Searching Far and Wide

[intricate_engineer]

Glen was creating a prototype for a new gate design. It was meant to be affordable and provide quick transport between individual homes. She tests several objects and a rat and everything seems to be working.

She steps through. Instead of finding herself in the room next door, she finds herself standing on a sidewalk in an empty city. The buildings are tall and perfect, colorless with doorways far too tall for any human. The roads have no straight lines and twist in on themselves. There is no life or sound.
Glen tries to stay calm. She begins to walk along the road, randomly opening doors and exploring buildings that are as silent as the rest of the world.

She opens a door that she hopes will lead onto a roof and is instead met with warmth, and soft noise, and color.

Comments

[the_very_best]

"That was my impression."

[intricate_engineer]

"I'm going to go get a few more things."
Glen heads back down to Bar.
"What are my chances of being able to do some welding?"

[alicornucopia]

I imagine this question has to do with your skill at welding. You are allowed to weld in your room and I can provide the supplies.

[intricate_engineer]

"I have experience. Can I have the supplies please, and protection for Bella too?"

[alicornucopia]

Bar provides.

[intricate_engineer]

"And the room won't burn down from the sparks?"

[alicornucopia]

If you'd like a different, more workshoplike room, with fewer articles of furniture I'll have to add to your tab should they be damaged, that can be arranged, but you are not going to set the building on fire with a welding torch.

[intricate_engineer]

"I'd love to know how you managed that, but maybe a workshop is be a better idea."

[alicornucopia]

Bar provides another key. 3218.

[intricate_engineer]

"Thank you!"
Glen takes the welding equipment to the workshop and goes to get Bella.
She begins assembling the portal. She goes slowly, it's been a while since she's done this by hand, and tries to explain as she works.

[the_very_best]

Bella helps and listens attentively and asks questions.

[intricate_engineer]

A few hours later Glen says, "We're making really good progress, but I don't want to do this next bit when I'm not alert. Want to take a break?"

[the_very_best]

"Sure. I'm thinking I'll take a security job, it comes with a room. I'll tell Bar she can tell you where I am."

[intricate_engineer]

"If you're staying here because of me, I can help?"

[the_very_best]

"I'm mostly taking the job to see if it gets me more doors in the future but if you want to cover my food that'd be fantastic."

[intricate_engineer]

"I'm happy to. I might go get dinner right now if you want to come?"

[the_very_best]

"Sounds great! Oh, and the 'mon need to eat too, so covering food for me is not one person's worth."

[intricate_engineer]

"I don't mind. What kind of foods do they eat?"

[the_very_best]

"Chow, usually, because it's dense and portable and they can all eat the same kind, but there's all kinds of things they like for treats, especially fruit. Couple of them graze when we're in the field but we are not."

[intricate_engineer]

"How expensive is it for you to raise Pokemon?" Glen asks, holding the door open behind her.

[the_very_best]

"Expensive, but they can earn their keep when in civilization, they're really strong and Zag can generate electricity and stuff. If I'm flying town to town I can carry packages, if I'm going somebody's way and they don't have many or strong 'mon I can escort them for money, I'm not hemorrhaging cash. Most people don't keep six, though, they're a serious investment."

[intricate_engineer]

"Why do you?"

[the_very_best]

"'Cause I tromp around all the time looking for legendaries, I need a big balanced team and I have the capacity."

[intricate_engineer]

"So having the maximum number is really helpful? Having fewer you focus on can't equal it?"

[the_very_best]

"It helps them practice to have them spar with each other and more variety in opponents isn't trivial. I could probably do without a couple of them but then I'd have less flexibility - some 'mon are better against some others."