voidtreckernet | [Video] Supplies Update

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[Video] Supplies Update

[Senku waves slightly.]

I'm Senku, if you don't know me. [Everyone can't possibly know him, at least, but they've probably seen him around he certainly has a distinct hairstyle, that and he's always working on a project.]

Had a bit of a slow start from the last mission, but I wanted to tell people about the supplies we picked up during the last mission, so you know the food that's available to you.

We picked up fifty-five konjac roots from the devil's tongue plants. I used about ten to make some Shirataki noodles, which are a vegan substitute. The technique can be used in a variety of ways, to substitute for other things, which I'm happy to help with if people have requests. There are about forty roots left over, just stored in the pantry. I'm not a vegan so I don't really know what people might like specifically, but it's fairly easy to do.

Aside from that, we picked up forty passionflora, which included an average of three fruit per plant. To that end, I've put forty of the fruits in the fridge, and I'll replenish them when they're out. The rest are being stored in the arms band so they don't spoil. If I don't notice, don't hesitate to tell me, or if you want them for a project or something.

We also picked up seventy-five cocoa pods full of cocoa beans. I've got them all out of the pods right now, but that means in the next two weeks I'll be making cocoa powder and chocolate, that will end up in the pantry when it's ready. We tried to gather a lot of that specifically, but chocolate takes a long time to process, so it won't be ready until then.

I had help gathering these things from Gen, Inigo, Tidus and Roland on the last mission. If anyone is interested in learning how to make chocolate, or interested in gathering things the next mission we go on, don't hesitate to ask me, I intend on continuing to do this for the forseeable future. [It's his hobby okay.]

Does anyone have any questions about any of that? [He'll stay by the ICP, but he's already picking up what looks like an animal pelt and a bone needle and stitching. He doesn't like to sit idle.]

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I didn't know you had an eye for fashion apart from being a wunderkind. This is honestly some pretty amazing stuff, Senku. I'll be sure to take good care of both.

[ This he means just as genuinely, the details on the stitching, handmade with care. A man like him can appreciate those little things, aesthetically-inclined though he may not look like it. The coat that was gifted to him during the faire, though he didn't linger as much, was received with a similar gratitude befitting such an exchange.

Though, at the time, he wasn't in the right mindset just yet. Still pondering, still thinking. Now that the dust has settled, he knows just what to do. When the conversation comes to a lull, Roland glimpses the window out into the void before he turns back, arms crossed over his chest. ]

Listen. I don't mean to disturb your work today. I just wanted to come find you to apologize. I'm sorry about what I did during platform day. [ And if Senku dismisses it, or tries to, Roland will only hold up a hand gently, as if to let him say more, smile on his face calm and collected. ] I mean it. That wasn't befitting behavior on my part, and I crossed a line. It won't happen again. I hope you can put that behind us so we can start over.

Edited 2021-01-01 19:10 (UTC)

I wouldn't say that. I can manage okay, but Yuzuriha is really the person who does fashion, but I do make my own clothes. And some of Gen's usually.

[ Senku explains, at least their day to day stuff. It's not fancy really, but this isn't the first time he's made a winter coat or boots for Gen.

He'd absolutely been about to brush it off. ]

You don't have to worry about that. I wasn't holding it against you. I know that...you weren't really in your right mind. [ He picked up on that, definitely. ]

I won't say it's okay, because it's not. I'd rather people didn't do that. It's not...great for me. And I don't like it when people don't stop because I can't do anything to stop them really. [ He's painfully self-aware of his limitations. ]

[ He shakes his head, not at Senku, but for himself. ]

You're right. It definitely isn't. And I'm sorry that I had to put you through that with my own hands. [ His sigh is silent, but heavy nonetheless. ] I hold myself accountable.

[ Roland means it, catching Senku's gaze, earnest and true. ] Let me know how I can make it up to you, if I can.

[ There's also something he does wish to say - something about helping Senku be stronger in his own right, even if the guy's pretty certain he'll never learn anything useful or build up physical strength...But Roland shelves that talk for a later time. The last thing he wants is for a friend as nice as Senku to be stuck in a position where he can't save himself, can't fight back against a bigger aggressor. It shouldn't be. No matter what. ]

Nothing needs to be done. [ He shakes his head. ] I was uncomfortable for awhile, it passed. It's not really something I'm dwelling on or anything.

Also, I hate drawn out apologies.

[ Seriously, Roland, he promises, he's over it. ]

You should know, though, Tidus and I aren't giving up.

[ What a Senku thing to say. He can't help but smile at that, amused in his own right. Of course he didn't like such drawn out apologies...It made sense, for a guy like him. ]

Got it. Never speaking of it again. Heh.

