vestigenet | [Video, @atlas]

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[Video, @atlas]

Hi, everyone!

[ Right now, he's in the kitchen of his cabin. Behind him, there's a whole lot of boxes beneath the kitchen counters, and another whole lot of jars and various containers for food on the counter. More than is reasonable for him to eat, and it's a logical assumption that the boxes contain the same things. ]

We've got some new arrivals, so let me introduce myself. I'm Rhys Strongfork. I'm getting ready to move out from this cabin because it's way too big for me. We used to be five in here. Because we used to be five, I also have a bunch of food left over. Enough for four people.

So, let me know if you want some of that. It's all stuff that lasts for ages if we get snowed in again or the Technicians decide to stop stocking up Foodland.

If you have any questions about this place, I've been here from the start, so feel free to ask anything. And since there's some new people, if anyone knows stuff about gardening or cars or anything else you think might be useful, there's probably some stuff you could do around here.

All right, err. Rhys, out.

[ He makes a somewhat awkward-looking salute, then cuts the feed. ]

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I might take you up on that offer, Sir Rhys. I appreciate your goodwill.

[ 'Sir.' Adorable. But Rhys looks older than him and, like, he's not sure how the hierarchy works here yet so he figures better to be respectful than not. ]

Though if you don't mind me asking: what happened to the others with whom you shared your residence with?

[ 'Sir'. How cute! ]

Well, I assume they've been sent home or something like that. This isn't my first time being whisked away against my will, and I was home for a few years in-between.

[ He hopes they've been sent home. ]

[ While he wants to address the being sent home bit, there's something else that he can't help but immediately question. ]

I'm sorry- This isn't your first time?

[ That's fair. ]

Yeah. I was on this planet called Asgard. But there was no weird experiment going on, just an accident, unless they were making it up. They let us all go after about a year, though, so I think they were probably telling the truth.

Who are 'they'? And I know of the... technicians here. I assume that they aren't in any form of direct contact with us?

[ Call it an educated guess. ]

Oh, sorry. Our hosts. Supposedly they were gods? But, yeah, the Technicians aren't very social.

[ Gods... He only knows of one goddess, himself, but supposes if people truly are from other realities here then it would make sense that they'd have different belief systems. ]

So I've surmised. I've mostly known those who torture others to enjoy basking in the suffering they've caused. Perhaps these technicians do in their own ways we just aren't privy to.

[ That got dark, uh, pretty quick. Did his voice drop an octave or so there? It's fine, don't worry about it. ]

At least those of this community seem to be holding strong and looking out for one another despite the circumstances.

[ A wry smile spreads on his face at the mention of basking in the suffering you've asked, as the face of Handsome Jack immediately flashes in his mind. There are many, many people in the Borderlands who are like that, but Jack is very possibly the worst that ever existed.

At least in recent history. ]

Yeah. We try. I'm actually kind of surprised no one's been a total asshole yet.

Don't speak it into existence now.

[ He's kidding, mostly, but... He suspects no one's been a total asshole yet because the community is smaller. Having a target painted on your back like that and ostracized in such a small group isn't a smart move. ]

But as per your suggestions, I might set-up something of a self-defense class here... Or just a way that people can keep their fighting skills sharp if not pick up new ones.

[ Ah.

Wonder if the Technicians have a choice in who they bring in? ]

Yeah, there's probably people who'd like something like that!

[ He wouldn't put it past them, honestly. ]

Then I will get started on the preparations. If I can be of any assistance to the people here, it will be worth it.

[ He has one fear.

Actually, he has so many fears, but this is a new one to add to the list. ]

It'll be worth it to just have something to do, trust me.

[ Just to not be bored, or left with nothing but your own thoughts and memories of all the shit this place puts you through. ]

Strongfork?

[Yes he is trying not to laugh, definitely not hiding it.]

That's an interesting family name.

[Okay, but, back on track.]

What's this about cars?

[ Just. Raises an eyebrow. ]

Yeah.

There are some broken down trucks in town that I'd like to repair, but I have no idea how to do it myself.

[Fine fine we won't talk about the funny last name. Not that Jerry can talk. What kind of name is Jerry Dandridge for a vampire?]

Lucky for you I'm pretty handy around a truck. Course we won't get far if you don't have the tools for it.

I'm pretty sure there should be tools somewhere in town.

Sounds like you want me to do all the work here, guy.

Oh! No, no, I'm totally fine with looking for tools too. The problem is I don't really know what exactly you'd need.

I'd need to have a look at the vehicles in question before I know exactly what I'll need.

Maybe if we're lucky Foodland will have some cheap tool sets lazy people buy their fathers and uncles when they don't know what to get them for Christmas.

Yeah, it's probably got something like that. I can show you the trucks whenever you want.

Great. Preferably around sunset or night time would be killer.

[He'd shoot Rhys some finger guns, but alas, voice and he wouldn't show up on the feed anyway.]

