aefenglom | video; un: ozymandias

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video; un: ozymandias

Name: Ozymandias
Date: 2.8
Format: Video

[Ozymandias really only seems to use the network when he has an announcement of some sort to make and this is no exception. Although this time rather than being seated in his personal study, some may recognize that Ozymandias is seated in the Mirrorbound Council's office in the Parliament building. His smile, as always, is radiant. While not exactly fidgeting, it's quite apparent that Ozymandias has a spark of energy to him today. Before he even speaks, it can easily be understood that his announcement is a happy one.]

I have tremendous news to share with all of you.

As I am sure many of you are aware, the living conditions in the western portion of the Residential District are poorer than most. [Ozymandias moves his hand over the top of the desk in front of him. As he speaks, a miniature version of the Residential District is conjured as it stands currently sans the piles of snow that have been dropped on the city as of late. Even at this smaller scale, it's plain to see how many of the buildings are on their last legs or, at the very least, are more than a fixer-upper.] There are far more citizens than there is suitable housing. Those that live here struggle against the elements, and protecting themselves and their property.

Although some of these challenges predate any of us, we Mirrorbound must admit that we have contributed to those conditions through the creation of the Haven. [Ozymandias looks up from the model he's created as the last of its magic weaves itself together.] Therefore, Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg and I felt that something ought to be done to provide for those displaced. Thus, for several months, through our observations and speaking with locals, potential properties have been identified as being the least disruptive to those that live in the area.

[With a gesture of his hand, a few of the buildings adopt a faint golden glow.]

I am pleased to say that through my continued efforts, and those of Emperor Edelgard's ward, Leslie, and Myrobalan, we have successfully passed a motion through Parliament to secure funding for this project. In time, we shall construct subsidized apartment buildings, [which one morphs into existence from one of the selected properties with another motion of his hand, the building rising higher and taller than the rest] with those we shall temporarily displace being first in line to occupy the units.

There shall be a great deal to do before this is fully realized. And so, I come seeking your aid and cooperation in this endeavor.

Aside from the obvious assistance required in removing any existing structures and constructing their replacements, this project will, unfortunately, result in another displacement for those currently making do. Although it shall be a temporary one compared to the last, it is one we must take responsibility for all the same. I have some potential solutions in mind, but I should like to hear from others their own thoughts. Particularly if there are some among you willing to spearhead that portion of this project, as I shall likely find myself busy with other matters associated with it.

And of course, those of you merely interested in working with your hands are always free to let me know that I may call upon you.

All who contribute to this project shall be appropriately compensated.

[Ozymandias waves his hand and dispels the conjuration. The small district dissipates into translucent smoke before fading completely from view.]

We have some time to think this through and organize ourselves, but let us not waste a second.

((ooc: feel free to use this as a discussion post! you can consider this to be basically an ic open forum to discuss the project, including making suggestions or even speaking dissent if that's the case. threadjack to your heart's content if it strikes your fancy. ozy will answer questions and he will follow the threads of conversation, but he may not respond to everything.))

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Looks like you've been busy huh, your majesty? But it's certainly nice to hear that something is getting done, especially if little Leslie is involved.

I am rarely if ever idle. I could hardly call myself worthy of any of my titles if that were not the case.

The most important part of the project is how well you use the resources you have, and I'm not necessarily talking about the money. If the volunteers can be used in the right places and in the right way, you have an impressive force on your side. Witches can be used to heal any injuries that happen on-site, shield workers from potentially dangerous tasks, teleport materials across a long distance, transmute broken objects, and that's all without mentioning the various abilities monster can add to the project.

Is there enough money to offer work out as a task?

Edited 2021-02-09 20:23 (UTC)

So long as the budget is managed appropriately. There is a safety net, of course, but even that shall have its limits.

That's why it's so important to find the most efficient combination of teams and why the Mirrorbound have such an advantage. Every day you have to house the people you're displacing, it's going to cost money, even if you have some volunteers who are willing to house them. With the right skillsets, with what you'll save in time, there's a possibility it will help you come in under budget. Either way, I assume you have labors costs, which is what the tasks will effectively be.

