areyto | EVENT | SETTLING IN

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EVENT | SETTLING IN

SETTLING IN

Initial quarantine period is over, but the newest arrivals in Llave, known colloquially as “Los Aparecidos” (The Appeared), remain largely restricted to the shelter for two primary reasons: one, as they are currently stateless, meaning they have no rights to citizenship anywhere, what to do with them continues to be debated; and two, it has become rapidly obvious that many have zero knowledge not just of the nation they find themselves in, but of the wider world around them.

The former has been explained to them via the lawyers who have taken their collective case, and further clarified by the prime minister, Rosario Alonzo de León, when she and several members of her government return to speak again with the arrivals. A highly intelligent and capable woman in her late forties, she makes a point of sitting with each newcomer to Llave to converse about their experiences thus far and what concerns they have.

As for the lagoons in characters’ knowledge, steps are being taken to address these.

Classes are being held now, in order to prepare the arrivals for whatever happens next. Characters will be taught a variety of skills, including but not limited to communication methods such as mail, phones, television, radio and the Internet; use of appliances, including basic lessons on modern utilities; and general safety rules both inside and outside the home. Characters can request specific classes or volunteer to help teach their companions. (And for anyone learning or helping to teach how to read and write, a reminder that the Spanish alphabet consists of 27 letters: ‘ñ’ has its place after ‘n’. And ‘ll’ and ‘rr’ have their own sounds.)

The woman organizing the classes has become well-known to the arrivals: Evelyn Burgos Peña was a clinical social worker before leaving her previous work to assume the duties of First Lady when her wife was elected. Aside from spearheading the new education efforts for the arrivals, she has also been working diligently with the Bajari Bara to establish the second change in the daily routine.

Due to the generally acceptable behavior during the Day of Heroes, characters are now sometimes permitted to leave the shelter to visit Old Nona. These group excursions are not every day, and last only a few hours. One of these excursions is tied to a class to which all are invited. Rather than make learning more about Llave itself a tedious lecture, on the week of November 22nd, the museum characters arrived at has opened its doors to them for a special exhibit on the island's early history. Characters are accompanied as they were during the Day of Heroes by a guide and an escort of Bajari Bara.

Characters are reminded being permitted outside is a privilege. Until the matter of their legal status is resolved, they have few rights and fewer legal protections. Behavior and curfew are both strictly enforced, and violations will result in the loss of this privilege.

Otherwise, the routine in the shelter remains the same. Caseworkers still check in daily and will refer those who present a need or who request it to the appropriate mental health professionals. Hot meals continue to be provided three times a day along with snacks. A projector was brought in and a different movie is aired every night (General Audiences only—remember, there are children present), with the shelter staff providing snacks to make it a movie theater experience. Entertainment items—books, games, sports equipment, art supplies, etc.—are available and can also be requested (though no promises are made that characters will get exactly what they want, especially if the item can double as a weapon).

Possession of weapons remains strictly prohibited and any visible weapons will be confiscated. Any who attempts to flout this rule, starts fights in the shelter or in Nona or attempts to break out will be swiftly separated from the rest by the Bajari Bara. Further violence will result in consequences according to their actions.

THE MONTH'S HEADLINES

Red chickcharney seen celebrating during the Day of Heroes.
Tombs found disturbed in Nona's Old Cemetery.
Santa Cecilia cattle farmers on high alert after cows, sheep found mauled.
Unidentified flying object spotted off the coast of Bimini.

OOC PLANNING POST • NAVIGATION

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[Near the end of the day of a day full of classes, and Wei Wuxian finds himself actually wanting to sleep for once, his brain truly tired out from everything he has been stuffing inside of it, and his thoughts full to the brim with ideas. It's only late afternoon and a few different classes are still meeting, but Wei Wuxian has opted for a nice stroll around the shelter instead. The windows up high let in plenty of natural light at this time of day, and the warmth is soothing and nice, reminding him of the heat of Yunmeng. All in all, it's a peaceful moment that he can readily appreciate.

Or, peaceful at least until he turns a corner and is met with the sight of a dog standing in the middle of the hall as he approaches the main sleeping area of the shelter. Did it come with a volunteer? Did it sneak in when someone else opened the doors? Wei Wuxian doesn't know, and he doesn't care. He really doesn't care when it starts barking in his general direction and moves towards him.

