hadriel_logs | Intro Log: The Joys of Composting

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Intro Log: The Joys of Composting

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-14th
Warnings: New folks! Bugs! Weird stuff!

It's that time again! Or, well, probably the very first time for you. It's not that often that you turn up in a different world - unless it is. You awaken on the ground of a large arena, a stone ceiling stretching high above you. Welcome to Hadriel! Don't worry, you weren't the only one who woke up here. So did a bunch of other people - and so did some monsters.

Yup, crawling around being incredibly gross are quite a few Jauchekafers, large beetles that feed off chemical and biological waste from humans. When upset or alarmed, they're perfectly happy to swarm and attack people, so hopefully you didn't wake up in the middle of them. Being about two and a half feet long, their bites can do quite a bit of damage, and that's not even counting the toxicity that might be passed on from their diet!

Speaking of their diet, those beetles aren't the only trash that's washed up in Hadriel this month. While making your escape from the arena, you might stumble over a interesting table or a possibly comfy chair, or even a piece of art. A lot of it's pretty cool, but you're not gonna find anything that isn't made out of trash. But hey, maybe that's your aesthetic?

Don't get too distracted by all this trash that has been turned into treasure. After you've find your way out of the colosseum there's plenty of other distractions! Feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers September 10th-14th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

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...it must be good, to be doing something that you believe in.

[Margaery doesn't know what she believes in anymore. she used to believe that being queen would make her life perfect, but she was imprisoned and now killed because of it. she used to believe in the faith of the Seven, but after seeing it used as a bludgeon, she no longer believes in it.

she smiles back knowingly] Oh, I see. Perhaps our homes aren't so dissimilar after all?

[she laughs warmly] You've been doing very well so far! Really, even back home, I never stood for much ceremony. I prefer that you be yourself.

I think every place has its power dynamics, and they can get a little treacherous.

[Politics. Or people who try to snatch and grab what power they can through intimidation and violence. He can't help but think of Fisk, and it's not a pleasant thought, so he tries to push it aside in favor of concentrating on the young woman beside him.

And it's easy when she laughs like that. It's a pretty sound, one he thinks he could do with hearing more of.]

That so? Thank goodness. [An easy smile.] I'll do my best. [Though "being himself" is sadly complicated.]

Or a lot treacherous. I suppose it's asking too much for this place to be free of such things?

[and Margaery can't help thinking about Cersei, willing to murder what had to have been close to a hundred people just to kill three specific people and avoid facing justice for her crimes

lucky for you, she likes you, so she'll be laughing like that a lot in the future] It is! You're much better company than, well. Just about everyone I knew back in King's Landing. [she can take it. her family's emblem may be a rose, but she's a lot stronger and a lot smarter than most gave her credit for]

Or a lot treacherous,

[He agrees, but shakes his head.] Well, the monsters I've met so far have at least been honest about being monsters. That's more than I can say for back home.

[Hard to pretend you're anything but a giant beetle when you're a giant beetle.

But it's hard to keep such a morose thought with such a nice compliment.] You're not so bad yourself, as company goes. [A playful smile.]

Very true, though I hope that we won't be facing monsters on a regular basis. I'd be helpless. I don't know the first thing about fighting or defending myself physically.

[now, politically she's quite good at self-defense]

[she smiles back, equally playful] Why, thank you. I'm glad to hear that.

I hope not too.

[Though he's far from helpless, quite able to defend himself. And now that she's mentioned it, he does wonder how safe this strange city is in general.]

Though you have a good point. What is there for protection in this city? Some police force or army? What keeps order...

[He's clearly thinking about this now. He seems to realize he's going down a rather windy mental path and shakes his head slightly.] For what it's worth, I'd be happy to have your back, if something goes down. I'm not sure if that's all that reassuring coming from a blind man, but you've got it anyway.

[Marg can't help wondering. Being murdered and knowing that it was coming yet being helpless to prevent it will have you worrying about your safety once you're resurrected]

I think the "newbie guide" referred to a guard that one can volunteer for? I suppose that they'd be responsible for keeping things civil.

[Marg had not realized that he was blind. now she feels rather silly] It means a great deal to me that you'd be willing to help. I do hope that I'll never have to take you up on your offer, but I appreciate it greatly.

[she has by now managed to flag down a bartender through a combination of arm gestures and ahem!-ing] I'll have a sweet white wine. And you'll have...?

Something like that. Hopefully they do their job well...

[And don't abuse whatever power it is that they have. But Matt leaves that next part unsaid anyway.

Instead he focuses on offering a smile.] I hope so too.

[No danger would be great. But he wonders how realistic that is.

But yes right ordering.]

Beer. Something like a pilsner?

They can't be any worse than the Gold Cloaks.

[she wouldn't be too optimistic about that. it's been her experience that once a person gains power, they almost inevitably abuse it]

[she smiles back, realizes he can't see it, then reaches out almost shyly to squeeze his shoulder] Thank you.

[she'd like no danger, too, but she's not optimistic]

What's a pilsner?

Gold Cloaks?

[He hopes he isn't prying, but he's a lawyer, so that's not going to stop him. Sorry, Margaery. It's been beaten into him at this point in time.

The touch, well, that's nice. At least, the understanding behind it. Even if he can see her expression in is own way. The warmth of that hand conveys it all the more, and he sets his own atop hers for a moment.]

Pilsner... well. It's a beer. Kind of like an ale? Little bit of bitterness to it, from the hops I guess. Something like that anyway.

Oh! The Gold Cloaks were responsible for enforcing laws in King's Landing. Most of them are terribly corrupt. [considers a moment, then continues] But the Faith Militant was even worse.