It is clear that you do not know who I am if you think I would not consider such things when overseeing the drafting of the budget.

I recognize that currency as it is exists in this place was not a factor during my reign, but I know the importance of compensating those who bring my great works to fruition.

[If one overlooks the whole Moses thing. ANYWAY.]

All who take on a task associated with this project will be paid appropriately to their skill and contributions as I already said. I would not have myself described as unjust or unfair in that regard.

As far as the living expenses of those that will be temporarily displaced, that is where I have some ideas for managing this situation. There are other solutions beyond merely housing them ourselves, though I do believe this would be the most charitable and selfless of options.

For example, I have a connection with someone in the farmlands that could provide an avenue for shelter and temporary work. But that removes the burden from us and places it upon those in the farmlands. It would be wise of us to consider how we, Mirrorbound, may contribute under that circumstance.

It's true that I don't know who you are, nor do you know who I am. If you're frequently undertaking things as large as this, I'm sure that would have changed soon. Since I don't know you, I can only make assumptions from your post. You sound confident and well-read. If you didn't have some kind of proof you'd be capable, the Parliament wouldn't take a chance on something of this skill. If I didn't have some confidence in that, I wouldn't think my thoughts on the matter would help.

My current home is too small to house anyone and while I do have some skill in carpentry, my ability to organize is even better. So, the advice I'm offering is my way of helping the project.

Ha! Your assumptions are correct, but they paint a meager portion of the picture. I am Pharaoh Ozymandias, the third king of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, the King of Kings and of Construction! Just as with all my great works, this project, too, shall stand the test of time as it restores balance to this city.

If you are able to offer a concrete plan that bests what has already been laid out regarding the budget, I welcome it, and you shall be compensated accordingly. But if you would like something a bit smaller in scale and still important to the regular operations, I will have need of foremen.

[Smaller in scale, but steadier in terms of work and, more importantly for the pharaoh, would allow Ozymandias to keep that sort of skill longer term. Overhauling the budget, if done successfully, is likely a one-time pay-out and potentially nothing further in terms of skill.]

[ Pharoah Ozymandias. That's certainly interesting. Light is Japanese and isn't versed in the Greek names for Egyptian Pharaohs, but he can certainly recognize why a King of Construction would be more than useful for this. ]

A King of Construction? That's the best-case scenario for a job like this.

More than just offering my input for the budget, I can be useful in organizing the volunteers and making the best use of all the resources, which fits the idea of foreman. The more I know of the overall plan, the more help I can be.

Very well.

Stop by the Council's office in the Parliament building sometime this week. I will go over the budget with you in detail. You may view it for as long as you like within the office, and you may present your recommendations when you feel ready.

Impress me and you will secure your position.

You are the pharoh at all times, but I think this is really the most you've really seemed to carry that title. It's in your eyes, a pride that comes from all of this...

[ A fond smile. ]

It's enough to make a gal's heart skip.

Given your achievements, I suppose I should have expected that. Though, and I'm just assuming, getting this motion passed must have taken a lot of time of time and effort. The opposition must have been fierce, or perhaps the constraints quite severe.

While I think it's the best use of my talents, my goal is to help the project more than to earn a particular position. I haven't been in this world for a very long time, and I don't know how long I'll stay. None of us do. In spite of that, it's currently my world and that means taking some responsibility for it.

That's a lot of building.

[ Big apartment blocks take time! Less character, too, than little houses. When ground space is at a premium, though, beggars can't be choosers. ]

People never keen to be turfed out. Can't we give them any space in our patch?

[ Or is that rich people and fancy outsiders only? ]

Edited (I was going by the locations page, RIP, it still says that about theatres.) 2021-02-11 18:17 (UTC)

The current residents need proof that these projects are for them. Taking the least disruptive buildings for now is just the first step to taking all the rest in their experience. They need ownership and control of what will replace what's torn down.

