((Cory Cartwright continued from The Commutative Property))
Cory walked slowly up the steps of the ferry as he attempted to get a breath in. If his estimation was right, he had spent around 45 minutes going from the shop boat to the ferry, a significant portion of which was spent running. His body ached, and his eyes were heavy. He needed a place he could sit down and recover.
He stepped onto the upper deck and placed his bag on a nearby bench before sitting beside it. He scanned around him to make sure he was alone before flicking his flashlight off and placing it within his pocket.
He concluded that if to avoid a situation like that again, he'd need information. He had come into this arena with only the most basic of knowledge on the show. From the start, he was at a disadvantage in terms of knowledge. But, he did have a mentor. He was sure they'd have at least some knowledge to provide him with.
He tapped several times on the side of the collar.
"I'd like to talk. I have questions that I want to ask you."
Crash Course
Mentorshot.
The response is almost instant.
"Hey, Cory. What do you need?"
"Hey, Cory. What do you need?"
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Dogs231
- Posts: 607
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:45 pm
- Location: The Pear Wiggler
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
As Cory listened to his mentor speak, he leaned forward on the bench, crossing his arms and tapping his index and middle fingers against his left arm.
"I want to start by knowing what you can and can't do. What you, as a mentor, are allowed to provide me."
Cory had only the most basic knowledge of mentors, which was that they were something that existed. He needed a frame of reference, something that could tell him what, if anything, his mentor could do for him. He had other questions, but starting with this one would let him figure out what other questions he could ask.
"I want to start by knowing what you can and can't do. What you, as a mentor, are allowed to provide me."
Cory had only the most basic knowledge of mentors, which was that they were something that existed. He needed a frame of reference, something that could tell him what, if anything, his mentor could do for him. He had other questions, but starting with this one would let him figure out what other questions he could ask.
"I can't tell you exactly where people are or guide you to them. I can't reveal team affiliations. I can tell you if there's danger or a dangerous person, but I can't give you direct warnings.
"...Sorry about that.
"Otherwise, um. I can do most things."
"...Sorry about that.
"Otherwise, um. I can do most things."
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Dogs231
- Posts: 607
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:45 pm
- Location: The Pear Wiggler
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
She couldn't tell him where people were, lead him to anyone, or give him the team affiliations of any given person. She can't give him direct warnings other than that there is danger in the vicinity. Other than that, she can do most other things.
This was good to know. At the very least, he'd have someone watching his back.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. Is there any pressing information you feel I should know? Who to avoid, what to look for, et cetera. I've had one bad run-in already, and I'd like to avoid such things in the future, if possible."
He didn't want a repeat of the Three Buccaneers, that was for sure. Avoiding people like Gregory would likely prove critical to his continued survival. If she could alert him to those he should avoid, it would make it all the easier to stay safe.
This was good to know. At the very least, he'd have someone watching his back.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. Is there any pressing information you feel I should know? Who to avoid, what to look for, et cetera. I've had one bad run-in already, and I'd like to avoid such things in the future, if possible."
He didn't want a repeat of the Three Buccaneers, that was for sure. Avoiding people like Gregory would likely prove critical to his continued survival. If she could alert him to those he should avoid, it would make it all the easier to stay safe.
"Anyone wearing a pillowcase on their head. It's a large and dangerous group.
"Otherwise, um, keep an ear on the announcements. It's difficult for me to tell when somebody might be thinking of doing something. I want to hope that they won't, the whole time.
"...Getting out isn't an impossibility just because of teams and the boats. Actually, it's probably easier to get out of bounds.
"Don't do that with your collar on, though.""
"Otherwise, um, keep an ear on the announcements. It's difficult for me to tell when somebody might be thinking of doing something. I want to hope that they won't, the whole time.
"...Getting out isn't an impossibility just because of teams and the boats. Actually, it's probably easier to get out of bounds.
"Don't do that with your collar on, though.""
