012 - Video

[alternia_strength]

[The feed kicks in to show Equius standing in front of Black and Blue, his gas station along the edge of Freyr and Freya. There's crates beside him and a good, healthy sheen of sweat on his face. He snarls at the camera with an arrogant sneer.]

As repairs continue, on the behalf of my people, I wish to display the magnanimity of the Alternian race to lesser species. I have been producing necessities for the last few days straight and will continue to do so. Anyone requiring the assistance of one skilled in alchemization speak with me here, and we will see about helping to make sure that those lacking receive aid.

[For those unaware, he means 'drawing life.']

And, in the meantime, if the voices in my head could kindly silence the flapping of their mandibles today, that would be lovely. Thank you.

Comments

[bestestfurrend]

Equius, no one will take you up on that if you're not nicer about it!

[alternia_strength]

I am being perfectly civilized, Nepeta. They are simply being stubborn in not contacting me. [Though the fact that she's the only one to do so says a lot.]

[bestestfurrend]

You are so not! You need to be friendly besides civilized anyway! How about I try it too and we see who it works better for?

[alternia_strength]

... very well. We can allow you to make the next of these missives to the general public and I will assist in responses. Perhaps that will help. Still, why should I be friendly to those who are not my close social contacts?

Besides, most of them smell. [Pot... Kettle..]

[bestestfurrend]

Heehee, yes!! And why shouldn't you be? If you're friendly to them then purrhaps you'll become friends and that's always good!

...uh huh. Really. Oh, we're out of towels again by the way.

[alternia_strength]

... it truly is unfortunate that the constructions I fashion are not sufficiently absorbant as to be able to survive the processes of cleansing that they are tasked with. I will simply have to fashion more.

[Equius, where towels go to die.]

But why would I wish to fraternize overmuch with lesser beings? It rarely ends well.

[bestestfurrend]

Are you sure it's the towels' fault?

It doesn't end well because you're a grumpy pain in the butt, you sillypants! It would go a lot better if you made an effort, and then you'd see that it's worth making an effort.

[alternia_strength]

Of course it is. If they were better constructed they wouldn't disintegrate this often. And I suppose a few of them are not complete wastes of flesh. There is Kaworu and one or two of the better behaved ones.

[He grumbled.]

I still say that I question Roxy's sense of humor most days.

[bestestfurrend]

[Siggggh.] You need to give more people a chance! Like you gave me!

[Giggling.] I think everyone questions Roxy's sense of humour, though.

[alternia_strength]

You are my moirail. That is different. Giving all of them a chance only invites their idiocy to continue collectively. Nothing good can come of that, can it?

[bestestfurrend]

But I'm your moirail because you gave me a chance before we knew each other properly at all! So it's not really different.

[alternia_strength]

...

And reminders like this are why you are my moirail. [He grumbled.] Hmmmph. Perhaps you have a point. Well, we'll have to get these supplies out somehow.

[bestestfurrend]

That and because I'm so cute! [She giggles.] We could set up a stall to hand things out! That would help people learn about our shop too.

[alternia_strength]

Yes, this would be acceptable. It would tell them about the shop at least. [It was really a good thing that he'd gotten rid of that pesky loan back when he was second tier. Helped the bottom line... as did the lack of real competition.]

[bestestfurrend]

[It really was a good thing, because while Nepeta sold a good amount of things and was a decent salesperson, her sweet allowance alone was kind of spectacular.]

Purrhaps we could start selling more things too, Equius! Did you ever think about that?

[alternia_strength]

Hmmm... [He considered this for a minute. Honestly, the business was doing well enough to make ends meet and keep them in their house along with his stipend, but he thought about that.]

What were you thinking of selling?

[bestestfurrend]

Welll...we could sell things like umbrellas, that people might need all of a sudden if it started to rain. And perhaps some cute things to put in the window to attract people to come in! A friend of mine makes the cutest plushies, we could ask him if he'd like to sell a few through our shop!

[alternia_strength]

Ah. Yes, knick knacks and things that travelers are likely to require at odd intervals. Yes. I believe that something like this can easily be provided. In fact, I see no reason why we shouldn't.

... I am also told that something called Jerky is common.

[bestestfurrend]

Jerky! I've had jerky, it's so good, Equius! It's like something I used to make back home with Pounce for our meat to last longer! You need to try it!

[alternia_strength]

Oh wait, this is the preservation of carcasses through salt curing, is it not? Yes. This would be quite appropriate for sale here. Perhaps in stick form.

[bestestfurrend]

That's right! And they're super chewy and tasty and a great snack.

[alternia_strength]

We will almost certainly have a collection of them. Perhaps I should start salting meats on the side. Just because.

Do you think anyone will eat Equius' grub jerky?

[bestestfurrend]

Ooh, that's a good idea! Though perhaps don't call it grub jerky. Humans don't seem to like grubs very much! And hey, I'll be making it too, it should be called after me as well!

[alternia_strength]

Hmmm, how about I leave the naming conventions to you? You have a much better handle on their species' preferences.

[bestestfurrend]

I can do that! I'll think up something pawesome, oh yes!

[alternia_strength]

I am ... certain that you will do exactly that. [Perhaps a bit distressing, but he'd trust her on that.] Unfortunately, I think I have already done enough damage in this particular missive. I will meet you at home later and we can discuss more ideas.

[bestestfurrend]

Okay! We'll draw up a whole new business plan!

[alternia_strength]

Hmmm, yes. I will look over this new business proposal. Regardless, none of your ideas have steered us wrong as a rule,