Making the best of a bad situation

Log Info

• Title: Making the best of a bad situation
• Emitter: Seyardu
• Characters: Skielstregar, Vaera
• Place: Soldier's Defence, Lower Alexandria Gardens
• Time: October 24th, 2021
• Summary: With the temple district shut down, many of the important functions of the district have been moved instead to outside the Soldier's Defence. Two of these are nearby, but not overly so: Tents for meals distributed to those in need, and tents where the mourners undertake their usual work. Out of these tents comes Verna, and Seyardu, who is working at the food tents, waves them over to offer them lunch, as they have not been seen outside for some time. This leads to the two talking, and Seyardu taking a break for her own lunch, as they discuss the goings on in Alexandria, which have not been pleasant for many. They speak of what the city has been through, and what may come, and the resolve needed to face it. Eventually, the lunch break ends, and Verna departs back to the mourner's tents, and the makari back to the cooking ones.

The Hospital is currently serving a much expanded role: in addition to those under general mundane care, healers from the temples are present to tend to the injured or ill. Another section has lines of people receiving food from Altheans and others providing alms.

There is another, smaller wing that is almost solely minded by Mourners. It is for those no longer able to healed and do not require food. It is from this wing that Verna emerges, closing the heavy curtains (that serve in lieu of doors) behind her. Separation out of respect for both the living and the dead.

With the temple district nearly shut down, those that normally volunteered at them had to find other places to find assistance, and the soldier's defense drew many of them there.

In this case, Seyardu, who normally spent much time at the Althean temple, now was one of many working at the large field kitchens set up in the grounds outside the hospital. The meals were not as varied as normal, due to lacking the massive ovens of the temple, but it was still warm and filling, which was what many stopping by needed.

The Silver sith-makar spots one of the mourners leaving their section, and she waves them over, brandishing a ladle. An open offer to come and get something to eat, as she had not seen them enter beforehand.

Verna recalls the silver sith-makar from the encounter at the Tarrace, brief or no. Her hood dips to Seyardu in acknowledgement and she approaches. "Good evening. Peace on your nest," she offers when near, the latter phrase in Draconic.

The ladle is waved once more, before she sets it down.The spoken draconic makes a brow raise, but it is quickly replaced by a smile. "And peace on your nest as well, Verna. You were right to believe we would run into each other again, and it was even more quickly than expected. Have you eaten yet? We always have food to spare, and so many here have been working hard to keep up with so much in a singular location."

"I have not," Verna responds, glancing to the food and back, "and I expect that I should. Please, and thank you." Gloved hands raise to doff her hood, as it would make eating far more simple, and may signify that she is temporarily off-duty.

"Indeed, this is not how I might have envisioned our next meeting, but there are far worse alternatives. Was your day well?"

Seyardu nods and quickly goes about her business, preparing a tray with some of the beef and vegetable soup, and a large roll stuffed with ham and cheese. This is accompanied by a steaming mug of green tea, and the entire thing is offered to the mourner.

"And how did you expect to meet again? At the Tarrace or elsewhere, I would assume." The sith-makar chuckles. "The day has been well enough, but most coming for meals have already done so, so there is not as much to do."

Verna accepts the tray and nods her thanks anew. "In Cryosanthia's presence was most likely. Perhaps that would mean the Tarrace, if she frequents the establishment; I had only visited it by circumstance. A lack of empty stomachs, wounded, and those in need of funerary rites would not be an unwelcome sitations. There are far more of all of those than one might hope."

"So you expect to be around Cryosanthia more often?" Seyardu asks curiously. "it seems you know here from before, and she seemed happy to see you around again, so that sounds nice. This one frequents the place often for similar reasons, that or the baths, when I desire something warmer than the Tornmawr rivers."

She nods at the mention of lack of work to be done, and sighs. "You are too right about that, Verna, that a lack of need for clerics at a given time, it is not a bad thing. I should apologize, since you are a mourner though I know not if you were involved, in tracking down the relatives of those ones identifiable from their belongings in the felwood."

