video | @khaleesi

[freeing]

Name: Daenerys Targaryen
Date: Iuneril 1st
Format: video

[ It was an... honest attempt to be professional. To be queenly. In the farmlands away from Aefenglom, in a dimly lit bedroom that looked as if it had seen better days, Daenerys is visible independently from a "selfie" style of video. She's propped her device up and sits in a small lounge chair next to the window to catch the light outside – what's left of it as a large stormcloud begins to overtake the farmlands. ]

Forgive me, it has been some time since I have come to such network to seek aid. [ The last time didn't work out too well! ] Recently, many of us on the Mirrorbound Council had begun to propose an initiative to improve the quality of life in the Outer City, where the residents are most vulnerable. It seemed, unfortunately, such actions were not... supported by the Parliament. Many of us have made efforts to improve the lives of those there, but we are still but strangers here – still under a wheel not our own.

[ There's an underlining bitterness there. ]

I am asking for help to take this mission on without the need of Parliament growing involved, then. We would like to begin cleaning the area up and treat those who have early stages of the Cwyld infection. The farmlands I have partial ownership of has diverted crop shipments from the city guard to the poorest and hungriest citizens, but that simply will not be enough.

[ Or, wise. ]

Fishermen, hunters, medics, builders – if we are able to begin putting clinics in more accessible areas for early-stage treatments... we could improve the quality of life for those suffering and stop the risk of spreading further. It is dangerous and time-consuming, I know... but –

[ Daenerys flinches, a washing view of disappointment on her face. Guilt clear. ]

We can not rely on Parliament to assist us there. Their efforts are strained between so many aspects of their city and I wish to take this responsibility on if possible. If anyone has skills to better help with this, please... I will be in your debt for your assistance.

Comments

video; un: hiccup

[thisisamazing]

[He's in the forge, as he is fairly often. Hiccup is certainly no stranger to the Outer City and some of its plights; not involved in politics at all, being quite inexperienced in those matters, but these are places he's been, people he knows. It's not uncommon for him to go fishing for his dragons, or hunting for game, and leave the excess in the care of residents of the Outer City.

Despite living at the Phoenix Tear with Newt, he doesn't know much about clinics, or healing, or treating the Cwyld (that isn't really something they do), but he does have one thing he can offer.]

If you need help with construction, just let me know. I know there are abandoned shacks out there that can be used as framework - I've done it before, with my house out here at the forge. I'd be happy to put in some work myself and direct anyone else who wanted to help with that.

private | un: harmonia

[digiorno]

[. . . Hm.]

Do you intend to continue diverting crops, despite recent events?

[freeing]

[ Hiccup and a forge are the buddy comedy we need right now, honestly.

It's difficult not to light up at the offer, as if she has faith in the dragonlord as much as she does a dear friend. His experiences were invaluable, but his quick call to arms – it makes her feel as if she was on the right track. ]

That... would be immensely helpful. I know nothing of rebuilding or the work put into it for long-term sustainability.

[ Cautiously: ]

Thank you.

private

[freeing]

Until we can instill charity, trade, and sustainability into the Outer City, yes. The farmlands I help oversee is only a small percentage of crops offered to the guard at minimal cost.

The Lady of the land, Edre, has respectfully declined payment until the recent issues in the Outer City are dealt with.

[thisisamazing]

[He always needs something to be doing. Berk is not a place for the idle, and Berk raised Hiccup - into an almost manic man who builds and innovates and always looks for improvement. Along with the type of Chief he used to be, it makes for someone who is quick to volunteer for worthwhile endeavors.

Besides, he'll always help out a friend.

He smiles a little wider, pencil behind his ear, smudge of soot on his cheek.] Well, then- you know, I'm your guy. We're champion builders on Berk. Comes from three hundred years of having our houses destroyed by dragons a few times a year!

Don't mention it. It sounds like something good, something- something worthwhile.

[digiorno]

I have no intention of saying you're wrong or trying to stop you. I'm curious, though, what your plan is in the long term regarding the obvious conflict with Parliament. They turned down your motion out of spite. They could easily do the same to anything you choose to support in the future.

[freeing]

[ She knew this would come. There's a small smirk on her features, a bit more confident than the stubborn and quiet girl that allowed this to happen in the first place. ]

I plan to make better friends in Parliament. Ones that can prove to work in the better interest of their city and I may be inclined to play their games when the occasion calls for it as well.

