[open joint post]

[freeing]

Who: Jorah Mormont/Daenerys Targaryen & You (both new and old CR, monsters and witches)
When: During Black City Event
Where: Stables outside of one of the higher class Witch boarding.
What: Dany and Jorah not being subtle in their distaste for the current political climate. General CR building for both new and old, honestly. Dany and Jorah may be willing to both bond strategically with a Witch who can grant them access to better living conditions (and more privacy/privilege). This is a topic we'd like to explore, so it doesn't have to yield a good fit ICly. It's merely a conversation piece! :) If you are wanting to pursue a Bond with these two, please PP cirilla and sustain or hit up my plotting post over here! Replies will come from both Dany and Jorah!

Warnings: Nothing really!


[ The city felt dead to her. The life of this city had been taken from it long ago, in a dream she had not been privy to. The fog added a sense of foreboding, sure – but it was the stillness of the Monster's eyes here. It was the chains that so cruelly bound those who had learned to love them, the collars that choked the happiness away until all that was left was obedience.

Jorah Mormont had seen slaves more closely than Daenerys had. He had both sold them and been one himself. There had been a discomfort on many levels for him since reuniting with Daenerys, both out of concern for her state of mind and the guilt of facing a truth he had accepted long ago of past mistakes. Now, he stands at the entranceway of the small stable gate for the partition Daenerys claimed as her own. The hay crunched underneath their feet as they move, their voices certainly gathering attention. No one knew Dothraki, but it was a brutal sounding language, one with punch and distaste clear despite the language barrier.

Dany paced uncomfortably while Jorah held his position firmly. Their foreign language continues for a few minutes, actually: ]

I am told I am a Monster, told I am brought to a dream, yet it feels very real. I am still a woman and I am still awake seeing this injustice. No different than Astapor or Yunkai – no different than Meereen. Do you not see? It is haunting and to stand by when my eyes are already open feels cruel.

I understand, khaleesi. What is it that you think you must do? You cannot become everyone's savior. Not here. Even so, this is a dream. Worrying this much will only hurt you. Possibly make... other things... worse as well.

But what if it is not a dream this time? It feels real – the magic here feels like it did with Lhazareen witch. I –

[ During this argument, there are a few options to get involved!

A. Feel free to interrupt them, they are being loud after all. Prodding them will earn a defensive glare from Jorah and offensive judgy glare from Daenerys. They will engage in the common tongue, however so you can understand them.

B. If instead you stand by and stare/linger around too much – Jorah will notice you first. Brandishing his sword and stepping out of the gate, he may be inclined for threats with Daenerys showing a bit of pity and trying to apologize for the disturbance. They will both ease up when they realize it is one of their fellow Mirrorbound.

Either way, it seems like this is going to lead into you being smack dab in the middle of a disagreement. Stay around, hear both sides – eventually! ]

Comments

[freeing]

[ Daenerys was not one to argue without purpose. There's an instance with magic that she feels fearful of — fearful of a power she can not explain. She's had her son and husband stolen by it, seen her dragons birthed by it. There is something personal about this to a girl who has her dreams come true.

Jorah is her voice of reason, of caution. Even when her mind was so focused on one thing, he was not a 'yes' man. He follows orders, yes, but she values his council. His words linger, but she is fired up and at the ready... until she hears another voice.

Daenerys scrambles to her feet — eyes looking through the darkness to the voice calling out to them. Jorah and Dany do a fair enough job passing as human. ]

Lady Sheva. [ Look!! It's a cute name!! ] Are you unharmed?

[ Look, she won't comment on the volume of their argument. Instead, she glances to Jorah with a nod, as if telling him they'll continue the discussion when appropriate. ]

[heartsbane]

[ in retrospect, Jorah should have perhaps realized that their attempt at remaining conspicuous by speaking in a foreign tongue would inevitably draw eyes on them. oh well. options and space are both limited, and he'd rather have someone curious but ignorant to what they're discussing.

he didn't anticipate that they would summon mutual acquaintances on top of everything else. though coincidental, Sheva's appearance is at least a welcomed one. if there is anyone to offer protection that is more than his sword, it would be the woman strapped to fight an army on her lonesome. by now, it doesn't even surprise him to find that Daenerys knows virtually everyone he has crossed paths with to some degree, assuming he or she hadn't namedropped the female soldier in passing. ]

All is well. It summoned you, and you are a sight for sore eyes... Lady Sheva.

