Video; Forward-dated to the 7th

[shifting]

Hey there.

[it's a Louisiana accent, for those in the know. A Louisiana accent attached to a wary (and worn) looking man in his late thirties, rubbing a hand against the rough stubble on his chin. He's in a black suit jacket over a simple white, striped formal shirt, a black tie. Not Sam's usual fare, not by far, but no one here is going to know that.]

...So I'm gonna warn you now that you've probably heard all I'm gonna say before. Sorry for that. I have spent a little time gettin' some lay of the land, probably not enough, but enough to get that I'm not the first to be this confused at showin' up, or the first who's come from somethin' a little hard, and who this situation ain't exactly helpful to. I get that, and I won't bother you none with it.

Now, I've figured out through the lack of True Blood on the shelves an' the fact that apparently my town doesn't even exist anymore, that there's a lot more to this than bein' a few states over. And I'm gonna try to adjust to that, same as anyone. I'll even give bein' an assistant manager at the De Chima Vineyard a good go, despite not really bein' a wine man.

But... [he sighs deeply] ...the best way I figure to do that adjustin' is by talkin' with people. I've always found that more helpful than just nosin' around on my own. I owned a bar and grill back in Bon Temps - that's that non-existent town I mentioned - and managed some rentals. People and business are what I know. They're what I'm comfortable with. So I hope you don't mind me askin' ya'll to just talk with me a bit. Maybe 'bout what it's been like for you to be here, or any tips you've got for a newcomer. Hell, at this point I'd just settle for you givin' out the name of your favorite place to drink or eat.

'Cause sometimes all we need's just not to feel alone.

[he licks his bottom lip, considers, and nods his thanks.]

So, my name's Sam Merlotte. I'll thank you in advance for hearin' me out.

Comments

video;

[dreamkid]

[ Here's a curly-headed, fifteen-year-old teddy bear of a boy who does not understand what the word "stranger" means. He's been invited to talk about things and that's what he's going to do. ]

You're in De Chima, too? There are lots of places to eat here. Do you like pizza?

[ And then-- ]

I'm Matthew. The town where I live doesn't exist in this world either.

video;

[shifting]

Yeah, that's right. Individual housin', I just went to check it out this afternoon. And I'm pretty sure they take away your right to call yourself American if you don't like pizza.

[he gives a smiles, pleased to already be talking with a friendly soul.]

It's good to meet you, Matthew. You gone by the state your town was in yet? I've been thinkin' about goin' into Louisiana to see the absence of mine for myself, but the more I consider it... the more I think it might be too weird.

Video

[morethan084]

Glad you're starting to settle. Thanks for the drink the other day.

Video

[shifting]

Settle's a word for it, sure. [he could think of one or two others.]

I've gotta thank you again for gettin' that drink with me. Seems a glass of whiskey is what I needed to get the ball rollin'.

video

[divaricate]

[Wanda does not recognize the accent as specifically Louisianian, but she does hear that it's not the same kind of American accent she'd been used to hearing. Her accent in turn is distinct -- Sokovian, to be exact, though it could also sound vaguely Serbian.]

Hi, Sam. I'm Wanda Maximoff. I live in Nonah. [She starts with an introduction.] I have only been here just over a month, so I am by no means a 'veteran' of this world and the cities of it, but I have not found it to be too terrible so far. Weird, sure, but, that might be expected when you have people from all over the multiverses being pulled into one place. [Look. She's met people who know different versions of her, and who have different opinions on those versions. And she met her future-and-from-another-universe son. And her dad, who, last she remembered in her universe, had been dead for sixteen years.]

Can I ask, what is True Blood? [It sounds like one of those weird energy drinks.]

video

[shifting]

...Multiverses. [he breathes a laugh.] You know I heard that used in sci-fi movies and such when I was a kid, but I've gotta say it's weird hearin' it said and meant like somethin' real. I'm gonna have to get used to that. Is that a Russian accent I'm hearin', Miss Maximoff?

And True Blood's, uh... well, it's synthesized blood. They sell it in bottles back home for vampires. [which are apparently not prevalent here, or at least not "out of the coffin". It's the one advantage Sam sees to being sucked away from everyone he knows and loves.]

[instars]

What is True Blood?

[shifting]

Synthetic blood, mass-produced for vampires. Comes in every blood type, if you can believe it. Like they're flavors. ...Got the cheesiest advertisin' campaign too. Never understood why, since they kind of have the market cornered.

audio;

[irassible]

[ Most of what Sam says goes right over his head: it's just more place names and pronouns he doesn't recognize, which doesn't encourage him to be friendly. Which is fine; he doesn't want to talk to anyone, about anything.




...except. ]

What did you cook?