[ Scratch your back, etc...etc... The crops was a sore spot, admittedly, but least she knows she can make it right. ]

[freeing]

[ "Her guy". That term was so loose, but she knows the faith she has in him was immense. Since the beginning, she felt as if she could trust him. That... was a rarity. ]

Hopefully there will be no destruction here once the houses are set. I assume besides the Parliament's superficial reasons for wanting in theory to improve the area, this would allow us to not rest. If we are to be in this world, we are to do good in it.

[digiorno]

[There. All right. He visibly, if only slightly, relaxes.]

Thank you. In that case, I'd like to help in any way I can, anywhere you need me. I can perform basic first aid and assist with general day-to-day care as appropriate, as well as manual labor. [He's a lot stronger now than he once was, after all.] But in addition to that—

I assume the state of housing hasn't improved? [Dry as dust.]

[thisisamazing]

[As much as she has faith in him, he has faith in her - to be a leader, to put in the effort. It's something he admires, as a Chief. He's only led his own people and has no illusions that he would could do as much here, but he can do this - lend his support, offer his skills.

And that sounds just like thoughts he's had before - if we're going to be here, we should use this time for good.]

Well, here's hoping on that. Nothing is guaranteed, but buildings are just buildings - they can always be fixed. [Not gonna let that get him down.] You can't tear down ideas and efforts, though. This will be good, I'm sure.

How big of a project is this going to be?

video; un: nie mingjue

[chifeng_zun]

[Clinics, huh? He's only been through the Outer City a few times on his aimless explorations of Aefenglom, but once is all it takes to see the squalid conditions the common people face. He's had the thought before, that they are not protected, and no real attempt is made to protect them from roving Shades and beasts.

He would not let it stand in Qinghe. If a village were experiencing attacks, no matter how poor, he would send his own cultivators to deal with it.]

Any projects in the Outer City are vulnerable to setbacks from attacks. Unless I have missed something, none that I know of track the frequency of of Shades, nor beat them back with any regularity or organization. [He sounds hard, but thoughtful, not critical of the idea but concerned about practicality.

Perhaps this is something to focus on.]

voice;

[crowsfeat]

[ The voice opens with what sounds like a laugh, but it's airy, quiet, and hardly seems to have any joy within it. It almost seemed like a vocal tick than a genuine giggle of any sort. ]

How unsurprising, to see us neglected by the powerful. So it often goes.

I've been watching over the Outer City, myself. Made a place for myself here. And I do have some medical knowledge...

[ Ah, but then there was that to worry about. ]

But not when the moons are about. I'll only be a burden to your efforts, then.

Text; filtered to Daenerys - ANONYMOUS

[fiddlestick]

I can help teach any healers you find how to treat Cwyld using the Coven's methods.

But it'll have to be done in secret. I've been trying to infiltrate the Coven to investigate something and they'll strip my access if they find out I'm leaking information.

[freeing]

[ He does bring a smile to her face, as if his words were exactly the optimism she needed. ]

Modest. The supplies we've given will feed those, but there is much work to be done in other areas. Ozymandias proposed to Parliament an initiative to provide all improvements on life – from curing the ill to better housing.

[ She usually has advisors for this!!! ]

[freeing]

I'm fearful that whatever improvements in the housing there had been still is not enough to prevent a spread of infection. [ But, despite the coldness of the topic, her words brim with hope. ] I would not have you risk exposure for basic first aid, ser. If you are able and experienced, I admit I lack the skills needed for logistics – to keep the wheels moving forward together.

[ She speaks more candidly. ]

The improvements proposed were far more than one simple task and splinters into multiple areas.

[thisisamazing]

There's always the possibility of expanding in the future. [He hums out a response, not entirely sure what opinion he has on Parliament. Politics is a complicated game.] Good luck. I hope Parliament will do what's right, but I don't know enough about it to know if they will. Regardless, we can take donations.

I'm done with the repairs on the Phoenix Tear. I have left over materials and I can always buy more. Making at least some of the Outer City livable is a cause that is... close to my heart, I guess. I lived out here pretty early on, and they were always nice to me.

private; video

[mirshikar]

[ Look here, Asura's got a whiskey tumbler in hand as he lounges upon a bed of luxurious fur pelts. Presently at the treehouse, he is well into the Wilde and far past the Outer City itself, but thoughts of the people there seldom leave him. Oftentimes, he makes whole days of dismantling the Shades which draw too close to the borders of the slums— it is a habit he'd settled into shortly after his arrival in Talam, but only after learning of the Outer City's plight from the Coven. That's why he'll speak to it now: ]

For as long as I have been made to inhabit this realm, Nerissa Bell of the Coven has raised the call to aid those in the Outer City.

