middaeg | The Room where it happens (open catch all!)

Entry tags:

The Room where it happens (open catch all!)

Who: Sokie and you!
When: All month
Where: All over the city and on the outskirts
What: Open starters for Sokie as she tries to be productive!
Warnings: TBA

I: Parliament

[There was a lot of listening on Sokie's part, which may have seemed unusual for those who Kew her. Usually she was chatty, filled with charm and wit- but in Parliament, she dressed in a formal business suit and took notes (and also doodled). In exiting a meeting, she paused outside of the building and took a few moments to stretch. Her butt felt sore for sitting still so long.]

My butt hurts. I guess this is why I've always turned down a desk job.

[She needed to do some yoga and have a run. And a bath.]

II: Radio Hour

[Anyone and everyone could call or text in, but Sokie would stay on voice since...well, she was on the morning hour with her radio advice show. Which was on right now, live.]

Hello dear listener, welcome to An Undertaking with Undertown. What question can I answer today?

III: Teaching Magic

[She left a notice on te boards again. It wasn't good last month, by this time...maybe She could help some of the newbies learn their magic or how to counter it.

She asked them to meet at the entry of Haven, and after some introductions, things would move on from there. Well. She got to the point really.]

So, what do you want to learn today?

IV: A different kind of practice

[It was true she had a baton, but it was the kidnapping and speaking to Sephiroth that was a wake up call. Heck, she might have even been denying it, since the snow storm.

But she found a smithy and was going through the weapons, one by one, trying to find which would suit her best. So far, nothing really caught her eye but...she found one, and lightly twirled tin in one hand.]

It feels nicer but I think I need to put this through its paces.

...hey. You wouldn't mind going for a round, right?

[Sorry curious customer and or passerby. Sokie wants a smol fite.]

V: A moment of quiet

[She was in a corner of a cafe, or maybe just in Diplomatea. As usual, there were books around her, papers of various formulae, but she seemed more interested in her tea or coffee then she was in her work. Seeing someone nearby, she made a beckoning motion with her hand.]

Don't worry, I can move my stuff. Why don't you come sit?

VI: Wildcard

All other options, including hunting outside of the city can be done here! Any questions, comments, can be directed to my discord or at my plurk!

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Ah yes, I see what you mean. Foolish, I suppose to limit academics to books.

[Especially since she's a world traveler herself.]

Still might make a shitty hunter, but now you're just teasing me. Cruel. Utterly, utterly cruel.

[How dare you not let her become cursed into a nasty flesh blob???]

Teasing you? With what? I've never considered myself to be a very good teacher. [Well, she doesn't consider it, but that doesn't mean she isn't actually somewhat apt at it.]

They don't even have the proper kind of catacombs here. And the Cwyld is a blight I wouldn't want to just casually go exploring in.

You could give it a try if you wanted. Give you a way to get back at me for being a brat.

[She may be modest, or she may be a good teacher. She'll take a chance.]

I wouldn't either. I've explored once or twice, but always with backup. Is there a space you'd want to explore, given the chance?

I think I've taken my revenge for now. [She won't say that she's done, of course. Who knows what other little acts of annoyance Sokie might get up to, but for now, she is done.]

What, here? I'd enjoy some delving into what was left behind after the devestation of the blight. I suppose that may be what keeps me going outside the walls, here.

Ah, good to know.

[For now being the key phrase. She may need to kick Sokie's ass later, because...Sokie gets into trouble, that's what she does.]

You're a witch, right? You know it is possible to make a shield that keeps the blight from getting in.

Which may be difficult to maintain for all of it but...it's possible. Even probable if you just want to go out into the wild for a day or two.

That is not a school I've spent much time studying. Unless the "shield" is to burn it all to cinders before you even set foot in the area. [Spending time and mana to cast shields isn't as useful to her as just to be so fast to not be hit to begin with, but that doesn't work as well with the Cwyld.]

I'll just stay with aiding the Wilders as necessary. Let them spend the money and resources to put together the expeditions. I've felt this whole time that some day... we'll know the truth. Whether we want to, or not.

I think that's the proactive vigorous defense that I've heard about.

[Sokie likes shields. It's a good thing for people to focus on while you stab them in the side.]

With the ways that people are investigating and looking for answers...we may find out sooner then later.

Hell, we may already know something of the truth, thanks to the dreams.

But the Wilders-have you invested in them then?

Yes. People are very curious, and they've stumbled upon some interesting information. [She's talked to Eren a little; he's one of the ones who's stuck his nose furthest into things, she thinks. Outside of what she's discovered on her own.]

Well, perhaps, but there is a question I would still like answered about the Cwyld, regardless of the True Fae's hand in starting it.

[A pause.] As for the Wilders, yes, of course. I have not formally joined them, but I lend my aid to them quite often. Hopefully they see me as a steadfast ally, even if not one of their own ranks. [She hasn't really joined any of the groups here; not even the Mirrorbound, really. That was assigned arbitrarily upon arrival, but she rarely gets involved in the larger dealings.]

Mmm. People are curious. People don't like to be left unknowing.

Like about the Cwyld. That could be important for everyone.

And their organization could be key to finding more. Since you're an ally...and you've had your share of hunting in dangerous territory...

How would you improve the Wilders and their practices?

