hadriel | Video 9 - Sewing Shop (dated an hour after Lance's post)

[while Margaery may be in her usual place in the Sewing Shop, that's not what she's choosing to address. not this time.

sure, she's dressed up as usual, she has her sword laid across her lap and visible in the frame of the video.

she's also not wearing her usual bright smile. instead, her expression is deadly serious]

As I'm sure we're all aware, the demon has been temporarily been . . . put out of commission. Now, this is not the place to debate the wisdom of vigilante justice. Dr. Sweets appears to have that well in hand. No, what this is is the place to discuss what measures may be taken to prevent the demon from taking its rage out on the entirety of Hadriel.

The gods will do nothing. Tranquility told me himself that they will only take action if they themselves are threatened. So we're left to fend for ourselves. We must make our plans ourselves and it would be far better to have those plans coordinated well in advance of its release.

So I am directing this to anyone who has ideas for what to do when the demon is inevitably released back into the populace. Surely there are those with powers or skills which could prevent it from going on a murderous rampage. Now is the time for those people to step forward and offer their ideas.

Thank you for your time and attention.

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[and she looks and sounds perfectly calm. perhaps this was a necessary lesson, that she owes these people precisely nothing]

As they have been to me. And thus the cycle of cruelty continues. Do you intend to add to it?

[Perhaps it is. She doesn't owe him anything, no, but he does plan to ask for something anyway. Even doing that much feels like trespassing somehow, and he hates to press someone of the fairer sex. Normally he wouldn't. This situation is far from normal.]

Not at all. In fact, you can yell at Law some more. [He can take it. He's a big boy.] I'll gladly kick him for you if he's ever rude to you again. Just say the word!

However... [His would-be smile falters.] I would like to ask something of you. If you'll allow it.

[all she'd wanted to do was put together a plan to prevent a slaughter, but it seems as though people are willing to risk it. she can't save those who are unwilling to see the danger they're in]

I have nothing further to say to him. We were friends once, but he seems to have lost his senses over the past several months if he's willing to allow the slaughter of innocent people.

[she sounds weary] What is it you wish to ask?

Please.

[He forces a slow, calming breath: in and out.]

Tell me how you decide to act before you try anything. So that I can protect you both.

[she sighs]

I likely won't be trying anything. I know I'm no match for such a being and it seems as though everyone else is content to do nothing.

[That's... not something he's used to hearing. The people he's surrounded himself with back home will do whatever the hell they want and damn the consequences. There's no sense in trying to stop them when he'd better serve by supporting them.

Nothing here ever seems to be that simple.]

Actively putting a lady in harm's way isn't something I can support. Perhaps the others feel the same. But passively doing so is just as bad, not manly at all.

[He sighs, absently scratching at the back of his head.]

The least I can do is prove to you that Law and I are better than that. Whatever you decide, I won't allow a slaughter.

How's that?

[while she was a queen, tasked with shaping and influencing the will of the people. but when it mattered most, none would listen to her. she fears that this is another such occasion]

And that it seems is what people have chosen to do. Through inaction, they passively put others in danger.

[she sounds exhausted]

Law, I'll have none of. He's made his choices and said things that cannot be taken back. But you, ser, already have proven you're a better man.

That is fine. In fact, that is all that I asked for. For there not to be a slaughter.

[Sanji can accept that, and he nods to say as much. Sure, he would die for Law if the situation calls for it, but he isn't going to run the guy's damn pr campaign. They're pirates. Ultimately, not even they themselves can tell each other what to do.]

A noble goal for a noble lady. If I could take your hand now, I would surely kiss it!

[A little bow is what he settles for instead.]

Thank you for hearing me out, and please stay safe. I'll do everything within my power to keep everyone alive and kicking.

[and she regrets the loss of the friendship, but if he's turned into the kind of man who would passively sit back as innocents were slaughtered, he's no longer the kind of man she wishes to associate with, even in passing.

she smiles at him] And I would allow it. You seem to be a gentleman, ser. Goodness knows we could use a few more of those.

[and she gracefully inclines her head in response]

I'm grateful to you. For being kind. And I greatly appreciate your efforts.

[If he'd heard these words from her under any other circumstances, he'd be loudly and proudly ecstatic about them. Even now, he can't help but perk up a tad, glad to see her smile, to know he's already helping.

After all, there isn't a woman in existence who doesn't deserve to be happy.]

My efforts, meager as they may be, are inspired by your graceful determination! I would be lucky to meet you in person some day.

[Soon, hopefully.]

[he is helping. she's been terribly disheartened at what she's honestly intended to be a sincere effort to avoid a potential slaughter. his manners and courtesy have proven to been a soothing influence in the wake of rancor.

she's often wondered if happiness simply wasn't in the stars for her]

Thank you, ser. And I would be honored to meet you as well. I hope that I do.

Video 9 - Sewing Shop (dated an hour after Lance's post)

video; a good 12 hours later at least

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