[ What a sad time, he still loves finger guns, even if fuck Jack and Hyperion.

It's a bit of an odd request, but he opts not to ask. ]

Sunset works for me. How about we meet outside Foodland?

[Rhys. Please. Ask questions. I beg.]

Sounds like a date.

[ LOOK. Interdimensional travel or whatever this is messes with his perception. Someone who prefers being out at night is not the weirdest kind of person he's encountered. ]

See you later, then!

[ He salutes, and hangs up.

And, as promised, he'll be at Foodland around sunset, sipping away at a thermos of coffee. ]

[Fair enough, we'll let it slide this time.

Jerry shows up not long after Rhys, walking up with his hands in his jacket pockets and giving a little shiver.]

Chilly.

[Not that the cold actually bothers, him, but he can still feel it.]

Looks like you came prepared though. So, shall we go shopping?

[He smiles in a way one could call charming, but it's all just for show.]

[ He tips the thermos a little. Always prepared with coffee. No, he's not addicted. Definitely not. ]

Wanna see what they have in here before we go look at the trucks?

[ He'd just suggested to meet at Foodland because he figured Jerry knew exactly where that was already. ]

[That sounds like denial, sir.]

Let's go have a peek. I'm good with my hands, but can't fix a truck without tools.

[Jerry heads on in, expecting Rhys to follow. Pearomg around he tries to get an idea where such things would even be in here.]

So if I can get them up and running what're you planning to do with em?

[He's curious honestly. This place wasn't big enough that a working vehicle was that big of a positive.]

[ Listen, the workaholic life requires caffeine.

He follows along, and throws a quick look around to orient himself before he starts off in a direction. He has an idea where tools might be. ]

I thought if we ever needed to transport a lot of stuff for some reason, they'd be handy.

[No judgement. We all have our vices.]

So not going to Mad Max things? Heh, guess that makes sense.

[Okay so he was wrong, but it's okay to admit that. Passing a handful of aisles he'll stop and turn down one, looks like this may be a winner.]

Hopefully they're not banning to dump all that snow on us again. Truck won't work that well through that amount of snow.

[Strolling down the aisle he pokes and picks at things, before pausing to snap open what looks like a small tool kit.]

Think we might have a winner. Not everything I'll need, but it's a start.

[ As soon as Jerry turns down an aisle, Rhys lets him take point and just follows along. He has no idea what most of these tools do, even if he might have seen them before. After all, they don't build things like they apparently did several centuries ago. Things might still need repairing sometimes, but ...

Well, that's not what he does. ]

So far this place seems to have seasons, so I think we don't have to worry about snow for a while soon.

Ah, I do have a question, actually. Am I still to be looking for gas?

Also, was that just a general call to do something with our sorry selves or did you have a gardening thing you're in need of? I- well. I wouldn't say I know a lot about gardening, but I've managed to bring up a food supply in... I suppose we'll say 'less than ideal' conditions? So I suppose there's that.

Oh, sure! But if you haven't found any by now there probably isn't more of it. It's fine.

And the gardening, well-- We have the greenhouse in town, and the farm. I was thinking it's probably a good idea to use them, to sort of ... try to be self-sufficient. Not relying on the Technicians for all our food, you know.

I can poke around the greenhouse, once the snow melts a bit. See if there's anything there worth growing.

Ah - but if you're truly so worried about food, we could be hunting? We're quite used to it, my brother and I, it wouldn't be difficult.

Oh yeah! I don't think that's necessary now, but it's good to know that you know how.

[ Oh! Well, that is very generous, isn't it? All this goodwill is still very confusing to Renfri but she won't turn down free stuff either. ]

If you still have leftover food stores, I would like to take some. It seems like you can never be too careful in a place like this.

You really can't be. I'll have some sent over! You met Winston, right? He's my acting courier right now.

I have! We get along well. But I can come pick it up, too, you don't need to have to ask him for a favor.

I guess that depends on how much you want. It's all right, though! He's just happy to help.

[ Which, if he were home, would be weird, but people - and gorillas - not from the Borderlands are often different, he's noticed.

Often enough, anyway. ]

If you are sure he won't mind, then I won't turn down his help. Having it delivered would make my life easier.

[ And save her the trouble of tracking down the right cabin. She has mostly stuck to the town so far, she hasn't often been to the lake yet. ]

What do I owe you for this favor?

I dunno. Just ... help me out if I need it sometime.

[ A shrug. He knows the concept of favours very well, because if there's not money involved, the Borderlands thrives on favours, even when they often don't get repaid. You don't get something for nothing, unless you take it by force. That's how it works.

Not how it works here, though. They're so few that it's better to just stick together and help each other out. ]

That sounds good to me. I don't like accumulating debts, so I don't mind helping out.

[ Or leaving and forgetting her debts, but since that is not an option here... Better not to owe too much debt, where she could be asked to do things she is leery of. ]

I'll talk to you again soon.

Yup. See you around.

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[Video, @atlas]

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