deercountry | End of May - June Catchall - Swap Meet!

Entry tags:

End of May - June Catchall - Swap Meet! - OTA

Who: Gaia and others.
What: Working on the house, swap meet exchanges, psychometry shenannigans!
When: End of May and into June.
Where: Feed, Crenshaw, Various

Content Warnings: None Currently. Psychometry prompts may have various, will update as needed.

Housing Project - Feed - OTA

For months, Gaia has been living in a house that could, charitably, be called a 'fixer-upper'. Most would have said 'derelict'. But through the efforts of trading for services, lots of heavy labor involved in gutting the interior (with the occasional help from old and new allies and neighboring farms), and when you get right down to it, sheer teenage stubborness, there has finally been a turning point on the old stone house the young woman sheltered in at during her arrival in the harsh months of winter.

The exterior now has a proper roof, the stones have all been firmly fixed in place with new mortar (one can follow the 'old' and 'new' by the contrasting color of the mix laying between the old stones that has yet to be properly weathered). Windows and door frames are refurbished; no longer broken wrecks with missing panes or a series of boards covering a hole. The yard around the home is still looking very ragged but that's to be expected at any construction project in progress. But there's a fenced garden growing a little ways off and it looks like the surrounding area has had someone beginning to tame it. There'll be a proper pasture and yard soon. Small but obviously suited for a family. Well only one young lady living here now but that's beside the point!

The Interior? +expand+

Glimpsing through windows might net someone the sight of base board and framework in the interior; it's still in that stage where the insulation and internal wiring needs to be placed before finished walls and flooring is considered. The only place that doesn't completely feel like a work in progress is the kitchen. Though it'll have its turn in time, it's clear that this is the primary living arrangements. A cot, belongings, a trunk and accourtemants one would expect in a common area or bedroom are as present as dishware, canned goods and cooking implements.

There's many reasons to be traveling here. A visit for the few people that probably know Gaia well enough to have been given an address. Delivering a purchase? She'll have ordered fixtures, wires or even general goods that someone could be delivering. Or arriving to do some of the work that the teen (by herself or no) can't do in the construction. She's sure to have reached out to arrange for a project or two. One could just be passing by if they happen to have business in Feed!

A brindle-furred, on the larger side of medium dog is probably wandering, following the dark-haired woman as she moves from task to task. Some time in the garden at the moment; tomatoes are just beginning to ripen and she has made a promise to Sasuke to deliver some for his teaching. There's also the general weeding and watering care that any garden needs. Though Gaia is largely focused on the efforts of her work, she's not unprotected. The dog is clearly well trained and remains alert to the surroundings; most familiar with the Dog Keeper would probably recognize the look of one of the canines he's bred and sometimes given away. And there's a fair sized (for a fish) omen that appears as a crowntail betta swimming gracefully nearby. One or other of these will no doubt alert her of danger.

Swap Meet - Crenshaw - OTA

Some might remember near the beginning of May when Gaia talked over the network about arranging a place where Sleepers and natives of Trench alike could gather and trade in items they had in excess- for better or worse a swap meet.

But arrangements to make that type of event safe needed some planning and then there was the month of May itself with everyone dealing with transformations and flowery parasites. Was June going to be any better? Odds might be against but in Trench you couldn't just stop a plan forever because it was going to be dangerous or some horror beast was going to appear. Things just wouldn't get done.

Notices, signs and network announcements would be made, some by Gaia and others depending on the source. And there would be signs pointing directly to the venue from the Watch Tower Lamp.

Weekly Swap Market +expand+

When: For the month of June, held every mid-week day from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, with an hour's break at noon.

Where: Residents of Trench will be welcome to gather south of the Watch Tower in Crenshaw and engage in the exchange of items and basic services such as repairs and contracted work.

Rules: Spaces to set out wares are marked out and will be a first come, first served basis. One space per person. Everyone will be responsible for their own items and exchanges. There will be larger areas for 'standing room' exchanges.

Prohibited items include the trade of or services dealing in blood or that may cause a potential blood spillage on site. Livestock should not be brought to the venue but preserved foods and ingredients are welcome. Transactions considered 'monetary' in nature should not be conducted. The aim is to swap and exchange items and services for every day needs. For the safety of the district and participants, requests to remove other risk items should be followed promptly.

