02 | [Written/Voice/Action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Early enough in the morning that it's clear someone couldn't get back to sleep, a series of doodles appear on the page: they're Sally's best estimate of the floor plan of her apartment, with little rudimentary sketches of furniture in various placements. Over the span of a half hour, several are drawn with different configurations and crossed out before one ends up circled. A check mark is drawn next to it for good measure.

She was too lazy to get out of bed and find real scrap paper, but she figured no one would care.

Much later in the morning, at a reasonable hour, Sally makes a voice recording.]

Right. I've got a question, much as I hate to ask it: since I've been a bit of a dosser when it comes to actually talking to people since I've come here, what with the rampant madness of...everything, and being busy with a few things, I've run short of friends who're willing to do me favors. That being said, I've several articles of heavy furniture that need to be moved up seven flights of stairs.

My usual find-help-moving-house tactic of offering free beer and crisps is moot here, but if there's anyone who can help me out, I'd be happy to negotiate some sort of payment. A favor in return, or something. As I said, I wouldn't ask, but...well. Some of you lot have magic and super strength, and I'm just a regular copper with one very slightly weak ankle. [A self-deprecating laugh that's a little more rueful than she intended. Sally really hates asking for help, but she also really wants her flat not to look like a room in a mental institution, so something had to give.] Thanks, everyone.

[In the afternoon, Sally can be found poking around the item shop, looking for home decorating items and some things she's hoping will show up from her world, and in the evening she'll be at the library doing some cursory research of other worlds and waiting for something interesting to jump out at her.]

Comments

[hageshii]

Now why would you go and move up on the seventh floor if you've got a very slightly weak ankle?

[cop_an_attitude]

Exercise helps it, and lots of stairs are good for that. It only becomes a problem when I try to carry something heavy.

I admit it wasn't the best choice I've ever made.

[Voice]

[eyesofstrength]

[Normally, he'd not offer this, but he's seen enough of Sally so far on the journals that doing a favor isn't going to hurt. That and it's something to do.]

I could do it. What building will it be going to?

Re: [Voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Hmm, bit mysterious-looking, this one.]

Erm, I'm in building one. We...haven't met, have we?

Voice

[immamartillo]

If ya still need a hand, I can help out.

[Maybe he doesn't have super strength, but he's strong enough to manhandle people bigger than him. Besides, he's bored.]

I'm pretty sure we've never met, but I can promise I won't break anything.

Re: Voice

[cop_an_attitude]

That's a good promise to start with. No, I don't think we've met; I'm Sally Donovan. You?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don's journal is lying open nearby as he assembles the picnic things, and he hears this message. He supposes that moving furniture for smart women wouldn't be such a terrible habit to get into.]

Hi. Tortuga Brothers Moving Service. Hauling Luceti's furniture since about two years ago, though not very often. Will work for pizza. I'd give you a business card but I never made any.

Re: [Voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

[She laughs.] Have you really got a moving service? I can arrange for pizza, but I should warn you I burn half of what I cook.

[action]

[notquiteheartless]

[Sherlock Holmes has become something of a familiar figure in the item shop. Natural result of a bored consulting detective who wants to make sure his things-- especially his case-trophies-- wind up in his possession.

This afternoon, the plastic box he carts between the shop and 2-21 is relatively empty. A small piece of cardboard makes a barrier between one third of the box and the rest. On the larger side, two sets of bedding have been carefully folded and forced into the space. Cream and beige and brown. Neutral colours but not greyscale. He isn't sure if John will want one, but it won't hurt to take both. On top of the bedding is a book-- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet. On the other side of the barricade, there are... building supplies. Hammers, a saw.

He is still picking through shelves, examining small objects to determine ownership. Most, he sets back down almost as soon as he's touched them.]

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Sally sees Sherlock as soon as she turns the corner, but she's just on her way out, so she holds her head high and commits to just walking by.

Until she notices items in his possession that could be used to dismantle a house. Then she slows to a crawl.

Which leads her to notice the book, and then she stops entirely, forgetting her usual ire in surprise.]

Oh, that's funny. [She nods to the book.] Conan Doyle; he wrote those mysteries, right? I've never heard of that one. Is that where John got the title for his blog?

[action]

[truthin_bones]

[Sherlock isn't the only one taken to stalking the item shop recently. With plans of a private laboratory in motion, she's become especially wary of any equipment which may have arrived.