[ Jorah doesn't quite remember saying that title, but he isn't to disrespect her after his khaleesi has dubbed her as such. in terms of monster-esuqe features, the knight seems relatively normal aside from a much thicker beard hugging his jaw as opposed to the stubble she had seen before. if she hasn't seen him in a while, it's likely easy to assume it just grew naturally over time. ]

I trust she would be doing the harming if any witch dared approach her, Daenerys.

[partnerinheels]

[She must have just won the genetic dream lottery for weird monster features.
Hooray.]

Define unharmed. [She comments dryly with a lift of her eyebrow, though that eyebrow started lifting the moment the cute title affixes to her name, gaze flicking over to Jorah when he echos the full name. Otherwise, there's no comment made to correct them, not when there's magical danger afoot and she's keen on keeping them all out of it. It's interesting to see how he defers to her, however, and she tucks that observation away for later, if she even remembers.

Dreams are weird, after all.

A rough huff of a chuckle follows his additional comment. Just one before her features darken slightly. Usually, he'd be correct.]

Magic's not my forte, but I've been holding my own. How are you two handling... Everything?

[Her eyes shift to Dany, lingering a few moments before shifting to Jorah. They both had similar feelings on protecting children, it wouldn't surprise Sheva if they share views on slavery as well.]

[freeing]

Pained. Burdened. I'll even take offended? I have seen it get rough out there, I was merely concerned.

[ Her words were dry in return, mainly one-part tired and one-part frustrations still running high. Dany won't linger on her formal address – some things never change and a lady is still a lady in her eyes. Of course one she had an interesting conversation with applies to such mannerisms. Either way, Dany clasps her hands nervously in front of her, her small stature standing a little bit taller. ]

Handling is quite on-the-nose. There is not much we can particularly do against Witches with magic as commanding as it is. [ They were monsters, after all. ] Ser Jorah found this... stable a suitable enough place to find sanctuary. Tucked away as to not raise concern, but still able to know of some ongoings.

[ It was messy – the boarding house nearby welcomed Witches and bonded pairs freely, but... no, not Monsters. ]

I am thankful for that, at the very least.

[heartsbane]

Not harmed. Uninjured. Lacking blood loss. Hopefully you are all of those things.

[ look, this tag was being typed up at the same time 'cause someone is a dumb and forgot post order. just assume Jorah and Dany are being cute and said their piece around the same time, which triggers the knight to look over at his queen and offer her an amused look of sorts. goobers.

the situation now is far heavier than standing before a board and talking about swords, armor and guns, but Jorah's retained a sense of humor since their last conversation. it's the only thing they can manage to do to keep spirits high. ]

Aye. We have been able to avoid attention up until now. Perhaps we are pushing our luck with our... energetic conversation.

[ he points a finger at Sheva's hooded attire soon after, following up with a question: ]

Unless you have gained more muscle since our introduction, I do not believe the cloak is doing you many favors. Surely you are grabbing more attention than without it?

[ Daenerys has one as well, but she isn't packing shotguns and handguns. he is also ignorant to Sheva's new features as well. surprise, surprise. ]

[partnerinheels]

[Well at least they're absolutely ready to partake in a game of Scrabble, or maybe even complete a crossword. ]

I've had better experiences. [She admits, a bit of apology in her voice as to the earlier harshness of her tone. It's not directed at either of them, but she's not looking to offend her renfaire friends.] But, I've had worse too. I don't intend to go down without a fight.

[The mention of 'Ser Jorah' earns an amused glance towards the knight, but it's not unkind.]

Good call. [She glances back to Dany, assuming she's otherwise in charge of the situation.] But what if I told you there are safer locations, if you can promise not to aid the assholes encouraging the slavery and mistreatment of monsters and those who help them?

[Because firing her weapon earlier had marked her as an enemy of the system, as part of the protests. It's also taught her a few things about this place and its like minded individuals in the process. They aren't alone.

