MOUTHWASHING OC
Crew Relationships: Durga Lal
↓ under the cut
Anya
Anya and Durga have been friends since around the time that Anya joined the Pony Express. They completed a shipment together before, but not right before the one that took place during Mouthwashing; It occurred early on in Anya’s career and was when they met.
Durga holds Anya in high regard and views her as capable and intelligent. She has learned how to do basic stitches and obtained other medical knowledge from Anya, per her request. She believed Anya had a bright future ahead of her as a doctor and encouraged her to keep pushing for an acceptable letter into medical school.
Anya checks on Durga post-crash whenever she has the time, even though it isn't shown in-game due to pacing and time purposes. There wasn't much that could've been done for her so Durga kept silent about her physical illness, but Anya was easily able to tell what was wrong with her; Anya wishes she could've done more.
Anya was given a mallet from Durga’s tool kit to defend herself if she felt the need to after Durga had found out about her assault. Anya greatly appreciated this; the principal of the act made her feel less alone.
Daniella
Durga and Daniella hold a familial-like bond. She was with Durga during her first shipment, and took it upon herself to show her the ropes. The nature of their roles caused their duties to overlap so they naturally grew close.
They also hung out outside of work when possible. This aided in their bond growing stronger.
While not shown or specified when this happened, we know that they spoke about their pasts and familial issues with each other before the crash.
After the crash, Daniella would check on Durga when she had the time. She'd tell her funny or lighthearted stories about her life back on Earth, her time working for the Pony Express, and even some about her co-workers to lift her spirits. Durga appreciated this greatly, even though it wasn't of much help. Durga sometimes ended up comforting Daniella, even if it wasn't her friend’s intention to seek that comfort.
Daisuke
Durga has very obvious romantic feelings for Daisuke. Seven days before the crash, she blushes and smiles after being complimented by Daisuke for her soft hands.
They spent almost all their free time together, Durga giving up her breaktime naps whenever Daisuke wants to hang out. They’d talk about everything together: their hobbies, their interests, their lives, etc. Daisuke had Durga model for many of his drawings so he could draw with a reference, to which she always happily obliged.
Post-crash, Daisuke brought Durga food and water everyday. She'd reject it sometimes, which saddened him, but this was due to her inability to eat without throwing up most of the time. He didn't know this though. Daisuke did say that she always took the water regardless in a conversation with Jimmy.
He would sometimes stay in her room and talk with her after bringing her food. They'd still try to talk like they used to, but Durga was way less bubbly.
Curly
Curly was Durga’s mentor while she was training to be a freighter worker with the Pony Express; he helped with non-technical, and some technical, related knowledge. She grew close to him during this time and considered him a friend but he views her as a colleague, or more so a student. This caused distance between them. They still held mutual respect for one another though.
Post-crash, Durga only saw Curly a total of four times: after he was pulled out from the cockpit, after he was bandaged, once to talk to him, and when Daisuke had crawled to the medbay from the vents.
Durga couldn't look at him for a while due to the severity of his injuries. She hated seeing someone she admired in such a state. She didn't believe Curly was the one who crashed the ship; partially due to her intuition and partially due to her refusal to think he’d be willing to put the crew in harm’s way.
Durga was extremely disappointed and saddened when she found out how Curly handled Anya’s assault.
Swansea
Swansea was with Durga on her first ever shipment with the Pony Express. He helped her when she needed it and showed her the ropes along with Daniella. She was already well-trained already, yes, but there was always room for improvement. Especially when you're just starting out.
Durga finds his behavior at times to be distasteful, but respects his skills. Swansea finds Durga rather annoying at times, but he respects her work ethic and dedication. He reminds her of one of his children, personality wise.
He didn't check on her post-crash like the others did, but it can be assumed he had a semblance of concern for her well-being.
Jimmy
Durga didn't like Jimmy from the beginning. She has a very keen intuitive sense and he set off a bunch of alarms in her mind.
They met briefly through Curly. Durga wanted to show Curly her employee ID and the certificate of completion she had received after finishing her training and passing her test to become an official Pony Express employee. Jimmy just so happened to be with Curly at this time. Curly spoke well of him, so she believed he'd be a good person, but the first impression he made on her said otherwise.
Pre-crash, she avoided him. She only talked to him if absolutely necessary. Jimmy viewed this as her thinking lowly of him and discrediting his authority as the co-pilot. He nagged her about sleeping on her breaks, or even showing any sort of ‘tiredness’ on the job if given the chance. This led her to taking her naps in the medbay. He had no issues barging into her room to tell her off.
Along with this, he'd throw a jeering remark on her when he could; whether it be about her weight, her appearance, or a slick comment in general, knowing it bothered her. As belittling as it was to Durga, she tried not to fuss with him as she wanted peace during this shipment. Plus, he made her feel small with his words.
Post-crash, she isolated herself within her room so it wasn't hard to avoid him. When she did encounter him, it wasn't a positive experience.
Durga’s Character Profile
Durga’s Backstory