Your Tax Dollars At Work

[plate_builder]

WHO: Reeve Tuesti, Open
WHERE: Temba
WHAT: Road Work
WHEN: All of April
WARNINGS: N/A

For those who hate the noise of roadwork, well, they will have Reeve's pity and apology later. For now there is work to be done. And the form of that work involves a very large machine that makes a bit too much noise and hot scents. There is nothing to be done for that part.

Though anyone who wants to complain can probably talk to the man and cat standing beside it, wearing hard hats (where did Reeve get one in Mini's size), discussing plans and a map.

Or perhaps one might find them when the machine is still and quieter, where Reeve stands securely on the edge of one of the holes in the road, lowering a rope into it at a slow pace. Clearly he's intent on the work, playing out the line with a constant level of caution.

And then there's the end of the day, as the sun is growing low, and Reeve is shutting down the machine while going about and checking material levels in it. Behind it a new stretch of road cures. Every now and then Reeve looks over toward it with clear pride. Another sign of Temba being restored to something like order. It's what he's here for.

Comments

[tyrants_son]

The Exo tilts his head. "Truly? How strange that there should be so much hollow space beneath these roads. Not the work of some burrowing creature?" Wasn't there some sort of beast that left spots that were practically quicksand? But then that still left earth in the places it passed...

"I think that has been a fact established early on." There isn't much sense to be found in many of the things here, much less the circumstances.

[plate_builder]

Now that's an idea. Burrowing creature. Hadn't they had a giant stone creature? Maybe it wasn't so unlikely.

"I suppose we'll have to check the records to see if there's something listed. But it's also possible that this place was not built upon suitable ground. There are types of clays that can shift with rainy seasons and move quite a long distance, leaving a house and a basement separated. And there are types of soil that can compact strangely."

HE smiles at the other comment, because while it could be a joke, it was also very accurate. It was established near instantly.

"It's also, and I will say this proudly, a horribly planned out city. It could have been done better."

[tyrants_son]

Felwinter certainly isn't an expert in city structures. Most of his experience with any buildings back home have been ruins and old bunkers, and the latter were clearly better planned out in their establishments for how long they remained intact.

"Interesting. It is a shame there are no past records to suggest that these are problems that had been known to the previous inhabitants. Or perhaps they left all too early to know the potential problems that could arise after years have gone by."

He looks around thoughtfully. "Do we know who really established these cities?"

[plate_builder]

Now that's a good point.

"Perhaps I will consult with Jon on it. If there were old records to that end, surely he would have found them by now."

Though they probably didn't exist. It was an interesting avenue to explore though. As for the other question... Reeve stops and frowns. Should he admit what he noticed?

"I don't think we do. But Sh'Ka is very much older than Temba is. I am certain of that. And the cities... almost mirror each other. In a way that seems unlikely. I cannot imagine even advanced civilizations would have a rote formation for cities, even preestablished ones. It's suspicious."

[tyrants_son]

"There are far too many things we still do not know of this planet," Felwinter observes. "Have you seen the mural? There may be no records from the previous inhabitants themselves, but there are those who have lived here on this world even before then."

[plate_builder]

Mural? Reeve, who had taken a moment to look down as he processed some information from Mini, is left shocked at that word. His head snaps up so quickly that he groans at a flicker of pain.

"Mural? What mural?"

[tyrants_son]

The Exo lifts his head. "Down within the center of the memorial, up in the Northwestern quadrant of the city," he replies. "When I had first come across it, there were rather large pieces missing from its face. Conveniently, we were able to retrieve some of those missing pieces during our previous off-world trip. It seems to depict...a history of sorts."

[plate_builder]

Still looks mystified. He hadn't been aware of this at all.

"I should very much like to see this. Which off world trip was it? No, that is not important is it? How interesting. A different species being here before and after would... Oh. Could it be the little plants?"

