YL078T | Voice | Morning 013

[doomcame]

We found a cat. Black fur, violet eyes. Well-cared for. Weirdly intelligent... maybe even trained if that's possible... [She still can't believe it led them to water like some sort of bitey little service animal.]

Is anyone missing a pet?

[And once she's taken a few steps away from where Chloe can effectively hobble after her to intervene, she strategically drops a more pressing concern.]

We also have someone with leg injuries. We did the best we could but we'll need something to boil water in and fresh bandages soon. If someone with more supplies or experience can lend a hand, we can give you our location or try to meet you halfway. It's not easy to move right now.

Watch out for bear-traps.

Comments

[doomcame]

It's safer for everyone who isn't a woman in a vulnerable situation forced to trust a stranger they just met. [Also Tai will never hear the end of it if she agrees.] We'll work on a stretcher.

[obeir]

[ The anyone who isn't a woman comment draws him up short and he considers it for a long moment. Different universes, different experiences. His owner is a human woman. He wasn't socialised as a man or even as a person, but as an object to be used. He's never experienced any of the privileges of a human man, but faced violation, prejudice, and violence at every turn prior to the Meadous. His programming normally prevents him from even being able to defend himself against humans.

So it's hard to wrap his head around a human expecting that same terrible treatment from him, particularly when he's here willing to risk his life just to help them. It strikes him as a rather uncharitable thing to say in this situation. ]

A makeshift stretcher would be good. And I'm not sure I understand what you mean. [ He sounds genuinely confused. ] Setting aside the fact I was programmed to prioritise human lives over my own. You think I'd risk my life and that of my companion trekking across the island just to— harm people I've never met? [ What does she think he'd even get out of it? ]

What kind of world are you from?

[doomcame]

One where you can't be too careful. Sometimes intentions are unpredictable, and behavior can change. [She's also considering the new theory that they're all mad here, in a variety of ways, on top of knowing how desperate situations can bring out the very worst in people.] But the call is hers, if you want to try to convince her when you get here. She's stubborn though. [There's a tone of fondness that slips through with that last line, as if she finds it begrudgingly endearing.]

[obeir]

[ It's a new, strange feeling to think humans could be afraid of him. He can at least understand the inherent mistrust for strangers, though, and thinks that maybe this should be the last rescue effort he volunteers for.

Weariness bleeds into his voice; he sounds resigned now. ] I'm not going to harass anyone into accepting my help.