IC inbox for Snowblind

[ecks]

This device belongs to Ecks. Messages dictated to it will be received by Ecks.

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Comments

[devoutish]

Near Hsiaoke Pass. What are you offering?

[ecks]

I have paper and ink.

[devoutish]

What else?

[ecks]

I am using the other things.

I have a nightgown.

[That she uses. At night.]

[devoutish]

[Really, the paper and ink are more useful than the stuffed cats are. Even that wouldn't be an even trade, strictly speaking. But he's seen how much she likes toys like these, and he thinks he can get something even more valuable if he holds out.]

Keep me updated on what you find, then. I'm sure you'll come across something I want and that you're willing to give up.

[ecks]

[What she hasn't told him is that the ink is separating from freezing and thawing repeatedly over the past two months. Still, that she thought to offer usable paper and actual warm clothing in exchange for toys should tell him something.]

Clear, strong string.

[And now her fishing line as well.]

[devoutish]

Show it to me.

[ecks]

image

Part of it.

[devoutish]

I'll trade you one of the cats for that.

[ecks]

Both cats for part of it.

[devoutish]

No deal.

[ecks]

Both cats for part of the string and a bottle of ink.

[devoutish]

No.

[ecks]

I need both cats.

[devoutish]

Then find something better to offer me.

[ecks]

One cat for part of the string. Other things for the other cat.

I have another thing for the other cat. I have a secret thing.

[devoutish]

How much of the string, and what sort of secret thing?

[ecks]

Three lengths of my arm of string and it is an important secret thing that is a secret that you will want. I cannot tell you what it is yet.

[Sound familiar, Alfie?]

[devoutish]

[It definitely does, and he has a guess.]

Then we'll discuss when we meet up.

[shadow network]

Unless you can read this?

[ecks]

[She's utterly heartbroken. What can she trade for the cat if he already has Winter's program?]

[shadow network]

I can read this.

[shadow network]

[devoutish]

And this is what you wanted to trade, yeah?

[shadow network]

[ecks]

This is what I wanted to trade, yeah.

[shadow network]

[devoutish]

Well. That's all right. I'm sure you'll find something else.

[Won't you, Ecks?]

[back to the regular network]

[ecks]

[She will, that's the sad part.]

What other kinds of things do you want?

[devoutish]

Difficult to say. I'll consider anything that might come in handy. But that's good for you, yeah? It gives you a wide variety of things I'll trade for.