer Quantum mechanics, nuclear engineering, charms. ( cherenkology ) CROWLEY TITLE: Technomancer & Divination Specialist Quantum mysticism, sorcery, temporal physics. ( crowleyology ) DAGNY TITLE: Envoy & Master of Interuniversal Affairs Foreign relations, cookie-baking, and handing out stickers. ( dagnyology ) URUZ TITLE: Senior ALASTAIR Recruit & Orientation New recruit wrangling, stable management and maintenace. ( uruzology ) "LLOYD" TITLE: Personnel Resources Dude Consultant Mission troubleshooting, conflict resolution, gift-giving logistics. ( lloydology ) NOTE: Queries may not be answered by the NPC they're addressed to, depending on IC and OOC availability.

Comments

video | usernams: olivia

[winces]

[ while olivia is not normally the kind of person to do this — they are her seniors, after all, essentially her superiors; she is certainly not in any position to approach them like this — but this gesture isn't for her benefit, even if the answer may help appease some of her own worries.

no, this is for someone else, someone who deserves to have this peace of mind.

gently, she clears her throat. this particular message isn't to anyone in particular. simply anyone who may be able to have an answer for her. ]

U-Um. Excuse me...? I was wondering if I could ask any of you a question...

[dagnyology]

[The scene behind Dagny is a chaotic one -- futuristic buildings burn in the background as blue-skinned humanoids run past her -- but she smiles.]

Hello, Olivia! It's so lovely to see y... wait just a moment, please.

[She turns around and grabs a small blue-skinned person by the arm, quickly leading them away. A small meteor crashes directly into where they had been standing, still flaming.]

Get to the safe-house! Hurry!

[She breathes an exhausted sigh.]

Sorry about that! What was it you wanted to ask?

audio; username: Tohsaka Rin; addressed to Uruz or Dagny

[defenceless]

[rin's voice comes out level and stern, as though she's taking her mission quite seriously.]

I apologize if I'm contacting you at a bad time. Feel free to call me back whenever you can.

What happens if a recruit decides to stay with ALASTAIR permanently?

un: uruz, audio

[uruzology]

Hello, Rin!

[There's some scuffling noises in the background, but nothing sounds too life-or-death. It's as good a time as any.]

That's quite a common decision, as a matter of fact, particularly among those whose worlds have ended. Dagny and myself are lifers, and I don't believe the felines have any plans to relocate. Do you mean to ask what the process looks like?

audio, @TARANTO, to anyone

[heavyhitter]

Hey, if this world gets fucked and we gotta relocate the deer guys, that's a thing we can do, right? Just ship 'em off through a rift?

[crowleyology]

Are you saying you're failing your mission?

UN: LOKI, TO: CROWLEY. AUDIO.

[selfimage]

[ she's been sitting on this for a while, but let's go: ]

I could use some of your "no nonsense" about now.

Tell me—what exactly is ALASTAIR's definition of divinity? Gods, goddesses, anything that would fall under that rather broad umbrella. The inter-dimensional definition seems to vary depending on the dimension that the divine inhabits.

You see, in our current mission it seems surprisingly specific.

[crowleyology]

ALASTAIR is made of a collection of different faiths and beliefs, as I'm sure you're well aware just by dealing with your own teammates. There is no specific definition that we abide by. If something is classified as a "god," it is because on that world -- or universe, in some cases -- it is classified as a "god."

But you're not asking to discuss definitions. If you have a point, I suggest you get to it. I'm very busy.

video | username: olivia

[winces]

Um — Hello, again...!

[ she feels a bit bad to pester them over something like this, mostly because she'd already asked them something similar the last time... also because she caught them at a really awkward time before, but. but! she did make a few promises, so here she goes— ]

I was wondering if I could ask a few more questions about the timelines, and our worlds... Some of the other recruits had some, ah, concerns about their eventual return home.

Would it be possible that they're sent back at a different time? I think a few of us would be going back to something really.. unpleasant. Would there be any way to avoid that...?