All exchanges will be the responsibility of the parties involved to agree upon and see through. Individuals are responsible for their own possessions. Security will be focused on keeping the peace and safety of the venue at large.

All participants are expected to disperse no later than one hour before dusk to for the sake of security to the Crenshaw district.

The area in question is a somewhat wide grassy swath south of the Watch Tower's lamp location. It has a bit of landscaping and paths, generally used as a small common park for the district. Every Wednesday in June, volunteers and Hunters will keep a sharp watch on the area in case the gathering and noise attracts trouble. They will also firmly escort or request removal of anything that would bring undue attention, noise or risk to Crenshaw; not the least of which the aforementioned blood trading, but also very loud noises or commotions. But they're here for the safety of the district from the threat of beast and monsters and outright violence or incidents of blood corruption, not to serve as a policing force against theivery and fraudulent deals. Spaces to set up a table or lay a blanket to display one's offerings are marked out, leaving wide aisles to prevent clogs in any traffic of bodies. Natives of Trench and Sleepers alike are all invited to participate in the exchange of goods and services; the emphasis will be strong on daily necessities and trade over specialized products and monetary transactions.

Have a hoard of items you've picked up, collected or salvaged over the past few months and don't know what to do with the excess? Maybe your extra junk will be someone's treasure.

[OOC: Players are welcome to use the Swap Meet Comment as a place to put prompts or use this event in their own TLs. Nothing major is planned; this is meant as a form to help generate CR both old and new!]

Psychometry - Various Places - OTA

[OOC: This is a bit of a wildcard. Looking for encounters dealing with Gaia's Darkblood awakening to unbidden psychometry this month. For her it'll be an odd mix of accidental glimpses of both good and bad things mixed with an innate gift that's similar to it- see: FFXIV's 'the Echo'. HMU if you're interested in working out an encounter!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of the food D mentioned, Gaia has many of the ingredients on hand. Though fish is absent from the cupboard so to speak; no electricity currently means that Gaia's skills at fishing for the day are what puts it on the table fresh, instead of preserved or frozen or dried. Well give it time, there'll soon be wiring and modern conveniences.

In any event, between the growing garden outdoors and the cabinets inside, Nara'a will find his options pretty wide. And if he does a bit of fishing himself, fish can be included in the meal. Please remember to mind the lemons this month though.

Gaia herself will rest in bed, peaceful and dreamless thanks to the dhampir. Notable hours will pass and it'll be nearing dusk when she begins to stir. It'll be a gradual awakening but fairly peaceful. As though she hadn't had a terrible experience before being forced to slumber.

Maybe awakening in her familiar bed and room has something to do with it, making the experience surreal. Though as her eyes open, she does appear confused. Was this where she's supposed to be? Pushing herself to a sitting position on the bed pallet she shakes her head, hand to temple to clear the cobwebs.

"Arte," Gaia says with a warm and fond smile, reaching out her hand to the anxiously circling omen. It's probably good that she's smiling and expressing emotion; fondness and some confused concern about what has the fish so distressed. It's certainly something she herself should be worried over. And hadn't she been in the attic earlier?

Of course it's then that the teen, who'd looked around her room, finally spies D loitering patiently. That is highly unusual. Gaia's eyes go wide with surprise. Wider still as the memories come rushing back.

It looks like she didn't escape it after all. A grimace, a clasp of the sides of her head as memories of what happened earlier come flooding back. But it's not like the assault on her psyche fully returns. She looks quickly down at what she can see of herself, looking at her arms, touching her hair and face before appearing greatly relieved. Gaia is still herself.

"I'm okay." She seems to be talking to herself, though the way she then grips her upper arms with her hands suggests she's still making sure of that.

"D? Did I lose consciousness?" Obviously that and thankfully not eternally to be replaced by.... well, someone else in the shell of her body. She struggles to think and focus. "I... I'm sorry. You touched me, right? I should have warned you."

It's clear Gaia thinks this is probably more her fault than anyone else's. She really should have said something to do even if it was highly unlikely he'd ever actually touch her.