He is barely aware of the terrified shriek he lets out as he zips away and the terrible horrible hell beast gives chase, and even less aware of the name he cries out for, instinct compelling him to call out for the one person who might actually answer the call.]

[ Late afternoon usually finds Lan Wangji continuing his studies, reading whatever books he can possibly get his hands on, making diligent notes about what he finds. That afternoon finds him reading a book of poetry, a change from the textbooks and non-fiction he's been reading up to now. A pleasant change; poetry has always stirred his soul.

He's so focused, transcribing the poetry so he might remember it later, that he doesn't hear the dog, at first. And when he finally does hear it bark, he ignores it, figuring someone must have let the creature in.

But Wei Wuxian's voice calling his name, a sound he knows by heart, has him out of his chair and out the door of the side room he's in, looking around frantically. ] Wei Ying?

[ His voice is louder than normal, and then he spots Wei Wuxian, running. He doesn't admonish him for running in a place where they should not be running but practically picks up his pace to join him. ] Wei Ying?

[Wei Wuxian spots him at the same moment and nearly dives at him, remembering at the last moment not to grab for his back, and instead merely taking cover there with both hands wrapped around one of Lan Wangji's elbows. His eyes are not on his friend but instead focused on the dog that has come to a stop in front of Lan Wangji now, its head tilted and tongue lolling out of its mouth. Wei Wuxian cowers behind Lan Wangji, a soft whimper pulled from his throat the likes of which Lan Wangji has never heard from him. Not when Wen Chao sought to whip him, not when they faced probably death against the Xuanwu, not during the war, not ever.]

Lan Zhan, help.

[ The sight of Wei Wuxian so terrified has Lan Zhan surprised and concerned, although it doesn't show on his face. He extends his arm, stepping forward slightly and shifting to stand a little more in front of Wei Wuxian. ]

I am here, Wei Ying.

[ This, at least, he can do. He studies the dog, face still impassive, and watches as the dog sits down, tongue lolling, looking happy to see them. It still has Wei Wuxian terrified, so— ]

Leave. [ Said in a firm tone, one that generally has men jumping to obey. ]

[The dog glances at Lan Wangji, tilts its head in the opposite direction, gives a soft whine under its breath (that has Wei Wuxian echoing with a whine of his own) and then turns and trots away, apparently disinterested now that no one is running and playing with it.

Wei Wuxian sags against Lan Wangji's arm then, hiding his face in his shoulder as he groans.]

Can you imagine if the clans knew, Lan Zhan? The dreaded Yiling Patriarch, undone by a stupid mutt!

[He groans again and keeps his face where it's smooshed against Lan Wangji's arm, unwilling to emerge just yet.]

I hate them! I hate them so much, they're the worst! Is it gone for good? Do you think it will come back?

[ Lan Wangji watches it go, glaring when it turns to look back at them before bounding off again, apparently having found someone else to play with.

He still doesn't lower his arm. ] It appears to be gone. It must have seen its owner. Or found someone else to play with it.

[ He still waits, just to make sure the dog is gone. ] Dogs?

[He sighs and it is part relief and part exhaustion as he finally pulls his face from where its hidden, though he keeps his grip on Lan Wangji's arm.]

Dogs! [He groans in answer, the color beginning to return to his cheeks.] Hell beasts! All of them!

[He blinks then when a realization dawns and he glances down at his grip on Lan Wangji and then back up to him.] You came.

[ He can keep holding his arm out all day, it's all good. He does turn to look over his shoulder, face going slightly soft, eyes gentle. ] I will always come if you call for me.

[ It's the least he can do. It's what he wants to do. In his fever dreams, that was one true revelation: he should have joined Wei Ying much sooner. He will always be there for him, now. ]

[Ha...Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian feels his face grow hot for literally no reason whatsoever and he lets out a strangled sound that turns into a laugh at the very end. Lan Wangji!!]

That is good to know, Lan Zhan, but you should be careful! Do you have any idea how I'll take advantage? Really, what are you thinking telling me such a thing, now I'll call you every time I hear a dog. Maybe even when I don't heard a dog, maybe I'll call you when I am feeling too lazy to reach for something on my own, what will you do then?

[He laughs again, nervous and jittery, residual anxiety from the canine encounter he is sure.

Wei Wuxian looks down then and realizes that he is still holding Lan Wangji's elbow and he lets go quickly, wiping nervous sweat from his palms.]

