1st Blight - Video and action

[bryces_pup]

Who: Riona
Broadcast: The entire network
Action: On the SS Blue Fish
When: After the weekly shuffle

Action on the Blue Fish

[You've got an armored lady on board, Blue Fishies. Unarmed, of course, but that makes her all the warier as she glances around uneasily. Too much of this is foreign to her. The fact that there's something in her head telling her what some of it is makes it worse. Like the taint in her telling her when darkspawn were near, but much more potent and a lot more invasive. So having the armor on may seem unnecessary, but it's all she has and it makes her feel a little safer. Much like a child clinging to a stuffed animal. A metal one that could break a jaw.

She moves over to the food set out, scrunching her nose at it. Maker, none of it looks right. Not that Fereldan food was the be all and end all of fine cuisine, but at least there were recognizable ingredients in it. This was... not food.

Her upbringing obliged her to at least take some and try it. Though she was relatively sure that her lessons didn't account for being kidnapped and offered not-food to her...]


Video

[So after settling in and having had time to take stock, Riona finally feels comfortable in attempting this messaging thing. With any luck, someone else from Ferelden - or Thedas even - got brought here as well and could perhaps explain a bit more what was going on.

Or, honestly, just conversing with someone else from her world would be a relief at this rate.]

Assuming this isn't the worst drunken stupor or dream in history - and I'm still not entirely certain it isn't - I understand I am to be here for some time. And that I am to work on this ship [The word is said with a hint of skepticism. Ships float on water, not fly.] in that interim.

Maker's breath.

[She heaves a sigh.] Okay, fine. Well, no, it's not fine but it seems I have little recourse in that regard right now. I mean, did you really have to take my sword and shield? I don't use it willy-nilly.

Anyway, is there... truly no way to send word back to our homes? Not even a message? [Her next words are considered carefully.] My absence will be noted very quickly, and likely would cause a panic amongst certain parties. I only wish to avoid that. [And stop her husband from launching a huge search campaign for her.] Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly. [She forces a polite smile before she fumbles with the device, finally getting it to shut off after a moment's struggle.]

Comments

[sandhate]

[ A beat. ]

No, I got off planet the first chance I got.

[bryces_pup]

Can't say I blame you. What sort of opportunity did you get to be able to leave your home?

[sandhate]

I left to be trained to become a Jedi. Think of it as an galactic peacekeeping force, we range from guardians to diplomats to generals. It's the kind of opportunity you don't think twice about.

Why did you leave your home if you liked it there so much?

[bryces_pup]

[Thank you Anakin for explaining that right off the bat. Spares her the "bwuh" stage and having to ask.]

Fascinating. I take it they're under some sort of... galactic authority?

[She smiles wryly.]

Because someone called Atroma thought it'd be entertaining to plunk me here far, far away from home.

[sandhate]

[ He's a space wizard! He knows these things ]

Sort of. Ultimately, we can only guide governments in the right direction, that will serve its people right, and defend those that can't do so themselves. We don't hold any official body of power.

[ That gets a laugh out of him. ]

Of course. I'm sorry you'll have to continue to miss all that snow for now. You just missed an icy planet, actually.

[bryces_pup]

Really? So do the Jedi hold themselves accountable and keep themselves in check? I don't mean to presume anything, but usually there's some sort of check and balance in place, especially with an independent institution.

[She's so not sorry for that evasive answer.]

So I heard. Damn. I wouldn't mind ice skating right about now. How did you find this icy planet, as a former desert dweller?

[sandhate]

[ He hesitates but his chin lifts even as his mouth curls downwards. He is bitter about something. ]

We do. The Jedi Council keeps us in check. Whenever there are those who stray from the path, the Council will talk about it and think of the best way to deal with them. It doesn't always work but it is there.

[ He shrugs. ]

Heh. If you're asking if I prefer is hot or cold, it's neither. It was cold and wet and I got punched in the face.

[bryces_pup]

Unfortunately no system is ever perfect. But it's always good to have some sort of safeguard in place, so long as it remains dedicated to what it's supposed to do.

[Sounds like he had a blast.]

