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[ You find yourself standing in a grassy area lined with plastic cafeteria tables—the Mall. Surrounding the area is a giant gray wall, shimmering and impenetrable—it sinks into the ground and, if you look up, seems to reach all the way up to the sky.
None of the nondescript kids milling around the Mall seem to give the barrier any notice—they’re much more focused on bartering for food and other supplies. There’s smoke in the air, burnt meat and tobacco and weed, all mixing together. You can hear distant music, like someone just out of sight is playing the guitar… not very well, but music is music. Various handwritten signs hang from the tables, promoting their wares—Quinn’s Supreme Seafood, Gifts of the Worm, Meats of Mystery, Totally Solar—and in the center of the grass a fire pit is burning away. Next to the pit is a smaller table where the sign reads “STOP HERE!!! Maps and Supplies!” Brianna herself is sitting behind this table, though she looks slightly younger than she is in Aather. ]
[ Tugging at his sweater with an uncertain glance around. This is just as strange as before... Trying not to make a face at the smells he pauses before approaching the small table. A map seems to be the obvious starting point, right? ]
...Hi?
...Hi?
[ There's not much to look at, just some handmade maps and a baggie full of double A batteries. ]
Hi.
Hi.
[ calmly walks up to the map and supplies table ]
Hello.
Hello.
[ There's not much to look at on the table, just some handmade maps and a baggie full of double A batteries. ]
Hi. Who are you?
Hi. Who are you?
[ There's not much to look at, just some handmade maps and a baggie full of double A batteries. ]
Hey, Jacko. Of course I'm here.
Hey, Jacko. Of course I'm here.
[ There's not much to look at, just some handmade maps and a baggie full of double A batteries. ]
Hey, Obi.
Hey, Obi.
[ Will he slap her hand a way if he goes to grab some though, that is the question. Pauseees. ]
I'm Ao.
I'm Ao.
Well, you gotta take a map. And some batteries. I think I can find something else for you, too...
[ She starts digging around under the table, looking for something. ]
[ She starts digging around under the table, looking for something. ]
[ She lets him take what he wants. ]
... What are you doing in here?
... What are you doing in here?
I don't know. [ It's a simple answer. ] What I can?
Anything you think I shouldn't be without?
No cost to you. You'll need this stuff.
[ She finds whatever she was looking for and produces... a baggie of roast pigeon meat. Delicious. ]
[ She finds whatever she was looking for and produces... a baggie of roast pigeon meat. Delicious. ]
[this place seems...weirdly normal. approaching the Maps and Supplies table.]
...Hi.
...Hi.
[ She frowns. ]
... Well, be careful. Here, take this—
[ She hands him a map and a few batteries, as well as a baggie of roast pigeon meat. ]
... Well, be careful. Here, take this—
[ She hands him a map and a few batteries, as well as a baggie of roast pigeon meat. ]
You gotta take a map and some batteries. And, here—
[ She starts digging around under the table, looking for something, and then produces a baggie of roast pigeon meat. ]
[ She starts digging around under the table, looking for something, and then produces a baggie of roast pigeon meat. ]
For you? It's free. Here, take this...
[ She starts rummaging under the table and produces a baggie of roast pigeon meat. ]
[ She starts rummaging under the table and produces a baggie of roast pigeon meat. ]
[ She tilts her head, looking at him curiously. ]
Hi. Who are you?
Hi. Who are you?
[ He'll at least take it carefully and uncertainly! He's bad at these kind of things. ]
Even if we're careful that doesn't change things are, right? [ A serious comment before he tries for an uncertain smile. ] Thanks. I'll do what I can with them.
Even if we're careful that doesn't change things are, right? [ A serious comment before he tries for an uncertain smile. ] Thanks. I'll do what I can with them.
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