"I did. I shouldn't have touched you over something as petty as opening the curtains." D didn't like sunlight, but that was a bit of an overreaction even for him. He needed to be more cautious in this place of continual change and unknown abilities.

She was aware of herself and apparently remembered most of the lead up to the contact, which was a good sign. D had been ready to move forward and push her into unconsciousness again if necessary and seek out further help or attempt to block the memories with Left Hand's help.

"If you want, and think it won't make it worse, we can try to block the memories you gained from me. I don't know what you got but I do know very little of my past is pleasant." And pleasant was about as good as it got with D. There were no good memories, really. There was nothing good in his world, not even himself.

Unluckily for everyone, Nara'a is about as good a fisher as he is a hunter - which is to say, not very. But stew he can do, and the aroma drifts upstairs by the time Gaia has gained consciousness. He heads upstairs with a bowl once he hears movement and words, cradling it carefully.

"Oh, good. You're awake." He did hear that last bit of D's sentence and is intrigued, but he doesn't mention it. It's not his business - he's just here to help with the food right now as long as she's awake. She can deal with her own memory situation - it's her mind, and she should make the decisions about it.

"If you want, I can leave you two to discuss whatever you need to. I have some sewing I can do." Not that his room is very far from Gaia's in a place like this, but he can at least give the pair a modicum of privacy to discuss Gaia's situation.

Opening the curtains? Oh yes, she was about to do so and let the morning light and air flow into the attic. There is a moment's wince at the thought and a flash of realization. Though she might also look momentarily confused. "Maybe. But I imagine you wouldn't have at all if you knew what might occur."

She seems to be collecting herself in a very admirable way- or at least putting effort into a front of being better off than she actually is- when the dhampir makes an offer to block any recollection of the memories she experienced.

"No!" The word comes out in a rush, with a brief flinch and clearly more force than Gaia had intended to direct at D. To say she's suddenly distressed at the thought of someone tampering with her memories is an understatement. She's soon to follow it with a shake of her head. "No, that's... fine. Please."

The teen begins to stand up, realizing it is leaving her with a vulnerable feeling just sitting on the bed and begins to neaten her appearance. The smell of food's in the air and her stomach's telling her that it's been a long time since she had breakfast. Gaia tries for a smile though it looks a little strained while she crosses her arms.

"It's not that I don't trust your intentions. But I've had more than enough of someone manipulating my memories. Though I'll know who to ask if I ever change my mind. Thank you both though." Briefly her gaze slides to the side as she admits, "I did see your past. But I knew it wasn't a pleasant one. This time it was simply too much at once."

'Both' may be an odd way to expressed gratitude. She's doesn't appear to be adding Nara'a even though he's just then walking into the room. And she's never mentioned Left Hand to the miqo'te. And she's likely not going to. But having noticed his arrival and heard mention of the meal being read, Gaia shakes her head at the offer of giving them time to talk alone.

"You fixed dinner? I'd rather focus on that. Thank you, Nara'a. Though we all probably should talk, if you can stay around a little while longer, D." She glances toward the tall vampire hunter.

"At least so I can tell you some of what just happened today."

Edited 2022-06-16 09:30 (UTC)

There was nothing truly sensitive being discussed, and if D felt the conversation heading that direction he can always stop it.

He considers, briefly, pointing out that the memories he'd be manipulating are his own, and don't belong to her at all. It's only her mind and brain housing what was never meant to be there to begin with, but with that level of aversion to it, it's not a distinction that will matter.

If it gets bad enough he might have to do it anyway and apologize for doing something unforgivable after the fact, but for now she's handling it very well. If Gaia's lucky, her mind won't have been able to hold on to much.

"I have a lot more 'past' than most people." Even though D doesn't look more than a few years older than Gaia, he has several thousands of years worth of memories. And even more millennia of memories that were altered or suppressed.

He considers, but isn't going to bring up the Darkness that he encountered in Gaia.

"I can stay."

"I see." To be fair, he has experience with people older than they look, so the statement doesn't phase him. Just another strange person in a strange place, nothing to be concerned about.

