Event Log: January, Return to Dorchacht

[faileas]

Event Log: January, Return to Dorchacht

I. A Tarnished Reality The teleporter to Dorchacht becomes operational by the 4th and the ambassadors return to their city with the first open, ceremonial operation of the device - along with any Mirrorbound who wish to join them, and Theodore Rosethorne and Sowilo, who make the trip as representatives of the Coven to ensure that all is well. Those who missed the first teleportation, never fear! Now that both waypoints are functional, Mirrorbound and others may travel freely between Aefenglom and Dorchacht at any point they choose to. Notably absent from the group, though - most of the Dorchacht refugees originally smuggled into Aefenglom. Only three or four are going back with the ambassadors, and they're primarily Witches. The rest have chosen to stay. Upon return to Dorchacht, it's obvious that some major changes have been made with the new regime. The sky is overcast, but it's merely fault of the weather at this time of year - the oppressive fog that used to hang over the Black City is gone, along with its effects on the natural lunar cycle. The auction blocks, damaged in the fires of the event the locals now call "The Rising", have been fully torn down, not a trace of them left to sully the streets. Where the triple stars of the Resistance used to be worn in secret, a majority of citizens now bear them openly (and in many cases, proudly) on pins and on clothing. In fact, any Witches who do not display the triple stars on their person somewhere, are generally regarded with suspicion, disgust, or fear unless they're recognized as Mirrorbound Witches - careful not to be mistaken for a Drummond sympathizer. The Monster citizens won't be outwardly cruel to any Witches, but will be somewhat fearful, hurrying their children along or crossing the street to get away. Recognizable Mirrorbound, those who were there during The Rising and before, are treated a bit like celebrities on the streets, though any Mirrorbound are given a warm welcome, albeit a little less warm for Witches. Storytellers share tales of how diplomats treating one another, Witches and Monsters alike, as equals so publicly and openly within Dorchacht gave them hope that such a life is attainable, or how a band of Mirrorbound snuck into the city under the cover of darkness and helped give their Resistance a leg up in the good fight against Drummond's extremists. Others share stories of being rescued from burning buildings or cruel Witches during The Rising by brave heroes. Many of these tales are shared in the form of song, as homage to those Mirrorbound who brought hopeful music to Dorchacht through the radio, which is still operational and playing a selection of music with a little more variety. Still a bit soft, their speakers and songs are, but as time passes, they grow a little more experimental, branching out from the lullabies that used to be played. Overall, the Black City is much less black these days, a little greener and brighter from the plants left by Mirrorbound before. Where the old Dorchacht could take your breath away with its feeling of barred oppression, many of those barricaded windows have been opened, reinforcements on the doors broken down. Though things are never perfect after a revolution, and it's clear that the work continues. Armed Resistance guards patrol the streets in trios, normally two Monsters and a Witch, to keep the peace. Their first priority is the protection of Monsters, many of whom still seem anxious and scared as they go about their days - not of the guards themselves, who they often greet with smiles, but of the Witches and humans they pass on the streets. In some cases, keeping the peace means breaking up fights between their own and those humans and Witches who do not want to accept Monsters as their equals, and in some cases it means putting Drummond sympathizers in their places with intimidation and force. While they do their best to keep skirmishes out of Mirrorbound sight, it's clear that despite the improvements, Dorchacht is still no utopia, and the road to a true peace is fraught with speedbumps. As noted, characters are free to travel between Aefenglom and Dorchacht by teleporter as often as they'd like! The waypoints will remain open even after this month and travel will be unrestricted; we will note if this situation changes in the future. Dorchacht quests are also now available ICly!

