[open] try hard to do your best. the magpie will have his way

[mollymocked]

Who: Mollymauk and YOU
When: Early in the month.
Where: Various
What: Open influence catch-all. (Sharing is Caring, Visual Disturbances, Ore's a Plenty)
Warnings: Will update and label as they come in, but for right now none.




𝐢. 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

[Molly sides with the oppressed and the people who aren't privileged, so the idea that his actions are tipping the scales irritates him. Of course, he's going to do something about it. The thing he's not anticipating is that the landens are emboldened and still looking to lash out, especially when pressed by a Stranger that they believed supported them. What Molly had gone into expecting to be a nice conversation has turned ugly as he bolts behind a cart while a landen shopkeeper pelts him with rotten food.

"HERE. SHARE THIS!"

Right. So this is going to require a different kind of tactic, especially now that it's become something of a scene.


𝐢𝐢. 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

[Taking jobs outside of the city becomes something that Molly leaps onto without the slightest thought. Playing bodyguard isn't all that difficult, and while Lady Abigail works her magic, he's taken up a watch alongside his partner from a safe distance.]

Is it awful to take bets on what the coming danger is this time? I'm hoping for something unifying.


𝐢𝐢𝐢. 𝐨𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲

[Despite being irritated at the Guilds and the landens... Again, Molly wants to get out of the city and stretch his legs and work out some frustration free of the oppressive class wars. With Caleb here now, taking anyone else seems stupid and dangerous, but he didn't really get the choice. The second he agreed, the shopkeeper paired him off with someone else who was interested, regardless of whether or not they knew each other.

So that's fun.

Luckily, for all that Molly is ostentatious and fabulous, he's extremely well-traveled and knows what he's doing, which is fairly impressive and may save the mission some grief. As he and his partner get within a hundred feet of a campsite not far from the mountains themselves, with a campfire that's still smoldering slightly, Molly puts a hand up.]

Is it just me or does that seem a little bit like a trap?

Comments

[CLOSED & BACKDATED] the magpie will come at midday

[mollymocked]

[On the day the next batch of Fayura's so-called Strangers arrive, the novelty has kind of worn off, and so Molly has not really given much thought to the selection of new residents in the Queen's place, beyond idle curiosity and even that is waylaid by people thrusting banners at him and asking him to help with the festival prep.

Well... Not really asking.

At the moment, he is holding a huge bundle of banners in his arms, looking bored out of his skull and offering each banner up one by one as another Stranger hangs them up along a wall at varying intervals. This could have probably been continued without much interruption had a certain wizard not turned the corner.

Molly hasn't seen anyone from Exandria since his arrival here and has accepted that he might never see any of the Nein again. At first, he thinks maybe he's starting daydreaming in his boredom, but a few slow blinks don't clear his mind. That is, indeed, Caleb.

He unceremoniously drops the banners, forgetting what he was supposed to be doing and just marches up to Caleb with furious intent until he's barely a foot from him. He looks mildly shell-shocked at first, but it gives way to a sudden bark of a laugh.] Took you bloody long enough.

[Yeah, sorry, Caleb. You're getting a hug. You can't escape it.]

[breadmuffs]

[Caleb is...distracted. Half because there is just so much here that is new and uncertain and it is, unsurprisingly, making his anxiety thrum in the background. It's not consuming, but it does make it harder to focus.

The other half is that he's very much trying to get away with not having to do anything in all this...bustle. Keeping his head down, trying not to attract attention. Caleb's very much used to that kind of life.

All of which is to say that he does not see Molly coming. In fact, he's actually just about to swerve out of the way, having sensed - at least - someone planting themselves in his path. Maybe not the smartest plan, considering the delicate way that the Blood needs to be handled, but Caleb doesn't quite know that yet.

And then, unexpectedly, there's an utterly familiar voice that he never thought he'd hear again which brings him up short. He has all of a split second to bring his head up and stare at Molly before he's pulled into that hug.]

Molly....Mollymauk...how....?

[Too shocked to hug back rn, sorry.]

[mollymocked]

I have absolutely no idea! Amazing, isn't it?

[He doesn't seem to notice or care that Caleb isn't hugging back. The reality is setting in- his death and the journey they had to make without him, and whether it would amount to anything... But he trusts Fayura will keep her promise as well as he can, and so he doesn't linger too long on that. Just assaults Caleb further with a kiss on the forehead.]

The last thing I remember was everything going black and then this woman asking me to help her. I figured it was better than being dead, so I said sure. Got some nice jewelry out of it, too. [He holds up the Jewel around his neck, cut into a vertical crescent moon with silver filigree to turn the shape into a moonbow- the holy symbol of the Moonweaver in emerald.]

[breadmuffs]

They must have...healed...no that doesn't make sense either...

["We BURIED you" is on the tip of his tongue and he doesn't say it, but it still doesn't explain anything. How can Molly be here and his body still be in a grave along the Glory Run Road? It makes no sense at all. He's definitely frowning deeply.

