.1 caliber [Intro]

[goesawol]

[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?]

Comments

[frostedplum]

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?

[goesawol]

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.

[frostedplum]

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.

[goesawol]

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

[frostedplum]

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.

[goesawol]

[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?

[frostedplum]

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.

[goesawol]

[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.

[frostedplum]

[ 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.

[goesawol]

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.]

[frostedplum]

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

[goesawol]

[Ana chuckles.] That’s absolutely right.

[frostedplum]

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

[goesawol]

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

[frostedplum]

I will! Thank you, Captain!

[ And with that, she waves goodbye. ]

[goesawol]

Any time. [A wave.] Amari, out.