2 - {audio}

[nonhuman]

So! Uh. Hi, everyone.

Question for the masses.

[Bennett fidgets a bit with his communicator, fingers audibly shuffling up the side and back down.]

If, if I haven't met you yet, my name's Bennett Marrow. I was a professor and researcher, back home. I-- I had a little bit of a second job, too.

[Evasive, but he's getting to it.]

Um, my question is kinda... multi-part, bear with me here.

So, we've-- we've been here for a little while, some of us longer than others, and, uh. I'm, I'm always looking for ways to understand the world around me. Aaaaand, uh, obviously, there's-- there's a lot to understand here. So, if anybody has any information about the nature of the Black Tide, or-- or, the previous ship that I've heard about, the MS Elegante-- could you please contact me? I would love to interview anyone who would care to step forward so we all have a log of information about our, uh, houseboat. Boat-home. This will not be confidential and I will be happy to share it with anyone who needs it at any time.

Also, on the, uh, confidential side of things. I, uh-- I know there are some other nonhuman and supernaturally-inclined beings-slash-people on this boat. If you need any help-- if you need anything, please let me know, okay? I'm-- I'm never going to tell anyone, but I know how-- h-how terrible it feels to try and find the help you need all alone. I'm, I'm a werewolf myself. I, I ran into a few of you last weekend.

I used to run a network for the supernatural crowd so I could bring help to anyone who needed it. I might not have all the tools I used to, but I know I can build that network here again.

[He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, fiddling with the communicator again.]

This-- this got kinda long. Sorry, everyone. Anyway. Um, I'd normally tell you to meet me at my room if you didn't want to talk over the network, but, uh, it's-- it's flooded entirely right now, so I'm, uh-- you can find me in the back corner of the shopping area. I've made a little, uh, cave.

Hit me up if you need anything. This is, is, B-bennett Marrow, signing off.

Comments

[butcherofblaviken]

[Geralt stares at the ballpoint pen.

He's never seen one before. It just makes a mark, magically, without having to dip it into an inkwell. He's never seen anything like it. This Ben has a lot of useful enchantments. He'll have to ask Ben about it later. Geralt is becoming happier and happier that he didn't kill the werewolf. ]

You don't have to do that, though I'm always open to trying new beer.

[In all honesty, Ben is becoming a downright resource and the second peaceful werewolf Geralt's met. Intriguing.]

I'll pay you back.

[nonhuman]

D-don't worry about it! I-- I don't think this ship runs on money from, from what I've seen so far. Everything seems... free, or nearly free. No one's asked me for anything in return for m-much other than favors.

[The scrawny professor shrugs, and gives one of his trademark worried smiles. He looks like he's nearly stopped shaking, at least.]

There are, are plenty of mysteries here, but-- but some of them have a right to be fun, at least, you know? Mystery booze for you... well, I can't think of any others that are fun, but, I-I'll get there.

[butcherofblaviken]

[When the werewolf smiles in that anxious, nervous way it reminds Geralt of a whipped dog. Being experimented on by sorceresses probably had something to do with it, he thinks. Sorceresses were a frightening, powerful bunch.]

I'll count it as a favour, then. If you need some help that a Witcher can provide...

[Geralt trails off and shrugs with a clinking of his chainmail. The leather of his clothes creaks.]

[nonhuman]

That's-- th-that's very kind of you. Thank you.

[His face lights up with a big smile. It's not often he gets someone offering to help him-- he's normally on his own, or in debt to someone else.]