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Expiation Mods ([personal profile] expiationmods) wrote in [community profile] expiationlogs2023-03-17 12:00 am

{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

THUS DO WE HUNGER

MOD NOTES:

Welcome to the first event!

Please direct any questions to the corresponding comment below. Note that characters can be involved in multiple prompts (whether you choose to thread that out or not), and that character decisions and actions taken on these prompts will affect future events, storylines, and relationships with other peoples of Expiation.

In two weeks from this event, the moderator team will be posting a poll on the OOC community that will allow players to share what actions their characters took and two weeks after that, there will be an announcement made sharing said results, how those actions have impacted the state of the world, the game's story, what information can be used ICly, and so on.

The various prompts are, of course, optional, so you're not required to travel to Rumpitur if you don't wish to. You're not required to help the locals or other Chosen during the food shortage. There is an option to simply not be involved, and that too can have potential repercussions on the future of the game's overarching story and other characters.


 

WE'RE STARVING HERE!

HOW TO REPAIR A REFRIGERATOR 101

     

Do you remember the fishing tournament where a variety of locals and Chosen alike submitted a bunch of fish for a very modest and unimpressive wooden sculpture? Well... about that...

Aldrip's refrigeration has catastrophically failed and as a result, the food stores that the locals have been keeping are now on the verge of total and utter collapse. The townspeople are in an absolute uproar. According to them, this has never happened before and though they would normally just pray to Those Who Were There for a resolution, they kind of need something immediate. Otherwise, all residents of Aldrip are facing the very real threat of starvation.

The good news is that you can help!

The more handy of the Aldrip townsfolk are going to get right to work on repairing the refrigeration units. At present, the only units that exist belong to those who are making food and providing them to the townspeople. This means people like the tavern keepers, the inn, bakers, and other miscellaneous cooks, are those who possess and control these refrigeration units. If you've got some handyman skills, put them to work, though be aware that working on repairing the technological malfunction might just be an electrifying experience. Literally.






THE ALTERNATIVE TO COOKING MAMA

     

There sure has been a lot of opportunities to cook, but now Aldrip needs cooks and would-be cooks like never before!

Those not necessarily good with repair work might find themselves better suited for hunting the local wildlife, whether that's on the meadowland plains or taking, yet again, a fishing pole into hand. A good deal of the meat, vegetables, and fruit that was already preserved has spoiled and will need to be replaced hastily if people want to continue eating.

With bodies going to retrieve replacement food, there's suddenly an open and demand for people who either already have experience with cooking or just really want to learn. There's no better way to learn than some truly hands-on experience. For those with some cooking in their background, even if it's simple at its best, the kitchens are free and available. You might not have your choice cuts of meat or whatever else you might be accustomed to preparing, but fortunately the dried spices and herbs aren't impacted by the food shortage. Consider making something flavourful or just really spicy. (Alphen, we're looking at you.)

If you haven't cooked before and you're one of those who's just dying to learn, pair up with a buddy in the kitchen, or fumble along. Beggars can't be choosers, after all, and we're facing a crisis. Maybe the threat of having no food will encourage people to try whatever you make, no matter how black, crispy brown it might turn out.

The more innovative and creative individuals may find a way to dry / dehydrate anything caught or harvested. Or we can just have a huge impromptu grilling adventure where people hold raw meat over fire. Your choice!



 

WE'RE OFF TO SEE... THE NAGA?

WE COME IN PEACE

     

Aldrip is hardly the only settlement on the continent of Expiation and though the various peoples of these settlements can often stick within their own, when times are hard and adversity encroaches on livelihood, they're not against seeking the aid of others. Some of the more well-travelled of the Aldrip locals are planning an expedition to visit Rumpitur, an impressively-sized village on a peninsula to the east of Aldrip.

They are ready and willing to take all volunteers who are interested in accompanying them to barter for food and other potentially needed supplies. The visit to Rumpitur will require travel through the Pessiria Forest, a thick veil of trees that one can be easily lost in, but if everyone's together, then it shouldn't be an issue.

Consider joining the expedition and getting to know some of Expiation's other peoples.

Rumpitur is home to a race of naga-like people with scaled features, tails, sharp teeth, and forked tongues. Their way of life is considerably more simple in comparison to some of Aldrip's fancier advancements. They are skilled combatants and a fishing people, whose diet primarily consists of seafood. In Rumpitur, one may take note of their many-in-number stone constructs, depicting a notable and perhaps significant naga.