He's too shocked to flinch away from the kiss and then Molly is pulling away a bit anyway. Caleb eyes the necklace he pulls out and then digs into one of his pockets to pull out his own gem - the pretty light blue of Summer-sky, uncut and unset as of yet - and eyes it before eyeing Molly's own green. Having just woken up recently, he has...very little idea what any of it means.]

[mollymocked]

Don't try to make sense of it. You'll only spoil it. The point is I'm here, I'm alive, and... Well. I'm still deciding on the rest of it.

[Molly's instantly distracted by the Jewel that Caleb produces, which is good because... He really really doesn't want to linger on the specifics.] Oh that's lovely. Matches your eyes. [Wait. That came out wrong. Moving on.] ...You know, I hear the darker ones are more powerful. That one's... kind of lighter.

[Yeah, go from a compliment to something that's practically an insult. Killing it.]

[breadmuffs]

[True to form, Caleb looks surprised - more surprised? - when Molly says the Jewel matches his eyes and then uncomfortable about it. But that doesn't last long since he goes back to frowning as Molly moves on.

He knows the Jewel is somehow connected to magic, that it...stores it...but in a strange way. None of it makes much sense.]

I don't really understand what they're supposed to do...I know it was just...in my room when I woke up.

What do you mean, the darker ones are more powerful?

[mollymocked]

It's a... Magic... thing. I only know some of the details, but the darker the Jewel, the more powerful you are, so if someone has a lighter Jewel than yours, you can smash them into a bloody pulp in a fight. Or at the very least intimidate them.

[Molly isn't preening that his Jewel is clearly darker than Caleb's at any rate. Caleb has him beat on knowing practical uses for magic, while Molly is just a finesse weapon cutting at threads without considering what made them.] There's also a lot of politics involved in it, but I stay out of that. I'm just trying to keep things going smoothly here so I don't waste my afterlife in another war.

ii

[championbittersweet]

[It's late enough in the afternoon that Jonathan can manage being outside thanks to a little assistance from Lady Fayura, and although it's taken him a little time to get used to the lack of risk, he does enjoy the feeling of some sunlight on his skin again without the burn it usually brings.

The company is also appreciated, and Jonathan stands back with his lavender friend and rolls them both cigarettes while they watch the weaving.]

My concern is that they would unify against us.

[mollymocked]

That's a definite possibility. [He's thought about it a lot, seen how the landens were emboldened by the Strangers protecting them, and then soured when they turned around and tried to keep things fair. Molly has been called a few names in the past couple of weeks that have actually irritated him when insults and jibes normally fall off of him.]

You can't operate the way we are for very long. Eventually, people are gonna expect you to pick a side.

[championbittersweet]

So it would seem. The people here already see us as outsiders, Strangers in every sense of the word, and as it seems we haven't the luxury of being separate from their conflicts they will want to know where we stand.

[Jonathan has never troubled himself terribly much with politics, but he's aware of that much at least.]

We hardly present as a united group or clearly defined either. We're summoned by the Queen but not bound to her, some help the Guilds, others the Blood. I can't imagine people will be happy with that in the long term.

[mollymocked]

Fayura helps both sides when she can. I'm... Of the opinion that sticking with her is the best bet. But I'll admit I'm biased, because she seems the most sensible of the lot, and she's the one who cut the deals that brought us here, but... [He huffs, trying to figure out how to explain this.] You've got to trust someone and trusting each other isn't going to cut it for long or it's just Us vs Them in three directions. I don't wanna deal with three groups breaking out rulers over every little incident.

[championbittersweet]

We may have to be biased to some extent. [Jonathan points out, and flicks his gaze to where the Lady is working nearby, checking that everything is still quite while they talk.]

Lady Fayura tries to keep the peace between both sides, which is more than the others seem to do. Supporting just the Landen or the Blood likely won't go well for this world and Lady Fayura and her court seem the most concerned about the wellbeing of all.

Even if she had not offered the deals that bought us here, I feel she is trying the most to be fair to all. But it's difficult to say how our fellow Strangers feel about the matter.

[mollymocked]

I'm always on the side of fairness, regardless. There's not a whole lot I believe in, but I believe that there's fairness in the world and when it isn't there, you have to put it there, yourself, 'cause no one else will. You balance the scales that way, and fuck whatever the rest of them do. That's what I intend to do. I just don't want them making it difficult.

[He flicks his own gaze to Lady Abigail and then casts his darkvision out as far as it can go in a direction. No movement. Not yet, but he's starting to get impatient and edgy. It could just be the magic in the air.]

1. sharing is caring

[burn_with_us]

( Katniss isn't really enamored of the Blood but she also doesn't want to see people go hungry. She's spent most of her life hungry, has known what it means to go without when others gorge themselves. So when she sees Molly getting pelted, she joins him; if it gets bad, she's gotten a bow and a knife from the armory, but she doesn't think it will. )

Everyone deserves a chance to eat! If you have plenty, share with someone who doesn't have enough. You might be the one starving tomorrow!

