( audio )

[chardismastic]

[ Audio clicks on to the shuffle of papers and a considering hum before Rafe speaks. His voice is mild. Sincere. Level in the way one can only sound when one is way too used to having things work out the way he wants them to, no matter how long it takes or how much it costs. ]

Well. Isn't this interesting.

[ When some people say interesting, you can tell they mean something entirely different. A professor reading over a test that clearly hadn't been studied for as he reaches for a red pen; a girl at a bar at the hearing how you just never have enough time to work on your novel; a cop flipping over your registration to find it's expired. It's one of those catch-all words but when Rafe says it? Nah. He just means interesting. ]

I always appreciate being prepared, and gotta say. This pamphlet? Good stuff, clean design, very to the point. Credit where it's due.

[ Arriving like a babe in the woods isn't really Rafe's scene. After all, a wide variety of factors have suddenly been yanked out of his control; the few he has remaining to him become all the more important to take advantage of. So although he's still learning the lay of the land, he's doing so after availing himself of a room, a shower, a fresh shirt, and this handy dandy pamphlet. ]

Although... You know, not to brag or anything but I'm a guy with a couple of talents. Architecture, for one. Anybody else checking this place out? I mean, here I am walking around those gardens and one minute I'm thinking 18th-century French, fantastically preserved, then there's some Gothic elements peeking round a corner— Jesus! Lloyd Wright, right there. [ You'd think the guy was watching a match at Wimbledon, and politely un-invested in who the winner turns out to be. ] Phenomenal fenestration, when it decides to stick to something longer than a minute. I suppose I'll have to get up higher for some bearings on this whole thing. Might even be a little fun with the right equipment.

Comments

[chardismastic]

I'll admit it's not exactly how I expected the day to go. [ His daily planner had roll in righteously earned pirate treasure very clearly penciled in for today. Alas, the best laid plans. ] But I have seen some— I wouldn't say stranger things? But in my line of work you go and keep an open mind.

[beyourrock]

And what line of work would that be?

[chardismastic]

Treasure hunting. A very specialized field, granted, but never a dull moment if you're doing it right.

[beyourrock]

[She pauses for a moment, thinking before she squints at her communicator.]

So you're like a modern day pirate. Do you normally hunt on your own or do you have a crew?

[chardismastic]

[ ...you do not know this, Random Pink Person, and have zero earthly way to know this but you are now at the top of Rafe Adler's New Favorite People list. Absolutely pass go, collect $200. ]

That is one way of looking at it. [ And he's just beyond inordinately pleased that's the way she's looking. ] The crew is always necessary, but it'll vary from project to project. After all, each site is different, requires different talents to make the whole thing come together.

[beyourrock]

[The forever oblivious Random Pink Person nods as she digests the information. It makes sense to have a crew, especially when there are different skills possibly involved. But someones tou have to go in alone. She knew that first hand with the Crystal Gems.]

I'm not sure if there will be much treasure to find here... but Wonderland is far from boring at the very least.

[chardismastic]

There's more than one kind of treasure out there. I'm not picky so long as it's worth the chase.

[ True, solo adventures have their appeal but Rafe can't say no to practicality. A good partner goes a long way — sure, there's been a lot of trial and error in that department but he thinks he's set for now. ]

[beyourrock]

[She laughs lightly.]

Sounds awfully romantic when you put it that way!

If that's the case, I'm sure you'll find something in your stay here, sir.