[closed] november catch all

[freeing]

Who: Daenerys Targaryen + Closed Starters
When: All month, baby.
Where: Aefenglom
What: Just closed starters with those I have planned plot with. If you'd really like to tag in and get CR with Dany, please PM me so we can hash some stuff out!
Warnings: N/A as of now.




MASQUERADE:

[ Royals and nobles found socializing just as powerful as wielding a sword or shield. Daenerys had learned that she can not tackle things alone in this world — she would never survive. Her understanding of needing to find allies bundles well with her need to get outside of her own head. It's unfortunate an event with masked crowds still cause her flashes of the fighting pits massacre, but she couldn't ignore what this kind of socializing could bring if they were to push for the representation of the Mirrorbound in Parliament.


Dressed in a beautiful gown and non-enchanted mask, Daenerys fits in among the crowds that seem to be a wave of people enjoying music and drinks. Most noticeably different is the assortment of scales she shows as opposed to hides. Her bicep, side of her neck, collarbone were all peppered with silver-blue scale. Those signature tresses of hair were braided up in intricate weaves.

During the night, she can be found:
a. Hugging the walls and watching as people dance during the beginning of her arrival, anxious over the assortment of masked individuals.
b. Studying the small enchanted trinkets.
c. Partaking in fingerfoods and drinks.
d. Exploring the grounds of the venue, specifically the garden and fountain.
e. Possibly having too much to drink and needing to be escorted back home. :/ Lightweight.

She's quick to bring up how rare moments like this are and segue into talks about coming together and possibly finding a common goal with Parliament representation... ]

DROGON RETURNS:

[ It seems there was a bit of a chaos in the later part of the month. Daenerys had been in the market, partaking in shopping for fresh fruit and veggies for dinner — when she's noticed a crowd gathering around a plastered wall. Upon it was a crude sketch of a small dragon and a reward from the shopkeeps of the district. "WANTED: ARSON" written clear as day, a few people discussing the recent fires starting in the past week were seemingly caused by a small, black dragon. Daenerys has to push through the crowd, seeing the poster herself.

And her stomach sinks.

She'd know those ridges, know the way his snout curves even with a poor drawing — Drogon? Daenerys looks as if she saw a ghost, the color pulled from her features and her foot stumbling backwards for air. The Targaryen wastes no time and maybe you see the khaleesi in a way that was almost unfitting. Frantic, frazzled — she walks two steps then stops, turns and looks around for a direction that could bring her to her child. This is all very public, so maybe you want to tell her to calm down?

Later on in the day or week, without success, she waits until she hears bells signifying a fire. Rushing towards the scene — maybe you find the culprit with her?

After they're reunited, there is no doubt that Daenerys does not let Drogon out of sight and can be seen around Aefenglom with Drogon perched upon her shoulder. ]

WILDCARD:

[ Did we discuss something that doesn't fit here? Hit me up on discord (cirilla#7318) or cirilla. for plotting! I don't mind doing a closed top-level. ]

Comments

[fulgency]

Had your fill of the party already, Your Grace?

[He's easy to spot, seated upon one of the benches near the fountain with one ankle resting on the opposite knee and an arm draping over the back of the bench. A wine glass rests on the arm of the bench beside him, fingers lightly holding the stem at its base.]

[In truth, it took a little more motivation than usual for Ozymandias to convince himself to come to this masquerade tonight. Even knowing that his time away was to serve a purpose -- to spend time in his grief as was appropriate and to learn to manage it -- and that it was limited, there was still a reluctance in him to rejoin the outside world. Perhaps if the masquerade wasn't tonight, he might have made enough excuses to give into that reluctance, but... Even when feeling at his worst and needing to take things at a bit of a slower pace than usual, Ozymandias cannot truly resist a party.]

[So, with whatever reserves he had managed to pull together for himself to get out of the house and arrive here, Ozymandias pulled himself together. It took a little time to find the right pace of things between the dancing, socializing, and breaks he was never really one to take before tonight, but by now, Ozymandias has clearly figured it out and relaxed considerably if his current posture and his mask now resting in his hair was any indication.]

I wouldn't think you'd tire so easily.

[freeing]

[ Had she? Part of being a Queen was social gatherings, but those times were always out of grasp when there was so much work to be done. The venue felt unlike the gathering at Qarth, unlike the meetings she's called for council. The woman felt like a girl, a bit fearful of the unknown and the masks wafting around inside. It took a lot for her to agree to this, knowing there were friends and her knight among the attendants, so why not? It would prove useful to meet, gain allies and begin the next part of their plans.

