video — un: vast & furious.

[valeas]

( Last Emilia di Carlo was seen, she rode a thestral into the dark of night, with flowers burning in her hair and fury blazing in her eyes. Tonight, she looks somber and composed, her resolve no less steely for it. She sits at her desk, hair half braided into a coronet and the other half down in loose waves.

She's dressed practically, unlike when they're conforming to the city's fashions. )

I've gathered some donations from the nobility.

( Influence with the gentry (and their connections) helps, as does rich guilt. Emilia still takes great issue with everyone else being left to fend for themselves during the siege, but she decided to channel that anger into something productive. People need resources, not the consequences of her temper.

She'll need remember to do so on behalf of Vannozza. The siege doesn't, unfortunately, put an end to why they're here. )

I invite anyone that would like to help with its distribution to join me. Furthermore —

( Her brow furrows at the sudden commotion outside. The desk is close enough to the balcony that anyone who's decided to listen in is privy, as well. Much like the chimney debacle, really, except these are no protesters. No, these are two gentlemen suitors. And they bring ... poetry?

It would seem harrowing experiences turn already insensible men into impulsive brutes. Impulsivity further prompted by the fact Emilia, catch of the season, has yet to accept any offer. She's betrothed to someone else, in truth. Though at the moment, she'd like to eschew the presence of any and all men.

Forever.

The clearing of a throat: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day — "
"Look around, you complete and utter toadstool. It is far from summer, and you cannot propose when I intend to do so."
"The lady will not marry you. I am the one she favors — "
"No, I shall be her heart's truest desire in the end."
"Dear man, you know little of desire, if all rumors prove true."
"You besmirch my character! There is only one way to solve this — "
"Yes. Y e s - !"
"We duel at dawn!"

Emilia closes her eyes.

Draws in a deep breath. Prays to the goddess of strength and reasoning: may she keep a moon daughter from committing any violence this evening. )

You'll excuse me.

( Before she ends the transmission, a third unaffiliated voice can be heard, wailing in the distance, "I'm so alone." )



( ooc: this post is for their network only, but the commotion outside is, of course, free game for anyone to catch wind of.
this post is open all month. there's no such thing as too late.)

Comments

[valeas]

There is strength in numbers.

( She won't turn down a willing pair of hands. The state of her world did not encourage cooperation among witches, and Emilia largely worked alone, with only a demon prince as an ally-enemy. She has to believe their numbers can make the difference. )

I don't know that I'd agree with that ( his worth, that is ) but if you can spare it, we can put the funds to good use.

( She'd like to ask if the Attaryl have been bothering him, but she wouldn't want to make him uneasy through this venue. )

It is not our city, I know.

[soloritur]

[ He appreciates the compliment. Most of his concern right now is with Lorna, hoping that she doesn't reach a tipping point before things settle down, so he could honestly use someone to talk to that isn't worried about setting off.

Thankfully, Emilia is generous with her time. ]

It's fine. I'd rather put it to better use. [ And technically he hasn't known how to spend what he has. At least here he'd be doing something. — Still, he doesn't push in case she needs a breather from all the attention she's getting. ]

I won't take offense if you'd rather I just drop it off somewhere, but I'm happy to tag along if you're not sick of company. [ He's very much taken, so he figures he's the safe option. ]

[valeas]

( Emilia is reserved at heart. Vittoria was the extrovert between the two of them, making friends as easily as she breathed. She had a way of making everyone feel like her very best friend. Emilia does not possess this talent, never one to open up easily. She shows her care in other ways. Yet.

Marcos has no way of knowing she does not want to be left alone with her thoughts. All they do is go around in circles, torturing her with questions she has no answers to. Every time she thinks she's getting closer to putting the pieces together, they're snatched away from her.

Never be cursed, Marcos. It's a terrible time. )

I'm sick of unwanted company. I'd welcome yours. ( He is always respectful and strictly friendly. She's had time to cool off, besides. She knows better than to be around people when she wants to bite heads off. ) Where do you find yourself now?

[soloritur]

[ He smiles at that. Through all this, at least he's managed to branch out and meet some people who actually prefer to have him around. For the most part he's still just trying to keep his head above water, but it's amazing how well he's adjusting now that he isn't spending all his time brooding over Lorna leaving him and keeping him from seeing his daughter.

It helps that Emilia is the kind of person he needs to be around right now. She was one of the first people to offer any kind of explanation to him about what's going on, and he's generally trusted that she stays well informed. Any anger he's picked up on would be justified, but he's mostly curious what happened to her that she's able to stay so composed. ]

Out running some errands. I'm heading back to the palace, so I could meet you anywhere. [ He'll leave that open ended in case she'd rather avoid some areas. ] I'm pretty close to the garden right now.

[valeas]

I can meet you there halfway.

( If there was time at all for such things, she might have even sought refuge in the gardens on her own. She means to help strengthen back roots and all that withered under the Huntress and her retinue as it is. The devastation that swept through Taravast is bad enough.

Things could get worse, and very fast, if people start to go hungry.

It may be why the supplies he'll help distribute all have to do with food for the day. This is, at least, an area she feels fully confident in. Not wanting to waste his time or her own, she promptly heads out towards the gardens, albeit maintaining her usual caution. )

[soloritur]

Sounds good.

[ Marcos reaches the gardens in short order and tries to look as casual as possible while he tries to spot Emilia. If he lingers too long, he's worried those attendants they assigned to him might pop up and start asking him what they should be doing again. Honestly, he wonders how long they'll still be hanging around when tensions are this high. He wishes he could just pay them off to go find another line of work, but he's trying to maintain his profile here.

Thankfully Emilia doesn't keep him waiting long. He steps forward the moment he catches sight of her and does his best to look less stress than he is. ]

That was fast. [ Not that he blames her for being eager to get out and do something. He's feeling antsy himself. ] Where are we headed?

[valeas]

A cooking house not far from one of the squares.

( Wei Wuxian made her aware of the light kitchen duties spread throughout the city, and Emilia endeavored to learn all the places that specifically provide food for the displaced. She hands Marcos one of the bags she is carrying, though the bags themselves are not as full as she'd like this time. )

They're in constant need of resupply.

( Any little bit helps, and — she thinks she can sense his own desire to place distance between them and the palace. )

[soloritur]

[ He takes the bag and he watches her for a few moments after she finishes answering. Honestly, he's lost track of how many times he's run supplies while helping mutant refugees who had no one else to turn to. Amidst all the chaos, he's thankful to return to something he's familiar with. ]

Is anyone else helping you or is this all what you could gather? [ He has fond memories of her food, but it's not her responsibility alone. ]

[valeas]

You were the first person to offer.

( To help, that is.

Part of what infuriated her about such a childish display of antiquated masculinity is it took away from her intended message, but if she's honest with herself, it's the whole situation. She hates to feel powerless, and she hates to feel weaponized. The Merchant and Taravast have a way of accomplishing both simultaneously. )

There's more to distribute, but I'm not sure it will be enough for very long. ( The generosity of Taravast's finest will only go so far. This won't help the tensions and resentments that are brewing, but that's just as well. They deserve whatever they have coming to them. )

[soloritur]

[ He was? Maybe he should have a word with the others on how to be halfway decent. Maybe they haven't had enough experience. — Not like Emilia, who seemed to come up with a plan on how to help while he's been stuck trying to figure out what's happening. ]

I guess it's too much to ask that a crisis would unite everyone towards a common goal. [ It definitely didn't on 7/15, when the only thing anyone was interested in was where to place the blame. He can imagine it's frustrating for her for other reasons, but at least she's doing something. ]

You've gotta start somewhere. Just point me in a direction.