Video | UN: gaia

[hammerbearer]

[Cue a video image of a teenage girl about sixteen years old. She's been around Trench for a few months and some might have seen her in passing. Today she's indoors near what looks like a kitchen hearth. Occasionally dog with brindle fur and pushing the upper range of mid-size wanders in and out of frame during the video, looking for pets. Which are given. Indoors as she currently is, she's wearing a touch of classy clothes she's managed to get together and has definitely polished her look for this video; hair falling about her shoulders, cosmetics applied, the like.]

Hello, everyone. My name is Gaia. I thought I'd make this video call, both to get to know some people and find out a few things, especially now with spring well on the way. If anyone's willing to help answer the questions or just get to know one another, please feel free to respond.

[Gaia reaches for the omni and adjusts it to pan over the hearth area. One might notice there is a lot of cooking ware, utensils and the like arranged neatly, but somewhat cluttered around the cooking hearth. While some things look like they're in use, others are borderline decorative... although still something that can be used.]

One of the first things that come to mind is that I've collected an awful lot of items I'm just not going to use. This is just an example of what I mean.

[Gaia recenters the omni on herself.]

Besides the market and barter with Trench residents, does anyone get together for some type of... I don't know what you'd call it. But where folk can bring their extra items and exchange them for something a person might actually need. Instead of messing with blood or gems or stones for currency, just focusing on exchanging the items.

[Yes, she's describing a swap meet. The teen then reaches off to the side and brings up a bag of seeds.]

I live in Feed, but I'm not really knowledgeable about raising animals. SO I thought I might try to grow some crops. I got these from one of the locals and I have a basic idea about how to plant them but I honestly think these are a little beyond me. They're oats and I was told they're great for storing long term, it's just all this stuff about planting times and harvest yields feels a little bit over my head. If there's someone who's good at explaining this in... well, simpler terms, I'd appreciate that.

Oh! I have some crops already. It's just the way oats were described was a bit overwhelming. So if it turns out they're just not for me this year, I'll be fine.


[After this, Gaia sets all things aside.]

I realize I haven't really been socializing. So I'd like to get to know people. I also wouldn't mind learning skills with being self-sufficient. A friend had been teaching me a lot but I haven't seen him in a while. [A pause, faltering over the dismay before schooling herself.] I also feel it's probably a good idea to find people to practice combat with. I know magic and some combat skills, but I'd sometimes prefer to improve them when I'm not fighting for my life.

So if anyone has information about the above or anything to suggest, feel free to reach out. I'll be here for a while.

Comments

Video; un: lothrat

[ezra_of_lothal]

I've grown my own vegetables and fruits of a bunch of different kinds, this last year. My 'city boy from a planet known for its farmland' impression is that good grain yields are on a whole other level of agricultural know how, yeah.

Sorry, I know that's not really helpful. Unless, it helps to know that it's not just you who's a little intimidated by growing oats.

[hammerbearer]

Honestly it does. I grew up in a city myself and didn't have to really deal with any of this until recently.

[There's a faint smile there though it's also rueful.]

I suppose I should look into growing something else then. I've already got some popotoes [Yes, that's what she said.] in. Some carrots and beets. A few other things that my neighbors suggested would be good and nutritious and easy to grow. Oh and some herbs.

[It probably should go without saying this girl probably has little clue what to do with a beet at this point in time. But that's a problem for Future Gaia.]

[ezra_of_lothal]

That sounds like a pretty good set for a first garden to me.

What kind of magic do you do?

[hammerbearer]

Thanks. Really I think the locals are taking pity on me. But I do try to do fair work in exchange for teaching me.

[ But she does seem a little happy that someone complimented her on the choices she's made for her first garden effort so far. ]

Time magic mostly and some elemental spells. Honestly though, some of it seems to overlap my blood magic so it can be a little difficult to tell apart. [ She grimaces and then offers a confession. ]

They both have that natural feeling. Which really seems silly since the blood magic's something that happens here.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Sympathetically-]

Makes complete sense to me. Well, not elemental spells, that's not my thing, and time stuff. Uh, well, that's complicated.

But my native power set includes empathy and visions, and I'm Paleblood here, so. Yeah, I can't really tell the difference, except that I got headaches when I got here some stuff is easier when the Moon Presence is up.

video; un: v

[mehanizovati]

Hm, the idea of an exchange of some sort is a good one. I noticed some do not know much about haggling in the market besides. [which pains him deeply.]

