tushanshu | (no subject)

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[As the video cuts on a girl can be seen trying to adjust the settings only to slam her fist down right next to the keyboard in total frustration.]

Stupid technology…and I thought the ancient El-Hazardians made things complicated; this has got to be even worse!

[Because technology is only good when it works, and highly selective in whoever it chooses to be user friendly toward. Can you really blame her?

Upon closer inspection of the girl, she looks somewhat drained, like the strength had been sapped from her body and she was slowly trying to get it back. She shows some visible signs of her weariness, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger.]

Okay…whatever…it’s on so it’ll be what it’ll be for now…just as long as I can communicate…oh and since we’re communicating I’m going to need some answers right now.

[She sure sounds grateful, doesn’t she.]

Because…well, to be frank I didn’t understand a single thing those Phantom Tribe look-alikes were trying to yammer at me…and while we’re on the subject of yammering keep it brief. [She makes the gesture for small with her fingers to emphasize the point.] I was dumped here with a massive headache and I don’t think I can take too much…I don’t know if it has something to do with the fact that I can’t use my powers all that great…[She snaps her fingers, but only a small burst of fire appears briefly and like a candle being extinguished it goes away]…or maybe they did something…bastards…if they did I’ll seriously…

[…“kick their ass” is hanging in the air there somewhere, but a wave of weariness washes over her and she drops her head into her hands.]…This is so stupid…

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Rationing, what rationing, no one said a damn thing to me about rationing. [They might have said something, but she wasn't paying attention.] Hey, buster, spill it!

[You surmise correctly, when it comes to good food no one stands in Shayla's way...and booze, she's fond of that stuff too.]

[of course they didn't]

The crops aren't growing well, so we've got limited food stores. So everyone over twelve can only buy a set amount of food per week.

I know some people use it as an excuse to go fishing more; anything you can catch isn't rationed.

Well isn't that just brilliant of them, bring people to their little floating prison hell while there's a food shortage. [Whatever potential there was for anger turns into exasperation.] My power needs to hurry up and come back...I have a couple of objections.

So where do people go fishing at anyway?

[Zel had a feeling he wanted to be on the other side of the turtle when she presented her objections]

We're on a giant turtle in the middle of an ocean. If you head in any direction out of the city, assuming you aren't breaking into the Emperor's palace, you'll hit ocean.

[Wherever that feeling is coming from it certainly serves him well.]

You can break into that place? [Are you trying to give her ideas? She shakes her head, but that doesn't mean she's not considering it.] Damn, I haven't been fishing since I was a brat, of course once you're in the abbey it's not really something you have to worry about...

...You got anymore interesting information?

[experience with Lina Inverse. Long, painful experience. Turns out it applies to other people.]

I haven't tried to break in. I wouldn't try to plan it in a post that everyone can read, though.

[Not that he wouldn't. Or hadn't considered it. But he's not going to admit that where others would see it.]

And it depends on what you consider interesting.

Whahahaaat? Who said anything about making any kind of plans, buster, don't be silly!

[You'll blow her cover totally with talk like that.]

I was just curious, that's all.

[Nice save.]

Hm...I don't know, I was out of it when the Kedan, or whatever they're called...were trying to explain everything...anything about this place would probably be interesting.

Let's see. The city has five sectors, all decorated after their name. We have to work to get paid, but not very much. Rent seems to be free, at least.

Five Sectors...I'm aware of the Fire and the Metal Sectors. What kind of work do they have around this place?

[shrugs, forgetting that she can't see him] Town jobs. Some menial labor and clerking and other things if you actually have useful skills. A few people have even opened businesses.

Of course I have useful skills. [Useful is the key word here.] I take it they don't have many hot springs around here?

Not natural ones, but someone might have set up some kind of bathhouse. There's certainly no shortage of water, and some of the technology here makes it easy to heat. Even the lodgings we're given have hot water piped in for bathing.

[Because not having to carry firewood and heat water is luxury as far as Zel is concerned.]

Hm...I could whip up a salt bath, who doesn't like a nice, cleansing salt bath! [That's pretty ambitious, but it does liven her up a little bit.] Besides, if I'm going to stay here it'll be necessary.

So, if there's a food shortage there must be a booze shortage...any other shortages I should be aware of?

Given we're surrounded by ocean, there's no shortage of salt.

And I'm not aware of any other shortages, besides food and alcohol.

Exactly!

Two of life's basic creature comforts...[sigh]...ah well I guess we've covered shortages and work. What about the other three Sectors? I know about the Fire and Metal ones already...well a little bit.

Those two tend to be the richest. Earth Sector, where I live, has a lot of craftspeople and stone buildings. Wood sector has giant trees, and Water sector has canals.

Well that's pretty concise.

This might be a stupid question but has anyone managed to get off of this floating rock?

Floating turtle.

There's some kind of barrier that blocks direct flights or swimming. And the one time we made port, the country didn't look too hospitable. People disappear and are supposed to have been sent home, but we can't confirm that. Anyone who comes back does so without memory of having been here.

[Zel should know; supposedly he was one of those people.]

Floating turtle...man, I still can't wrap my mind around that.

Well I don't specialize in the wind element so flying'd be out anyway, but even if I wanted to swim I couldn't. It's a giant prison after all.

So...they might not really be going back...

I have to say I hope they are, as I have a friend that happened to, but... we only have the Emperor's word.

[And Zel is not a trusting person]

Sorry, I don't mean to throw any kind of muck into the mix especially if it's a friend. It just seems kinda strange, and I don't exactly trust this Emperor.

[Something they have in common.]

You're not the only one, even ignoring my own opinions. Most people don't think kindly of royalty that think press gangs are the best way to recruit people.

Haaa! Is that what they're trying to do?

I have no clue what their goal is, but we were brought here for some reason.

I see...that...kinda pisses me off. Of course being brought here for no reason at all is a pain in the ass too.

There's no happy medium here.