"We know one another, yes, and worked together on a number of occassions," Verna explains. "To include matters which have, in some portion, recently resurfaced." The mention of the Felwood draws a pause and moment of curiosity. "I was not aware of another incident, and not of the Felwood, specifically. Admittedly, I have been occupied within the city attempting to locate next of kind for the recent surge of victims found on the streets. Regretably, this has proven most difficult. All seem to have the commonality of a lack of ties to the city; they were not from Alexandria, nor do they appear to have family here. It is concerning that their attacker appears to be so selective."

"There was, undead that seemed to have been attacking travelers on some of the roads outside the city on fog covered days, and taking them to the felwood." Seyardu begins to explain. "They were dealt with, but I worry the creator or source was not. But the bodies they had taken were in too, too many pieces to return with, so all that could be dune was to burn them with rites."

The mention of what Verna speaks of makes Seyardu shake her head. "It is unfortunately a good idea, to avoid drawing too much attention. They should be dealt with before they can cause too much trouble, there is already enough in this city at times."

Verna frowns at mention of the undead. "It is good that they were destroyed, and their remains purified. A necessary step, even if it may make identifying kin more difficult, if not impossible." Her frown increases further. "It is a cunning tactic, thus all the more concerning in an enemy. The attacks suggest a vampire or other consumer of blood. More undead, and more cunning varieties, are -not- an encouraging prospect. Still, all will be dealt with."

Vaera has arrived.

Seyardu has left.

"Yes, it had to be done, but it does not make me feel better about it." Seyardu sighs. "And having my shoulder bones fractured while doing so certainly did not help." She adds with a slight chuckle.

"It would be one intelligent, but also needing blood for some reason or other." The makari nods to the observations. "That being said, fiends cannot be ruled out either. But whatever the case, they will be dealt with, yes."

Verna's eyes shift lower upon Seyardu. "You were tended and healed, I presume?" It is a reasonable presumption. Her latter comment sparks some thought from Verna. "An intriguing notion... Given the known presence of fiends, that possibility is a worthy avenue to explore. Thank you. That is one I had no considered, in light of the more typical possibilities."

"This one tended to their shoulder as soon as they were able, but magical healing can only do so much for the soreness, sometimes." Seyardu notes, dismissing the concern with a shake of her head. "And given that this one was the only one to receive injuries, it is not so bad."

"Sometimes other viewpoints are necessary to come to a conclusion that is correct. But that is enough talk of those matters for now, all this, and I know little about you yourself."

Verna lifts a brow slightly at the implied inquiry, as if it were unexpected. "What might you wish to know?" Only after does she recall that she still stands in the serving line with her tray in hand. "If more than a single question, it would be a discussion best held seated, if your serving duties allow."

Seyardu looks over, to see only a handful of people already being tended by other Volunteers. She offers an older man who seemed to be in charge a wave, who waves them off in return.

"We can find a place to sit to eat, I will get some for myself, as well. It is not inspiring for others for myself to be going this long without eating, yes."

"Of course. You cannot aid others if you are famished, yourself." Verna seeks a suitable place to sit while Seyardu fetches her own fare. She claims a location with enough room for the both of them, at a minimum. Once settled, she sips at the tea while awaiting the sith.

Seyardu is a moment longer as she prepares her food, and seems to be in a slight arguement with the man from before, who sticks another sandwich onto her plate before sending her off. The silver makari looks around before finding the table where Verna was situated, and picks up a large stool on her way to sit down at the table.

"Yes, you are right, I should not work hungry. But, with the temple district being locked down, the normal supply chains for food for these meals has been out of sorts as well. Which has led to some problems on some days."

"Much is currently unusual, troubled, and/or changed," Verna admits between sips of tea. "The city will adapt and correct, as it always has. Not easily, at times, but successful in the end. Otherwise, we would not be having a meal or discussion."

"This is, true." Seyardu agrees with another sigh. "From what I have heard, there have been all manner of things threatening this city in the past. Yet the city still stands, which is something. I hope this will not break the city, like so many things in the past that have been weathered."

"I quite like it here, despite all of it's flaws. At least for all of the friends made."

