06 ❄ ( VIDEO )

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack is sitting crosslegged on the chair, his Wood suite behind him backlit by the console screen. He looks pensive and it's taken him the better part of an hour to decide whether he should even bring this up, but it's been nagging at him like a stubborn itch that won't go away. He opts for video to reach the most people but as there are a number of new arrivals, the jury is still out on who can see him -- whether they'll see nothing but hear his voice, or those who will think this is an empty, glitched feed. ]

Has anyone else noticed lately that the kedan seem a little... different?

It's been a few weeks now and I thought it was just because the rationing had everyone on edge but I've had a bunch of them tell me they don't want me doing their deliveries any more, even after I offered to do them for free if they didn't have spare juulan.

[ an uncomfortable pause, then Jack's shoulders roll in a shrug of feigned nonchalance ]

Some of them were, uh, kind of nasty about it too. Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone else had noticed it...

V. That is the reason why people who live out of town are so absolutely uncivilized.

[epigrammatical]

[In the days between the arrival of the passports and the landfall, copies of the following message, packaged with a few juulan, are delivered or given by hand to Henry's network of errand-runners (assembled here, including Bucky, Gavroche, Tybalt, Mavis, and Costigan). If reading ability is an issue, the same basic message is delivered by Henry in person, verbally. Hand-waving or playing out of any further interaction based on the message is welcome! For "items of interest" read "tobacco or similar", of course.]

While I hope that you pursue your own enjoyment as much as possible at our upcoming port of call, I would be tremendously obliged if, as circumstances permit, you would obtain on my behalf any additional items of interest. You are at liberty to use the enclosed advance for the purpose. -H.W.

***

[MEANWHILE. Henry is going about his business of appearing to do absolutely nothing. He may be found strolling around the Fire sector or at the bookshop in the Wood sector, although he doesn't seem to be there quite as often as he used to—however friendly terms he is on with Daowei, his hours have been trimmed. The floor is open for any action desired.]