[ But at that prompt, at that notice, Roland's smile falls and he closes his eyes. There's a bob to his head, as if in understanding or clarity. ]

I know. [ He knew even before Senku said it. ] I'm not either. I can't. I won't. [ Roland opens eyes, stares at the man before him. Even if there's a deep, nagging fear at the risk of the lives they were putting on the line, shadows that follow him wherever he goes. ]

[ He offers Roland a pleased little smirk at that, it's appreciated anyway.

He does get more serious when Roland does. ]

Good. We just need a new plan. [ He considers things for a moment. ]

You may not know what kinds of rules we have in our Kingdom of Science, but people dying is strictly against the rules. Sacrifices, also completely forbidden. So any plan that accepts any of that...[ He meets his eyes now, serious. ] Completely unacceptable.

[ There's a sense of relief that reacts to such a grand statement, and Roland admires Senku for his dedication to that. But even if he's getting back up on his feet, Roland knows by jaded experience how easier said that is than done. Senku can't promise him that either. This was not his kingdom, and these were not his rules.

No. He won't travel that road anymore. He has a choice. He always has a choice.

When Senku catches his gaze, he doesn't falter away from it, the dip in his brow barely a twitch. ]

What if sacrifice is the price for our freedom? [ What if it comes to that? ]

[ It is a grand statement, but Senku is completely, ten billion percent serious about it. Yes. It is the harder road. A lot of things are a lot easier to do.

He doesn't care.

It's not his world, it's not his rules, he's aware of that fact. Even if he isn't in charge, he's not going to change who he is, shitty situation or not. ]

Then we find another way. [ The words come fast, easy and full of resolve. ]

All these people, and you think the best we can come up with is some kind of sacrifice?

No way. People are more creative than that. It's a lot harder finding another way, and I know that. I'm also incredibly patient. Something will present itself eventually.

I have no interest in tossing someone aside to get what I want, and I'm not going to let anyone else do it either.

[ There's something about the confidence he projects that reminds Roland of the kind of person Senku actually is. And knowing what he does about the guy, Roland's certain he's not saying these things lightly, or because he wants to make anyone feel better. Senku believes in it with his entirety, and there's nothing more that could possibly resonate with Roland than that. It's enough of a declaration to allow him a moment to break, smiling a little with an upwards tug of the corner of his mouth.

The real work has really yet to begin, and he has very little time to waste in getting back on track. That this isn't where any of their stories end. It can't be. ]

Well, you're absolutely right about one thing. The road less traveled is hard, but nothing that's worth fighting for comes easy.

[ Even in a place like the void. Roland looks back at Senku, mirroring that knowing look; that they're far from over here, on this train. And he also steadily ignores the tugging feeling in the back of his mind; that one day, if a sacrifice had to be made, Roland still wouldn't hesitate to take that leap for everyone else. They were too different in that regard, and he's always led by being the first to give up everything for the rest his nation's prosperity. Thoughts that he would leave to linger, for another time. ]

So. What are your plans? What's running in that head of yours?

[ Rigid. Stubborn. Resolute. All of those would describe Senku and in some contexts could be negative traits, but for him they usually wound up being a net positive, considering the circumstances he's found himself in and what people need. ]

I'm not afraid of difficulty. Science is nothing if not tiny, incremental steps that can take forever to get to the point. I don't give up. I didn't count for thousands of years to give up now.

[ While Senku would categorically deny such a thing, he would do the same. Gen could tell Roland all about Senku's reckless, self-sacrificing ways. Hopefully that wouldn't be necessary. ]

To start with, we need to keep trying the radio. Not to broadcast, because we don't know who to broadcast to and it can't, but we need to listen. If they are truly our enemies, it would be better to get a head's up if they're coming our way. [ Senku holds up one finger, that was the first thing. ]

We learned a lot from the train, if any of it is true, but that said I need more information. I'm going to try and ask for several books to see if we get anywhere. If I get anything interesting I'll be happy to share, of course.

[ That was the second point, and there went the second finger. Now the third before he lowered his hand. ]

I think we try and learn everything we can about the tethering, if at all possible. I know not everyone wants to go home, or can't, but I'd like everyone to have a choice in what they do.

[ The inevitability of using the cursed radio occurred to Roland even before he hears it come out of Senku's lips as a suggestion. There was no question about his resolve on how long any answers might take for a place as volatile as the void, but that's far from Roland's worries. He knows like-minds and spirits when he sees them, and between him and Senku, there was plenty of that stubbornness to go around.

No, his worry with the void radio is rooted somewhere else. His look turns pensive and quiet, thinking deep. ]

Hm. The last time the ministry sent a message on the ICP, they boarded the train anyway. Took a couple of passengers with them too, and they can't even remember what they were asked when they left. [ Which isn't a confident forecast, but... ] What warning would we even look out for, if the ministry's hot on the trail?