II. A Few Alterations a. The Coven Major changes are still underway. One of the biggest that Mirrorbound will notice is that the new administration of Dorchacht have moved the Coven. The old building is in a state of disrepair right now, doors and windows wide open, the interior stripped of trappings. The library has shed its books to somewhere else. The basement where so many horrors took place is abandoned. Instead, a sign has been erected outside it, stating that this center of Drummond's operations will be turned into a museum to remember their unpleasant history, and to memorialize those who lost their lives fighting for freedom. It's still a work in progress, and not high on the priority list when survival and care of the citizens have to take precedence, but inside, characters may still find small shrines set up in various places to Resistance members who died there. Instead, Dorchacht's new Coven is currently based inside an old manor located just a handful of blocks from the town square, and it's a much more informal affair. Magic lessons have continued with Resistance Witches, though the subject matter has changed instead. They experiment with different types of magic based on their own interests, but many are studying plant magic, medicine, and defensive spells that can be used out in the Wilde. Anything that will prove to be practical going forward. Lessons are also open to Monsters now, so they can see what their magical brethren are learning (and know that the compulsion and control spells that Morgana loved so much are no longer being taught). With the Coven being moved, visitors from Aefenglom are offered places to stay either within the manor of the new Coven, or in various empty houses around the city. Stay as long as you'd like, they say, and apologize that the accommodations aren't nicer - reconstruction is still obviously ongoing all over the city, repairing damages from The Rising and the fighting that happened afterward. They don't really have anywhere as nice as the rooms their ambassadors were given in Aefenglom. b. The Walls One of the biggest on-going projects in Dorchacht right now is removing the Monster control spells from the set of enchantments on their city walls. High on the list of priorities is making sure that Monsters can feel safe again, secure in their own minds and bodies. As the spells are made visible, particular sets of runes have to be ground down and smoothed over. A spell is either cast or provided to soften the stone temporarily, and then it's basically going at it with magitech-powered sanders created by Hilda. The particular runes that need to be gotten rid of will be provided on reference sheets - please don't touch the others, they chide! Those are to protect from the Cwyld, and are still very important. While help is welcomed with open arms and enthusiasm at most sections of the walls, those guards posted at one particular small district, guarded with trios of Resistance members at each entrance and warded with alarm magic to warn of escape, turn Mirrorbound away; these runes are being altered, not removed, to help contain unruly Drummond loyalists, they say. The people who now live in that guarded district are all human, whether they're Witches or no, and all refuse to bear the triple stars. "Troublemakers," the guards will explain grimly. "We have to contain them for now. It isn't a perfect solution, but they've hurt people, or tried to hurt people, since Drummond was run out of town." c. Bond Lessons Bonding is a bit of a tricky subject in the new Dorchacht. Many Monsters are afraid of the idea, as it was once used as one of the collars around their necks, but the Circle of Three recognize it as an important way to wean citizens off the lullabies and calming draughts that prevent going feral during full moons. As part of encouraging others to form Bonds, partnerships at the very least the way most Resistance members describe theirs, there are demonstrations and public seminars that pop up around Dorchacht on the regular. They may be as informal as a circle in what's going to be a park or as official-seeming as a talk held inside a shop or lecture hall, but they have one thing in common. Many of the citizens are keen on getting Mirrorbound in on it -- mostly by dragging them in, asking if they have a Bonded, and if they do, they tell the Mirrorbound to talk about their Bonded. They're interested in the ups and downs (but mostly ups) of having one in order to show that if the Mirrorbound are into it, you should be too! They accept all stories but prefer the happy ones - the aim is to encourage their Monster citizens and help them be less afraid of taking that step with Witches. And for those who aren't in a Bond, or decline to talk -- well, they get what amounts to a "flour sack baby" in the form of a Dorchacht citizen of the opposite role of their own (a Monster would receive a human/Witch, a Witch would receive a Monster) that they must hang with for a day, ensuring no harm comes to them, bound by one of the temporary Bonding potions so popular in the Wilders' ranks. (As a note, for the second option, you have free reign of the NPC; do the personalities you find fun, be they cooperative or mischievous, shy or loud, abrasive to your character or someone they can genuinely get along with. They are all willing - no one is being forced into this. No Fae or Dragons allowed for Monster NPCs, unfortunately, as they are still very much not about.)

III. Ahoy Mateys! With Dorchacht opening up again after the last few months of closed off internal fighting, plenty of trading ships' Captains are ready and raring to go build business relations with the new regime and find a new market for some of their wares. There has been increased interest in finding a shorter route to Dorchacht by sea - the teleporter is useful for small groups of people, sure, but it can't handle much cargo. The only problem? Ships are being turned back, barely halfway there, with significant damage to their hulls. Brave individuals looking for a seafaring adventure are asked to come aboard and help the crew navigate tumultuous waters, hopefully figuring out along the way what's causing the damage to previous ships. It's a three day trip to Dorchacht if the waters are kind, and characters can simply teleport back home once there. On board the various ships brave enough to return to the sea, Mirrorbound find the problem halfway through the trip: a colossal squid that's made it home at this point, thrashing ships that come too close to its den. While uninfected, it does have injuries on its body, which may be the source of its lashing out. The ships are able to bring themselves close enough for longer ranged attacks, and the Harpy on board are careful not to be captured by the churning waves caused by the thrashing, but there's others who want to seek a less violent mean to end this surf and turf conflict. Killing, healing, subduing, or relocating it are all valid options, but getting in close to do any of those will be difficult, as it has a tendency to ink up the waters around it and reduce visibility to nothing. Be careful of any creatures swimming around that are interested in the weakened squid as well, such as various carnivorous fish, sea-plants, and things that appear alike to Merrow, but rely only on instinct. The Merrow cannot be spoken to, nor are they infected; the Captains of the ships will explain that they're "wild", and refer to them as distant cousins to the Merrow that sparsely populate Aefenglom itself.