It doesn't make it easier, though. Such was she needed some air — and Ozymandias calls to her at an opportune time. Her eyes linger, a bit longer than she'd like to admit. ]

Says the one seated and away from the fun. [ They're both tired, lets be real. ] I needed a bit of air and I've heard nothing but the beauty of these grounds.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias' lips curve into a wider smile when she points out his own withdrawal from the main festivities. There is, after all, very little that he could argue to the contrary as far as that was concerned even if he wanted to. But he is also appreciative that he is not the only one needing the occasional break.]

Well then, I believe I owe you an apology. All of this, [he says with a slight gesture of his free hand,] must seem quite plain and ordinary after seeing me.

[He's (mostly) joking, teasing her for the lingering look.]

[freeing]

[ Ozymandias has something going for him – a confidence that was almost charming. Daenerys recalls his words – how they spar between sentences like some unsaid battle between them. It was new. It was exciting. It was different. Her guard remains high, but if a Queen can not socialize... what good is she?

There's a small nod after, going along with his words. ]

I could grow use to hearing apologies from you. [ First the red door, now this? ] Have you tired yourself out so soon?

[ressusciter]

Work follows you wherever you go, it seems.

[though Dantes' mask is enchanted, he says what he thinks after overhearing her speak about representation to another. carefully, so only she can see, he lifts his mask enough that she can see through the spell - before he lowers it to resume invisibility to the rest of the gathering.

talk of Parliament here makes him remember why he came in the first place. gauging everyone he interacts with for the future.]

[freeing]

[ There is the immediate unknown that sweeps over her. The enchantment does not allow the first impression Dany would offer him. The dubious addition to magic was pushed aside and for that, she was thankful when he lifts his mask up. ]

When there is so much work to be done, it is hard to keep your head above water.

[ There's a curt, respectful nod of her head — greeting him in a knowing, fond way. ]

I suppose the mask helps make it seem more like a social outing, does it not?

[ressusciter]

To others, perhaps. I came to do the same as you, and use this as an opportunity.

[which had earned him the complaints of his Bonded, though he had still procured an outfit and a willingness to come. to Daenerys, he remembered the name he had given her - Jaques - the one that spoke more truth than most were aware of. at least so far, no one had called him one it.]

There are a few I've met that I'm curious to encounter in the daylight. They might be decent allies.

[freeing]

You're true to your intent, then. [ Not that she doubted him after their conversation, but Daenerys... has trouble truly putting faith in people. She finds herself believing in her own power, in that of Daenerys Targaryen, breaker of chains. To garner help, to find someone "equal" – it was new. She adjusts, as best as she can. ] Are they native here or one of –

[ "Us", she wants to say but the word falls short. She gulps, visibly and loudly before looking away. ]

Are they one of the ones brought here through the mirrors?

[notawriter]

[Outside of work, Oda isn't really used to these sorts of occasions. Still, he's come dressed more or less appropriately to the occasion and isn't wearing any sort of mask, enchanted or otherwise, simply because he's a stranger to most as is. Despite anything, he had put his name into the magic lock box and had at least one dance before taking a break.

Heading for a drink, he notices a masked stranger hugging the walls and approaches with a small but not entirely hesitant wave.]

Hi, I hope you don't mind my asking—are you doing all right here? [He casts a quick glance toward the masked crowd before turning his attention back to her.] Seems somewhat odd to come this far only to cling to the walls.

[Even though that's probably more of what he's used to doing.]

[freeing]

[ Dany was on her own for most of the night. Who was she to waft around and socialize with those in masks, knowing what men in masks had brought her so very recently? Withdrawn, guarded — it is not until someone calls out to her that Dany offers a respectful nod and small smile. ]

I'm well, thank you for your concern. [ It was a quick defense, too quick — too scripted. A little white lie which hurts no one, right? ] It's hard to keep up, everyone seems particularly sociable tonight.

sorry so late, i've been a little burned out :c

[notawriter]

[He accepts her cover response. After all, anyone could find the event overwhelming for any number of reasons.]

I couldn't agree more... I think I'm just barely there. [Even Oda's putting himself out there a little more than usual.] But I think that might have more to do with the box that I put my name into rather than anything else. That and a general feeling of being lost.

[Here and now, Oda's still searching for something to give his life some sort of meaning. Maybe this isn't really the time or place, but he doesn't have any other leads. So even if it might be a long shot, maybe something here will inspire him in some way. Who knows?

He gestures at some tables within proximity.]

I was just headed for a drink—wanna come along?

no worries! take your time

[freeing]

I'm sorry, it is quite a lot to deal with...

[ It was an odd thing. Dany tries to limit her involvement with magic. The effects of the masks, the aura in the air – she clings away from the hustle of the masses in hopes of just getting through the night. A Queen would be a poor one if they were not sociable, right?

