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

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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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[she inclines her head gracefully in gratitude for his words] I would like to think I could help, but I know that the demon possesses supernatural gifts I simply do not have.

[good] Thank you. You worried us so the last time.

I don't believe their story, either. They keep us for as long as we are useful to them and they take those we care for to provoke emotions from us in response. They are entirely consumed with themselves and their own needs, so much so that there's no room for anyone else in what passes for their hearts. I even wonder how well they like each other in the wake of Delight's betrayal. Surely that provoked. . . fractures in their relations with one another.

Ah, but as long as it is not their lives that are being taken, they are content to turn a blind eye. They even choose to defend it and quibble over what the demon is called rather than what it does.

[ He smiles. ] You don't have supernatural gifts, that's true. But if it should ever come to that -- and I pray it does not! -- just remember that you have speed, skill, and agility. You must simply skewer her before she has a chance to summon demon fire or that necrotizing power.

I didn't mean to worry you. It was very kind of you to come and spend so much time at the Elfhouse while I was recovering. It made a great difference to me, and to my family. [ His eyes are full of warmth. ]

And as for the gods. . . [ He shakes his head. Jerks, all of them. ] They take what they need from the kidnapped populace of Hadriel, give as little as they can in return, and then complain about not receiving enough gratitude. And I, too, wonder whether they even like each other.

Yes, I see that, too. There seems to be great concern for Caedra, but not much for her victims. I wonder if those whom she attacks or kills are simply seen as necessary sacrifices? Rather like. . . paying tribute to a band of murderous thieves, in order that they may attack only one's neighbors and not oneself? [ He shakes his head again. ] Of course, that is what was said about me and my family. It was claimed that when Maglor and Maedhros slew Caedra in revenge for your death, they were endangering the rest of the city for their own selfish purposes. I can understand the fears of the people who said it, and the fears of those who are saying the same sort of thing to you now, but I think it is short-sighted of them.

Edited 2018-10-29 02:18 (UTC)

I hope that it doesn't come to that, too. It's a good thing I have no qualms about stabbing an enemy in the back.

It was the least I could do in gratitude for all that you and your family has done for me.

That has been my experience with gods in any world. You're forced to give and give and give and they take, all the while turning a blind eye to the suffering of others.

I think it is very much like that sort of thing. And I wonder how quickly some of the demon's defenders would change their tune should the demon attack one they love or care for? The pervailing attitude seems to be "as long as I'm safe, to the seven hells with the rest." I thought better of people here, and I am deeply disappointed. And the people here are terribly short-sighted, it seems. At this point, there's little doubt in my mind that should the Null attack tomorrow, the fight against them would turn into the same sort of free-for-all that go so many people killed the last time.

[ Small laugh. ] That, too, is the mark of a true warrior. We are only honorable when our opponents are honorable.

We are mutually grateful, then! [ His eyes sparkle. Margaery makes his day brighter, and she is one of his best reasons to keep fighting. ]

The gods in my world -- the Valar, I mean -- were better than that. They made mistakes, and as Maglor has commented, they really didn't comprehend the Finwean Elves very well. We rebelled against them, in the end, and left the gods' country for Middle-earth. But I later came to understand that they had been given charge of the world all unprepared, and they had never had enough knowledge of the world's peoples, of beings that were not gods. They didn't understand the briefness of our lives, or that the intensity of our loves and hatreds comes straight from that limitation. Even the Elves don't live as long as the Valar, and we share with mortals a great fear and a great desire to somehow transcend these fragile bodies and these fragile lives. Love and hate both accomplish the task! But the Valar did come to understand that we suffer, and they did try in the end to save us, as Maglor could tell you. He was still alive at the time, during the War of Wrath, when the gods came in force to destroy our great enemy, Morgoth. But the Hadriel gods. . . [ More head shaking. He's going to get a crick in the neck if he keep this up. ] . . . I don't think they learn from their mistakes. Besides, they really are parasites, as so many here call them. They see from a parasite's point of view. If they have an flickers of compassion for us, these are few and far between.

I wonder about that, too. What if Caedra turned on some of those people or those they care about? Well, they may get the chance to find out, if she goes off the rails when she defrosts. I wonder if she still has the power to summon demon allies out of the Abyss? The only reason her demons didn't devastate the city before Nick could talk her out of her rage -- if that's what he did? -- was because Vax and I killed her Vrocks. And Maglor, Taako, Henry, and Sonya killed the Dretches. But even if she can't, she's still capable of doing quite a bit of damage. And as I've tried to tell others before this, her willingness to kill people has nothing to do with the "provocation" of people taking revenge for the death of one they care about. She'd be killing people now, even if my brothers hadn't done a thing.