Then Jorah points out her cloak, and her jaw sets. Glancing beyond them and cocking her head ever so slightly to listen out beyond their immediate radius, Sheva waits a few moments before reaching up to pull back her hood and reveal the very feline, very monstrous features. Her eyes are more like a lion, nose longer and more feline shaped, and her ears are elongated back into a soft tip. There's a fine sheen of fuzz on her ears that fades when it reaches her face. Then there's the sharpness of the teeth that peek out when she speaks. Aside from slightly longer nails, the rest of her seems unchanged.

It's not so unbecoming on her, what with her skin tone and already hazel eyes, but it's clear she's not comfortable with the fact that she's a monster.]

You tell me if it's doing me any favors.

[freeing]

[ Her nose scrunches up at Jorah's words, more impish than she knew him to be – but it was hard to tell if it was intentional. She isn't quite as amused as Jorah, but there is a small smile she cracks soon after.

Three people stuffed into a stable stall could garner attention on a normal day, but when their foreign tongues settle – it was actually normal? The stalls nearby housed multiple monsters, resting their bones 3 or 4 to a stall. At least she is thankful for the added company if they do raise suspicion. ]

Then we count it as a blessing. [ None of them hurt, she means. The woman stands taller, hands clasped in front of her as she speaks cautiously. ] Safer..? Are people sheltering us in the dream?

[ She narrows the focus, not to the monsters already so content with their chains and collars. Daenerys cares about the implications of this dream, of this world – but it was hard to focus on their 'own' and the ones already living this life. Her eyes glance hopeful to Jorah, always eager to seek his council on if trusting others could benefit her. They've gone through this road many times – but perhaps this will be different from Qarth and the Second Sons.

When Sheva uncloaks, her hand shoots up to clutch to her collar, keeping her own deformation hidden. It was odd – the woman she vividly remembers sharing words with was there, but her face sought out more like a creature – a cat, she believes? Perhaps something else.

She remains silent, not wanting to offend. ]

[heartsbane]

[ don't give him that look, Lady Sheva. you're one of them now. wear that title with pride. among other things, apparently, but that'll be a little bit later. ]

I cannot see a benefit to us encouraging or helping them. We are—

[ Jorah stops himself from continuing, not wanting to presume his queen's consent regarding their mutually accepted condition. regardless, the two of them could be as human as they were in Westeros and they would still find many problems with the injustices this city suffers. as problematic as Aefenglom was for their plans back home, they at least promoted ideals that Dany pursued herself. this place was far too similar to Meereen. it takes everything to restrain the Targaryen from trying to sit it ablaze.

as Sheva goes to pull the hood off, the look of surprise on his face is as apparent as the new features that grace her own. he tries to avoid making it too apparent when his eyes glance over towards Dany, noticing how quick she was to hide her own transitioning features. Jorah is even more grateful of biting his tongue when he did; if there's anyone that will bring her secret to the grave, it is him. his own changes have been subtle enough that he doesn't even have to be concerned with hiding anything, so he merely offers Sheva a sympathetic look. ]

I retract my statement and apologize. Your changes... they appear to have happened quickly. Is that the dream's doing or have you been like that— [ he wishes he could word it as if it didn't sound like she had a disease, and the wince shows as such: ] —for a while now?

[partnerinheels]

A shared dream, it seems. [That much she's gathered at this point. The fact that they aren't alone is why Sheva eases her voice into a lower volume, and as soft as she can manage with the rough emotion in her voice.]

There's an underground railroad of sorts. [She pauses, realizing that neither will likely pick up that reference.] There are those working against the system. They're local, organized, and well hidden.

[At Dany's reaction, Sheva doesn't shy her gaze away, almost staring the woman down after her attention briefly shifts to Jorah, not with any sort of aggression towards the breaker of chains, but with the goal of not hiding the truth of her situation, of their situation. The reactionary motion to her collar speaks volumes, as does Jorah's hesitation.

Her ears shift a bit as she listens to their surroundings, beyond their little stable of monsters. It's all still a lot to process, even down to the amount of information she's receiving from some of the physical changes she's experienced.]

The dream. [The BSAA agent answers simply as she replaces her hood, adjusting it just right to allow them some vision of her face while protecting her from prying eyes outside of them.] I was here, and I had them... I've been avoiding reflective surfaces. [There's no effort to hide her bitterness on the matter.]