hadriel_logs | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Open to everyone
What: #TeamTranquillity are in it to win it. Deciding to work together, the gang has taken over the library and converted it into a space for weary residents of Hadriel to catch their breath and just take it easy amid the intensifying competition in the city to invoke one emotion or another.
Where: The Library
When: March 15th to March 21st, duration of the event.
Warnings: Will Update if necessary!

[Hadriel's library has unfortunately seen little use; the books are either unreadable or cover material so random that only ~~Hope~~ someone who completely did not understand the concept of fun would have picked those books. Little wonder it's hardly frequented by Hadriel's residents.

But it's still a library: meaning, it's got plenty of space, and plenty of peace and quiet.

So with all the chaos erupting over the city? It could make the perfect sanctuary, a place to take a breather from the emotion wars. A place where a person could unwind over a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, knit a sweater in peace, or even plunge themselves into pillow/blanket fort and just take a nap. A place to relax.

A place for Tranquillity.

Which is why Team Tranquillity has taken over the library and converted it into a mini R&R. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the side to allow for floor space, and comfortable chairs, sofas and even beanie bags, all in softer pastel colours, dot the empty space. A couple of tables and chairs have been left as well, so that those in need of them can use them as they'd like. And of course, the giant pillow fort bundled in one corner for people to unceremoniously throw themselves into.

The members of Team Tranquillity are all around to ensure that your time in the Tranquillity Space is as relaxing as can be. Some members are even offering services, ranging from massages to meditation, gentle exercises to a steaming hot cup of joe. Knitting classes, advice on handling emotional stress when under torture and trauma, and even some fortune-telling for light laughs.

And it's perfectly alright to drag a beanie bag to your own personal corner and just crash there for the day. No judgement from Team Tranquillity.

A message is sent out via the network to inform Hadriel's citizens of the new place in town to get away from it all. Drop by whenever, do what you need to relax and recharge. It's a stressful world out there, and sometimes we all need to take some time to chill out, right?

Welcome, to the Tranquillity Space.]

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[Maketh settles herself, then leans forward. Despite herself, she's intrigued. Politics are always interesting.]

So it is ceremonial? I believe I understand. What other things must be done in your court?

Everything is a ritual from eating, sleeping, leisure, and even just the little things in life. The King and Queen eat in public, surrounded by members of the royal family. Everything is dictated by your rank such as if you are royal by blood or simply by marriage. Manners dictate everything - etiquette can be used for political reasons.

[Explaing court life now sounds so strange.]

Royal courts are different by country but your rank and title dictate everything no matter which court you may be in. Rituals are important.

[So everything is public? Curious. Maketh raises an eyebrow.]

Does that not raise security concerns, being so easily in the public eye?

There are royal guards at the palace. There is a group called the Musketeers who fight dangers to the kingdom and the King and Queen- they have prevented many tragedies and ensure their safety at all times.

[There was a faint blush on her cheeks as she thought of Aramis for a moment before she continued.]

There will always be dangers but it's important that the King, Queen, the royal family, and the nobility be visible.

The Emperor has such guards. Though his affairs are still conducted out of sight, for security reasons.

[Though the Empire doesn't focus nearly as much on ritual and presentation as Anne's world does. Interesting.]

Do you wear armor in your duties, Anne?

[It's asked curiously. Maketh hadn't worn armor herself or carried weapons. It hadn't looked right.]

No, I don't wear armor. I am accompanied by guards, however, who are armed and protect us. My husband will wear armor when going into any conflict, however. Women have no place as warriors.

[She trusted the musketeers with her life and they hadn't failed- though she felt helpless when they had taken shelter at the monastery they had never wavered at her side. It was something that she had always been in awe of.]

How odd. [Though the same apparently holds true in Henry's world, to a lesser extent.] It seems strange to cut your potential fighting force in half. But I'm told such things are expected, in some worlds.

I've met several women who are just as capable as men, just as strong and full of courage. It pains me that they don't have the same opportunities as men do.

[She hated to see that, she admired women that still tried to fight that nonetheless and had always tried to encourage it when she could.]

[Maketh shrugs.] It is the way of things, I suppose. Not everyone gets the same chances. But perhaps you can change that. You're in a better position than most to consider it.

That is my hope, as well. Change has to start with someone like me, someone who has the means to be listened to the resources to make it possible.

[Sometimes she felt helpless as Queen but she still had more power than some to change the lives of her people, even if it was one at a time.]

Then you'll be a better ruler than most. [It feels a little strange to admit that, but many of her conversations with Anne have left Maketh feeling that way. She doesn't quite know where to place Anne in the scheme of things. A kind woman wearing a politician's robes. She would have been crushed in the Empire. And yet, she has endured. She's still alive in a world that gives her little room to make her own choices.

How curious.]

We have kings in some worlds. And queens, of course. I've heard some of them are just. I never met one who was, though.

What about the leader of your Empire? Does your Emperor provide for his subjects? [She had heard bits and pieces about Maketh's world, she was still amazed that Maketh was allowed such freedom where she was from.]

I'm sorry to hear that. I know many rulers in Europe are less than kind as well, many nobles as well. They take their positions for granted.

[That's not an easy thing to answer. Maketh hesitates, wondering how much she ought to say.] He provides for those who support him. I was given an education in return for my service. But--those who resist are punished harshly. I thought it was necessary, once.

So he was an unkind leader. [Anne could guess that much without having to ask for details.]

You do not support him now? What happened?

Yes.

[They are being honest, aren't they? Maketh exhales slowly.]

My men were given an assignment. They failed. And they were executed for that failure.

[She shakes her head.]

I don't pretend I did it out of any--moral convictions, or anything like that. I saw them die and I knew someone would have to be blamed. It was--our way. So I did something very foolish and I tried to leave.

[Very foolish indeed.]

It didn't work, of course. I was killed just like my men.

Executed just for a failed assignment?

[Even her husband, for all his faults, didn't resort to such extremes.

[She reached out to take Maketh's hands in hers, her expression sad. She had never known anyone to come back from death but then again, she had been told that was the way things worked here.]

I'm so sorry, Maketh. Forgive me, I should not have pried into such a sensitive topic.

[Maketh starts at the touch but doesn't jerk away. She meets Anne's eyes curiously. Nothing Anne does is expected. A politician would have struck at the wound her honest revealed, taken advantage. An officer would have gone in for something far more lasting. A knife to her throat, an underhand word to ruin her standing. By right, a queen should have struck her dead for revealing such a weakness. Once a traitor, always a traitor.

And yet, Anne takes her hand. There's--sadness in her face.

Maketh blinks.]

It was expected. Your officers do not--?

For a mistake or failure? No, I would never stand for such a thing.

[Even Louis was more just than that, even if his temper got the better of him sometimes. Anne would never punish someone in such a harsh manner.]

The only time execution could be an option was for treason against the crown or against the country. But even then, mercy is always the better option when it's possible. There is already so much death and suffering in the world.

[She knew she had done the right thing in asking Louis to spare his mother's life, she knew her husband would have never have forgiven himself.]

Oh.

[Maketh isn't sure what to make of that.]

That--seems strange to me.

Soldiers shouldn't be punished in such a cruel way. How could your Emperor expect his army to be loyal in such a situation?

[How strange. How very strange.]

It's better than having no army at all.

[Maketh gives her a sad smile.]

I suppose we simply--accepted it.

Well, I hope that is not the case here.

[Anne returned the smile warmly.]

You shouldn't have to live in fear.

It would be a good world, if that were true.

[She looks a bit wistful.]

Regardless. Hadriel is--what it is. For good and ill.

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