inbox — hello yes this is cat speaking

[nagano]

"—Nagano here. Actually, I'm not here. Leave a message."

TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO • ACTION

Comments

[craters]

（ his stance on killing isn't one she shares. shinobi are raised to do just that, and even as a doctor she takes no issue with dealing death when death is due. but she can respect his stance just the same, and it gets a nod, even though he can't see it. but she doesn't address it, instead moving on to — ）

Oh! How cute!

You drew that just now?

[nagano]

[ It's a tough stance to maintain, especially when it seems to be full of holes. Kaito will hunt when he needs to, and he's put down mindless beasts aplenty. But if there's even a shred of sapience, he'll stubbornly argue to keep even the most vile of sorts alive.

Whose call is it to end or preserve life, anyway? When is he going to face the next challenge to his beliefs? ]

I did.

[ I used to have a flower book that I would draw sketches in.

Kaito deletes the line and pushes that thought out of his head. ]

The other side has some recipes for cakes and desserts. I had originally wanted to use scaleberries as an ingredient, but after learning about their medicinal properties I think they're too valuable to spend on food.

I wonder if anyone else is thinking about rationing for the coming winter.

[craters]

I actually think scaleberries are more harm than good. They might heal whatever's wrong with you, but they can afflict you with something else — in the time it takes to determine what the new ailment is, it could have already progressed to a fatal stage. I'm not sure that's a chance I'd encourage anyone to make.

... also, I know you said as much, but please don't cook with them for that reason.

I know that her Majesty Queen Gilia had mentioned it on the network? Have you connected with her at all?

[nagano]

I'm with you there. However, there's a very clear value to them—at least with Hale's healers. If they can make something with the berries that has more benefits than detriments, then I'll keep on collecting them.

Queen Gilia and I are acquainted. I'll admit I haven't spoken much with her in the past few weeks, but I noticed she's already taken steps to start preserving food for the winter months. For my part, anything I can't outright store at my place will be dried and preserved that way.

[craters]

I agree that there are circumstances under which they can be useful, I'm not saying don't collect them! I just wouldn't recommend people eat them unsupervised, you know?

Clever.

Do we know yet what the locals think of the food situation in the winter months? It might not be as dire as we're anticipating.

[nagano]

Yeah, absolutely. I've stopped a few people from scavenging here and there.

I'm not super concerned about the locals' opinions. Regardless of whether there will be famine or not, I want to have a large store of food in case some kind of disaster strikes. It could be a Maelstrom, monsters attacking Stygia, a sudden shift in opinion of the Hierarchy against us...

Perhaps that's paranoia, but I won't be caught unprepared. If nothing else, I can provide for someone else who's suffering.

[craters]

I can understand that desire.

If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

I'm not accepting payment for my services in the clinic, but I've made it clear that people can pay in other ways, with food or clothing/blankets or helping me tidy things up. If you'd like, I can reserve a percentage of whatever food is brought for you to use?

I treat a lot of fishermen, and they've taken to bring me a bit of their catch when they come in.

[nagano]

If you're comfortable with that arrangement, we can shake on it. Whatever you give to me will be reserved strictly for emergencies.

In exchange, you'll be first on my list of weekly food deliveries. 🙂

[craters]

You got it! 🤝

[nagano]

Then we have ourselves a deal! Looks like that whiteboard in my room is going to get some use after all.

Alright, I've got to get going. No rest for the weary, y'know? There are a lot of bad actors out there, and only one of me to make their lives incredibly inconvenient. Make sure you get enough rest between shifts, got it?

[ And it is only now that the writer realizes that he swapped over to text formatting somewhere along the way because of the Netherwork thread. Unbelievable. What a clown. ]

DIDN'T! EVEN! NOTICE!

[craters]

Take care of yourself! Call me if you need anything, okay?

situational awareness sure do be real situational

[nagano]

I'll do my best. Seeya, Doc.