[002 - audio] by the pricking of my thumbs

[freeholding]

[There is the rumble of an engine in the background and some wind distortion, but John's voice is very clear. The benefits of training your voice to be as measured and newscaster-bland as possible.]

You spend enough time around certain elements and you get a sense for things. That feeling of 'something wicked this way comes.' Though a friend of mine is always quick to point out that in context, the hero of that story was the something in question and blind to it.

I tend to have a better track record than that, though. [Not that he isn't wicked, mind. But he's not exactly in the hero role anyway. Christ, and he can almost hear Nathan ranting about literary theory and storytelling conventions and et cetera.]

Anyway. Does anyone know where a concerned citizen might gain access to some firepower? Something better than what the pawn shops have on offer.

[With an ounce of humor:] It is the shopping season, after all.

Comments

audio; as he is driving

[freeholding]

[There is an audible smile in his voice.] Oh, no, no. I think I have all the pyromancy in my life I can handle.

audio; shame on you!

[ella_of_frell]

Oh; What kind of power were you talking about, then?

audio; he's can multitask!

[freeholding]

This will sound condescending but believe me, it is in complete honesty: what level of weapons technology are you familiar with?

audio; He better! Ella will feel terrible if he gets in an accident

[ella_of_frell]

It doesn't sound condescending at all. [ She chuckles at the thought. ]

If anything it's a perfectly understandable question, with as many people here. Where I'm from, there are numerous types of magics, but not much in the way of technology. Swords, bow and arrows, catapults - that sort of thing.

audio forever~~!

[freeholding]

Then the best way to explain what I am looking for is a medley of a crossbow and a fire spell. Firearms, gunpowder based weaponry.

Though I have learned the merits of an iron sword. [No better weapon against the Fae.]

[Video forever! So there! ]

[ella_of_frell]

[ Friggin Fae. :I Or well, friggin fairies. ]

That sounds pretty efficient. Have you had any luck finding something like that here?

[ She grins. ]

They're good, if you know how to use them. Me, the extent of my knowledge is keep the pointy end away from me.

[freeholding]

[No kidding.]

I have my own, but between the Darkness and a few other things, I would prefer something more substantive.

Always valid wisdom, I find.

[ella_of_frell]

You actually go out into that Darkness? [ But it's dark out there! And things want to eat you! ]

[freeholding]

Not if I can help it. Once was enough for me. But I'm out for most of the day and sometimes the sirens come earlier than I expect.

[ella_of_frell]

You were caught out in it when you were pulled here, weren't you. [ Curse you Darkness~! ]

I thought there was a set time when Darkness sets and rises. If it's more random that's going to make coming and going more difficult for everyone.

[freeholding]

No, actually. When I stopped to pick up dinner for my room mate. He gets rather... irritable when hungry.

Oh, there is. I'm just not used to doing my own schedule-keeping. [Another thing he's used to Nathan doing.]

[ella_of_frell]

[ Ella chuckls. ]

I think that's a pretty good reason to learn how to cook, if that's the case. Less chance of getting caught out late and those Sirens going off. [ Men and their inability to cook. Or maybe they were just being lazy and didn't feel like cooking, which is fine too~! ]

What kind of work do you do? [ Psst, Ella, before that... - ]

Oo-oh! I, sorry, I should at least introduce myself. My name is Ella; Ella of Frell.

[freeholding]

I don't disagree, and I have some basic skills, but the aforementioned room mate has a habit of breaking the equipment in the apartment.

[He is going to pounce on that opportunity to not answer the work question, as "life of crime" isn't the greatest of responses.] Perfectly all right. I'm John of Chicago. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Ella.

[ella_of_frell]

Rather clumsy is he? I'm sorry to hear that. [ She sounds more amused than sorry though. ]

It's nice to meet you too; but if you're going to call me by my title, then I'll have no choice but to address you as Sir or Lord John. [ Teasing. ]

[freeholding]

Something like that.

It's Baron, actually. [All that gentlemanly talk comes with the territory.] But I am agreeable to John if you are to Ella.

[ella_of_frell]

Baron? [ Well she didn't expect that. She grins in spite of herself. ]

I'm quite agreeable to such informalies. Indeed, I rather prefer it.

I should caution you if you run across a girl by the name of Hattie, best not to let her know you're titled. She goes after titled men like a dog goes for a bone. Or a squirrel.

[freeholding]

As you please, Ella.

... I am new enough to my title that I actually have not considered that sort of political jockeying. I really should have... But my title means nothing without my territory either way.

[ella_of_frell]

You've never had the trouble of people trying to arrange beneficial marriages to you? Consider yourself lucky. [ It's a hassle, and Ella never liked the idea of it. Even though her mother's was an arranged marriage and she did fall in love, eventually. ]

You may be one of the few with that sort of opinion. A lot of people were pulled out of their worlds from home, and they'd cling to the titles they had there, as if it meant something. [ Or at least, it did to them, even though they had no real authority here. ]

[freeholding]

When I say I'm new this this, I mean my fourth year as Baron is approaching. Before then, I don't think I was quite marriage material. [Being the head of the Chicago mob might've had something to do with that. Goodness knows he has enough money to be tempting, but the mafia thing is always a hurdle for others.] You are less fortunate, I take it?

At the very most, such titles are a resume, proof of prior experience. They may mean something, but clinging to lost power only prevents gaining more.

[He winces.] That sounds overly calculating, but in all honesty, I usually am.

[ella_of_frell]

Unfortunately. [ A wry grin at that. ]

I haven't met him met, but my father intends to marry me off to someone back home. It's all so very financially beneficial for both of our families.
[ S..she may be using airquotes at that. Quirking an eyebrow slightly, she laughs a little. ]

Well... that just means you're extra prepared for any situation, right?

[freeholding]

[He frowns, though she can't see it.] I'm unsure whether to offer congratulations or condolences.

That's a kind way to look at it.

[ella_of_frell]

I'm not sure if condolences would be an appropriate word - unless it's through process of elimination, because congratulations certainly isn't it. [ Huff. ]

But I'm here, and not there, so I think I'm luckier for it as far as that goes. It's a common practice, marrying off ones daughter. [ Although if her mother was still alive, she would never have allowed it. ]

I hear that that sort of thing isn't practiced in this age so much anymore though!

[freeholding]

How about good luck to you, instead?

No, it isn't in the Western world, though a friend of mine would be quick to point out that arranged marriages still exist in many cultures and deserve respect. [His tone gets dry, like he's been lectured on this before.]

[ella_of_frell]

I think that'll work.

[ And amusement at the dry tone. Pff. ]

Well, he may have a point there. I don't have a problem with respecting other cultures and how they choose to handle marriage or other things - but when it's something the other party doesn't even want the... well, no one should be forced to do something they don't want to.

[freeholding]

He always has a point. It's extremely annoying. But you're right. At least for the time being, you're safe from such arrangements.