Mission: Building the Future in Pagoda

[lucetimods]

Who: Anyone who volunteered
What: A very special mission that will fill you with a youthly sense of purpose. Or something.
When: July 20th - July 24th
Where: The enclosure of Pagoda
Summary: Mission detailed here. There are survivors to help and buildings to repair, and plenty more to keep the volunteers on their toes.
Rating: PG-13 for reasons

Direct further questions here!

Comments

[sosayi]

[As a note for all options, Hilda is wearing an extremely tacky hoodie from Masaomi despite the weather. Yes, it's hot. Yes, she knows it'd be best if she didn't. But it's to carry things she wants to collect. Like a few books and maybe some pins. A rusty dagger. She's dealing with it.]

A. Healing

[While Hilda prides herself in being competent at first aid by now, she's soon come to realize that some injuries can be conquered easiest with a mix... which is fine with her, because having recently and finally come into contact with Nala and learning from the spirit she's very much eager to practice. It's very tiring, but she's careful not to overexert herself on just one person.

It's tough to hear that there are people dying anyway, even if it'd been someone she'd helped just before. So by the end of their stay Hilda is more than going on fumes and noticeably unfocused as she does more first aid than Filial healing.]

B. No Breaks

[It's easy to ask stories when she's healing them one-on-one, but Hilda is quick to learn to sit down with any survivors and ask them how they're doing - though she is not all that good at comforting. She works best with younger folk as she entertains them with shadow figures using Twila's power, puppeting legends and stories she'd read in Luceti as well ones from her own land, though it visibly wears on her as she does it alongside Nala's healing. She doesn't mind telling the stories to any who ask either.]

C. Rubble Rabble

[More like an excuse to look for things to take back to her apartment. Hilda isn't exactly sneaky about it either, watching debris being taken away and picking up things of interest. The hoodie is finally useful - though hot as hell - and it isn't doing her any favors as she does the above tasks between scavenging.

These are probably the most likely times she'll talk to other people from Luceti during the day. Since she isn't so focused on helping the residents of Pagoda and she'll be moving around the town.]

D. Fine, Break

[Where most have probably gone to sleep after no doubt tiring days, Hilda can't help but want to stay up. Especially nearing the end of their stay. Isn't there more they could do? Couldn't they stay longer to ensure that things would be fine? She would be fine staying behind, though she'd miss her every day challenges with Masaomi.

Being restless even though she's tired, she'll be prone to taking strolls around when she shouldn't be and dozing off around the enclosure - though most nights she'll wake herself up and troop back, hopefully before she's missed.]

[feistytrader]

[Sleep is a difficult thing to obtain, and Silver's gotten very little of it during his stay in Pagoda.

But he has helped a lot of people, eaten well, and stayed hydrated, so he can keep going- barely. At the moment, he's carrying some girl a little under his age range- she has hooves instead of feet, horns, and is purple, but that hasn't stopped him from healing her larger wounds, bandaging her smaller ones, and starting to carry her to the med center. She's in no critical condition, but it's probably best if she gets checked out by a doctor anyway- and the fact that she's outright passed out on the way has him a little concerned.

What he doesn't expect to find on his way back is Hilda rummaging through some remaining debris for... What, exactly?]

What are you doing?

[sosayi]

[Hilda jumps slightly, so focused on her task, and turns to see Silver. And the girl. It isn't like she hasn't seen some odd things before - her own home had cyclops and she knows there are centaur-lions in Hyrule as well - but she still gets a stare before the princess answers.]

There are a number of interesting things to be found here, and so I thought I would take some home. [You know. Like how she did at the temple.] Though I am careful not to shirk my duty of disposing of some materials as well.

[There's the hilt of a dagger glinting slightly out of one of the hoodie pockets, but she doesn't seem to realize it. Hilda's concern is less for her possible crime and more for the person Silver's carrying.]

Is the... girl [???] you are carrying very injured?

[feistytrader]

[...She's collecting some pretty dangerous looking things, from the looks of it. But at the same time, they have such a small opportunity to learn about the workings of the third party, so can he really blame her?

Even if he could, he has a code of honor among thieves. It's not his place to talk about the strange things she's picking up.]

