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[tuskenlancer]

[GOOD MORNING KEELIAI it's your friendly neighborhood disembodied voice on the network. Well, actually, maybe not all that friendly. She sounds just as uptight and defensive as ever, the voice modifier still on to disguise her real voice.]

Anyone who's not planning on exploring the mainland and has extra rations or supplies to spare. I'm willing to pay or barter. I'll give you a fair price.

[There's a slight pause, as if she's thinking, before she adds,]

Don't bother responding if you're just going to waste my time.

Comments

[video]

[cowled]

[Enter the consummate businessman.]

I do, but I'll warn you in advance I'm not particularly interested in an exchange of currency. How are you at cartography?

[It's an idle enough question, but you bet it certainly has a purpose.]

audio

[tuskenlancer]

...Cartography?

[She's more than willing to find alternate methods of payment, but this is a weird one.]

Why?

permavid

[cowled]

Well...

[He idly scratches a finger along his jawline, looking contemplative.]

We know so little about the mainland, and the kedan have hardly been forthcoming. It seems like a good idea to gather as much information as possible, wouldn't you agree?

[His tone is a little uncertain, though, as if he hasn't really thought this matter through.]

audio forever

[tuskenlancer]

[CT happens to agree, though the idea of collaborating with anyone else to find information isn't one that's occurred to her. She's silent for a moment, studying the man on the screen. It's an interesting idea, but his tone doesn't exactly inspire confidence.]

You want a map.

[cowled]

If you can argue against its usefulness, by all means feel free. There's no point sitting here in ignorance when the key to returning home might be hidden somewhere in this purported 'wasteland'.

[Okay now he's amping up the confidence. He's a businessman gaining momentum, bro.]

[tuskenlancer]

I agree.

[No, she's not about to argue, not this time.]

That's why I'm asking for rations. That's why I'm going out there at all. Whatever happened to bring us here, we're not going to find any answers by staying here and getting involved in their festivals and elections and whatever the hell else they've got planned.

I'm going onto the mainland. And I'm not planning on coming back.

[cowled]

Oh?

[his tone grows speculative.]

Have you given any thought as to what will happen if you're injured or killed? It's a grisly possibility, yes, but it seems best to plan for all contingencies given the circumstances.

[tuskenlancer]

[CT shrugs, and while he can't see it, her lack of concern comes through in her tone.]

If I'm killed, I guess I won't have any contingencies to plan for at all.

[She's not planning on either of the above happening, of course, but it's always a possibility in her line of work. Still...]

Better than sitting around here waiting to be killed in the local civil war or whatever.

[cowled]

I won't argue that.

You still haven't said if you'd accept my offer, however. I imagine Stark's phones can transmit data.

audio

[agentdork]

Not plannin' on stalkin' me anymore or something?

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[well she would but you know. Escape.]

You'll just have to learn to get along without me, York.

audio

[agentdork]

Man, and here I was, all excited 'cause I thought I was special.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[He is special, though. He's the only person here who she knows or who knows anything about where she's from, the only familiar voice, and she's quiet for a long, long moment.

It's on the tip of her tongue to just tell him - tell him everything, who she is, how she's been alone these past few months, what she's planning to do. Maybe he could come with her.

He couldn't, though, and she can't. He'd shoot her or arrest her - he'd have to, whether he wanted to or not, even if he didn't have a million reasons to be angry at her himself, and she can't.]

I guess you were wrong.

audio

[agentdork]

Eh, it's been known to happen once or twice. You ever meet a guy named Delta, and-- well, you better tell me first, but I can guarantee he'll tell you more than once or twice but he's totally lying.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[She smiles, if only to herself, and she wants to say something snarky, something like he only lies because he learned it from you, but she doesn't.]

What kind of a name is Delta?

audio

[agentdork]

Uh, the kind where he's kind of a computer program and, well, the guy that named him is the same guy who decided that states? Were awesome code names. Not the greatest idea, lemme tell ya.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[She snorts, hoping it sounds like the half-laugh of someone who's faintly amused by the idea, and not the laugh of someone who understands, who sympathizes.]

Right. If I see someone calling themself New Hampshire wandering around, I'll be sure to let you know.

[video]

[nolimitation]

You're welcome to what I have - I'm not exactly in any state to go exploring myself right now. I don't need payment, but when you get back, I'd like to hear what you found out there.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[Oh. Well, she hadn't really planned on sharing this much of her plan...but there's really no way of turning down the request, otherwise.

It can't hurt, anyway. It's not like a complete stranger's going to stop her.]

I'm not coming back.

[video]

[nolimitation]

[ She blinks, and tilts her head a little. ] You think you'll be able to find your way back home out there, or...?

audio

[tuskenlancer]

Maybe.

[Probably not, but she has to try something.]

It sure as hell doesn't look like I'm going to find anything here.

[video]

[nolimitation]

[ She considers for a moment, and then inclines her head a little in acknowledgement of the point. ] No, I guess it doesn't.

Well, you're still welcome to what supplies I have. I hope you find something.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

...Thanks.

[Honestly, CT hadn't held out much hope of anyone offering anything at all, not without asking for something in return. She's surprised, more than anything, the gratitude tasting strange in her mouth.]

I can still pay you, if you want. Since I won't be able to tell you anything.

[video]

[nolimitation]

[ She shakes her head, smiling a little. ] It's fine. It's not as if I was going to use it anyway. It might as well go to someone who'll put it to good use.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

Oh. Well, if you're sure...

[She trails off, still uncertain. CT isn't used to taking charity from anyone, but she can't deny that the supplies would be useful.]