[ to say Gwen is fully adjusted to the city would be going too far but she seems to get the hang of some of it. There is a broom leaning against the wall behind her and she is busy with sewing, yes sewing her cape. An old thing but good and warm despite the small tear at the bottom of it. Nothing that can't be fixed, clearly; maybe she's just busying herself.

Speaking of which. ]

I wanted to thank those who had greeted me when I came here. You have shown me great kindness and despite this -- situation being odd, I truly felt very welcome.

[ erm. ]

I know there is training to be done but I wish to ask if I may find more work in this city.

[ from the pocket of her dress she takes out the small bag of money she had gotten when she got into the city. It's quite a lot, for her, if to judge by the way it's still rather full. She spends very little. ]

I know we have these but I need something else to do during my days. I have been a maidservant since I was very young and I would be glad to be of service here. I am learning the -

[ a frown, how do you say it. ]

Technology by the day but I can already cook, wash clothes and do whatever it is that needs done.

[ There's a small shadow of sadness on her features. It's weird, having to ask to be someones maid when her lady is very present in this city. A moment later she tries for a smile. ]

My father was a blacksmith and I often helped him. I can help any other blacksmith in this city if there are those who search for an assistant. I can mend armor, too, I have been taught that as well.

[ here, let her put down her cape, rise up and curtsy. ]

Thank you.

[ The video opens to a pair of hands. Hands, paper, and a line of tobacco. A cigarette being rolled before the camera is tipped upwards and Sharpe comes into view. He drags a hand through his hair, which is more than slightly wet by the rain. It's obvious after a while that he's outside, sitting below the awning of one of the houses in the Hold. His rifle, leaning against his shoulder, is completely dry.

He takes out a lighter and snaps it on, lighting the homemade cigarette and taking a drag. ]

Convenient things, these. [ Tosses the lighter up, and catches it again. ] Works better than any flint. [ Pause, and he shrugs. ] But I ain't here ta talk 'bout fires.

I'm a soldier and I ain't use ta just waiting 'round here. Even travelling and sightseeing [ he grins at this, because going out to the Outlands was fun but not the kind of sightseeing and travel most gentlemen go for ] gets tiring after a while. [ He leans a bit further back against the wall. ] There any books 'round? [ Beat, then he clarifies, because his accent tends to mark him as illiterate: ] Fer reading, I mean. English'd do, but if there's something in French or Spanish, I ain't going ta say no.

[ He takes a drag of the cigarette contemplatively. ]

Stories'll do as well, if no one's got any books ta read.

[ He makes to switch off the transmission, but then he seems to remember something. Scramble, scramble, oops, ash and burnt paper on the camera, which he brushes away irritatedly. ]

Can someone explain ta me how a man and a woman can share the same house without being married or related ta each other? [ He tips his head ta the side. ] It don't say much for decency or the woman's reputation, no. [ Beaaaaaaaaaaaat. ]

And what's those noises on the thirteen floor of that damned building we've been housed in, eh?

[ This is actually Sharpe's point in making the transmission but he wants books as well. Whatever. Look, it's shut off for real now. ]

a little bit later, 10% (crappily) encrypted to morgana

[ Awkwardly: ] How fares you, milady?

 Is this truly the state of the world?

[Gilgamesh asked the machine while not realizing it was on, wondering if he was simply being shown a farce of the Earth. The reality of the world around him sunk in quickly, but he seemed a little disappointed. The King stood in the middle of the street, holding his tablet in one hand and visible in the corner of the screen he held a golden crown with a jeweled ring attached to the front of it.]

So few survivors left. With this artifact being the only interesting thing presented to me...

[His teeth clenched and his expression hardened.]  What a torrid vacation. The degradation of the world is no surprise, but these spoils are a disappointment. At the very least, I would have preferred to see the 'end' of civilization as it happened rather than being inclined to save it in its aftermath.

I, Gilgamesh, shall oversee this.

[video, open]
[The creature that holds the camera in its hands is horrid. It is clearly undead, perhaps like some of the zombies that the Lich King set upon the Transports weeks earlier, and very interested in the communication device it has. The already slack jaw opens further for a low moan.]

Grahhh.....

[The view zooms in on a sunken eyeball before a deep voice in the background calls out.]

Put it down, Skullchewer.

Nyehh....

[But, surprisingly, it obeys, moving the device away from its decaying face and revealing its master - what appears to be a very tall armored bipedal cow. She says nothing more, just clomps over to reach around the ghoul and turn the camera off.]

[optional action for unit 901]

[The giant cow has now come out (sans ghoul and armor) to explore her new home. She's aware that she's sharing with other people, so she's attempted to make herself as unthreatening as possible, although she can't do much about being huge and beefy. Still, she would like to get off on the right hoof with them.]