video; un: whiteroad

[whiteroadrunning]

[Our scene is laid in a pod kitchen. The first-person view displays a countertop, with a toaster upon it. The toaster is older, a bit battered, but it's been lovingly polished to some semblance of its former glory. It's plugged in, but when Alec pushes the lever -- which he's done a few times since the video started -- he's not pushing it down quite hard enough to engage the power. Also, there's no bread inside. It seems, at the moment, he's just trying to figure out how it works.

Functional usage can come later.

After the fourth or fifth try, Alec sighs.]

Oh, Sakor's t--

This is a foolish question, no doubt. But would someone care to explain this to me? I've taken the damned thing apart and put it back together twice, and I can't...

It's for bread, yes? Or pastries?

[Alec grumbles and kneels down beside the counter. The feed cuts after a brief flash of his distorted reflection in the toaster, pouting, brow furrowed with frustration.]

Comments

Video; un.angel

[unknownmoirai]

[The video flickers and it's odd but she gets it to work without issue. She's curled up on a couch, long wheat colored hair falling over thin pale shoulders.

There is a lot about the world that she doesn't know or doesn't understand. Luckily for Alec, she knows how a toaster works.]

You put bread in there. It toasts it. I believe it's accurately named as a toaster.

[She pauses thoughtfully.]

I've heard it also toasts bagels and things of a similar size.

Video

[whiteroadrunning]

[There's Alec's reflection in the toaster again, looking dumbfounded.]

I suspected as much, but that's so needlessly complicated. Why is a machine necessary for toasting bread?

[Alec pushes at the handle again. It pops back up. He narrows his eyes.]

And if that's its purpose, why is it so bad at it?

Video

[unknownmoirai]

Have you had toast before? I lived with a small family for a few years and toast with very often what they had with breakfast. I remember because I always put butter and strawberry jelly on mine.

[She smiles softly.]

It's really delicious and for some reason it doesn't taste as good if it's put on non-toasted bread. [She has an angelic sweet tooth.] You had said that you took it apart. Did you put it back together properly? I don't know a lot about machines but I believe that they sometimes break...

[She sounds really uncertain.]

Video

[whiteroadrunning]

Of course I've had toast, but why a machine? It toasts just as well over fire! Or any heat at all, for that matter. A machine solely for toasting bread just seems so extravagant and unnecessary.

[Alec looks perplexed, perhaps a bit annoyed, but it fades again with a quiet sigh.]

In any case, thank you. I don't know if it's broken, but I can't seem to make it work.

Video

[unknownmoirai]

Oh, well. Having a fire inside is dangerous. Isn't it?

[She doesn't understand the extravagance and can't defend it.]

I'm not skilled with these sorts of things. I'm afraid I can't help you fix it.

[whiteroadrunning]

It's only dangerous without a hearth.

Why are there no hearths in this place, anyway?

[unknownmoirai]

I don't think there are any.

Where would the smoke go?

voice; un.TheOtter (also in person)

[of_bokthersa]

[Alec will get the unique experience of Seregil cackling from the bedroom and in his head at the same time.]

In person

[whiteroadrunning]

[Alec narrows his eyes at the bedroom.]

I would hate to think you had some understanding of this that you're keeping from me.

In person

[of_bokthersa]

That doesn't sound anything like me.

[It sounds exactly like him, and he knows it.]

[whiteroadrunning]

[Alec's head appears from around the corner of the counter.]

Doesn't it?

[of_bokthersa]

You seemed so content in not knowing, why would I go to any lengths to find out?

[Seregil is reading the 'Biometrics for Dummies' book he found, glancing over it at him.]

[whiteroadrunning]

[This is suspicious and borderline judgemental glaring, Seregil.]

Voice: un.TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

[The deep voice that responds sounds exasperated. How long is he supposed to watch an idiot fiddle with the handle of a toaster?]

It's a toaster. Put bread in it, push the handle down until it clicks, and wait until the toast pops up.

[The eyeroll might be audible.]

Voice

[whiteroadrunning]

Until it clicks?

[There is a pause, and then...]

By the Four, I'm pathetic.

Re: Voice

[nobasisinfact]

I assume you've never seen a toaster before.

[How is that even a thing?]

[whiteroadrunning]

No! We have fire to toast our breads and pastries. Hearths and brick ovens. Why is a machine for bread-toasting even necessary?

At best, it's an incredible waste of space. These people are entirely too reliant on technology and machines.

[The salt...]

[nobasisinfact]

[Richard appreciates the salt.]

With the advent of technology and a safe way to utilize energy fires became obsolete. It's quicker and more efficient to use a toaster than stoke a fire to make two pieces of toast.

[whiteroadrunning]

Who just makes two pieces of toast? Where is the rest of breakfast?

[This is so insulting!]

audio un:pnwsalex

[11calls]

Honestly, the easiest way to deal with things like this sometimes is just to go grab a pastry at a shop.

Audio

[whiteroadrunning]

That's not the most affordable option lately.

[11calls]

[Alex just sighs softly:]

I was kind of hoping it was just a part of the nosy bitch thing. I'm sorry I'm a little glad to know it's more universal.

[whiteroadrunning]

Nosy? Do you think they would single you out?

[11calls]

I don’t know. Just something someone said. Probably because I keep investing and asking questions.

[whiteroadrunning]

Asking questions isn't a bad thing. But if you're worried, is it possible you could be more discreet?