voice; @hicks

[preseance]

( when he speaks his voice is soft an' easy, mild-mannered as all get-out, with an alabama accent that kicks like a mule to the head besides. he has the air of someone well-used to wieldin' some manner of authority, albeit in another fashion in a faraway place from this. )

For those of you I ain't met, name's Eugene Hicks, an' I'm one of the medics here in Beacon. If'n anybody finds themselves in want of food or company, Sundays me an' a few others are layin' out a spread at the Church. Anybody's welcome, all I ask is no fightin' under the Lord's roof. If'n you felt like bringin' a dish of your own to share, it'd be appreciated. ( he pauses, an' in a lighter tone obviously aimed to jest, ) First person to complain about my Ma's fried tomatoes or the lack of ice cream with the pie will be shown the door, no exceptions.

( it ain't a video post, but he ducks his head all the same. there's a slight jangle of his dog-tags. )

And, ah. Given that the El-Tee ( 'LT', short for lieutenant ) found a village across the river, Rastus seemed to think I ought to maybe work at buildin' a bridge so's we can all access whatever resources might be on the other side without any measure of difficulty. I can do carpentry all right, but if anyone can lend a hand it'd be appreciated. Apparently there's a creature in the river fixin' to drag folks under, so please mind yourselves if'n you're of a mind to get close.

That's all. Look after yourselves an' have a pleasant evenin'.

Comments

@priestess ⟪ voice ⟫

[voktys]

I crossed the river just yesterday. There is a spot slightly more narrow than the rest, and what use would there be to magic if not for something like this?

⟪ all this to say: ⟫

For the purpose of constructing a bridge, there could be a benefit to my powers, if only so those working on construction don't immediately meet whatever is lurking in the depths.

[preseance]

Then I'd be glad of the help.

( lordy, but he's just as fond of her as he is of kyna, an' it's replete all in his voice. )

Find anythin' we oughta know about on the other side?

[voktys]

⟪ she often has a habit of sounding calm and warm and serene, so this is not unusual from her. what's unusual are the more excited notes as she goes on.

she sounds more human for a change. ⟫

Two spirits. One resides in the library – you are familiar with the paper? The creature who wrote those strange, hungry calls for food? This would be the Librarian. They were friendly enough, I mean to bring them more food soon.

Oh. ⟪ important! ⟫ And a crab-like fellow, offering ice cream. You do seem so inclined.

Aside, the village is lovely. If construction takes longer, it may be worth considering to stay overnight, as opposed to hiking back and forth with the tools – or leaving them unattended.

[preseance]

I'll keep all that in mind, ma'am.

( it's sweet that she'd be worried for him, an' would try to shepherd him so. it don't chafe none against his pride, he's just fair smilin'. )

If'n you don't mind my askin', what could your powers do against the creature itself? I ain't lookin' to hurt it none, just keep it at bay.

[voktys]

I mean to aid in crossing the river when needed during construction, and stand by to prevent anyone from falling in.

⟪ she isn't saying that she doesn't seek to battle, but that's the truth of it. ⟫

I did not catch as much as a glimpse of it myself, so it stands to reason we may not see any of it if we stay out of the water. There is no need to test its good will by attacking.

[preseance]

Oh, no, I didn't think you would. ( mel's a gentle sorta soul. he don't think she'd ever cause hurt nor harm to anythin' that didn't need done. ) Just statin' my own opinion on the matter. We're the ones intrudin' on this creature's home.

( if it's a spirit, he's holdin' to hope that it can be reasoned with. if not, then they might have to kill it. he just don't like the consideration none. he's seen enough death. )

[voktys]

Most of them have been kindly so far. ⟪ her voice evens again, gentles in a way. it wasn't right of her to assume gene might mean harm to it, but many consider in her world consider anything beyond their understanding as something that requires slaying. ⟫ I did hear this one may try to, ah –– we seem to fall under its general cravings.

⟪ which seems fair enough to her. ⟫

I was considering taking something from the general store, meat preferably, to try and warm it up to us?

[preseance]

I was thinkin' the same, honestly. I'm plannin' to chat with Winters, that fella Riku said he'd come along. We'd be more than welcome to have you with us, ma'am, if you're so inclined.

[voktys]

I would be glad to join you. Would you like to see the village as well?

[preseance]

Be nice to, if we've got the time.

( just to get outta the place they've all been trapped nigh on a month now. if nothin' else, a change of scenery appeals to the paratrooper in him. )

[chardismastic]

[ Okay, no, gotta jump in here and remedy this explanation. Sorry, Mel. ]

For the record? Her definition of "friendly enough" is really, really loose. No idea what the librarian would've done without getting that food but I'm not exactly inclined to find out.

[ Oh, and— ] The ice cream wasn't that fantastic either.

[preseance]

( well, mel is spectacularly friendly, and gene sort of just. assumes that rafe's a little more on the antagonistic side when it comes to interactin' with new things. frankly, he's more inclined to believe her, but just the same — )

I'll take that under advisement.

— Sucks about the ice cream, though. Reckon Raylan'll be real disappointed.

[chardismastic]

[ First of all, rude. Second of all, rude. ]

Depends on whether he's a traditionalist for these things or not.

[preseance]

( but where is the lie.gif. )

Oh, I ain't asked him yet. I did threaten him with pistols at dawn one'a the last times we spoke, though, on the matter of ice cream. So... man's probably at least a little serious about it.

[chardismastic]

Apparently you are too.

[ A wry huff of breath. ]

Care to share just what got you so hot and bothered about desserts?

[preseance]

( the idiom goes so far over his head it may as well be a c-47. )

Wouldn't go so far as to say I'm bothered by it, it's just... it's a Southern thing, we've been jokin' about it together is all.

[chardismastic]

[ Why must he be surrounded by people without the frame of reference to realize he's suave and hilarious. ]

Just messing with you a little, Hicks. I didn't actually expect you get knock down drag out over a la mode. [ A beat. ] Though that'd be a fight to sell tickets for.

[preseance]

( he laughs. )

Oh, wouldn't be much of a fight. He'd dust me straight-up. I've got my strengths, but a quickdraw ain't one.

[voktys]

⟪ Oh, are we really fearing a tiny bit of murder? ⟫

Please be kinder about the gentle crab's life's work.

⟪ He has pincers and is trying his best. ⟫

I do suggest visitors to the library have food on hand, though. May be for the best.

[chardismastic]

[ Yes, actually. Surprisingly yes when it's his murder on the line. ]

It was noodle flavored ice cream. I'm calling it like I see it.

[ And see, Gene. See!! ]

[voktys]

⟪ Rafe, Rafe, what between Hell and Light is a noodle? ⟫

I liked the spicy kind, and the beet one was not to be frowned upon, either. Perhaps it is your selection that needs work?

⟪ Anyway, Gene. Listen: ⟫

The Crab spirit even smiled. Besides, they offered to let their wares be sampled.

[chardismastic]

[ You'll learn at the potluck tomorrow. Hopefully the good kind of noodles, depending on what Rafe can find. ]

Beetroot wasn't bad, and the sriracha was... I mean, it was sriracha. But the noodle was just. Gummy. [ You shouldn't need a drink of water after an ice cream. ] Or the vendor can have labels. Just as a thought.

[voktys]

It is kind of you to volunteer to label them.

⟪ :D ⟫

[chardismastic]

I'm sorry, where did y- [ Ha, you're funny. A real hoot(enanny). ] Might want to ask the crow for some spectacles there.

[voktys]

The power of change rests within you, Rafe.