IV. Back At Home Back in Aefenglom, the stir caused by the Circle of Three's arrival takes time to calm. It's the talk of the town for days - many seem happy about Morgana Drummond's apparent demise. "Good for them," is the general sentiment in the residential areas more populated by Monsters and the Harbor District. They're glad to know that things are on the way up there. Others think this is a boon; should anything happen, now Aefenglom has an ally city to stand with them, one in their debt. Others still don't really care either way, and go about their lives as if nothing's happened. The refugees, in their neighborhoods on the far reaches of the Haven, seem happy to hear news from home and find The Dragon/Starlight/Fafnir freed, and while a few of them choose to return to Dorchacht, having never put down roots in Aefenglom, more still don't wish to leave the homes and families they've formed here, or the Mirrorbound who have helped them so much over the months. Some even doubt that things are as good as they say, and choose to remain for that reason - slavery and ill treatment from the upper class in Aefenglom instilled in them a sense of (well-earned) paranoia regarding the intentions of Witches, especially those back home. They hear that things have changed, but don't necessarily want to find out for themselves. Even still, the mood is upbeat, with a general consensus that if Morgana is really gone, that's at least a solid step in the right direction. In the Aristocratic District, though, the atmosphere is sour. The general sentiment is that they wish the refugees would have left with those ambassadors. The kinder ones think Aefenglom should focus on its own citizens - the people from the Outer City brought in to weather the blizzard have never left, after all, still living in the neighborhoods with the refugees. Those who are more vocally outspoken about the Mirrorbounds' presence in the city think they should have all left to Dorchacht. Let another city shoulder all the misfortune they bring with them! Many of the people grumbling about that are ones who were directly affected by the Mists back in October, either through temporary changes themselves or through being attacked by ferals. Some of the more hot-headed young people try to spread this message - through graffiti, on homes and businesses in the Haven and the refugees' district, though if caught, they're quick to run away and not willing to enter into a confrontation. The graffiti is wholly mundane and not particularly difficult to remove, just unpleasant, telling Mirrorbound and refugees alike to "go home" or "go back to Dorchacht", in so much colorful language. Seems there's still some work to do at home, as well.

Welcome to your establishing post for the current situation in Dorchacht! This log takes place through the entire month; characters can come and go as they please. As always, you can direct all your questions HERE. This month we're also putting up a City Tracker for PC actions, both in Aefenglom's plot later on and Dorchacht's log here. Let us know what your character is doing, good or bad! The cut-off for the tracker is February 3rd.

Comments

daenerys targaryen | game of thrones | dragon

[freeing]

RETURN TO DORCHACHT

[ Daenerys will find it difficult to go back to the city. The last time they walked the pathways, fire and chaos engulfed the area. Children cried. People were killed. Fire burned. It was almost as if the area had been healed with magic and honestly, she wouldn't put it past the natives of this world.

She'll spend only a day here, opting to leave Drogon in the care of someone she trusts back in Aefenglom. Her main goal was simple, to assess the conflict she has on the true change the new ambassadors swear to have spread across the city. The change in temperature makes it difficult for Daenerys to feel comfortable, so her time will be cut short in returning back to her home in Aefenglom.

During her day, she spends it as follows:

morning: visiting with the monsters who are still recouping from their previous enslavement. She's stopped by orphanages, but despite her initial desire to see things through, she finds herself uncomfortable being around the children for too long. Perhaps it was her own longing for Drogon or something deeper, but she stays for as long as she can before excusing herself to their caretakers for first-hand recounts of their plans for the future. Notably, Dany seemed interested in how they plan to explain the freedoms they now have, as many assumed she was a Witch upon arrival and did not lament until she rolled her sleeves up to reveal her scales.

late morning: touring the new Coven building was no simple fear. It feels all the less extravagant than the old building she stayed in, but she wants to see it herself none the less. She watches magic lessons, primarily trying to understand if the spells being taught are anything dubious.