He nods and walks over, setting the bowl down next to Gaia so she can pick it up herself. They don't need her to have another flash of Nara'a's past right now when she's already recovering from seeing D's. He smiles at her and stands a little bit away.

He knows she needs her space, so he's doing his best to not hover in worry, despite his very strong instinct to do so. Maybe it's just because she decided to take him in but he feels even more protective of her than he did on the First.

Nara'a folds his hands behind his back to keep them from idly messing with his clothing or something else that might make him look stupid in front of Gaia or D. He doesn't really want to appear like a fidgity child to the pair.

"I won't ask what you saw. That's not my business. What I'm concerned about is if you feel... stable." Memories and all, and not having any feelings of Ascian nonsense welling up.

Frankly Gaia's famished and she's not going to dwell too long on odd silences or unanswered requests. Nara'a is bringing over a bowl and observing the need to keep from touching her which she's grateful for. Though admittedly she isn't exactly keen on picking up the bowl he's recently touched either as it's not only people that she gets visions from. Still Gaia steels herself and picks it up while striving to will away any attached memories. Thankfully it seems she's tapped out or successful. Settling down in the seat at the makeshift desk, she begins to dig in.

She doesn't ask why more hadn't been brought up for the others. To her it's obvious in D's case and Nara'a may have eaten earlier. Gaia is also able to maintain a conversation and listen. D gets a nod when he expresses his ability to stay but the miqo'te does earn an exasperated look.

"It was D's memories, Nara'a. Not Mitron's. And he's definitely not from the First. Or your Source for that matter." If he is, crazy things will be happening to their star in some distant, distant future, let her tell you.

"I'm fine," Gaia stresses. Although she does relent a little to add, "Or at least 'stable' as you want to call it. As D mentioned, he's had a long life. And it suddenly poured into me. I couldn't get it to stop." Well, fine...ish. Because she pauses, takes in a deep breath and releases it. "If he hadn't forced me to sleep, I don't know how long I would have been trapped in there."

She refuses to think about the possibilities of what could have happened had she not been broken out of the cycle of visions.

Gaia is slowing down on the food though the bowl's nearly empty at least. There's no time like the present to speak about the issue that'd caused this ordeal in the first place. So she puts the spoon aside and looks between the two men.

"When I come into contact with objects... people. I've been receiving visions. I asked around a little and it seems like it might be related to my blood type. Well I'm not exactly a person that touches others anyway. So I didn't go out of my way to mention it."

Ruefully she shakes her head. "And generally other than it happening, I'm still a little aware of my surroundings." And they didn't last very long.

D watches the young man with the ears, still not quite certain what to think of all the beings he's met that are so near and yet so far from being human. And despite appearances, there's definitely something in Gaia that isn't at all human.

He watches Gaia hesitate to pick up the bowl and gathers herself before she does, and wonders if secondary contact is enough to cause memory transmission.

"All of it is a lot. That could be a powerful ability, but it clearly has drawbacks as well if you can't contain what you get."

"I see." He takes in all of the information, waiting patiently for the others to speak before he responds. "At least it wasn't Mitron again." Not that he doesn't feel for the Ascians on some level, but Ascian trouble is one of the last things they need here right now.

Visions? Right, like before. At least it's not debilitating like Echo visions are, but he doesn't say that. This isn't a misery contest - no one wins those. And it's not D's business right now anyway - he doesn't want the guy to avoid him for fear of triggering a vision. If it happens, he'll disclose it then.

"It could be. And I can see where it would also stop you from trying to reach out to people in general." Fear of seeing their pasts... he knows the fear. "But if it's related to your blood type, maybe there's some way to control it. It's possible, at least. I"m sure there's people here who have studied those abilities."

And if there aren't, well... he might have to try to look into such things himself. And he doesn't want to push Gaia, especially when she just had a big shock, to try and recall who might be looking into such things. "I can ask around as I get to know people - not about your problem specifically. I'm not going to go out and tell people you have this ability without your permission." Just as he'd hope she wouldn't go spreading around word of his Echo to other people.

It's definitely a sign she's leery of triggering the ability again after losing control and that it probably extends to non-living targets. But the wary nature is to be expected given her recent ordeal.