Verna shakes her head. "I do not believe it shall. The city shall endure, as will those within it." She takes a spoonful or two from her soup before continuing. "Is it your duties that brought you to the city? As I understood, the majority of your people seem to prefer the wilderness when they do venture from the jungles of Am'sher."

"I certainly hope that it shall." Seyardu nods, offering the cleric a smile before she takes a bite of her sandwich. The question makes her pause, and then she looks around.

"It is true that most of my kind live in Mictlan here, or the wilds around Alexandria, and I can not say that I do not have some love for that as well. But, this one discovered a connection to the gods, and it was a desire to further that, to learn more and grow stronger, that brought me here. That, and this one has always been curious what these lands are like."

Verna acknowledges with a nod in kind. "These lands, and this city, have proven quiet welcoming and comfortable, in my opinion. Despite what appear to be rather frequent troubles, they are more hospitable than other regions. Admittedly, I am more familiar with Alexandros than some other nations and geographic areas."

"They are nice, and I have met many people here, who have been welcoming and kind. It is quite pleasant, and my kin are relatively welcome within the city." She notes with another smile.

"This one, does not have much experience with other areas, but the ones I have gone to, Veyshaan and Charn, have not been for the best reasons. That being said, I am sure there are other pleasant places, such as this."

"It could readily be said that there exist few good reasons to venture to Charn," Verna notes, "though I am rather biased in that regard." She takes a moment to indulge in more of the soup before continuing. "Still, it stands that there are pleasant and unpleasant aspects to any or all areas, especially as such is subjective to the observer."

"If there is good in Charn, then, it is very well hidden." Seyardu sighs. "But that is another topic. I like to think of the good in places, whenever I am capable. It is usually better, that way."

Seyardu looks at Verna, and tilts her head. "And, another thing I was meaning to ask, was about that orb there. Is it some manner of magical artifact?"

Verna lifts a brow at the inquiry and appears momentarily uncertain. "To which orb do you refer? There are many such objects, and some assuredly could be at the level of an artifact."

"The ah, the metal orb next to you, I can not tell the color, but that one." Seyardu responds, squinting to see if she could see it again.

"It does not look like those ioun stones I have heard of and seen."

Verna turns to look, and does not need to fully turn before recognizing it in her peripheral vision. "Ah. I had not realized that it had joined us. My apologies." She gestures between it and Seyardu. "Seyard, this is Arbiter GH Zero Five Seven. Arbiter, this is Seyardu." To Seyardu, she explains, "GH Zero Five Seven is a construct that serves the Axiomites. As the celestials oft represent aspects of good, and fiends of evil, the Axiomites are extraplanar entities tied to the aspect of order."

Seyardu squints more, looking at the orb. "A construct? Like, that is a fully functioning construct, at that size?" Seyardu asks, one brow raising. "I do not know much about these, Axiomites. I find myself frustrated by hhow little I know of fiends, let alone celestials or, them."

She smiles afterwards. "That sounds like quite the honor though, from the sounds of it."

"Yes. It is a sentient being. It can interact with others, though is primarily an observer by its nature," Verna expounds. "We hold something of a professional and educational arrangement: it gains more opportunity to study us, and us it. The libraries are a vast source of information concerning outsiders, if you wish to learn more. Practical, personal interaction with such beings, especially beyond very minor specimen, is rather rare. The more powerful examples are either highly dangerous to or not generally interested in individual mortal beings."

"Ah, so they are not a companion, but an observer, that is interesting." Seyardu nods, reaching to take a careful sip of tea. "This one, it is possible they may be able to summon one, but doing so without reason, it is not a wise course of action. It is, I have heard it is possible, but it is not a field of divine magic with which this one has much experience. I do not like others being hurt for my own sake."

Verna nods. "There are numerous means to call upon extraplanar entities of various types, to a variable degree. I consider it dangerous to call upon the selfish or evil without specific protections and plans in place, and perhaps no other alternative. Calling more benevolent beings, while less inherently dangerous, still comes with risks and potential negative consequences. The forces I have called upon were in a rather indirect method; perhaps more involved than receiving a deity's blessing, yet far less than bringing a major servant to stand beside myself.

