[Event]

[timesflow]

*like some sort of wisp or ghost, the Alternate Sadame can be spotted in the city.

While they prefer to stay in the safety of the Arboretum unless needed, the nature of the hiding place means they can't establish any permanent method of getting food or water.

Which means they need to wander out into the city to head for a convenience store or something, hoping partially that they'll unblinkingly accept their money.

Or, worse case, be able to steal things effectively enough.

You should help them to not steal.*

Comments

[maximumogredrive]

Cas is here! After an undefined event whisked him and his... friend? Partner? Enemy? Emmy? away for [a period of time] he's in the same convenience store, picking up food, counting out money, and then setting it on the counter as he opens it and shovels it into his endless gaping maw, disposes of the packaging, and picking out another.

He looks at the alter, not caring for a few seconds as he IS eating, then double-takes.



"... you're freakin' kiddin' me."

[timesflow]

*absolutely looks directly at you.

There's a moment there-- like how a cat's hair's stand on end in shock, that tension that forms around the body that makes it clear they're not happy with the circumstance, before quickly looking directly away.*

I didn't see you.

*that isn't a remark of surprise. That's an affirmative.*

[maximumogredrive]

Cas is shocked for a few seconds by this, and then grunts.

"Thanks."

He adds another pile of money next to his own.

"You, uh. If you're looking for food there's this mysterious pile of cash you can consider yours."

[timesflow]

*... seems to be judging this. it takes several seconds, before he shuffles over and takes the money, pointedly not making the mistake of looking at you again. Money is money. They have no shame about it.*

Thank you. Your contribution will be noted, but I'm still going to rapidly repress any information. For both our sakes.

[maximumogredrive]

"Yeah, well, now that I'm out of the tea party dimension, it's only a matter of time, ain't it?"

He snorts.

"I appreciate you buying me a bit more time. Really, I do. But you know I'm gonna have to tell Emmy that our jig's up and we're gonna have to prepare, right?"

[timesflow]

Tea party dimension? *muttered that a little, but decides to not question it.*

I'm buying no one time. Time is constant. Choices are always made, including the choice of whatever it is you're deciding to mention to me.

My job here isn't to bring anyone in, or to pass on information, after all. *buying one of the most protein-filled meals they can find here-- they've been living off of granola and shelf-stable foods for a long while.*

[blondeballnchain]

::Sees you trying to shoplift.::

Ugh, do you need money that bad? Or is this a klepto thing.

[timesflow]

*ggnh I need to figure out how to use my time powers better-- hastily moving to return the food item to the shelf*

Who's exactly asking, here?

[redderthanred]

::I've decided to be an urban exploration gremlin today, so I'm loitering either near your Arboretum, or poking around one of the buildings near Carcosa that's been forcibly abandoned.

Or we can do something stranger.::

[blondeballnchain]

Me...?

[timesflow]

And whoever you are-- are you going to do something about what you just saw?

*are you going to narc on me. I don't exist, technically. the police cannot hold me forever.*

[timesflow]

*the Arboretum is fine.

You spot someone slipping through the overgrown bushes and trees, trying to quickly and quietly move without being seen by passerby.*

[maximumogredrive]

"... Yeah, it just felt a little unfair to not let you know."

He pauses, and shoves more into the pile for you.

"Here. It's the last bits of my 'allowance' from my alternate here, since he consistently feels bad for me. Get more than just one meal, man. I don't like you, I hate who you work for, but no one should go hungry."

[timesflow]

*... mmfngh... okay, might have a little shame, but they shake their head*

I'll be fine. Really. I have enough from what you already gave me to get other basics.

I just... need something that isn't dried food, for once. That's all. So I can think.

[maximumogredrive]

"I know. But. You're gonna need to be able to think more. If you don't wanna buy it now, that's fine. But take the leftover change so ya ain't gotta steal like a common thief, alright? You're better than that."

He reaches out and unconsciously ruffles your hair.

"Don't act like that, makes me feel more sorry for you."

[timesflow]

*allows it for a moment, before waving off your hand and pulling back up the hood. takes the money, then.*

Don't feel sorry for me, but... don't think that highly of me, either. I'm not really much better than that. *going to get the meal cooked. have they even-- have they been living anywhere with a microwave at all.*

[maximumogredrive]

"Huh, I guess. I figured you'd just be more... refined than this, I guess."

He sighs, watching you.

"... are you staying in the wilderness or something?"

[timesflow]

The Arboretum, specifically.

*they also haven't seen a real shower in a while, huh.*

[maximumogredrive]

He sighs.

"... Ya wanna at least like... use the facilities at the place I'm renting? Get a good shower in?

And before you reject it because we're standing on opposite sides here or don't want the info like, ripped out of your brain, I give it a max of two weeks before we get found out and all of this goes to hell and the cards fall where they do."

[timesflow]

*... taking a moment, as though searching through the odds and possibilities. ... nodding a little.*

I'll accept. I give the fair warning, however, that if I am ever asked directly about this, it will be impossible for me to lie.

[maximumogredrive]

"Yeah, well, that was true before I offered, wasn't it? So there's no more harm in digging myself any further besides maybe into your good graces in case I survive, yeah? If I gotta serve someone, I'll serve someone as cute as you."

He grins.

"I'll get Emmy out of the house so there ain't gonna be any issues on my end either."

[timesflow]

*there's a little twitch. that cute remark did not go unnoticed.*

That's a way to look at it. But... Thank you.

As much as I wish it weren't so, I will remember this.

[maximumogredrive]

"I gotta prepare for the worst, y'know? And also hope for the coziest niche in the worst.

And, yeah. I figured ya would. Might as well keep a good record of me, right?"

Cas seems oblivious to the twitch, just completely boneheaded.

[timesflow]

Don't ask for things you don't actually want.

*it's fine. you're not someone I have to worry about anyway, with that boneheadedness. Taking their meal from the microwave, and ripping it open to eat it right there, with all the decorum of someone who has absolutely been eating energy bars for several weeks.*

[wherethewildthingsare]

While they're trying to steal something in a convenience store, there's a pinch on their sleeve to keep them from drawing their arm back.

The pinch is from a giant's index and middle fingers gripping it.