cape_kore | 008 | Video

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008 | Video | Day 107

[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?

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All right. I'll-- [Crackle-hiss!] --by the diner in twenty minutes or so. If that works for you?

I'll be there.

[And in about twenty minutes, he is, having scrounged what clothes he could find.]

[Balthazar's waiting outside, sitting on a low wall with his ankles crossed. He's got a large-sized coffee can, which contains no coffee unfortunately, but does contain a fair amount of vegetables. He gives Meyer a curt but not unfriendly nod.]

Is this for just you, or are you sharing with housemates?

Just for me and Charlie.

[If the unfortunate chartreuse t-shirt he's wearing at the moment indicates anything about the clothes he's brought by, it's that what he'd found in the house they were currently living in was hardly fashionable. Then again, his idea of fashionable is very much still stuck in 1923 -- he misses his suit desperately, and for all he knows, chartreuse v-necks are the height of fashion in the future -- so perhaps Balthazar won't mind. He offers the small bundle of clothes with a small, polite smile.]

I'm not sure what you'll think of how they look, but they might be useful for something.

[V-necks, sure! Chartreuse maybe not so much, but Balthazar's not about to be picky. He eyes the clothes just long enough to make sure they're clean and don't contain anything he hasn't bargained for, then nods cheerfully.]

Fabric is always useful, since we have no way to replace clothing or shoes as they start to fall apart here. If nothing else, I can get someone who sews to piece together some ugly blankets.

[He nudges the coffee can toward him gently.] That's a good pound of greens, plus radishes and basil. You can eat any of it raw, or steam it if you're feeling fancy. Oh, and do eat the radish tops if you can stomach them.

That's right -- if it starts to get cold around here, and I've got no doubt that it will...

[Because surely this place wouldn't be complete without an unexpected cold snap to go along with everything else.]

... we'll need more blankets.

[He looks at the greens thoughtfully, then nods.]

These'll do just fine. Thanks. It'll make a welcome break from the rest of what we've been eating.

Oh, it's bound to get worse in some fashion or another. Either that or someone will jump out from behind a tree and tell us it was all a practical joke.

[He looks pleased with the approval. It's nice to be useful.]

Good. I've been going out every few days, but with the fishing situation getting dicey I might pick up the pace. I'll let you know next time I have something, shall I?

This would have to be the longest practical joke of all time. I'd be impressed.

[He tries to keep up a cheerful attitude, at least publicly.]

I'd appreciate it. I'll let you know if I find anything else of use to trade, too.

Longest and of the poorest taste, perhaps. [Gabriel might be able to beat it one way or the other, but he's not going to ask for that.]

I'd like that. I have very few material needs, and I don't eat, but I'm looking after a few people inasmuch as they'll let me.

Looking after people? Very noble of you. In situations like this, most people are out for themselves and no one else.

[It's not a judgmental statement, from the way he says it, simply a statement of fact.]

Well, that's exactly what I'm trying to nip in the bud. If there's enough food for everyone, we're less likely to have murders and riots. [He grimaces.]

There are a number of dangerous people here. I'm aware of that. I'm also convinced we have a better chance of survival if we work together.

It's amazing what a lack of food can lead people to do.

[That, at least, he knows from personal experience.]

Ideally, we all would work together, although it's a little difficult when we're not exactly sure what we're working for. Survival, certainly, but escape? Is it even possible?

Yes, isn't there a quote about society being a few missed meals away from a revolution? Something like that. [The angel shakes his head.]

I haven't even turned my attention to thoughts of escape. Last attempt didn't end well, after all. But I don't have anything to go back to, either, myself. I'm not the one for long-term planning.

No, the last escape attempt went somewhat miserably.

[A slightly raised eyebrow.]

Nothing at all to go back to? You don't hear that much.

There are a number of people here from my world. Most of them from ahead of my time. If what they say is true, I have, perhaps, a week left before I get myself killed. I'm in no hurry.

[He shrugs, slightly bitter.] So, here is as good as anywhere else for now.

Here would certainly be better if we had more food.

[A pause.]

I'm sorry to hear about your... fate.

I'm hoping a couple more growing seasons will get us organized enough that there's plenty of produce to go around. I'm a bit concerned about hunting, though. But we'll see.

[He blinks, then smiles wryly. He wasn't looking for sympathy, but that it was offered anyway is duly noted.] Thank you. In a sense, I brought it on myself.

...Between you and me, though, Fate could do with a few drinks to loosen her up.

Hunting's going to be a problem until we work out the weapons and ammunition situation, you're right.

[He laughs quietly at Balthazar's statement.]

Sure, Fate could use a couple drinks, but alcohol's yet another thing we're lacking around here. Go figure.

You know, I hadn't really thought about that end of it. I was more worried about overhunting the animal population. It seems like a lot of woods, but it's not infinite, and there are plenty of other predators.

[He's never used a gun, himself, so it's natural he wouldn't think about the need for ammunition.]

Ellen's doing her best, certainly, but there's a limit to what one still can produce on almost no supplies, I suppose.

I hadn't thought about the overhunting perspective, either.

[That's another thing to think about. In fact, he's liable to jot it down as an actual note as soon as he's able to.]

There's always fishing, but considering what else seems to be lurking in that water...

Yes...fishing is liable to some limitations, as well, of course. My brother says the stocks close to shore seem to be a bit depleted. But that may be partly the monster, as well.

If I thought it was possible, I'd suggest we all get together to kill the thing. If it's edible, we'd have sushi. If not, at least we'd be able to go further into the ocean.

You have a brother here?

[Interesting, how many of the residents seem to know each other. That can't be coincidence.]

I don't think it's possible to kill it, either. Unfortunately.

I have four brothers here. It's not as much fun as you might think. [But he's smiling. Clearly having relatives here isn't bad, either.]

But, no. I'd rather not lose anyone else to the monster, so we'll have to do our best working around it.

Four? Impressive...

[He raises an eyebrow.]

I'm not sure it would be fun. I'm certainly glad my brother isn't here.

Yes, well...there are more where they came from. Papa was a rolling stone, as they say.

[That song's probably from before Meyer's time, but Balthazar amused himself with the joke, at least.] Do you have a large family?

008 | Video | Day 107

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