"Ah, I think I understand." Seyardu notes, but then she just sighs, and chuckles just a bit.

"It seems impossible, to be able to call on an actual angel. And yet, I have found myself capable of so many things thought impossible, before coming here. If that makes sense."

"Very few things are truly impossible," Verna suggests. "It is more a matter of knowledge, skill, effort, and/or consequence. Typically some combination of them all." She gestures around them. "This city, or any, is an example: no one person could accomplish such a feat, yet the city stands; a product of all those things over many over generations."

"Yes, there are all manner of things people are capable of with enough effort." Seyardu agrees. "Yet if I met myself when I first got here, I would not think it possible, to be completely honest."

"This city, yes, it is strange. Everyone is so distant from each other, yet it would not exist without working together. It is hard to understand, for myself."

Verna exhales a breath as she nods. "From what I understand of your culture, the Sith-makar are far more a cohesive community than most every other. As a proponent of the whole, I am envious of this. Otherwise would do well to follow that example."

"It is, much different there, it is true." Seyardu agrees, nodding to the statement. "Sith-makar culture is, well, you will not usually find currency used outside of for trading with caravans in outsiders. When one person is in need, others will assist, it is expected to do so."

Seyardu sighs. "Here, this one could not understand why someone would sell intentionally faulty artifice limbs to people. I learned later they were sabotaged, but I have seen similar things in the markets."

"Some are more interested in personal gain than those around them," Verna concurs. "I believe this is far from the norm, but even many of those with the best intentions are often fractured or divided. As I said, we could learn much from your people, so I welcome the presence in the city."

"It is as if many do not trust the others to look out for them, or just seek to be better, which can be helped by ignoring those in need, like you said."

The silver makari looks back to the large serving tent, and smiles. "It is something I like about helping serve meals for those in need. At least, it is something that people can benefit from, without worry."

Verna considers that observation as she finishes her soup. For now, the bread and other portions remain untouched. It is possible that she is not so famished as believed. As well, there is not that much of her to feed. "That is an interesting, and poignant observation. It could well be that the society, here, encourages the behavior; selfishness and distrust breeds more of the same, while sharing and trust would encourage more of it. Your efforts, and those of others, could shift that for the better, even beyond the immediate benefits."

"I wish to be a good presence in the city." Seyardu admits, chuckling just a bit, unreadable for the most part, but there was a sadness there. "It has been difficult, my judgement is not always perfect, but I wish it would be trusted more."

"I know things will not change immediately, but I would like to see some positive change in this city."

"None are perfect; no one person, nor even a group, will hold the best response every time, all of the time," Verna notes. "That does not mean that they, or you, are not a positive presence. Answers are not always known, and mistakes are made. At times, even the best choices in a particular instance are not always the best, overall. I have had my share and am no different than any other. That does not necessarily diminish the overall impact."

"This is true, which is why I usually work on those I can rely upon, and trust with their judgement."

Seyardu takes a moment to finish her first sandwich, and nods. "You are correct in saying that, and I am sure you have done much good yourself, it is just a feeling. I hope we will both manage to make a good impact on the whole, at least."

Verna nods. "We make an impact, now, for certain." A gesture to the food line and the curtained area. "Combined with others' efforts, it will spread across the whole." She considers her tray, possiby deciding that she is full, or that time is a factor. "Speaking of our efforts, I should return to mine shortly. I trust that I did not unduly interfere with yours?"

Seyardu follows her gaze to the tents, and she nods. "Yes, I should get ready to help with dinner, for certain. If you are full, I can take your sandwich so it does not go to waste."

She looks back to the mourners tent. "This one hopes that your work will be alright, and nothing too difficult. Peace on your nest, Verna, it was good to meet you more properly, and speak to a fellow cleric such as yourself, in some form. This one always values such insight, due to their own training being so unprofessional."

"Some aspects of my duties are trying, others are rather peaceful," Verna explains as she rises. "It was likewise a pleasure, and, please, do not let the untouched food go to waste. I regret that I did not decline more initially." She gives a nod of farewell, along with, "Peace on your nest, as well."