001 Ω Video

[franchisepirate]

[A blond, pony-tailed man with discerning blue eyes peers into the camera, pausing momentarily as though he expected something significant to happen. And then he raises his eyebrows and quirks one side of his mouth in a facial shrug, apparently deciding to move on despite the lack of it.]

I suppose this is more efficient than quill and ink, but it lacks a certain panache, wouldn't you say? [Being that Westley's not quite certain who he's addressing, best to presume there's someone or another there.]

So, here we are. Not that I can particularly identify who "we" are other than myself, nor am I especially well-versed in where "here" is, but thus the point of my inquiry. [A small, thin smile at his humor, which somehow manages to come off as less self-congratulatory and more charming.] Perhaps someone might be so kind as to share whatever they feel is relevant to a relative newcomer.

Oh, and I nearly forgot.

[He didn't, but best to come off casual about this specific area.]

If anyone can point me toward a blacksmith, that would be quite helpful.

Comments

[backinakidflash]

[Bart is sure that this must make sense somewhere.

He's just not sure where.]

Digital records are more lasting. I think you're supposed to bring the panache. Deck yourself out with 20 pieces of flare. Go big or go home.

Except for the part where we can't.

You really use quills here? I'm never writing again. I'd have to wait for the ink to seep and blot and dry.

[franchisepirate]

[That is a... lot of words, indeed, and rather haphazardly arranged. As if they were fighting for which might be the first past the tongue.]

I tend to avoid flaring indiscriminately unless absolutely necessary. It can be more hassle than it's worth.

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[kvarterskommissarie]

I agree. There is a sense of... detachment with these things, as convenient as they might be.

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[franchisepirate]

Convenience can be as limiting as it is helpful, depending. [He's recently been the victim of "modern technology" and it resulted in his apparent death. Safe to say he's wary.] Being new to this particular one, I tend to believe your assessment.

I trust all communication isn't required to be put through these machines?

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[loveandloyalty]

[Renly is slowly learning how to use this contraption, figuring it must be some sort of necessity here, and an introduction like that, he can't pass up. He's always been a social sort of man. He just laughs a little as he manages to get the video on.]

I'm afraid my own search for a good blacksmith has turned up woefully short of results.

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[franchisepirate]

Has it? Shame. [That doesn't necessarily mean there is a lack of them, only that others are not aware of them, or have not been necessarily forthcoming.]

[Also interesting is that this man evidently is seeking to be armed, as Westley is. Lacking horses and given these sublime accommodations, there is little use anyone else could have for a blacksmith.] But surely with a city this vast, there must be some manner of metalworking.

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[heartofgraces]

[You want panache, Wesley? How about this one's very stylish white coat?]

I haven't been here very long myself,but...I did find some weapon shops. Not a blacksmith, though, but I'd assume there's places that sell armor too.

...My name's Asbel, by the way. [Since Wesley seemed to want to know who he was talking to.]

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[franchisepirate]

[He prefers black, but to each his own.]

Have you? That's encouraging. I was beginning to suspect I'd have to build my own forge. Which would be an adventure indeed.

[Hm, the name issue. His customary introduction is typically delivered at swordpoint and with a far different intent than earning trust, or some approximation of it.] Westley. A pleasure.

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[wintershepherd]

The Fire Sector has the best craftspeople, I've had them make a few small things for me.

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[franchisepirate]

Fire... yes, of course, that makes perfect sense. [There's the small matter of him having nowhere near enough of his bearings to know where that may be, but no need to admit quite that level of ignorance just yet.]

Would I be imposing to ask what they've made for you?

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[jirk]

A blacksmith.

[This is a total deadpan. Prime Directive, what?]

Man, what century are you even from?

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[franchisepirate]

[To say that is not the response he expected would be fair, but Westley is never entirely unprepared for eventualities where he is clearly at a loss. The key is not seeming to be at a loss.]

Before blacksmithing went out of use, evidently. Which is a bit sad if you ask me. Of all arts to be lost to time...

Westley don't tell him you're a pirate

[mopirates_moproblems]

I'm afraid I don't know of one. It seems that in addition to their elevated writing mechanisms, this culture no longer has use for a proper smith.