Edited 2020-11-14 02:17 (UTC)

[ Rambling is common, and something he's used to from Wei Wuxian, so he just lets him chatter away, until he laughs again. His face, already soft, stays that way, eyes unguarded. ]

I will get it for you. It is no trouble.

[ In fact, please ask him, Wei Wuxian. ]

[ L A N W A N G J I.

His eyes grow even wider and the sound he lets out stops being laughter about halfway through, turning into something high pitched and embarrassing that he completely ignores because Lan Zhan. Are you trying to kill him? Who says that? Why is Lan Wangji saying that? Is he ILL?]

LAN WANGJI! [It's a shout, but unlike other times Wei Wuxian has resorted to his courtesy name, this time bears none of the hostility and is also entirely ruined by the flush in his cheeks and the nervous way he keeps gaping at him and trying to form words.]

Don't go around saying such things! You're supposed to be wise, you know everyone talks about how wise Hanguang-jun is, and how poised and proper, but how proper will it be when I am laying on my cot and I leave a glass of water a few feet out of reach and I call for you across the room so that you can bring it to me? Can you imagine, Lan Zhan? DON'T ANSWER THAT! I DON'T WANT YOU TO ANSWER THAT!

[He is this close to slapping a hand over your traitorous mouth Lan Zhan, why are you doing this to him? Also, why is he doing this to himself, because he is still talking.]

Or, what if I woke one day and decided that I didn't feel like walking, like one of those royal young masters, and I asked you to carry me in a palanquin? Surely Hanguang-jun would draw the line there, if I called him for such a task?

[No SHUT UP it's rhetorical! His eyes grow wider if possible and he yells, far too loudly.] Don't answer that either!

[ The use of his courtesy name does make him think of worse times, of their arguments. But it's not a huge concern, especially since Wei Wuxian keeps rambling, practically screeching and well.

Lan Wangji doesn't do humor. Very, very few things in his life have been amusing or entertaining and as one person pointed out, he is decidedly not fun. But part of Wei Wuxian's appeal is that loud, slippery feeling in his throat that feels dangerously like laughter. It escapes him in a quiet huff, and he has to look away before he does something like smile.

He has missed you, Wei Wuxian. ]

Am I allowed to answer any of your questions?

[ And then, before Wei Wuxian can say anything, he adds, most seriously: ] It would impractical for one man to carry a palanquin. The balance would be off.

[ IT'S NOT AN ANSWER. He is simply pointing out that it would be A Challenge. ]

Edited 2020-11-15 04:21 (UTC)

No! I said no, so you can't answer! [Also that is a stupid response because he sees what you did there and he hates it. How dare you Lan Wangji, how dare you be like this, and with no witnesses no less!!! What is he supposed to do with this? How is he supposed to react?]

That is it, that's all you're allowed to say. I am making my own rules, I am going to make three thousand rules, and every single one of them is that you are not allowed to be like this to me. I'll find a stone and carve it out three thousand times, I really will if you keep going on like this!

Weren't you doing anything before I bothered you to come over here? Surely you were engaged in something more important than standing around listening to me ramble, Lan Zhan!

[ Coming from Wei Wuxian, the threat of three thousand rules is absurd. Same with the thread of carving it on stone. He'd lose interest around rule one hundred. No one would be able to read the carvings anyway, although his calligraphy hadn't, honestly, been that bad when he was copying lines. ] Wei Ying. Excessiveness is prohibited.

[ Since he isn't exactly sure what he is and isn't allowed to say under this new rule, he falls quiet, taking a moment to get his expression back under control. Is a detail of his activities a question he can answer?

Then he looks back to Wei Wuxian. ]

Excessive-[It takes everything in him not to stamp his foot like a child.]

Who's being excessive! Who has three thousand rules anyway! Are you calling three thousand rules excessive?

Alright fine, I rescind my rules because as you have wisely pointed out, three thousand rules are far too many rules to live by, instead there will be three rules and three rules alone. [He glances up at Lan Wangji to make sure he is following along before he starts to recite his new life philosophy.]

Rule number one: Lan Zhan will allow me to drink liquor at any meal without looking disappointed in me. He may be disappointed, but he may not look it! [He grins.]

Rule number two: Lan Zhan's assistance will be called on at any sightings or encounters with dogs or other canine-adjacent nightmares. He must always defend me from such monsters. Though unlikely, this assistance will extend to all hours and will be summoned mostly without conscious thought.

