1st video (action opened to roommates if inclined)

[sanscoeur]

[Guess who used all the hot water in the shower?

Marjolaine is lounging comfortably on the couch in her new living room, looking a good sight better than the day she arrived. Her hair is still styled very simply, but she is wearing an ornate dress that can be seen from about the waist up and subtle cosmetics.]

This new little toy of mine is almost as fascinating as some of you. I've read the darling tutorial, so sweet of them to provide it. I have a hard time believing it allows us to use the tablet to its full potential.

[She pauses and smiles.]

This is where you come in. Well, one of you. I'm looking for someone who knows their way around this technology for some more in depth study. I'm not foolish enough to expect you to do it for free.

I'm willing to talk arrangements. As a newcomer there's little I can offer you in influence or leverage. I suppose that means we may have to get creative.

Any takers?

[Once she has finished her conversations on the network, she tosses the tablet aside and lies back against the sofa. She knows that she'll need to get a move on soon. There's much to explore and do. For now she's content to stay somewhere warm and dry, not to mention curious about the people she'll be forced to share quarters with.

It has crossed her mind just to snoop in their rooms. In the future she might yet attempt it. For now she'll stick to the boring ways. She doesn't know enough about this place to start misbehaving.

With a sigh, she rouses herself and pads on stocking feet into the kitchen to see what she can find to eat. After everything she experienced in the market, she's not very hopeful there will be anything decent.]

Comments

Action

[goinbust]

Wandering out of his room looking somewhat hungover, Jim heads into the bathroom, not really noticing the newcomer. There is a moment, some muttering then the sound of water before an audible irritated yell.

"Sunnofa! Who used all the hot water?!"

There is some thumping and an irritated Raynor comes out, wet and annoyed looking, but no longer hung over looking.

[sanscoeur]

She hears all of the commotion from her spot in the kitchen and sticks her head out into the common room. "Hello? Ah, good. You're finally awake."

Making a face at the can in her hand, she tosses it once and catches it neatly. "Come to the kitchen. I need your help with something."

[goinbust]

Jim glares at her with all the rage a hungover man who has just had a very cold shower can muster.

"Yeah what? Who the hell are you anyways?"

[sanscoeur]

"This ridiculous thing." Incoming tossed can! "How is anyone supposed to get into it without a mallet? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose?"

She steps closer in a rustle of elaborate skirting. "I'm your new roomer. Marjolaine." Her smile is insouciant. "You are?"

[goinbust]

Jim ducks out of the way as his years of conditioning start to kick in, glaring at her as he picks it up.

"Majorlaine... I'm Jim. There's a can opener to open these things in the kitchen."

[sanscoeur]

"Jim. Such a pleasure." She never quite loses the smile.

"I'm afraid I'll need you to show me. Most of the things I've found here so far make very little sense. It would be a shame if I were to destroy our quarters by accident doing something I should not do." Or on purpose because something infuriates her beyond her tolerance.

[goinbust]

Jim mutters something under his breath about lack of technological training and gets a can opener out of a drawer, opening the can and slamming it on the counter.

"Just clip it on and turn the key."

[sanscoeur]

She watches while he does it. A simple device. She doubts she'll have trouble with it next time. Despite the slam of the can and his surly voice, she dips a slight curtsy.

"My thanks, Monsieur. Jim." Leaning in closer she wrinkles her nose. The smell from the can is revolting. "We're sure this is food? You've eaten it and not bloated up?" She can't resist a glance down at his torso. It's poking the bear, so to speak, but such is her way. "Much?"

[goinbust]

Jim hasn't been here long and before coming here he led a fairly lean existence. While on the wrong side of 30 and no stranger to alcohol, the man still led his army from the front.

"Miss, you mind not poking me? The food here ain't great but its not poison."

[sanscoeur]

"Marjolaine. We live together now. Such formalities are just uncomfortable." She takes up the can and starts opening drawers for utensils until she finds the right one.

"It was nothing more than a jest. You cut a fine figure, I'm sure. You probably shouldn't run about the house soaking wet. You're going to catch a draft." She sticks her fork into the can and breezes back toward the couch.

"When you're more decent you should come back out. We should talk."

[goinbust]

"Yeah yeah. May want to actually cook the junk. Pots are in the cupboards."

He heads back to the bathroom muttering to finish his shower.