And as for the Null, it's true that a lot of people were killed in the defense of the city. But at least we tried, and we succeeded. But part of the reason we did was because the killer robots were in the city in limited numbers. Next time, they'll be sure to send a lot more, because unfortunately, they do learn from their mistakes. We still lack the organization we will need when that happens.

And speaking of organization, we will need some when Caedra thaws out. Do you have any ideas, or have you gleaned any from the few who have commented in support of you?

[wryly] And the demon is far from honorable.

[and he helps to make this place seem like less of a prison and closer to a home]

He's told me something of the Valar and of the War of Wrath and it seems as though they are leagues different than the so-called gods of Hadriel. And it's more that they don't learn from their mistakes, it's that they don't think they make mistakes in the first place. As long as they get their emotions, they would be able to justify their treatment of us, no matter how cruel or how very petty it may be. And I've seen precious little from them that indicates anything like compassion for us.

[a bitter laugh] If the demon went after anyone they cared about, they'd change their tune quickly enough. It's all well and good to defend a monster as long as the monster is going after those you couldn't care a whit about. As for the summoning, I wouldn't know. I've done what it takes to avoid that creature ever since it killed me. And had our vigilante not stepped in, who knows what it would be up to? Malice is in its very nature. It may have what appears on the outside to be "friends," but it's merely a cat playing with its food.

And we will continue to lack the organization we need when that happens. If people are incapable of seeing the threat posed here, do you think that they'll be capable of even recognizing the fact that they need organization.

Very few. I've sent a message on to Nick Valentine to ask for his input, but I've yet to receive it.

[ Small laugh ] Indeed. So we may need to be as sly as she is.

[ He thinks the same of Margaery! ]

I can't fault you on your assessment of the Hadriel gods, since I completely agree with it. Maglor says he pities them, and that is fine; he is compassionate by nature. There was a time when I'd have said the same. But no longer. I have tried to communicate with them, but I've received little of the type of response I had hoped for.

I have to agree, also, with what you say about the danger of friendship with Caedra. I don't believe that she intends any alliance with a human to be permanent. I think it's a matter of convenience, for her. The friends provide her with a respite from the isolation she'd otherwise be subject to in a human community, and that's valuable to her. But the friends are liable to end up as food.

As for organization, I'm thinking we might attempt it for this situation. We won't get cooperation from everybody, or even from most. But as I'm reading the threads of this post, it's obvious that some are willing to do what they can. Kelson suggests that those who are capable of defending against a demon should divide up the islands into areas of responsibility. I think this is a good idea. And I would add to that: we should designate or create a refuge in each of those areas. of that's at all possible. A refuge that is warded, just as the Sewing Shop and the Elfhouse and your house are warded. I'd have to talk to Fingon and Maglor about that; I'm not sure how far our arts can extend. I know we don't have the power to encircle the whole city with protection, not even collectively. We'd have to make do with individual houses or apartments.

I'm guessing Nick would be willing to alert the Guard when Caedra awakes.

Even more so, unless the demon is so overcome by rage that it fails to think through its actions.

And I have had dealings with them myself. They're unwilling to do a single thing for us unless we have something to offer ourselves. And yet they take from us freely without or permission or even without consulting with us.

They are. And yet, it's difficult to feel for them as surely by now they realize the nature of the being that they are dealing with. If they had any sense, they would break off their associations, but people here seem to have little sense and even less of a sense of self-preservation.

The Sewing Shop could serve as one of those places of refuge. I could speak with Delmar and see if he'd be willing to do the same with the Bakery. I'd imagine he would be willing as he, too, has had a run-in with the demon. I'm loath to put my friends in the path of the demon, but it could easily prove necessary. And I do with that the one responsible would step forward, even in privacy, so that a plan could be enacted to keep them safe for surely they will be the demon's first target.

[ Nods nods nods, to all of that. . . Caedra's potential rage, the gods' insistence on being paid for their favors while pillaging the community at will, the lack of the ability to think ahead on the part of those who protect Caedra either deliberately or inadvertently. ]

The Sewing Shop would be ideal, as it's already warded. I'll offer the Firehouse, too, providing the other firefights agree; I'll consult them. Delmar was attacked, too? -- I did not know that! If he's willing to take the risk of his establishment becoming a refuge again, we'll definitely ward the Bakery for him. He and Seel converted the basement of his building into a bunkhouse, as a place of safety during the Null invasion, so he's familiar with the idea already. And as for the mysterious ice-sculptor! -- yes, if they contact you, me, or anyone who joins us in this effort, then we could create a plan of protection. They may not need it, but we don't know their situation, so I agree we should take this possibility into account.