afternoon: the talks of bonding is an uncomfortable one, as the concept still falls questionably to her – but she has chosen both of the bonds, so there's that. Perhaps you see her being coaxed to come discuss them, or you see how bashful she gets over such a topic, frustrated at the complications she has with a certain old bear bond. She respectfully declines if not approached.

evening, before departure: the pub calls her name. The day was long and one by one the streetlights flickered with a faint glow to lead tired workers home to their families. Dany, on the other hand, finds herself needing a drink before returning back. The bards sing songs of the Mirrorbound, they praise the new era of their city and weep over those lost. She's sitting in a corner enjoying the music, nursing a small mug of ale until it was empty. ]

BACK HOME

[ Dany was disheartened at the sight. At first, she believed she misread or mistook the small picket signage littered in front of the refugee housing. It wasn't until the culprits dropped the signage stakes and ran off, leaving Dany to piece it together. Everything she had planned for the day, the social excursions she wished to have – she's stuck and unmoving. Standing rooted with Drogon, a tiny black dragon, on her shoulder to see the hate messages for Mirrorbound and the refugees of Dorchacht.

Even if half the signs fall over and seem harmless, there's something bitter about this — I was right. We will never belong here. Drogon screeches, sensing the discomfort in Dany's heart and with her rage, she utters one word that sends a small, burst of fire from her child's maw to the signage: ]

Dracarys.

[ But, even with her coat, a hot glow radiates from the embers in her heatsac deep in her chest – her neck visibly a deep blue glow of anger to match that of her child. ]

OOC

hi guys! i plan to also do an open private log for the second part of the monthly event. if we have kidnapping plans, that's where that'll go! this is for some CR building and pre-kidnapping plans since we'll be locked into interactions. :')

morning

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup has always felt better with something to do. He's not used to quiet, or to staying still - with no more pressing construction projects around his home or the forge, he's happy to head to Dorchacht to see where he can lend a hand. Not all of the damage is fixed, he knows, but they've made a lot of progress since the last time he was here. Still, there's work to do. One of the caretakers in an orphanage that suffered some fire damage wants some tips on a new roof, and Hiccup spends a short while walking the building and area around with them; Toothless is unmistakable, playing with a few of the children outside. They seem enamored by a black dragon - "Like Starlight!" one can be heard crying out happily - and Toothless is a champ, putting up with them crawling all over him with only mild annoyance.

He has a roll with some half-charred original architectural designs (it helps to know what was done when it was built, to rebuild it sturdier) under his arm, heading out to check the state of the roof again, when he runs into Daenerys talking to another of the caretakers.

He doesn't interrupt, but he does wave to catch her eye, smiling, a stick of charcoal stuck behind his ear.]

[freeing]

[ Had Drogon accompanied her, she would have been aware of Hiccup and Toothless far sooner. No doubt Drogon would have grown defensive and on guard, his nostrils fuming in huffs. However, it was just Daenerys now — all but entitled to her own vision of this city. Despite not living one solid day in it under her own accords, despite not being a citizen... she sees the children in need of hope to better their view of the world.

She thinks of Pentos and how she was so frightened of it, like a leaf trembling among the snapping cold. She did not break and she wants these children to hang on as well.

Dany is not... subtle in how she speaks to the caregiver, but she listens and accepts some of their views as well. It wasn't until Hiccup looks her way that she notices him as well — her own small wave offered. A few moments and it seems the conversation comes to an end. She gives a curt nod before approaching Hiccup. ]

Ever the busy?

[thisisamazing]

[The kids are a lot more comfortable with Toothless than they are with Hiccup; he keeps his distance, lets the dragon give them some entertainment for a while as he talks with the people in charge about logistics - shingling, roof supports, weatherproofing. He's wearing the triple stars prominently pinned to his shirt, but he doesn't begrudge anyone their wariness of Witches, not after the way he saw this city last.

His expression turns a little sheepish when she finishes her conversation and comes over. Tucking the roll of blueprints a little higher under his arm, he laughs.] Yeah, well- there's. There's usually a lot to be done. After this place, I've got an appointment with some farmers about a new irrigation system, and I'm going to see about getting some livestock in Aefenglom to bring over.

[Construction and farming definitely seem to be the things he knows the most about - besides dragons.] What, uh. What were you guys talking about?

[freeing]

[ He answers her quite clearly: all of these tasks feel so large in the grand scheme of things. It sounds simple at first: come assess the city and offer help, but one step turns into many, and there will be bumps along the road. Daenerys isn't sure what the city needs – she has advisers who tell her the pain points in front of her and best ways to tackle.