His gestures at the table and she nods, offering a curt smile. ]

I would be rude to deny, would I not?

[gunsmithed]

[ He'd noticed her pretty quickly -- well, to be honest, he'd noticed the scales first -- but given that Percy had actively been dancing at the time he'd simply made a note of it and carried on leading is partner around.

It's only a bit after, once he's gotten his breath and his composure back, that Percy winds his way through the crowds to find which bit of wall Daenerys has tucked herself against. He's given the barest nod to the masquerade by putting on a plain black mask, only it's sitting on the top of his head rather than his face where it might interfere with his glasses. Between that and the fact that he's not dressed all that differently than normal, if decidedly less worn looking, it makes him an easy figure to spot.

He doesn't bother to try for subtlety as he makes his way over. She looks uncomfortable enough as it is. ]

Not your sort of party?

[ People have all sorts of reasons to come to these kinds of things, even if they don't want to. Percy's got a few of his own. ]

[freeing]

[ There was an anonymity that borders an inhibition. A freedom that allows the stress of their environment wash away like rain. Dany had tried to enjoy herself, but she feels like an outsider even if she did wish to push her thoughts on the sea of masks away. They were not assassins, she knows, but she'd be foolish to ignore the possibility.

Someone approaches, but someone familiar and brings a warmth to her face. A true smile, not an awkward or forced one. ]

Is it obvious?

[gunsmithed]

Just a bit.

[ But he's smiling faintly to take any sting out of it, and doesn't hesitate to lean up against the wall beside her. Percy's not going to point out that none of them have to be here, it's very much not the point. ]

I'll be honest, these sorts of things aren't my favorite either.

[freeing]

[ Her gaze lowers, a bashfulness hidden by her own curved mask, at least. She wants to pull it back onto her hair – she's done it a few times, but refrains. For now. ]

Sometimes, they are a necessity. For one's nerves or other reasons...

drogon

[thisisamazing]

[Everything is a little bit of a blur, the morning of the 20th on. Between finding Sharpshot (luckily a friend had him, and not someone who might want to sell the little dragon on the black market) and and trying to get the Terror settled in Aefenglom - not the easiest task, Terrors always return to their homes and their flocks and Sharpshot certainly can't - he's barely paid much attention to what else is going on.

Eventually, though, he has to return to his usual business. Keeping himself busy has been the name of the game all month, pretty much, with his roommate gone. Since it's meant a lot of time in the forge, he's got a prototype arakh to show a certain Queen - not the final version, he's still honing his recipe for mock-Gronckle iron - to give her an idea of how it might turn out. He sends Dany a quick message asking if she can meet him at the Coven grounds to test it out, and heads there anyway, since he can always stand to get some practice in.

The bug-eyed green-and-brown Terror is sprawled over a resigned-looking Toothless' broad head, Hiccup walking along beside them, toward the open ground where Witches tend to practice.

He doesn't know yet that he wasn't the only one who found a scaly old friend recently.]

[freeing]

[ Daenerys has kept busy too. Putting out fires by reuniting with her scaled child — who was far smaller and more temperamental than she remembers. He must have been only weeks old, his flame sacs still developing but it was enough to spark the smallest series of fires over the week of his arrival.

However, it was as she believed it to be, a blessing just as when he was brought into their world.

Hiccup's message found her in the middle of putting out a fire in her bathroom, a bit more frazzled by the dragon's childish nature the more she had grown familiar with him. They agree to meet, and she runs a bit late —

but when she arrives, she calls out with the small screech of Drogon. ]

I'm so sorry — please forgive me for my tardiness!

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup had briefly heard about a series of fires around the city, but- well, he's not here all the time, and part of him had just assumed it might have been Sharpshot. Terrors are pretty easily startled and who knows what the dragon got up to before Percy brought him back to the forge?

When she gets there, Hiccup is still waiting, though he doesn't seem annoyed by it at all. He enjoys the cool air and fallen leaves, and a little time outdoors with his dragons. He turns and spots her making her way across the lawn, and- What on earth was that noise?

Sharpshot clambers up Hiccup's leg and then back, onto his shoulder, sinking his claws into his leathers. He answers the screech with a little screech of his own, little chest puffing out. Toothless almost seems to roll his eyes, lounging on the lawn.]

Don't worry about it, we're- What- [When she gets closer, he spots Drogon finally, able to get a better look.] Is that-?

Drogon

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya happens to not be too far from the scene, when the blare of warning bells goes off what feels like right in his ear and he almost drops his bag full of lunch.

He spins right back around on his heels, trying to follow and hollers to the commotion.] What's wrong, what happened--?