I will admit, the opposition was not quite as fierce as you might expect. But that is without a doubt because of the efforts that went into this motion prior to its presentation to Parliament. After all, if you are capable of predicting your opposition's movements with accuracy, it makes for a far quicker battle.

I have placed enough motions forward at Parliament now that I believe patterns have begun to emerge. This form of government that was once foreign to me has easily become part of my domain in that regard.

Take care to not allow your ambitions for the future to cloud your vision of what is in front of you presently.

[He was probably not asking for this life advice, but he received it anyway.]

[He smiles in return.]

I must admit this undertaking has awoken something within me that I believe has been at rest for some time. [Since before age began to catch up with him.] I should not be surprised that you would recognize it without having seen it before.

If you have ideas for accomplishing that, I welcome them.

Thus far, we have been in close communication and consultation with those we consulted when creating the community garden. They themselves have been lifetime residents of that portion of the district and have been able to speak directly to the needs of their local community.

This project is what's in front of me presently. I'm curious. What do you think my ambitions are?

Well I also do pay attention when you talk about your council work. [ A bright laugh. ]

We should celebrate this, I think.

[And that is one of many reasons why he loves her. She pays attention because she wants to and not because she must.]

I agree! We shall have a feast worthy of this achievement.

[Which just translates to taking Chariot out to a really nice place to eat, not an actual feast. Because while Ramesses is prone to excess, waste is not something he can abide.]

Do you not consider them already plainly stated?

That would likely prove more complex.

The nobles who once lived in what became the Haven would be furious to not be permitted back. It seems unlikely, too, that with whatever changes they've made to the eastern portion of the district that those who were made to leave could afford to return.

There would also be the matter of figuring out what to do if more Mirrorbound were to arrive and we did not have enough room within the Haven for them.

Plus, regardless of their circumstances, many of those in the western residential district who have lived there most of their lives do not seem to possess the desire to leave it. Not long-term, in any case.

You know about my hopes for this project, but you mention things for the future beyond it. I'm just curious what you inferred through it.

Just another reason to be in awe of you, your majesty.

Still, that is a lot of building materials and money moving around during such a tumultuous time, what with the kidnappings and such. Even if the project doesn't begin now, now that knowledge of it is out I'm sure there will be some unsavory individuals lurking around, that is assuming that the impoverished themselves won't cause a ruckus.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm all for this project but, I just thought to voice my concerns on the matter. Though, I have a feeling you would have already considered these possibilities.

They are understandable concerns. However, we cannot yield to individuals or groups like that. That is simply giving them exactly what they seek.

You said you had a responsibility to this world so lnog as you are within it, did you not?

Most certainly, and I do hope that you'll never have to be in that position.

All I'm saying is that it would be prudent to have some eyes and ears around at all times. Keep track of the whispers of the affected populace, see how they take to the project, listen out for the opinions they won't say in public. That sort of thing.

I, unfortunately, have a lot of first hand experience with these things and sadly, a lot of goodwill and promises of a better life are met with skepticism if not out right disdain.

I did. That means doing what I can where I can. Today, that means helping with this project. In the future, it might mean something smaller. I do have other ambitions that aren't related.

I understand where your concerns arise from, but I would like to refrain from being too reactive toward recent events. For there to suddenly be a constant presence like that within their neighborhoods could be perhaps even more threatening to them. I would not fault them for thinking of us as invaders with ill-intent at that point regardless of the goodwill we have developed with the garden and discussions of this project.

Thus, while it is wise for something to be in place at night after work for the day has come to its conclusion, it is best that we otherwise rely upon the City Guard until the need for it is identified.

And even then, I would hesitate to take that step before considering alternatives. This is as much a delicate exercise in diplomacy as it is anything else. I would not want to provide anything that could be misconstrued as aggression unless it were absolutely necessary.

How boring...

In any case, I shall look forward to hearing your ideas. Hopefully I shall not be disappointed by the results.

