002 ✳ day 68 ✳ video/action

[blackmagus]

[In the morning, Fortescue sets out with a pillowcase and a bucket to see what objects she can collect for the Doctor. Items not currently used by anyone else, of course. Her restlessness means that she has the town's layout completely memorized — and her job, in which knowing every possible exit is necessary. 'Tools' are what the Doctor had specified, and without raiding kitchens she mostly collects gardening tools. Most of them seem to be in good condition. She also discovers two clocks that were evidently abandoned to the elements, and puts them in with the tools. The rake she finds doesn't fit in the pillowcase, naturally, and so she carries it over her shoulder as she walks, Jazz trailing along like a fuzzy shadow behind her.

Instead of handing off her cargo immediately, she goes to the water beyond the park. While she can't claim to be an educated fisher, she has no line or pole, either. She has something much more effective. Placing all of her objects on the ground, she ventures onto the dock and looks into the water. Fortescue hasn't used her magic here, much, leery of this whole thing being an Inveterate mind game to seek information. But it's been a week since her arrival, and there have been none of the warning signs that she was trained to look for. This is, truly, another world, and the realization is rather bittersweet.

Fortescue crouches down and holds her hand out over the water to harness the deep, dark shadows under the docks. For a moment, the light in that area seems even brighter. She manipulates tendrils of shadow upward, searching for fish that she can't see — feeling the water with magic. At first, she finds nothing. But then her tendrils brush the tail of a fish, and she closes them around it. She barely needs to concentrate to lift the fish from the water, filling her bucket. It's not a fish she recognizes, but at least it looks mundane and not poisonous. And also big enough to have some meat on it.

She sits there for some time, practicing after a week of abstaining. It feels strange to use her abilities this way — usually she throws people around, rather than grabbing fish — but it strikes her as useful. Some of the fish are too little; she throws them back after their terrifying ordeal. But in the few hours she sits there, she draws ten fish up. They slap noisily around in the bucket, Jazz swatting at their tails excitedly (running away a moment when they splash him with water). That's more than enough for she and her roommates, and so she turns on her communicator.]

I don't suppose anyone would like a fish supper?

[Fortescue gestures to the bucket next to her, teeming with fish, as she sits beyond the park a few feet from the docks. Jazz, the feline looking quite damp, stares at it with wary interest from a few feet away. Fish are very wet, he's discovered, and he trusts that his mistress will feed him later.]

I have enough extra to feed four, if anyone would like them. And can cook them. That last part is fairly important, I suppose.



[private to the Doctor - early evening]

I found you a few things. Shall I drop them off now?

Comments

video:

[charring]

I can always use more fish in my fridge.

[Mostly because it's the only meat she eats.]

I can help cook and clean them if you want it.

video:

[blackmagus]

I don't know the first thing about either, love. [She quirks a grin. It's lucky one of her housemates knows how to cook. But, she figures she should pay attention this time.] I'd be happy to drop one or two off where you are, however.

Re: video:

[charring]

I could teach you. I'm in house ten. My name is Charlie.

video:

[blackmagus]

A pleasure to meet you, Charlie. I'm Fortescue.

Shall I come over now?

Re: video:

[charring]

Sure. I'm not doing anything exciting. Just reading.

[Private video]

[nevermindtherunning]

Any time will be lovely! House 3, you don't have to knock.

[He's sitting on the floor in the kitchen surrounded by a mess of odds and ends.]

[Private video] → [action]

[blackmagus]

All right. I'll see you soon.

[Once she's made her fish drops, she goes over to house 3. Leaving her remaining fish outside, she walks right in with the rake on her shoulder and the case in one hand. Jazz trails behind her, sniffing the air curiously.]

Good afternoon.

[nevermindtherunning]

Hey there! What'd you find?

[He doesn't even bother looking up as he sat up on his knees, using a screwdriver to fix up something that remotely resembled paneling. His jacket and tie were discarded on a chair, sleeves rolled up, and extra screw hanging out the corner of his mouth.]

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue's reminded strongly of mad scientists in cinema. She puts down her objects within his reach. He's a bit taller than she was expecting him to be, even crouching on the ground. And definitely on the lean side of things.]

