starhuevalley | .1 caliber [Intro]

[ACTION]

[She steps down from the bus and tugs at the strap around her shoulder tighter - she travels light, but there's something rather long, carefully wrapped, strapped between her bag and back. Squinting lightly at the warm summer sun, she sighs. Mixed feelings, all in one breath. This lady travels light except for the baggage in her mind.

Still, as she treads through the beaten paths towards an x in a map (excellent orientation skills, for one), she looks around carefully with what seems like a half smile in her piercing gaze. Yet, when she finds the place in the map, she keeps walking around, checking the Community center, the city, - greeting a couple of kids playing outside with a smile - walking through the beach... ending up finally at the Saloon around the evening, asking for a cup of tea at the counter.

Where do you meet her? ]

[VIDEO]

[That's exactly where she is when the video feed opens up. She's looking down at the screen, kohl rimmed eyes scrutinizing the device with a somewhat disappointed expression to them. She tsks.]

So unintuitive. How old is this?

[Dexterous fingers reach the screen and blip! goes the feed

Ring ring?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hearing that actually makes her hungry.

Just how long was she in that bus? Very casually, Ana looks up away from the screen and asks for something to snack on at the person behind the counter.]

I trust you've checked the market, see if there's a demand for those?

[ Her eyes widen a little and her lips part in surprise. She knew she forgot something! ]

Oh my gosh, I forgot! I was so busy with clearing the land and trying to make it all presentable and see what's what that I forgot to go into town to see what kind of competition there is or if anyone even wants jam.

[ She bites her lip softly. Then, quietly: ]

I hope I'm able to do it. It seems like such fun.

[Ana chuckles lightly and waves her hand at her dismissively. ] I'm sure you'll be fine. If anything fails, you can always try honey?

[ That perks Mei right back up again, her worry forgotten. ]

That's true! I would have to read some books on beekeeping, and get hives, but if all else fails, I could do that! What about you? Any big plans yet?

I believe you’d be wonderful at it.

[Ana shakes her head, Mei’s smile getting to her.] Not yet. I was surveying the area, see how the town worked. Haven’t looked at the place I was [basically shoved at] given, yet.

Thank you!

[ She beams at the compliment. ]

Oh, the town sounds really lovely. I'll need to come see for myself soon.

[ A pause as she wipes at her cheek again. ]

But not until I clean up a little. I'm sure I look a mess.

I’m sure you’ll be fine. At least you look like a farmer. [Aside from Mei, she has yet to see someone actually looking like a farm hand in her feed.

Well, aside from McCree, she supposes.]

[ She chuckles lightly. ]

Maybe that's because others wash their faces before talking on the jPads. I was just so excited to see you again, you see. It's been awhile.

It has, hm? [A hand waved dismissively, but with no malice behind it - her eyes are squinting with mirth.] I much prefer it that people don’t. Makes it more authentic, don’t you think?

Well, I guess that's true. Who knows? Maybe they've all hired people to do their farming for them. But I hope that's not the case. It's so rewarding to do it yourself and have that sense of accomplishment. Do you know what I mean?

[ A pause. ]

Oh, I mean in general! I know you only just got here.

I get what you mean.

Even if some people just don’t like to get their hands dirty. [She’s very well aware that this can take a double meaning.] Have people only done farming? Or is this open to other businesses?

I think other businesses too! I heard there's a place that sells fish right by the water. And there's a mine that must have all sorts of minerals in it. There must be more, but I'll find out for sure once I get into town to see. Where do your interests lie?

Ah, yes. I heard about the mines, at least.

[A one-shouldered shrug.] Haven't really decided, yet. Just wondering if the people who came here by bus had settled in.

Oh, well I hope you've been getting lots of answers! I'm curious to see what other people are doing too. I'll probably take a walk around the farms with Snowball later to see.

So... [That's actually something she wanted to ask.] How did you get Snowball? I don't seem to remember.

Oh! He was issued to us to help compile weather data when we were stationed at Ecopoint: Antarctica.

[ As soon as the last word leaves her mouth, her face falls. For a brief moment, she had forgotten about what happened there in her rush to answer, but now it hits her again. Ana wouldn't even know. She's so young... And Mei isn't sure this is something she can talk about. ]

Um, he does a lot more than go through data, though. He's a good companion.

[While that kind of sudden mood change doesn't go unnoticed even through a video feed on a screen, Ana considers this as something that Mei should want to approach out of her own volition. She's not one to pry.

And while she has her own history with AIs, she smiles.] Is he helping you with the farm, then?

Oh, yes! [ The fact that Ana doesn't ask about Antarctica fills Mei with relief. She's not sure she's ready. It was hard enough telling Winston. ] He can move some things, but he's mostly been helping me plot out the land. I'm also going to read some books on farming to him, so he can keep the data in his memory to pull up when I need it. Should be helpful.

[That sounds absolutely adorable and even Ana can't help but think of the bedtime stories she read Fareeha and how she would, after so many days later, bring up something in the story that Ana thought she had easily forgotten.

Totally different, she knows, but the pang is still there.] Well, I guess you have an advantage on all of us, then. You'll take the market by storm.

[ Mei lets out a giggle and shakes her head. ]

I want to make money, sure, but I'm hoping to have a good time doing it. It won't be as fun if I'm chasing after higher profits.

That's a good mindset to have. I don't know much about it but I've always heard it's extenuating.

[Says the war vet. Well.]

Yeah, I don't know much either. But here's to learning, I guess, right?

[Ana chuckles.] That’s absolutely right.

Anyway, I should probably get back to it. I'll see you around?

I will see you around. [A nod.] And do let me know if you need help with anything.

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frostedplum - 2018-08-06 18:30 (UTC) - Expand

goesawol - 2018-08-06 22:25 (UTC) - Expand