001 ✫ video

[warfares]

( the feed opens to a young man, pale skinned and dark eyed, a scar cutting across the left side of his face. his surroundings, while fairly nondescript, place him in somewhere in the Queen's Residence.)

Does anyone know where I can find a map?

Comments

audio.

[purpose]

I haven't seen one yet. Draw one yourself.

[ as though it were so simple. but she has been in strange territory before, and mapped it from her own memory, from her own experiences. it seems the likeliest solution, if none are available to them. ]

Or ask the Queen for her help.

[ the latter isn't her preference for how it comes as an afterthought. she has brought them here, given them promises — for that, she has rey's current loyalty — but she is still too used to independence to have considered it as a first option. ]

[warfares]

I might yet.

( he has enough of a working knowledge to accomplish something passable if he has to, but the fact is he shouldn't have to. and not simply because it's a large city that someone is bound to have done the work for him already. )

But as of the moment, I've been volunteered to help with the postal service and would sooner avoid getting lost.

( and does he really want to be going to the Queen with something frivolous like this? even if it is practical.

maybe as a plan B. )

[purpose]

You could ask a native if you're in the right place, you know.

[ she's not terribly surprised that thought hasn't occurred to him, admittedly. more importantly: ]

You volunteered. For the postal service.

[ what reality is this. ]

[warfares]

I was volunteered and it seemed a good way to acquaint myself with the city.

( and, diving in with all his typical enthusiasm, he hadn't considered the fact that he'd have no earthly idea where anything was. )

Perhaps I will.

[purpose]

Do they know you?

[ is she going to let him live this down? no. there's probably some sliver of amused satisfaction in that, too. the point still stands — ben is the last person she would have volunteered for the job. ]

You're not going to actually ask them, are you.

[warfares]

No. ( the obviously hangs at the end of that sentence, unsaid but certainly felt. )

I might have no choice.

( he hates this so much. )

[purpose]

How unfortunate for you.

[ admittedly, this is entertaining her more than it should. ]

Can't you track them?

[ it should be suggestive of her shoddy, cobbled together education via luke skywalker that she isn't aware that isn't how the force works. to rey, it seems a valid suggestion; their powers have increased. the idea that he might be able to follow his recipient's doesn't strike her as far-fetched in the least. ]

[warfares]

Your sympathy is heartening.

( dry as the sands of Jakku. )

In theory, there are many things I could do with the right amount of time and preparation. However, given the urgent nature of this task, perhaps a map would be easier.

[purpose]

[ hypothetically, yes, but she's here for that one unfortunate reminder: ]

In reality, you don't have a map.

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[phykios]

[ the farcaster shows the image of a teenager, all messy dark hair and sea-green eyes, and frowning thoughtfully. it's a good question. ]

If you'll find one anywhere, it'd be in the Bazaar. I'd be surprised if no one were selling any maps over there.

[warfares]

The Bazaar does seem a logical place to start, though there is the matter of currency to consider.

( what even is the currency for this place? he should probably figure that out. )

[phykios]

Honestly?

[ he says, and shrugs ]

Some of the people around here are willing to give you stuff if you'll repay them with favors. Especially since the fires -- people still need a lot of help with rebuilding.

[warfares]

A fair point.

The map was, in fact, intended for such a task. The postal service. Except that it is rather difficult to deliver things when you have no idea where you're meant to be going.

[phykios]

[ he laughs, good-natured. ]

Yeah, that makes it harder. You try asking around? The locals can probably point you in the right direction.

[ y'know, "this address is in river north! that's three blocks in this direction," etc etc ]

[warfares]

I'm beginning to see I might have to.

( which is unfortunate when you have all the social skills of a wampa on a good day. )

If nothing else I should learn as I go.

[phykios]

Yeah, it's a good way to learn more about the city, fast.

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[verstoned]

The bazaar is more like than not to 'ave at least one merchant. Unless those burned up in the fires themselves.

[warfares]

The Bazaar's been suggested. Perhaps even if they do not have any to hand they'll have the means to acquire them.

[verstoned]

Or create new ones. Or 'ave a cartographer friend on hand for a rush job.

What is it you need a map for?

[warfares]

Beyond the practicality of having one, I've been asked to help with the postal service. ( "asked" is perhaps a bit more generous than the truth, but. it's something that can serve his interest as much as theirs. postal runners get to visit all corners of the city. )

And while I'm happy to help, finding places is somewhat difficult as a newcomer.

[verstoned]

Ah. [A sound of understanding. Rhus knows now what he means-- which in turn means that what he was thinking of suggesting would have been pointless.]

I would have said climb a few buildings in the meantime, but that wouldn't have helped, eh?

[warfares]

Not a bad idea, ordinarily.

Do you climb much?

[verstoned]

Aye. [You can practically hear the shrug Rhus makes as well.] Best way to get anywhere is to get up high.

[warfares]

Interesting.

( something he'll certainly consider himself, going forward. there are bound to be parts of the city that the fire hasn't touched. )

Have you seen much of the city yet?

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[mekhanikos]

[ hello, have a small, vaguely elfish latino grin at you in response. ]

Dude, no clue, but I'm totally down for making one! I mean, if you want something done well, do it yourself, right?

[ he's mostly thinking of creating some kind of a drone that could fly over the city, maybe even take pictures, and then translate those pictures into something resembling a map... how much would the locals freak out about that? hopefully not much. ]