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(open | november log)
Who: Ozymandias + you (some closed starters as well)
When: Noveuer
Where: Aefenglom (Residential, Aristocratic, and Entertainment Districts), Mhysadei (farmland beyond the Wall), & the Wilde
What: Ozymandias starts surveying and problem-solving for the issues of overcrowding in the Residential District, suffers tea time with old rich women, and tries to do his best taking care of a farm that was left behind. He also has some private 1:1 chats with some folks.
Warnings: Animal death (via hunting) with the Wilde prompt; will update as needed
residential district | aristocratic district | entertainment district (closed) | mhysadei + the wilde
((ooc: feel free to riff off any of the open prompts if you would like. if you need/want to run something by me before you do that, you can either pm this journal or shoot me a message on plurk [![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
rebreather]. same goes with if you would like to have a private starter!))
When: Noveuer
Where: Aefenglom (Residential, Aristocratic, and Entertainment Districts), Mhysadei (farmland beyond the Wall), & the Wilde
What: Ozymandias starts surveying and problem-solving for the issues of overcrowding in the Residential District, suffers tea time with old rich women, and tries to do his best taking care of a farm that was left behind. He also has some private 1:1 chats with some folks.
Warnings: Animal death (via hunting) with the Wilde prompt; will update as needed
((ooc: feel free to riff off any of the open prompts if you would like. if you need/want to run something by me before you do that, you can either pm this journal or shoot me a message on plurk [
no subject
All in all, we're dedicated to making a curriculum that will allow these students to not only succeed, but become valued and productive members of society. I assure you, there's no one who is more prepared for this than Ursula Callistis—back home, her mentorship saw to the development of numerous fine students, including those who would have otherwise struggled with the curriculum.
[It was Akko she meant, of course. And though her words were grand, they weren't inaccurate.]
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[ She was floundering. She could practically feel all of the women leaning in, pointedly looking at her, waiting for her to finish. ]
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[Under the table, Croix reached for Chariot's hand and squeezed it. Nothing more than a reminder that she wasn't alone on this particular stage.]
Please, understand, education means a lot to both of us. Professor Callistis, she's just so overcome with emotion regarding this matter... it's very dear to her.
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We would be eternally grateful for further sponsorship on your behalf, to help these children.
[ That, at least, was deeply sincere for her. She couldn't butter it up anymore than it already was. Her gratitude came from a real place, and it showed. ]
D-did you have any further questions?
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[Ramesses sets his cup back down.]
Before you arrived, there had been some discussion about measuring each student's progress.
Yes, yes! [One of the women sitting opposite Croix jumps in at that point. She had been one of the ones to remark upon the ambition of the project to her neighbor.] You say they will be prepared to enter into regular education upon adoption, but how will you know they are ready for such a thing? The little things likely barely know how to read and write.
I told them that you and other educators participating would likely design individualized remedial education plans.
[While initially it had been intended as a lifeline for Chariot, now Ramesses' remark much more intentionally serves as a foundation for Croix to extrapolate upon. Ramesses glances at her, silently nudging her to take the lead on this point since even setting aside her easy confidence, she does appear to be more of the innovator between the two.]
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That would be correct. Every student has their own needs, and what's more, there are some students who will need more attention than others. Individualized lesson plans, special attention, remedial classes, we're prepared for all of it.
[She stopped, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before continuing.]
It's true that many of them are starting from zero, but... is that not how we all begin our studies? I myself had to work long hours to become the woman I am today. But I did it... because I was motivated, and because I had educators and mentors that instilled in me a sense of ambition.
[Never mind that that ambition became nefarious. They didn't need to know that.]
I want nothing more to than to pass that same sense on to another generation. I've made a lot of choices in my life, but of this, this is one of which I am most certain.
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What's more, we'll bring in volunteers who can put in the time and energy to see to any needs the students might have.
[ Which she hoped further sealed the response. ]
Any other questions?
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[And doesn't Croix sell it all?]
[Ramesses says little, allowing most of the floor to Chariot and Croix, but he is attentive the entire time. While Chariot never reaches a level of ease, that sort of performative confidence he knows for a fact now she still possesses, Croix thrives throughout. There isn't a single misstep. She laughs when she is supposed to. She peppers in compliments at the right moments. She even feigns humility every now and again without completely undermining her message. Her promises, regardless of how grand they might seem, never seem beyond anyone's reach. He could likely have done a little better himself.]
[Although it is Chariot who receives the most enthusiastic pieces of his praise. As reach the sidewalk, Ramesses scoops her and gives her both a twirl and a kiss.]