And also — when we do get sent back, will we have memories of our time in ALASTAIR with us?

Thank you, in advance!

un: lloyd

[lloydology]

Olivia! Hi. Those are great questions, so let's go one at a time.

1. Sending someone home is a pretty complicated process. Speaking broadly, triangulateration of timespace coordinates is energy-consuming and since we already have your data on file, we can send you back safely and quickly that way. In the case of a naturally-occurring or unintentional rift, it can be random, but even then you're more likely to wind up back where and when you started.

Believe me when I say that ALASTAIR more than understands the curveballs life can throw. We won't force someone to go back to war or prison. They can stay as long as they like.

2. When we purposefully send people home, they remember. That said, if a rift opens up and you wind up back home by accident, you're going to be wiped more often than not.

Hope that clears things up.

- Lloyd, ALASTAIR personnel resources

PS. did you like Shakira???

( video ) username: achilles (i'm sorry in advance)

[heelies]

[With countenance stern as the granite face of a cliff jutting from the wine-dark sea, he addresses the device: here is a man who intends business.]

I demand an audience with one of you sons of Alastair. It is Achilles, son of Peleus, who wishes to air grievances and seek reason to trust you who purport to be as chiefs to this crew. Will you listen, or do my words fall upon deaf ears?

video, username: uruz

[uruzology]

[And in contrast here's a pleasant face, polite smile already in place when she answers.]

Hello, Achilles, son of Peleus. I hope you've been well! I'm Uruz. I'll have to correct you that I'm certainly no chief to your crew, nor are there really any at all -- but I'll be pleased to listen nevertheless.

UN: LOKI; TO: CHERENKOV; TEXT.

[selfimage]

[ there are small spans of time when he's not being bitten by temporal insects. ]

No time for greetings, I assume, but I will make it worth your while. I've something that may be in your interest.

so sorry about the delay!

[cherenkology]

I'm listening, LOKI.

video, un: I CAN B UR DADDY

[moneyballer]

[Asher isn't sure he trusts ALASTAIR, but then again, when has he ever? Annalise isn't really one to play by the rules either, for all her expertise and accolades. Despite everything suspicious that's happened so far, and the undeniable truth that Annalise is a boss-ass bitch, he may have more faith in his current employers than his old one.]

Hey.

[Should he be polite? Overly enthusiastic?

For now, he decides to go about this the way he would address Annalise. God knows, maybe the people in charge are just as cold and terrifying.]

So... I know that us being here is kind of an accident. Like, we're not chosen because we're special, or what-the-f-

[Asher clears his throat. Whoops! Polite, polite, right.]

Or anything like that.

What if we feel like we're really not of any use here, though? I just...

[This is not putting one's best foot forward, and he knows that.

But he wants honesty, this time.]

I'm not used to places like this.

video, un: Uruz

[uruzology]

[ Wherever Uruz currently is, the sky behind her is purple marbled with green, with spiky pink plants jutting up into it. She's already got a pleasant smile in place as she answers. ]

Hello! It's -- Asher, isn't it? I'm Uruz.

Now, let's see, that's quite a question. Let's break it down a little. Why do you feel you're not of any use?

voice; un: white_lotus

[pummelling]

[following this hissy fit all over the network, he's taking the next step and going right to ALASTAIR. Jin doesn't particularly care who he reaches: he just needs to hear somebody on the other line.]

I wanna know who's running the show around here and why they're so friggin' awful at it.

[A beat. Maybe that wasn't so great of a start, so he gathers his thoughts, and tries again: less frustration, more simmering exasperation.]

After how messy everything has been in Oska since I got here, how do I know this next destination isn't going to just wind up a disaster?

[these are, after all, entire timelines that hang in the balance: generations and generations of planets, peoples, families. Getting it wrong because of yet another mishap would do untold damage and he wouldn't even know it. For once, then, he'll offer them something earnest. As annoyed as he is with ALASTAIR, he needs them to know this.]