Though I hold no love for the Coven, in this support Bell is consistent. If Parliament is not to be an ally in aiding those beyond the Bright Wall, perhaps you might make one of the Coven instead.

[ It could prove to be a wise decision. ]

But with or without the Coven and Bell, you know me to be a hunter and builder both. [ His grin, then, is warm and full. Colored by notes of fondness as he raises his glass to her, drinks deeply before: ] You also know that you have my aid in this effort, Daenerys.

[freeing]

I will ensure there is no doubt this project will move along prosperously. This is not something I take lightly.

[ She's hard on herself, but her voice regains her own comfort in regality. In words fitting for a Queen – firm and distant. ]

By gathering those whom I believe can make a difference, dividing up the issues present would yield better results than trying to reshape the Parliament's system.

[ And more tactfully: ]

If your heart is in this cause, it would be valued as such.

[freeing]

The City Guard keeps their attentions on the inner-dwellings, but it is all but fairgame in the wilds outside of their walls. [ Yes! Finally, someone gets it! ] The farmlands are equipped with runes to repel attacks, to protect crops and livestock but even then – this magic has its faults as well.

[ She doesn't trust it. ]

I believe that is why the Outer City is as it is – because the reliability is not what it should be.

[ There's confidence there – that the most vulnerable were the ones sent out almost as poor sacrifices and barriers. However, she does not imply any with her words so boldly. ]

There are only the traveling hunters, I believe. The rest...? They react to such things.

[freeing]

[ Well, that's not ominous is it? The laugh was almost unnerving – but the words that follow were exactly what she wanted to hear. A desperate cling to ensure she wasn't paranoid with her own desire to take matters into her own hands. ]

How badly is it? It has been a moon since I last traveled there. I... was advised to be wary of the spreading infection.

[ Especially when she had Parliament deny Ozy's motion. But, the request seems honest at least. ]

I... believe any skills you could offer would help our cause but not at the expense of your own comfort..? I would never demand such.

cha-cha slides to anon

[freeing]

Are their methods not well-known...? Not in the other clinics in the better parts of Aefenglom?

...I see. You move in the shadows. I can not blame you, ser or lady. The Coven has not proven to be entirely trust-worthy as far as leadership goes. They hesitate to follow their hearts and humanity at times.

[freeing]

[ Fans self. Don't go give this dragon the vapors so close to a full moon? You fool. You stupid sexy fool.

Either way, if there was anyone who valued her flare for appearances, it was Asura. She was almost pleased to have him join a private conversation – but he can see the disappointment tug at her lips. ]

If she called for aid, would this issue not have presented itself? Worsened over time?

[ There's almost a disapproving gaze back to him, but she does listen. She's silent for a minute as he explains himself, as she stews between words wanting to fumble past her lips impatiently.

No. She can't do that now. She withholds her emotions – thoughtful until her eyes finally focus back on the video feed. ]

Your aid is precious to me and it is something I can never truly repay you for. My debt will simply grow larger, it seems. [ A small, approving laugh – tired and distant. ] If we involve the Coven... would we be relying on their final words?

[chifeng_zun]

Outside the Wall, outside the system, is what I gather. [Whether he approves or not, that seems to be the reality. He hums out a thoughtful little noise.]

Right. I thought that last month. Driving Shades from the Outer City seemed an afterthought, the hunting grounds a solution to restlessness and to prevent destruction within the city rather than to defend poor settlements.

Organized hunting groups would be a boon. Perhaps soon I will gauge interest in such a thing, put myself to use.

[thisisamazing]

You'd never take something so important lightly. [He says warmly. He has faith in this friend of his, this more experienced leader.] I'm glad you're organizing this. You're going to be good at it.

It is. Whatever- you know, whatever you need me to do or provide, just ask. I'm behind you all the way. [He's of the opinion they don't need Parliament. They can get on by themselves, just the Mirrorbound and perhaps even the refugees - they are their people too now, or might as well be.]

shakes anon maracas

[fiddlestick]

Some of them, yeah. And it doesn't help it can be dangerous if they're used wrong.

It's true, I'm come across some of that. But I'm still waiting to unearth more before I come forward with what I find on that end.

Still, I want to help the people outside the wall any way I can.