[network] @duster, audio; day 350

[bywolves]

[ There's a soft voice that comes on the network during the evening, after lockdown - it's mild, but there's an undertone in that calm that's almost unsettling. ]

Well. This place is awful, not that I need to tell any of you that. [ A beat. ] And because most of you don't bother to have private conversations, it's easy to see that there are a couple of people who seem rel-bent on making things just a little more awful.

If you've a person in mind and something worth my time to trade, I can fix any sort of issue you might have. I'm not picky, and I'm very good at problem-solving. I imagine you all can figure out how to contact me if you'd like to discuss solutions further.

[ And the feed ends. ]

Comments

[tadashiwashere]

You know, I can get behind the analogy, but for me, it's really going to depend on what you're trying to apply that to.

[Growing up in a cafe with his little brother and only his aunt as a caretaker, Tadashi knows at least a little of what it means to scrape by. Luckily, the cafe had been hitting its stride in the past few years and they'd never gone hungry, but they knew enough people -- especially the elderly in their part of town, who weren't always as lucky.]

Care to humor me? If they really are being unreasonable, I want to hear exactly what you have in mind to help everyone.

[bywolves]

Oh, please. I'm not looking to help everyone.

[ He rolls his eyes. ] I'm looking to help specific people, and mostly, myself. You've got plenty of self-sacrificing people looking for a way out. I'm here to settle petty differences so that they don't have to.

[tadashiwashere]

[Hmm. Tadashi still feels himself sitting firmly on the side of the fence that involves not causing problems for the others who are equally as stranded as they are, but he can see the logic behind what this guy is talking about.

Huh.]

Actually, here's a question -- do you think you could incentivize anyone causing problems to help out more? Give them something productive to work toward to make sure we all get out okay.

[bywolves]

[ This kid is very optimistic. Royce actually laughs, a short, bark of a sound. It's almost condescending. ]

Sure. You pay me, and I can make sure people stop causing problems.

[tadashiwashere]

[Tadashi just smiles. If he notices anything condescending about the laugh, it doesn't show on his face.]

Let's talk payments. You find a way to get everyone on board -- give them whatever incentives they need to cooperate to get out, and we have a deal. But -- you can't hurt anyone.

[He is, after all, a bit of a pacifist.]

What kind of payment is that gonna run me?

[bywolves]

[ A pause. ]

Depends on what you have. [ He's not promising anything. ]

[tadashiwashere]

[And here's the truth -- not a lot.

Suture needles and various medical supplies for emergency treatment. Stuff for cooking. Some soda.

[This would be Tadashi going into the bottom of his bag.

Blankets... that sort of thing. That's what I have physically. If it would be any use to you, I'm a robotics engineer. I'm good at coding, too, if that's something you need.

[There's got to be something else he can offer... Huh.]

If you can tell me what you want, I can get back in touch once I have it.

[bywolves]

Medical supplies are useful. Don't exactly know what I'd do with a... robotic.

[ he is from medieval times he has no idea what a robot is ]

And who am I targeting?

[tadashiwashere]

[]That was easy. Too bad almost no one seems to have any idea what he's been going to school for and is actually good at, but Tadashi can live with that.]

That's up to you. If there's anyone you can find who decides they don't want to escape, or anyone who just gives up, see if you can help them get past that. Nicely. I'm thinking pep talks.

[He's trying to keep an eye out for those people himself, but there's only one of him. And he still has so much to catch up on. Someone needs to help, though.]

How should I get the medical supplies to you? The more people you can help me help, the more stuff I can send your way. I'm not a doctor, but I can also patch up anything minor.

[bywolves]

Don't usually do open-ended jobs like that. You're going to have to be more specific. [ He's also absolutely not planning on being nice, but look, Tadashi doesn't need to know that. Royce can claim self-defense and still get his stuff.

This won't matter in a day or two, anyway. Not that Royce knows that. ]

Leave the things in a specific house. Tell me which house. I go to that house when you're not there, pick up the things, and we're done with the deal.

I can patch myself up fine.

[tadashiwashere]

I'm going to think about it for a few days if that's okay with you. I'll save the medical supplies for you until then.

[That should give him time to talk to Al about this idea, at least.]

Even if I change my mind about this, you can always get in touch with me if you need anything. I'll do what I can to help.

[bywolves]

Yeah. Alright, fine.

I'll keep that offer in mind. [ The way he says it is dismissive and vaguely annoyed, but. ]