I'd hope that they'd agree. This is a matter of public safety, after all. And, he was. I just found out myself. He was not harmed, but he was frightened. That alone would cause me to dislike the demon for who could be cruel to such a kind and good-hearted man? And I was aware that his Bakery had a place of safety built into it. That could prove very useful. Do you know anyone who works at the Clinic? That could also serve as a refuge should things go poorly. [she sighs] I. . . have reason to know that vigilantes prefer to keep their privacy, but I would hope that they would see the sense in confiding in those who are willing to assist in their defense.

It certainly is a matter of public safety! I'm guessing they will agree, for that reason.

What happened with Delmar? And how did he escape injury? Was she just looking to intimidate him by threatening to injure but not actually doing it, and thus leaving him alive and fearful for future encounters?

I know a number people who work at the clinic. Some of them would probably agree, for the public good. But there are others who would not. I fear we must count that possibility out.

I hope the vigilante has friends willing and able to protect them. But if not, they might need help. I'm wondering if it might be be possible to send a message to this unknown person to let them know they're not without friends outside their own circle. Of course, they may know that already. They received a few sympathetic responses to their post. [ Including Curufin's. ]

Okay, so it looks like we have the start of a plan. I'll talk to my family and to the firefighters. I wonder if we might contact the other people in this log who seemed willing to help? At least, as soon as we know how many refuges we can provide. And they may have ideas about that, too.

Edited 2018-11-02 22:59 (UTC)

Good.

I don't know for certain. He was unwilling to go into details, but I do know it frightened him terribly.

[she has a good idea of who at the Clinic would say no, so she says with a tone of acid in her voice] Then let them risk it on their own, on the outside if they're so certain that the demon would not harm them. If they do not, they are a coward.

[back to normal] As do I. But I don't know how a message would be done, other than trying to remember to filter the message from all those who had condemned them.

A start, but we're already running out of time. Thirty days pass as though they were nothing here. I hope they have ideas The more ideas, the better.

[ He shakes his head over the idea of anybody trying to terrify let alone harm a person such as Delmar. If for no other reason, THIS GUY BAKES YOUR MORNING CINNAMON ROLLS, CAEDRA!!! ]

[ He's still thinking over the issue of the Clinic. He doesn't have a solution at the moment. ]

I'll think about how to get a message to the ice-wielder. It doesn't have to be delivered directly. There are probably some indirect means.

I'm hoping some of the respondents to your post will be willing and powerful enough to be protectors of others, when Caedra wakes up. And I'm counting not only days but islands on my fingers, here! We need a refuge on each island. We'll have the Sewing Shop and presumably the Firehouse on North Island. If Delmar agrees, then the Bakery on South Island. I am thinking of asking my kin if the Elfhouse could be a refuge as well, and that too is on South Island. That leaves West and East Islands.

Although I could offer to ferry people to a refuge. Or you could, since you can handle a boat now, and probably we could find someone to sail it with you. I could ward the boat so that nobody in it could be harmed.

Edited 2018-11-04 21:39 (UTC)

[that alone would be enough to get Margaery to hate Caedra]

I hope so. [wryly] Anonymous posts seem to be all the rage.

[she shakes her head] I don't know what to suggest for the West or East Islands. I wish I did. Ugh, this is all so complicated! If only the demon would listen to sense and stay her hand!

I suppose that could work. I'd be willing to help sail a boat, but yes I'd need a companion.

[ Yes, indeed! Cinnamon rolls are an essential contribution to the well-being of the community! One attacks the baker at one's own peril. ]

I'll figure out something. But as for anonymous posts. . . the ice-wielder was trying to use that method for something positive. I can think of worse uses.

It might be enough, to have refuges on North and South Island, if people know they exist.

Do any of your housemates have boat-handling skills?

As can I. It's a gamble for there's no guarantee that the person responsible will be willing to step forward with the mood of the community being what it is, but it's worth trying.

I hope so. There are an awful lot of noncombatants here and limited space.

Jon and Daenerys went on an expedition to retrieve fragments of the Door. I'd trust either at my side.

True. If the ice-wielder chooses to stay hidden, I could hardly blame them for it. I'll just put out the word, probably not via the network, and hope it gets to them.

That may or may not be the actual problem, as I'm guessing that if Caedra's friends can't talk her into refraining from committing some angry murders when she defrosts, then she'll be gunning first for the people she already knows and hates. And since most of us are armed and dangerous, we may absorb her energies enough to distract her from the noncombatants. At least. . . that is my hope. But you're right, the space for refuges is so far very limited. I guess we must start with what we have, and work from there.