You were wonderful in there! [Ramesses punctuates with another kiss, but he does not set her down. Instead, he merely makes the slight adjustment to carry Chariot back to her apartment. She is likely going to need to say something for him to put her down. Even then, who knows if he'll oblige?] Both of you.
[He looks to Croix with a warm smile as they walk. His enthusiasm may go to Chariot, but that does not mean he is about to neglect Croix.]
A mere five minutes in and I believe you fully captured most of their imaginations. It is not something I say lightly, but I was quite impressed with you. Perhaps you ought to consider lending your talents more directly to the Council in the future if you feel up to the challenge of Parliament.
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... And then, Ozymandias scooping Chariot up like he did and kissing her knocks the wind from her sails, for reasons she doesn't fully understand. She betrays only the tiniest bit of this feeling, the corner of her lip being tugged down for the merest of instants, before it returns to all smiles and charm like before.]
Politics, eh? I think I'd best get more used to my new surroundings before doing that, but you have me intrigued. Until then, I'm happy to help where I can.
no subject
She felt almost immediately guilty about it. She had... a lot of ground to cover, still. There was so much changed, so much more complicated by Croix being there. Like she suddenly had reason to doubt her right to it, once again. A stirring in her heart made frightening and unknowable...
She tried to put it aside. And to her credit, she didn't move away from him, keeping within his arms as she turned back to Croix. ]
I think... we should probably wait for her to be more secure here, first, before she dives into all that. We're still furnishing her living space, and then there's the whole thing about Bonds and...
[ Stumbling over her words, still. It would almost make it seem like THOSE concerns were why she had been so hesitant in the face of Ozymandias' affection. ]
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[It has been many, many months now, but he need not be Bonded to her to know it for what it is; Ramesses is holding her close enough to himself that he can feel that slight tension within her when he kisses her. Even before she speaks, he has a feeling her words are not to leave her easily. She feels so ready to spring from his arms that he considers setting her down. But Ramesses does not yield. He knows well enough by now to know there is a great difference between easing up on his affections because Chariot is asking for a moment to catch her breath, to settle and lean into it at a slower pace, and when her anxiety is relaying only gods know what to her heart and mind. To set her down now would be a concession if not an outright affirmation of it.]
[And if there is one thing that he refuses to concede to it is that. They may have a conversation on the horizon. He may want to hear from her the reason why she kept something from him when she never has before. But he has no desire to scold her, or place demands and ultimatums. That has never been his way with her, nor does he have any desire to make it so. He just wants to understand. And so, he will not allow for a single moment in which Chariot believes his affections and trust to be anything other than unwavering. If the floor has to become lava and he never sets her down again to prove that point to her, then so be it.]
That is why I said in the future, [he says with a small laugh (relative to his usual).] Even if it would be my prerogative, I would not be so unfair as to make such a demand on someone so new to this city. That would only lead to a series of blunders regardless of talent and skills.
Besides, the pair of you will have quite a bit to do for a while yet with the orphanage. I would rather have such minds focused on that task for now, particularly in ensuring that it shall be eventually self-sustaining financially.
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... This is good for Chariot, she decides. Regardless of how she may or may not feel, that's what's important. Besides, this was likely concern for her friend rearing its ugly head, rather than anything petty like jealousy, right?
Right.
In any case, she continues acting like nothing is concerning her.]
Let's not write it off? And yes, the orphanage should be our first priority. As well as getting to the point where we don't have to worry about securing funds from those so fickle with their money.
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All of this has really worn me out, though... I-I should probably head back home, for the moment.
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[Ramesses knows that Chariot can manage plenty on her own and he worries a lot less than he did in the beginning when just a short walk around the block used to tire her out, but he cannot quite keep himself from making the offer all the same.]
I promise I shall allow you your rest and not attempt to invite myself in.
[He smiles genuinely at her as part of that promise. Or at least to convince her that it's a genuine promise and not him trying to suggest anything.]
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Walking home alone with Croix after all of that felt like a far, far more daunting task. ]
I'd love that. Thank you, d-dear.
[ She could barely get the term of endearment out. ]
Since you're heading the same way, Croix, did you want to join us, or did you have other errands to attend to?
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I actually do have other plans. You two can go on without me, that's perfectly fine.
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Croix likely needed some time by herself, anyways. ]
Thank you, again, for helping me out. It was like... old times, wasn't it?
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A bit better, I'd say. Things were more sincere.
[Irony thy name is Croix. She then does a bit of a bow, for flourish.]
You two have a wonderful day.
[And she's off.]