[tyrants_son]

"Once you are done here, I can show you. But yes, it's as you say. It seems they may be the source behind it."

Felwinter's gaze drifts back towards the hole. "If anyone might have any idea as to what can be expected of the terrain, I suspect they are the best informed."

[plate_builder]

Would that not be interesting? The little plant people seemed rather adept with manipulating their environment back when the volcano had gone off. And taking care of the He Rows while they were at it.

"They would be. I think we should really talk to them more I believe."

[tyrants_son]

"It certainly could not hurt," Felwinter considers. He hasn't tried too extensively himself. "...I think Dustin had been one of the few who actively communicated with them."

But perhaps now that they are all here again, more attempts should be made. The Exo folds his arms as he thinks on this.

[plate_builder]

Ah. The boy was gone now. Reeve sighed.

"Then I suppose we're going to have to reach out to them again."

Which was not Reeve's specialty these days.

"Damn."

[tyrants_son]

"Indeed." That goes without saying. "I can attempt to do so, but I do not know that they will find me very personable." Felwinter knows he's not exactly very approachable. He knows his specialties are more violence-oriented, even if his intentions are good.

[plate_builder]

Yes, that is a fair point. Felwinter was not the most outgoing of people. Which Reeve supposed was true of many of his friends. Enough to make him laugh.

"I suppose we're lacking on personables these days."

[tyrants_son]

The laugh gets Reeve a curious look. Still, he nods. It really is an understatement. Felwinter knows he wouldn't call himself friendly. It's difficult being open with people.

"Perhaps. But then we've also had new arrivals who may not be entirely aware of the situation regarding our plant neighbors. Maybe direction is needed."

[plate_builder]

"Direction seems wise. Had I time I think I might make a He Rows's guide to Agra-10. But alas..."

He gestures down at the hole, and then reacts to the rope being tugged.

"Ah, I believe I need to fetch my keeper out."

[tyrants_son]

"One cannot do everything," Felwinter muses. He turns his head to look back down towards the hole as well. Ah yes. Mini.

"Do you require assistance?"

[plate_builder]

"You know what? Yes. YOu've got to be faster and smoother at this," Reeve says, carefully turning to pass over the rope. Better not to lose it down the hole.

[tyrants_son]

The Exo nods then, stepping closer to receive the rope. Once Reeve confirms that Mini is ready, he begins to wind it up, hand over hand as he coils the rope in one, pulling its length up at a smooth, steady pace.

[plate_builder]

It's quicker than Reeve could have managed too, so soon Mini's up and over the edge. Once he's on the ground he salutes happily to Felwinter.

"Good day ta ya, Mister Exo. Lovely one ain't it? Not the pits at all."

"I don't remember imparting that sass in you, Mini."

[tyrants_son]

"Mini," Felwinter nods once the little cat is back to their level, the sound he makes at the commentary not quite a laugh. He resumes coiling the rope before handing it over to Reeve.

"I'm sure you've done excellent work thus far," he deflects. "There are likely few who can manage the same."

[plate_builder]

Reeve takes the rope with a smile and carries it over to their large machine.

"Ah think people cud learn if they had a wee bit of desire for it," Mini said meanwhile. "If nothing else tha math ain't hard."

[tyrants_son]

"True enough. But there aren't many who are both willing and capable." Of course Mini might just be doing this because Reeve wishes it of him. "I appreciate your efforts," Felwinter says before glancing up at the man as well. "Both of you."

[plate_builder]

Mini was doing it because if Reeve went down the hole, who would get him back up?

"Ah ya're a good laddie," Mini says with a bright smile.

"By which he means someone older than him, which is not hard to be," Reeve laughs. "But I thank you as well.

[tyrants_son]

The Exo nods at the two of them.

"Do you have the means to fill the hole, or will it require more material?" he asks as he looks to the machine then. He won't take Reeve away from his work and the mural at the memorial site will still be there once he gets to a stopping point, at least.