[open] april catch-all

[freeing]

Who: Daenerys Targaryen + Open Prompts
When: April!
Where: Aefenglom and outside the walls
What: Starting fresh for April. As a note: last month I'm dropping all threads, as I had some IRL stuff prevent me from focusing most of the month on plot due to COVID concerns. If you'd like to hash out what happened with our characters, please PM me! Here's a general list of what happened with Dany and her CR.
Warnings: N/A as of now.





FARMLANDS

[ The farmlands had begun to show promise. Once hollow and dying lands slowly began to heal and one by one, the rows of crops began to push up at the dirt. The smallest of buds, stalks, and vines began to seep from the soil reaching out for any warmth. Daenerys had no say in the success – it is instead the few workers and visitors who assisted. The khaleesi hated remaining idle, so she learned the best she could – leading and guiding others with diligent tasks and getting her own hands messy when she could.

It still wasn't enough to carry things on for herself, however.

a. Visitors – Open
The latest partnership elderly Edre, the owner of the farmlands, agreed upon was supplying two of her best horses to a section of the city guards in Aefenglom. Daenerys spends her morning out in the front of the stable, brushing down the mane and tail of the two horses. She can be heard humming from the distance, a lullaby she can't even recall the words to. Part of her wanted to wish it was her brother who sung it to her when they had nothing else to their name as children, but the thought was untrue. It was a hymn the children in markets would sing – one that was about dragons flying free, but that was all she could recall. Instead of lyrics, the wordless hum carries among such a menial task.

b. Passerby (afternoon) – LIMITED - 0/1 *
However, later that day... anyone traveling the roads leading back to Aefenglom would find quite a sight. A cart, wheel broken and a few bags of wheat and rye tossed off the path. A few yards into the treeline and no sight of its owner... Will you follow into the broken shrubbery and path deeper to hear a pained neigh? ]

*A limited slot! This will be an action-oriented prompt where they find Dany attacked by a Shade. One horse is injured, which will be a tw: animal death if the appropriate prompts are taken, the other is running around. Dany is not capable of fending for herself yet.

CITY BUSINESS

[ Daenerys, despite her problems earlier in the day, arrives for a day in Aefenglom. A foul mood hangs over her head, part shame and part anger. There was still work to be done regardless... so she meets with the people, with her fellow council-members and the city guard to deliver the remaining horse, per agreement.

a. In Parliament – LIMITED - 1/2
The council was something... different. She did not bode well with sharing power, but she's learning. The greater good was to serve the people, to protect their own kind – right? She sits in silence most of the meetings – unusually so. Perhaps it was the disappointment of not pushing forth Asura's idea properly that weighs on her or the events earlier in the day, but she never brings up her discourse. It was in the past, but perhaps her mind still lingered.

It, however, was more accurate to assume Daenerys is critical on herself. Perhaps a Queen isn't needed here, she wonders, but refuses to truly accept the self-pity. All she has known is wanting to go home, go reclaim what was hers ... everything else feels foreign now. So, she is abnormally distant – interjecting only when needed. That does not mean she will ignore anyone when dismissed from the meeting...

b. Market District – Open
The city was as bustling as always, but there was a caution since the Rathmores were seized and executed. Shops closed at sunset, more guards filtered through the market. That pleased her when she first arrived. It was a small change, one that put herself at ease.

Daenerys stops at the wharf first to gather a healthy supply of fish for Drogon, who remained on the farmlands during this venture.

When the smell of lemoncake seeps through the air outside of a bakery, Daenerys will find herself curious. The tartness – it's undeniable and it had been some time since she had anything with lemons. So carefully, she'll eye through the window of one of the bakeries like a child tempted by a second dessert.

Finally, she'll browse through a winery, beckoned by the seller's calls to passerbys to try the latest uncorked bottles. Fortunately, she does not feel compelled to drink – the last time such an occasion happened, she was nearly poisoned... So, Dany awkwardly and insistently declines. ]

MEMORY SHARE

[ Daenerys once dreamed of a giant throne cast of iron swords and of her child's face she can't quite see clearly. She dreamed of a man who would love her unconditionally, but never once could parse his identity. Dreams of lemon trees and red doors often found themselves keeping her tight in her bed until the sun crept upon the horizon.

But, dreams in Aefenglom were not of wonder or omens. They were magic, she knows this to be true, forced upon them without consent or reason. This one is no different... The Looking Glass House was all but wondrous, imposing and still for the curious. Upon arriving, Dany's mirror was clear: dragonscales line the frame and twigs from a lemon tree sprout from the cracks and edges and underneath the edges glows an ember of fire. Anyone who dares go to Dany's mirror...? Oh, they were in for some Fun Times... ]

*Dany's prompts are here to choose from. Please list which memory you'd like to see and I can whip something up!