I want to help the people on these worlds. But if we're just going to make it worse, I don't want any part of this.

text: Q❤EEN

[cassieology]

omg nobody?? nobody,, my guy

we are egalitarian, brother (︶ω︶)

i mean there is The Timeline though it tells us what to do where to go and then we're like yeah!! we're going there!! we're doing that!!

but that's it

we are one big happy fam OK (▰˘◡˘▰)

( video | un: skywalker )

[apoptotic]

[ brusquely, ] I want to put in a transfer to a different team.

un: lloyd;

[lloydology]

Sure, there's a form you'll have to fill out the next time you're in Oska. Transfers are on an as-needed basis, so you'll have to wait until there's an opening.

May I ask why?

video; un: redlion | post-fire, pre-infos post

[secondnature]

I need to talk to—[There's a pause. Ugh, why hasn't he bothered to actually learn more about ALASTAIR? Writing them off as people he didn't want to bother with because they were authority figures who stole his lion was probably a bad idea. Especially since he's realized they probably didn't steal his lion.]

Someone, anyone, about the Taraxa. I found a file here.

video;

[lloydology]

[ Normally, LLoyd prefers text; it's easier, not to mention quicker given the myriad other things that occupy his time. But as soon as he hears the word 'Taraxa', he knows that he's unlikely to like whatever's coming.

The image Keith sees is the dungeons of Oska castle, AKA the drafty, dingy part of the castle no one likes to be in. The room is small, cramped, and absolutely filled with various folders, storage cases and whirring terminals spouting holographic data in real-time. Lloyd has his communicator on his wrist, and is peering down at Keith. His expression is held almost entirely in the tightness of his jaw and the knot of his brows. His face is silver like the moon, made of flexible plastic, and its eyes are twin black lenses, whirring gently as he focuses his attention. ]

Talk to me, chief. [ Pet names; his only vice. ] What did you find?

( from: skywalker. to: lloyd. )

[apoptotic]

We agreed to resume our discussion after the mission ended.

[lloydology]

I haven't forgotten. I have tea ready for you, once you guys wrap up.

(You do like tea, right?)

12/21, hours before the nondenominational winter ball | audio

[winces]

[ olivia wasn't entirely sure who to ask for, at first. she knows from experience that both the senior recruits and lloyd himself had been very helpful, and even more than willing to extend a hand when they could.

but considering the special nature of her request... in the end, she defaults to someone who may possibly have more fingers in more jars. ]

Um — hello. Is Mr. Lloyd available...?

[lloydology]

[ It's a number of minutes before Lloyd responds, if only because he's rushing to get things set up. NDWC is Dagny's project, but that doesn't mean everyone isn't helping out. Who can say no to Dagny? Stronger people than Lloyd, maybe. ]

Hey there, twinkle toes! What can I do for you?

voice, un. hawkeye | any npc is a-okay!

[strictdiscipline]

[The question lingers at the back of her mind for weeks: through the end of Perdition's Rest, over the entire evening of the Nondenominational Winter Celebration, and for days past that. Finally, she finds a quiet corner during a quiet day and fires off a quick message.]

Excuse me, but I have a question regarding a person's place in their respective timeline.

[crowleyology]

[Congrats, Riza, you got one of the cats.] In what way?

un: fiona

[cachemoney]

Hi. Could I talk to one of you? I need like... a pep talk or something. Or advice. Or answers?

[cassieology]

come at me, friend!! (◠‿◠✿) what do you need??

un: white_lotus | anybody's coo

[pummelling]

[sup kittypaw and/or lloyd. the idiot from a few months ago is back for more, and... at the very least, all that time on mission's assuaged him as to his place in the organization. fortunately for everybody, he's a little more composed this time around.]

Hey. I know a lot of the data's been lost, but I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about the ongoing Zymandis situation.

[jin realizes that question's especially broad, but hey... may as well cast a wide net to get whatever information he can.]

voice; un: uruz

[uruzology]

Hullo, there! Jin, isn't it? I hope you've been well, settled into your team a bit.

