001: [video]

[verylittlesugar]

[A solemn young face wearing a disapproving expression appears on screen. She has on the issued jumpsuit, but with a man's overcoat that's clearly many sizes too big on over top of it.]

I am told we are on a ship and cannot leave it, and though we admittedly do not have much sailing in Yell County, I have seen pictures of ships and am not so easy as that to fool.

[A deep breath. There are no trials that cannot be overcome by a strong will and a sense of justice.]

It would seem I have also lost my traveling companions, and nearly all my money with them. But I have a good revolver and a California gold piece, and I would consider bartering them for a guide who knows his way around and possesses some skill in tracking, and who has half a head of sense.

And does not reek of whiskey.

Comments

video.

[turncloak]

Can't see how anyone would track anything when there's no land to speak of. No trees or rock, just ...

[ Theon doesn't have the words for anything the ship is made of, or the device he's using. Nor does he have the words for why this little girl is the one that's caught his attention long enough for him to bother speaking with over these things, though the truth of it is she reminds him a little of how his sister was at that age, and a little of Arya Stark. ]

[ He gives a slope-shouldered shrug. ]

video.

[verylittlesugar]

[Mattie understands perfectly what he isn't saying -- every single thing here looks strange and unidentifiable.]

If there are folks here who understand how things work, then there must be some with the skills to track. Perhaps it is more like finding one's way through a maze, than through the woods. Unfortunately I do not possess the knowledge necessary to successfully do either, else I would not need to hire out.

Text.

[fly_like_pie]

[Wha...

What's with all these kids?!]

why do you have a revolver?!!

Text.

[verylittlesugar]

[It takes a good while for Mattie to put together her response. Stupid little letter buttons.]

it belonged to my father

video;

[sweetmotherofgod]

You be careful who you go offering that gun to now, sweetheart. The only people who are going to claim to be able to find you a way out of here in exchange for it are people who definitely shouldn't have it.

Out of curiosity, what is it exactly you're hoping to track?

video;

[verylittlesugar]

I will of course solicit references before entering into any agreement. [Which means it really would be useful to ascertain who comprises the local law enforcement.] Can you direct me to the sheriff or other officer of the law?

A murderer. And those who are responsible for the operation of this...place. They must exist even if they are too cowardly to live in the open, and I aim to find them.

[video]

[the_vishual]

[Another child.

One who speaks a bit like her, too. Word-wise. Chase can't help the light smile. ]

Excuse me, miss. Where I come from, this is indeed a space ship. However, I'm afraid your monetary goods mean little here. The revolver might be useful, however.

[video]

[verylittlesugar]

[Mattie is still uncertain whether this is an appropriate place for children -- she doesn't count herself, of course, that's entirely different -- but it is nice to see them regardless. She smiles back, encouragingly.]

I am told it is for traveling into the heavens, but I do not yet understand how such a thing is possible, and therefore am of a mind not to entirely dismiss the possibility of trickery.

It is real gold, not paper scrip.

video;

[slayer_not_player]

[Well, she's certainly taken to the use of the device rather quickly. That's something.] I'd be happy to show you around, kid, but it's like I said before. There's nowhere to go. Nothing to track.

video;

[verylittlesugar]

[Tillman is currently the one person Mattie trusts to tell her the truth, so his words prick at her confidence a little bit. Nonetheless, she's nothing if not determined to have her way.]

Your offer is gracious, Mr. Tillman, and I accept. But there must be places you have not yet looked. It is a big place, or so I am given to understand.

video.

[swagneto]

[ It was one thing to deal with adults aboard the ship, it's another for children, so easily susceptible that Erik doesn't need to see them making the wrong decision. Human or not, she's just that, despite the seemingly mature manner with which she talks that has him quirking an eyebrow before he speaks up. ]

You're better off keeping the gun to yourself. The ship isn't that hard to explore.

video.

[verylittlesugar]

It is an utterly foreign place and I do not yet possess the understanding necessary to find what I am looking for on my own.