At your bar and grill.

audio;

[shifting]

Mostly burgers and sandwiches, but really sorts of things. Fish, steak. When the smoker's not actin' up I'll put ribs and pork on the menu too. I try to make it the sort of place you can go to for a casual lunch or a more home-cooked meal.

video

[rathercommon]

[ And here, in return, is a glossy-furred cat who speaks - perhaps incongruously - with a South London accent. ]

I actually have got a few tips, if you'd really like them. I'm sort of an old hand.

video

[shifting]

[...that sure is a goddamn cat.

Shifter? Were? ...Neither? Sam's going with neither, because he's never met one that could actually move its mouth and talk like a human while in an animal form. Sam takes a long, hard blink, and leans back in his chair.

Okay. Sure. This is a thing.]

...Yeah. Yeah, I'd like to hear some.

voice;

[infomodder]

If you want good places to eat or drink in De Chima, I could give you a list.

voice;

[shifting]

I'm all ears. Stopped into a place in Heropa for a whiskey when I got here, but I haven't done much in this part 'cept check out the livin' arrangements. You live here too then?

[ video ]

[hostage]

[Well, he's highly intrigued by the idea of True Blood. But he won't be discussing that here.]

Anybody give you the welcome guide yet?

[ video ]

[shifting]

That a real thing or do you mean a verbal run-down? 'Cause I'm gettin' bits and pieces of that.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Hello, Mr. Merlotte. [Interesting. This True Blood idea seems like something that would interest Raina.] You're in luck, really, De Chima has the best vineyards of the imPort cities.

[shifting]

Evenin'.

[up go the eyebrows.]

Is that right? I take it that means you've been to some of the others then. Can't say as I actually know too much about wine. I don't mind it now an' again with dinner, but it's not really my drink of choice.

video;

[brushoff]

Don't listen to a word Saya says. I'm afraid she's got a nasty habit of being a tiny bit prejudiced.

[ aka vampires are great and f u Saya ] Glad to see someone else is from a world that's actually fun. Tell me, aside from vampires what other sorts of creatures of the night did you deal with? Werewolves? Banshees?

video;

[shifting]

...Is that right? [carefully.]

I've heard a lot of things said about livin' in a world where vampires are normal, but I can't say as "fun" has been one of 'em. And I'm sorry to disappoint, but vamps are about as far as it goes. Probably for the best, considerin' how well people handled the Great Revelation.

[Video]

[herstarlight]

Newcomer or not, loneliness will find you. [She is the sole Elf from her world, though most days she likes to pretend there are others she simply hasn't found yet.] My name is Tauriel and it is very strange for me to live in any Man-made city. I spend most of my time in the forests of this world.

[Video]

[shifting]

Well, that's true no matter where you're from. But there are always things you can do to lessen it.

...Are you used to livin' in a forest?

video;

[cleptes]

The Lucky Cat Cafe in Heropa is nice. Maurtia Falls has a few bars.

[He might have heard those recommendations before, but she'll say them anyway.]

You work at a vineyard? I'm a big fan of wine.

video;

[shifting]

...The Lucky Cat Cafe. All right. Are there actual cats there? [amused.]

For now I seem to. Maybe workin' there will give me a better appreciation for it. I'll have to see if I can't talk the owner into holdin' some sort of Tasting Room event to get members of our community over there. Would be good publicity.

video;

[textualhealing]

[Trying his best no to have his own good looks threatened by such a handsome scruff!]

Assistant manager of a vineyard?

Hi, I'm Jeff, and I'm your new best friend.

video;

[shifting]

[these towns are more than big enough for two Handsome Scruffs, promise.]

Well I could always use one of those. Good to meet you, Jeff. And what does your Best Friend package entail exactly?

video;

[biteouttagrimes]

You get used to this place after a while the longer you're here. An' things start to get less strange the more people you meet. Don't even bat an eye now if someone tells me they're an alien from some unknown planet an' all they can eat is potato skins.

video;

[shifting]

Well shit, so far the weirdest thing is hearin' another Southern accent. [noted with a grateful smile. The familiarity in the sound is oddly reassuring.]

Where were you from before here?

video;

[radioclub_jp]

"Merlotte"? No wonder they put you in a winery, huh?

[She's just teasing, though, and switches subjects presently.]

I just got here yesterday, myself, so I don't have any tips or recommendations yet. But I can still talk with you, if you'd like.

video;

[shifting]

How's...? [oh, and then it clicks. Sam rubs at his eyes and shakes his head, wearily amused by it all.] I didn't even see that. I wonder if terrible puns are actually how they assign work 'round here.

Yeah, that's fine with me. Like I said, I'm mostly just lookin' for a reason not to think about bein' in a new, empty apartment. Where did they put you?