[Audio]

[coimiceoir]

[It's pretty immediately obvious that, where ever this is, there are a lot of birds nearby, twittering and squawking at each other. But much closer to the audio receiver, something is beeping the beep of the battery-deficient. Aisling's lilting accent comes through clearly.]

I think it's dying. But it doesn't breathe, and it doesn't eat! My friends don't know how to help it, either.

[Given the odd Doppler effect on some of the bird voices, it's probable that she's shaking the poor device. It clicks off.]

Comments

[notvictorious]

Oh. Yeah, no that's not.. Okay, when you get this, let me know.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

That didn't make any sense.

[notvictorious]

What do you think is dying?

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

The little black rock thing that talks, of course. The one the people in the building gave me.

[notvictorious]

It needs to be plugged in to recharge.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

They said that, but not what that means.

[notvictorious]

Okay.

So you need to find it's tail.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

The vine-y thing. It fits into the side of the rock, but that doesn't help.

[notvictorious]

That's good. Okay the other end of the tail has to attach to a wall inside a house. uh Judging from the noise I'm gonna guess you're outside right now?

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

[Short pause.]

A house. In the town. I have to go inside one?

[notvictorious]

Well, you have an apartment, right?

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

What's an "apartment"?

[notvictorious]

The room where you live!

[chronosexual]

[Voice]

Sounds like your battery might be running out. It's part of the machine that needs to be recharged every now and then.

If you'd like, I can show you how.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

[Surprise and relief are evident.]

Captain? A battery... How do you recharge it? I don't have anything to do that.

[chronosexual]

[Voice]

You'll need a power source to attach it to. Unfortunately there's nothing in the forest like that, so you may have to go into the town.

However, if you like, I can take it and charge it for you and then bring it back the next morning. I've got one and they aren't worth much money, so you don't need to worry about me stealing it.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

I can go to the town... I just don't want to.

I'm not worried about you stealing it. You wouldn't do that. Show me how to charge it, and I'll bring you something nice.

[chronosexual]

[Voice]

Certainly. If you'd like, I can show you where I work. We've got lots of power and outlets there.

I managed to scrounge up some butter, bread and honey if you want some lunch, too. We can eat it on the docks.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

I'll bring some currants! We'll meet at the town edge near the forest?

[chronosexual]

[Voice]

That sounds lovely. I'll meet you there as soon as I can, so take your time.

[coimiceoir]

[Voice]

I have to go get the currants first! I'll be there.

[chronosexual]

[Action]

[Jack arrived at the edge of the forest with his familiar knapsack slung over his shoulder. He stood there a moment and looked around for his little white-haired friend.]

Aisling? Aisling, are you there?

[coimiceoir]

[Action]

[Right on cue, Aisling dropped out of a tree holding a huge jungle leaf folded into a neat triangular packet and tied off with a snowdrop. She waves the little black PDA, cord wrapped around it, and darts over to Jack, smiling.]

Captain!

[Her lips, tongue and fingertips are stained pinkish. Looks like she found the currants all right.]

[chronosexual]

[Jack looked up when he heard Aisling's voice, smiling cheerfully at her as he noticed the berry juice staining her lips and fingers. Adorable. As she approached, Jack dropped to a knee, pulling a handkerchief from an inside coat pocket.]

Hello, Aisling. Hope you still have room for lunch after all those berries.

[Jack extended his hand with the handkerchief for her to take and taking a look at her PDA.]

Do you have the cord that goes with that?

[coimiceoir]

[From somewhere in a her grey tunic, Aisling produced the cord, still bound by its twist tie. She happily traded it for Jack's handkerchief - it had been a long time since she'd had one of her own, but she remembered well enough what they were meant for, and set to work scrubbing at the stains.]

Don't worry. I'll help you eat it!