text | un: duty

[martyrofduty]

With the lamp network down, not only plant-riddled, it's harder to get around Trench. I'm not always available, I have other jobs, but I also have a truck.

If you need a lift or to move goods, let me know (best in advance). Respond here, my inbox, or, in case of emergency, via omens. Payment in barter.

Questions?

Comments

text | un: sds

[fogsong]

What kind of shit are you looking for in a barter? I want to deliver a bed to a friend's place because he's lame and still sleeps on his couch.

[martyrofduty]

In the end, need to keep the truck running and me running. Things trade, so I'm flexible.

Dumbass friend.

[fogsong]

How about some watercolors? I just made a new set that has a nice reflect that will fetch you something damn good in my experience.

And I like him like that. It's endearing. [ Sorry, Taro. ]

[martyrofduty]

Making your own watercolors? Fancy. That'll do it. I can carry the bed wherever it needs going.

We all have them.

voice // un: bluestar

[dousedflame]

[Having very recently learned what a truck is, Bluestar is now ready to answer this post... although she isn't quite ready for text yet. Best to reply with her voice, after having it read out to her.]

Is the truck... well-controlled? Does it need anything to eat?

[There's a good helping of apprehension in her voice, but she is doing her best to keep an open mind.]

voice | un: duty

[martyrofduty]

Yes. I'm the one driving it. Feeding it's why I'm asking for payment.

[dousedflame]

[She takes this very literally, and it puts the fur on her back on end.]

What does it eat? I can only offer mice and birds.

[martyrofduty]

What it naturally eats is rare here. Animals like mice or birds crushed under the earth for eons. Hard to get. Working on changing its diet.

[dousedflame]

I think I prefer the horses. I've been living in a barn lately - the horses just eat grass and don't seem to mind cats. Actually, they don't seem to mind anything.

Anyway, I don't think I can offer anything worthwhile. But I'll let you know if I find a good source for truck food. Do you know that it smells like?

[martyrofduty]

This particular truck and I go way back. It's from home, so I wouldn't trade it for something else.

You can trade other things for rides. I'll trade those for stuff the truck needs. Barter system.

[dousedflame]

[There's a long pause here.]

What is a barter system?

[fogsong]

I make my own acrylics, too, and grind my own pigments. It's what I use to barter, that and the paintings.

But awesome. Thanks. Your truck has just made my life a little easier.

[martyrofduty]

We trade goods directly. Goods may change hands multiple times before they reach the person who needs it. I'm used to that.

[martyrofduty]

Wish you and Nigella could meet or Cyrus and Valancy. They were into painting but maybe not your tastes.

Glad to help out.

[dousedflame]

[She thinks this over for a while, and speaks slowly when she finally answers. This is more cooperation than the Clan cats are used to, and Bluestar isn't against the idea... but it's very new.]

We Clan cats understand favors, and our medicine cats share herbs if needed. We hunt for our weaker Clanmates, but never share our prey outside of the Clan borders. Our pride is often our downfall, long before we think to ask for help. You Twolegs are... much friendlier than I'm used to.

[Is it a compliment? Who knows, not Bluestar.]

[martyrofduty]

It's not perfect. That can happen to us too, but we strive to do better.

Even this post? Someone in an emergency, I'll come, compensation or not. You never know when you'll need help.

[dousedflame]

I'll be grateful to take you up on that, if I ever need it. Still, I'll do my best to think of a way to repay you.

[There's no surprise where her mind is going for repayment. Mice, or maybe herbs if she can find someone to explain the plants here to her.]

[fogsong]

As long as they weren't painting fruits and vases, I'm probably into it. I mean, some of mine belong in a horror exhibit.

[martyrofduty]

That's what it's here for. Appreciated.

Welcome to Trench.

[martyrofduty]

They painted each other nude. Frequently.

[fogsong]

Oh.

That's... something. Maybe a good sign they really loved one another's bodies. So. Hm.

At least it's not a bowl of fruit.

[martyrofduty]

They loved their own bodies. Each other's bodies. Bodies.



Third House. Flesh magicians.

[fogsong]

I love me some body positivity.

But. Uh. Flesh magicians??

[martyrofduty]

Body positive af.

Necromancy has three branches: spirit, bone, flesh.

[fogsong]

I assume that's what they specialize in manipulating?

[martyrofduty]

That's a limited viewpoint, but yes.

[fogsong]

Wanna expand it for me then?

[martyrofduty]

Necromancy works with thallergy and thanergy, death energy and life energy. Flesh is good to work with life energy. That's a whole field of study as broad as physical sciences.

[fogsong]

It sounds like something people would go to school for then. [ is there a necromancy school? ]

[martyrofduty]

Necromancy school. Necromancy university...

[fogsong]

University. I bet necromantic hazing is a horror show.

[martyrofduty]

Never went. Stayed out of the home system.

[fogsong]

Oh yeah, cause of the resurrection beasts.

I'm gonna make up my own lore here then and I'm going with: hazing is insane at Necromantic University.

[martyrofduty]

Hi, I'm Pac-Man.

Don't stop there.

[fogsong]

Waka waka... I think.

Their mascot is a space whale and instead of having a regular football team, it's obviously all skeletons controlled by the players. It gets really messy, though, and it's not uncommon for bones to get stolen.

[martyrofduty]

Hungry Hungry Hippo scary edition.

Gonna have to make them play that here. Go on.

[fogsong]

Their colors are dark blue and banana. They have uniforms but they're kind of ugly. I'm thinking layered robes and gnome hats with those shoes that have curly toes.

They have a great library but they focus on the sports too much. You really wanna hit up a regular person university for a good degree.

[martyrofduty]

I want Sansa to make one.

Damn here's me with no degree.

[fogsong]

Only if you model it.

You've got an honorary degree in ass-kicking.

[martyrofduty]

Kids. For you.

From one of them good schools.

[fogsong]

I'm taking pictures.

Duh. From one of the best.