maskormenace | [002] // VIDEO

For all of you new arrivals and even for some of the older ones, I have a bit of a public service announcement if you will.

[ It's Maeve's voice, but the video is focused on her walking through imPort housing unit Nonah #005. The house is in various states of pet disarray -- shredded furniture, curtains, and carpeting come into view. There is pet fur all over that roombas can only do so much about. And there are a large variety of toys strewn out across the floor. The video focuses on the six cats in the room -- a calico, a white bengal, a munchkin, a havana, and two indeterminable breeds. ]

Think twice about getting a pet in this world. I know it may seem like a fine idea at the time, but this is the sort of thing you leave behind. And what becomes of these poor animals? How many of them wind up displaced because imPorts went back to their homes? We are temporary in this world. These creatures are permanent.

[ Maeve moves on from the room, heading out the sliding glass doors to the koi pond, focusing in on it. The pond is clean and well kept, but it's still more animals that are here that need to be tended to. ]

I had the misfortune of inheriting all of this after the port out of my housemates.

[ Going back inside, Maeve heads upstairs and pushes open a door in order to showcase a fish tank with a red-tailed shark and three imProcreats -- a dragprawn, a lamabama, and a blickablake. These things are essentially pokemon without the demands of having to be fed. ]

If anyone was friends with the Iron Bull, Ken Amada, Kaneda or Tetsuo and wants to adopt any of them, it would be greatly appreciated. Hell, even if you weren't friends and can offer them the attention they deserve, then take them. I'm keeping them fed and cleaning up after them, but I don't have time for much else beyond that. I'm a busy woman, after all.

[ Maeve leaves, heading to her own room and closing the door behind her to turn the video to herself. ]

To end this on a more upbeat note, I work as a manager at the bar Merlotte's in De Chima. As a warm welcome on behalf of new imPort ambassador Sam Merlotte, I'd like to offer any new arrivals a drink on the house. But if you're an older imPort and you sweet talk me well enough, I might consider offering you a drink on me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She laughs.]

Wow, I see how it is! Trying to start a rivalry already.

Well, you could consider it an excellent chance to advertise. Nothing engages an audience more than a little rivalry. It certainly helps we're both two very attractive women.

True. [To all statements.] Somebody out there would pay good money to make that reality show happen, I bet.

Make a pitch. For the right price, we could certainly amp up the drama.

[ She winks. ]

What's your name, sweetheart?

Ruby. And yours?

Maeve. A pleasure to meet you, Ruby. How long have you been in this world and running that business of yours?

You too.

I've, uh. I've actually been here a little over a year now? But I only opened Granny's a few months ago.

Someone with business sense. I can certainly appreciate that. What sort of business is Granny's? It sounds like a place to get some good comfort food.

It's a diner, yeah, as well as an inn.

It's a few minutes outside Nonah, and a little more low-tech than most places around here too? Which is one of the reasons I have an open offer for new imPorts who are from somewhere very different and maybe a little overwhelmed by the technology or whatever to come stay for a couple days while they adjust.

Sounds like a fine idea. I was lucky, being so adaptable I was able to fit into this world fairly well. But my friend from home certainly could have used the quietude when we first arrived. Perhaps if Theodore returns, I can point him your way. Lord knows he'll need it from whatever god awful thing he experiences.

But I digress. I don't suppose you could use a few cats for that inn of yours?

[She laughs again, though this time it's a slightly more awkward, apprehensive sound.]

No, uh, cats and I don't really get along usually, for... some reason. [Like maybe because she's a big, bad wolf.] But I hope you find somewhere for them to go soon. If I hear of anybody who'd be interested, I can let you know?

Please do. I may have some prospects offering to take them, but just in case any of them don't work out it would be nice to have other options. Options other than keeping them here, that is.

Have you ever had pets before, or is this just, like, zero to sixty for you?

If you count men? Then yes. I've had my fair share of pets before. If not, then no. This is unfortunately a first. I must say that the cats may very well be preferable company to the men. But I never keep the latter around for long anyway.

Ouch. I almost feel sorry for them.

Oh, they're hardly with your pity, darling. I imagine you're quite the heartbreaker as well.

I... may have dabbled a bit in it. Once upon a time.

[It was LIGHT breaking! A fracture at most, really.]

And currently? Because old habits do tend to die hard from my experience.

I mean, I'm not a nun. I'm open to... possibilities, and nobody can say there aren't a lot of attractive people in our little community. Which maybe raises some questions about the Porter's priorities a little? But that's beside the point.

Currently I'm not indulging in any bad habits-- [Unless flirting counts?] --and if I do anytime soon, I'll at least try to avoid that one.

I do hope it's with good reason and not simply because you've decided to deny yourself a bit of fun. Is there someone else in the picture?

Um, not exactly? But there might be a question mark that could become a someone else soon. We'll see.

Ah.

[ It's a mildly disappointed ah. ]

A pity. But surely that someone else should snatch you up soon if they know what's good for them.

[Alas! Just a couple weeks earlier and this could have been a very different conversation.

In any case, Ruby gives a quiet chuckle.]

Thanks. Hopefully I'll find out if she does soon, one way or the other.

And if she doesn't -- there's a free drink with your name written all over it. On me.

I'll remember that.

"Merlotte's," you said?

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