(no subject)

[onthetrail]

[You can smell smoke.

This is not usually a good development, so it's natural that no matter where you are in the mansion, you'd stop what you're doing and look around. Maybe glance towards the open window and catch sight of a plume of grey smoke in the distance. Glancing out of the window, you can see that there is a small -- shed? shack? At this distance it's hard to tell -- building erected on the lawn.

In front of it a small campfire is burning brightly. There's no sign of anyone tending it. Do you invest--

Sorry. Silly question! Forgot who I was talking to a moment there.

Of course you investigate.]

Comments

[onthetrail]

There's lots more stuff, but I don't know the words for it all. Just that it's there.

[Conan brought out a pan, letting go of Ran's hand so he could turn it over to look at it.]

Is it really all right to borrow?

[orchid_below]

We might find the words for them later in the library, if you'd like.

Yes, and we can keep them as long as we like. It seems the Mansion simply makes more.

[onthetrail]

Someone else makes more and the Mansion produces it out of storage.

[Conan corrects Ran absently. He's more preoccupied with her next statement.]

What's a library?

[orchid_below]

If someone else is making the things it provides, we've certainly never seen them.

...You've never seen a library? [oh you poor boy]

[onthetrail]

[Conan cradles his chosen pot. He is pretty sure that isn't how it works, but logically they wouldn't want the factories near the residences.]

What is it?

[orchid_below]

It's a large room or building dedicated to the collection of books and other reading materials.

[onthetrail]

Where is it?

[orchid_below]

Well, given that the rooms in this place tend to move around... we should be able to call it up on this floor if we think hard enough. If not, it's usually not higher than the fourth floor.

[onthetrail]

You mean pull it out of storage?

[Conan thinks he is finally getting the hang of this.]

[orchid_below]

I suppose you can think of it that way, yes.

[onthetrail]

Maybe it's better if Ran-neechan does it and I watch?

[orchid_below]

Would you like to see it now or after we've finished with the food?

[onthetrail]

Um. It's better to secure the food first.

[orchid_below]

Then let's do that.

[and since he has the pot and owns the rabbit, he can lead the way]

[onthetrail]

[Conan can do that. There's a short delay where he tries to work out if he can hold Ran's hand and the pot at the same time, but he's rather concerned about his rabbit himself and leads the way back to his hut.]

It's probably okay to leave it cook. It takes a long time, you know.

[orchid_below]

Longer than rat, I imagine.

[following!]

[onthetrail]

But it tastes better than rat.

[orchid_below]

Does it? I'll have to try some sometime.

[onthetrail]

There'll be enough for two. When it's done, I mean.

[So hopeful!]

[orchid_below]

Oh, I couldn't. That's for you.

[onthetrail]

I don't mind. And Ran-neechan showed me where to find the pot.

[orchid_below]

If you're certain you don't mind...

[makes a mental note to catch another rabbit for him later, anyway. It certainly can't be harder than hunting wolves]

[onthetrail]

I don't mind! I haven't seen Kaa-chan for a really long time, and I haven't seen Ran-neechan at all so I have a lot of things I want to ask her.

because I am OCD about leaving threads hanging on my turn

[orchid_below]

Then I'll gladly accept your offer. [ smiles ]

May I ask why you call her "Kaa-chan"...? I don't believe I've heard the term before.

Re: because I am OCD about leaving threads hanging on my turn

[onthetrail]

It's cuter than 'Kaa-san'.