outer_divide | [Audio | 004: Back in the Saddle] Thursday, Week 11

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[Audio | 004: Back in the Saddle] Thursday, Week 11

This is an open broadcast, so I'm not going into too many specifics, but I'm taking a trip back to the port town to make some shipping arrangements. This will be a much lighter and faster trip than the last one, as we'll be going on horseback.

Assuming that I don't doom us all with my equestrian skills, I could use a couple people interested in coming along as outriders -- you should be able to ride and capable of defending yourself and, um, me, if it comes down to it. Bring small goods if you're interested in trading for goods or supplies in a more varied market -- like the Old City, the port town functions on a barter economy rather than a currency-based one.

[SO HEY, Pepper's going to try and make arrangements to get a grain shipment for the Old City, since the crops aren't too awesome right now. This isn't a full-on plot like last time, just a little thing what can be done. Bruce-mun's already on board with this, ~~but I could use one more person if you're interested!~~ Got my second person! But Pepper's likely to be making a lot more trips, so if not this time for people, then certainly future. (Or she can set you up to go in your own group too!)]

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If you're in need of protection, I can join you. When are you leaving?

Count me in, Ms. Potts.

[You don't need video to know who that earnest voice belongs to, do you, Pepper?]

[As tempting as it is to potentially get away from the city for a while and see the rest of the local area here, Lyall knows better than to travel with a mounted horseman. Or woman.]

I would offer my assistance, Miss Potts, but horses and I do not get along. So unless you wish to be trailed well behind or well ahead, I'll merely hold down the fort here, shall I?

What's the town like?

Still want me along? [ This was of course because of the incident where the mare nearly threw her because she got scared of Eliot's scent. However, Eliot ended calming her down too, both of them, so his guilt in the incident was debatable. ]

"Ms. Potts?"

[It's phrased like a question because this is the only name he has heard her referred to as; the voice is quite polite, though, gentle to the point of sounding like soft music.]

I'm seeking a good way to put my skills to use, and you are requesting aid in this mission - perhaps we can talk?~

In the next few days. I'm... let's say that I'm recovering from the crash course in riding lessons I just got before I throw myself on a horse again for a full day.

We'll have to be leaving very early in the morning to reach the town by nightfall, assuming I don't slow us down too badly, so I really appreciate the offer of help.

Gladly, Captain Rogers.

[No, you really don't. An aura of apple pie, baseball and genuine good guy pretty much just radiates from the voice alone. Pepper grins to herself.]

I don't know if we can find you a shiny white horse, but I'm definitely going to try, just for the look of the thing.

Holding down the fort is absolutely appreciated, Professor. I'm halfway dreading what will happen when I leave this time, so knowing that the hospital's recordkeeping will be in good hands is a relief.

Especially since I felt very close to needing its services after the crash-course in horses I somehow agreed to...

Small -- only a couple hundred people. The main economic value is that they're the closest available port town to the Old City, so you have a wider range of goods available, as well as ship's captains you can negotiate with.

There's a certain amount of goods production here -- textiles, alcohol, some weaponry -- but the really big ticket items are technology, either salvaged or re-invented. What industrial base this part of the world had once is shattered now.

[Pepper answers with a soft laugh, her bruised... dignity aving ease enough to see the humour in it all.]

I think Blackbird and I have forgiven you, but I've actually had two people I know from back home speak up. I'd take a third person, but one of them is a little, um... skittish, around new people. He's a good man, though.

If you can keep things from blowing up while I'm gone, though, I'll owe you a bottle of that alcohol you were so interested in.

That's me -- Pepper Potts, if you're more comfortable without the title.

[There's not a lot of restful in Pepper's day. She can practically feel her shoulders unknotting at the soothing gentleness.]

I've got my outriders for this trip, but the port town is our closest potential port, so I see myself and others making fairly frequent trips there. If not this time, certainly in future, and you can always put your skills to use without my having to be along. What would you like to know?

I hear it gets better with time, like any exercise. Though you can at least this time you won't be gone as long.

[Since it was something like a week last time, right? He is a bit fuzzy on what day the caravan left.]

Is there anything in particular you'd like me to focus my attention on here, while you're gone?

My thanks, Sister Potts.

[...wait, did he just add a NEW title? No-no, don't ask, that'll just make things worse.]

I only wished to volunteer my services for this endeavor, but if you have all the numbers needed, then another time.

[Since this is filtered, he sounds more at ease to talk, still feeling a little wary of what might be listening in.]

I can tell, you have a great talent in managing resources - a good feeling I have, I suppose? Because of that, it may be wise for me to inform you that I am very capable of providing very efficient medical aid to anyone in need. I am also quite mobile!~

So if you or any of your contacts should find yourself in trouble, please call me. So long as you hold to Hope, I will be there all the faster.

That sounds painful. Is anything broken, or are you just bruised? [He's asking purely for medical reasons, not because he's concerned. Really.]

Just contact me again when you're ready, and I'll be there.

Bruised only -- aside from some screaming muscles I don't think I've ever used in my life, I think my dignity is the worst casualty.

Give me a day to recover and I'll be good to go the next one.

Very true -- unless I'm the one slowing things down, it can potentially be a three day trip.

I think we've mostly got the backlog of files cleared now. Just keep everyone marching in the same direction, and keep an ear out for any new developments on the food supply situation.

Given the bandits on the road...

[The odd emphasis on Hope, the unusual phrasing -- they're both enough to have her tilting her head, all unseen. Still, there are more than a few strange things she's seen already, so she's learning to observe and form conclusions later.]

Well, the promise of prompt medical assistance is very reassuring, I'll say that much. I'll absolutely call you if we need it, Mr...?

[Steve looks at his feet and counts himself lucky that Pepper can't see him.]

I don't know if you need to go through some kind of trouble like that. I'd be fine with any horse as long as it's somewhat well behaved. I don't think I'm ready for animal taming just yet.

I will do my best.

[This paying attention to necessities instead of letting a butler take care of it is definitely a new sensation, but he's getting used to it. He even adds, sounding a little amused:]

You know, with the backlog is mostly clear and a clear organization in place, I suppose it is a good thing you are leaving us for a few days. Between the two of us, we may actually run out of the paperwork. Then what will we do?

Oh, I think I do. [Pepper assures with gently puckish humour.] I'm really starting to like the visual. Although admittedly, it's probably going to be some species of plow horse, so don't worry -- there are no plumed hats in your future.

I'm thinking we leave the day after tomorrow. That should give me a day to stop feeling like I want to die because it will hurt less.

oh oh oh can i come????

[Todd's not... entirely serious. Or is he?!]

Walker. Mr. Saint Walker.

[He laughs lightly, as if adding the honorific somehow made it a funny joke.]

And yes, please do, Sister.

Give me a solution for the bandit problem on the road and wait for it to be applied, and sure.

Right now, this trip? Unfortunately, no.

[Pepper is experiencing the strangest sense of deja-vu. Fortunately, it's much harder to stow away on a horse.]

ur no fun :P

[Even got an emoticon in there. He's discovered them! Sort of, anyway. He found a text conversation on the network where someone else had used them, and thought they could be funny.

Like now.]

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[Audio | 004: Back in the Saddle] Thursday, Week 11

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