008 | Video | Day 107

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar appears on the screen with lines of static rippling across his upper chest. He looks in good enough health and spirits, at least, but serious.] Hello, Kore. I'll be quick to the point since the communicators are squirrelly these days.

One: I assume we're all avoiding the ocean inasmuch as possible. Are people still fishing, and if so, where? If not, how is that affecting food stores? Anyone in need?

[The image distorts and gets swallowed up in white noise for a moment, a few words cut off.] ---ouple pounds of purslane and dandelion greens and picked another crop of radishes; I'm happy to make trades. I've also caught something that looks like a rabbit with tusks. It's up for grabs, because the hell if I'm going to skin and gut it myself.

Two: Given the way conditions are deteriorating, I'm wondering if we ought to initiate some sort of buddy system. Pairs, trios, small groups to look out for one another?

Comments

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar is utterly mystified by this setup, and it shows. He tilts his head one way and the other, like a bird or like Castiel when confronted by pop culture, and cranes his neck to peer down the barrel.]

All right. How big a pan, and how much ash do you need?

[justrunsasaloon]

[She lifts the lid off the top, it's about half full.]

Enough to fill this, preferably. The more I get the more lye I can leech out.

[She puts the lid back on. A frown pulls her eyebrows down.]

Pan doesn't need to be huge. Can't be used for anything other than lye, but it doesn't need to be big. A decent funnel and a pickle jar is more than enough.

[tryingitall]

I have a couple larger mason jars, and I'm sure I can find a funnel. I don't know about any larger glass vessels, though. What about a large bowl? Terra cotta or porcelain? No one cares about their china here, I'm sure.

[He adds cheerfully:] And I'll fetch you some ash from the bonfire, although I don't know all of what people have been burning.

[justrunsasaloon]

[She frowns, then shakes her head.]

Has to be hardwood. Can't have softwoods mixed in or we won't get enough lye to do anything with and will just end up with mush.

[Not something she's willing to work with. She's got enough issues.]

[tryingitall]

Oh? All right. Well, I'm not good enough to separate two types of ash. Would you like me to burn some wood for you? I could try to dry some herbs in the heat, as well. Make it serve more than one purpose.

[justrunsasaloon]

Doesn't matter why the hardwood was used. Just as long as it's hardwood. Meaning none of the pines and crap we have around here.

[She smiles, putting her hand on his shoulder.]

Don't waste anything special, just grab it when it's there. Hardwood ashes tend to be white. Softwood is black.

[tryingitall]

There are oaks in the woods, as well, and a few others. I can collect limbs, and I daresay there's some broken furniture about.

[He returns the smile warmly.] Give me a couple days and I'll bring you what I've got. Anything else you need?

[justrunsasaloon]

[So many things she wants: Harvelle's back, Bill back, a stock of alcohol that she doesn't have to worry is running out, a warm body to curl up with at night, someone to just hold her...

None of it shows on her face. Instead, she just shakes her head.]

Just stuff for the still, and the hardwood ashes. From there, we should be in pretty good shape.

[tryingitall]

[Poor Ellen. Balthazar can't read her emotions, and isn't trying just now, more focused on the tasks at hand. That's a good thing, though, in some ways. Having little things to do keeps the bigger worries at bay.]

Fair enough. I'll be on my way, then, but shout if anything else appears on your shopping list. [He offers a handshake, smiling.]

[justrunsasaloon]

[And Ellen's good at keeping busy. She knows how to keep herself going. Lots of practice at it.]

I can do that. Thanks again, Balthazar.

[She shakes his hand, returning the smile.]