WILDCARD

[ Dany will be stopping in Aefenglom for business, but will make a special stop at the refugee area in city. She'll be delivering some extra bags of goods from the farm's owner and ensuring they have been treated well. She will also offer jobs to the strong refugees who wish to find coin and housing outside of the city.

Additionally, Dany would not be opposed to watching a meteor shower if she has visitors late at the farmlands!

If you have an idea for another wildcard, please feel free to PM me and we can hash it out! ]

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

I'm not the only person who does that kind of work, and I'm hardly established. [Alucard finds no offense in the idea that his work may not be trusted yet. It is logical for someone new to have to demonstrate ability, and he has done so little work.] There's no reason that I should be immediately trusted with public or private works.

[Alucard hums in a sort of low key agreement with speaking of troubles. He's in no mood to go much further than they are now with senses of community or survival, mostly because Alucard knows that much of it will be talking out of his own ass. He's observed and understood rural life before, but never lived it.]

I suppose that sort of trouble is both easier and harder to deal with. [Not better or worse than city life. Just different.] It was only ever other people back home that brought trouble.

[freeing]

[ Daenerys isn't one to wait, sadly. If she saw something she wanted, she ensured she pushed forward to see if she could take it. Selfish or ambitious, there was an undeniable force behind the dragon queen that was hard to ignore. It was all she knew – so suggesting such a thing would be childish if she pushed the issue, but she instead yields. ]

Talents are talents, if they provide use someone will find out.

[ As he mentions people bringing trouble, she furrows her brows down a bit inquisitively. ]

The people here are hungry, lonely, and look to Aefenglom from the outside in. Working with them out of necessity or out of a desire to maintain their independence. They barely have will to fight anything, I suppose, which is why the Shades are repelled so fiercely past their grounds. [ A pause. ] But, people are still people. I would be a fool if I turn a complete blind eye to it.

[ Bandits, raiders – whatever it may be. It's still possible. ]

[cryptsleeper]

I suppose that much is correct. But I don't mind it taking a while. It lets skill be refined and improved. [Natural talent is absolutely nothing without practice, but Alucard's never been so wildly ambitious as he has been content to do what he enjoys away from everyone else. Supporting people who need it, and so much of that comes from example. What did his father do besides encourage his mother and all her wild ambition to keep going?

All things turn to the practical in the end though. What is described, well. Alucard gives it a little pause, because that could upsettingly be a description of the farmers impacted by Dracula's night creatures. The system as it is won't be kind into the growing season, for how many people have died and how much harder will it be to work the land?]

I see. [And he does, truly.] People are always capable of making a dire situation worse for whatever their motivations are. But may I ask, do you prefer being out here?

[freeing]

[ Ever the ambitious, Daenerys was impatient by definition. Sometimes it benefited her, others...? It was a childish, harmful choice. She nods in agreement, but he questions her as if steering the conversation along quickly – there's an unsure glance. ]

I... am not for certain.

[ She misses the safety of a fortress or a pyramid – she misses a solitude that these lands do not often offer. Perhaps it was privilege, but she does her best work ruling than braiding horses hair. ]

I am grateful to be taken in by the Lady of these farmlands, to help her and others less fortunate. To be out of the city has given me a piece of mind but –

[ Her words fail, carefully she tries to connect them. ]

It still does not feel like it is where I am meant to be.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard's not sure what he expected in terms of a response. The whole thing was meant to be pleasant enough, nothing that would really prod or provoke. Slightly deeper small talk.

But It still does not feel like it is where I am meant to be is a surprise punch. One that has his face grow long, because that feels like a sentiment many would share if it was only articulated. After all, there's no shortage of homesickness, even for all the joys that may come with being in the city or the land around it.

A smile that isn't crosses Alucard's face, but it fades, revealing exactly how close those words have hit home.]

You're not alone on that matter.

SORRY FOR THE DELAY, i was away for most of the week!

[freeing]

[ Daenerys was more trained to deal with the political intrigue and council expected of a Queen – small-talk often made her feel disconnected, so her words stem honestly here. ]

It's difficult to explain, so forgive me if I sound foolish. The only farmlands I knew of in my childhood were from stories – or the ones we passed through when I was a bit older, able to travel far on horseback.

[ Married to a horse lord, after all. But, these farmlands were peaceful. They were not under attack or stolen. ]

I do not offer much experience, but I am doing my best to tie the needs of a farmer recovering from poverty and sickness to a city needing supplies. I see hope here, but I do not know if others will as well.

[ And her head tilts curiously – ]

Do you share a similar sentiment?

No problem, hope all is well.

[cryptsleeper]

The idea of not being where I should?

