text; @nie mingjue

[chifeng_zun]

Name: Nie Mingjue
Date: June 4
Format: Text

The full moons approach rapidly and Shades and creatures continue to be a problem in the Outer City. If others truly want to make it livable for the people who reside there, it requires better protections. I am looking for like-minded people who wish to hunt regularly, with purpose, and also begin to track what emerges from the Wilde seeking the city and how often these things show up. I think such information could be valuable in recognizing patterns and becoming more proactive.

I am not the only warrior here. Should our skills and our past experiences not be put to use to defend those who cannot defend themselves? As well, I hear everywhere that we must not resist these changes else we risk losing ourselves to them. Indulging the instincts against real dangers benefits all.

[Nie Mingjue is not a man of many words, but he wants to do this, has thought about it since last month, where 'taking care of this danger to the Outer City' seemed secondary to 'don't destroy the city'. And why should it only be once in a while?

After a moment, he adds, reluctant even through text,]

And unrelated, how does one go about learning how to paint?

[A promise is a promise even if it's a stupid one.]

[ooc: If there is enough interest in hunting groups I might start doing small mingle logs during downtime for it with some mini-boss creatures or Shades, if that's a thing folks would want.]

Comments

text | un: wangxian

[taciturnly]

( yes, let's kill things to drown our sorrows. )

Chifeng-zun. I will gladly join you.

( and also... )

Wei Ying's hand is well-practiced. ( HE MEANS ART. ) Seek his advice.

[chifeng_zun]

I would be glad to have you, Wangji. Whether or not others agree, you and I can at least go out for a night-hunt.

[He's always glad to spend some time with Wangji.]

I may ask him, then, if things are calm enough. I know you both are busy.

[taciturnly]

You honor me. ( and let it be said that lan wangji is in dire need of brotherly comfort right now. )

Never a bother to accommodate family. Have you ever painted at all before?

>private

[chifeng_zun]

You are welcome in my company whenever you wish it. It is not a bother to accommodate family.

[He returns the sentiment, smiling slightly at his watch. Wangji is a man of even fewer words than Mingjue; they both understand the importance of them, and Nie Mingjue is straight-forward enough to want to make himself clear. It is not an honor, it is support, which he offers freely.]

No, I haven't. I may ask him for insight. I also want to give him copies of the recipes Jiang Yanli left with me, if he does not have them already.

[finesseblade]

I concur. Sitting idle and waiting until the Shades come to us only leads to more chaos and killing in the Outer City. We need a more organized and proactive response, and better defenses around the perimeter, else they will be clawing at our Bright Wall before we know it.

[ Forgive him if he's been a little paranoid about this exact possibility since the expedition up north. ]

If we're to be beasts, let's use our teeth to our advantage against that which plagues us. When do we begin?

[taciturnly]

As are you.

( would you mind if he shed barely-restrained tears in your fatherly arms BECAUSE IT MIGHT HAPPEN. )

For both, Wei Ying will be delighted. ( and color him a little curious... ) If I may. Is your interest at all pertinent to the wedding preparations? ( because if that's the case, he really doesn't want you to trouble yourself. )

[chifeng_zun]

[He raised Huaisang. He can handle crying little brothers.]

Ah, no. The painting is... something else. [Something he isn't sure about disclosing. Although if anyone could give him some insight on Lan Xichen it would be his brother.] Your brother feels I require more instruction in the arts, apparently. [It's a shame text does not convey just how dry that statement would be.]

No, my gift to both of you is paying for part of the wedding. Believe me, it is a much more useful gift than anything I could make.

I imagine those plans will not proceed quickly from here? Are you both well? It is difficult to see family again and have them disappear.

[chifeng_zun]

Yes, agreed. Knowing the enemy is as important as slaying the enemy, that we can prevent attacks rather than simply respond. This may not be a traditional war, but it is a war nonetheless.

Regardless of the turn-out, I will be out during the full moons, and periodically after. You are welcome to join me at any time.

[taciturnly]

( he doesn’t want to ask. the answer he half-expects is a bitter aftertaste on the back of his tongue, and truth be told, his brother’s heart has felt a little foreign as of late.

he asks anyway. ) His reasoning? ( has he actually given insight? because it does seem like a strange request, as far as nie minjue’s involved. )

Your assistance is greatly appreciated. ( his presence alone would be enough, and he knows what it means to his bonded to be able to uphold traditions for the sake of their union. ) My stance has not changed, despite recent events. ( family gone, friends, and even those who remain, his brother in particular. ) I have heard of your brother’s departure. You have my sympathy.

