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

Action

[tryingitall]

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?

Re: Action

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Not as large as yours, apparently.

[The song is definitely from before his time, but then, most of the cultural references people make are. He's just come to accept that.]

Just my parents and my brother.

Action

[tryingitall]

[He smiles wryly.] Brothers are important. Difficult to understand much of the time, but important.

Re: Action

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Almost always difficult to understand. And generally irritating.

[A laugh.]

Of course, I probably say that because I'm the older brother.

Action

[tryingitall]

I'm one of the youngest, and I think my older siblings do find me irritating. [He sounds a bit proud of this.]

Re: Action

[recognize_an_opportunity]

If they do, that means you're fulfilling your role as little brother well.