15. [Video]

[brodakota]

[When North awakes, he can hardly believe his eyes. His room is a warzone of tattered pieces of cloth and a very sorry giraffe in the middle of it.

He can hardly believe it, even when the Giraffe attempts to bleat its excuses. It wasn't my fault, there was another cat, she wanted to help and then I tried but they smelled so good. I'm sorry person, I'm sorry.]

[He runs a hand through his hair and there's a muttered god dammit. This may be the maddest North has been in a while.]

This is a ridiculous request, but, does anyone have anything that can be used as a lock? One that spirits can't open? 

[Trouble is nosing her way in, still trying to apologize.]

Comments

voice

[fatemeter]

[That's... quite a sight. Enough to suggest even without the clearest view of the door that "open" is probably a euphemism.]

The current lock isn't salvageable?

video

[brodakota]

Not really. They did a number on it.

[He holds it up to the screen, where it looks like it was wrenched open.]

voice

[fatemeter]

So it seems. Hmm. [She pauses briefly to run over a few possible ideas, and maybe to put that distracting shirtlessness out of her mind.] There are a number of alternatives more resistant to force than a conventional padlock, but as well as procuring a lock, you'd likely also need appropriate tools with which to work on the door... And given the diversity of Dream Eaters, it's hard to imagine any single lock keeping the majority of them out. Are you sure the lock is the best area to focus on?

voice

[brodakota]

It was the best way I could think of to at least keep Trouble out. She's the only one I have problems with.

'Course now it's back to the drawing board. I suppose I could have Tank stand guard.

[fatemeter]

That's one possibility. To Spirit-proof a single room, I daresay it's the natural choice. But it would rely quite heavily on the disposition of the guard in question...

[brodakota]

Tank's my Kab Kanon. He's reliable. But I don't want to exhaust him.

[Because if he told Tank to guard, Tank would.]

It might just be I only have Trouble out for training and nightmare fights.

[fatemeter]

Would that address the underlying problem?

[brodakota]

That would depend on which one. It probably won't solve things with Trouble, but it might keep Wash's cat away.

[fatemeter]

[Oh, so he means he has two problems.]

I see. A cautious option would be both a guard and a more secure lock in tandem, but then practicality becomes an issue... It's a trade-off, I suppose.

Regardless, if you do obtain a lock, I'd be happy to look at it.

[brodakota]

Right now a lock will probably work best, as long as I keep Trouble out of the way.

[There's a small pause.]

Are you something of a lock smith?

[fatemeter]

The better part of it is theoretical, but I have a little working knowledge of them. Of course, it may not be necessary.

[brodakota]

Hey, I'll take it. I have a friend who's kind of in the same boat.

[fatemeter]

Oh? Then shall I visit later? I'm afraid I currently lack the relevant tools for installation as well, but I can look into acquiring them. [She sounds slightly happier than normal at the prospect, too.]

[brodakota]

Sure, if you want. I think it'll help.

[Anything will at this point, and if she's happy about it, North will take it.]