001 ➛ audio

[squanderlust]

If this magic works the way it was described, somebody should be able to hear me right now. [though the voice of the young lady that's coming through sounds incredibly skeptical about this entire endeavor.] If you can, and you can actually understand me, I want you to tell me whether 8,000 "creds" is a lot of money around here, and what I can do to get it. I can't believe your merchants don't take something as simple as gold for war supplies.

[there's ambient noise for a while, and some confused sounds from somebody who has obviously never seen, much less used, an omni-tool before. eventually she groans in exasperation.]

My sword's been stolen from me and you expect me to do repairs to survive. This is entirely unacceptable.

Comments

[shutupmarco]

I told you, it's not magic. It's science. And nothing would even happen to you! If anything, I'm the one taking a risk here. I mean, what if I'm allergic to you? Eugh, not doing the whole DNA-burping gig again, or whatever Ax called it.

[squanderlust]

Then maybe you shouldn't do it at all! Proper ladies don't burp anyway, warriors or not.

[tradecraftdude]

Whoa, there, that's a dangerous weapon you've got, okay? Don't just flash it everywhere like that!

[ marco shoots a glance back and forth in mock-paranoia. but really. he's gotta keep this one around. ]

Anyway, you wanna go on a date already? We've only just met! Not that I have anything against fast women or whatever, but only if you insist.

[ here, have an innocent smile. ]

[squanderlust]

[while she wants to comment on just how adorable she is, all she ends up doing is rolling her eyes.]

I was joking, gawds. I'm pretty sure I'm way older than you anyway, even if I was looking for a date. [it's only a couple years, but that's still not the point.] Is there even anything to do around here except eat pizza and try to survive?

[shutupmarco]

Uh...yeah, it's not exactly the kind of burping you're thinking of. And please. What good do you think being a proper lady is going to do you here? I mean, look around. This isn't exactly high society.

[neverknocks]

[ York's eyebrows go up, and she grins. Well, hey. She certainly doesn't seem like the lockpicking type, but today is full of surprises. ]

Your dad sounds like my kinda guy. Y'know, I could teach you about that, too. If you wanted.

[squanderlust]

[hm. it has always been a useful skill. she plasters a contemplative look on her face, touching a finger to her chin, but really she's already made her decision.]

Very well. I'll let you show me how these new locks work.

[squanderlust]

Which is exactly why proper ladies are so necessary! People like me are the last stronghold of class and refinement in places like this. But I wouldn't expect you to understand that.

[neverknocks]

[ York's smile only broadens into a lopsided grin, showing teeth. ]

Hey, eager to learn, and cute to boot. I'd be happy to teach you, kiddo. I mean, so long's you've got the patience. I know my stuff, but I get the feeling this is all pretty new to you.

[squanderlust]

Learning to pick locks was easy. [no, it wasn't.] They're all basically the same, aren't they? These are just more... glowing and orange. [which should be a big hint that they're very different. but Severa doesn't care. she looks up at York cockily.] I think I can handle it. I'm already getting the hang of things here.

[shutupmarco]

Ha! You've got a lot of guts, Severa. I like that. I mean, I think you're totally wrong, but hey, gotta respect your conviction.

[squanderlust]

[she gives a fake sigh.] At least that's two things we agree on. Me having a lot of guts, and you being totally wrong.

[tradecraftdude]

Sure, sure. Don't worry. I totally get it. Totally.

[ marco's only joking, too. mostly. ]

Don't underestimate how much fun and enjoyment you can get out of doing nothing more than eat pizza and survive, okay? Because anyone who has enough free time to do anything more than that is probably some sort of space alien.

[ except how most people here are space aliens. ]

[squanderlust]

Ugh. There has to be something else to do. Eating greasy food and pointing "guns" [air quotes] at people sounds like an enormous waste of potential!

[with her sword now missing, probably permanently, she'll need to find some way to keep her body in fighting condition.]

Surely you have some sort of training grounds around here.

[neverknocks]

[ SHE LIKES YOUR GUTS, SEVERA

even if you're totally talking out your ass ]

Yeah, you are. I like you, Severa. I'm gonna send you the location of my place, you come on by when you're ready for a few lessons. I'll get you set up with a gun and a few lessons, and... [ She looks Severa over one more time, grinning a little ruefully. ] Guess I'll have to start teachin' you about computers.

[shutupmarco]

[ She laughs, maybe a little too genuinely. ] Yeah, we'll see about that. I'll see you around, Severa. Good luck with your propriety.

[squanderlust]

Computers. [the word sounds weird, but she figures it's got to be something like her omni-tool, which she really only knows the name of at this point.]

All right, fine. I'll let you teach me about some of these things. There's no sense letting my skills go to waste. [she matches York's earlier smile, the one with less rue in it, and holds herself back from mumbling something about how scary technology is.]

But I don't think I have time right now. I have to meet with someone named Starscream about lodging. At least York is a normal name.