002 text | un: highwind

[unweave]

Been a little quiet lately. Like the calm before one big shitstorm. With Wyver and Olympia only playing nice in public, anyone who went to the gala can attest there's still bad blood.

Maybe it's pettiness — politicians tend to be like that.

But, I'm not here to recycle the same shit everyone else is saying. So, I'll be blunt: don't get enchanted with either of them. Use 'em like they use their citizens, stay safe and adjust as much as you can — but getting starry-eyed over your new "home" could get you on the wrong side of conflict.

If you're looking to make cash and toe the morally gray line as much as possible, hit me up. I'm the one responsible for wasting parchment paper for all those jobs in the cities.

Name's Aranea. When you're ready to get off your ass and work, I'm always looking for capable hands.

[ The one in which Aranea puts a recruitment text out, I guess? ]

Comments

[personalwar]

Until there isn't. I've already burned bridges with one.

[unweave]

Ooouch, you're not good at making the right kind of friends then.

[personalwar]

Not really in the business of doing that, no.

[ Making friends in general, that is. ]

Wyver's treated me decently so far, so I'll give it that. What happened with you and the Olympian guard?

[unweave]

You should learn, comes in handy when bombs are ready to drop. Proverbial or not.


Wyver is a place to lay low, focus on yourself, and get what you need to live comfortably. It's not bad, but I wonder how many people can say the same for Olympia?


They were drunk and feeling the competitive spirit. Couldn't take no for an answer when I wasn't interested in anything he had to offer. So, we got in a fist fight.

[personalwar]

I think allies are just as useful in that kind of situation.

[ But there's a stark distinction between an ally and a friend, from his perspective. ]

Did you win?

[unweave]

Allies come in handy, but there's always that little thin line of loyalty that can be lost given the right circumstances.

Anyways.

Of course I won. It was a fist fight. I walked away with a bust lip but I got him worse.

His ego.

[personalwar]

And how many friends do you have here?

Yeah, seems like people are coming to blows no matter which nation you live in.

[unweave]

Enough to know when something happens, I can go to them without worrying they're stabbing me in the back. Not many, but enough.

I just want to get paid, not swept up in this. Is that so much to ask?

[personalwar]

Fair. In that case, I also have enough.

[ There are a handful of people here 76 could trust with his life. That's all he needs, as far as he's concerned. For a long while, he didn't even have that. ]

Apparently it is. How long before we have to make some communie out in the wilderness?

[unweave]

Good. If you ask me nicely, you can always have another. ;)

[ I'm so sorry she's this way. But, she can relate. Aranea keeps her business her own, tries not to burden anyone else. Problems that fall into her lap are usually her own. Why involve anyone else? ]

Not a bad idea. You find the area, I'll get the goods to start building a no-bullshit zone.

[personalwar]

That easy, huh?

[ Somehow 76 doubts that. Aranea is industrious, but she keeps things professional. She'd told him a little about her world when they first met, but it's hard to imagine kicking back and enjoying a drink with her. But maybe that's his own hang-ups again.

His idea had been more of a joke than anything, so he's left at a bit of a loss when Aranea treats it like a serious suggestion. ]

I can do some scouting, if you're really interested in doing it.
But don't expect me to take the helm on anything.

[unweave]

[ It most definitely is. Aranea's separated business and pleasure nicely — drew lines in the sand when things got too much. If someone does a good job and isn't detrimental... why not pal around them? ]

If you're serious about scouting, why not? We inevitably need a backup plan in case both nations get stupid.

[personalwar]

[ Well, this has escalated quickly. Still, Aranea has a point and it's good to be prepared for any possibility. ]

All right, I'll do some looking and let you know what I find.

[unweave]

[ Then, this would definitely be interesting.

"I don't want to get involved", they both scream as they get involved in the pettiest way possible. ]

Good. I look forward to seeing the results. It beats half the shit I had planned this month.

[personalwar]

[ That's just the way it goes with people like them. ]

Here's hoping I don't disappoint, then.

[unweave]

Don't worry, you wouldn't be my first if you did. Keep in touch, 76. ;)

[ AND THEN CLOSE. ]