013✖; (audio)

[circumitus]

[A heavy sigh is the first thing that can be heard before Rey speaks: She doesn't normally like talking this much, but having seen a number of those who lack experience in toughing it in harsh conditions won't bode well for the inevitable move.]

"Think there're a few things that we should discuss among ourselves before our relocation. Regardless of where we end up, it won't be a vacation. You can kiss any ideas of a Caribbean getaway in a jungle, but the fact of the matter is that we're going to end up in both the ice planet and jungle eventually. People should know how to survive in both."

[Some might recognize it when she's channeling that firm tone, like a commanding officer. It isn't something Rey lets surface often.]

"Jungles provide a fuckload of threats we've never dealt with before, and that's native animals and insects that we have no clue how to handle. Shit that can spread disease if you don't know what to be on the lookout for. Water could be contaminated with parasites and predators. Plants could be poisonous or result in allergic reactions. There're hundreds of factors that could potentially snuff you or give you a world of hurt, and that's not including heatstroke.

"Below freezing conditions are also a bitch, but can be easier to combat than you'd think. Can provide some old Russian remedies at the Speakeasy to help cope with the climate -- we'll also need to tailor proper suits and clothing, too. Extreme cold is no fucking joke, obviously. We'll probably be fine in the city, but if anyone wants to go and check out those embassies then you want to be ready for that shit."

[Pause.]

"Lastly, it'd be better that we keep everyone up to date on how to fight the Null and what their weaknesses are, as well as being properly equipped to handle them. Rage's bows and arrows and swords are useless as a nun's tits against synthetics, so it'll be up to us to be prepared. Destroying bastards like those comes as second nature to something like me--" [Oops, sorry Rey's friends and fam, but old habits die hard when she gets into this mode.] "--so if anyone is looking for training and information on how to kick their asses, you can find me at the Speakeasy."

Comments

[circumitus]

...What're you talking about?

[Oh goddammit, did she do it again?]

[puzzlingly]

You... really didn't notice?

「She doesn't sound like she's faking it.」

You called yourself a thing.

[circumitus]

Really...?

[That's bad. She's going to get an earful about it from Nick as well, isn't she?

[Rey sighs.] Sorry, don't often talk this damned much... Must've just slipped.

[puzzlingly]

Don't worry, that's why I'm here.

「Not really, no. But it doesn't hurt.」

So, what else do you think you can teach me?

[circumitus]

Hah. [Thanks, bro.

[Subject change, though. Something that isn't hard to talk about. Yes.]

Lots of things. For starters, you're going to need better gear. We've mostly been dealing with arid regions and inclement weather after being in a subterranean environment for so long... nothing that needed much prep. The next places, we'll have shit like disease and trench foot or frostbite to worry about.

...Footwear is a good place to start.

[puzzlingly]

I've been saving stuff from the stores ever since they told us about the other options. I remember vastly how it was to live in a hash climate, but never as humid as a jungle I guess.

「Of course, it's not like he was ever out there for as long as a couple of days without someone taking care of procuring a shade for him, but it's hard so see that now after so long.」

What, you don't like my boots?

「His footwear is more than covered, he'd think.」

[circumitus]

[He can't see her face, but her flat look is practically audible in her voice:]

Has less to do with liking your footwear and more to do with making sure your feet don't freeze or rot off.

[But hopefully he knows that. She's just sayin'.]

[puzzlingly]

I think I've developed a healthy love for socks.

「He knows. But knowing and putting that knowledge into practice is another thing altogether. He grows a tad serious.」

Either is gonna be quite hard, will it not? It somehow feels like we are reaching the hardest levels of a game.

「Not the weirdest comparison he'd make, if anything it helps him put it in perspective.」

[circumitus]

Believe it or not, socks are going to be one of the most important things...

[Foot hygiene is a big deal and Rey wants to stress that, okay? You kind of need your feet.]

You don't seem like the type who'd back down from a challenge just because it's going to be difficult.