However, despite being a girl with limited experience, she excels at pushing through when others would so hastily give up. While Hiccup offers such solutions to the city in its time of need, Daenerys goes to the one she needs it the most: the most vulnerable. The children would know no better of how to live without the suppression of their freedom.

It eerily reminds her of Meereen and she can't help but want to ensure that the future is secure – straight from the source. ]

I wonder how they've been managing without. That Morgana woman must have been so prideful...

[ The thought of Hiccup having so much to do already feels heavy. ]

I wanted to know what their next steps were for the children. They remember chains so freshly against them, undoing the only thing they knew...? I needed reassurance that they were to be raised with knowledge and freedom hand-in-hand.

[thisisamazing]

She was a dictator. Some people only care about consolidating power. [Hiccup has seen a few of those in his lifetime. Johann and his search to obtain the King of Dragons for himself, Drago Bludvist and his quest to control all the dragons of the archipelago. They were not men who could have been reasoned with, and he sees Morgana as more of the same.] People like Morgana Drummond, they- they don't build, they only conquer.

[It's why he believes this Circle of Three are different, deep in his heart. They seem to care about the people, they want to build something bigger and better for them. If they only cared about the shifting of power, they wouldn't seek out livestock to start new herds, to provide food. They wouldn't ask for help with improving their farms. They wouldn't ask how to help their once-enslaved people become whole again. Maybe their methods aren't perfect, but Hiccup is willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

He gets the concern about the children. It's a valid point, that their whole world is changing. He only hopes that they're adaptable.] Did you get it? Reassurance.

Late morning

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard was not present when the true horrors of the city revealed themselves. He only heard about it all after arriving, and every detail horrified him to the bone. It was a nightmare scenario that put him in mind of too much tradgey, and so his presence here and now has been firmly in the camp of reconstruction. Quite literally in his case, having learned a great deal of architectural planning from his father.

(Not that Dracula's sense of style suited all tastes, and not that he didn't tend to build a little strangely, but still. He was a skilled draftsman and Alucard had learned.)

The coven's new building is only being visited so that Alucard can better understand it's interior and to copy a few things down that may be wanted elsewhere withn the city. It means that he's sitting in the same space as Daenerys, a small pad of paper in hand and his eyes ceiling-ward, hand moving as he draws.

He's at a bad angle, and so that means needing to approach.]

Do you mind if I ask you to step over slightly? I need to get a better view of that corbel.

[freeing]

[ The display itself was not of interest to her — halls were halls, rooms were rooms. It was the people and the essence of magic that drips in the air that brings a sense of discomfort to her core, yet she studies onward in her own way.

Wherever she had rooted herself, her eyes remained focused on the dance of magic in front of her and it was not until another voice garners her attention away from a few people being trained on Conjuration magic.

Her feet stumble to the side and she looks to the source with an apologetic look. ]

Oh, please forgive me — I didn't see you there. Am I still in your view?

[cryptsleeper]

It isn't as if I've been making myself obvious. You're quite fine.

[Which okay, man walking around sketching things within view? That isn't subtle and Alucard knows it. But with a class still going on, he can at least pretend that that's the case, and his eyes remain ceiling word for a few more moments.

The corbel itself is some sort of fox-like animal. Alucard can't place it exactly, but he can render the content expression on it's face with decent enough accuracy. Just in time for the whole group to break for coffee or tea or other hot beverages, permitting the din of conversation to fill the room.]

[freeing]

[ Not being subtle is one thing, but who would be sketching? It's not common — there would be no reason to and Dany would be a liar if she didn't let her eyes linger a bit more cautiously.

She remains silent for a few moments, trying to piece on if the man was drawing her, the room, or the people — just out of her own paranoia for assassins and the like.

When the group dismisses activities to instead congregate into small groups, she's left awkwardly standing there, boots pressed together and hands hooking behind her own back. ]

Are you with the Coven...?

[cryptsleeper]

The one native to this city? No. The one visiting here? I'd....call myself an occasional student at best.

[It's all said while his hand still moves across the paper. The term witch is still a deeply precarious thing with baggage for the dhampir, and his engagement with real spellcasting has been limited since his arrival in the fall.

He can feel eyes on him. So Alucard re-angles his sketchbook just so, enough to show that his work is truly on drawing details of the room.]

morning in dorchacht!