[freeing]

[ The warning bell was what Daenerys was waiting for. It was clear to her, the drawing so crudely etched on parchment hung around like some warning. A mother knows her child anywhere.

The small puffs of smoke rise to the sky, signalling where the commotion was sourced from. Dany pushes through the crowd, sadly right past Yuya. ]

Don't hurt him! Whatever you do, leave him be!

[ And into the crowd she goes – right towards a smoking tailor shop. ]

[hippocarnival]

Him? [Yuya stands on his toes, trying to see through the crowd... that gets him nowhere because he's short, so instead he starts to elbow his way with hurried apologizes, ducking to try and get into the tailor shop.] Hey, is everyone all right?

Wildcard/Drogon!

[hoboagogo]

[It's been a few days since objects and animals and more had come tumbling out of the mirrors, and Koromaru had tracked Shinjiro down. (And it was absolutely like that and not vice-versa-- the dog had picked up on a scent from home and trotted out of the house himself to go track down his comrades, long before Shinjiro could be assed to get out of bed and go investigate that message they'd all been given by Nessie.) And while Aefenglom is a city and therefore wide spaces are in short supply, he's still found some quieter streets and small communal gardens where he can unhook the leash from the dog and let him chase after a ball.

The leather-bound sack isn't exactly a tennis ball, but it's the right size and it had a little bit of bounce, and that's all they need for the small shiba to wag his tail so hard he's practically wiggling, launching himself over the grass after it, snagging it out of the air--

And continues running. Right out of the small lot and onto the cobblestone streets.]

Ah... Hey! You know you're supposed to bring it back!

[After a moment, Shinjiro knows he's going to have to book it after him, and huffs out a breath that mists in the colder air, before beginning to dash after the dog, his own hooves noisily clopping on the stones as he dashes after Koromaru.

But! Thankfully the dog isn't leading him too far. As though he'd smelled something fascinating, he dashes up to Daenerys, bright red eyes focused instead on the reptile curled over her shoulder, resting against her neck. That tail is still waggling happily as he trots carefully closer, and jerks his head to toss the ball up. Because maybe Drogon will want to play, too?

The faun is close after, pulling his coat closer to himself in the cold air.]

Damn it... sorry 'bout that. [He's speaking before actually looking at who he's talking to, one hand coming up to scratch at his messy hair.] If you wanted to run, Koro, you could've just said...

i'm sorry for the delay! thanksgiving kicked my ass

[freeing]

[ Daenerys had excused herself from a lot of the ongoings involving magic – any murmurs the Coven offers with their confusion of misplaced items was lost. She holds true it was nothing short of a miracle that Drogon was here, even if his stature was less imposing and more of a temperamental child.

She's been at the end of her wits, but her heart was full regardless. The feeling of having something familiar here was a blessing, one that she can not ignore. She had to run to the market, to cut through the gardens and maybe let Drogon fly without being perched upon her shoulder. Of course, all good plans have a little complication, don't they?

Dog, meet Dragon, in some untimely fate. They had barely made it to the clearing when Drogon digs his talons into her shoulder harder instead of flying free – its eyes catching the strange assortment of people coming towards him. Drogon had siblings, it was true, but he did not play nice all the time. A screech – sharp and piercing causes Dany to defensively curl her hand up to shelter the poor baby, huffs of smoke following through her grasps from Drogon's defensiveness. ]

Oh! It's alright! Shh, it's merely a pup – [ Like a mother, she is cautious and reprimanding all in a gentle tone – trying to calm the dragon as Koro's ball unfortunately falls back down to him. Give it time. It's not until Shinjiro catches up with the mother of dragons herself that she shoots him a half-frazzled expression. ] It's fine, It's fine – I ... am not quite sure if Drogon is friendly to your pet's like.

It's cool! I got sick right after, lmao.

[hoboagogo]

[At least Shinjiro is quick about scooping up Koromaru, the small dog held easily against his side like a overly-furry football, mouth ajar and tag still waggling in excitement.]

No, uh- [He glances again at the dragon, at the puffs of smoke and the was she instinctively had shielded it, and waves his free hand in another apologetic gesture.] Sorry. I shoulda known he'd get too excited with all the new shit here. Just wants to smell everything and play with everyone he sees. Is your- dragon?- okay?

[The only dragons he'd seen in Aefenglom were the monstrous sort-- and they were definitely few and far between. So to see what is clearly a scaled, winged, potentially-fire-breathing lizard perched on her shoulder is just a touch surreal. Nothing he can't accept, with how bizarre this world already is, but certainly something to give him pause.

After his question, the dog in his arm lets out a soft whine, ears going down-- Which, of course, earns him some head scratches to try and keep him content with being held like some sort of pocket-puppy.]

You think it's cool if I set him back down?