markwatney: (003)
Mark Watney ([personal profile] markwatney) wrote in [community profile] sixthiterationlogs2017-12-10 05:36 pm

[OTA - MINGLE] Town Hall meeting

WHO: Mark Watney
WHERE: Town Hall
WHEN: 10 Dec 2017, sundown
OPEN TO: All, mingle
WARNINGS: N/A


Since that tense standoff in front of the peach trees, Kira and I have been waiting to see whether the promises in the letter he'd received would come to fruition. I'd actually left the stolen papers out there longer than I'd intended, not wanting to disrupt the process further if I hadn't already ruined it by catching him in the act. Now that he's confirmed to me the arrival of what, for most people here, would probably be a collection of true treasures, I can't put off the inevitable. We need to let everyone know what's happened, and find out if we're alone in being targets.

Because this morning, I received a "mission" of my own, in the form of a box filled with 3 vacuum-packed, single servings of ground coffee. Speaking of treasure.

Before the breakfast rush, I made a note on the blackboard in the Inn's front room, the writing big and bold enough that nobody should miss it:

VILLAGE MEETING TONIGHT, TOWN HALL, SUNDOWN


Fortunately, there's little enough to entertain a person in this place that plenty of people show. Kira's in the front row with his "gifts," presumably ready to back me up despite not seeming to like me much yet. I guess I can't blame him, although I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the rapport I had with Old Him.

"Hey, everyone," I call out, waving to get the small crowd's attention. "I asked everybody here tonight because we've had a development that I think we all need to know about. Kira here—" I pause, pointing. "Not too long ago, he got a letter. It asked him to steal something of value from someone and take it to the peach trees over on the East Side. It said if he did that, he would be rewarded. When he tried to get rid of the letter, another copy would always turn up. So, he did it. And putting aside that dubiousness for a moment, the reward was delivered. He found some items from his home that couldn't have gotten here without intervention from our hosts. Today, I actually got a box of coffee with a note asking me to take a portion and pass it on. Like a game or a chain letter. The note I got was threatening — If I don't do as asked, it says there will be a punishment. So."

I pull in a deep breath and spread my hands. "I know there's only so much we can realistically do about all of this, but has anybody else gotten anything like this?"



[If you want to thread with Mark directly, please say so in your subject line and let me know. Otherwise, this is a MINGLE and folks can jump around at will. Have at!]
cleptes: ((45))

[personal profile] cleptes 2018-01-11 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Then I'll be sure to be extra careful." Bela promises, hoping that she hasn't jinxed herself after saying that. The village seemed to have limited resources when it came to medical care so all the more reason for her to mind her step and not get seriously injured or deathly sick.

Noting that bitter tone, she decides to prod a little gently. "Sorry to hear that. Their loss."

Probably.

"Anyway. I forgot to introduce myself before. My name is Bela."
zomboligist: (one of these times)

[personal profile] zomboligist 2018-01-12 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Completely their loss," he agrees affably, smiling warmly and already liking Bela, because anyone who's willing to take his side when it comes to his former employers is all right by him. "Ravi Chakrabarti, at your service," he announces with a warm smile.

"Sadly, I don't know of any treasure or fancy items around here that you might be able to find, unless you're into that whole pretending thing." If she is, then he's sure that he could find the shiniest pinecone to do the trick.
cleptes: ((9))

we could wrap up soon and do something else if you like?

[personal profile] cleptes 2018-01-15 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Bela returns the smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Ravi. Thank you again for indulging me when it comes to talking about my career."

Even if was only partially true.

"It's fine. I didn't think there would be any trinkets to find in this place - believe me, I've had a good look around." Pretending had a certain appeal, but she would rather have the real thing. "Even if they did exist, I don't think it would matter much. We need more practical things like food, water, shelter and clothing."
zomboligist: (suspicion)

sounds good to me!

[personal profile] zomboligist 2018-01-16 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Around here, it's pretty much learn as much as you can or slowly be reduced to boredom," he admits, which isn't to insult her, but more to admit that he's going to keep asking those questions in the future because it's that or just stare at his lab rats a great deal more.

"And on that note, I think I might slip away and see if I can't find some more amenities that go beyond the basic necessities."