Although they may seem intimidating at first glance and can have terse ways of speaking, they are amicable enough and will be willing to do business with Aldrip and her citizens.






OR MAYBE WE DON'T

     

The visit from Aldrip, which is a rare occurrence indeed, results in much confusion for the Rumpiturian people, and this may or may not be considered a blessing to those who could be more unscrupulous in nature.

Although the visit to Rumpitur is meant to be one of peace, locals of Aldrip and the Chosen alike have the opportunity to steal supplies from the people. If they choose to do this, they may find that there are no immediate repercussions for this course of action. The likelihood is that this visit has caught the Rumpiturians so off-guard that they're not expecting to be robbed. Of course, how this will impact things in the future remains to be seen...

Individuals may grab as much as they can carry, depending on what they've brought with them. The locals of Aldrip who planned this expedition provided convenient-to-carry containers that can be filled with anything retrieved from the village and her kind. Larger containers will require at least two people to carry when filled, so perhaps you're inclined to work with a partner-in-crime. Just remember that for every action, there's a consequence, even if you're not seeing it right away!

Rumpitur will not notice that they are missing inventory until well after Aldrip has left and travels back through the forest to town, so no one need fear the chasing and hissing of snakes into Pessiria.

Probably.



 

HOLD ONTO YOUR VALUABLES

IT'S NOT REAL... RIGHT?

     

Those who've decided to brave the forest will find on their adventure to Rumpitur that it's rather straight forward and proceeds without incident.

The sky above the trees is a difficult thing to see, blocked out by the way the evergreens stretch and imposingly tower above. At times light may scatter through various openings in branches, but it is a largely darker atmosphere, and at night requires the assistance of candlelight or related.

Travellers with the courage to make way through the forest with the others may hear occasional snaps, cracks, whispers, and more enigmatic sounds that are difficult to justify with logic. Of course, whether this is all in the head or something truly more sinister at play is up for debate. Despite the strange occurrences that one may experience, no members of the Chosen will find themselves harmed or otherwise physically disturbed initially. That said, some may later find themselves haunted by strange dreams and visions of the forest in the future if they are especially sensitive to such things.

Were those sounds real? Were you just hearing things? It's probably wisest not to investigate further. At least, maybe not now...






COUNT YOUR NUMBERS

     

Aldrip has a great many stories about Pessiria Forest and many of the other towns, landmarks, settlements, and people scattered across the continent. Most of these stories seem to depict folklore or a certain mythological feeling about them, implying that many of the locals don't truly believe in any of the more macabre tales. Pessiria Forest has no shortage of poetry and song that pertains to its supposedly 'holy' grounds and mysterious happenstances.

There are several alleged accounts about people having gone missing in the forest, due to how complicated it is to navigate by one's self. The more people travelling together, the safer it is purported to be.

Before leaving for Rumpitur, heads have been counted to ensure that wherever they start is also where they end up, however, for the more observant, one may find that the returning party is short of a few heads. Maybe some of them stayed behind to further the diplomatic efforts with the Rumpiturians. Maybe they're going to catch up later. Maybe they took a different pathway through the forest with some of their mates. Maybe there's something more untoward going on.

If this is brought up to the locals, the leaders of the expedition will warily make note of it and conduct their own investigation. At least, they say they will. Either way, it's suspicious no matter how you may turn it. Perhaps put heads together with another and see if you're just miscounting.



theleadingman: [ commission, please dnt ] (113)

[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-03-23 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Of course.

His chin drops slightly as he finds himself caught, sighing and then raising a brow as he looks back over his shoulder. Naturally, there are a number of people he assumes would take issue with his approach, and for all Aerith's excitement regarding his talk of piracy, he can't say he's particularly surprised to find her among them.]


I thought I was being followed. You managed to hide yourself rather well— I'm impressed.

[Still, he knows the signs. He turns to face her fully, his hands still resting comfortably against his hips— and for a moment, just a moment, he feels like he's been here before. Funny, that; it's not often he finds himself scolded for his inclinations. There's not often anyone in those old tombs to do the scolding, after all.]

We've quite a number of mouths to feed, and it's unlikely that we've enough to barter for as much as we truly need. Desperate times, love.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585993)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-03-23 09:58 am (UTC)(link)
[It's when he turns to face her that she swears she almost hears something.

"How can I resist following you?"

