001 - 1/27 midday - voice

[pathofstrength]

...kinda like a Pokegear.

[The communicator is being handled when it clicks on, muffled shuffs and fwups being broadcast as someone turns it over in their hands.]

So I guess ya'd just-

[It cuts off and is silent for a few seconds. When the audio resumes, it sounds a lot more intentional.]

I've never lived in a city before, an' I know I've not set foot in any town as big as this one. An'...well, it's big.

[also the sun and moon are fucking creepy just saying]

An' it all kinda...smells funny, so I ain't sure where ta go fer food. Where d'ya find somethin' like that?

Am I usin' this right? How d'ya know when it's turned on...

Comments

[unfinishedstory]

*Clare would focus on the accent if the idea of a girl so much younger than her being on her own didn't make her feel even more coddled than usual.*

Well, we should probably go grocery shopping last, as otherwise we'll have to carry the stuff with this whole outing. Let's hit the mall first, show you where to get most everything else you'll need or want.

*Clare started in a direction, heading for the mall. Fortunately for Sapphire Clare knew the area well enough to not need a map... because Clare was terrible navigating.*

[pathofstrength]

[Nod! Let's get moving.

With a hand shading her eyes, Sapphire looks all around herself while she walks, but is light on her feet and never stumbles on bumps or cracks.]

It's even bigger than I thought th' first time out. Ya could keep walkin' an' walkin' an' it'd take ages just ta get ta the city's other side...!

[unfinishedstory]

Home's about this big but... not in the same way. It isn't built on a mountain like this, and the streets are passable with better vehicles.

*Clare squinted, used to bright sunlight at home and here.*

I do wish I had my bike... maybe after I save some more I can buy one. Maybe then I can actually get to the other side of the city. *Clare smirked a little, as Sapphire was right, the place was really big.*

[pathofstrength]

That's a good idea...

[Sapphire looks up towards the towers of Shibusen, gawking a little.]

...there's somethin' funny about the sky, ain't there? Like lookin' through a Light Screen. I ain't jus' seein' things, right?

[unfinishedstory]

I- I never noticed. *Clare was guessing that a "Light screen" was something that screened light. It seemed straightforward enough.* I always was too distracted by the Sun or Moon laughing down at us.

*Clare looked up and realized that she should be telling Sapphire where things are, and not just talking about how creepy the sky was.* Um, over there is a building where any of us guests are free to open a store. And a bit further beyond it is Deathbucks where you can get coffee and other warm drinks.

*Clare then gestured in the opposite direction from where she was just directing* We're going this way though.

[pathofstrength]

They laugh?

[Sapphire...glances up at the sky, making a face. Alrighty then...]

Even th' names in this city are creepy. What's this way?

[unfinishedstory]

Yeah... they drool blood too. I- I try not to think about it. *Clare shudders at having to bring that up, it's very creepy.*

Everything has a name like that. You get used to it after a while. Moreso than the skyline. *Clare smiles weakly, Corpse Bros wasn't the worst.*

The Mall, it's this way. *Clare pointed out a rather large expansive building in their down the narrow street they were walking on.* Most of what you ever need will be here, since a lot of the stores cater to guests without a lot of funds.

[pathofstrength]

[....but where does the blood come from

RIGHT NOT THINKING ABOUT THAT RIGHT Sapphire hops ahead a few long paces to walk beside Clare instead of trailing along after her.]

That building is huge! An' it's all stores, in there?

[unfinishedstory]

Stores, a food court, lots of stuff. And every store has a creepy name.

*Clare headed for the near entrance, which wasn't near the food court but a few clothing stores were at that end of the mall.* Have you got enough clothes you like? Warm enough clothes? Cause that was one of the first things I went to get when I arrived.

[pathofstrength]

Jus' these. But now ya mention it, it does seem colder than it gets ta b-

[....Sapphire, who has never actually seen this many clothes in one place and...well, you know her situation with fashion and the like - she's staring at these. Things. Absolutely gobsmacked. Places like this actually exist? Oh god, Ruby isn't the only one of his kind, is he? Sweet merciful Arceus what is this and when can we get out of line-of-sight.]

-I'm good!

[unfinishedstory]

*Clare's just going to staaaaaaare. That was weird, even by the very generous standards she has to apply to 'weird' in Death City. She didn't like clothes? Or... new clothes? Or... Clare wasn't exactly sure what else could explain this, really.*

...Okay...

How about furniture, or utensils? Food works better when you have something to prepare them in, and eat them with.

*Clare can revisit the clothes thing later, away from the clothes.*

[pathofstrength]

[giving the clothing shops a comically wide berth!! you don't understand they have cooties]

I really don' know th' first thing about cooking. What should I have around?

[unfinishedstory]

Do you know how to boil water? Cause boiling water lets you make a lot of things.

*For someone who goes out on her own Sapphire seems really unable to do very simple things. Like shop for clothes or cook. ...On the other hand Clare does actually like cooking, so this might work out.*

*She hesitates, given the clothing reaction earlier.* ...Do you know how to do laundry?

[pathofstrength]

...Not on a stove. But I could figure that out, right? How could ya mess that up?

[you know not of what you speak, child

...."Laundry", you say. Does this mean that going for a swim with her clothes on won't cut it?

Sapphire laughs nervously...]

[unfinishedstory]

It's similar to camping... but I'll show you anyway when we get back if you want.

*Clare wasn't worried so much about setting the stove on fire as she was blowing the apartment up by letting it fill with gas. Which given all the dangers this world had, the kitchen need not be added to the list. Which just left the more mundane issue of laundry.*

If you don't do laundry regularly the clothes might get ruined... then you'd have to buy new ones. *Clare hoped that threat was enough to get the point across. It was playing dirty but... it was honest.*

[pathofstrength]

[The "threat" does work. It's not in the exact way Clare planned - Sapphire's mind jumps from ruined to Ruby'd hate that to the more somber he's not here to fix them and from there to the realization that all she really has with her to remind her of home are the clothes on her back and the contents of a very small pack. No, she wants to keep this outfit functional as long as she can. It's Meaningful.

After a pause for thought, her face falls.]

Then I'll have ta learn that, too...

[unfinishedstory]

I can help with that. *Clare smiled, it was good to be useful in a way she was used to.*

It's not hard, and we're in the same building, until you learn to cook and do laundry I can help.

[pathofstrength]

Ya shouldn't take too much time outta yar day...!