The first two don't surprise me. The last one does. Rather awful experience to have. [Riona's gunning for the Captain Obvious award, clearly.] I take it you made someone a bit upset?

[sandhate]

That's the thing; safeguards can be flawed and purpose can be distorted. [ Maybe that's a bit too much for a first meeting. ] Anyway, I'm sure you don't want to hear about all that.

[ Chuckling dryly, he makes a face. ] I caught him trying to steal off a vendor on planet.

[ It's more complicated than that and someone might disagree but that's the story he's sticking with ]

[bryces_pup]

I'm willing to listen if you want to talk about it. You could say I have an interest in how other governments and organizations work. [Because... reasons. And not at all because she's in a position of power back home, nope.]

Oh dear. And he punched you for calling him out on it?

[sandhate]

[ He waves it off. ] That's what happens when cross a scum.

[ He remains tight lipped for a moment before asking the obvious. ] ...Why are you interested, are you politician?

[bryces_pup]

[Hmmmm... how to answer this without revealing too much?]

Of a sort. My family often dealt with the court in Ferelden, where I come from. But I'm mostly just curious as to how politics work in other worlds and see how Ferelden compares. It's a dry subject, though, so if you'd rather not discuss it I'm quite fine with it.

[sandhate]

[ Normally, this isn't a topic he's thrilled about. But he's been opened to ... new experiences in the last few months. ]

I'd like to say that the Jedi aren't a political body but that seems more and more like it's a matter of perspective. It wouldn't surprise me if the rest of the Republic already sees us that way, even if we don't have any agenda or motive.

[ A sigh ]

It's ...complicated.

[bryces_pup]

As most things involving politics are. It's rather difficult for any considerable body to not be politically aligned in any form or fashion. Even if it's purely for a simple ideal, like spreading a religion or maintaining peace.

[sandhate]

I take it your world operates under similar premise.

[bryces_pup]

More or less. The Chantry - the primary religious institution in my world - technically isn't political. But considering it has its own military branch, has a leader that's elected, and can pass laws that effect the lives of citizens, well... [It clearly kind of IS.]

[sandhate]

No, that doesn't sound right. How can it be considered a non-political entity when it ... pass laws? It doesn't make any sense.

[bryces_pup]

It has jurisdiction over certain aspects of life, such as marriage rites and the mages. The Chantry preaches and enforces the Chant of Light, and those are areas the Chant govern us on. The Chantry can't interfere with the laws of the various kingdoms in Thedas, and vice versa. [They're not supposed to, anyway.]

It's, as you said, complicated. And far from perfect. The Chantry's abused its power in the past.

[sandhate]

What about those that aren't within the Chantry? I assume that's a voluntary participation, can't they just quit, pack up and leave the kingdom if they don't like certain rules that the Chantry enforce?

[bryces_pup]

They could, but their options would be very limited. The Chantry's influence has spread to most countries in Thedas. For humans, their only options if they want to fully escape the Chantry are to live in the wilds or convert to the Qun, which has its own pitfalls as well.

[sandhate]

[ Sighing. ]

That is complicated. I thought my universe and its politics were difficult to deal with. Are you a ... representative of Ferelden?

[bryces_pup]

Nope. [Said in a bit of a sing-song voice.] I imagine it's rather complicated anywhere. Wouldn't be politics if it were simple.

[At his question she stills a moment. This is a question she will have to step carefully with.]

Of a sort. [Teeeeeeechnically not a lie.] My family is nobility and therefore part of the Fereldan court. I grew up with the politics.

[sandhate]

[ He frowns a for a split-second then a corner of his mouth tugs upwards. ]

I can't say I expected that. Most of the nobles I know aren't like you. As at ease with others, that is.

[bryces_pup]

Then you haven't met very good nobles. Any worth their salt should be good with people. It's essential when you're dealing with so many, after all. [S'what she's always been taught, anyway.]

[sandhate]

There's a difference between good with people and at ease with them. The nobles I have to deal with will listen to your concerns and dismiss them as useless, or send us to deal with it like we're hired mercenaries. And when our own code and ethics doesn't agree with theirs, you get tossed out quicker than we can explain.