[sanscoeur]

She can cook. Or at least she could when she had a proper hearth. She saw nothing in the kitchen worth fiddling with to try for that, instead opting to eat whatever it is--some generic form of meat--straight from its container. It's hard to imagine applying heat to it would make it more appealing. Likely just spread the stench.

She eats it quickly, with as little chewing as possible to avoid the taste. The empty can and fork get set aside on the small table next to the couch, and she leans to pick up her tablet again to fiddle with it and do more reading and watching. The more information she has the better.

[video]

[vaudevil]

[Okay, his interest is piqued. Usually, Lee doesn't go out of his way to do this sort of thing unless he deems it necessary but in this case, she's being a little to coy and he's reminded of a certain someone from back home.]

I suppose I can offer my services though I must ask, since you managed to find your way through the tutorial, why would need my help?

[Women like her are dangerous and he knows that from experience.]

Re: [video]

[sanscoeur]

Why have you learned anything beyond the tutorial, Monsieur?

[The tone of the question is light.]

Let us say that "good enough" has never been my standard. Should I change this now? I think not.

[video]

[vaudevil]

[He gives an easy smile, then he clears his throat.]

Ah, I see.

[Should he be honest and show her what he knows or should he simply pretend that he's ignorant to such things as hacking and setting up encrypted channels while missing out on an opportunity? It's a tough call.]

I have learned a little more than the average.

[To say such things openly about what exactly he knows can be dangerous.]

Re: [video]

[sanscoeur]

Just a little more? Then I'm not certain either of us should waste our time. Not to say it's not kind of you to offer, of course. It's just that I'm looking for expertise.

[Her smile turns much more bland.]

[video/Encrypted]

[vaudevil]

[Ouch. He switches the channel. To him, this is simple stuff and the "little" he was talking about.]

It's really a simple matter for me and none too easy to control. My "little more" is certainly a lot more than I wish to tell openly.

Re: [video/Encrypted]

[sanscoeur]

[Interesting how the small icon shifted just then. Her eyes narrow as she takes a closer look.]

Perhaps I spoke in haste.

[Another small smile.]

I take it we are no longer speaking as openly now?

[video/Encrypted]

[vaudevil]

It can happen from time to time.

No. We are fully secured and no one can see or hear what we are discussing unless they know the code.

[It took him some time to figure it out and a lot of trial and error. He returns the smile with a nod.]

Why are you interested in such things?

Re: [video/Encrypted]

[sanscoeur]

How many ladies have you met in your day, Monsieur? Have you known a one who likes to have her business spread? I would think the answer to that is self-evident, especially for one who has taken the time to glean the knowledge for himself.

[Never once does she deviate from her off handed tone. She could just as easily be discussing acquiring delicacies or shoes.]

[video/Encrypted]

[vaudevil]

[Okay, he can buy that and it shows with a nod.]

I have met a few that are of a more secretive nature. Very well, I will assist you but I would have to program your device.

[There's no way he's giving that code away.]

Re: [video/Encrypted]

[sanscoeur]

Thus concludes part one of the negotiation. If you "program" as you say, am I to understand this would mean you would be privy to my communications? You would still have the code, after all.

[She knows very well how coded messages work, just not in an electronic medium.]

Secondly, what might you wish in return?

[video/Encrypted]

[vaudevil]

No, I wouldn't know unless I was wanting to talk to you and I were actively looking for it. It's like putting a needle in a stack of straw. I would have to know when you sent a message to know what to look for and that could take an incredible amount of time.

That's like looking through an entire library of books to find a secret message that was written in the pages. Once the code is put in, I can't see what you do and I don't have that kind of time or the equipment to dedicate to hacking on a constant basis.

[He rubs the bridge of nose to stave off a headache that was coming on. With the lack of sunlight and his mind in overdrive, he's feeling the pressure of fatigue.]

I'm not particular at this point.

not here!

[ladyspitfire]

[Elissa's only recently returned from her trip to the outlands and she's trying to get some rest in, perusing the network to see what she's missed. Her attention is immediately drawn to the video of Marjolaine, her accent and features hard to ignore. Leliana's already told Elissa of her arrival, but it matters little. Just seeing her makes her see red.

Her fingers hover over the response function...and, at length, she persuades herself not to engage. It would be bad form, ill timing, and would give away her only advantage.

She sighs and sets the device to the side. She'll be keeping an eye on this.]

so sorry for the wait!

[bloodyantivan]

[Zevran eyes the video with obvious admiration and interest.]

I do believe you might turn out to be the fascinating one.