Today, it seems, holds some luck. Although an ultraviolet light, osteological measuring equipment, forceps, and a few more beakers comprise the most of the laboratory equipment she's been able to find and carefully stow in a corner with her name attached for later claiming, it is the small collection of artifacts that really catch her attention. And the sturdy shelve system not too far away. Only a sample of what she owns - both in her office and in her own apartment - but it is a start.

What really might catch Sally's attention is the ape skull in Brennan's hands.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Having abandoned the housewares section after obtaining curtains, a rug, and a few other small items all stashed in a bag under her arm, Sally is browsing through some of the science equipment out of curiosity.

Half-absorbed in trying to decipher the purpose of a complicated piece of equipment while walking, she doesn't notice Brennan until she nearly bumps into her.]

Oh! God, sorry, I wasn't--

[What...is...that.]

...Looking. Is that a gorilla skull?

[flickerflash]

[Katie is also in the item shop, though on a much more innocent-seeming errand: she's here to get coloured pencils and any other trinkets that might stop her from being bored. She glances up as Sally comes in, but apart from a quick polite smile, there isn't a trace of recognition in her face before she goes back to sorting out different shades of red in the art section.]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Aha. They meet again. Not that they've ever seen each other in person to Sally's knowledge, but she's had a rather interesting conversation regarding a certain lying little girl lately.

Sally stops a few feet away and puts a hand on her hip.]

Hello, Katie.

[voice]

[justicereigns]

I'll help. Payment not necessary, I could use the exercise anyway.

Re: [voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

Thanks.

I feel a bit guilty, now. Half the people who've offered don't seem to want anything in return...it's like I'm taking advantage.

[lostinmyway]

I can help! I'd be very happy to.

[Why, yes, that is a woman with naturally aqua hair replying to your post, Donovan. ...Although at this point, that's probably fairly normal. Ah, Luceti.]

[cop_an_attitude]

Oh, really? Hi; I don't think we've met.

[The funny-colored hair, Sally's used to. It's the overt helpfulness that keeps tripping her up.]

[voice]

[thedicearecast]

Seventh? I never went that high when I lived in Community Housing. Better hope the Malnosso don't turn you into anything small. [Amelia still has not fond memories of being a tiny ball of hair trying to go down stairs.]

I don't have magic or anything like that, but if you need help from a normal person? I'm game.

Re: [voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

Risky, maybe, but climbing stairs is good exercise and the higher floors are more sparsely inhabited. Back home, my neighbor liked to have loud parties on weeknights. I thought the change of pace would be nice.

Well, I guess us normals need to stick together.

voice

[weaponry]

[ Hello, Sally! Have a girl who sounds like she's not even an adult yet make a very big claim. ]

I can probably transport your entire inventory in about a couple of minutes. Do you still need the help?

Re: voice

[cop_an_attitude]

Do you really think so? That'd be a sight to see. How would you do it?

action;

[consultsdetective]

[ Hey, the item shop is just the place to be right now. Lestrade isn't really in for decorations or furniture, but he definitely understands seeking out things from home. He imagines it's something of a pasttime for Lucetians, actually.

Plus he needed to get out for less singed shoes, and this is as good as along the way from that.

Whatever, have a smile. 8I ]

Afternoon.

Re: action;

[cop_an_attitude]

[Have a smile yourself!]

Oh, hello. Funny I should see you; look what I just found.

[She pulls a warrant badge out of her pocket and flips it open for him to see.]

One of yours, I believe.

[Voice]

[greatinspector]

Hey Sally. You get it all sorted out, or do ya still need a hand?
I'd have gotten to ya sooner, but I've been busy finishing up this project of mine

Re: [Voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

I think I've got it in hand now, but thanks for offering. What's your project?

[action]

[alabastajewel]

[As it happens, Vivi is also in the item shop at that time. She's not looking for anything in particular, rather just browsing around to see if anything catches her eye. At the moment she's studying a lamp, trying to decide if it might be better than the one she already has on her nightstand back at House 6.]

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Sally's growing accustomed to blue-haired strangers, but after covertly eyeing another lamp past Vivi's head for a moment, she realizes the girl looks familiar.]

Oh, hello. Sorry to interrupt, but we talked on the journals once, didn't we?