[chifeng_zun]

I am not certain, truthfully. It is... a complicated matter. [One he is not unwilling to talk about, but not sure how, because he can't for the life of him seem to grasp that reasoning.] Perhaps something better spoken about in person. I can stop by this afternoon if you like.

Of course not, but preparations will no doubt slow. Jiang Yanli wished to take care of the banquet, and now I will have to make other arrangements, for one. Still we will see you both wed. [They both deserve it.]

Thank you. It is difficult, but he is home and safe. Others are not so lucky.

text | un:whitestone

[gunsmithed]

Did you have something specific in mind?

[chifeng_zun]

Small groups coordinating to cover more ground without needless overlap. Confining to a certain section of the Wilde surrounding the city at first, not roaming out too far. Reporting findings at the end of the hunt to better track the types and numbers of attackers. We do not truly know the enemy, I feel.

Of course, this depends on numbers. I will be out myself, at the very least.

[gunsmithed]

Seems reasonable enough. Count me in, if you find yourself in need of ranged fighters.

[finesseblade]

[ See, now you're speaking his language. Plague isn't his expertise, but war? This is what he knows, and where he thrives. ]

You seem competent. I would gladly join you to hunt when the moons are full again.

If I may ask... if we could assemble enough skilled trackers, would it not be prudent to determine which points along the outer boundaries see the most Shade activity, and erect fortifications? Even crude palisades or sharpened wood spikes would be better defense than nothing.

Text

[betweenduskanddawn]

I'd like to help!

Though admittedly I'm not much use when it comes to tracking, but I can help protect people.

text | un: augur

[prophexy]

[Urianger can hold his own in a fight, but he's not much of a warrior, truth be told. But there is one part of this call that rings downright familiar, even if it has been three years since he was actually called upon to do it.]

Though my skill in combat may be less than some, I do have experience with the gathering of information, performing research and analyzing patterns after the manner thou art discussing. 'Twas once my task to collate information on the transport and accumulation of resources necessary for the manifestation of powerful inimical beings. If thou art yet in need of personnel of a more scholarly bent, I may be able to assist.

[chifeng_zun]

That would be helpful. Archer? Or some other ranged weaponry? I know there are things in this city I am not yet familiar with.

[chifeng_zun]

[Mingjue, too. The Sunshot Campaign is not that far behind him, the war in which he won most of the battles for their side with his strategy and force. Warring against Shades, inhuman creatures that only bring misery, is almost comfortingly black and white, good and evil, right and wrong. No moral quandaries to ponder.]

With enough information to determine where such things would offer the most defense, I think it would be a fine idea. It is something that should have been implemented long before now but perhaps we have the chance to rectify that.

[chifeng_zun]

All will be welcome, of course. Warriors are needed just as much as those to track the creatures defeated. It is my hope that we will see enough turn-out to go in small, organized groups, spaced out to prevent unnecessary overlap.

[chifeng_zun]

There are many moving parts in a war. This may not be a traditional war, against undead creatures and vicious beasts, but it is a war nonetheless.

Information can often be key to winning a battle. I will certainly turn away no willing hands, especially those who may do what I cannot. I would be glad to have your assistance in the recording and research.

text, un: filament

[omnicrafter]

Learning to paint?

Well, I'm not an expert at it, but it takes a lot of practice. A lot of practice, and doing things over and over again. It's mostly a learned talent, though some are naturally gifted at it. It also helps to find out what techniques and styles work best for you personally to get better at it.

That said, were you just planning to paint on canvas, or some other medium?

As for your other question, I would call myself a warrior, though I'm not sure how much help I can be, given I have to drink human blood specifically. Then again, I've never actually tested how well beastkin blood works to stave off the hunger, so... perhaps...

un: jaeger

[usurpers]

[ already on these types of these patrols, eren doesn’t feel a need to comment just yet. it’s proactive, at least, and he approves. the last inquiry, on the other hand, ]

All you need is paint.

[gunsmithed]

Ah no. Guns, primarily. Effectively the same, if a bit noisier.

text, un: dawnwitch

[darkestbefore]

I'm not sure I would call myself a warrior, but I've some skill at a bow, and hunting prey. I'm still new here, but if there are parts of the City that need protecting, I'd like to help, if I may?

[ She's still finding her footing - and her place - in this society, but if there's people that need defending, she can't turn her back on those in need. ]

[taciturnly]

At your earliest convenience. Another matter needs to be discussed. ( probably a little more dire than nie mingjue's new artistic endeavors. )

Your dedication honors us. My wishes are much simpler than my Bonded's.

May we find relief in the safety of our loved ones.