EVENT | SETTLING IN

[historiadores]

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

Comments

[singlelogbridge]

[He sighs in genuine relief, nodding along. If all rulers had that kind of compassion, he wonders how much pain might be avoided in his own world.]

I suppose if it doesn't, you can always depose him.

[He grins to make it clear he's joking. Well, mostly joking.]

Although I'm sure there wouldn't be a need, I'll bet he's already completely smitten with you, isn't he?

[inkings]

[ she laughs brightly. ]

As it turns out, he did ask me to marry him.

[singlelogbridge]

[Well that's one way to get his full attention. Wei Wuxian's mouth falls open and he stares at her with open only somewhat exaggerated shock.]

He didn't! Mal, how could you not lead with that? Aren't we friends? A king proposing to my extremely good lifelong friend and you wait until now to share?

[He shakes his head, eyes still blown wide.]

Well? What did you say then? You can't leave me hanging!

[inkings]

Oh, is that what I am?

[ "extremely good looking" is a given. she's mostly asking about the "lifelong." that said, she supposes getting absolutely wasted on moonshine rum together (and it was so good, pity they got rid of the bacoo before asking for another bottle) is one of those things one cannot do without coming out as friends on the other side.

she makes a show of remembering, face tilted up, lips pressed into a little moue. ]

I mostly remember being surprised. He sang a piece of the first song he composed for me, then went down on one knee and offered me a ring and a crown.

[ PAUSE HERE FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT ]

[singlelogbridge]

Mal! [It's a shout, completely uncaring of anyone around them. It's good, they should know how she is torturing him, he has nothing to hide! Let everyone know how cruel she is being and how his life is such suffering.]

He composed a song for you? How utterly romantic! [It's gross! He hates it! Tell him more!] Was it a good song? Is he a musician too? I can't even fathom someone composing a song for me, I think I would die.

And then? [He prompts her, setting his chin in both of his hands.]

[inkings]

[ it takes everything in mal to maintain a poker face, but it's a rapidly losing venture. his enthusiasm is contagious and enchanting, and mal allows herself to return to that moment. they had been before the kingdom; her friends helped play the music. but they all faded when took a knee. all she can remember is ben's handsome face, his dazzling smile, his love for her and the unrestrained hope in his voice when he put his question to her. ]

And then…

[ she drags the pause to just before it looks like wei wuxian is about to yell again. she holds out her hand. the massive purple diamond upon her ring glitters in the light. ]

I said yes.

[singlelogbridge]

[Wei Wuxian lets out an indiscernible shout that's loud enough to get several startled looks and one yell to quiet down that he completely ignores. He takes the offered hand in both of his, squeezing it gently despite his over the top demeanor. The ring on her finger is beautiful and expensive looking, and he glances at it with a grin though he doesn't glance for long, far more interested in her smile.]

Congratulations! We have to celebrate! Mal, you're going to be married. You're going to be a queen—and who better for the job? Ah what a queen you'll be, and such a beautiful one too!

[Then letting go of her hand, he clutches at his heart with one of his, the other rising to rest on his cheek as he fixes her with an expression of utter despair.]

Oh, but the heartache! The sorrow! How will I ever soothe my poor wounded heart knowing that we'll never be together? The sun is dimmer now, the air less sweet. What half life will I be forced to live? [He pauses in his theatrics to gauge her expression, batting his eyelashes as he looks up at her from beneath them.]

[inkings]

[ her smile is pure light. joy radiates off her. she laughs, excited to share her good news, excited to be able to indulge in it as she has not had the time.

there are questions about the type of queen she will be and if she is, as he so confidently asserts, that there will be none better. but her doubts are small in this moment, pushed down and side by the press of her happiness. and when he changes direction, opting for drama and loud mourning, she plays along. ]

You arrived in my life too late, my sweet, [ she tells him, her expression a perfectly tragic mask. ] We must be like two shooting stars passing each other in the night.

[inkings]

[ dropping the affected tone, she pats his cheek. ]

Good news: you'll get over it quickly.

[singlelogbridge]

[His eyes shine with pure and utter delight when she plays along, though he drops out of it along with her. Mostly at least.]

Will I? Or will I spend the rest of my life mourning what might have been? [He snickers and shakes his head, still beaming at her.]

Anyway, I said this was cause for celebration—despite my poor broken heart of course—and I meant it!

The next time we head out, we'll celebrate, that's a promise! I am truly very happy for you, Mal.

[inkings]

[ she laughs again, offers him a heartfelt "thank you", then pauses. ]

You know, it just hit me I was never able to go to my engagement party.

[ not that a party would have been all that appropriate following what had happened. still. she thinks back to the date it would have been. that would have been one of the days she spent with nico in the hospital, sneaking snacks from vending machines, and getting scolded by the nurses for sitting on the bed with him. what a way to celebrate. yet they were strangely sweet days. ]

[singlelogbridge]

[Immediately perking up.]

Well that won't do. What do people usually do at engagement parties?

[inkings]

It's usually hosted by one of the parents as a "meet the new couple" type of thing.

Obviously, [ she continues, a tad rueful, ] for several reasons that won't happen here.

[ missing half of couple for one. and she really can't imagine hades throwing her a party. or being at a party. ]

[singlelogbridge]

Hmm. Better question, what do you want it to be like? Because obviously we will be throwing one for you here. [He offers her a grin.]

I already have a fantastic idea for refreshments.

[inkings]

If I say surprise me, [ she tips her head, considering him, ] how much will I regret it?

[singlelogbridge]

[Regret? Look at his face, Mal. The most innocent of faces.]

Don't you know we aim to live without regrets? [He grins and offers her a wink.

So, you know. A lot. But it'll be worth it.]

[inkings]

[ can’t wait. ]