[IC] Lost in Dreams (Chandra)

[ericthered]

Chandra is able to help in ways that she knows how. Being a tidy individual helps. After the first day of not eating and then buying food on the second, she is ravenously hungry, and savors every bite. She manages to make herself welcome with woman overrun with sons. Its still very cramped, and though people are glad she helps out, they can't wait for their space back.

She gets a job as a typing up the dictations of an old doctor who was studying hawfax medicine. The man could not type, and was delighted to find someone who could spell medical terms without specific instructions, and who typed rather than used short hand. The Hawfax had been stingy with most technology, but medical know how was freely given and services sold. The man was trying to reconsile the medicine and write British (and human) -centric instruction guides on how to use the techniques. Some of it is still scarily primative. Other parts of it are quite modern, though everything modern has been renamed. Its intense work, with him frequently saying "No, No, that's wrong, cross it out. How shall I say this?..."

[Rocket Man]

Intensive as the work is, it's welcome -- especially in comparison to waiting tables or doing janitorial work!

How does Chandra's medical knowledge compare with the "state of the art" here, both humanity's and that of the hawfax? If she can make occasional minor suggestions that make the hawfax instructions easier to translate over, she gladly does so, as a way of increasing her value to the doctor.

Once she's saved up enough money, she'll get a room of her own (and a suitable present to her host family for their kindness). Her next priority will be to send a small amount to Sarah's mother as compensation for Aunt Mabel's dress -- the value of the dress, plus a little something extra for the family's trouble. "Your daughter showed me a kindness in time of need for which I will be eternally grateful."

After present needs are taken care of and past debts are paid off, she'll hire a PO box and begin to place ads of the sort that Hailey had suggested. (Since no one will be watching right away, it's OK if this takes a while.) The ad will be signed Morgana, L.F.A. I hope whoever's watching for Merlin on this world has a sense of humor, Chandra muses.

[ericthered]

Humanities medical knowledge is a mixture of fact and error. Some of the knowledge is spot on and includes names Chandra has learned as 'greats'. Their work is mixed in with a great number of terrible practices, including lots of 'medicine' she isn't sure about but is pretty sure doesn't do anything for the patient.

The Hawfax work is good. She hasn't quite figured all of it out, but its at least modern and probably more so. It appears they have done a lot with custom bacteria and are constantly referencing the various industrial cultures they use -- which kind of comes off as agressive advertising to her.

She was unable to get enough information from sarah to be able to send a package. She could head back if she wants to gather more information, or send an awkwardly worded package an hope it gets where it needs to, or come up with some other plan. Getting a room all of her own is quite expensive, but doable on her new pay. Is she going to be close to anywhere in particular?

She's going about her business one day when she sees a street name. "Denton" -- its pretty clearly the street from the photo she took almost a week back.

(Yes, I'm not posting the add yet because she doesn't have the money yet)

[Rocket Man]

If it's not too dear, she'll get rooms as close to the post office as she can afford. That will simplify her errands (and reduce her traveling expenses) later.

To track down Sarah's family, she'll start with library maps and directories. If necessary, she'll walk back into the countryside to find the mailing address, trying to avoid an awkward meeting. She'll also buy a doll for the package as a personal thank you to Sarah.

When she recognizes Denton street, she'll check around a bit and see if there is anything else significant about the area that stands out to her, either on its own, or from her Patrol training.

EDIT: In particular, she'll see if there's anything significant about the address 482 Denton.
EDIT2: No worry or hurry on the ad ... the other needs and debts should be seen to first.

[ericthered]

That's a good a standard for choosing a location as any, I suppose.

Finding Sarah's family requires that walk. She gets funny looks, but she gets those everywhere. She has no idea if anyone associated her with the robberies.

Denton is a nice street. She's looking at 482 when a large man approaches from across the street and says "Miss! what's your business here? That's a private residence". She's caught a little glimpse inside, and though she can't see the hawfax, the room is certainly laid out strangly, with what looks like lots of furniture for a cat.

[Rocket Man]

OOC: I'm going to spend that seventh and final point, on Savoir-Faire. Given her raising, she should know how to show proper manners. And then she's going to roll against Savoir Faire-13 to show proper deference to the gentleman and assauge any offense. The roll is a 4. Yes, really; it startled me, too!

IC: "I do beg your pardon, sir. I didn't mean any offense. I work for a doctor and the hawfax are rather fascinating to me; someone mentioned that one lived around here and I'm afraid my curiosity got the better of my sense." She blushes becomingly. "I really should know better. I know all too well what it's like to be the object of curiosity in the room. Please do accept my apologies, sir."

[ericthered]

The man smiles somewhat at the reason she should know better.

"If you want to make an appointment, Yishim may be willing to meet with you. Particularly as you work with medicine. Now isn't a good time for him though."

OCC: I trust the roll. And yeah, its a good fit for the character.

[Rocket Man]

"Of course," she responds deferentially. "I would not wish to impinge on Mr. Yishim's doubtless busy schedule -- or is it Dr. Yishim? One has so many new things to learn." Chandra's smile underlines her humble understanding of just how much she, and maybe all humanity, has to learn of and from the new neighbors. "If you don't mind my asking, how would I secure an appointment at an appropriate time?"

[ericthered]

"You know how the hawfax are about titles Maam. He won't care what you put in front of his name, as long as its polite. You can get an appointment from Mr. Carter over there."

Mr. Carter isn't able to set up anything for sure, but does say he'll put in a request for an appointment and asks her name, the purpose of the visit, and how to get in contact with her.

[Rocket Man]

"I would be delighted, Mr. Carter," Chandra says. "My name is Chandra Morgan and I assist a physician here in the city. I am an admirer of the hawfax and the refinements they have brought to this world and would be pleased to meet at Dr. Yishim's convenience to learn more of himself and his practice -- a friendly visit, really."

If she has acquired the post box, she gives that as a contact; otherwise, she leaves the address of her current lodgings.

(As an aside, she has also been trying to get a feel for the town/city's musical life, even if it's mainly street buskers.)