oo1 ✦ let’s begin.

[richesse]

[ There’s a whisper through the murmur, more a breath of feeling than a fully formed thought. It’s sweet, and warm, and laughing—though it is not gentle, nor kind.

A voice follows the whisper, chased by darkness and shadows, the very suggestion of a nightmare. ]

Do you think we’re still dreaming? Or is this a living nightmare?

[ a hum, and another brush of teasing laughter, there and gone like a brief burst of memory, the last moment of summer that you can taste on your tongue before it’s irretrievably gone. ]

You’ve changed, haven’t you? We all have. What are you thinking, right now…? Who are you?

What are you?

Comments

[pointedlook]

Oh, Midtown.

[ Right by the Empire State Building, really. He stares off for a few moments, mentally re-mapping that area from his memory. ]

Head south on 5th, you'll hit Koreatown. Should have a whole bunch of restaurants in that area. Or, well, there were.

[ Like this, who the fuck knows if there's anything left. Or how much of it is edible. ]

Weapons will be harder to come by. Might be able to grab a couple sharp kitchen knives, though.

[richesse]

[ Lortel beams. immediately actionable intel. this was worth her while, after all. ]

Anything is better than nothing. I’d also like to find a hospital, and maybe a museum or campus.

[pointedlook]

NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital, they're practically on top of each other. Head east on 34th until you hit the river, they'll be hard to miss. NYU doubled as a medical school.

[ That counts as a campus, right? NYC didn't have space for an actual campus, like a Yale or Rutgers. ]

Depends on the kind of museum you're looking for; the Morgan Library is a few blocks north on 5th and...I think a couple avenues east. If you keep walking on 5th, though, you'll hit museum mile.

[richesse]

That’s perfect! [ rather sunny. she’s pleased. ]

Come find me in a few days. I’ll be sure to reward you for your help.

[ glances at him, smiling, cheerful even in the apocalypse. ]

Do you know where you’ll go?

[pointedlook]

Dare I ask what the reward is gonna be, or you gonna be cagey about that?

[ Y'know, in case she thinks he forgot about that whole thing. ] Dunno yet. I'd rather get a better idea of the landscape and what we're working with, before I make a more formal decision.

[ Some kind of place that would provide him with research, first, probably. ]

Do you?

[richesse]

Haha. Why don’t you tell me what you want?

I do. I woke up … well, somewhere I can use, anyway, with a little work.

[pointedlook]

Without my knowing your limits, pretty unwise to be handing me a blank check.

Most places around here are usable—with some work. If you weren't into DIY before, guess you better take a shine to it now.

[richesse]

A blank check? Not at all. I’m just trying to get a sense of your needs, like a good merchant should. Still, there’s an easy answer, of course. Food?

Haha. I can’t say I’ve ever had to fortify a shelter before, but… there’s a first time for everything, hm? I’ll manage.

[pointedlook]

I think we're all in a similar position, in terms of needs. I'm fine fending on my own for essentials; I've got the upper hand in knowing this place.

[ He's also meticulous af. ] So, I'll get back to you on that.

Just make sure you find the studs, if you're hanging anything.

[richesse]

[ her expression crinkles into a fond smile. ]

I’ll be waiting, then.

There’s one thing you never told me, you know. Your name.

[pointedlook]

Oh. It's Arthur. Pleasantries aren't really my strong point.

[ Oops! ]

And you're—?