Welcome to Gaia! ::

"why so shy?" he asked. "life is life, we make it and move through it. all this was inevitable."

he hoisted his backpack again, and put his arms around both of the womens' necks. "come on, lets get to that council!"

Morgan shifted her pack as the man's arm fell across her shoulder. She smiled a bit, starting to get her second wind at last. If fact, she was getting downright excited now. The butterflies were flitting in her stomach.

"I'm ready when you guys are!" She stated exuberantly.

"Oh, thank you, Suri. It sounds funny considering 2 people a caravan. Chris wasn't going to join the meeting, though. He gets overly restless, and it tends to be a distraction." Morgan looked across the room in the direction Suri pointed. "I do hope it isn't a large table." She walked off to find her seat.

Suri sat and gestured for Sergei to take the seat next to her. As she poured them both a glass of finely filtered water, she said in a hushed voice. "My people would appreciate your seeds very much, and I am inclined to offer you just about anything you want. Horses, goats, food, clothing, medical supplies...weapons...even bed mates. Name your price. So long as I get those seeds, I am willing to meet any demand."

The master-of-ceremonies finally banged his gavel to call all attention forward. He was an elder man, specifically selected to be as politically unoffensive as possible. His medium tan skin could be from any racial background, his hair was gone, his beard of white whiskers neatly trimmed. His clothing was good, but not new. His face was so wrinkled that his eyes would have been lost amid the small folds if it weren't for the way they twinkled. He probably only had 5 or 6 years left on this earth, at the most, and that wasn't taking into consideration any lingering radiation exposure. Still, he had nothing to gain by favoring one party over another, and could easily be the non-aggressive but authoritative mediator they needed.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said in a gravely voice devoid of accent, "Welcome to the first of what will hopefully be an annual gathering of the surviving colonies and caravans of what was formerly the United States and Canada. As you know, communications and technology have been limping along ever since the Last Days, but we have finally gotten to the point where regular trans-oceanic communication and transportation may be possible in the next two-to-three years. Learning from history, we know that when many powers compete for limited resources, desperation often gives way to aggression and all out violence. So in an effort to prevent violence, the elders of Yellowstone Colony have invited you all here so we can become--if not a unified nation--at least friends and allies in the years to come. I know many of you have made informal introductions outside before the meeting, but let us begin by going around the room and introducing ourselves and our colonies or caravans so we can all know our neighbors. In the interest of time, one spokesperson per table, please. Miss, would you like to start?"

He turned to a petite blond woman with ice-blue eyes. She wore a bone-white pelt around her neck, despite the heat of the room. "Da. My name is Perdita Cyril , and I am from da Bearing Sea. I represent da man who has control over da safest and easiest route to Asia. Because it is so cold, we do not bother to grow anything. Instead we buy and sell. We can get you anything for da right price. I am here looking to expand our inventory and contacts."

She sat back down at her table. Two dull-eyed associates immediately offered her water and a snack. She accepted the water but waved off the food. Her cold eyes surveyed the room, as if profiling every single person there.

Morgan listened quietly. The woman came across as though her personality had been sculpted from the harsh cold environment she haled from.

Morgan was more interested in knowing specifics than generalities, and the woman's offer of 'anything for the right price' struck a nerve with her. She knew that her home had not suffered as largely as most of the others here, and they were in need of what they needed right now. For the most part her people were fine for the moment, and her efforts would be more for the future existence of her colony, not the immediate as many people here were in need of.

As that thought crossed her mind, she immediately realized that her competition would be more aggressive than she had prepared to be. She was really here to offer help to everyone who needed it, but she was starting to wonder if she offered what she had in good will and hope for others to reciprocate, she had probably made the trip for nothing... Especially if she was understanding the implications of Perdita's introductory statement.

(Since no one else is speaking, I'll jump in!)

Suri stood with deliberate dignity.

"My name is Dr. Suri Reynolds, I'm a veterinarian and elected leader for the colony of Old Florance. Oregon, not Italy," she clarified with a small smile. "We're an agricultural community, looking to broaden our breeding and planting operations. We are also willing to give sanctuary to any hard working, law abiding, healthy refugees. I met some of you outside, and I look forward to meeting the rest of you." Her eyes traveled around the room invitingly, including even the cold Perdita. Perdita nodded slightly in return, the subtle invitation for an appointment agreed to. Then Suri sat down to wait for the next introduction.

Suri nodded at Morgan, pleased to hear the things she was offering. Suri looked like she was building a calculated checklist as people made their statements.

Several other people, emboldened by Morgan's example, stood for very short speeches, but most people were keeping their most pressing needs and most valuable resources secret. Trust was something that had passed away with the old world order.

Finally the master of ceremonies stood again and declared that there would be a short recess. He seemed worried about the lack of progressive cooperation, but knew it was something no one could force.

As the other deligate left their chairs to use the facilities or refill their water glasses--and the water here was as good as any wine, so there were a lot of people drinking and peeing--Suri turned again to Sergie.

"Have you decided on your price yet?" she asked softly, even if her eyes were not on his face. Instead she was making eye contact with Perdita.

Suri considered a moment. "I have animals," she said slowly. "But I also have junk electronics--several department stores full, in fact, considering that New Florance used to be part of a burgeoning township before the End Days. Not even junk, really, but new stuff. Morgan might enjoy a...diplomatic visit to my colony."

Perdita held up 2 fingers and looked over at the coffee carafe, the only beverage without a crowd around it. Suri nodded slightly.

Then Suri looked straight at Sergie. "Either way, I will get those seeds. You had better figure out what you want to trade for them, if you don't want the price to be your own life."