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

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[tryingitall]

Ssh, don't say that! You'll give people the idea I'm an adult. [He grins, pleased to see her recovering, but his image continues to flicker and twist oddly on the communicator screen.]

I'm glad the stream is good for it. Wasn't sure.

And yes. I'm worried people will vanish in the dark and not be missed for hours.

[undomesticated]

I'm pretty sure that anyone that knows you is well aware of the fallacy of that concept.

[She's come to the conclusion that she doesn't like the communicators. They are obviously more trouble than they're worth.]

If you come across anyone that needs fish or meat, you're always welcome to let me know and I can catch extra when I go out.

We could all wear bells. Big jingly, jangly bells. And be tied together with string.

[Now she was just being a dork.]

[tryingitall]

[Aware she's joking, he responds in kind:]

Oh, I like the bells idea! It would help the robot bears know we were coming. And the string could trip us all up as we try to escape. Good thinking!

But thank you, I'll keep you in mind as hunting help. I'm not too worried about my lot [meaning Chuck and Rat, as well as Donna and Riley herself] going hungry or vanishing, but there are more people here than one little angel can keep track of.

[undomesticated]

Are you actually admitting that you can't do everything? I think I might faint.

[She was smirking back at him, shaking her head at his cheek.]

You're a boob, but you're a funny boob. I think that's why I put up with you. Just let me know if you need anything from me, okay? Even for your friends.

[tryingitall]

I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan, but I refuse to do the dishes.

I don't think I've ever been called a boob before. Usually people call me a dick. Do you want this rabbit-y thing I've caught?

[undomesticated]

Aww, you'd leave greasy bacon dishes for me to clean? That's cold, Balthazar. Coooold.

[Her smile flickers on the screen as the communicator glitches, turning into a frown as she taps at it to make it work again.]

No thanks. I just went hunting and picked up some of those large 'guana things. That should do for me and someone else if they want it. If you want to bring some veggies over, I think Ned would be grateful. He doesn't do meat and I want to make sure he has enough to eat.

You are a boob. Not a dick, though. Not to me, anyway.

[tryingitall]

But you get all the bacon, since I don't eat. It's completely fair.

[He nods, although with the blur around the edges of the screen it may just look like further communications distortion.]

I didn't realize he was a vegetarian. I'll let you know when the squash begins to come in.

[undomesticated]

You're such a boob.

[She doesn't think going into detail on Ned's.. difference is either her business or something she should do on the network, so she just sticks with him being a vegetarian.]

I'll bet he'll appreciate it. Thanks, Snowflake.

[tryingitall]

[He's aware of some of Ned's problems, but possibly not as much as Riley is. In any case, he's not asking, and he'll keep it in mind when he forages.]

Anything you say, Whiskers. I'll bring you some greens in a few minutes.

[undomesticated]

Ha ha, so funny. He'll appreciate that, Balthy. Thanks.

[There's a kiss on the cheek for him before she gets up.]

Now, go see to the rest of your flock, you wayward angel. I'm fine.