Why? Why then? What is that? Why does she feel like that line, that string of words is somehow important? Things have been so strange lately. She has been put on the back foot in many ways. A man she's only ever dreamt of seeing is here in the flesh. A man she is certain will lead to her end is also here.

She feels as if she is holding onto her secrets for dear life. Somehow, random feelings she doesn't understand are the last things she wants to throw into the mix. Aerith sucks in a breath, the furrow of her brow deep and she has to put it aside.]


Aerith— [She corrects him. Even him just using what must be a completely normal address for someone like him leaves a little flutter of... something creeping up her.] —And no. We're not having trouble getting food. We're having problems keeping it, so we don't have to use it immediately. You're just being greedy.

[Pirate. She doesn't forget that. It's not as if people in the slums haven't had to steal here and there for the sake of survival. But that isn't what's happening here.

Aerith turns from him to gently shut the entryway, just so they don't both get caught, using the time to do so to think about how to proceed forward. What to say. How to appeal to things.]


I'm concerned that if we're caught doing something we shouldn't it won't just be you punished for it. It might be all of us. Things are already hard, as it is.

[She shakes her head and looses a sigh. As she turns back to him, she folds her hands together, she looks thoughtful.]

Maybe it's just the thrill of piracy. This won't be the same, but it might be enough to coerce you to maybe take it easy on the people here. You can steal something of mine. Whatever you'd like.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-03-24 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
Greedy.

[He echoes her with some amusement— it's not an accusation he's terribly inclined to argue, especially given his profession. It may well be true, but there is more to it this time around.]

This isn't typically the sort of treasure that catches my eye, I'll have you know, and I'm hardly here purely for the sake of it. It seemed prudent to ensure they actually had enough to trade before we went promising things we may not be able to afford to part with— and I happen to be of the opinion that this problem we're having was carefully orchestrated. I'm no more inclined to trust our neighbors than anyone else.

[There might be something to the excitement of it, and he can't exactly argue that, either. No doubt theft will provoke consequences, especially if it's on too large a scale, but he's of the mind that the diplomatic approach may well carry consequences of its own.

Her offer is intriguing, regardless. Both fine brows arch upwards as he looks at her expectantly, curious.]


Presuming, for a moment, that I am only in this for the thrill of it, what would you have that I would want?
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586008)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-03-25 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[It’s nice that he has an explanation, and while it’s technically the right thing to say, she imagines that Balthier is probably pretty good at talking himself out of a difficult situation. He’s smooth, for sure. He might say anything just to get her off of his back. Not that it’ll work. At least, so says her expression.

Instead of getting any further in chiding him further, however, when he asks what she even has to offer, she has to really consider it. He has no idea who she is. He’s not from her world. What she is, who she is, is of no benefit to him.

She tried to give one of her bracelets earlier to the naga. He has said that he likes flashy things. She’s also carrying around a couple of her hair pieces that she’s arrived with.]


Uhm…

[Lifting her hands into her hair, the way it’s pulled back, and by where the pink ribbon holds it back, she plucks out a hair piece and she holds it up thoughtfully.]

This maybe? It’s probably worth something if money was what you were after.

[Although Aerith doesn’t exactly look like she’s chomping at the bit to get rid of it.]
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-03-25 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
[She has to stop and give it a moment's thought, but it's clear that she's quite serious about trying to divert his attention by offering him something of value. He can't say he's necessarily surprised; he doesn't imagine Aerith to be the sort of woman who makes an offer without intending to follow through, given her forward nature, but it does leave a strong impression on him, one he's not quite sure what to make of just yet.

The fact remains that he's not here for trinkets, but for supplies that may help stem the tide of Aldrip's inability to properly preserve food in the way it is accustomed. He has more to say on that matter, more about his suspicions and his aversion to over-promising and leaving themselves too deeply indebted to the Rumpiturians, but none of it seems appropriate in the moment. Instead, he shifts to fold his arms across his chest as he regards her seriously, his gaze coming to rest on the hair piece she holds up for consideration.

Why can't he shake the feeling that he's seen it before? No doubt he's seen countless such pieces in various shops and stalls over the years, but there is something about this one in particular that gives him pause for no reason he can discern.]


It isn't about money.

[Not this time.]

I'm sure the piece would fetch a reasonable price. Nothing exorbitant, but something.