Then perhaps more subtle approaches? Quiet but vigilant watchers. Unseen, unheard, and careful in their movement and actions. You don't even need a lot, just a small controlled group. Maybe two or three that know how to keep their eyes open and lips shut.

If such discretion is possible, I do think it could be of some benefit for overnight when no one else would be present. I would like to hope that the large numbers during the day would serve as a natural deterrant.

Do you have anyone in mind for this task?

I can offer my aid. I'm a trained scout when I was in the military, now I'm for hire you could say. I could keep going with my resume but I'd rather not give away all my tricks, as I'm sure you can appreciate.

It is not in a King's nature to focus overmuch on manual labor that is relegated to the peasant class.

[ so he is likely to be useless on some things. ]

Yet on strategic matters, I shall lend participation.

First, however, I would hear more of your own ideas. What "potential solutions" do you propose? Is there a certain location you have in mind for a displaced population?

Since it's your achievement... [ and since her birthday was soon, so she didn't want to get greedy ]

How about we go someplace you really wanted to try, but haven't yet?

Well, you would certainly remove yourself from the pool of candidates if you were to do that.

Ah! With celebrations like that, before long, you shall certainly have me well and truly spoiled.

[Oh no, he's starting in. Someone stop him before this gets out of hand.]

I think I'll have to try a little harder then letting you pick a restaurant to spoil a Pharoh. [ She's laughing, brightly, cheeks colored.

Someone cut their line. ]

But it is not just a choice of restaurant. I am also given your time and attentions, both of which are far greater treasures.

[It's too late. Everyone for themselves.]

[ Oof, there it went, her face going a fuller red, blustering over her next word and just... forgetting it entirely. ]

You say that as if they aren't treasures you can have any time you wish.

[Ha! There's little he doesn't love more than flustering her. If he was not already in such a good mood, it's grown exponentially now.]

That may be true, but they remain gifts from you, which is something I would never allow myself to take for granted even as Pharaoh.

There are a few that Emperor Edelgard and I have considered both within and beyond the city.

[It had, after all, been perhaps the biggest problem to solve related to this situation. As much as they would like to make the living conditions better, there will be an element of discomfort no matter what they do. It is just more a matter of choosing what will be the least uncomfortable, and hoping that such discomfort can be overlooked for a time if the Mirrorbound are able to work efficiently.]

Within Aefenglom, we of course have the barracks that are available to the Mirrorbound. Although they are lacking in luxuries, there is likely enough space and would serve well. I do not often see many of our own taking up residence there.

We may also consider the farmlands beyond the Wall, although I would hesitate to offer such accommodations if it could be avoided. While the farms could certainly use additional hands to work the land, there is a greater risk in living beyond the Wall that I do not believe the Mirrorbound are necessarily equipped to manage.

[Because the City Guard are not actually to be relied upon when it comes to outside the Bright Wall. Whatever they do out there seems more for show than genuine investment in keeping those individuals safe.]

Lastly, Emperor Edelgard and I had discussed the possibility of Dorchacht. However, that comes with the complication of asking natives to this city to relocate to another. Nevermind the fact that we cannot accurately predict how long it shall take Dorchacht to recover from Morgana's attacks.

[So really, there is no perfect or easy solution to this particular challenge.]

A year ago I would have thought that meant your standards for gifting to be too broad.

[ Still red, her cheeks, almost as much as her true hair. ]

But I guess I have no argument left there...

[One might anticipate his smile to grow a little more mischevious with that admission of defeat, but he seems rather proud instead.]

You have finally learned to relent and cease that futile argument? I thought I should never see the day!

[She really has come a long way.]

Considering I have a pharoh as one of my cheerleaders, I don't think I ever really could have turned out any other way.

Very true, and since I have an idea of what should get done I'm not going to proverbially shoot myself in the foot. I can get started immediately, unless there's something or someone else I should know or wanted to discuss.

[ Like people or organizations he should keep a watch for if they so much as look in the building projects general direction. ]

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