[puzzlingly]

「He's a rather clean boy, but telling him to keep extra dry and clean is not bad idea after all!」

That's because I am not.

「Now, now, he's been through worse than some climate change, it ain't a Shadow Game.」

[circumitus]

[Rey is pretty serious about that shit. The last thing they need is for people to start losing their limbs in either locations due to uncleanliness. Eugh.]

Good.

[Pause.]

Could use some help prepping some gear if you aren't planning on flying into this by the seat of your pants.

[puzzlingly]

You don't think I'm completely unprepared, are you? It's been months since they've told us about the options. Been keeping what I find. Even a few food rations and all.

「He's gone a long way, he's finally learning, huh? Especially after that time they almost ran out of food and were almost alone... Yeah, yeah keep mentioning that, he really hasn't gotten over it.」

What kind of gear though? Do you want me to find anything in particular?

[circumitus]

Being prepared and being equipped aren't always the same thing.

[Rey's been mentally ready for the other two planets, but that doesn't mean she has the gear to hack through unruly foliage or climb down icy cliffs.]

Sharp, curved blades are important -- anything like machetes. Pitons or anything that could be fashioned into something strong enough to hook into ice, too.

...

And rope. Lots of fucking rope.

[puzzlingly]

You think we'll be climbing a lot?

[circumitus]

Just think we should be ready for anything, and you can never go wrong with a fuckton of rope.

[puzzlingly]

「Atem gets a little thoughtful, it's really unlikely they will find much rope at the stores, if they are lucky maybe just feet.」

What about magic rope?

「He is starting to rely probably a bit too much in all this magic thing... just as he used back home, and look how that turned out.」

[circumitus]

[Ah, right. Fucking magic.]

Not one to rule out options so long as it works.

[puzzlingly]

I would have to learn how to make it but maybe I can come up with something.

「He almost is talking to himself as he definitely now is considering it, even getting distracted from his conversation with Rey. It'd be a nice project... magic rope, he could probably imbue it with some properties, maybe more resistant than average rope. After all, they need something that can take Rey's weight.

No, he's not calling her fat. He just remembers she was impossible to move back then.」

[circumitus]

[It's okay, Atem. Rey knows she's hefty. Must be all the Chinese food.]

Think you can pull it off with the shit that Carlisle's been teaching you?

[puzzlingly]

「Rude, at least share.」

Definitely.

「He says with quite the convincing nod. It's no shit though!」

[circumitus]

Take it that means you're learning a lot from him?

[It's good. Rey knows that Carlisle lacks direction sometimes and having a purpose is good for him. He needs that, and Atem is just the type of stubborn little shit not to give up.]

[puzzlingly]

「That's a bit of an odd question to ask, but Atem still gives her a nod.」

Yeah, he's a good mentor to have.

「Loud, a little obnoxious too, they both have a strong personality that often Carlisle chooses to hide, and they clash more than he wishes to admit, but it always ends in positive learning from each other. Carlisle pushes him to his limits and Atem keeps him on his toes with his thirst to learn.」

Why do you ask?

[circumitus]

[It seems just as odd to her for him to find it odd. It's odd! Everything is odd. The whole situation is just weird.]

No reason. Just think it's good to have something to put your mind into.

[Both for Carlisle as well as for Atem.]

[puzzlingly]

Yeah, it's been really good to have something to focus on. Specially with the whole memory thing.

「Oh, did he told Rey about it in the end? Maybe not. It didn't really matter.」

I think it also gave Carlisle something else to think about than... you know. 「Dying.」

I probably shouldn't be relying too much on it though but, it's been useful.

[circumitus]

Memory what now?

[Sorry, Atem. She must have missed the memo when she just figured he was being a space cadet at the time it could have come up, wups.]

Why not? There's nothing wrong with making use of a skill that you're picking up. Think of it as training those... magic muscles, or whatever the fuck it is you use.