Voice: Un: Diggs

[justoscar]

[It had been nearly a week, and Oscar was becoming worried.

Lessons he has learned on the other side of the Dream had taught him that sitting in the worry and letting it overcome him did no one any good-- least of all himself. Knowing this, Oscar tentatively turned on the Audio function of his new device and, with an obvious case of awkward nerves, started talking.]

Um... Hi.

I'm Oscar Pine and... I'm sure some of you know me already, but some of you don't and that's okay.

There was just a couple of things I wanted to say.

First: I know that things have been stressful lately and that we all need something to do, so I'm willing to teach people how to garden if they want a hobby that lasts a little longer than baking all the time. I'm a farmhand... And I did the baking thing. Growing and taking care of your own vegetables helps a little more, for a longer time.

And-- you can share your extra zucchini with your friends and loved ones. Isn't that cool?

I managed to bring along some seeds to get started. Just... Contact me if you're interested.

... and thanks, Mako, for the idea.

Second: is anyone else having trouble sleeping since they got here? I know being nervous makes sleeping hard, but this feels different. Anyone have any ideas about why this is happening, or how to help?

Last: ... I don't know about everyone else, but there's still some people I'm looking for that haven't come ashore yet. Can people just...chime in to let everyone know that they're safe? And let us know if there's anyone else you're looking for?

Maybe we can make everything a little easier if we work together. I don't know...

I'm just kinda worried, and some of you all probably are too.

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

[She smiles.]

I'm sure between the two of us--or more--we can figure it out.

The more the merrier.

[justoscar]

[He beams in return.]

Yeah, definitely!

With all the smart, creative people here, we can definitely get this to work!

[demonicbeauty]

[Oh, Ariadne likes this fellow. He thinks the same way she does.]

Well, how does this work?

Do you want to come see the orchard?

[justoscar]

Is it okay?

[He asked eagerly, like the teenager that he was.]

Where are you at again? I can be there if it's okay.

[demonicbeauty]

It's an area called the "Willful Machine."

[A pause. Apologetic:]

I'm not sure why it's called that. I don't see a lot of machines. No more than usual, anyway.

[justoscar]

Maybe it means something else?

[He was a bookworm as well as a farmlad-- he could read between the lines, but he had yet to discover the correlation between all of the district names. Gaze, Cassandra, and Willful Machine all made little sense to him in that moment.

It was possible all the names were metaphor, like so many of the deeper details in Deerington.]

I can be there shortly. Just look for the orchard, right?

[demonicbeauty]

Yes. I'll hang a red banner from the cinnamon tree.

[She frowns a little.]

I've lived in villages before. But never one without any street names. It's a bit strange as well.

[justoscar]

Thanks.

I haven't quite figured out why there's no street signs either. It must be part of the local culture? But a red flag on one of the trees helps.

...It's not often you get a chance to see a cinnamon tree!

[demonicbeauty]

Just wait until you smell it!

It's woooonderful!

[justoscar]

Probably like someone baking for the winter, right?

[Fruits and cinnamon were popular ingredients in the cold, dark months after the harvest-- they reminded people of the warmth that was going to be returning to them.]

I'll be there soon, okay?

[demonicbeauty]

Like the best kind of warmth.

[She giggles.]

See you soon.

[justoscar]

See you!

[With a chuckle, Oscar closed the feed and gathered his goods. It wouldn't be long before he arrived, but the shape he took was not expected...]