ataraxion | 003

[ Though having spent quite a while laid up in the Med Bay in the aftermath of the fear gas, Littlefinger is well aware that there are other goings ons that seem to bode much worse for the passengers upon the ship.

Still, as a larger plan has yet to come into focus and as his own concerns are, for the moment, concentrated elsewhere, he gleans what he can from what information is publicly broadcasted and doesn't bother asking after those circumstances any further.

Instead: ]

To the Tranquility at large:

This may be my own ignorance coming into play, but would anyone know of a physical library upon the ship? My understanding is that there is much made accessible through the use of our communications devices, but I would vastly prefer the feel and weight of paper in my hand.

Secondly, I am in need of a few favors in regards to clothes available upon the ship, so if anyone could offer their help in that respect, I would be extremely grateful.

Lastly, I would inquire as to the presence (or absence) of a clear economy. This is but a trivial matter, but I have come to understand that the large majority of trade upon the vessel is done upon a basis of bartering and favours. In the event that I am mistaken, I served in a position managing the ins and outs of money in my former home and I would offer my meager talents wherever they might serve best.

Ever at your service,
Lord Petyr Baelish

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Castles, huh? We don't have any where I'm from -- across the ocean, sure, but not where I'm from. We've got skyscrapers, though, and they're pretty tall. [ The culture shock is still large and very apparent, but Jaye's trying. ]

I'd say keep them. You never know when they could be useful. [ Pause. ] Did he say what type they were -- or how strong? If they're really strong you should only take them for large amounts of pain, but if they're not a narcotic or an... opiate, I think is the word... then you could take them for headaches or cramps or something.

[ JAYE YOU CAN'T JUST TALK TO A MEDIEVAL GIRL ABOUT MENSTRUAL CRAMPS ]

Edited (learn to spell gadgets) 2012-05-26 18:18 (UTC)

A 'sky-scraper' sounds marvelous and terrifying, [ Alayne says eagerly. ] Do they truly scrape the sky? Are they made of metal, like the ship, like a knife? Do they pierce the clouds? [ Culture shock, yes, but Alayne greets it eagerly sometimes. It is an enthusiasm she tries to temper with strangers, but Jaye is a friend and so her curiosity shines through. ]

We've still the bottle. On it there are words — shall I fetch it and read them to you? Are you learned in such things, will you recognize the name?

[ MEDIEVAL GIRLS GET MENSTRUAL CRAMPS TOO, NBD. ]

I've never been to one tall enough, but there are some where you can look out and you're actually up with the clouds, or above them. They're made of metal though, yeah -- steel, I think, and glass. There are a lot of windows so people can look out. [ Skyscrapers lose their charm when you've been a bird, but Alayne is enthusiastic and curious, and it's endearing -- and Jaye likes being the one who knows things, for once. ]

I'm not a doctor, but I can probably tell you which one it is. [ When she was about Alayne's age, she had friends who would take painkillers to get high. ] Unless it's some sort of space painkiller.

[ All the women on the Tranquility are going to sync up and then all the men are going to hate themselves. ]

[ For all that some people might find the stories of castles and knights and dragons fantastical, it is the tales of the modern world as Jaye knows it that baffle Alayne more than anything. Horseless carriages, buildings made of glass — there are good to her as magic and make her both enthusiastic and wary in turns. ]

People seem so very fond of metal where you're from, [ she says in a thoughtful way. ] So much of ours goes to mail and blade, I do not think the Seven Kingdoms have much to spare. [ That tangent distracts her for a moment before she blinks back at Jaye as if startled back to attention. ]

One moment, [ Alayne says and disappears, only to reappear with a small amber bottle in her hands. When she turns it to read the label, it's contents give a rattle. Very slowly, each word sounded out syllable by syllable: ] Na—proxen sodi—um. Non-stero—idal. Anti-inflama—tory. Drug.

They are. But people don't use chainmail anymore, and most don't use blades, either. Not swords, at least -- knives, sure, but I'd bet even those are a little different.

[ Wars can be settled with the press of a button now. Jaye prefers fighting close up, hand-to-hand, claw to flesh. It's how the gods settle their disputes, save for when communication wins out. ]

Sure. [ She waits, absentmindedly toying with an earring until Alayne reappears. ] Naproxen? You should be able to take that for smaller stuff, then. How much does it say is in a tablet? It'll be a number and then "mg", probably.

[ The bottle gives another glassine rattle and as she turns it, Alayne speaks. ] How then are matters of war settled, without iron to settle it or steel to part companies.

[ Then: ] Ah. It says 'five hundred'. Is that good?

Bullets and bombs. [ She's not sure if Alayne will know what those are. She's not sure if she hopes she does or hopes she doesn't. ]

Yeah. That's on the higher side, but like I said -- as long as you listen to the directions, you'll be fine.

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