May I ask what you need forged?

bahahaha this will end SO WELL

[franchisepirate]

A shame, that. I had been hoping for some odds and ends that seem to have been lost in transit. [Dodging questions is a talent of any great pirate!]

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[refusing]

Quill and ink? [Her eyebrows arch, but she smiles. She's guessing he's from a time long before her. But time is all a big mess anyway, so it doesn't really matter all that much.]

These things are kinda impersonal. I always like speaking face to face, but sometimes it's easier to do it this way. I'm not too sure about a blacksmith, but someone around here has to know how to do it. [Right? She'll just be optimistic about that.]

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[franchisepirate]

Easier, undoubtedly. But it will take some adjusting. [Which, fortunately, he's wonderful at.] Do forgive any unintentional breaches of device etiquette in the meantime.

Your optimism is more encouraging than any response thus far, madam.

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[suoxi]

[ Smile! ]

It does lack a certain...finesse.

[video]

[franchisepirate]

Well put, madam. So it does. [A smile in return. He's not above using charm to get things done.]

And yet, I must admit, it is effective.

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[insecrets]

Who needs panache when you get to see such charming faces on your screens everyday?

[Finnick offers up a grin.] You're on the back of a giant turtle. Who happens to be sick at the moment, if the decay and rotting smells haven't alerted you to that yet. [Finnick Odair, the most cheerful of men.] We're currently dealing with rations, and not too long ago, a hunk of satellite fell from the sky, releasing spectres that possessed people.

[A beat.] The Fire Sector should have what you're looking for.

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[franchisepirate]

[Ah, information. Of course it wouldn't come in neatly manageable hunks, but no use being penny-rich and pound-poor.]

Well, the sailing aspect is familiar enough. I'm afraid the rest of it leaves something to be desired as far as a warm welcome, but I thank you nevertheless.

Based on my current location in a 'water' sector, I would imagine the pattern follows similarly for the remainder of the city proper?

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[virginprice]

I am certain you can bring as much panache to the screen as your penmanship could to the page. [Alcuin looks amused.]

You are in the city of Keeliai, on the great turtle Tu Vishan. I realize that that likely raises more questions than it answers.

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[franchisepirate]

[Whether a challenge or a vote of confidence among strangers, Westley grins in such a way that says he intends not to disappoint, even as his words may say otherwise.] One can only hope.

And it likely may, but I've learned not to interrupt someone who's doing quite well on their own. [That is, he appreciates the concise summary, and if you'd care to continue...?]

video;; lemme know if this is cool! gently touches 4th wall

[cons]

[ okay. okay.

she's learned by now that you can't just point at someone and go hey, I know you from that one movie, but this feed actually makes her have to take a pause, recollect herself, and figure out how to wrap her head around this. it could be someone that isn't the protagonist of one of the greatest films of all time. it could be someone that just looks and talks just like him.

so she has to play it cool ]

You-

uuh.

[ uuuuuuhbrainfart. ahem ]

I mean. Hi. Welcome to the turtle.

The locals are pretty bitter about us all being here, but if you stick with most of the other people who've been kidnapped out of their own world, you should settle just fine here.

[ and there you have it. the guy who just has to be the only person that could ever leave Wichita at a loss for words. ]

video;; works for me!

[franchisepirate]

[Well. That was strangely delivered, to say the least. But nevertheless Westley smiles and gratefully accepts the welcome.]

My thanks, madam.

I had noticed some level of polite disdain from the natives, yes. Typical distaste for the unusual, is it?

video; I'm so sorry this is so late!

[demon_brat]

The amount of metal still available on Tu Vishan is woefully insufficient to warrant crafty blacksmiths. What kind of work would you want done, should you find such a person?

video; no problem!

[franchisepirate]

[He hadn't considered that so many people would question what he was after with that request; privacy seems to be a bit less strict than he's used to. Then again, when you captain the ship rarely are your requests questioned, and before that no one ever paid a lick of attention to what he wanted.]

That's unfortunate. I wonder why it is that metal's such a rarity?