Vocal Mimicry and Ear Worms
Every time the drink machine finished, it played a little song.
It was pretty simple, less than 10 notes, but it was the same song, every time.
It wasn't even that it played the same song every time. It wasn't even that everyone on the ship - except the humans - got a drink from the machine.
The song was catchy.
Peg started it. She just found her self whistling the "drink finished" song one day. "beep beepita beep beep beep beepita beeeeeeep." She couldn't help it.
Then, Kelly picked it up. The song worked its way into her head too. She'd be working at her station and suddenly she'd be struck by an intense need to sing the song.
After about three cycles, every single human on the ship was singing it. Normally, this would be chalked up by the rest of the crew as "just another strange Human thing" but the problem was that it was the 'drink finished' song. Everyone onboard was conditioned to want to go get their drink when the song was done.
The humans could mimic is perfectly.
"beep beepita beep beep beep beepita beeeeeeep."
Captain Flowing River Rapid's feathers fluffed in irritation. Two people on the Command Deck got three quarters of the way out of their seats before they realized what they were doing and sat back down, sheepish. "Desmond! What have I said about mimicing the drink finished melody?"
Desmond ducked his head at the reproach. "Sorry Captain River, I couldn't help it. It's just so catchy."
Captain River clacked his beak. "It wouldn't be so bad if not for the fact that you can all mimic the sound so well."
Desmond turned and looked at the Captain. "What? We are? We're singing it, but it doesn't sound exactly like the drink machine."
The Captain pointed at Desmond accusingly. "Don't deny it! You're all singing the song at all times of the cycle! You know that everyone thinks a drink is ready when you do it. You sound exactly like the machine!"
One of the Sefigans who got partially up from their station nods quickly, their antenna bobbing. "Captain River is correct, Des. You all really sound a lot like the drink machine. How are you doing it?"
Desmond shrugged. "I mean, we heard the song, and it gets like, stuck in our heads. Singing it feels like one way to get it out. Plus, it's fun to sing Kel. Fun to make sounds."
Kel's wing covers clack. "Can you mimic other things?"
"I don't know Kel, I don't really think of myself as a mimic. There are others who can do it much better than me. Some humans made a whole career out of it."
"That sounds like a thing I human would do, yes. But what about your Des? Let's see...." Kel looks down at their station. "What about this?"
Kes runs a test for the collision alarm. It's a warbling rising and falling tone."
Des thinks for a second and sings - for him - a pretty close approximation.
Captain River gasps and leans back in his chair. "How do you do that?"
Desmond wails. "It wasn't even that good! I just heard the tones and repeated them."
Kelly entered the Command Deck just then. She was carrying a pad and her overalls looked stained. "Captain River, I've just come to report tha-"
"Kelly! Mimic the collision alarm"
"What? Um.." Kelly makes the same noise."
Now, everyone on the Command Desk gasps. Kelly is taken aback and looks at Desmond. "What's going on Des?"
Desmond sighs. "They say we're all mimics. It started with the drink machine."
"Oh that. I still can't get it out of my head! 'beep beepita beep beep beep beepita beeeeeeep.'"
Kes starts to rise from his seat again and catches himself, and sits back down swearing.
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Who fell first? Who fell harder?
Who is the one who fusses the most? Does their S/O mind very much?
What is their love language?
Has either OC ever gotten a hickey off the other? What was their reaction?
What is something they like to do together?
Who would ask the "would you love me if I were a worm?" question? How would their S/O answer?
Who likes forehead kisses? Who likes hand kisses? Who likes neck kisses?
Who is the big spoon? Little spoon?
If there wasnt enough seats, how would they sit? One on the other's lap? One on the armrest? One on the floor in front of them?
Who plays with whose hair?
Who is clingy?
What is something their S/O does that makes them flustered?
What is something they find hot about their S/O?
What is something they argue about constantly? Is it a deep-seated issue or something small?
How do they comfort one another when the other is upset?
Who is the better caretaker? Does their S/O like being taken care of?
Who steals whose clothes? Does their significant other mind?