I took care of her injuries. I think she's just exhausted. [Which is a lot better than a few of the other people he's tried helping over the past few days.] I'm no doctor, so I'm taking her to the med center just in case.

[sosayi]

[It's just like home. Honor codes with thieves and all. Don't mention that to her. She stands straight, arms marked with dirt and scratches, though she doesn't seem to notice them. Her gloves are off too obviously. Because it'd just be silly to get their dirty.]]

I am glad to hear that. May I join you, then? While looking through this rubble is an adventure all of its own, I would not mind stretching my legs. I would like to show you what I have found thus far as well.

[Hilda is doing her best not to appear too excited, though her always out wings flutter give her away today. She's too tired to care. And she wants to show him the beginnings of Nala's magic too, how successful she was before they came here, since things had been so busy since then.]

[feistytrader]

No problem. [As long as it's not more drapery to put in her dimly lit room. He starts walking again, but takes a slow pace so Hilda can keep up with him easily.]

B

[savedtheworld]

[Aang notices the shadow puppets first and almost thinks it's Shikamaru until he notices Hilda and that distinctive hoodie. Aang is wearing a t-shirt and shorts instead of his own hoodie.

He draws closer out of curiosity for the story, as well as to see how her audience is faring. And how she is faring - because it looks like something is tiring her.

He quietly places himself by the kids and offers her a friendly smile so as not to interrupt the story.]

[sosayi]

[She smiles slightly back at him, using the pause in her story to concentrate herself. The kids seemed more enraptured in the shadows themselves and, considering this is a story she's both well-versed on and liked to practice her shadows with, she seems proud of that.

The shadows depict a battle scene between a small, sword-wielding hero and a larger, skeleton-like being who has that and a shield. The skeleton laughs silently as the small being prepares to attack.]

This was Stalblind, the terrible ruler of the thieves who ruled the town with fear, who was so strong not even the cowardly royal family could do a thing to stop him. [Hilda's careful to keep her voice even, though these are true events.] His word was law, his sword justice, and rule absolute. There was not a single person who dared to challenge him - except our small hero here, who had a more important mission to attend to.

[The small hero raised his sword is a small cry and the battle begins, metal silently clashing as Stalblind seemed to have the upper hand. The hero disappears from sight a few times, much to the evil one's confusion, only to reappear behind Stalblind and slash at him. This goes on as she talks and does her best to keep it animated. But it has to end soon.]

Though Stalblind was the stronger of the two, it was the hero's courage and quick thinking which helped him overcome the trial. Stalblind was defeated and the thieves were left without a leader...

[The hero gives one final slash to Stalblind and the skeleton collapses in on itself, disappearing as she lets go of the shadow. The hero's image wavers as she concentrates on keep it held and feels the exhaustion set in.]

The hero sets off to defeat the next evil of the land, far to the east... in the Dark Palace.

[The hero disappears and the kids seem disappointed at the cut off. They obviously want more, but Hilda's just too tired. Despite their calls for more she shakes her head.]

Our hero's tale will have to continue later. I do promise that you will hear the end of it however.

[Hilda'll remain seated as they leave to go play, not willing to show her tiredness until they're out of her sight. It's then that she relaxes and closes her eyes with a small sigh. She's so tired. A little break may be necessary for now, so she nods to Aang.]

... Or so I said, though the ending has not yet quite come into reality. You unfortunately came around at the end of this part. There is not all that much to its beginning however, if you would like to hear it.

[savedtheworld]

[Aang was taken in by the tale almost as easily as the kids. It truly was awe-inspiring. But he also took note of how tired she looked - and as she cut her story off, he helped tp usher the kids off, sending off a ball of air for some to chase.

Then he went to lean on a wall near Hilda with a small smile.]

I wouldn't mind hearing it, if it's not too much trouble. But you look like you just fought the stalguy too.

[sosayi]

[The princess shakes her head. She's tired, but she can still do that, so she'll return his smile wearily.]

It is no trouble at all - though you are right in that I am quite tired. There are not many children in Lorule.

[Putting it down as exhaustion from entertaining them is much nicer than saying it's because of Twila's magic, though she knows it's probably both. So it's not a lie.]

You will not have the theatrics to go with it, so I must apologize in advance for that. Is that alright?