We have three thousand different rules. More now. [ Some added thanks to Lan Wangji, some thanks to Wei Wuxian. Some because of both of them. ] Three thousand rules of just one command is excessive.

[ But he listens dutifully; he is, after all, used to acknowledging rules. Three thousand of them, known by heart even before he spent time in seclusion, and now he knows them even better. Knows what rules have value and what rules hurt no one.

These rules are acceptable, although he'll have to argue against drinking liquor with breakfast. That is unacceptable for more reasons than just breaking the rules— drinking that early cannot be healthy. But the dog one he can easily manage.

Even if it will require him reading minds. ]

That is only two. What is the third?

[ He has to know what it is before he can agree. ]

[Okay hold up, no, he can't just go on with his rules now? You can't just drop this on him and expect him to breeze past it!]

There are more? Three thousand wasn't enough! Why!? What could possibly—[He frowns, realization dawning, and then waves off the realization before it can ruin his mood. He is having fun and he will not make this conversation sad again, he refuses, he can stuff it all away and let it out later.] It doesn't matter, it's preposterous no matter the cause!

And mine are more efficient anyways, so.

Rule number three: Lan Zhan...[He pauses to consider his wording, aware of how Lan Wangji sometime struggles with words and wanting to be careful.] Lan Zhan must always be welcome to say whatever he wishes to me no matter the subject, but if he says too many ridiculous nice things at once, I will walk away and stop speaking to him immediately for at least ten minutes. And he will have no one to blame but himself!

Also an addendum, I can add more rules whenever I want to because apparently you can just keeping adding rules forever!

[ Watching the emotions flicker across Wei Wuxian's face is a fascinating study in understanding. And entertainment, in the quiet, understated way Lan Wangji has of being amused.

The third rule is not something to which he can object. It allows him to speak freely. Although there are still shades of grey. ] Define 'too many' and 'ridiculous nice things.' Does the truth count?

[ He hums quietly at the final addendum. ] One must adapt to the changes life brings. The way the Lan sect adapts is by adding rules. Surely you did not think we were formed with three thousand rules already carved in stone.

Maybe! I'd always assumed Grandmaster Qiren was born an old man having already memorized every one of them. [Anyway, more importantly.]

And does the truth count? [What are these questions? He feels like these questions count as breaking the rule already.]

It shouldn't but it does! [Because Lan Wangji is ridiculous and asks questions like "does the truth count?" What a terrifying question! What a terrifying man! If he asks the question Wei Wuxian is afraid to answer no.]

I will not define them. Lan Zhan, you're being ridiculous, you know this, right? Does the truth count! [He groans and begins to walk forward, unable to look his friend in the eye.]

Ridiculous. He was a child, just like the rest of us. [ Men don't just get born that way, Wei Wuxian. Stop being fanciful. ] I am not the ridiculous one here.

[ He is calm and composed and collected, like always, and asking for clarification. That Wei Wuxian won't give. This is why rules get muddled. They should be clear and direct.

Tucking one hand behind him, the other in front, as though he were still carrying Bichen, he follows Wei Wuxian. They have rules to discuss. ]

No drinking at breakfast. It must be part of rule two. And only drink during meals. [ If Wei Wuxian is drinking, then he'll be eating, which he knows is necessary. ]

[Okay, scratch everything else.]

Only? Only? [The look he whirls to give Lan Wangji is one of pure incredulity.]

Absolutely not. The breakfast rule I will abide, but none of this only at meals nonsense.

Edited 2020-11-15 08:31 (UTC)

[ A long-suffering look, and then a nod of acceptance. ] No breakfast. At meals, and after five in the afternoon. Or I will look disappointed.

[He makes a show of hemming and hawing about it, but in the end, Wei Wuxian nods.]

Alright, fine. I guess. Now then the rules are settled. I expect you'll keep them or else you'll have to write them out while doing handstands.

[ Lan Wangji is dignified and noble and does not scoff.

He does not.

He Looks, instead. Like that punishment will be hard. He can do that in his sleep. ]

Very well. I will prepare an official list later.

[The point is not that it is hard, Lan Wangji, the point is that it is funny! Admire how clever he is, thanks.]

Wait, you're really going to write them out? [He isn't sure if he's horrified or delighter. Maybe both? Definitely both.]

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