one. spam & voice. spread love like violence.

[indispensible]

[There's no question in Vin's mind about reading through the file several times. There's also no question of letting Stark see it. He knows what's in it. She is not all that surprised herself, not about the generalities. The specifics hurt more than she thought they would.]

[Hell. And - Alice.]

[She knows his habits well enough by now that she can track him down quickly. He's on the deck. She wrinkles her nose again; he's smoking.]

Stark.

[If he'd wanted to be James, he would have said that from the start.]



public } voice

[While her voice isn't hesitant, it's definitely quiet. She still doesn't quite understand the point of the network, but now that she's been paired it'd probably be more noticeable not to say something.]

I'm Vin. I arrived here a few weeks ago, and I've spoken to - some of you. I'm a warden.

[She considers leaving it at that, but decides against it.]

I'd like to know about other people's worlds. I don't know very much about Earth, but that's not where I'm from. So it would be useful.

Comments

[themissingpiece]

Well, it's not much of a city any more. Lots of people without jobs. A few folks and businesses still had some money so it keeps it alive. Lot of crime in the poorer parts but that's like all cities, you know?

I worked out in the country mostly. Odd jobs, carpentry. I owed some guys and I had skills they wanted. So, I used to do break-in jobs for them on the side. Things went to shit one time. I don't do that kind of thing anymore.

[indispensible]

[This all sounds depressingly familiar.]

I used to know a carpenter. Someone who . . . made art with wood.

Do you still do that part?

[themissingpiece]

Yeah. I haven't gotten an inmate yet so I've had time to do some. It's a stress reliever.

[indispensible]

What have you made?

[themissingpiece]

Since coming here? Small things mostly. Um, there's a game that you play with a checkered board, it's called chess. The playing pieces all look a little different. I've been making a set.

They already got chess sets here we can use but... it keeps me occupied.

[indispensible]

You're anxious.

[themissingpiece]

I don't like sitting idle.

[indispensible]

[Which means she's right.]

I don't play chess.

[themissingpiece]

I don't really either. I know how though.

[indispensible]

Is it a fast game or a slow game?

[themissingpiece]

Depends on who you're playing. Some games are over in a couple minutes, others last hours.

If you don't watch what you're doing you'll lose pretty quick.

[indispensible]

Strategy, then.

[themissingpiece]

Yeah. You start out with the same forces on each side. Goal is to capture the other side's King.

[indispensible]

Ah. And that's the end of the game?

[themissingpiece]

Yeah.

[indispensible]

I could win that.