Now then, what would you like to know about them?

un: Sasaki

[ex_adept136]

If any of you have a few minutes, I've got a couple of questions. Some of that's a follow-up to what I've heard from Jin regarding a matter we'd discussed prior, and the rest is more logistical in nature, if it helps to know that upfront.

[cassieology]

i always got time for my lil sibs!! (◠ω◠✿)

what do you need, sweetie!!

( from: skywalker. to: lloyd. )

[apoptotic]

About the support positions. What openings do you have?

[lloydology]

For you, or for someone else?

un: shitpost king

[hedonistic]

so i hear ALASTAIR can give magic to people
how does that work + what strings are attached

[uruzology]

Hello, there! Yes, it's true, so long as the recruit in question has some kind of aptitude for magic usage. Typically, I believe a runner is sent through our rather vast library to put together a scroll, which is then linked to the magitek of the recruit who put in the request.

As far as strings go, this of course does take a bit of energy, so it may take the recruit in question slightly longer to accrue enough energy to go home again. Not so much, don't you worry! I'm talking along the span of months, provided you don't go for a spell that requires too much energy.

un: redlion

[secondnature]

[This occurs a few days after the return to Oska. Keith has to muster up the courage to even try. He doesn't know that his request will fail, but that's partly because what he's going to ask for—a username change—isn't really the type of thing he'd look into having happen in the first place.]

Hey.

I have a request. I'm not sure who to give it to.

I need to change my username. Mine doesn't fit anymore.

[The staccato nature of his writing hides a singular fact: that writing this, that acknowledging that he's the leader of Voltron, is still hard on him—for him.

And that this is the last thing he ever thought would happen.]

[crowleyology]

Recruit Redlion, what is the problem with your current username? Do you no longer care for lions?

( text | un: b.w. )

[controlling]

To Whom It May Concern:

At the earliest convenience, I'd like to speak about non-field options for those individuals who shouldn't be exposed such as minors. In addition to [ he remembers vividly his arrival in the middle of a war zone, ] what protections exist for those currently present who have no special abilities or natural defenses of their own to rely on.

I await your response.

Bruce Wayne

[lloydology]

Hey there, champ! You can call me Lloyd, and I'm your team's Personnel Resources contact. No need to be so formal; we're pretty casual around these parts.

Because concepts like adulthood and larval stages vary from species to species (not to mention from individual to individual!), we don't exactly limit the kinds of jobs recruits are allowed to take on because of their age. We trust all recruits to judge their own capabilities. But if you know anyone who doesn't seem to be enjoying field work, send them my way and I'll give them options!

We also trust recruits to look after their teammates, so as for what protections exist... well, look around!

Does that clear things up?

TEXT. UN: LOKI.

[selfimage]

[ since his visit to the mechanical room, and now after their run in with Mavahari, there are questions. specifically, one that seems to tie the two sides together. ]

Tell me,
Does the name Ophiel ring a bell to anyone?
Inquiring minds and all.

text, un: uruz

[uruzology]

Hullo Loki!
I'm afraid not. What's his, her, or possibly xyr context?

[voice; un: METTATON]

[ex_mettacrusher33]

Good evening, darlings! Hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just have a teensy, tiny little question!

I've noticed that every once in awhile... something mystical or strange happens. Unexplained little somethings, like, say; suddenly being unable to lie or plagued by incidental sound effects. Somethings that only seem to happen to me.

You wouldn't happen to know what that is, would you?

un: Q❤EEN

[cassieology]

uh well actually we are kinda in the middle of saving a fucking world lmfao but sure i will entertain your super basic question (◠‿◠✿)

let me just put these orphaned kitten-moths (they're like, a cross between a kitten???
and a moth?? its e x t r e m e l y cute) down so i can type to u over their miserable mewling and hungry cheeps ヽ(‘ ∇‘ )ノ

ok

ok

the answer is:

its a timeline glitch

it happens to lots of people

you're not special

calm the fuck down

bye (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