Promote the General Welfare (Open)

[111]

Among the dilapidated squalor of the refugee camp lining the city walls, little can be done but eke out life day by day. Among the tattered cloth tents, and broken crates a small gathering is ending. A group of bright-eyed youths is clustered around a Elezen woman holding a book, who is animatedly lecturing them. Further out, a few sallow eyed adults watch with the barest spark of interest. The Elezen places the book down, and picks up a rough piece of chalk, turning to the boulder behind her. She writes a few letters in large, bold strokes, then turns back to the group, "Remember this, tomorrow we'll move onto the Consonants." The children scurry off at this, in search of new entertainment, to the amusement of the Elezen.

 

 

She sighs, and indulges in a brief moment of self pity as she scans the filth of the camp, "The struggle goes ever onwards..." She says with a chuckle, before sitting down on a crate and paging through her book.

[Whittledown]

"I cannot offer much, but it is what I have." Said Maudit as he stepped out of one of the many tattered tents of the refugee camp outside of Ul'dah. His tone was one of regret as he gave a final nod to the small family inside. The son he had met in Ul'dah a few days ago. The child was meekly begging for aid and Maudit had given what he could, just a bit of bread and some cheese.

 

As he moved through the camp his gleaming, wine-red armor caught the light and made him seem something more than he was. In truth, he had next to nothing to his name. The armor was a gift, as was his home in the Goblet with the Order of the Sword and Rose. He heard the voice of the teacher and turned toward her, noting her as a fellow Elezen.

 

He approached quietly, watching from a short distance away as she gave her lesson. A small smile found his lips, an admiration for the womans work growing before she dismissed her class.

 

"The struggle will always be there, but so will people like you." He says quietly, nodding to her.

 

((Won't be able to reply much today but really wanted Maudit to meet this woman ))

[111]

She looks up for a moment from her book, "Ah..." She smiles slightly, "For whatever good I do."

 

"You're a little well dressed to be out here Ser Knight, and a little far south from Ishgard." She narrows her eyes for a moment, "I hope you're not here on some fools errand, though if you really were from the city, they'd not send just one."

[Whittledown]

"You're a little well dressed to be out here Ser Knight, and a little far south from Ishgard." She narrows her eyes for a moment, "I hope you're not here on some fools errand, though if you really were from the city, they'd not send just one."

 

"I am, in the sense that I was on an errand and in many ways I am a fool." He bows slightly. "You placed my accent well, Miss. But I was never a knight of Ishgard. I left the snow behind some months ago and would be happy to never feel that chill again."

 

He smiles warmly and looks to the squalor surrounding them. "I was here visiting the family of a boy I met in Ul'dah actually. I did not know that there were those such as you here giving of themselves so openly. It does the heart good to witness such."

[111]

"I am, in the sense that I was on an errand and in many ways I am a fool." He bows slightly. "You placed my accent well, Miss. But I was never a knight of Ishgard. I left the snow behind some months ago and would be happy to never feel that chill again."

 

He smiles warmly and looks to the squalor surrounding them. "I was here visiting the family of a boy I met in Ul'dah actually. I did not know that there were those such as you here giving of themselves so openly. It does the heart good to witness such."

 

Her gaze slides over him for a moment, "You do seem far too modest for an Ishgardian knight, I'll agree."

 

Her gaze softens, "Sorry if I made assumptions..." her hand unconsciously touches the dark brand on her face, "I am recently from Coerthas myself." She smiles slightly, "As with you I left the snow behind, though it's possible it might have some lingering... attachment to me."

 

She folds the book and places it down, "As for giving, I don't see how any could be unmoved by the plight of these people." She casts a irritated look up to the gleaming spires of the city, "Besides of course, the only ones who could do something to end this situation."

 

She holds out a hand, "Evangeline Primrose, by the way. What should I call you, Ser Knight?"

[Whittledown]

"Maudit Ebrelnaux, if you please." Maudit speaks it casually despite his first name, Maudit, being the direct Ishgardian term meaning 'accursed'. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Primrose."

 

His gaze drifts to the mark on her cheek but only for the barest of instants. "Ishgard leaves its mark on all of us, for good or ill." He says with a slightly somber note in his voice. "But it at least provided some measure of direction, even if that direction is simply to go as far from Ishgard as possible." He offers a small chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood.

 

"You are quite right though that a simple walk through Ul'dah should move all but the coldest hearts to charity. Alas that there are so many with ice in their breast. I never thought of it when I was younger, but it seems that wherever there is plenty there will be those who have none. I fear it is part of the condition of all beings to forget hunger once their own plate is overfull..." He frowns slightly, glancing to the gates of Ul'dah.

[111]

She laughs lightly at his comment, "Aye, well, thrown as far away in my case. It was either all of me leave the city, or they would generously allow my head to remain." She smiles wryly, "I decided I'd rather take a vacation."

 

"Wherever you go, the rich and the royal seem not to appreciate my work. Everyone is a critic." She stretches, "Still, they'll get their comeuppance soon enough." She tilts her head, "So then, beyond visiting your friend, what brings you to the city? You don't seem very interested in profit."

[Whittledown]

Well that is a curious thing. What had this woman done to have been given such a choice? He could not see the brand on her cheek well, her hair fell over it, and it would be a breach of decorum to openly stare. Rather than broach the subject, he offers a mild statement. "Well these children are surely happy you chose as you did. I doubt many have had so much as a days proper schooling."

