[network] @Technicalities; Basement Door; Day 004: 8PM [open]

[tadashiwashere]

[It's been a long day. Maybe one of the longest Tadashi has experienced until now. At first he was hopeful about a rescue or finding a way out, but it's been three days now -- four days for some of the others. He's still hopeful, but the cold is starting to get to him. He hasn't found anything warmer to wear and he's fairly sure that Mochi is the only reason he hasn't frozen to death. His food is running low, too. If he rations it and is smart, he feels like he can stretch it for three more days. Which makes the looming question return every time he thinks about how light his backpack is becoming: will he find food by then? The first day will be rough, but the following days will be dangerous if he doesn't resupply quickly.

Reluctantly, despite the fatigue that's settled deep in his bones, Tadashi turns on his video feed and offers a weary smile.]

This is Tadashi Hamada. Again. And this is the end of my third day in Norfinbury.

[Since he saw that key card, he's going to assume that's the name of where they are until new evidence presents itself.]

I found a landmark today -- a veterinarian clinic right up against the wall of snow to the south. I left a message saying I'm going west, so if anyone else finds it, that's where I went. I haven't found food anywhere around it, and it had an... odd feeling about it. I don't recommend it as a base.

[He rubs at his eyes, and covers a yawn. He just has to stay awake a little longer.]

I made it to a place to stay the night and I found something. I've attached a photo if anyone's interested. It looks like it might lead to a basement, but it's sealed shut. When I tried to break it down, I realized that it's solid metal. It's too unusual to ignore, so I plan to come back if I can find any tools that might help me get inside. I guess that's all for now. I hope to see everyone tomorrow.

[He reaches forward and disconnects the feed.]

Attachment: One picture of the door in building 122

Comments

text; ID: Zelda

[sageprincess]

That is where I was when I first woke here.

[For once, Zelda uses the text function. It's unwieldy and awkward in her inexperienced hands, but better that than let everyone in Norfinbury know of the... uncomfortable situation she's found herself in for the night.

(She's in a bathtub. Laying halfway on top of someone she's known for all of two and a half days. Looking at her life and choices doesn't even begin to cover it.)]

I attempted everything in my ability to open it as well, but I could not make it budge either. It may be that only finding the correct key will make it open.

[That's how it works in her universe, okay.]

Text; ID: Technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

[Tadashi feels a jolt of hope and excitement when he sees the text -- someone has been here before him. He might finally be going in a direction where he can find the others who are also trapped there. After several days of lonely, cold houses and endless snow, he's ready to see people again.]

I didn't see any obvious lock, but I could have missed something. If we could find a crowbar, that might do the trick. It's a fairly solid door, though.

[His bruised shoulder proves that much.]

How long ago were you here?

text;

[sageprincess]

[Perhaps if Zelda knew, she would consider the irony in that she - someone who has spent many years in relative isolation and thus slightly more equipped to handle this lonely town than most - found someone else her second night and has traveled with him ever since. But there are more important things to think about.]

I did attempt to pry it open with a bit of metal I found amongst the rubble, but it resisted that as well, though I admit to not being very stout, physically.

It is my fourth night now, and I left in search of supplies on the dawn of my second day. I have found nothing yet that would aid with opening that door, but I can say if you head due west, you will be able to find more shelter at least.

[And possibly a princess if he's lucky!]

[tadashiwashere]

That's a relief. I already planned to move west to try to meet up with Alphonse. I think our current plan is to set up a base with who we can, then go back if we can find the tools to work on the door more.

Thank you for the information. If you're interested, I can try to keep you updated on anything regarding a base of operations. If you've already gone west, did you see any places suitable for a group?

voice @LELRIC

[armoured]

[Al examines the photograph attachment carefully, before saving it to his own tablet in order to keep track of every clue that he comes across.]

Maybe you should wait until you have company to go down there, it could be dangerous.

[Tadashi isn't the only one who can mother hen.]

voice; ID: technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

You might be right, Alphonse. I'd love to find out if we can get down there before I move on, though. I'm going to start out as early as I can tomorrow anyway. Once a couple of us are able to meet up, maybe I can lead the way back to check it out again.