[usurpers]

[ eren accompanies danaerys for a short while to offer her a sturdier sense of security, especially to the orphanages. you can say there’s also a shared interest when it came to the spot (although for different reasons— dany wanted to check on the children and how the caretakers plan to proceed, while eren was here for one (1) child). even in far worse weather conditions than of aefenglom, eren seemed to be in some discomfort with heat, truth be told. he kept a warm poncho on, pants that cut off at his more beastly shins, using padding that hooked into the bottom of his hind claws and protected his soles from the biting ice (like boots, for dragon legs). but, he’s always yanking at his collar, his breathing is hot like fire, his scales are vibrantly colored to display for all to see across his face, tail and— he has to cover his mouth with a sleeve here and there. flu, he’ll attempt to fib, but closer inspection for sharp eyes would show that the run came from his mouth, not his nose, with not a sneeze or a cough; he’s salivating.

he also steals far bolder stares up and down the queen’s frame, baring his fangs to himself when he realizes it and forcefully looks away. at times, he’s closer to her space that he’d normally allow himself, for his tongue to be inquisitive with the air around her, and occasionally, when they spoke, focusing on her neck, chest, lips, her reddened cheeks from the cold and how any scale he could snatch a glimpse at was savored— rather than watching her eyes when they spoke (something odd, because eren always looks people in the eyes to speak with them). internal conflict bustles in him, and he fights. he’s upset about it, of course! it’s high disrespect for a woman he’s shown nothing short of respect to the last few months. a man tries to fight for his throne somewhere, when a dragon, snout filled with lust, defends it from him. he’s considered her in other times, yes— but, agh. this was just animalistic at best and becoming embarrassing. and he’d feel like a dull tool if anything were to happen because of this and not himself, if he was even encouraged enough.

why, lex? just why.

it’s no use complaining, though— things will be how they’re supposed to be, and he’ll just have to continue disciplining himself through it. as dany leaves the children for a word with the adults, eren stays (reluctantly, at first, but better heeded once he took a breath and relaxed), watching them play with each other, and cautiously shun a young human-looking young lad.

he keeps watching the boy, having a stronger grasp on himself to finally think of something else. eren watches him from afar, and the boy watches him once he realizes eye contact is being made. the boy is frightened, of course, trying to look around him to see if the dragon’s glance was truly on him. it was, and after a moment— the boy waddles over, a wooden sword in hand, and courageously holds it up while taking stance.

i’m— i’m not afraid, so, um— the child straightens his back. i’ll take a whack at ya’ if y’try somethin’!! and then, quietly, once he lowers his sword: they won’t play with me, ‘cuz a’ daddy’s work, and yer lady’s talkin’ to the grown ups, so, um— will you?

wordlessly and with a surprised blink, eren crouches down, swings his tail around his ankles, and . . . begins to prod the child with the inoffensive tip (for now— when the needles on his tail flare out separately, they’re all quite sharp, and burn if he breathes fire). there’s something distant in eren’s eyes as he goads the boy into an eventual chuckle that gets the other monster children to watch from afar. something distant and not quite as happy.

far from happy, but he’s a good distraction. not one child bothers the adults as they spoke. ]

[freeing]

[ It was fortunate both of them did not fall under the same afflictions or the city may not be in one piece. One dragon tormented by need and heat all the same could be a terrible thing to deal with, but two? Well, that'll be in the future. For now, she does not feel the same need and desires consume her as Eren does. She had noticed the differences, but it was certainly aligning more with the change in temperature. She has, however, the same excitement in her heart speaking with him and spending time with him. Little did she know that it rooted much deeper, something much more feral in their DNA now.

She does not mean for him to linger on the pout of her lips or the swell of her breast bound in tightened cloth — she goes about her time as she did: with focus on the task at hand. It was not as if she was a walking bit of meat waiting to be devoured, there was much more complicated feelings there.

The darkened city was healing, they both were here to aid it or perhaps see how deep the wound was. There was clear misdirections, but some things... Dany needed to see herself. The children was her first thought, how they knew nothing of freedom and nothing but the world they were forced to experience. They know shackles and chains, not toys and sweets. It was unfortunate, where children should be playing many of them still remain withdrawn.

For now, she speaks to the caretakers, inquiring about the next steps on allowing them to learn about a free city, about what their placement with caregivers will be. It was a deeper conversation, one where Dany offers thoughts of the importance of a safe haven and how this ground should be such.

However... Eren catches her eye, as he always does. She watches from a distance, teeth catching her own bottom lip to contain her giggles at the sight. The embers from her chest burn like coal under her skin, lighting up towards her neck faintly. He can see it and she doesn't try to hide it.