[ The strategy wasn't something he disagreed with, though if he's overly cautious, it's only because he wants them to actually succeed. ]

Books are a good start. As always. Listening to the Captain's recording over and over again gave me ideas on what to try for. If I get any books at all on relevant subjects, I'll be sure to donate them to the library as soon as I'm finished with an initial read.

[ He crosses his arms and looks up. ] Tethering...Yeah, we can look into that first. It's bound to be based on existing science anyway, since Enrara already had void travel even before they had space exploration. Someone's gotta know how it's done and undone safely.

[ A beat passes. ] It's a big void out there, after all.

Edited 2021-01-08 17:53 (UTC)

I don't know. [ He can admit that. ] I don't know what kind of message we'd pick up, and I don't know if knowing they're coming in advance will mean something. I don't know if we can mount some kind of offensive if we needed to. But I know that not knowing is somehow worse than all of that.

[ Senku nods in agreement. ]

I'm curious about the tethering. I mean, I already was, but after the questions and answers, I'm even more curious about how it works. Not to mention, it's why we're all here.

It might be worth it to ask some questions, if we happen to find a world where people know about the void. Carefully...so we don't tip off the Ministry.

I hope it doesn't have to come to an offensive. [ He hums, withholding a sigh. ] We don't know enough about them to even be at an advantage to drive them out. Apparently, they can tamper with memories, so I don't want that risk even anywhere near us. Or the children onboard here.

[ Which really, is the root cause of his stress from time to time. Children who have no business being in a void of this nature, no magic powers to protect them, not even the ability to fight back against bigger guys. ]

...We'll need to plan out scenarios in advance. Pretend that we're from a different void craft when we ask questions on void active worlds. [ Duplicity is necessary in this case, and Roland will know how that might justify their ends more than anyone. ] If the books don't do it, then that's our best shot. There's bound to be something. Anything. You can't just make a process like binding a soul to a void craft and not have a way out apart from destroying the craft itself.

I would suggest we need a plan for every eventuality. I don't have such plans yet, but...it's not a thing that you, me and Tidus can do alone probably. Like we said before, not everyone's going to agree with this course of action, which makes it complicated. [ This isn't his world, he can't make decisions and rally people behind him to enact them. ]

But you're right, there are people here that need protecting and are vulnerable. [ He doesn't consider himself to be one of those people, despite his lack of physical prowess, nor does he consider every child to fit in that either, but that was neither here nor there. ] I'm not looking to invite trouble, but we should know how to get out of trouble if we find it.

This has to be common among these void worlds, or something. At least, relatively common. We need a world that's...what is it, void active? [ He frowns a little bit. ] I'm going to try some books anyway and see what we can find out. I don't like the idea that information is being withheld although, it sounds like this train thinks learning things is the opposite of enjoyable.

[ What other choice do they have but to act? He doesn't like it either - moving without a solid contingency, but that left them with nothing but inaction and that wasn't going to do anyone any good. Still, Senku is right; they had to be united as a group, at least in the effort that people knew about what was trying to be done. Untethering, saving them from death, oh Roland knows the burden is heavy. He shares it with men like Senku who are responsible for more than themselves.

Another sigh leaves his lips; an effort to unwind. ]

Void active, yeah. Let's just hope none of our work gets interrupted by the train itself. I don't know how much of what we have it actually gets to control. [ Case in point - ] Not that I'm here to add unnecessary paranoia, but who's to say the train rations knowledge precisely as you've pointed out? Where is it even getting books to begin with? When we get no search results on the terminal, is it because the resource really doesn't exist, or because the train won't let us have it?

I definitely think it does. [ Senku pressed his lips together. ] Didn't Webmind say that it didn't think learning was part of our role here?

I think it's curating what we know and don't know. I can work with something working against me, it's not going to discourage me.

[ He sighs a little bit. No action isn't acceptable, not for any of them. They all need some way to get off this train, safely. What happens after that is a matter of choice, preferably. ]

I'm not sure what it could do, if it's listening. If it is listening, I don't care. [ Addressing the train: ] You can't stop me. This is nothing compared to a 3700 year nap. You'll be sorry you invited me along on this trip.

The train said that? [ He frowns. ] I...must have missed it.

[ Though Roland isn't too surprised such a sentiment exists on the train. Learning isn't part of their role? Of course their captors would discourage free thought. Of trying to piece together the puzzle without the train's control. It leaves a sour taste in Roland's mouth.

But more than the thought such a revelation leaves him, it's what Senku starts saying, knowing he's not the intended audience of such an obvious challenge posed. Roland's mouth twitches for a second, invigorated. ]

You tell 'em. [ Nothing compared to a 3,700 nap... ] What's forcing people to play hero compared to when we've seen the world's end, eh? Hear that, Voidtrecker? [ He'll join in, glancing up at an empty ceiling. Imagining they are being heard, but knowing nothing will be done about it. They may inevitably be tied to the train now, but the train needs them just as much. ] You've done it now.