[savedtheworld]

[He chuckles slightly. Kids can be exhausting when one doesn't already have as much energy as them, so Aang buys it. Either way, it's clear she's tired, and he doesn't want his friend to push herself when she doesn't need to.]

That's alright. You were doing really good at story telling even aside from the shadow parts! So, go ahead, Hilda.

B

[risingwinds]

[After tending to some of the locals, Ven had plans to sit down and catch his breath. Those plans promptly screech to a halt the second he spots those shadow figures and Hilda. His eyes draw wide open, and he inches closer, step by step, watching the figures move.

He opens his mouth to speak, tempted to ask how she's doing it, but knowing it'd be rude to interrupt, he opts to stand close by and listen. The mechanics of it can wait 'til later, as Ven's always eager to hear stories from other worlds.]

1/2

[sosayi]

[Lucky for Ven, Hilda is pepped full of energy and it's the beginning scene of the story. "People" mill about the dark rectangular buildings, and she clears her throat to gather the attention of everyone. She hasn't noticed him yet.]

As a child, I read many books. Many were of my land. Some spoke of one just behind our very walls. [She pauses, concentrating and "tearing" a hole into the darkness of the building. It disappears soon after.] My favorite were ones which took place in a world outside my own, though I dearly love my land, and I sought to collect as many of these stories as I could.

This story was one of my least favorite. I thought it terrible. But it has its own charm and a good lesson, so I would like to perform it.

[Her sole selfish desire. Small crows begin to flock about the shadow town, soaring over the heads of the people, and make neat lines on the roofs. Some of the townspeople disappear and what's clearly a bard, lute and feathered cap, bows to those who are left. He even seems to speak as Hilda does, "strumming" his lute.]

There was once a small town at the edge of a forest, well and lively with the sounds of people. They were safe from strife because of the woods which surrounded them on all sides, but were at the mercy of the Crow Queen whom lived deep within.

[The Crow Queen makes her appearance, cape spread like wings above the town, and Hilda makes an excellent cawing noise as the Queen laughs.]

Each week she would send her minions, the crows who were her eyes, to get tribute from the fortunate villagers. The town had no choice but to comply, giving baskets of food and gold up to the terrifying talons of the crows. If they didn't have enough, children would be snatched up by these monstrous birds and taken deep into the forest.

[A small swaddle is plucked from a woman by one of the crows, flying and disappearing as Hilda relinquishes control to keep up the rest of the tribute. The bard smacks away a couple crows and settles down as they fly off. The princess lets out a small sigh and furrows her brows, wiping the slate clean, and setting the scene in the Crow Queen's forest home.

It's minimalist and only shows the Crow Queen and the crow who carries the swaddle. The bard appears at the side to continue his story.]

One of these was the daughter of the innkeeper, who had been lacking business that month and hadn't enough to pay. Most children were crow food, but the Queen saw potential in the child. She took the girl as her own and raised her to be a Princess, eager to use her future beauty to her advantage against the Mountain King whose kingdom laid beside her. The two had been at war for centuries, landslides and trees fighting for dominance, and it was to end soon enough in her opinion.

[A young lady with a cape steps into scene, displaying her cape like the wings of a crow briefly, and Hilda sighs longingly as the bard does looking at her. Her tone takes on something rather lovelorn.]

To call her beautiful would be to call a gale a breeze. Her hair was a rich brown, like the dirt beneath the trees, and her eyes the color of the river. While her manner was often as cold as the Queen who had raised her, she was in fact a mischievous young woman who adored the shining morning dew - just as a crow likes gold. The Crow Queen looked at the Princess and saw a perfect weapon and sent her as an emissary to the Mountain King's castle, which stood at the highest overhanging. The Princess, raised by the Crow Queen and within a flock of the birds, took flight with her cape and went where she was told.

[The Princess does just that and leaves the Crow Queen behind, flying straight to a castle on the mountain. Hilda feels herself getting tired and lands the girl gracefully, willing to stick it out. She's learning her limits on this. And she's been practicing shadow figures for about a month now.]

2/2 this was completely an excuse to write a story alright

[sosayi]

[The King is a large figure, especially compared to the Crow Princess and another women, who cursties to the Crow Princess. This was the Mountain Princess. The bard takes his place within the Mountain Court.]

