oo1 | this is pretty neat, huh. (action option at de chima 008)

[indocile]

( utilizing the network took some practise, took some figuring out - some watching what everyone else does and some asking stupid questions. when she makes her own first post, though, she's taken the time to make it polished; the video opens with her perfectly centered in frame, a little bit too conscious of the strangeness to be entirely natural but giving it the old college try. there's a smile! it's a nice enough thing and she is a striking young woman, finely pointed ears emerging high from long (--longer than can be seen on the video, reaching her waist) lilac hair, diminutive in a way that even a video doesn't disguise, the hand that tucks it behind one of those ears elaborately tattooed. )

Normally, to talk to this many people, I have to write a lot of notes and find some pigeons. This is sort of lovely, isn't it? You just talk to anybody you want to, anywhere, whenever you like?

( that's so great. she can just call people whenever she wants. she can look at strangers across the world without magic or - this is all so cool. what if she needs to talk to someone at three in the morning. they will have to talk to her, probably. )

Do you meet people like this? Do any of you speak French? Who is any of you, anyway?

( come and be her friend, any of you. the video ends, and

then abruptly begins again: )

Also where do you buy your soap and clothes especially socks and what sort of soap is all right for rats? Thank you! In advance! Now I'm finished!

Comments

[douchebag]

[ This is the second time he's seen someone concerned about the safety of rats in as many months. He has to ask. ]

What's the deal with protecting the rats? Are they an endangered species here or what?

[indocile]

( margaux experiences a moment of bewilderment, but it's off-set by being equally excited at someone having responded that she can talk to, which is great, because she needs practise at This Thing. )

I don't want to - I mean, if they need protecting, I will, that's fine, too, but we just need to have ground rules about being indoors.

( e.g. only people who take baths get to be in the house. margaux thinks this is a great rule. )

[douchebag]

[ What? What? He blinks at the screen for a second, trying to process this. ]

We generally speaking or we as in the rats? [ A beat. ] Wait, are you one of those people who's actually a rat pretending to be a human?

[princeofrats]

[ DID SOMEBODY SAY RATS ]

They groom themselves, they don't need soap!

[indocile]

These ones are very dirty, ( a little bit apologetically. ) We have an agreement about the house. If they want to come in they need more cleaning than grooming is doing, but I think - some of these things smell very harsh.

[princeofrats]

[ He's so conflicted...! ]

Maybe just... if you really, really have to give them a bath, use warm water and the kind of shampoo that you use on fur?

Any rats that don't want to have a bath are welcome to come stay at my place.

[immortally]

Bienvenue!

[ He gives a little wave, smiling. ]

Now, I have to ask, are you asking for clothes for yourself or for the rats...?

[indocile]

( margaux's sudden laugh is pretty charming if you like that sort of thing. )

For me. Also for me the soap, mostly! But there's a lot of dirty things in cities that are turned on.

[immortally]

[ Charming laughs are always... well, you know. ...charming. ]

Oh, well that's certainly a relief! There's plenty of nice places around. Which city are you in?

Video

[shipmaster]

[The person on the other side of the vid screen seems particularly fascinated. Or at least enough to be volunteering aid.]

Two things... First, I'm not sure about other types of rodents, but hamsters haven't seemed to need any help grooming.

Second, if you pick up any good tips on soaps makers, I'd love to hear as well.

[indocile]

Do they also not live in sewers? I think hamsters don't live in sewers.

( margaux did not get these rats from a pet store, is what she's saying. )

But I would be happy to! Someone gave me a - thing. I don't know how to send it to you also, can you see where he put it? On the "replies"?

[shipmaster]

[They open their mouth. Close it.] I can't say I've ever been down in one sightseeing... Water, possibly? A bowl full, perhaps. There seems a lot of it to spare here.

[Though as she continues, Bel's expression softens.] Ah, no, those are private to you. Put your finger on where it says replies and up at the left, there will be a button that says Forward.

Video

[helladoomed]

[Chloe could not let this pass her by.]

Damn girl that is some fantastic hair.

[No she didn't answer any of her questions oops.]

[indocile]

Thank you! It needs a little trim, I think, I'm going to get some scissors.

How is yours like that? You're human, yes?

[helladoomed]

Last time I checked. [She grins.] Oh it's just hair dye.

So you cut it yourself huh?

voice;

[buttonedup]

This device is still a novelty to me as well. We did not have anything like it in my world.

video ;

[indocile]

( there's a moment where margaux sort of cranes, like if she tilts her head she'll be able to see cassandra, before she catches on. oh, okay. )

Humans did, in mine, but a long time ago. I've never seen them not broken! I didn't know they could do all these things.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

I have met many people through it, so it's pretty useful, yeah.

And- why bathe rats? They usually clean themselves. [ sort of. ]

[indocile]

I like it.

( things margaux has officially declared liking since arriving in de chima: money, the internet, cookies. )

But the rats were in a sewer. I don't think they can clean that much, on their own.

VIDEO.

[aojona]

I like it too, um... it's a pretty good way to meet people. It can get kind of lonely sometimes, so it's nice. Usually someone's always awake.

Oh, and thrift stores are pretty good for clothes. I mean, at least I think so... I like them. [ Some people are more particular about that kind of thing. ] Did you really have carrier pigeons?

[indocile]

( margaux sits forward - then seems to remember herself, and how it isn't actually necessary to do that, and she's a little wry in the way she smiles when she asks-- )

I have some now! I'll send you one if you tell me what thrift stores are.

( playful; totally not a bluff, fully prepared to send him a pigeon. also, what thrift stores are is 'exactly what she's looking for'. )

did someone say rats

[socialactivillain]

They shouldn't really need soap. Rats keep themselves surprisingly clean.

[ He's the weirdo with a garage full of rodents, so surely he knows what he's talking about, right? ]

But if you're that concerned about it, try asking at a pet store? I think they probably carry shampoo made specifically for that.

[indocile]

Unfortunately, sometimes they are in very dirty places which make this more difficult. Too dirty to be in the house without a bit of help.

( these people would all be correct had margaux acquired rats from a pet store in the first place, but: )

That's what I've been told! What's a pet store, exactly? Where are they?

[akito]

I can speak French! And who is you, first?

And for clothes you use laundry detergent. Soap that would be safe for rats would be, um... Probably baby shampoo? But you can get animal shampoo from pet supply stores.

[indocile]

( patiently, amused; ) Where do you buy your clothes? My name is Margaux.