I'm afraid there's little I can do in terms of combat but if you are interested in learning basic repair work I can offer instruction.

[hammerbearer]

I certainly think it'd help. I don't know much about haggling but I feel more confident about getting a fair deal at least.

[Fortunately she's overcome rich girl syndrome early on.]

Oh? I'm definitely interested. What sort of repair do you know?

[mehanizovati]

[thank goodness, he's seen some people not haggle and it Concerns Him.] It can be difficult if you do not know the worth of the item, I admit.

Eh, most machines, tools, things of that nature. There is such a variety of technologies here it can be hard to keep up with what is the norm and what is not.

[hammerbearer]

[ Gaia seems to agree and even nods. ]

And sometimes that worth is going to depend on how useful the object is to the individual person. That's why I was thinking that an exchange day might be good for people. At least for practical items.

[ She perks up at the suggestions he makes. ]

Oh, can you? I've got some tools for the garden and fixing the home. If I could keep them up on my own it'd be that much less I need to ask for from others. I wish I had a machine to practice on. Though I wouldn't mind getting some actual lighting one day. Or a clock.

[ She heaves a sigh. ]

Though right now I don't even have a proper bed.

video; un: taka

[retsuden]

What sort of self-sufficiency skills do you need to learn?

[ Although more importantly: ] I'll spar with you. It's good to stay sharp in this place.

[hammerbearer]

[ More importantly? Oh dear. ]

Hm. I came here in winter. So a lot of my skills were based on just surviving. I need to branch out. How to farm, how to store food so I don't have to go through that again.

[ She definitely makes a face here. Memories of winter weren't pleasant. ]

Someone offered to teach me repair work. And I've been working on the house I found, but I'm currently save up to hire people to do the complicated things. I'd like to learn how to do more on my own.

[Of course she'd still need to hire folk for the really complex jobs. But right now her words are intended as relative to her current skill base.]

As for sparring, that would be fine. I hope I don't disappoint you though.

[retsuden]

[ He knows where his skills lie and 90% of them are in fighting. But there is at least one other thing he understands well enough to offer some help with, too. ]

Mm. I don't know anything about farming, but I do know how to store some foods, and how to dry meat to extend its shelf life. I could probably show you the basics.

I teach combat techniques of a wide variety if you end up needing improvement.

[hammerbearer]

[ Gaia certainly perks up at the idea of dried meats. ]

That'd be fantastic! Meat's so expensive, it'd be wonderful to be able to store it longer. And... er, I'm not great at hunting yet. But I've learned a bit about snares and I have Uri. If you know anything about that too, I'd be grateful.

[ Uri appears to be the dog for he comes back into the view of the omni at the sound of his name, tail wagging. Pets are duly administered. ]

Alright. I suppose it'd be good to know different things. I'd certainly like to see what you can do. How should we arrange things though?

video || un: wheeler

[micycle]

We call that a swap meet, back home. Everyone shows up and puts their shit out on blankets or tables and stuff. It's usually, like, gross old blankets or weird jam.

[And would you believe, this player didn't even see the words "swap meet" in the post before writing that?]

What do you need to get rid of?

[hammerbearer]

[ Except mine right before it? Yeah I can absolutely believe it. ]

Gross old blankets? Ugh. I'll have you know I'd wash them if I had blankets! But as you can see I have a lot of kitchen items. There's also items I thought would be practical or that I could trade away but still haven't found someone for them. I came to Trench during that time old ships came up from under the ice so I was able to salvage a lot of things from the boats.

So tableware, boxes, kitchen tools. I've got some outdoor tools as well. Some scrap wood and metal I think might still be good that I've found since starting to clean out the house for fixing up. And some decorative pieces. I'm also hoping to trade some actual lotion I've been working on.

[ Because a girl HAS to moisturize and not with lard. Looking at you, Shedding Ceremony. ]

[micycle]

[Lotion, boring. He's perked up at something else though.]

I could definitely take some kitchen tools off your hands. I have a restaurant, and I've kind of been improvising a lot of shit.

[Who knew you're not supposed to cook something on a dinner plate over fire?]

What kind of stuff would you want in exchange? I have... food. Food ingredients. And some furniture we don't use.

[hammerbearer]

[ You say that now but when you're literally shedding your skin and the itching is unbearable then she dares you to tell her lotion is boring!