Some garden tools. A couple clocks. A rake. I'll keep my eyes open for more.

[She glances around them.]

How goes the project?

[nevermindtherunning]

[He pulls out the screw from his mouth and sits back on his knees. Bending backwards a tiny bit, he tries to stretch out his back as he glances over at the odds and ends.]

Oh! Lookit the clocks! [He snatches one up, inspecting it closely, before pausing and looking at Fortescue.]

Not bad, not bad at all. The blue prints are made and I think I have enough junk to make it...

[A pause.] Have you been by the ocean? You smell a bit... fishy.

[burnburnburn]

How many of those are you bringing home?

[He's looking very eager for a good fish supper]

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue glances at the teeming bucket, hiding her amusement for the time being.]

About half or so.

[burnburnburn]

Bring our share back before giving the rest away.

[The view swings around as he rattles through the kitchen drawers for a suitable knife. He swings the camera back to himself as soon as he finds what he's after]

I'll gut them and stick them over a fire to roast.

[And the view swings again as he settles into a chair and starts sharpening the knife]

[blackmagus]

[She's suspicious, now, but also slightly curious; the latter wins out.]

You know how to remove their bones? Why, Buttercup, I'm seeing you in a whole new light.

[burnburnburn]

[She gets a furious glare for the name before he hisses at her]

It doesn't take much to surprise you, whore.

I just need to gut them and scrape their scales. Only prisses and idiots can't handle eating around the bones.

permavoice;

[hexappeal]

I'm afraid I don't eat meat, but I appreciate your hard work.

I can de-bone and cook, however.

permavoice;

[blackmagus]

Have we got a vegetarian in our midst? [she teases.]

[hexappeal]

It's my burden and my shame. [There's an underlying sarcasm about it, but she doesn't at all seem to be uncomfortable with teasing on the subject. Here's hoping she isn't a PETA activist...]

[blackmagus]

[Well, at least she can joke about it, Fortescue thinks. Some can't. She laughs quietly.]

At least you know it. And I hope you've been able to find food all right, in that case.

[hexappeal]

I've been able to manage. It would seem those that brought me here saw fit to allow some skills to remain, but I'm not going to push it.

On the bright side, I'm not screaming how you're a murderer!

[bluesrat]

[It's debatable whether or not he ever saw the video broadcast, but up to the park comes strolling a lanky lamppost of a man, carrying a guitar case on his back. He ambles straight for her with a nod, but crouches a respectful distance away and holds out a hand towards the cat invitingly, radiating with friendly vibes.]

Hey. I think I saw you on the wristwatch, earlier.

[He's addressing the woman, not the cat, presumably.]

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue curls her hand back to her, not quite sure how he'd react to it when he's rather new here still. She nods, smiling, as Jazz looks to his hand cautiously. Jazz isn't the friendliest right off the bat with most people, but he also doesn't back down.]

Good afternoon, Mr. Tracy. [She says it teasingly, but in a light and gentle way.] Are you settling in?

[bluesrat]

[Rat gives a quiet little laugh, and stays patiently where he is. He's very calm, and very patient, and it usually wins animals over in time.]

It's just Markus, or Rat if you prefer. Calling me Mister makes me feel like a teacher again. I'm doing okay so far. No mishaps.

[He's a little unnerved by having made friends with a gangster, but never mind. There are plenty of worse things that could happen.]

[blackmagus]

Rat? [It sounds a bit negative, even if he's used to it.] I think I'll stick to Markus. [So far, only Dilandau's earned a nickname out of her. But eventually, everyone will have one. If he's unlucky, Tracy might stick.]

It's good to hear that you're doing well. What did you used to teach? If you don't mind my asking.

[bluesrat]

[It started out as an insult for a big-nosed, round-eared lanky kid in poor clothes, but he's adopted it and used it for so long that it's lost any edge. There are worse nicknames than Dick Tracy, though, by far. He'd accept being called after a comic strip hero.]

Music, mostly. I did some subbing as needed, too, or homeroom duty. That... was a while ago, though. [Smiles sheepishly. He's been out of work so long that feels like a distant memory.]