Now she's not starving, Gaia starts to put more thought behind her words.

"Honestly? I'm struggling to control it happening at all if I touch someone. I've gotten a little better with objects but..." But there's still a few accidents here and there. Especially if there's strong attachment or sentiment involved.

Gaia crosses her arms and sighs as she looks at Nara'a. "Mitron's gone. And even if he turned up here, I'd still stand by my determination to live this life my own way."

It's probably a good thing the miqo'te isn't the type for a misery contest. Because saying it wasn't debilitating as the Echo right after what Gaia just went through probably wouldn't have gone over well.

"I think it is something to do with my Darkblood abilities," the teen agrees with a nod. Tilting her head to the side, she pauses while trying to figure out how to word it. "It feels natural in a way. But Trench natural, not... from back home." She shakes her head and glances between the two men.

"I don't know if you two have really been here long enough to notice how normal it feels being here. Though if you do, it's like that. So I know it isn't really something I'm just remembering how to do."

Good luck sorting that out.

"I plan to ask around, but carefully. I imagine people wouldn't take kindly to someone being able to see their memories and doing without so much as asking. Not that I've been able to stop it." Gaia huffs out a sigh before picking up the spoon again, though she mostly just stirs it in the remains of the stew and doesn't seem about to take a bite.

"You're welcome to find out more Nara'a. And don't worry. It's not like I'm going to stop talking to people over this." She's not going to withdraw from everything socially. "I've even volunteered to judge a baking contest at the end of this moon." It's an attempt at lighthearted humor to alleviate the mood of concern that she seems to sense and for the most part, is genuine.

"Yes, like the squid is who I am now." It's a strange feeling for D, to feel like himself and also not like himself, but one he's adapted to quickly enough. That he has three sides, instead of just two. Human, Vampire, and Squid.

D doesn't know what or who this 'Mitron' is they're talking about, but he's also not the type to pry unless he sees a reason and at the moment he has none.

"I thought the manic urge to bake might be the worst one, but if what's happening to you is your blood type, you'd have been better off obsessively making cupcakes."

"Yes, it's a strange feeling. I don't know if there's anything I feel like I've an urge to do - it's not bake, after all. I feel quite normal." Sure, he wants to go out and explore things, but that's a normal urge for him. It's not like there's anything strange about it, right? Right.

He resists the urge to pace, glancing up at both of the others in turn. "I know I'm still new here, but I've already made contact with a few different people. There's even an expedition I've gotten myself into. It leaves in a few days and it'll be away for a few days. I can ask around there - a new person asking about blood types isn't likely to raise eyebrows."

It's not that he's trying to be sneaky exactly, just not suspicious. "I don't think an urge to bake is that bad though, D. I wouldn't mind it, even if I'm not the best culinarian."

She'd never asked D what his blood type was when it came to Trench. This gives Gaia the brief opportunity to try and imagine him obsessively baking cupcakes. Her eyes widen and she stares.

"Wait, you're a Paleblood?" It's understandable that she might have misunderstood his words to mean he'd experienced the baking frenzy that's been influencing that group this month. Something Gaia is well aware of due to her willingness to volunteer to judge.

It's not that she's worried that D will attempt to bake. It's just imagining him doing so that's got her. She absolutely firmly shakes her head. Nope. Not going to think about that anymore. Really.

"It might not seem bad. But Trench isn't a place to take at face value, either," Gaia answers to Nara'a. "There's probably a catch." Like the urge to bake cursed fruits into creations as a not unspecific example.

He'd mentioned an expedition and Gaia's attention focuses instead on that. "What sort of expedition are you speaking of?" She doesn't sound pensive, merely curious.

"It would be that bad." Any kind of compulsion is difficult to deal with on top of keeping his blood thirst in check, and D can't even enjoy solid food. Gaia seems to have lost her appetite as well, though she was eating quickly enough at first.

He's also not going to confirm his blood type. Not because he's a private person, but because it doesn't seem like an important thing to say.

"I'm going on that expedition as well. It's being organized to explore unknown areas outside town."