[It's much more than homesickness, because as much as Alucard misses the castle, worries about the place in his absence, being in this world has been important in it's own way. Getting through the worst of his grief, then the romantic entanglements with regards to Trevor and Sypha.

He nods, finally.]

Very much so. Whatever I accomplish here, it feels as if it is a rest along a much longer road. I hope that makes sense as well.

thank you! just playing catch-up and trying to stay busy with freelance. ;_;

[freeing]

[ He may nod and offer a glimpse of truth, but Daenerys allows him to keep it without prodding too deeply. Many of people come to the farmlands for hope – for solitude. It was simply mostly refugees, not Mirrorbound. ]

It does. I've been here for what feels like a lifetime already, but we are no closer to returning to our worlds beyond the mirror. If we can return... I am fearful it will be quite the long road indeed.

[cryptsleeper]

You have a great many doubts about that if. [That's screechingly obvious. Alucard also absolutely hates it, but he doesn't dare to say more on the topic yet.]

But if one does return, will that not also be a long road, especially in explaining the series of events that have transpired?

[freeing]

I'm afraid I hadn't let my mind think that far ahead. If I start dreaming of dead shores and familiar faces, I lose sight of what lays before me here. I am a dragon here, not a lost girl.

[ There's a bit of sadness in her voice, but it was honest. One of the few times she allowed herself to be so. ]

If those who have lived here before us, brought the world from nothing knows not of our arrival or how to return us, it does not bode well.

[ And then, she snaps out of her words as if she realizes far too quickly what she had done. There's a dismissive laugh as her eyes look down, a hand tucking a stray tress of her curls behind her horn. ]

Forgive me, I speak of how freeing these farmlands are and I plant seeds of sorrow.

[cryptsleeper]

[If only Alucard knew the gloriousness of being a literal dragon in Dany's case.

But he doesn't. What he recognizes instead is that this is not the only person who has benefited from being here. It's impossible to not remember his long discussion with Maria about this topic, although this one benefits from greater soberity.]

I suppose it does not. And I know that there are those who'd rather remain here if returning home is suddenly on the table.

[Alucard's not a stranger to conversations just becoming depressing. He's Alucard.]

Conversations will twist and turn as they will. There's no need for apologies.

[freeing]

It's a heavy topic and I feel as if I impose bringing such things up.

[ She's a realist – experienced in the sad truths of the world... but these farmlands were meant to be peaceful and clear her mind. She'd be cruel to complicate matters, even with simple visitors. ]

I suppose all we can do is wait until that day comes? When we can return home, I hope.

[cryptsleeper]

It may be, but if I felt uncomfortable I'd make that fact known.

[Alucard's very good at lying to himself about being an adult. He's good at dodging heavy topics, that's what he well and truly means to say.]

And until that day comes, be comfortable as we care to make ourselves.

[freeing]

[ It's a skill she feels envious for. Daenerys is known to not bite her tongue, but here? She has to physically control her anger. It's... a delicate balance. ]

You make it sound so simple.

[ She was teasing, there's a small uptick at the corner of her lips to indicate as such. ]

[cryptsleeper]

A curse, I'm afraid.

[He always does, doesn't he. Kill Dracula and everything will be fine. Get comfortable and endure. The hardest things in practice.

Alucard's own tone is dry, and he takes it a little more seriously than truly meant.]

That's my task complete at least. What do you suggest doing here to make a trip so far out this way well worth it?

[freeing]

[ There was always something complicated, wasn't that fate? She envies it, how he was so dry with his words and able to hold on this facade. She overthinks, follows her heart when she shouldn't, and makes sacrifices she wishes she didn't need to. But, here? She'll pretend it was simple.

Her eyes roam past the fields by the barns, to the brush far off in the distance. ]

If you're a hunter, there is a forest brimming with game or Shades. There is a bounty for cleaning them out of the lands. My knight is often in there.

[ But, is that worth it? She makes a face, like a child who tasted something sour. ]

If you don't mind company, the Lady of the land had put stew on this morning. It should be done – you're welcome to join me.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard considers hunting, but only for a single hot moment. He's alone and without anything like proper equipment to be truly successful. He shakes his head no as he debates the merits, forgetting there's another who can see the movement.

Alucard feels a faint flush go over his cheeks, and he turns his attention to stew.]

I would appreciate that deeply, if there's enough to share.

we can wrap this up and hopefully have some stuff next month!?

[freeing]

Of course. She cooks for a damn army every evening, it feels like.

[ There's a bit of vulgarity, sure, but it's mostly amusement. The woman of the land was certainly old in body, but youthful in spirit. Her cooking attested to the love she had for visitors, of course. ]

You're welcome here, always.

Sounds good your tag was a perfect closer

[cryptsleeper]