The Mountain King greeted her with a wariness, but his own daughter was warm in her welcome. The Mountain Princess was a shining gem, with rubies in her golden hair and emeralds for eyes, and the Crow Princess fell at once in love with her. The two became good friends while the Crow Princess learned weaknesses of the Mountain Kingdom, and found she did not want to return home. She wished to stay in the Moutain Kingdom alongside the Princess of the castle, having found her a very good friend. They were close enough to share a bed.

However, the Mountain King was still suspicious of the Crow Princess's intentions and sent her home with well wishes... While sending after her two knights of his land to dispose of her. [Two figures approach the lone Crow Princess and raise their swords, only to drop them as she turns to meet them. The figures kneel before her.] The two knights were so struck by her beauty, however, that they told their orders to her and begged for forgiveness.

The Crow Princess felt betrayed.

[Curtains drop upon the three figures and the wall's clear again. Hilda clears her throat, patting her face dry with her hoodie's sleeve, and takes a deep breath. As she speaks, the Crow Queen swoops into center field. A flock of crows follow her. The Crow Queen displays her cape and Hilda gives her a shrill voice, eyes narrowed.]

"How dare he attempted such an act against my kin!" Cried the Crow Queen, though she was joyous that her plan had worked so far. Things had gone better than expected. "I will see that he is given such suffering in return. Come, my daughter, let us pay them another visit - and slay them as they sleep."

[The Crow Princess lands beside her adopted mother, and the voice Hilda gives her is haughty.]

"Mother," the Crow Princess pleaded, "I wish to slay the Mountain King as you do, but let us spare the Mountain Princess. She has done me no wrong and was the only one who showed me any warmth so high in the mountains."

The Crow Queen considered this proposal, her cape ruffling, and with a sigh she took her daughter by the hand. "My dear, if we are to give the Mountain King what he deserves, then surely his daughter will hate you. But will you truly let such an offense go unpunished? We will kill them both."

And she would not hear otherwise, no matter how the Crow Princess stubbornly asked.

[The Crow Queen takes flight, leaving the Crow Princess behind. Hilda sighs for the poor girl, who kneels down in sorrow. Then, the Princess stands and takes off as well.]

The Crow Princess had a decision to make. Would she betray what was kin to her, or would she go along with it? She thought of the Crow Queen, who had raised her without protest and had always taught her well to take what was hers, to show no mercy to those who hurt her. She thought of the Mountain Princess, who had given her such wonderful memories and love. Frustrated by her conflict, the Crow Princess looked to the darkening skies and wished for a sign.

[The shadows disappear completely and Hilda clasps her hands in her lap, watching her crowd. And now she spots Ven. My, when had he joined them?]

I wonder how the story shall end. [She knows how it ends. It's not a good ending though - which is why it had always been one of her least favorites - and she's not sure she would want to give this place anymore sadness. Hilda glances from her audience.] It has been so long since I read it... You must forgive my forgetfulness. If you come back tomorrow, I will tell you the other half. I will surely remember it then.

[Good enough. She can create a new ending within that time, though her audience is unhappy. They want to hear the rest of the story.]

[risingwinds]

[Ven is on the edge of his seat during the entire story, watching the shadows with wide-eyed wonder. As the story growsin intensity, Ven slaps a hand over his mouth to muffle a gasp-- it'd be rude to interrupt her.

It's kind of like a fairy tale, really. Far off kingdoms. Wicked queens and evil minions... but was the Crow Queen evil at all? Ven's eyebrows knit together, and he scratches his head, trying to put all the pieces together.

And then comes the part where where the Queen plans to kill the Mountain King. Even the princess-- the Crow Princess' friend! His face twists in anger, which he's forced to contain, and by the time Hilda finishes speaking, he deflates with a single breath of air, a frown still tugging at his lips.]

D'you know if it had a happy ending? I feel really bad for the Crow Princess... She didn't do anything wrong!

[And neither did the Mountain Princess!]

[sosayi]

[The children agree!! Well, Hilda? Well?

The princess closes her eyes, pressing her lips into a line, and shakes her head after a moment. It didn't have a happy ending at all... But these stories were supposed to be distracting. Not sad.]