He gestures to D and nods. "It's that, yes. Manabu Yuuki is the one organizing it, if you know him. He suggested I check out what sort of monsters we might encounter by looking into things at the Gate."

Which is an odd name for a place, but he's not really fit to judge anything like that. It's not like he's got a better name.

"It's not like it's going to be a small expedition either. It sounds like there's quite a number of people headed out there. Which if we're exploring the unknown is probably the best option... if there's really that many beasts about it might take a lot to fight them back."

Even he has limits, confident in his abilities as he is. He's not going to say no to having more company, either. He's used to exploring things on his own but it's better to have companions if you can help it... loneliness on the road can be a problelm.

Gaia isn't going to make a worried face about this news. D is D and Nara'a is... well, Nara'a. Both are capable of holding their own and this expedition is certainly important.

"Try not to get in over your heads. Given how the known dangers are around here, I can only imagine what it's going to be like on the borders."

You know, beyond whatever established protections and defenses Trench has currently. But the teen's mild tone indicates while she might be concerned as one might for anyone going into a dangerous situation, she's not at all invested in actually stopping them from going.

Not for any personal reasons mind you. Just that she doesn't see why she should. It's their choice after all.

"I'll be expecting to hear from you on occasion if it's possible. And I won't say no to some stories or anything interesting you might find out there. Of course I'd be willing to trade for any good finds that might be useful around here." Not like she's asking for a gift or anything.

"The hazards we'll face further out will likely be very different, but it's not a bad place to start." D merely nods at Gaia's concern.

"If it's only Sleepers going, we should all come back one way or another. I have yet to hear of anything that can completely stop our reincarnation." Which doesn't mean it doesn't exist. D thinks he could give it a fairly good attempt himself with some of his lesser used magic and techniques, but something about the idea of permanently killing a squid is even more unpleasant than killing humans who won't come back at all.

"We're going to plant a lantern if we succeed. You can go see for yourself when that happens."

"Let's try to not need the reincarnation bit." He smiles a little bit, trying to reassure Gaia. "It'll likely be far out, so it's going to be dangerous from what I hear. But we'll be careful when we're out there. And we'll definitely have stories to tell."

Good finds? Hm. "If there's something in particular that you're going to be wanting, let us know. I don't know what we might find that far out there... I'm sure there's something, at least. If there's a road, there's a chance that there's people out there. If we can make contact with someone, we might learn a lot more about this world."

He's still learning, but he isn't going to turn down a chance of going and finding out what's there.

Gaia has certainly been here long enough to hear and probably notice a few Sleepers that have reincarnated from death so of course this news doesn't surprise her. However she seems momentarily confused if either of the two were to notice.

A brief conflict of memories of whether she's experienced reincarnation before she came to this place or simply kept on refusing to die in general... before she came here.

To cover the hesitation she huffs and crosses her arms. "Yes, we can heal faster and come back, but that's no reason to avoid being foolish," she seems to agree with Nara'a. Focus on the now rather than the past. There's even a faint smile like she's trying not to be amused at their exchange, even if it isn't entirely reaching her eyes.

"Things that are easy to grow. Tools and the like. Whatever isn't going to weigh you down anyway," Gaia adds on the matter of requests. "By the time you two get back I imagine this house will have its wiring and be largely finished on the inside too." The teenager looks around. "I guess furniture will be too much to ask, but if you look around before you leave and see anything that you might think is best to have around, there's that too."

Gaia seems to be doing well for herself for a former rich girl with little wants. But that doesn't mean she's completely covered every matter of everyday living. The request seems to include D as well. She's used to his coming and going without any sense of permanence but Gaia's also gotten accustomed enough to his presence when he's here that she's found the time to place a rudimentary bed pallet in the attic.

And it's obvious that she doesn't hold any ill will for the recent incident, if her attitude is to be judged.

"I doubt we'll find any furniture or something like that. If there are any structures to be found they are likely long abandoned and with little to salvage." From what D's been able to tell, the technology level of this planet has never reached a level capable of making things that would endure decades of neglect and monstrous creatures.

"But it's not impossible."

