7th Attack . spam

[inhell]

[ In the garden, there's a new, fresh-built structure. It's a bit rough, a makeshift little fence and shelter. And currently it houses a little heap of figures. It's 2-3 dogs, a lamb, a load of hay, and Ellie. Two or more of these figures may be covered by a heavy blanket. Depends on the time of night/morning and how much the dogs flop around.

Ellie entirely fails to show up for any shifts she may have agreed to attend. She cannot be found, except here.

If you'd like to catch her awake, she might be bottlefeeding the lamb, walking her around the garden, or snuggling her. ]

Comments

[inhell]

[ She's sitting on the pile of hay, her hair mussed, holding the bottle at about mouth height for the lamb. ] Nah, you're all right. She has to get used to people. [ All kinds of people, not just Ellie, who she's been sticking to like a little magnet. ] People who aren't Mum.

Unless you plan on eating her, then you should probably shoo.

[tolaywaste]

Yeah, no, I'm not. No.

[HE'S NOT GONNA EAT YOUR SHEEP, ELLIE, GOD. Inching slightly closer, he leans against the fence.]

Where'd you get a sheep? The fair?

[inhell]

Stole it.

[ like, ain't no thang.

YEAH SHE'S COOL, SEE HOW COOL SHE IS.

This may be at least partially because he's a cute boy. ]

[tolaywaste]

[Such eyebrows. You are super cool, Ellie. Too bad Alex feels obliged to be sort of disapproving about livestock theft.]

Huh. Just like that?

[Terminology refers to Alex Summers as a 'square'.]

[inhell]

Just like that once Iris started shouting about knickers and things.

{ Solution: BLAME IT ON WARDEN. This plan cannot fail. ]

[tolaywaste]

Knickers and - huh?

[Disapproval derailed by mention of underpants.]

[inhell]

...I don't remember if knickers were particularly mentioned. But it would have fit the theme.

[tolaywaste]

. . . What was the actual conversation, because I'm pretty confused.

[inhell]

She went up to a man and said something like "I am a lady and I won't stand for that, much less bend over for it." And then I hopped the fence and grabbed Matilda, and Door took us to the Barge.

[ not one but t w o wardens. ]

[tolaywaste]

Oh.

[Huhhhh.]

Is the answer to "why" gonna make sense, or . . . ?

[inhell]

She was creating a distraction.

[tolaywaste]

No, no. I mean why steal a sheep in the first place.

[inhell]

...she looked hungry.

[ And Ellie was lonely. And a dozen other admittedly stupid reasons. ]

[tolaywaste]

Oh.

[He considers this, slowly and thoughtfully, and trying not to read more into it than she's said. Even though there probably is more. He can see more on her face.]

[Eventually, he nods with a slight smile.]

Well, she doesn't look hungry anymore.

[inhell]

[ The look she gives him is - grateful, weirdly, though she's not quite sure what inspires the gratitude in her. ]

Her name's Matilda.

Iris's choice.

[tolaywaste]

Matilda.

[He guesses she looks like a Matilda, for a sheep. Or something.]

Any particular reason? Or is that just what you name stolen sheep?

[inhell]

God, if there's anyone here I can't guess as to motives, it's probably Iris. Or the guy in the cloak.

[tolaywaste]

Everyone here's confusing and weird.

But great.

Mostly great.

[inhell]

Mostly weird.

[tolaywaste]

That's a pretty pessimistic way to look at it.

[inhell]

I want to go home. Pessimistic is how it'll be.

[tolaywaste]

You think being pessimistic is gonna get you home quicker.

[Ellie that doesn't make sense.]

[inhell]

No, I mean I don't want to be here.