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Dogs231
- Posts: 607
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:45 pm
- Location: The Pear Wiggler
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
She warned him of people wearing pillowcases. An odd group to fear, to be sure, but anyone could be a threat. That was especially true if they were as large and dangerous as she implied.
Keep an ear on the announcements. Cory remembered the names from before. He'd need to find a way to keep track of them further than his memory could carry. This boat seemed particularly barren, at least on the upper deck. He'd have to look for a writing utensil and some paper later. For now, he'd have to rely on his mind.
She talked about her wants and her hopes. And then she made a note of something that had piqued Cory's interest. Escape was not an impossibility. Cory had heard small bits of conversations before, talking about such events. She'd mentioned it directly during their introduction to the game. From what little he knew, they were infrequent at best. It was an uncertain path, fraught with risk.
Cory sighed slightly, pushing himself off of the bench to a stand. He paced slowly, with his left hand against his right elbow, and his right hand closed in a fist and pressed against his chin, giving him the appearance of being deep in thought.
"I remember what you said during the briefing. How you didn't want us to kill, but that you would help us survive. And I feel the same way. I want to live, but..."
He wanted to go home and pretend that this had never happened. He wished to open his eyes suddenly and realize that he'd been asleep and just dreaming. He wanted none of this to be real. He wanted to go home and be the same person he had been before.
"I don't think I can kill. I don't want to let the game change me like that. And that means that escape is, effectively, my only way out."
The question was one of possibility. Around Cory was an open ocean - if he could find a way to disable the mechanism, he was free. All that stood in his way was the metal collar around his neck.
If his memory served him correctly, failure was death. If he made a mistake in disabling the mechanism, it was likely to be the end. There were no second chances. No practicing to make sure everything was perfect.
"In your opinion, do you think that route is possible for me?"
The question was sincere. Cory knew he was intelligent, but his skills had always been in terms of the theoretical. His knowledge was in abstract numbers and symbols. In this matter, he would have to apply what he knew. It was a matter of the practical, and there could be no room for error.
He waited for her to answer.
Keep an ear on the announcements. Cory remembered the names from before. He'd need to find a way to keep track of them further than his memory could carry. This boat seemed particularly barren, at least on the upper deck. He'd have to look for a writing utensil and some paper later. For now, he'd have to rely on his mind.
She talked about her wants and her hopes. And then she made a note of something that had piqued Cory's interest. Escape was not an impossibility. Cory had heard small bits of conversations before, talking about such events. She'd mentioned it directly during their introduction to the game. From what little he knew, they were infrequent at best. It was an uncertain path, fraught with risk.
Cory sighed slightly, pushing himself off of the bench to a stand. He paced slowly, with his left hand against his right elbow, and his right hand closed in a fist and pressed against his chin, giving him the appearance of being deep in thought.
"I remember what you said during the briefing. How you didn't want us to kill, but that you would help us survive. And I feel the same way. I want to live, but..."
He wanted to go home and pretend that this had never happened. He wished to open his eyes suddenly and realize that he'd been asleep and just dreaming. He wanted none of this to be real. He wanted to go home and be the same person he had been before.
"I don't think I can kill. I don't want to let the game change me like that. And that means that escape is, effectively, my only way out."
The question was one of possibility. Around Cory was an open ocean - if he could find a way to disable the mechanism, he was free. All that stood in his way was the metal collar around his neck.
If his memory served him correctly, failure was death. If he made a mistake in disabling the mechanism, it was likely to be the end. There were no second chances. No practicing to make sure everything was perfect.
"In your opinion, do you think that route is possible for me?"
The question was sincere. Cory knew he was intelligent, but his skills had always been in terms of the theoretical. His knowledge was in abstract numbers and symbols. In this matter, he would have to apply what he knew. It was a matter of the practical, and there could be no room for error.
He waited for her to answer.
"I do. And I'll do my best to help every step of the way.
"Having limits doesn't mean I can't answer questions or look things up for you."
"Having limits doesn't mean I can't answer questions or look things up for you."