[He's just going to smile at the mothering and shake his head before sending his voice message.]

[armoured]

That's a good idea, if you mark where it is and keep track of how far you go in each direction before you find tools and back up, we can easily come back and investigate it together later on.

[He fully plans to be in that expedition, which is probably obvious by his interested and determined tone of voice.]

[tadashiwashere]

I'm not great at judging distances without a GPS, but I'll add how many hours it takes for me to reach each new point. Should give us a general enough idea.

That's... something we might add to most places. What do you think? Once the map becomes more solid, we can note how many hours travel it is to the nearest shelter in a given direction.

[Tadashi's not going to argue with that determination -- he's more than ready to not be alone out here at this point.]

@ishtar; voice

[prochronistic]

That door looks really sturdy!

[An understatement... but it's sort of weird to see, given how much rubble there's been scattered about in the snow.]

What kind of tools do you think you would need to try and break in? I can look for some when I'm moving around tomorrow.

voice; ID: technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

And it's even sturdier than it looks, if you can believe it.

[He considers for a moment, examining the door again.]

A long piece of metal that isn't likely to bend, but is still thin enough to fit into a groove. There're no outward signs of a lock. Prying it open is my first idea. Otherwise, an axe? We could try to go through the wall.

[prochronistic]

I understand. I'll keep an eye out for those kinds of things!

[She's not sure where to find some kind of thin, sturdy metal... but an axe might be more doable. This seems like the kind of town where people would need to cut firewood, after all.]

Say, what kind of metal do you think that's made out of?

[tadashiwashere]

I don't have any of the tools I would need to make a solid educated guess. My first instinct is steel. That's typically the material used for doors like this. If it's anything unusual... your guess is as good as mine.

@Enoch, video

[warriorscribe]

[A shot from the tablet's outside camera, showing Enoch's hand grasping the short end of the bedframe he'd taken from the house he'd woken up in.]

If the house has a bed on a frame like this, perhaps one of its parts like this might be useful in prying it open?

voice; ID: technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

Huh. I didn't consider that. Thanks for the idea. I'll see if I can make something work.

voice

[warriorscribe]

If it does work, be sure to show us what's inside. Something sealed so tightly must have survived the elements.

text: ID: Summoner

[ninjainviolet]

You know, whoever brought us here might have left that door locked just to lure people inside, so I'd wait until you had someone else with you before going down.

[ She's seen a few doors like that in her life, and she has a feeling there's a dangerous puzzle that has to be figured out before it will open. ]

Text; ID: Technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

Why leave it locked? If it was unlocked, I feel like almost anyone would be likely to go down in search of supplies.

text: ID: Summoner

[ninjainviolet]

And a locked door makes that compulsion a lot stronger--to the point that you might do anything to get it open. I realize that supplies are important, but what good are they if you're hurt in the process?

[ It's a good thing she's using text. "Voice" would give away just how much she wants to tear into the door herself--all while making sure the others are safe at the same time. ]

voice, the uninspired ID of lancer;

[croi]

Oh, that's the place the woman was in. [What was her name? Meh.] Still empty?

[Meanwhile, Ronald intensifies behind him. Allow him his distractions.]

voice; ID: technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

Still empty. And the door is sealed shut. I haven't come up with many good ideas for getting past it, but it's late. Maybe in the morning.

[Tadashi has the much more pleasant experience of Mochi staring at him now, hoping for more food.]

[croi]

You near anything large? If you're close by I could try to help tomorrow.

[Probably won't be able to find him but hey, group projects are always fun.]

text; ID: Zelda; I'M SORRY TADASHI this demanded a threadjack

[sageprincess]

My name is Zelda.

['Scuse you, sir.]

[croi]

[...pfft.]

This is why you watch what you say on the-

[Actually, no, he can't hold it in. Laughing his ass off, give him a minute.]

@winston; text

[reimagines]

No cat food at the clinic?

And in regards to the door, I think the cliche goes: is it keeping us out, or keeping something in? Food for thought.

Text; ID: Technicalities

[tadashiwashere]

A little bit, actually.

That's where you have to wonder... If it helps, I haven't heard anything on the other side of the door.