slt_archive | (no subject)

Who: Bunnycorn
Where: Lepus and Monoceros
When: King’s Year 199, summer
What:

[It’s always a shame to lose one or your hideous abominations of science. They were created not just with long nights and spare parts, but with hopes and dreams. From the “It’s alive!” moment to the first peasant it devours, each monster carries many fond memories of its own uniquely accursed existence.]

[But they’re all dying now; not due to angry mobs or plucky heroes with swords going snickety-snack, but simply poor environmental adaption. You really should have weatherproofed them better. And with Lepus’s primary predators on the decline, a new creature has stepped up to fill the niche: the Lepus lepus, a soft, woobie-eyed bunny with large ears and big feet and sharp, pointy teeth. These days it seems like you can barely walk outside without stepping on one (or two, as there is a reason for their rapid reproduction rate).]

[They’ve invaded the neighboring country of Monoceros as well, but Monoceros has a far greater disaster on their hands. Before they knew it, they had the greatest supply of vinegar in all the land. That’s what happens when all your booze goes bad.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

. . . [briefly considers it]

No, even I'm not that frustrated yet.

I applaud your restraint. What are we going to do with a country's worth of badly flavored vinegar?

. . . what does one even use vinegar for, aside from cooking with it?

. . .I've heard of a few old sick remedies using it.

But aside from that, I've got nothing.

Haaah. This is going to incite mass pa—. . . panic or depression, one of those.

I believe we may be experiencing both at once. I wonder if the King could issue an order to hide large amounts of rope from the public.

They'll find other ways.

[s. . .sob]

I. . .I have faith in the people! After a couple weeks of being sober, everyone will have been pulled closer in this great time of chaos!

Haha . . .

It's nice that you can still be optimistic.

[looks up towards the SCORCHING SKY]

[and then over to where a herd of bunnies is making off with some vinegar]

I'm not sure whether I'm optimistic or delusional.

It could be shock, too.

Yes, well. If I start running screaming into the streets with others, I trust you both to restrain me.

Assuming you keep your wits as well.

I think I'll somehow be able to manage.

Very good then.

. . .

On the plus side, if this is the end of the world, it could have been worse.

. . . yes, I suppose it could have been.

And if it isn't, I really do believe we can rebuild. . .[picking up a sunburnt stick and beginning to draw in the ground]

Ocean travel is risky, and it's difficult to travel by foot during the day--but if we could dispatch even a few messengers, maybe it's possible to get some sort of unified support going. Of course, other countries are going to be more worried about their own people, but we need to at least try.

[nods in agreement]

Almaz and I were talking about it as well - perhaps someone by foot to Lacerta, and messages to the other countries. He also suggested seeing if we couldn't find someone from Pyxis, too.

Finding a Pyxis would be most fortunate--they use messenger animals, correct? It could get word around faster. We need to find out what all of our options are, and exactly how deep we are in this. If it's just an infestation of animals and a hotter than normal summer, we can count our blessings.

Mmm, but . . . I strongly doubt it's just that. We should send someone to the docks, to see if we can't catch anyone on their way out. If this is effecting other countries, those who are here now will be looking to return to their homes to find out what is going on, yes?

True, true. I'm. . .a bit worried for them though. I'm no sailor, but with the moons looking very not normal, and the tidal waves, I have to wonder if they can even get home. It'd be like tying a message to a fish and letting a yannen deliver it.

Given their only other option is to travel through Lepus, I think they would rather face the sea. And depending on who it is, that still won't stop them.

I'd recommend some Lepus escorts but. . .no. [s-sighs]

A few Delphinus ships do make rounds here about this time. If they're braving the water, makes sense others will too.

You're right--we should find someone asap. And honestly, without our number draw, there won't be many foreigners sticking after this.

[nods]

I'll go down there myself - I'm familiar with some of the people who work down there. Worst case, if we can't find someone from Pyxis, perhaps we can at least get a message to them.

Alright. I'll see about getting someone to go on foot. A Lepus probably would, if the price is right. Annie might know someone.

Mm . . . while I'm there, I'll look into sending out a few messages, unofficially - I know that's more your job, but . . . I'd like to see what's going on in a few places we don't normally communicate with.