But more importantly, there's some promising trade potential here. Gaia brightens as Mike talks about the restaurant and needing stuff she might well be able to provide. ]

Food and furniture? I'd love to take a look. For food I'm hoping to stock in things that won't spoil. And spices, even if it's just salt and pepper. I want to be prepared for next winter.

And I have barely any furniture. There's a table for preparing food and a couple of chairs. But I'll want something to fill the space as I get the rest of this place fixed. I don't suppose you have a bed do you?

video | un: OZ

[swornto]

That sounds like a really good idea, actually. Perhaps we could add services to that list? I myself am no good at repairs, for example...

Thoooough I'm not sure if I have much to trade. I did stock up on some of those fancy mushrooms that were all over the place in November? I have some of the cute ones that help clear your head... Weepers, I think they're called?

(from the november event)

[hammerbearer]

That sounds fair. I guess it wouldn't be bad to let people sell for currency too but I'd certainly like the focus to be on trading items. Or services. The idea should be ultimately about improving quality of life rather than lining someone's pockets.

[ Well it sounds reasonable to her. There's plenty of places out there that will buy and sell in blood, stone, gems and so forth. But places where people can help new people get what they need while also getting something they need? Services and food work.]

At least when it comes to repairs and maybe offering to do some work in exchange. And what are Weepers exactly? I didn't get here until... what was that moon called? December. And I don't remember passing through a November. But food and medicine would be ideal as well. I plan to bring some proper lotion I made.

[Though she's fairly sure that it comes near the end of a year.]

[swornto]

Ah, I see... Glad to hear it!

[November was awful. Oz wouldn't wish it upon anyone.]

It was pretty easy to find mushrooms during November, so I tried to stock up on them. Some of them looked pretty weird too, so I looked them up in my books. Weepers are apparently good for calming people down? So I saved a few in our cellar. I wonder if they could be useful?

[hammerbearer]

[ Man wouldn't it be nice if November never happened again then? But it probably might. Or get trumped by something more awful. Gaia looks curious and thoughtful. ]

Well it sounds like it'd be a good thing, if that's all they do? ...It is something that only happens if you eat them, right?

[ It might be 'less good' if an area gets covered by calming spores. Something like that. ]

Do you have any normal mushrooms? You know, ones that'd be just normal food?

[ Keyword normal. She's got Opinions about some of the food that appears around the days of new arrivals. ]

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[The face on-screen looks like a demon from hell, but oddly enough, the voice doesn't match at all. Instead, it is soft, smooth, and smoky as Maul talks. It seems he's doing something with his hands just off-screen as there's a repetitive motion that keeps being made like he's moving or smoothing something that can't be seen.]

If you need a teacher for combat, I would be more than happy to offer my services. I have a great deal of experience with being a teacher for learning fighting skills, how to use any extrasensory powers, and other such things.

Re: Video; un: darkness

[hammerbearer]

[ There's definitely a bit of a jump and some close peering at the image that appears when Maul speaks. ]

Oh! Hello there. [ If she's scared or worried about this 'demon', it's hard to tell. Odds are she's not pretending. Maybe a bit of wariness though? ]

That's certainly kind of you. I've had another offer already which seems promising, but it probably is better to explore my options. When you say extrasensory, did you mean magic or something else?

[survivalthroughhate]

[He gives her a moment. A good half of the people Maul tends to encounter have a reaction to his appearance, given in some universes there wasn't many other sentient species beyond humans. Maul nods, taking a moment to tick off the various people he's taught and helped over the past two years on his right hand. He's been at this teaching thing quite a while and he really enjoys it.]

Magic, psychic abilities, those who are simply ordinary sentient beings, and those from my home galaxy who can use the Force, which is an energy field all living things possess and which those sensitive to it can manipulate.

[hammerbearer]

A galaxy? [ Gaia's eyes widen and she does look a bit amazed before she turns away briefly with a 'hrmph'. There's also a bit of a mutter.] Well that explains a few things.

[ But she seemed to recognize mention of the Force. A few people have brought it up to her in the last few days.]

Well if you've got that much experience, at the very least I'd like to practice with a few different people. And other teachers would be nice. But I have to be careful not to get too overwhelmed.

[ Gaia pauses for a moment to think it over. ]

Would you mind that at first? That is meeting to spar and talking about teaching later? My friend said I shouldn't try to learn too many skills at at once, or I'd never master anything.