[Still, just as she doesn't seem eager to give it away, he doesn't seem terribly eager to take it, either.]
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586020)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-03-25 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't know what to make of his response. It's not about money, says the pirate who has probably... Well. Actually. He's dressed so nicely all the time that she's going to guess that unlike her, he's probably never had to really worry about money. And if he's been a successful pirate, which she's going to assume he has, then he has even less reason to worry.

Aerith offers over her hairpiece to him, resting in the palm of her hand. Other than that motion, she remains where she's rooted. She doesn't seem inclined to let him actually take anything out of this place that he has no business taking. Well, anything that he hasn't already taken and hidden somewhere on his purpose that she absolutely will not be checking for.]


I don't know what else I could offer. I didn't really come with anything from my world. A couple of things, but not things I'd be willing to part with. I guess I have some money from when I was helping people back in town, but you just said this isn't about money, so I'm gonna guess that's not what you want. If this is really about food and supplies, I'll just trade something of mine instead, like this, for materials and you can carry them back.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-03-31 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Something about her proposed solution immediately strikes him as being decidedly wrong, something aside from his own hesitation regarding legitimate trade with the Rumpiturians— for as ever, as he considers every possibility, he has woven a tapestry depicting an elaborate conspiracy in his own mind, the way one has to think when one is always a few questionable decisions away from being thrown into the deepest of dungeons, or worse.

He studies that hair piece for another moment or two, but does not reach for it to accept it— instead, he shakes his head, his fine brows drawing downwards for a moment.]


No— you should hold onto that.

[Instinct, he supposes? He can't really say.]

Not that it's my place to tell you what you can or can't trade, but you don't seem particularly keen to give that up in the first place.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586008)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-04-03 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[She can’t quite say what it is, but there’s something in his response that makes her think of her own hesitance. Although she doesn’t know why she feels as strongly as she does, she knows very well that parting herself from a hairpiece, from this particular one carries a similar weight as the pink ribbon that holds her hair back. It seems Balthier understands that, even if Aerith isn’t voicing it just yet.

Drawing it back to herself protectively, she presses it against her collar with some thought.]


You’re right. I’m not. I don’t… It’ll sound a little silly, but don’t laugh, okay? I can’t remember where I got it from. But when I look at it. When I hold it. I know it means something really important. I had a couple others I arrived with and they’re all like that. [One might be with Mizuki, but it’s still just as important. She just wanted to share something important to her with another person.] Wish I had a better explanation, but that’s the way it is. I’m sure it’ll come back to me eventually.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-04-10 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[He hadn't expected for her response to strike him so profoundly, and yet there's a brief shift in his expression— so quick that it might easily be missed if someone weren't paying attention before it shifts back. That same sort of feeling has been nagging at him for some time now, and she manages to capture it exactly.]

I wouldn't laugh.

[He exhales softly, and he feels a little of the determination to defend his current course of action waver, if only because it isn't at the forefront of his mind any longer.]

I believe I know what you mean. I feel as though there are things I ought to remember that have escaped me— bits and pieces that don't add up otherwise, but it's more than that.

[He, too, had found himself in possession of an item that he couldn't remember the origin of— only the feeling that it was important somehow.]

An item that does not seem significant in any way, and yet I cannot help but feel that it must be.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585995)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-04-23 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[She relaxes just a touch at his reassurance. Balthier doesn't seem, she thinks, like the kind of person to say something he doesn't mean. No, he seems too proud for something like that. Even if it had to do with him, she gets the impression, he might just wear it loudly for all to see. Sometimes people who are confident are capable of getting away with that.

In a way, isn't she a bit the same? She has her secrets, but so much about her, perhaps, is transparent in its own way.]


Really? [Aerith begins, thinking little more than it might be coincidental.] I thought it was just me. But I guess that's because I haven't exactly made it public business that I had thoughts like that. There's a lot about things here that I still have questions about or don't fully understand. I guess I was just waiting before I tried pursuing them further.

[How her abilities work here. If they do at all. The nature that she can't really read the life here. She knows it's here, but it feels different. It almost doesn't make sense. She can't connect to it. At least, not the way she has always been able to back home.

Her memories on top of it are additional confusing things that she doesn't know how to handle or deal with. It's just often seemed that there are more important things at hand.]


I didn't know anyone else was feeling like that, too.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-04-28 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Given the strangeness of our circumstances, I think we might find that more people share our feelings than we once thought— though it seems a bit uncouth to simply ask others if they've experienced something similar without preamble, I suppose the only way to find out would be a willingness to discuss.