Ah, that is good! Then Jon and Daenerys have already sailed much rougher waters than those of the channels between the islands. I do not know either of them as well as I know you or Sansa, but i'd trust them at your side, too. Or at mine, if it came to that.

No, the network seems a poor place to post looking for information such as this.

And I'd imagine that both you and I count among that number. I would do what I can to keep her from killing me, but the simple fact is that she has powers beyond what I can easily counter. I likely wouldn't last long in such an encounter. You, on the other hand, would be her match.

They are to be trusted completely. Jon Snow is entirely honorable and Daenerys Targaryen believes in protecting the weak.

[ Snicker. ] Sure way to get trolled.

I'm sure we both do count among that number. And Caedra's powers are one of the reasons I want there to be more than one warded public refuge in this city. I don't want her catching you in the open. I'm sure you'd fight like hell, but maybe you should take somebody with you when you are out and about. It does look as though you have a friend or two who would be willing, not just Maglor and Fingon and me.

I am very thankful for Jon and Daenerys. And I was wondering if that family has any special powers? Sansa sort of implied that they might.

Edited 2018-11-13 21:46 (UTC)

[she blinks] Sure way to get what?

Perhaps I should. I don't want anyone putting themselves in danger for my sake, though. That wouldn't be fair to them, to have to defend themselves and me.

Daenerys is impervious to fire. I don't know if Jon has any special powers, though.

Trolling means replying with excessive hostility to another person's post or comment. It can also mean replying with the specific, conscious intention of insulting, angering, or denigrating the other person, but the definition holds even without the deliberate intent. [ From Curufin's personal dictionary of network terminology! Even a First Age Elf can join Earth's 21st Century. ]

I think anybody who cares about you and has combat skills would be willing to take the risk. You matter to your friends.

Daenerys is impervious to fire? I wish she'd been on the Fire Brigade during the Hadriel Fire! She could have been a rescue specialist. But if I'm right about Jon, he has amazing combat skills. I've never seen him fight, it's just an impression I have from listening to him talk, and watching his body language.

Then after tonight, I suppose I can say that I've been "trolled."

I think it's perhaps for the best if I stay inside a warded building for a few days after the demon's release. Long enough for it to express its rage or perhaps listen to reason.

You are right about Jon. I've seen him fight in a vision and he's exceptionally skilled, even against monsters such as wights.

Join the ranks of the trolled! It's a badge of honor. [ Said with cheerful bitterness, since he himself was trolled after the gods cut down the Orchard in order to enjoy all the hostility that was then directed at the people who built the boats and the piers -- even though there was not a single board of fruit tree wood in either project. ]

I agree. You should stay inside your house or mine, or the Sewing Shop, or the Firehouse. Or all of them, because you might get restless and need a change of scenery! If you do, you could take somebody who has power with you when you go out, as I suggested.

I thought so! In what vision did you see him fight?

Really? And here I thought it was a terribly unpleasant experience. [said bone dryly]

I believe I'll switch between our houses when I need a change of scenery. I know that you and your kin would ably defend me, should I need it.

I saw him North of the Wall, where the Wildlings live. Well, where the Wildings used to live. Their lands have been overrun by the Army of the Dead which now threatens all of Westeros.

[ He smiles a little in response to that dry tone. Margaery's humor in the face of difficulties is one of the many things that draws him to her. She's versatile, she can be sweet, modest, bold, wry, or anything you can think of. ] That's exactly what it says on the aforementioned badge of honor: "Gallant Survivor of a Terribly Unpleasant Experience!"

You would be as welcome in the Elfhouse as you always are, Margaery. And your idea sounds practical, to switch between your dwelling and ours, since you are only two houses down the spiral from us. Maglor and Fingon and I will certainly defend you. Woe be unto anyone, but especially Caedra, who tries to harm you.

You saw Jon fighting zombies? I guess that's what that Army of the Dead would be called in this modern era.

Edited 2018-11-21 08:37 (UTC)

[before, all of her reactions were calculated to the smallest detail, but here she doesn't have to worry about such things as much] Oh, does it? I suppose I'll have to accept it.

I know and I am grateful for your friendship and protection. But I hope that she does not try to harm me at all. I hope that the idea doesn't even occur to her. She's killed me once and had her sport, I can't imagine what would be the use in killing me again.

I. . . suppose so? Though this Army could be killed by only three things: dragonglass, Valyrian steel, and fire.

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

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