I would like to think so, but I am not certain. The Crow Princess is truly a pitiable character, but it not as if what the Crow Queen says is untrue as well. Should they seek vengeance upon the Mountain King, it would be strategically sound to be rid of them both.

[She pauses.]

Unless any of you have another solution they could come to?

[risingwinds]

Um, well...

[Ven's silent for a few moments, tipping his head to the side and scratching his cheek.]

Couldn't they just talk to each other? If the Mountain King could just see that the Crow Princess meant well, maybe he'd change his mind, and they could both get along.

[It's a very simplistic view, one built purely on ideals, but Ven would rather not consider the darker alternatives.]

D...? Actually it's an option I made up

[rashness]

You totally just spooked those guys.

[ Rin, in his demon form (so long claws, fangs, on blue fire, blue fire horns, demon aura, sword in hand) hypocritically observes this after Hilda just got done asking some people from Pagoda how to translate some creepy books. They may or may not have asked her to leave and the fact this is happening and night just makes it all the more weird. but Rin is out now (and god why is he still awake) and he observes this ]

remind me next time to do a free for all option that's a great idea

[sosayi]

[You are certainly one to talk, demon boy. Hilda will leave them alone, certainly, but she's a little frustrated at the lack of cooperation. It was fine that they couldn't understand it, but... Why wouldn't they wish to learn something about their sacrifice-happy enemies?!]

I believe it was you who spooked them. [With your everything. She looks him up and down, rather put off herself, and studies the book's pages. There must be a key for translating them somewhere.] I was simply asking them about these books, and they were being uncooperative.

[... She might've been a little pushy.]

I will be sure to remind you of this.

[rashness]

Hey, I'm not scaring anyone! [ Except when he is. He did spook a number of people with his appearance and his strength, but that's far from something new. He pushed past that and tried to make good impressions with them anyway. But at the mention of books, he cocks his head and looks down at them in her arms ]

What's so scary 'bout some dirty books, though?

[sosayi]

They were found within the debris along with other odd items. Apparently, they belong to the Third Party. I only wish I knew what they said... It would be useful to know our enemy, so I have decided to bring them back to the enclosure for further studying.

[Though apparently the Pagodans don't feel the same way she does. It's probably all about ritual sacrifice or a fanfiction about Zompano and the Commandant, but they'll never know.]

C ([Day 3?])

[theideaguy]

[Sokka is working on cleaning up rubble and rebuilding houses. He's been working from sunup to sundown, and he's already sweaty from all the work. He's in the process of carrying collapsed stones and timbers from one house when he sees Hilda at a neighboring house, snooping around and looking for various curiosities.

He almost doesn't may her much mind, though that's because he pretty much doesn't recognize her given her tacky getup... this despite that her hair is pretty much unique to all of Luceti. It isn't until he's past her, on the way to dropping the debris off in the common pit that he recognizes her. He turns around and looks back.]

I didn't know princesses wore things like that.

[He certainly hasn't worn his hoodie yet.]

[sosayi]

[It's very tacky. She learned that word and was thankful to have knowledge of it. But function over fashion, and Hilda even looks up, surprised at Sokka.

Oh.

The hoodie. She frowns and dusts it off.]

I would not usually wear something such as this [unless it was in the privacy of her own apartment and it was cold] but I find its pockets most useful in carrying things. Certainly less suspicious than a bag.

[theideaguy]

[That's precisely why he was thrown off by her wearing it. She wore a full on dress and all her regalia to the beach.]

I don't think it's quite your style, really. Then again, it's not mine either... though I guess it would do in a pinch if I had nothing else.

... Wait, you're finding things worth keeping among all this mess?

[sosayi]

[Damn right she did.]

Surprisingly. [Mostly, she's a hoarder.] Daggers, pins which I have found to be as small as a needle to as large as a bird and appear to have some sort of rusted appearance, and... Mostly importantly, to me, odd books which I cannot translate.

[As she speaks, she'll crouch down and put them on the ground from out of her hoodie's pocket. Though the book is actually in her hoodie. The pins she found so far are only about as big as her palm and have an old-bloody/rusted look to them. The broken dagger is something she accidentally nicks herself with, but it seems that it's happened often from the way she simply sucks on her finger.

The book is last.]

Fascinating, is it not? I intend to bring them back to the enclosure.