[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

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@LELRIC; audio

[armoured]

[SOMEONE ELSE IN ARMOUR. Or possibly actually armour, just like him. Not that he's stupid enough to come right out and ask, but he can at least offer some sage advice on snow travel while metal.]

Try make yourself some snow shoes for the bottom of your armour-- it helps.

[escutcheon]

[ FINALLY. Some actual advice! Thank you, faceless stranger. ]

There's a thought. Any suggestions where to find some?

[armoured]

It's not something that can really be found. But if you're near a house and can break up a table or piece of furniture, then tie that on with anything you have that would work as rope, that would probably do for now.

[escutcheon]

[ Cousland hums thoughtfully, glancing around at the near and far houses alike. ]

'Spose I could ask the Dog to look for me... he's clever enough to avoid rotten wood with that nose of his.

Rope might be a little more difficult, but I'll see what I can do.

[armoured]

You have a dog with you?

[Colour Al incredibly jealous.]

Uh-- sorry, that's not important right now. Do you know roughly where you are? I might be able to help guide you to places that might be useful.

[escutcheon]

Naturally.

[ If she sounds smug, it's because she absolutely is. Dogs are The Best. ]

Ah, let's see... I'm by one smallish building right now, but there's a giant stretch of open space and then two larger buildings farther off to the west. ...at least, I think that's west. Is that west?




I have absolutely no clue where I am.

[armoured]

Right.

[That's super unhelpful.]

Can you remember anything about the house you woke up in? Was anything written on the walls, did it have any unusual furniture, that sort of thing? And what direction did you set off from it, was it behind you, did you strike out to the left or right?

[escutcheon]

[ It's SUPER helpful! She's trying. :c ]

It was almost entirely collapsed, for one thing. Only the living room and washroom were still intact. It's quite well hidden in the debris if you weren't actively searching for it.

L...eft...? Probably?

[ LOOK MAN SHE WASN'T WORRYING ABOUT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN EXPLORING STUFF OK? ]

[armoured]

Hmm... sorry, that's not too helpful, there's a lot of buildings that have collapsed here.

[He doesn't mean she's not helpful, just the description doesn't let him know where she is.]

What can you see from where you are? Any bigger buildings? The ice wall, maybe?

[escutcheon]

The building I woke up in is behind me, then the two bigger buildings I spoke about earlier straight ahead by some distance.

[ She twists a little, glancing offscreen. ]

I think that's the ice wall off to my right. It's too far to tell for certain.

[armoured]

Do you think you can get to the bigger buildings today? It sounds like you might be heading towards the school; and if that's the case, then I know where you are.

[Also, supplies!]

[escutcheon]

Today might be cutting it a tad close. I'd have to spend the night there.

On the other hand, circling around would take longer, and certainly be less direct, but it's safer and offers more options for shelter. I'd like to poke around a bit and see what I can find for insulation under this armor.

[armoured]

[Oh well, that answers that question then, she's not like him.]

Yeah, if you can't get there in time to look and come away, don't go. You can't spend the night in the school, it's best to find a house nearby and go and look when there's still plenty of daylight.

[escutcheon]

That's the plan. Need to scrounge around the other houses first, right?

[ She's gonna steal all kinds of stuff. So ready to fill those pockets with loot. ]

I'll notify you when I get close, if you like.

[armoured]

[That's what it's all about!]

Yeah, that would be great. I'd love to try and help if I can, and-- hey, how about I start making you a pair of snowshoes? I have lots of materials, and I could leave them in a house for you to collect.

[escutcheon]

Would you? I'd appreciate it.

I'm afraid I don't have much of use to pay you with for your kindness. Unless you'd like a dog biscuit or a few sovereigns, I suppose.

[armoured]

You don't have to pay me for anything, I'm just glad to be able to help. We're all stuck here together, right? The least we can do is look out for one another.

[escutcheon]

As true as that is, I still owe you one. If there's anything you need, do let me know... within reason, obviously.

[armoured]

Hmm... okay, how about in return for the help, you be my friend?

[escutcheon]

[ The Warden chuckles. ]

That, I can do. I'm Cousland, by the way.

[armoured]

I'm Al, Alphonse Elric, it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry it's not in better conditions.

[escutcheon]

Nonsense. A little snow is nothing to get upset over.

[ DISMISSIVE HANDWAVE nothing can top how absolutely bonkers the Deep Roads were. Don't worry about it, friendo. ]

[armoured]

[He chuckles softly.]

That's the spirit.

[Yeah! Keep that optimism!]

Do you come from a place where there's a lot of snow, then?

[escutcheon]

Snow, mud, dogs, infuriatingly two-faced politicians, et cetera. Quite charming. You should think of vacationing there.

[ Now the question is... is she being truthful or facetious? Difficult to tell by tone alone. ]

[armoured]

[He can't help but laugh.]

Wow, mud and dogs? That's two whole steps up from here, it sounds amazing.