IC Inbox

[oohforeshadowing]

Let me get back to you, darling.

Comments

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

Oh, you're sorry.

Well, warden, I'm not sure I can forgive you. I was in a very vulnerable place, and you just...ditched me.

Re: audio

[toabsolution]

Yeah, yeah, I get it. You enjoy your chat with Ryong?

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

You get it. Fine.

I had a lovely conversation, thank you so much for asking. How was your stay?

Re: audio

[toabsolution]

Could have been better.

You really that upset, Trouble? Cuz I can't tell and I'm really fuckin' tryin'.

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

I do like that about you, darling.

Really, how was it? What happened? I require exposition.

Re: audio

[toabsolution]

[Sigh.]

Just ghosts. Ghosts and magic.

Camped out by my damn self.

[So there.]

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

You are aware that more comfortable options were available?

Re: audio

[toabsolution]

It's plenty comfortable campin'. [Barely contained snickering.] You should come with me one night.

I'll take you out to the Enclosure. I'll make a fire. Sleep under the stars. Eat burned bacon. It's good for ya.

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

Darling, it is because of my relevant experience that I'm reluctant to take you up on that.

Re: audio

[toabsolution]

Yeah? And what experience is that?

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

I haven't shown you where I lived, have I?

Re: audio

[toabsolution]

Only told me about it.

I'd like to see it.

Re: audio

[oohforeshadowing]

And it's better to show than tell, darling. I'll meet you at the entrance.

[toabsolution]

He's up at the Enclosure in a few moments, waiting for them as he leans back against the door, holding it open.

[oohforeshadowing]

Double Trouble strolls up a minute later and leans in to address the control panel:

"Etheria - the Valley of the Lost," they say, and then guide Jake into a deep desert canyon that's had a settlement built into it over time. Walkways are dug into the rock or built as bridges across the space. Canvas awnings give shelter from the sun. The ground level is a labyrinth of shanty buildings and narrow alleyways.

[toabsolution]

He follows after them, pulling his hat over his face a little more to shade himself from the sun. He clears his throat, looking over the edge to the ground and then up to the top ledge. "Clever," he comments lightly.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Not everyone who washes up here is really built for the climate," Trouble murmurs. "It can get very hot when the sun is high. Regardless, I'm sure you're getting an impression as to why sleeping in the dirt has lost its appeal?"

[toabsolution]

"Yup." He kicks a bit of dirt from the edge.

"Show me around?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"I won't lie to you, darling, it all starts to look the same after a while."

They're walking slowly, glancing around.

"People come and go. That stall," they gesture, "sold food for a while, then clothes, then whatever they could scavenge from a crashed Horde transport. It's all rather changeable that way."

[toabsolution]

"You live here, in this place, your whole life?"

He does glance at the stall they reference, then decides to press ahead with something else. Something he's been keeping from them that might explain the questions. "I got your file. Ain't read it."

[oohforeshadowing]

They glance at him, eyebrows raising slightly.

"Why not?"

[toabsolution]

He keeps walking, not looking over at them.

"Because I know what it's like when someone knows shit about you that you didn't tell 'em," he says softly. It might not be exactly the same because Jake didn't know those things existed, but he hated the feeling of walking around, knowing that people had information about him. Things that he might not necessarily want them to know.

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble hums.

"Well, I appreciate the gesture, darling. Consider me an open book."

[toabsolution]

"Yeah, I know. That's the other reason. You haven't ever not answered my questions." Only when he was being a dick to them, which he knows is his own fault. Doesn't mean it won't continue to happen, but at least he takes responsibility for it.

"This is the kinda place where people do whatever they can, huh? Just to survive."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Very much. Of course I'd love to tell you about the hard-won sense of camaraderie, the lifelong bonds forged in desert heat, but...well, I certainly never met two people here who wouldn't sell each other out for two coins and a hot meal."