[video] SNAKES ON A M_F_in' SHIP

[snake_dreamer]

[The camera pans wildly, showing the interior of the ship, and an open pod.  Snake's not used to video technology like this. Oh, Center had its call screen but nothing this small and compact. 

[That she'd seen of course. But obviously she's in Center. Somehow.  Center, at last, when she least needed them.]

[But she wouldn't break her silence just for nothing.  She's awoken from her pod, crawled out and found what looks to be a battered leather case, with several large--empty--compartments, and another compartment crowded with boxes, pouches and vials.]. 

Where are my snakes? 

[She sounds halfway between angry and frightened. ]

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[snake_dreamer]

[She hasn't seen text before, and she hesitates, debating finding if her device had a text function. But the other person clearly heard her video broadcast. So for now, she'll go with that.]

They're large. One is a rattlesnake, about this big.

[She holds her hands wide--Sand can wrap himself around her waist.]

The other--Mist--is larger. And white.

text;

[akito]

Mist the white snake.
What is the rattlesnake's name?

[snake_dreamer]

Sand.

They can be dangerous if provoked. Please be careful.

[She went through all this because she foolishly lost Grass. She can't bear to lose another.]

[akito]

Snakes can't hurt me
Unless they are spirits too??
I am going to ask the winds if they know where they are.

[snake_dreamer]

Are you a healer, too?

[That's the only way she knows to be immune to snake venom.]

No, they're snakes. They help me in my craft.

You speak to the winds?

text;

[akito]

I can't heal other people, no.
I speak to and shepherd the winds, yes!
The ones here are different than the ones at home
But they are still winds.

And Sand and Mist are between the ship and the western mountains.
What temperature should they stay at?
I can make sure they stay safe until you can reach them.

[snake_dreamer]

But you are immune to poisons? How is that?

[She presumes it's like how she speaks to her snakes--a polite translation, a partnership.]

[There's a rustling and juggling of the device as she moves, grabbing her snake case.]

The cooler they are the less agitated they will be.

[And then the motion stops.]

Is. There a way off this ship?

[Good start, right?]

[akito]

I'm not a human.
What is too cold for them?
There is a way off of the ship!
I just followed the wind out of it.
I could send a stronger breeze in for you to follow
If that would work for you??

[snake_dreamer]

Not human.

[She can't help but stare. Yes, at a text display, wondering if that was why her strange new companion didn't show himself. Herself. Itself.]

Above frost. [That would actually comfort them, a bit, the cold air making them sleepy.]

I could try?

[Never turn down help, though even as she agrees, her hand checks the belt knife in her waist. She won't be taken by surprise again.]

text;

[akito]

I am a wind spirit.
I'll make sure they stay a good temperature!!
And I am going to ask the winds to guide you here now
So don't freak out!

[ and not long after he sends out the text, a cool breeze will twine around Snake, then guide her outside. c: and in the general direction of where her snakes are. ]

wow I could swear I tagged this last night!!

[snake_dreamer]

Spirit of the wind.

[Able to talk? He didn't seem like a crazy. But right now, if he led her to Mist and Sand, that would be what mattered. ]

[You don't handle snakes if 'freaking out' is in your vocabulary. Snake moves to the doorway, tilting her head, until she sees the faintest tendril of a breeze stirring at her hair. She follows it, battered boots light on the decking of the ship. A spaceship. She should be wondering and marveling more, but all she can think of is her serpents.]

Please don't go too near them. [Air spirit or not, it's simple safety.]

[akito]

Yes!
Something like that.

And I will keep my distance!
I don't want to hurt them by mistake.

[snake_dreamer]

And you can use this device to make words.

[She's not doubting. But it does sound a little strange.]

I am rather afraid of them hurting you. If they're frightened and disoriented, they may strike.

[Sand was ill-tempered even on the best of days.]

[akito]

Yes, texting.

Snakes can't hurt me
So don't worry!
:)

[snake_dreamer]

Texting.

[All right. It's not a word she's familiar with. But she has a feeling it's hardly the strangest thing she'll find in this place.]

I wouldn't be a healer if I didn't worry.

[akito]

Texting!
:)
What kind of healer are you?

[snake_dreamer]

[It's then that she realizes the little ':)' shape is like a smile. She can't help it: she's been through so much recently, and the simple smile makes her laugh.]

I heal with snakes--you see why I need my friends.

[akito]

Creating cures with the venom?
And they are sleeping soundly!

[snake_dreamer]

Yes!

[She sounds delighted and a little surprised.]

You know other healers who do the same?

[akito]

I have seen people make antivenom before
Most healing is done with doctors who prescribe medicines
Or do surgeries!
But there are still some healers who use herbs and naturopathy

[snake_dreamer]

That's most of how we heal. With a proper lab I can do more.

[But she hasn't seen one since the Station.]

These are all the tools we have, in my world. I've performed surgery but only as a last resort.

[The Mayor was almost at that last resort, the wound in his leg foul with gangrene.]

[akito]

So you are more like the kind of doctors I know!
Except that you have snakes.
:)

[snake_dreamer]

Is that different from the healers they have here?

[She's made it to the mouth of the ship by now, squinting into the daylight.]

[akito]

I don't know!
I have been here just over a day.
There are lots of different kinds of peoples and non-humans here
So people who heal with magic would not surprise me!

[snake_dreamer]

[He seems very settled for someone who's been here a day.]

I am learning that.

[Another laugh.] To me, one who speaks with the winds does magic. This is merely science.