hadriel | 013✖; (audio)

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013✖; (audio)

[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."

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You know, I could probably use some of that training and knowledge. [ She's never been the most physical of people and while she's gotten into fights, they usually only end in her favor thanks to luck and a vague understanding of her powers. ]

[Far be it from Nate to charge headfirst into an argument - he usually does, and usually without thinking - but he's picking up a fairly obvious bias here, and as someone who has spent absurd amounts of time in both climates, he has opinions of his own.

Below freezing conditions are easier to combat than you think, says someone who doesn't know whether the infrastructure to cope with the inevitable frostbite will exist. He'd willingly admit that jungle wildlife is built to kill you, but the environment is sustainable by comparison.]

Okay, well, who's to say that the Arctic wasteland isn't equally dangerous?

Be careful when you recommend alcohol in the cold. It warms the limbs, yes, but only by draining heat from the core.

No problem. Just stop by whenever you're free -- hands on training is ideal, but it'll help to not jump ass-first into the next location no matter where we end up.

[Rey might have a leg up on most people when it comes to harsh wilderness survival, but she's not like the gods. She understands the limitations and weaknesses of the mortal body.]

Never said that it wouldn't be, hence the offer to help prep people for how to handle both conditions. But anyone thinking they'll be prioritizing their comfort should know the risks they'll face as well.

And if the gods aren't going to be much help readying us for the next inevitable shitstorm, then we should do that ourselves.

Ah, russki chai is non-alcoholic. Just can't say that vodka isn't frequently added.

Edited (stupid auto fill...) 2018-11-07 21:44 (UTC)

With what? You don't know what's gonna be there. None of us do. And you're acting like cold is the only problem we'll have in the tundra.

[Plenty of weird bacteria and ancient viruses get trapped in ice, too. All it takes is one idiot licking a glacier to pass something along. Preparing for things has never been Nate's strong point, but even he can see the glaringly large hole in this argument.]

I get that you're aiming for an Eagle Scout approach here, but asking the entire population to train their bodies for both sub-zero climates and ninety-percent humidity in this time frame is a tall ask. Some people probably can't handle one or the other, even with help.

[ She snorts. ] When is someone really not free here? [ Sure, she's developed particular habits but it's not like she's ever busy. ]

You free in an hour? [ She wants to give Rey ample time to answer people who respond to her post, after all. And, yes, she just answered her own rhetorical question. ]

And what do you suggest? That we sit around with our thumbs up our asses while the gods dick us around from one shitty planet to another? The least people can do for themselves is prep equipment and gear to make the change of location more tolerable for themselves. This isn't supposed to be boot camp, it's getting our shit together so we have a better chance to survive -- both against the elements and when the Null attack again.

Fair point.

[It's a similar problem Rey's had, even when she's preoccupied with booze-making. Routine is good but after so long it can drive her a little squirrelly.]

Yeah, hour's fine. Will need a bit of help getting some things ready for the next few weeks.

Did I say that? Wherever we end up, we're going to be unprepared.

[Genuinely confused by the sudden vehemence - and having genuinely entered into this without any intention of starting a fight - Nate suddenly wishes that he'd finished enough school to have spent time on a debate team. Given that she'd also recommended people approach her for combat and weapons training, Nate has a hard time believing this isn't Boot Camp Lite.]

Unless I misheard you, you talked about prepping for one planet, and it feels like you're ignoring the risks of the other entirely. Just admit you're gunning for the Antarctic so we can concentrate on the important shit, like asking which people can't function in negative fifty degrees to come forward so we can find solutions for them.

[He doesn't know the parameters of synthetic people in terms of temperatures, but he is aware of some reptiles in residence who won't fare well.]

「This is all real pretty, but obviously there is something that catches his attention the most.」

Someone, Rey.

[Pause.]

...

What?

[Wups, guess who didn't notice.]

You're not something.

All right, cool.

[ And, sure enough, Sharon shows up at the Speakeasy after a little over an hour. She'd considered asking if she should bring anything but she'd already been half way there by then. ]

Hey. [ Her greeting comes with a wave. Sharon is relaxed at the moment despite their future home resting on a city vote. ] Which you think is gonna win?

[ Jungle? Ice? Sharon bets on jungle despite her own personal vote. ]

[Some of this sounds a little familiar; he's pretty sure last time they held a vote for where to move to there was some talk of at least trying to gather clothes for the weather, but unfortunately even that was easier said than done. Still, he has no problem with attempting to do that, or even a problem with highlighting the dangers of the jungle world since he wants to go to the ice planet himself.

He does, though, want to mention--]

You're right that it probably is time again to make sure everyone knows how to fight the Null, but I think it'd be better to do that on the network instead of one on one.

[Actual training, sure, definitely one on one is better, but as far as the weaknesses and how to fight them goes that should be available to a wider audience.]

...What're you talking about?

[Oh goddammit, did she do it again?]

[The suggestion gives her pause as she considers a few ideas.]

Not a bad idea. Except rather than holding regular online seminars of Killing Null 101 all the time, maybe someone could put together a video guide, like the thing we have for the newcomers? [She barks a stifled laugh at that.] Sort of like those shitty informational tapes they'd play in classrooms...

[As if Rey has ever sat in a classroom. But she does have memories of it, even if they don't belong to her.]

You... really didn't notice?

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

You called yourself a thing.

[She hangs up without fanfare, and finishes up her work at the Speakeasy by the time Sharon arrives. Rey doesn't even mind the idle greeting and smalltalk starting out; she just tilts her head and shrugs.]

Who knows? Both are going to be a pain in the ass and there will be bitching regardless. Just look at how shitty this and the last planet was.

[Much like the jungle, she imagines people had a very different idea on what "ocean planet" entailed than what they got. Rey's not much of a fan.]

Honestly, no matter what wins we still lose.

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.

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?

[ Sharon considers Rey's reply and then shrugs. That's true. No matter what way the coin falls, it's still going to suck for them. They can only know and prepare so much but at least they have that going for them. ]

...which is why we should ready ourselves as best we can. [ Sharon tries to keep a certain amount of goods on her person or in a container tucked away somewhere for when something undoubtedly goes wrong so it's something she's long accustomed to. ] How do you think we should prepare?

[ Might as well just get to it. ]

[He lets it switch over to audio, even if he prefers being able to read facial expressions; if she's not going to use video, no reason for him to either.]

Something like that attached to the newbie guide is probably the best was to go about it, yeah. Hopefully less shitty than those tapes, though.

[It's a low bar they can surely shoot to pass.]

I know of a few ways to kill them, but I didn't fight them up close so I can't say anything about that.

[Which means it can't just be him doing the guide.]

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.

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