You'd think they would've put more effort into investigating it long ago, but it seems before we came along, they were mostly content to simply peer at it through binoculars and pretend it wasn't about to kick down their door.

[She has a lot of harsh criticisms about Aefenglom as a whole... but really, part of that had to be the government's fault.]

I'd increase recruitment to bolster their numbers, and strengthen the bonds with the Coven so that more expeditions deeper into the Wildes are possible. They need to reclaim territory around Aefenglom and buy the city more breathing room, and time, to figure out what to do with the blight as a whole. But their numbers are few, and it's not like Aefenglom has much of a standing military to aid them.

Mm...did you know? There's a world where they've made this experiment with dogs. They were able to train the dog to think that every time the bell was rung, it'd be fed- and so it'd start to drool.

They've trained themselves not to venture outside. They're safe in their cozy walls, and if the other cities fall, the expeditions fail, oh too bad, it has nothing to do with them.

[Sokie's voice is light, amused even, but she's with Maria in the harsh criticums.]

Do you think the Coven would be willing to go out into the Wildes? This is a rather small city in a whole, and if we wanted their to be a true militaristic push, it'd take a few months to be useful. Years to be great.

What else would be the point of studying any kind of offensive magic at all? The Cwyld makes conventional warfare all but impossible in this world, so even if there was a war, it would be a complicated affair. It's a bit excessive for petty criminals, and even more extreme criminals are so rare it doesn't justify having a whole school dedicated to the study of it.

[She waves her hand.] Unless you plan on using it. There's so few practical applications for half of their magical classes in the cities that aren't in strange or unusual circumstances.

But... the Coven also seems to be moderately more helpful on the whole, and they want to keep their good standing with the city. It would be practical for them to want to help out with the Cwyld.

That's why I've been dabbling a bit. Practical magic classes, outside of a traditional classroom environment.

[Sokie brushed a hand over a forming bruise. Owch.]

They also want to make the most use of us, and as semi citizen status, we're useful for going through loopholes.

So, do you think we could truly get the Coven's help with the Cwyld and expansion? And moreover- would you attempt to assist in the matter?

Well, we're using them to gain information and training. They're using us to help save their world. Eventually, I'm sure we can call the imbalance for what it is. Or we'll find out just how much this knowledge we keep digging up gives us power over them.

[She lightly clears her throat, and steps back toward the shop. Time to go return these weapons, now that Sokie's clearly back on her feet.]

If the Coven knows what's good for the whole city, they'll help, or they'll be in just as much danger as everyone else if something goes terribly wrong. That is the selfsame logic I use for my own involvement. The Cwyld is a threat to me and mine, so I help as much as I can to see its threat reduced and resolved. Otherwise... this whole city could rot to pieces and burn to the ground for all I care. I care nothing for its citizens or problems.

Maybe both, if we're so lucky.

[Since, well...really, the training they're giving only to the witches was imbalanced, and they'd gain from knowledgable users.

With a roll of her shoulder, she follows Maria towards the shop.]

We'll see if the Coven is smart enough to look out for themselves. As for you...

[Sokie shrugs, not watching her.]

I may ask for your expertise in various things in the future. You have the maturity and realism to get things done- some things that the younger or more naive may not be able to handle.

"Various things", hm? [That's... certainly open-ended. She's not uninterested, but it's something she'll probably approach with her usual pragmatism. That is to say: To observe carefully, before she gets into anything.]

Who would have known... you do have a serious side. [A serious side that's almost threatening. Not really to Maria or anything; she thinks she could handle herself just fine, here, but... it's more than she's expected out of the woman so far.] Well, you know where to find me, if you do need to make such a call.

I don't want to limit myself. Some things may come up in the future.

[It's rather simple, but still. Her lips quirk slightly.]

There's a reason why most people don't see my serious side at first. But-thank you for that licence.

[Her smile widens a little more before it fades at the door.]

You can do the same, if you have a reason to ask for me.

There goes that cryptic wording again... [Well, now she's curious, but... she knows this isn't the situation for talking about it. And may very well be one of those situations where curiosity is going to end up biting her. She'll just wait for the call to action. ]

If I can think of something you may yet help me for, I will hold you to returning the favor. [She is not going to be any less cryptic about it, thought.]

What can I say? The future has...many, many possibilities.

[She smiles. She has something. She'll take what she can get.]

But I will of course pay you back, whatever favor it is. I like keeping things even.

Right. [Going to proceed with caution, then.]

Whatever the favor is, hm? [She makes it sound like she's considering something sinister, before she shakes her head.] Well, I'll have to consider that, as well. It will probably also depend on what you want to ask of me. But I'll keep that in mind.

[She hangs her temporary weapon back on the rack she took it from, and makes eye contact with the shopkeep with a nod, so he knows she's back and has delivered the goods again.] Good luck with that physical training. You'll build the muscle eventually.

We'll have to see. We never know what may happen, and what I may need your help with.

[It could just be for something simple and not sinister. Unless it's taking something off of a creepy shelf.

Then it'd be simply sinister.]

Thank you for the workout. I'll try my best to catch up.

[And she'll put the weapon away, and speak to the owner for now. She's not going to be tall anytime soon, but maybe she won't be beaten black and blue the next sparring session she has.]

Let me know if you ever forget the taste of dirt. I'll happily remind you. [Was that, was that a joke? Maaaaybe.]

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The Room where it happens (open catch all!)

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