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Dogs231
- Posts: 607
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:45 pm
- Location: The Pear Wiggler
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
Cory stopped crossing his arms and touched the side of his collar, the cold metal tingling at his right hand. He would have to find some way to disable it.
He walked towards the front of the boat, the cool air surrounding him as the wooden floor creaked slightly from his steps. If his mentor was right in her assessment of him, he could do so.
However, he didn't know where to start. He was without a plan or template to guide him. He had no reference to draw on for where he should go or what he should try.
"I have one final question. Where do I go from here?"
Maybe she would be able to help him with this. His eyes were starting to hurt. He needed to find somewhere he could rest. A lack of sleep could cause him to make fatal mistakes. He also needed to find something he could use to record information.
"If it helps, I'm looking for a few specific things before I go about planning my escape. I need to sleep, and I'd like something to write with."
He hoped that she'd have the right answer for him.
He walked towards the front of the boat, the cool air surrounding him as the wooden floor creaked slightly from his steps. If his mentor was right in her assessment of him, he could do so.
However, he didn't know where to start. He was without a plan or template to guide him. He had no reference to draw on for where he should go or what he should try.
"I have one final question. Where do I go from here?"
Maybe she would be able to help him with this. His eyes were starting to hurt. He needed to find somewhere he could rest. A lack of sleep could cause him to make fatal mistakes. He also needed to find something he could use to record information.
"If it helps, I'm looking for a few specific things before I go about planning my escape. I need to sleep, and I'd like something to write with."
He hoped that she'd have the right answer for him.
"A lot of the boats have secluded spots to curl up. Um, best would be one entrance, out of the way, and not in the open. There are a couple decent ones nearby and there's always the marinas.
"I'd say that—"
There's a mild commotion from the other end of the line. An indistinct raised voice, a much tinnier and more distant reply from Emmy.
"I'm not finish—literally it's one more sentence!"
When Emmy resumes at her previous volume, it's in a frantic rush.
"If you start close to where you are and search out, you'll probably find both. Igottagosorrybye."
"I'd say that—"
There's a mild commotion from the other end of the line. An indistinct raised voice, a much tinnier and more distant reply from Emmy.
"I'm not finish—literally it's one more sentence!"
When Emmy resumes at her previous volume, it's in a frantic rush.
"If you start close to where you are and search out, you'll probably find both. Igottagosorrybye."
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Dogs231
- Posts: 607
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:45 pm
- Location: The Pear Wiggler
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
She gave him three simple criteria for where he should choose to sleep before an argument seemed to ensue between her and an unknown person. Cory inferred that she must be limited in how long she can speak to him.
"Goodbye."
He wasn't sure what else to say to her. He wasn't sure when he would next speak to her or if he would speak to her again at all. For now, he was alone.
Cory walked back towards the bench he had sat on and pulled the map and the flashlight from his bag, hitting the switch again to illuminate the slightly crumpled paper. From merely a cursory glance, he could see that the criteria narrowed his selection. The marinas seemed to be the place that matched the standards the most accurately. He would probably be able to find something to write with stashed away in one of them.
He straightened out the paper before folding it back up and placing it within his bag again. He grabbed it from the bench and slung it over his left arm, holding his flashlight in his right.
He made his way back down the stairs, the wood still creaking below his feet.
((Cory Cartwright continued in Adjournement))
"Goodbye."
He wasn't sure what else to say to her. He wasn't sure when he would next speak to her or if he would speak to her again at all. For now, he was alone.
Cory walked back towards the bench he had sat on and pulled the map and the flashlight from his bag, hitting the switch again to illuminate the slightly crumpled paper. From merely a cursory glance, he could see that the criteria narrowed his selection. The marinas seemed to be the place that matched the standards the most accurately. He would probably be able to find something to write with stashed away in one of them.
He straightened out the paper before folding it back up and placing it within his bag again. He grabbed it from the bench and slung it over his left arm, holding his flashlight in his right.
He made his way back down the stairs, the wood still creaking below his feet.
((Cory Cartwright continued in Adjournement))