#septimacrane

This was an uncertainty, something Alyx hated above much else. To seek out company, aid, from a person she did not know, whose motives and personality were discussed only in whisper spoke to the levels of hopelessness she felt. Even the most proud of creatures must seek help when wounded and alone; desperation was a motivator for any sentient species, and humans were no different. Even now, only two days in from her arrival at Purgatory, grief at the deaths of her crewmates and friends still raw, terrified already at the savagery of her fellow inmates, she felt lost, uncertain of the viability of the path she’d trod for so long.

Her work provided little mental distraction from the painful quandaries plaguing her mind, tedious as it was. Sweeping, scouring tiles -- they were far from her area of expertise, frustrating in their simplicity, and so Alyx instead distracted herself through listening to the talk of the other inmates. Some of the chatter was inane, some threatening, some suggestive, and only a little was actually valuable to her. Talk of a person of high intelligence, who bordered on obsessive about science, who ruled Purgatory. Throughout the day, Alyx asked quiet questions, gleaning what tiny fragments of information she could about them, the most fragmented, fragile hope growing within her. Alone as she was, the idea of perhaps working with, or even for this person was far more appealing than the drudgery she was now tasked with. It would be a way to build a new life, perhaps.

It was in front of this enigma’s door she now found herself, face pale with nerves, but blank with the control Alyx worked so hard to exercise. If she believed in a god she would have thanked them for this chance, for the ease of manipulation and flirtation it took to convince the guard to guide her here, and for the whispers she’d heard. This was an opportunity it was uncertain if she would ever get again, and so as she stepped in to the room, graceful and almost elegant despite the prisoner’s uniform, back straight, neutral smile sliding on to her face instinctively. “I am unknown to you, I believe, but as a woman of science, I had some hope that I may be of use, and I thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. My name is Alyx Wen, and I have a doctorate in Xenology, as well as several other degrees in related fields. I was informed that our areas of interest intersect.”