[it's not really prying and it's proof that she trusts him that she mentioned the Faith Militant. they're one of her big sore spots, along with her death thanks to Cersei

she was a bit concerned that she was overstepping herself by touching him in that way. she has no way of knowing if it would be understood, if it would be appreciated, or if he had someone waiting for him back home and would interpret it as a come-on. if he's single, well, that's another story]

I've never heard of it before. I've heard of ale and beer of course, but not that particular variety. May I taste it when you get it? I'll trade a sip of my wine.

Edited 2017-09-26 00:53 (UTC)

Wouldn't be the first time I've heard about corruption in law enforcement. [Fisk had bought off half the cops in Hell's Kitchen.]

The Faith Militant? [And he's curious, because the name alone makes him wonder.

His expression softens in the next moment, and he's quick to nod.] Sounds like a fair trade to me. A sip for a sip.

[Well there are certainly worse ways to spend an afternoon than sharing a drink with a beautiful woman, even in a strange subterranean city.]

Really? And I was hoping that King's Landing was unique in that regard. [or at least uniquely awful]

[she takes a long sip of her wine and seems to be considering her answer] The Faith Militant was part of the Faith of the Seven. Their goal was to root out any and all sin by any means necessary. My--my brother and I were imprisoned by them for a long time. My brother because he prefers to lay with men and me because I lied to protect him.

[she does her best to summon her charm after such a heavy admission] I think so, yes.

[and she's enjoying their time together more than she had any interaction she'd had recently in King's Landing. and she'd have to say that he's very handsome and appealing]

Sounds like a lot of things run along a common theme.

[Matt admits, after he listens to that admission. It is a heavy thing, for certain.]

That sort of thing, people being persecuted for being homosexual... [A pause. Would her world have that term?] Men who lie with men, women who lie with women... [He clarifies.] It's been common in my world, through history. Still common in some places. But in my country, in a lot of countries, those people are protected under the law, their right to love who they love, marry who they love. The tides are turning in the right direction.

[Margaery takes a moment to digest that, the idea of a world where her brother would've been free to live and love openly. and Margaery's actually bisexual, she's just never acted on it]

It's--well, it's good to know that in at least one world in some places, people aren't so--so closed minded and cruel. After all, what harm did my brother do, loving other men? Granted, getting an heir to Highgarden would've been tricky, but I'm sure something could've been arranged.

Took us a long road to get there. Too long, in all honesty.

[But if the way she describes her world is any indication -- kingdoms and kings and queens and things like trial by combat, guards -- it's analogous to centuries back, isn't it?]

Things usually can be. [But ah there. Their drinks are arriving and Matt sits up a bit straighter.]

The path to good usually is too long, isn't it? That's why so few people take it.

[it is. we're talking before even things like the Tudor dynasty. most people, even among the nobility, are illiterate, there are no real doctors, no schools]

We could've found a woman who was--understanding or named an heir out of our cousins.

[yay, drinks. Marg could use one]

[She isn't wrong. And the faintly tired smile Matt offers is evidence of the fact that he agrees.]

Your world is probably a ways off from surrogacy and in vitro...

[He reaches for both his glass and hers -- finding them a bit too easily for a man who cannot see, but he did hear them set down. He slides her wine glass towards her, before holding his up.]

So then, how about a toast? To a much more pleasant afternoon than I expected when the day started out.

[she gives him her own weary smile. she's well aware that her own ambition is part of why she's in the situation she's in and thinking back, other than having Cersei killed somehow, she's not sure what she could or would have done differently]

[light laugh] I believe we are, given that I don't even know what you mean!

I'll drink to that. [clinks her wine glass against his beer glass and after a moment's hesitation, reaches out to squeeze his shoulder again with her other hand]

[A laugh of his own, but he refrains from launching into an explanation of fertility options. Probably better to leave it at that.

His expression softens into a smile and he sips at his beer as well.

And the beer is, well,] ...not bad.

[Westeros is backwards, yo. all it currently has going for it are ice zombies and dragons. and an ice zombie dragon]

[she smiles back, trying to remember the last time she felt as at ease with another person. as the betrothed of the king and later wife of the king, she was expected to keep a proper distance with others, which she did. but she finds this truthfulness--freeing?]

[she takes a sip of her wine] It's no Arbor Gold, but yes. Not bad. Try some? [she offers her glass to him]

Gladly. And here... try mine.

[He holds his glass out to her, even as his other hand reaches towards hers, likely brushing her fingers rather than the glass, at first.

Sort of oops? But not really oops.]

Yes, please. Thank you.

[she takes the glass from him, also letting her fingers brush against his. Marg knows seduction, knows how to make men want her, but does not know how to act around an attractive man who seems to like and at least want to be her friend her for being herself, not for being the pride and beauty of House Tyrell

definitely not oops on her part]

[Well, Matt may not be exactly skilled in the art of seduction. But he does have a decent flirting game. And he meant what he said. It has been an enjoyable outing, better company than he expected to find.

So with a faint smile, he takes an experimental sip of her drink, humming. Sweet. But good.]

I can't say I'm a wine expert, but not bad.

[Marg was basically brought up as a honeypot tyke bomb. Everything you need to know about manipulating men, she was taught, and it earned her three husbands and three crowns (granted, it didn't work with one of the husbands because he was gay, but she tried).

genuine human emotion is something that she's not experienced with, but she can tell that he's flirting and likes it and wants it to continue. not because of power or prestige this time, but because he seems to be a genuinely decent man. she's never met one of those before]

Not exactly Arbor Gold, but close enough. Yours was quite good, too. Far better than the ales I'm used to back home.

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