sixth roll of the dice

[thedicearecast]

[Amelia's kept track of how many days have passed since the ordeal with Legato happened. It's not that means to, but she also can't forget how it felt, having no control over her own body. Even over a month since, the memories are still vivid in her mind, with the talks of trials and justice only serving as a reminder. But Amelia has never been

Comments

works for me :D

[thedicearecast]

So long as his powers are in check, I'll be fine. A man coming at me is something I can handle. [And in truth, Amelia almost wishes he would. A pure physical fight, without powers or magic or superhuman anything? Sounded a bit like heaven to her just then.

The rest of his advice is logical, sound, and just what Amelia doesn't want to hear. She gives it a second while she considers the filter--how many people can hear this anyway?--but then gives a mental "screw it" before opening up a bit more. If that last part really is true, then maybe this guy can understand.]

That's the thing though. I'm not afraid to ask for help when I need it. I just can't figure out when I don't anymore. Nothing in this place makes sense. The things I was good at because I worked at them, it seems like half the people here can just do by waving a hand. There's food and water everywhere, no one putting up bounties, so I can't even make money if I needed it--and that's assuming it'd be someone I could catch. I got used like it was nothing. Back home I could beat up any man who even tried to touch me, but that--

[She sighs quietly. And then there's her loss too, but Amelia won't talk as much about that. Not knowing if she let her father live, or killed him for all his wrongs.] Everything's either easy, or just impossible. I can't find a place where I actually fit in with it.

[cricketycricket]

[he listens to it all patiently, weighing her words against what few truths he's able to persistently pin down about Paradisa at large]

It's a very valid concern, that's for certain. If nothing else, you can take comfort in the fact that you're not the only one here who feels so displaced. The trick is to find a new angle to look at your skills from, a different perspective or application of them that allows them to fit in with what goes on here.

[he thinks a bit more about what she's said for a moment] Have you considered volunteering for the outposts in the Dead Zone? I'm sure that someone as adept as you at finding and providing resources could be quite useful out there...

[thedicearecast]

[He may mean well, but Amelia is quick to reject what he offers up as sympathy.] No offense, but I'm not the sort to take comfort in the idea of people feeling the way I do right now. I'm used to being alone anyway, and if it meant others weren't suffering? I'd be good being the only one in this mess.

[But practical solutions are a bit more welcome, and Amelia's interest is definitely peaked.] I've heard talk about all that, but never looked too hard into it. The Dead Zone's supposed to be a ways away from the castle, right?

[cricketycricket]

I see. ... Well, then, let's see. [he sketches a crude map of the area, with the castle at the center, and marks the locations of the outposts] Here are the outposts ... the closest is just beyond the border of the Dead Zone, here.

[he circles the first X] You'll be wanting to speak to Rin Asano, she's in charge of them.

[thedicearecast]

[It's a little frightening just how much interest Amelia feels when she watches the map form on the page. She's taken aback by the unintentional reminder of just how low she's gotten. But this could be a way to fix that, and she pays close attention to what the man has to say.]

Rin Asano? Don't think I've met her yet, but I'll make sure to do that. Just what are the outposts for anyway?

[And after a pause, Amelia will offer another question.]

I don't think I ever got your name, what with all the chaos and all. I'm Amelia.

[cricketycricket]

They've been erected for a number of reasons ... safe havens to go to when the castle starts acting out ... places to hold those whose powers are dangerous to others ... and of course, to act as stockhouses for supplies, when we go out on trips past the Dead Zone. A lot of people take trips out there just to have a break from the castle's machinations, as well. They're really quite versatile little places.

A pleasure to meet you properly, Amelia. I'm the Doctor. The Fifth, to be precise, but if you wish, you can call me Lakare. Some people here do, to avoid the confusion.

[thedicearecast]

...So did I just miss the part where people actually talk about this stuff to new arrivals? Because that sounds like something that would've been great to know a few months ago.

Lakare, then. Good to meet you too. [Especially when she's not being manipulated to shoot him.]

[cricketycricket]

Honestly, I think a lot of the newer residents forget that the outposts are there... most of the people who helped construct them have gone home, if I remember correctly. It may just be a case of an unintentionally well-kept secret. I'd also think that the people who live out there would try not to draw a lot of attention to them in case the First Generation saw them as a threat...

Have you heard about them, at all? The First Generation, I mean.

[thedicearecast]

Can't forget what I wasn't ever told about. You're probably closer with that secret bit.

Kind of like with the First Generation, now that you mention it. I've heard a little, but mostly that they like to make trouble. They were the ones everyone figured wrecked the castle when everyone was on the ships. Oh, and they wanted all the alcohol we had?

[cricketycricket]

I don't like to think that we'd start withholding secrets from one another, but ... you may be right. [he sighs]

I don't know about all the alcohol, but it's something they've expressed interest in trading. I've not yet figured out why they've got such a strong vendetta against us all, but they don't trust us, and see us as some sort of threat to the community they've built separate from the castle. I'm hoping to go along with the next group that tries to barter with them, so that I might get some proper, straight answers.

[thedicearecast]

Like you said, it's probably not on purpose. I've had to have a lot of things explained to me that are just normal for people. Like--what were they--the pools. With the weird smelling water. Everyone else seemed to get what that stuff was right away.

Bartering sounds a lot different from how I heard it. What'd they be giving us? [What could they give to people in a castle that made wishes come true? Maybe that's part of that distrust Lakare mentioned next, but Amelia knows she can't say.]

Sounds like a good plan. How big are these trading parties, usually?

[cricketycricket]

Oh, think beyond material goods, Amelia. Security would be a rather nice asset to have a bit more of, and goodwill and a well-drawn bargain go a long way toward that sort of thing. ... As for the parties, we've not yet put one together, but I'd be wary of making it any larger than four or five, lest we look too intimidating.

[thedicearecast]

Security? [Not that Amelia is questioning the need in general--given how they met, that'd be pointless.] Weren't they the ones causing some of the trouble in the first place? Letting them guard the castle or something sounds like giving them an opportunity to wreck things again.

[cricketycricket]

Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that. Security in the sense that, if they know we are a boon, rather than a threat, they'll be less likely to antagonize us.