"Well they might not be, if there's people there." He has to have hope! It's going to be fun, but it's also important to believe in the best scenario even whilst you prepare for the worst. "But you're... you probably have a point. Still, I'll keep an eye out."

He glances up at the structure around them and shrugs. "At the very least there might be some decent building material. It shouldn't be hard to bring things back if we have a lantern."

... Actually, that brings up a good point. "Why isn't there a lantern right to here, actually? I've seen some people with lanterns in front of their homes... is there a reason you haven't set one up here?"

"I won't be expecting it," Gaia assures. There's a lighthearted tone that does suggest it was an attempt at humor and not at all a serious part of her suggestions. "I'm sure you'll have plenty to do without worrying about luxuries, even practical ones. So don't worry too much about it."

She's smiling until Nara'a brings up the question about the lantern. She looks a trifle embarrassed, casting her gaze to the side as if she'd been asked a question on something she wouldn't have liked to admit aloud.

"Well, in the beginning, I honestly wasn't sure this place was going to work. It was worse than either of you have gotten to see and... well I wasn't good at understanding structures and the like. I was also a bit stubborn about just leaving. I was also hesitant to trust just anyone showing up right on my doorstep."

This isn't a safe place. She looks back at both of the men before turning her attention to the bowl; though it's kind of clear this is a way not to look up while she's admitting being a bit sentimental because she's just playing with the spoon and the remains again.

"So when it all started turning around and looking like it would actually work I thought maybe I could hold off until it was done. It would seem more permanent then. I mean," she finishes in a rush while looking up. Her expression is stubborn and maybe a bit prideful. "it wasn't such a bad walk, Uri could visit the Dog Keeper at the Watchtower. And if I had to up and move in the end, it made sense not to put down the lamp. You only get one."

"Putting down a lamp at your home is asking for trouble." D agrees. He still has his own, it's too valuable a tool to waste on something as simple as not needing to walk as far on a regular basis. Particularly when that can be solved by something as simple as just relocating.

Nearby wouldn't be terrible, but it still seems like a waste of such a limited resource.

"Having one to place in the future could be very useful."

"... I suppose." He hums a little as he thinks, just some random snatches of notes. "Is there..."

Maybe this is rude to ask, but... "Is there something you're afraid of? Not working here, I mean. I'm sure if we work together we can solve it. Not... that I'm trying to push for a lamp or something, it just seemed a bit unusual." He's got his own still, of course... but it does creep him out a little bit.

"I suppose we could be better served using them for expeditions and places like that, though they'd be exposed." Can lamps even be broken? Something to ask around about. "But I was just wondering..."

Gaia emphatically nods her head when D comments about the danger of lamps so close.

"I mean there's that as well. Sleepers might all come from the sea but that doesn't mean they're all good people. Though I admit having one near would reduce some risks. It's not like walking through the Trenchwood, even to the Waystation," which is absolutely what she said before, player mistake, "is safe. Still..."

Maybe it's rude to ask. Gaia, who tends to not speak of things that are really troubling her deep down. But it might be a good time to ask, while she's a bit shaken and caught off-guard enough to let her guard down around people she's willing to confide with.

Another huff and a crossing of her arms. Again. She turns her head away from both.

"I'm not afraid. But it's not like anything seems permanent. People come and go." Thancred, Alisae. Gaia's sure by now that the idea Ryne was present when she first came was just a delusion brought on by this place. "What am I supposed to do if I had go leave this house but already put down the lamp? Like D said, it's a waste."

Also, it feels like she'd be setting down roots here, if she did that. Maybe permanently. Maybe without the expectation of anyone else being beholden to the spot.

Gaia abruptly gets up, trying to brush herself out of the mood. "I don't see where it's all that strange though, Nara'a. I doubt they put down Aetherytes or the aethernet back home without a good deal of thought. Just that most people don't get their own personal one to add."

She's clearly brushing off her own discomfort and Gaia probably knows its obvious. So she picks up the bowl and starts moving toward the room's exit. "I'll just take this downstairs. Thank you for cooking dinner. And don't worry about me too much while you're gone on that expedition. I'm sure I'll get through this month just fine."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

End of May - June Catchall - Swap Meet! - OTA

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