01 | Video/Action | Day 108

[animator]

[It's been a week since Anita's arrival in the Cape, and all that time, she's managed to monitor the network without actually making herself known, taking the opportunity the blackout and the defunct network had provided her to move around town unnoticed and get the lay of the land. By now, she's more or less settled -- she has housemates she gets along with reasonably well, one of them a stray Allison brought home after no less than two days after their arrival. She has a potential ally in a man she's still not entirely convinced isn't a yeti, and a woman who practically reeks of magic but without that undertone of malice.

All things considered, there's something of a silver lining to this new situation, though she certainly has plenty of choice words for their captors if she ever gets the chance. She's determined to make that opportunity arise sooner or later.

When she addresses the feed, she's sitting on the front steps of House 10, arms resting on her knees.]

I haven't been here long, but I think I've got most of the details by now. [People had been helpful, for the most part.] The food supply is low and it sounds like people are doing whatever they can to help supplement it. I hear people hunt. I'd like to get in on that, but it would help to know what's available to us in the way of weapons.

[She has her knives, and her guns with their limited ammo, but she's never been much of a trapper despite being vaguely outdoorsy. She'd done a lot of field work during college that had required her to spend time out in the woods and knew well enough how to forage, but hunting anything that wasn't, you know, monstrous was entirely new. Animals couldn't be all that different, could they? Just... smaller. Potentially less vicious.

Right.]

Do we have the resources to replace or even forge spent ammunition, for instance? Or do we get to play pioneer and do it the authentic way?

[You know. Bows and arrows. That kind of thing.]

Any kind of feedback would be appreciated. If I'm going to be stuck here, might as well pitch in and do what I can to help.

[The feed ends. She'll be sitting outside of House 10 for awhile if anyone comes by or wants to pester her, and later in the day, she can be found at the docks, doing a little investigating.]

Comments

[servingmichael]

I would assume there is more powder currently available than bullets, but as I use neither, it hasn't bee my concern. Charcoal is easy to make, sulfur can be gathered.

[ Well. Meg as a use. Good to remember. ]

Potassium Nitrate is going to be of an issue, as while it can be produced, and there is some currently around, producing it takes some time.

A ball mill could be built as well.

[ He's going to assume she can store it. ]

[animator]

It's at least good to know that if necessary, it's feasible, though it would be difficult. Anything to do with gunpowder is delicate, since you have to know what you're doing to be able to handle it safely.

[Indeed she does know how to store it, thankfully. Her head seems to be on reasonably straight in this matter, at least.]

I'm fine with using other options that are more efficient, like whittling arrows to resorting to close-combat, but I'm trying to find out as much as I can as far as keeping my options open.

[servingmichael]

Many things are possible than are given credit for, it simply depends on how hard you are willing to work. But yes, it's quite delicate.

[ Good. Humans are irking him of late. ]

Close-combat for hunting is not only dangerous for the hunter but causes more suffering. Arrows and some kinds of traps would be better.

[animator]

I'll work as hard as I have to in order to do what's necessary to survive.

[And all that implies, it's safe to assume.

She sighs, pressing her lips into a grim line and offering a nod, agreeing with him.]

Arrows and traps are definitely better for hunting. I'm assuming there are things out in those woods that are aggressive, though -- always a chance they'll get the jump on us. Arrows don't do much good if you're short on time and don't have the range, but I've always used my knives as a last resort. General rule of thumb.

[If an enemy gets that close, she's probably dead, anyway.]

[servingmichael]

Many say that. Few are actually willing to, not that I hold them in contempt for it.

[ He disliked to see them suffer, and most didn't understand how much 'survival' often tied into suffering. ]

Quite a bit and likely precious little most here have seen before. I take it no one has filled you in?

[animator]

Most people don't have the scope or experience to really know what's within the realm of 'what's necessary.' I'd say that's unfortunate, but honestly, if they haven't had to go through enough crap to learn that lesson, I'm happy for them. Kudos.

[She, on the other hand, gets to live through a never-ending stream of nightmares, constantly ass-deep in alligators and almost always with at least one body on the floor by the end of whatever ordeal she's tangled up in.]

I'm still pretty new. I've been doing some exploring and observing, but until now, most of the people I've talked to have been other new arrivals. I've got a good feel for the place by now, at least.

[servingmichael]

I agree.

[ There's a tone to it - it's sincere yes, but also something else. A weight of experience. ]

There are many dangerous predators in the woods. Dire wolves, smilodons, velociraptors, others. Also robotic bears. They are meant to keep us in the town.

[animator]

Sounds like a party.

[Her dry tone, however, indicates the opposite.]

What, they didn't feel like springing for an electric fence and collars?

[servingmichael]

Not my idea of one, but for some.

[ He didn't get the humor. Sorry Anita. ]

A bit more a display of power, don't you think? The majority of those here are human, and none have ever seen any of these animals.

[animator]

[She sighs a little -- it's okay. She's used to it. When you spend a lot of your time with centuries-old vampires, you get used to people not getting your jokes.]

Good point. Not like you can hop over to the local zoo to check out the velociraptors.

[Although that would actually be pretty cool, come to think of it.]

[servingmichael]

[ And they are neotypes compared to him. ]

No, you can't. I was rather fond of them.

[ Little proto-birds.]

[animator]

[She raises an eyebrow in question.]

Got a lot of personal experience with dinosaurs, do you?

[servingmichael]

Oh yes. I thought they were quite neat. It was amusing, when humans first started drawing them, how wrong they would get them.

[animator]

[Huh. Interesting.]

Of course, you realize that begs the question -- what are you?

[servingmichael]

I'm Raphael, Anita. The archangel.

[ Simply. ]

[animator]

[Both eyebrows go up. Way up.]

You're kidding.

[She's religious. She's going to need a moment, here.]

I kind of pictured more feathers.

[servingmichael]

I am not.

[ He's calm but not offended. In fact, he's almost amused, in a fond way. ]

Most of the times are wings aren't visible.

[animator]

Huh.

[Well. Go figure. She frowns a little, eyebrows knitting together.]

Sounds awfully convenient. I've met more than a couple of vampires who heralded themselves as gods. How do I know this isn't the same thing?

[servingmichael]

How would you know Anita?

[ It's curious, a tad amused, like he expects to know the answer already, but not unkind. ]

[animator]

Guess I wouldn't.

Which means I've got no reason to believe you, either.

[Skepticism at its finest.]

[servingmichael]

[ His shoulder moves - it might be a shrug, but it is birdlike. ]

Forced faith isn't faith Anita.

[animator]

Oh, I have plenty of faith.

[More than most people she's met, in fact.]

But that doesn't mean I'm gullible. [She pauses, wary.] You know my name.

[She doesn't remember giving it. But it wouldn't be the first time someone or something had read it off of her, either.]

[servingmichael]

I mean using my sword to make a point isn't about garnering faith but fear.

I do know your name. Among other things about you.

[animator]

Right. Because that's not creepy at all.

[It never really gets any less unsettling, now matter how many people read various information off of her.]

[servingmichael]

It tends to unnerve humans.

[ Because clearly they are the odds ones here. ]