video;

[hotspurred]

[Henry stands in armour, ever a proud knight. Yet this time his armour is stripped back to just his layers of mail over which he wears the blue sash of the Guard, a concession to the heat here above ground. While bearing a number of visible bruises and cuts, he otherwise seems hale. Yet his eyes are dark. He stands next to a shorter woman, but in a clear break from tradition, this time it's definitely not Maketh.

If it isn't clear enough that Kate is not Maketh, it's the fact that, despite standing straight backed and with her hair (long past the stage of having even the faintest hint of pink in it, all bleach blonde with steadily growing dark roots) pulled back into a bun atop her head, she looks rather like she'd prefer not to be hosting this on video. Which shouldn't surprise anyone who's been here long enough; her posts tend to be nothing more than text or audio. Suffice to say that the knight won the rock paper scissors match.]

We have survived with our hopes for a future yet intact. Though hard-fought, and at no small cost, I yet name that a victory. But let us not celebrate yet.

[Henry's voice changes; his next words come slower, and sharper. His pitch drops, and a trace of melancholy runs through both his tone and his expression.]

It grieves me to make it known that Maketh no longer numbers among us in Hadriel.

[It's only a small, momentary glimpse of the grief he feels at her loss. But he only means to get that knowledge out there rather than talk of it, so his expression quickly shutters as he returns to his previous composure. It gets him the briefest of sidelong glances from Kate, but other than the brief purse of her lips, she doesn't seem to react.]

There is more I would say. Henceforth, consider Nick Valentine my fellow commander of the Guard. Those who feel they cannot approach me may turn to him; it shall achieve the same end.

I ask that every guardsmen report in to inform me of their current state. I must know which of you are in need of respite, and who is available for duty. I have much work for those who are able.

[As he says that, he sets a hand on his hip and cocks his head at Kate.]

Kate stands next to me for good reason. Both the Clinic and Guard headquarters were destroyed in the Null's assault. We have decided to rebuild them side by side. As such, I expect all guardsmen who nurse no injuries to aid the the construction of both.

[It's at this point that Kate actually says something, clearing her throat before she speaks.]

Be built near the colosseum, like before. Anyone who wants to assist us is free to. We need both construction and supplies. Be posting a list of supplies the clinic needs when we begin construction.

[There's a beat of silence as Henry waits to see if Kate wants to say anything more than that, but when it's clear she's done, he simply nods once, decisively.]

I intend for the Guard to see a small number of watchtowers made and manned in addition to our usual patrols. Rest assured that you shall hear from us again soon.

Comments

video.

[puzzlingly]

「Hey, he remembers this guy from that... hmm, well, video in which everything went wrong. He actually doesn't have much to say other that what he told Nick before.」

Thank you for all your effort, Henry, Kate. We'll see this through.

[video] and definitely late

[hot_mes]

[sleep is more important than the clinic but...sleep doesn't always come]

I'll assist when I don't feel like I've been dragged ten kilometers behind a ship.

[and on a different note entirely, clearly directed toward Henry]

...you did everything right, Percy-ya. Fine work.

[voice]

[synthedick]

I've got a few new dings in the old chassis, but I'm okay.

[Which is Nick-talk for him burying himself in work, as usual. He really should rest, given everything they've been through, but there's always more to do... and less people around to do it than usual.]

I'll be around to rebuild as much as I can.

voice.

[justmath]

[Oh, good, there are responsible adults around.]

I'm pretty new here, but I'd like to help, if you'll have me. This place looks like it's in pretty rough shape.

[hasadoctorsnote]

I'll help rebuild as much as I can. I might be able to make some help to make it go a little faster but I'm still recharging from the fighting so I'll see what I can do.

If you need help guarding anything, I can do that too.

Voice

[utulien_aure]

Fingon speaking. My kin and I still live. We should be available to help, as well.

[Building projects? You might have to tear Curufin and Celebrimbor away from the building projects]

video

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin is a little banged up from the last round of fighting and Null-extermination, and his eyes are still darkly humorous in accordance with his style throughout this battle for the soul of Hadriel. He is combing through the debris where a building once was, pulling out usable materials and throwing them into a wagon, to be hauled off to the forge, the sheet metal shop, and the carpentry shed, all of which he shares with his son Celebrimbor. He smiles a little and lifts his crowbar in greeting. ]

We are on the same page, then.

I am available for work. I will aid in the construction of the new Clinic and Guard HQ, and anything else we need to build.