Edited 2021-01-14 12:15 (UTC)

[ It's the kind of levity Senku can manage easily enough and he lets out an amused huff at that and he shrugged. Were they heard? Maybe. There was nothing the train could do about it though. ]

So, if we can't get information on board, we'll have to look for outside sources. While I'm patient enough to see this through how long it takes, the less time the better, of course.

[ He snorts lightly. ] I'm not getting any younger.

[ It's funny that Senku is one of the few people on the train that can crack such jokes and make Roland chuckle about it all the same. It's easy to see the humor behind it too, especially when he stops to consider that only specifics of circumstance differentiate them. ]

Well said, grandpa. Heh.

[ His gaze lingers on the coat in Senku's arms but the conversation to be had still tickles at his thoughts. He feels reinvigorated, almost. Like the events prior are finally letting go of him...or he's letting go of them. ]

Tell you what. I'll come find you as soon as I get resources from my side. We can talk more about how to proceed from there. After all, it seems we're getting started on the real work, now. [ A pause, an uncertainty held in a split second of a breath. Then he adds: ] If you'll still allow me to assist you, that is.

[ He chuckles along with him, he doesn't mind joking about things sometimes. He knows enough about people that humour, when his brand lands, works well for relaxing people. ]

Yeah, you're a valuable member of the team, after all.

[ He hesitates a moment, and then decided to explain himself, if only because Roland doesn't likely know him as well as the people at home did. ]

I'm not the kind of guy who bothers to hold grudges. It's a lot of unnecessary effort. I'll ask you not to do that again, but that's it. I always prioritize skill over emotion anyway. [ He sighs a little bit. ]

I also didn't tell Gen. That might seem like a strange thing to say, but he's more emotional about these things, it would just make him mad at you. I know enough that you weren't really thinking clearly, so there's no point in holding it against you.

[ Roland isn't one to take such compliments lightly, so he carefully tilts his chin down in a small bow, with a certain sense of gravitas. A hand comes to rest against his chest at the same time. ]

I'll work harder to retain such trust.

[ How could he not, when Senku speaks of letting go of grudges as tantamount to a brand of forgiveness only someone as no nonsense as him can provide? That he even saved Roland a more heartfelt apology perhaps, to the guy who might actually tear him a new one regardless of actual physical skill? ]

Thank you, then. Though if you had told him, which I'm sure at some point you considered...Nothing would change. I would consider both of you good friends and allies. Only that, I'd have to get back into Gen's good graces too. But my apology remains, and if he ever found out, know that I'm here to say it as many times as necessary.

[ A pause. Then, a flash of determination colors his gaze. ]

Or even better; to show that I won't falter ever again.

[ He snickers a little bit and shook his head. ]

Nah. I don't need him to fight my battles for me, you know. He just...he cares about me, so when something like this happens he takes offense on my behalf, probably because I don't.

[ Gen is there to have his back, that's just how it is. ]

I'm sure he would accept your apology, as I have. So don't worry about it so much. Just...I appreciate you remembering. That's it.

[ There is little he can do if people want to manhandle him, in reality. It makes him consistantly vulnerable, and likely what upsets Gen is that Gen is in the same boat. They survive on skills alone. It's a cruel kind of thing to consider, really. ]

[ Roland nods carefully, but he's not sure if it's time. If this is the moment for him to assert it, after all is said and done and he's just apologized for practically forcing himself against a friend's physical comfort zone...

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. No. Not now. And in the first place, such an initiative would need to come from Senku, right?

Then again, he's pretty hard-headed on his own right... ]

Thank you. [ For now, this is all he says. Despite the brevity, he is actually, very sincere about it. ] For your forgiveness. And I wouldn't dare let that pass without making amends. It's not my style, as you would. [ Roland offers a smile in jest, to lighten the mood once more. ]

I don't want to take up too much of your time. I'll let you focus on your work and bother you again later. Heh. [ He begins to make his way out of the booth, sliding his legs out into the hallway.

The thought of Gen knowing may stay in the back of his mind for a while, if only out of respect. But for now, it's shelved for his own peace. And because he trusts Senku to know what's best in such a scenario. ]

I appreciate this too, you know. That you can forgive so easily. It's...You're very kind, Senku. I'll do my best to help you as I can. Count on that.

[ He waves off the thanks but chuckles at the suggestion he needed to focus and not be bothered while he was working. As if Roland could catch him in a state of rest. It was highly unlikely. ]

I'm not sure it's kindness, it's just more practical. Things like anger and resentment don't do anything. They don't resolve anything.

[ He sighs lightly and offers Roland a smile. ]

I appreciate all of your help. I truly do.

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[Video] Supplies Update

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