(no subject)

[payback]

[Idly dictated into the journal,]

It never ceases to amaze me with what people get to write, and what gets made into books. Some things just seem downright treasonous, but they still get bound, and bought, and read by lots of people.

I'm a little jealous to be frank. At home it could be pretty tough to get hold of books and things. Some of my friends couldn't even read so having books would have been moot.

[Rin is in the library today, which is not very surprising: the library is a good place to try and find her. Tad the Arcanine is hanging around lolling under tables and in front of chairs as she reads. Just now, she seems to be slipping a book into her carryall: the curious might get enough of a glimpse to see that she's making off with The Anarchist's Cookbook.

Open, of course.]

Comments

[payback]

If you're interested in learning more about the world, you should go on the expeditions that come up. The world is related to the castle too.

[lifeandpride]

[That peaks his interest.]

Oh, expeditions are organized? I didn't know that. Do you know who runs them?

[payback]

Yes, they are. Hehe... [Her eyes bow up; she looks a little bit amused.] The Doctors organize them sometimes, or I do, or a young guy named Jr. They're always announced in the journals so you should keep an eye out.

[lifeandpride]

[He nods.]

I'll keep that in mind, thank you. You'll let me know if one of yours comes up, won't you?

[He's... a little dorkishly happy about this.]

[payback]

Of course I will! [No problem, Ukitake.] Jr. and I have worked together before too, and someone else might pick an expedition up but I'll definitely participate... but if you don't hear anything about it, I'll let you know.

[lifeandpride]

[His moment of dorkiness passes, and he's back to normal.]

I appreciate it. Working on a problem together is usually better than working on one alone.

[payback]

[She nods.] Not to mention, it's safer to travel in groups out there. The world isn't without its dangers.

But we've never had someone actually die for keeps, so we're lucky so far.

[lifeandpride]

[He looks both curious and serious.]

What kind of danger can one expect farther outside the castle's area?

[payback]

There are creatures out there that can attack travelers... those aren't too common and mostly they're docile, or friendly, or harmless, but they do exist. And then there's the first gens, or as they call themselves, the free peoples. They used to live in the castle but they left a long time ago and some of them are really hostile and territorial.

[lifeandpride]

I see. That sounds troublesome.

[A long, thoughtful pause.]

Perhaps I could be of some use, then. ...If I can get my hands on a weapon, even more so.

[payback]

Django is a smith, if you use swords. Other than that there are places to get weapons in town.

Unfortunately the thing is the first gens also have a technological advantage in the dead zone too: they stole some suits a resident made, and modified them to function out in the dead zone. Usually technology doesn't work there and powers don't either.

[lifeandpride]

Then a sword is a must, I'm afraid. Who is this Django?

[payback]

He's a young guy, a blacksmith! You should filter to him. He remade my sword when it shattered.

[lifeandpride]

[He perks up a bit.]

A blacksmith would be precisely what I need. Though... I suppose that means I'll need some money.

[ooc: forgive the edit, found out the into I needed!]

no sweat!

[payback]

You can ask the castle for money. Django might even do it just to have a job, maybe? People don't want for a lot of basics here.

[lifeandpride]

I would prefer not to wish, if I can help it. I'm not sure if the castle has any other 'prices' in mind.

[He taps his fingers on the table for a moment.]

...I'll try to contact him, then see if there is anything further I need to do. I'm not unemployable, if it comes to that.

[payback]

None so far as I've seen, and I've been here for years. [But she shrugs. It's not important.] Django is helpful anyway, he should give you a hand.

Otherwise, lots of residents do pick up jobs in town and it doesn't go badly.