[His frown persists, though it is more the thoughtful sort than anything else— the fact that Aerith has experienced something similar to what has quite literally kept him up at night continues to beg even more questions than he'd already had.]

I've only spoken to one other person about this, and briefly, at that, but she hadn't experienced anything of the sort. It may not be a universal experience, but I doubt we're the only ones.

[It would make little sense, for it to only be one or two people suffering such disconnection.]
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585997)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-04-28 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a hard thing to discuss if one doesn't remember... what they don't remember. Aerith wouldn't have even made mention of it if it didn't happen to come up in conversation, admittedly. And it's not like there's been a tonne of conversations where such a thing even made sense to make mention of.

Her head tilts as she watches him. Aerith can't really read him. She can guess, form a variety of conjectures about him and might even be pretty confident in the conclusions, but in the end, it's all just a bunch of guessing. At least right now. Although it's not terribly different from how she approaches similar things with others she knows.]


I'll keep that in mind. It doesn't really seem like the kind of thing I can just randomly bring up in conversation, though. Might be smarter to let others bring it up, because then I can chime in. Otherwise, people might think I'm losing it a little.

[Chances are that people likely already think this.]
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-06 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Likely for the best. It's not the sort of thing one can easily work into conversation.

[That they had managed to do so was entirely by accident, but if their own experiences were similar in this way, then it stood to reason there might be others. In that case, it would only be a matter of time before such things came up again, though simply waiting was also a bit passive for his liking.]

Whatever the case, I can't imagine the reason for it is anything benevolent— given the nature of our arrivals, I can only assume it's connected. Nonetheless, I'll not be taking your hairpiece from you.

[If that wasn't clear already. He does glance at it once more, and his brow furrows slightly before smoothing as he adopts a more neutral expression. It seems familiar to him, too, somehow, but he must have seen a thousand such ornaments in his time. It wouldn't have been out of place in an Archadian boutique, he supposes.]

If you feel it meant something to you, you ought to keep it.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586021)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-06 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
[He seems pretty well decided and she’s not inclined to argue it much more. Instead, she accepts it for what it is, a showing of understanding and empathy, it seems. Folding her hold around the hairpiece, she draws it back to her, raising her hands to nestle back into her hair, right by the pink ribbon that holds it back.]

I appreciate the understanding. I don’t think anyone should feel they have to give up something that’s important to them, whether they can remember why it’s important or not. That said, I don’t have anything else of value to give. I guess there’s me, but I don’t know that I’m much good at anything. Running errands, I guess. I take direction well…!

[But she also knows how that sounds. Using herself as a bartering chip? On one hand, it sounds perfectly like her. It’s what got her into Shinra’s laboratory to begin with, after all.]
theleadingman: [ commission, please dnt ] (168)

[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-07 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[He sighs heavily— she's determined to offer something in order to dissuade him from doing what he came here to do, it would seem, even if the hairpiece is off the table.]

You don't intend to relent until I agree, do you?

[Doesn't this seem familiar— and somehow, even more than he'd first thought, though he can't imagine why. His initial impression of her remains, however: this is a young woman who is used to getting her way. She has a certain way with people. Gods forbid she ever use it for some sort of misdeed— though he doesn't think that's quite like her.]

I am a pirate, need I remind you.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585995)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-07 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I like having my way.

[Although she doubts she needs to say it. He probably already knows. It's one of those traits about her that probably sticks out like a sore thumb. This is also the same girl who tends to wear her emotions right out where they can be seen.

As long as they don't deal with her, evidently.]


And I know that. Can't you find something else to cause trouble with, though? I'm sure pirates of some kind bartered. Don't pirates have some kind of code of honour or something? Or is that just a book thing?
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-07 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm hardly here for the sake of causing trouble.

[Sure, there might be a bit of a thrill to it— getting what you might have paid for for free— but if the Rumpiturians are in on the cause of all the troubles in Aldrip, he'd rather not give them even the slightest bit of leverage. He's never been in the habit of wanting to owe anyone favors, for that matter.]

As for a code, there certainly is— and it includes not trusting that everyone else isn't out for themselves. Regardless, I didn't come to this storehouse for personal gain.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586005)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-07 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
...Really?

[Personal gain.

She has a difficult time believing that. There are plenty of reasons why one might be inclined to look out for themselves. Survival drives people to do extreme things. In this world where they should, ideally, band together, there's incentive to do things without the aid of others. Aerith isn't foolish enough to believe otherwise, even if she wouldn't ordinarily employ methods like that.]


