two | video

[whichend]

[ Arya has gotten much better at using the camera on this thing since she arrived, and she's able to keep the camera focused on herself this time without much effort. Which is good, because she knows she needs to be taken seriously if this is going to work.

Arya is standing in the charred remains of what looks like was once a kitchen. The setting is on purpose -- it's a reminder to what happened, and what needs to be done because of it. ]

Hello, Hadriel.

You all know what happened last month. You know how the food was contaminated, and you saw the sickness that took many of us, and caused the sick to feed upon the healthy whether they liked it or not. This happened because we are too dependent on food from beings we do not see and do not fully understand.

[ She says, firmly. ]

We cannot afford to rely on the gods like we are children, and they are parents. There is enough of us here to survive on our own, all of us, if we work for it. We share one thing: whatever each person may think about this place, none of us were brought here willingly. That, I think, is enough to trust one another if not work together.

There are other ways to get food. There is a man named Newt here who knows how to grow it, and if that is your interest or specialty, it may be a good idea to talk to him. I can hunt, and I think there are a few more of us here who can as well. There is certainly enough of us to find food for everyone. Monsters can be meat, and more and more monsters are brought in every month. We need not go hungry, and we need not be helpless.

[ Arya swallows. Off-camera, she's digging her nails into her palms, not wanting to say her last piece, but knowing she can't keep hiding it forever. There's a brief pause before she gathers herself enough to continue. ]

My name is Arya Stark. If you would like to contact me. If you are interested in hunting, in learning, in teaching others, or even simply becoming independent as a city.

Comments

Voice

[whichend]

[ Arya hesitates before replying as well. She knows her mistrust and anger towards Amos wasn't his fault -- it was Rage who made her feel that way, when the god was resurrected. But Arya has seen firsthand that Amos is capable of hurting her, so she doesn't let him quite off the hook. When Arya responds, she's polite, but not warm, her walls very much up. ]

What was this organization? The truth. No stories.

I know about the fish. I have eaten them.

Voice

[amos_moses]

There were many branches. At home the focus was mainly on business and merchandise, with some security operations an' gambling parlours. In other countries, we traded an' transported goods, weapons, workers. We worked alongside a mercenary group often, which is where I gained most of my tactical experience.

I was often sent back an' forth between home an' the other branches as my boss's personal representative, so I've got a lot of practise at negotiating deals an' trades, too.

[This is all polite talk for I work for one of the larger organized crime rings worldwide. Because they certainly do all this, but on the wrong side of the law. Amos is very good at making his job sound perfectly legitimate; he's an excellent liar. He's certainly not going to reveal on an open network that he works for the yakuza: some people will not look kindly on a national criminal.]

[whichend]

That is a description. But you avoid stating its purpose, its reason for existence.

[ Arya says, curtly. ]

But your negotiation experience may be...worthwhile. [ She's trying her best to be diplomatic. ] This may stir up trouble with the gods. Are you prepared to speak on our behalf if things go wrong?

[amos_moses]

Why does any business exist? To fill a need, to make a profit.

It's a family business for my boss. I was sold into her services.

[And that is the truth: he was not hired, he was bought, though in the beginning it had merely been to serve as a companion for Kameko. Now they work in a more equal partnership, but Amos knows he owes her that debt of his life and freedom, and it's a debt he's not sure he can ever fully repay. But it outlines his interest in the yakuza nicely, because he is more concerned with serving Kameko than the yakuza itself. Apart from her, he would have little interest in staying a lifelong criminal.]

I am willing to speak on our behalf to the gods, yes. I will do my best.

I promise no miracles, though. I'm no priest nor prophet.

[whichend]

[ Arya recognizes the truth for what it is, and her chill ebbs a little. She's nowhere near trusting Amos, but she can at least acknowledge that he is not wholly terrible. And that is saying a lot. ]

Thank you for your offer.

[amos_moses]

You're welcome.