...Perhaps, however, you are right about the gun.

voice;

[20mentholkools]

You know how to use the gun?

voice;

[verylittlesugar]

It is not a complicated concept, one aims it in the direction of the person one wishes to shoot, and pulls the trigger. I have seen it done many times, and handled my papa's rifle when we went on a coon hunt. It is much the same, I reckon.

video;

[killarevolution]

[The very picture of sardonic] So she found a weapon after all. [He's still unconvinced she's actually going to use it, least of all on him.]

video;

[verylittlesugar]

I do not see as where I gave you reason to doubt me.

[ video ]

[faderbroderson]

[A young girl with a revolver who is unfamiliar with the concept of space travel? Unheard of in the 21st century, but Godric remembers days long before that.]

When are you from, little one? What year is it for you?

[ video ]

[verylittlesugar]

[The question doesn't puzzle her quite as much as it did the first time, though she does cock her head curiously at it.]

It is 1880. What year is it for you?

Video

[bottlearum]

[Have a wry smile.]

This ship ain't like other ships, luv. This ship be in space.

Video

[verylittlesugar]

Yes, I have been told as much, but no one seems to be able to explain to me how it is in 'space'.

...Are you a pirate? [There are no pirates in Yell County either, but they are infinitely more interesting than rodeo clowns.]

[statsraaden]

Hello!

I could show you around and help you explore. I'll do it for free. [Stats doesn't ask for anything in return. That's not like him.]

As for this ship, yes, we're going in space. You know, I've been a sailing ship before coming here and I would tend to agree, but some other people here are more familiar with ships in space, and they know what it's about. Besides, this ship's crew told us.

video;

[verylittlesugar]

[Most folks don't do anything for free. That's suspicious, but generous.] I pay my debts.

[She misses the vital lack of preposition in his statement.] What kind of ship were you on? I have not met any crew yet, but if they are in league with the thieves and kidnappers who brought us here, I am not certain if I inclined to take them at their word.

[voice]

[uncodlyawwesome]

Wwhat the fuck do you expect to track in a fuckin' space ship?

[voice]

[verylittlesugar]

That is very rude.

video; encrypted

[cons]

[God, more kids. And this girl reminds her of Little Rock in more ways than she should. Naturally, she's curious and worried so she'll speak up.]

I see it's been said a few times, but I'd hang onto that gun. Not that I've had a reason to use mine, but it's better that you have it instead of somebody else, just in case, right?

Also, I've got a vague kinda map of the ship that's been sent around, if you want it? I still haven't made complete sense of it, but again, better than nothing.

video; encrypted

[verylittlesugar]

It seems from the several repetitions of that advice, that this is a more lawless place than I had imagined it to be. [Perhaps the offer of the gun in barter was an ill-considered plan. They are, after all, victims of kidnapping.]

Yes, a map would be very helpful. I...am afraid I no longer have anything to offer as payment for it.

text;

[puppydogeyes]

I can track, if you've got something to scent.

text;

[verylittlesugar]

unfortunately i do not

though perhaps you can track him by the scent of whiskey for i think he had been drinking

video; PLACEHOLDER /goes back to sleep

[unparental]

[ bjdhkfnhe why a tiny. jenna does not approve, anonymous kidnappers. ]

Where's Yell County, hon?

video;

[verylittlesugar]

It is in Arkansas.

[It's understandable that people might not have heard of it, if they're from far away, so the question doesn't bother her.]

video; ARRIVES TO THIS POST SUPER LATE???

[wont]

[ Such a solemn look for such a young face. Rather than be wary of it, Alayne is made curious about it (though cautiously so). There is something about the way she speaks that reminds her of Mya Stone — a bravery that Alayne fears she does not possess. (Perhaps she is jealous of it; if she is she'd never say.) ]

I know little of tracking, apologies. Though I have made a great effort to acquaint myself with the names and faces of those on the ship. Whom is it that you seek—?

video; THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS LATE TO THIS POST

[verylittlesugar]

A man called Tom Chaney, though he is known by other aliases as well. Here he claims to be called Haymitch Abernathy.

[Mattie ought to add that she has no proof they're one and the same, but she doesn't. The thought is in her head, but she's rebelling stubbornly against the idea.] And I am Mattie Ross.