( She looks at Molly, trying to decide if they're going to get mobbed. She speaks to him, low enough not to be carried by the crowd. )

How good are you in a fight?

[mollymocked]

Oh you know... Fair to average, depending on the day. [He's underselling himself, but he's not really inclined to savagely cut down people like he cuts down monsters or slavers or the like.

He thunks his his head against the cart, his horn jewelry jingling as he does.] Gods, I was hoping I wouldn't have to make a scene. Why does everyone here want things to escalate in the worst ways? Just once I'd like to escalate a situation in the best possible way. Just once.

[He drags a hand down his face.]

[burn_with_us]

The people are restless. Both sides feel like the other has taken something from him and it just needs a spark to catch fire. Fire is something that spreads, though, and it doesn't discriminate. If we don't put it out, everything is going to burn.

( Katniss knows this from experience, except that she'd wanted the fires to burn in Panem and consume everything so that they could rise up again from the ashes. Here in Draega, though, she doesn't know if it's the wisest thing to do. When did she become a strategist? )

[mollymocked]

[Molly just kind of stares at her at first and then slowly nods. She's not wrong, but she gives off the impression of someone who has seen it firsthand, and that's... interesting and tragic. She probably has the kind of past that turns teenagers into circus performers.] And these people love watching things burn. I've seen it. This place is built on kindling and bad decisions.

[He peeks out again. There's no fighting yet, but there is a lot of bickering and hungry, grumpy Blood.] How's your charm offensive? We can try fighting or we can try one more attempt at diplomacy.

[burn_with_us]

( Katniss snorts a little. She's not so good at charming people, not really, but she thinks she can channel her inner Peeta long enough to give it a shot. The one thing about Draega is that no one has an opinion on her yet and she can at least use that to her advantage. )

Not much, but I can try.

( Katniss stands and addresses the group of landen. She feels more comfortable with them, more kinship. )

Once you were oppressed by Blood and I know that's not right. But what you're doing now isn't right either. Isn't it better to help? To show them how you wanted them to treat you?

[mollymocked]

[Molly sort of awkwardly peers out from behind her, still sort of hiding because he is well aware he is of a frightful countenance and that his charm offensive has proven offensive.

The leader who tossed his rotting wares at Molly scowls. "They can survive for a little while living like us. It'll do them some good."

Molly, indignant, stops hiding. Katniss's argument at least has them thinking if the leader is stubborn, but Molly's pressing his luck here.] That doesn't make any sense.

2. visual disturbances

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa hasn't felt comfortable going outside in the city with the rising tensions, not without escorts, and in addition to Bucky she does feel safe with Molly and Guts. When Molly plans to go help Lady Abigail, Sansa decides she will assist both because she thinks the work is good and she's curious as to how the webs work. When Molly speaks, Sansa laughs, though it is stiff and tense. )

I hope there will not be any danger at all. I do not think my brother or Bucky will forgive me if I put myself in danger willingly. Hopefully Lady Abigail can complete her task with no interruption.

[mollymocked]

I don't know if anyone ever gets that lucky. [Molly picks up a stick and idly scratches in the dirt.] But if something does happen, can you help get her somewhere safe? [He points at Lady Abigail with his stick.]

It's a big ask, but I can handle a few arseholes looking to cause problems, and I can handle it better knowing the person I'm supposed to be looking after is safe. And... I don't want your brother or Bucky to kill me for being... negligent.

[theladyofwinterfell]

I wouldn't let them. I happen to like you, Molly, so I wouldn't let either of them hurt you on my account.

( At his mention of Lady Abigail, though, she nods. Lady Abigail is the most important person here and her work cannot be interrupted; Sansa will shield her and escort her to safety if she must. )

I will make Lady Abigail my priority.

[mollymocked]

[He leans to the side so he can lightly tap her shoulder with his.] That's good. I'm both very likable and very squishy. Bandits, however? Bandits I have plenty of experience with. Sometimes they just need a good talking to. In fact there's a group of bandits back home who are probably doing something very good with their lives because of the advice I gave them.

[And terrified into them. They're gonna be here for awhile- might as well share stories.]

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa laughs a bit and it's nice, because she's normally possessed of a very serious countenance. Molly is one of the people who can bring laughter to her lips, though, and she appreciates it very much. )

I don't think I've ever convinced any bandits to do good. I seem to inspire men to do terrible things solely because I'm a woman. I don't know if that's simply a Westerosi thing, though. Women are treated better here.

[mollymocked]

[Molly cants his head to the side so far that all the dangling jewelry on his right horn just starts to fall into his face.] That sounds like the men's problem not the women's, and certainly not yours. Why, if you were from the Empire, you'd have your religion tightly controlled and be part of a corrupt and awful system, but you'd make plenty of coin and no one would say a fucking word about you being a woman, and if they did, half a pub would jump at the chance to defend your honor.