Returning her gaze back to the caregiver, they speak briefly on the volunteers growing in numbers and that, at least, puts her heart at ease. She goes forth with a respectful nod, excusing herself to instead return to Eren — to stand at a distance with hands clasped in front of her to watch with a completely devoted look — admiring the children seemingly interested in big strong Monsters to grow up like. ]

[usurpers]

[ a gander in the queen’s direction, for he tasted the charring and brilliance of a fire through a sensitive tongue (not so much the tongue, but the sense organ responsible), the dragon’s attention keeps on her from afar, even when crouched with the child and garnering more curious little adventurers creeping along his flank and back.

they’re still cautious, but the boy taps at eren’s hide with no reaction given as before (he’s too busy it seem, getting lost in her smile and her chest alight). the child feigns losing his sword in a counter attack, and charges to tackle eren’s now bent thigh and exposed midsection. it ends up being brutally squeezed into a hug, where eren’s attention snaps back with a slow startle. it’s your weakness, isn’t it?! ]

You’ve got me.

[ one could say he says it rather flatly, but eren’s forte hadn’t been with children to begin with. either way— they seemed to enjoy it, and one by one, the boy gains a new playmate: monster children with arms extended and wrapping around the dragon in every direction you can think of. it isn’t long before the mighty beast doubles over beneath a pack of giggles and shrieks. only his chest and tail tip moves under the animation, only ceasing when one of the caretakers calls them for snack time. one by one, children peel away from him with toothy grins, some of them even missing a few baby teeth and pushing their tongues between holes. kid things.

as he rises from his grave, the boy doesn't come back to say thanks. he doesn't have to, really. he has a few new friends interested in playing with him, all monsters when earlier they wouldn't have approached, whispering and asking of the boy's older dragon friend, a dragon, and one of those mirrorbound, even! so on, so forth, children will be children. the younger waves to eren, and eren nods back. ]

I didn't think I'd find him. Or what I'd do if I did. [ something about his body language doesn't say he feels . . . well. in fact, he felt like he just deceived the poor child three times over. ] What did they say?

[freeing]

[ When they return into each other's company, it was as if the rest of the children's laughter and yelling melts away. Her attention goes to him and the awkward longing she has in her heart is pushed aside. Children were an interesting thing for Daenerys. They bring her hope and a reason to better the world, but she also wishes to rarely be in their company. It pains her, it makes her push deep down her own loss and tragedies. Dany wears the mask well, parted lips and toothy smirk — no, only a select few knew what she lost.

The boy had left the 'corpse' alone and instead, this ghost or white walker now provides good company. ]

Perhaps you didn't need to think. It simply needed to happen.

[ A pause. ]

They're unsure of what comes next. They are faced with a world unlike anything they’ve ever known — some... play games of 'monster and master' and drag the others around like dogs. [ She feels hollow saying it, her heart heavy. ]Some of the children are healing better, asking questions, asking when they’ll have new mothers and fathers to keep them safe.

[ Her can see her grip on her own clasped hands loosen a bit, nervously stroking her knuckles. ]

What if time is not enough to heal them? What then?

[usurpers]

[ “needed to happen”, hm. a long time ago, eren would defy any notion of predetermination, but now it was under a different light for him. it garnered new meaning. it wasn’t as simple as a twist of fate you couldn’t control, but— a thread you could control completely, from beginning to end. some things were made to happen, and eren knows his life, his choices, and the events that littered them were all a reaction to what he planted deep into the past he wandered, where seconds became centuries, and where his presence was like that of a ghost.

his brows raise briefly, only for him to grunt in agreement, in the end, and await her words. eren were his lips, keeps them pressed together as he readies himself to rise in full from the crouch he used to watch the children go on.

it . . . what a difficult question. ]

Sometimes time is never enough. [ a beat. ] Most times. [ he knows it firsthand. back home he never had the time he needed to fix centuries worth of xenophobia, of slavery, child labor, cannibalism— and more, all for the sake of power that man is too greedy to dismiss. ] But actions could be.

[ he’s reminded of gabi— the look on her face compared to killing sasha (angry, vengeful, brainwashed into thinking her own people were monsters—) to . . . killing him, or at least trying. she was broken, eyes filled with tears, unable to stay her hand from a high caliber gun only because she thought she had no choice. she didn’t want to be there, much less pull the trigger that sent his head flying. and caused the earth to shatter. ]

How fast it’ll take for each one to see will depend on them individually. Some are weak spirited, [ he says, regrettably, but with truth, ] and some aren’t.