Why are you here, then? What do you think you're gonna find in here that we can't just trade for? It'd make more sense to be fostering those good relations than to go snooping about their personal things, even if you are insisting you're doing this for the benefit of all of us.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-08 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
Good relations.

[He shakes his head, dismissing that idea— and perhaps he is wrong to do so, but he cannot bring himself to believe that any of the natives here are exactly what they seem to be.]

Were we anywhere else, I might agree. Diplomacy certainly has its place, but picturesque as it may be, let us not forget that this is some sort of prison. Nobody 'native' to this place is to be trusted, and trading with the Rumpiturians while openly admitting we are in need gives them the leg up on us— so to speak.

[Seeing as they don't have legs.]

It's only a matter of time before they come demanding something else in turn, reminding us that they 'helped' us when we needed it.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585996)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-08 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think it's like a prison at all.

[Aerith frowns thoughtfully. They're pretty much free to do whatever they want, right? Except go home. Which... yeah, probably is indicative of a prison of some kind, but there's a lot of freedom given for a prison. Maybe... they have to earn their freedom? Not that she'd know. There's not a lot of information about the world, its inhabitants, or the parchment they've been given.]

I also think if they wanted to collect on good deeds, they would have done so already. They actually could have done that with what's going on now, you know. Could have said we were required to come all the way here because of everything they've done for us. Instead, those of us who are here are because we've chosen to be. That's not the same thing. I think a little optimism goes a long way, Balthie.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-12 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
It's prettier than most prisons I've seen, but anywhere one is kept against their will certainly counts.

[He's also not forgotten what he's been accused of, and the idea of 'sentencing' that's been left to hang over his head— along with everyone else's. His current focus may be on their immediate situation instead, but that parchment of his is never far from his mind.

He sighs, his chin dropping for a moment as shifts again, bringing a hand to his hip.]


While I admire your tireless optimism, I can hardly bring myself to see things the same way. In my experience, it pays little to do so.

[People are not, he's often found, basically good.]
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586026)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-12 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
I guess that's true...

[When he says it like that, it's harder for her to contest. Of course someone else would view it in a similar way, too. She fights against a thoughtful frown and dips her head just a touch, green eyes lingering on the ground for a breath or two before she returns it to him.]

Well, I can be optimistic for the both of us. It's not tireless and it's not endless, but I can at least do my best. Let me think of the best. But really, please don't steal anything from them. If I have to start giving up my clothes or my shoes or something, fine, but it's a request from me.
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[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-12 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
A request.

[Even as he echoes her, prepared to insist on going about his business regardless, he can feel the fight leave him. The request itself is so earnest, he almost has to admire her persistence. Normally, he goes about his pirating without guilt, but this isn't the sort of plundering he would normally engage in— and perhaps that alone is reason enough to concede, but he cannot deny that he feels something within nagging at him, some sense of familiarity and an instinct that this isn't a battle he ought to choose to fight.

He looks back at her, both eyebrows raised as he studies her for a moment before giving another shake of his head.]


... fine. I'll leave the storehouses as they are.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586012)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-12 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't expect him to give in. Even as she stands there, watching, waiting, and holding her breath, maybe that hope that lingers in her is more subconscious. Something she holds onto without realising it. Only to find that when he does agree, she's... a little surprised by it. It flutters across her expression before it eventually fades into something that is more like a subdued appreciation.]

Thank you. That's probably not what you want to do, but it really might be better. If we end up good friends with the people here, maybe that can change. You can visit again later and take what you need.

[She softens just a touch.]

Can I convince you to get some fruit with me? I could use some help carrying it back. It'll keep us both out of trouble.
theleadingman: [ commission, please dnt ] (123)

[personal profile] theleadingman 2023-05-12 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
[He's rather surprised himself, to be perfectly honest, but he immediately feels some of the tension begin to ease once they're in agreement. Once more, they'll have to agree to disagree regarding their points of view, but it's plain that she's perfectly capable of being optimistic enough for the both of them— for now, at any rate.]

I suppose we'll have to wait and see how things proceed, won't we?

[Whether they'll become good friends with the Rumpiturians, he cannot say, but at least for now, he'll let the diplomats among them do what they will.]

That said, I do think I could be convinced— though there may not be enough fruit in the world to keep me out of trouble indefinitely.

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