[action, set chronologically before the video post]
[ There is a middle aged man in a lab coat having the time of his fucking life. Dr. Darling has only been on the Barge for fifteen minutes and already he's decided that he's never leaving this place. It's an extradimensional space ship run by an extradimensional being that okay, has expectations of him and seems to conform to Earth standard morality, but that only opens up more questions for him to explore! This place is nothing but data! It's fantastic!

But the first step to obtaining data is field observations. Darling can be found all over the Barge, just getting in the way. He's opening any door he comes across (including trying to barge into people's rooms, whoops). He's dropping items off the side of the ship, scribbling on a notepad some field observations as they land in the net. He's talking to the plants including the nonsentient ones because sometimes you've just got to talk to plants, okay? They like it.

Through it all, he's radiating big 'kid in a candy store' energy. This is possibly the happiest person who's ever set foot on the Barge. ]

[video]
[ Eventually, he realizes he should introduce himself. Eventually. It's a few hours later.

The camera clicks on to what is undoubtedly an office. There are file folders in the background, sticky notes on a corkboard attached to the wall, posters in the background that are covered up by sticky notes and pieces of paper. Eagle eyed Barge denizens (or nosy nellies) can read a few of the words on the papers. 'Black rock.' 'Hedron.' 'AWE.' Dr. Darling sits at a desk, wide grin on his face. There's a remarkably old looking computer slightly in frame. He's still wearing his lab coat as well as a fun little bowtie and sweater. ]

Hello there my new shipmates! Or, should I say, ahoy there, matey! [ 'Ahoy there, matey' is said with a remarkably mediocre attempt at a pirate accent. He chuckles a little at his own joke, before continuing. ]

I'm Dr. Casper Darling, formerly of the Federal Bureau of Control, now of the Barge. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone—as well as getting to know about the Barge herself. This place is absolutely fascinating. There has to be some sort of invisible yet permeable shield around the deck and the nets, as you can see into space and throw things off the side, but you can still breathe. Isn't that fascinating?

Of course, the alternative is that the Barge has changed us all so that we can breathe in space, but that wouldn't explain the gravity on the deck. Even if we could breathe in space, the moment we step outside, we'd have been flung into the depths. But we're able to walk on the deck, to interact with things in ways that replicate Earth's gravity. And why Earth in the first place? Why doesn't the entire ship replicate the gravity of the moon, or a different planet?

[ You get the impression that this man could ramble on about science, just spitballing about certain topics for days on end. Indeed, Darling looks like he's about to say something else, before he catches himself. ]

But you probably don't want to hear me ramble on like this. I turned on the device for a reason. One, to introduce myself. Two, to ask if there's a linen closet anywhere. I did a little poking around, but I wasn't able to open all of the doors. [ Oh, so he's an inmate. ] The Admiral made my room my office, which I am very pleased about. And I don't mind sleeping on the couch—I've certainly done it before. Long nights and hard work, you know? But it's always a little bit better to have a sheet and pillow, especially if I'm going to be using this long-term.

( ooc: 100% up for continuing any TDM threads on this post if you want! )