They've had a major blowout. How do they handle it?
How good are they are communication?
Who handles the spiders? Who screams directions in the background?
Who typically tends to initiate intimacy first (this can be a conversation, action or anything)?
What is something - either character - doesn't like about the other?
Who said "I love you" first?
Who kissed who first?
Do they have any pet names for one another?
Who gets jealous most often? How does their S/O deal with that?
Who tends to drive on long journeys? Who navigates?
Do they trust one another? Are comfortable discussing their fears with one another?
What's an insecurity they hold about their relationship?
Describe how one character would cheer the other up after a hard day.
How would they describe one another.
Can they communicate private thoughts whilst in company? If so, how?
Which one of them gives "that look" when they other is acting like a fool?
How do they address a problem in their relationship?
How does each significant other view any exes and former relationships?
What is something that would break their hearts?
Who is more likely to avenge their S/O if they were hurt or killed?
What would be their ideal evening in?
Do they dance? If so, who's better?
What is a song that reminds you of the OCs' relationship?
Who sings to the other? Are they any good?
Who teases who? What about?
Who gets up early? Who stays in bed late?
Who's more likely to bring the other coffee or breakfast in bed?
What's the worst thing the other can say to one?
If they were ever in a life or death situation, who risks their life?
If it ever came down to it, who is turning to the darkside to save the other?
If they ever had less that 5 mins to tell their S/O something before never seeing them again, what would they say?
Is there a word or gesture that makes either of them melt?
Who's the romantic?
Are there any characters who ship them?
Who cooks? Who does the dishes?
Who eats healthier? Who's got the sweet-tooth?
What's something that they don't really care for but tolerate because S/O has an interest?
Who spoils who? Does their S/O tolerate it? Do they secretly enjoy it?
Who tends to be the level-headed one? Who is feral?
Who reminds the other to wear a coat when it's cold out?
Do they hold hands?
Is there a spot they tend to kiss or caress habitual?
Are they willing to show PDA? If not, is there a reason?
How would they describe their S/O in one word?
How would outside characters describe their relationship?
How would they describe one another in bed?
Would they ever answer the above question if it was asked to their face? How would they react?
Who tends to take the lead in intimate encounters?
Have they ever been caught in the act? What would be their reaction if they were?
Have they ever done it anywhere questionable?
Who is more vocal? Who is more experienced?
If they were to go shopping, who holds the bags? Who decides where they go?
If they went out to dinner, who is paying? Would there even be a discussion?
If someone were to insult their S/O, how would the other handle it?
If someone flirted with or showed an interest in their S/O, how would the other react?
Who knows the other better? Why is this?
Who's more likely to bail who out of jail? Would they give the other one shit for it?
Which - if any - other famous ship's vibes do they emulate?
Are they soulmates? Do they believe in that?
What is something they would never forgive the other one for doing/saying?
Who has memorised the other's medical history?
Also, are they each other's first contact in an accident?
What tropes could be applied to this relationship?
Did they have a meet cute? Or was it a train wreck?
Make their relationship into a list of A03 tags.
Who gets frustrated more easily? Who does the other calm them down?
Have they ever almost lost one another? How does it effect their relationship?
Their S/O is tipsy. How do they handle it?
Who gives the best gifts? Who gives the more thoughtful? Who goes for expensive?
If they ever lost one another in a public place, how do they find the other?
What's the darkest secret they have ever told one another?
Would they ever consider marriage?
Would they ever consider starting a family?
Who likes kids more? Who can't stand them?
There's a puddle in one's way. What does their S/O do?
One has hurt their leg on a hike. How does their S/O carry them?
Their pet has caused destruction. Who puts the pet in jail? Who defends the pet?
Who gives flowers to their S/O? What sort of flowers do they like?
Who reads the newspaper? Who wants to see the cartoons?
How do they wake their S/O up? Is it difficult to rouse them?
Who would burn the world down for who?
Who gives off "they said no pickles" energy?
Make a meme of this ship.
You can ask me about: Nikolai/Misha, Alekks/Erika, Katya/Marina, Hadrien/Art
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