[ but after a moment . . . his tail, sways, and creates a semi-circle on the ground around dany’s ankles. ]

But that doesn’t mean they’re lost causes.

[ this part, he says with certain kindness. he knows through a child himself, a lost, frightened child who had only known abuse, and horror, waiting two thousand years for change. it came the instant someone capable gave her a choice. she loved her life in servitude, without the strength to fight back by herself— but she changed as soon as the first person in her afterlife gave her what she needed. ]

They just need someone to give them that choice.

before dorch?

[partnerinheels]

[Sheva, thanks in part to her changes, her lack of a proper bond with a witch, and then the snows, has been somewhat of a hermit for the last month or so. It's why she's belatedly dropping by to visit Dany with a package in her arms. Well, one of the reasons. The recent news regarding Dorchacht is something she wants to discuss with her in person.

Her still fur-less tail is carefully tucked in a hand sewn pocket, more for warmth than embarrassment, but otherwise she's clad in her usual style of form fitting pants, layers, and a cloak-like jacket with a hood. Her bow isn't with her, relying on smaller blades hidden and tucked away on her person.

Regardless of her more stable mindset, Sheva still can't help but fuss over her appearance, little details that aren't actually out of place, before she knocks on the door.]

[freeing]

[ It had certainly been a long month. Between the full moon and the change in weather, Daenerys has remained idle in her apartment for most of it.

It wasn't until a knock came to the door that she would pry herself from the heat of her ever-burning fire. She'll open the door with a small smile. She looks far more frumpy than she'd ever let people see — hair disheveled, clothing bundled against her frame and layers stacking to keep herself warm. ]

Lady Sheva. [ Sorry, old habits. ] It's good to see you.

[partnerinheels]

[Even with her looking a bit more comfortable than usual, the sight of the other woman automatically brings a smile to her features. Sheva lifts the wrapped box in response to the greeting.]

My queen. [It's not a formal greeting, a slight nod instead of a curtsy or bow, but she's not making light of the title.] I come bearing belated gifts and an apology for being so scarce.

[freeing]

Daenerys. [ She tries to offer as a respected, still accepted title. The formal greetings were feeling odder and odder as the days pass — she wonders if she will feel comfortable being called a Queen when she returns? There's a casual interaction between them, one that still feels different... but welcomed. ] Please save your apologies, come in — the cold is unforgiving.

[partnerinheels]

Daenerys. [Sheva grins at that, making a noise of agreement in regards to the comment on the cold, her smile curling a bit mischievously as she steps into the space.]

Well I might be able to help with that. A little, at least.

back home.

[digiorno]

It's all over.

[He's quiet behind her, not thinking about the potential danger of approaching her when she's visibly so upset. What matters is the upset, and what's brought it about — the signs, the ugliness, the hate.]

[To be expected, but painful all the same. This is why you don't let people talk you into believing the best of others. It's never worth the disappointment.]

. . . I'm sorry. This should have been stopped before it started. It's a disgrace.

[freeing]

[ Drogon's flames were not strong enough yet. She was spoiled by a strong, large dragon before she arrived here and now, she raises him once more. The embers spark the signage all the same, it just doesn't burn as viciously as she would like. She doesn't feel better, the anger and bitterness still roots in her heart like a song she can't get out of her head.

She doesn't realize, or care, that anyone had seen her with such an act. Why would she? They turn the blind eye to these acts all the same — the hatred and ignorance of others.

When he speaks, she doesn't pull her gaze from the dancing flames reaching higher to the sky or the wood planks beginning to crack upon themselves. Her fist balls. ]

It will spread. Just as my fire, it will spread.

[ The hatred, she means, sadly with an empty voice. ]

[digiorno]

It will.

[There’s no denying it. No, if anything—]

It already has, I’d think. We just can’t see the damage yet. Like a fire burning underground. It’ll make its way to the surface sooner than later.

[It’s an apt enough analogy, although with the way things go around here, who knows? It might end up being literal. Who knows when vandalism will turn to violence. Something’s going to explode.]

. . . Everyone will act very surprised, I’m sure. [He huffs out a sigh.] It would be nice to be wrong.

[freeing]

They're fools if they do not heed the warnings provided.

[ Actions and words — she speaks bitterly from her own experience. There would be no guilt in knowing she was right about this place — that there are problems that will conflict with the Mirrorbound. She rightfully did not trust anyone not brought through the mirrors. ]

The city needs to do something about it or it very well may declare itself the new Dorcharcht.