[Video | 005: A Quest Arrow Appears!] Monday Evening, Week 12

[pepperspray]

[To say that Pepper's looking like she's been over twenty miles of bad road is really just stating the truth at this point. (And underselling it -- it's been a lot more than twenty miles, all totalled.). Still, she's back in town, her apartment's spartan furnishings visible behind her as she lays claim to a couch that's seen better days but is, blessedly, not a horse.

There remains a businesslike gleam to her eyes all the same: Pepper, it appears, has A Plan.]

I haven't managed death by horse, thanks largely to Captain Rogers and Dr. Banner, and I've got potential good news on the food situation. However, it's not really straightforward, and not really something to discuss over the network.

What I can say is that we've been asked to retrieve some goods as payment, that I have a map, but that it's very old, and that I've been warned about hazards in the location. So, while I can bring this to you, it's not something I can honestly handle myself.

If you're interested in either going along with or leading an expedition to do some treasure hunting, let me know. And if you have experience with translating very old maps, I'd very much like to hear from you. I'll be at my apartment for, um... well, let's just say that not moving sounds like an absolutely amazing idea right now.

[[OOC: Details on things here:]]

Comments

[pepperspray]

It's a long and twisted bit of history, sociology and political science involved in explaining it all, and it's been a long time since I was a university student, unfortunately. I'm sorry if I seem unclear.

[Apology offered with poised care, she does give a nod to the sentiment in general.]

Staying out of their business is certainly one approach. It would work better if they were also inclined to stay out of ours, rather than threatening any signs of serious development. But, for the meantime, I'm going to focus on getting the people here their grain.

[canandhave]

Peaceful coexistence can only really happen if one side's willing to bite their tongues when the other side starts getting snippy. It's far from ideal, but it sounds like if we went toe to toe we wouldn't have much of a chance, so.

Better to focus on what we can do, I agree.

[pepperspray]

It also relies on the other side staying at 'snippy' and not 'casually sending military force across borders if it feels like it'.

[Pepper's expression has crimped again, as memories of the chaos surrounding fields and hospital flicker briefly past her mind's eye. She clears it with a slight cough and a return to briskness.]

Well, that said, the grain shipment is hanging on the results of an expedition, so I suppose I should get busy setting up a place for the leaders and expedition-goers and general people with ideas to meet. Hopefully everyone likes simple sandwiches and herb tea.

[canandhave]

Sending troops over just counts as really snippy in my book. 

[ Aveline's careful to keep her own expression neutral, to pretend she doesn't even notice the change in Pepper's. ]

That sounds good to me. Thank you, for setting this up. 

[pepperspray]

That book sounds fascinating.

[Pepper is dryly impressed at this level of understatement. She awards Aveline a small nod.]

And it's not a problem -- those who can, do. Will I see you there, then?

[canandhave]

Of course. I look forward to...actually meeting you.

[Is that the way to phrase it? Aveline isn't sure.]

[pepperspray]

And I, you.

[Pepper's expression is encouraging -- the phrasing is, apparently, good.]

Although I'll be pretty much in the background -- this isn't my area of expertise.

[canandhave]

Nor mine, but that isn't going to stop me from trying.