[ And since it seems appropriate to speak . . ] I am very sorry about Maketh. Farewell to her, though she cannot hear us. We will remember her for the best things she contributed to this community.

[hotspurred]

[Henry briefly dips his head in acknowledgement.]

And yours. For the most part, the people of this city know when to come together. Unity is ever a strength.

[hotspurred]

[Henry raises his eyebrows, clearly finding those words unexpected. When his initial surprise fades, he half-smiles. Though momentary, he evidently appreciates the sentiment.

After a moment of silence, he pushes a hand through his hair. Henry did debate with himself whether to speak of what happened in Delight's temple in the video.]

...It was not Delight alone who attacked Hope's temple. There was a coward who fled the moment that she took up the fight. He wore robes and a strange beaked mask. Suffice to say, trust him not should you encounter him.

[hotspurred]

Good.

[Henry and Kate aren't exactly the best people to call him out on that.]

We must talk regardless. Oh, and one more thing — congratulations, Nick. I hope that you regard the change not merely as an act of necessity, but one foremost of confidence.

action bc who's going to stop me.

[dedikated]

( And, as soon as that's done, she's just going to collapse onto whatever surface there is and flex her legs with a groan of discomfort. The invasion may be over, and her body may have forced her out of commission for the last two days, but the effects are still coursing through her body. )

Be easier having you lot closer.

( Not that she minded the walks to provide them with first aid packs, but recent events surely indicate that they'll be needing to up their defences on the clinic.

She doubts this is over. )

video;

[claritatis]

My thanks, to both of you.

[A small, almost imperceptible smile in Kate's direction - one he doesn't even notice is on his face.]

Henry, I hope you'll feel that you can call on me if you have a need of assistance. I am entirely at your disposal.

[Say nothing of the livid bruise slowly fading to greens and blues spanning the entire width of his chest under the white shirt he wears. He's perfectly fine.]

[dedikated]

( Everything Henry says is true, so Kate merely adds: )

Appreciated.

[dedikated]

( Kate nods, though she's not exactly doing that whole... let your body recuperate thing herself. )

Don't need staff members out of commission right now. Take your time.

[dedikated]

( What's a rest? Can you eat it? And is it a good thing or a bad thing that most of their paperwork has probably gone up in flames? )

Great.

( She bites her tongue on saying congratulations on the promotion, circumstances as they are. )

video

[bythewaves]

My kin and I are builders and craftsmen by training, and doubtless Curufin has already spoken, but I think I can speak for the family, when I offer all our services in rebuilding.

[hotspurred]

[Henry huffs a single short, dry laugh. That's an understatement.]

As you say. Your assistance is more than welcome.

I am Henry Percy, a knight of England and commander of the Guard. I shall leave Kate to introduce herself.

[hotspurred]

[Henry starts and for a brief moment looks... vaguely embarrassed before he clears his throat. It's still far too easy to think of Nico wedged between hay bales in the stables with his sketch book, even if Pleasant Valley was nothing more than an illusion.]

Nico. Ah. My thanks for your assistance. We shall keep you informed.

[Once he knows how many guardsmen he has, he'll make a decision on that latter offer.]

[hotspurred]

Those are good tidings indeed. I begrudge no one rest, but the more hands we have, the better.

[dedikated]

( Both of those are solid maybes, really. They're doing a pretty good job of seeming that way, though. )

Usually is. ( Kate pls. ) Kate Galloway. Help run the clinic here. ( When they... actually... have one. )

[dedikated]

Don't overdo it for th' sake of a day or two.

( The buildings are important, but ultimately useless if there's no one to staff them. )

[dedikated]

Good to know. We'll see you there.

[hotspurred]

[Henry squeezes his eyes shut, dipping his head. After a brief moment, he says evenly:]

I appreciate that we may count on you.

[He shifts his weight from one foot the the other, then lifts his head again. He crosses himself and, in a low voice, adds:]

God rest her soul.

[But that is all he will say of it over the network.]

[dedikated]

( Honestly, Curufin.

Yes, she is a hypocrite, because she's not exactly in good shape herself, even if she has bathed since. )

Good. Could use people who know what they're doing.

( This... isn't exactly her forte, beyond knowing where she wants things in the new building. )

[dedikated]

( Yes. Totally fine. But she does seem to relax, just a little, when his face pops up. Nothing weird about that, since she probably hasn't had a moment to actually see him since the whole collapsing on him at the hot springs thing. )

You doin' alright?

( Which is why this is an entirely necessary question. )