 

"I am in service to the Order of the Sword and Rose. It is headquartered in the Goblet so I often spend my spare moments either here. To be honest I never intended to live around here. I thought to settle in La Noscea but then I met those who would become my compatriots and here I am." He smiles at the thought, clearly his partnership with the Order is a great source of pride.

 

"Besides, what profit is there for a man but to aid his brothers and sisters? Wealth has no allure to me, really. And yourself, Miss Primrose? What has brought you into the camps to teach children their letters?"

[111]

"As you can see I came to teach. I'm something of an advocate for change, I believe the people can take the place of the rich and royal in ruling places like Ul'dah. Though they obviously must be equipped with the tools to do so." She raps a hand on her book, "Of which tools, words are the most important. She shakes her head, "It is a shame, bright minds, and none to teach them. They fled to Ul'dah in fear of the Garleans, though part of me wonders which fate would be worse. The Empire is no saviour, though it seems they at least feed their subjects." She scans over the camp, "It is no wonder the Garleans still are able to recruit locals to their cause. The Empire can't be worse than this..."

 

She clears her throat, "I should stop, lest I excite the wrath of this city in new and exciting ways" She considers his words for a moment, "The Sword and Rose? I assume those are their colors you wear. What do they do, these knights of yours." She smiles slightly, "Besides talking to suspicious young women such as myself."

[Whittledown]

Maudit listens politely, even as some of her words drift from nobility of purpose to something a bit less... polite.

 

"To be free but hungry, or a well-fed slave. An academic question for most, but for these people it may become very real." He looks around, his eyes scanning over the refugees going about their business around the camp.

 

He looks back to her when she mentions the Order and he bows slightly. "I am but a servant amongst many, no knight at all. The Order, in essence, does for those who cannot. Whatever that may be for the welfare of Eorzea. We strive to be the good that it is sorely needed in the world."

 

Her last comment elicits a soft chuckle, "To teach is suspicious? Perhaps to some. I find it an admirable profession and you are right, they must first learn that they might grow stronger in time. This too is, in part, the mission of the Order. Particularly within it's own ranks."

 

"From the way you speak you seem to have had your brushes with the Ul'dahn authorities. Nothing too troubling I hope."

[Nexus Dorma]

"Finally..."

 

G'leo releases a sigh as he directs himself, and Norrington the II (his sundrake) currently being led in hand, near the outskirts of the city of Ul'dah. The chance to visit Lominsa left him tired and worn, although the view of the ocean always brought him joy, he found that riding in a ship on it was much less pleasant. The ships crew would clearly not want to ferry him again on the account of a weak constitution and a less than fair amount of "sea legs" (he still doesn't quite understand that remark). Making the trip back was a bit less jarring, but nevertheless, he determined he wouldn't be returning for a good while. 

 

A few odd looks are cast his way as he passes by. His normal, "savage" look taking a new turn with his dress and hair in disarray. But one bold child passing by does direct a smile towards him, his eyes growing wide as he admires the sundrake. The boy waves to G'leo, who nods in return with a wavering smile.

 

Approaching the stables, where Norrington must spend the night, does he notice two fair Elezen speaking two one another, but his curious is drawn by what he sees beyond the female. 

 

Instructing the sundrake to stay, G'leo moves closer to investigate the writing left on the boulder. Seeing that the women is holding a book, he automatically assumes she is the one who wrote on the rock. "Excuse me, madam, but do you know what this says?"

[111]

She sighs slightly, "No offence, but I have seen many orders like yours, both here and in Ishgard. You claim to be for the welfare of the people, and aye, I'll agree every bandit or monster you clear from a road or camp is one less to trouble us common people."

 

She straightens, "But for every person lost to such things, many more are lost to less glamorous foes. Disease, crime, poverty, hunger... yet knightly orders are not want to tackle such unglamorous foes... or the governments that perpetuate them." She smiles slightly, "Such enemies are for me."

 

"And as you asked, my battles with such enemies have earned me the ire of the rich and royal here in the city." She grins now, "And no, nothing serious as of yet, though somehow I doubt that will remain the case."

 

She turns slightly as the newcomer approaches, a tribal savage wearing braids, paint, dirt, and leathers. "Ah..." she nods, "They're Vowels."

 

 

"Do you stay here in the camp?" She tilts her head, "I don't believe I've seen you before."

[Nexus Dorma]

G'leo looks back to her. "The 'camp'?" he questions. "No, I don't believe I know what you arre speaking of. I'm simply a wanderrer. Moving frrom here and there. Pardon my rrudeness, my name is G'leo." He bows his head to the both of Elezen, taking a moment to observe them from his lower vantage point.

 

 

The male Elezen causes the Mi'qote to grow tense. He does his best to hide it, but his own wariness warns him to be careful with this one; guards not being his "cup of tea". The female, with the benefit of looking less imposing without any armor, and earns a warmer expression from him.  

 

 

He takes another look at the inscription, studying them in his own way. "You spoke of vow-els, what are those?" The question raised is out of pure ambiguity to their actual purpose. He's never even heard of that word before. 

 

 

((Yes, G'leo now has an accent  ))

[111]

Evangeline laughs, "Relax friend, my companion here wears red armor, but he is no Brass Blade, no need to be wary."

 

She gives a half bow, "Evangeline Primrose, at your service G'leo." Gesturing to the letters on the rock, "As for Vowels, they're a subcategory of letters, I do lessons in the camp most every day, you should stop by sometime if you're interested."

[Whittledown]

Maudit reels from Evangeline's words. G'leo's approach and distraction prove quite welcome as he tries to compose himself.

 

Each word against the Order was a barb in his skin and his expression darkened. It wasn't anger that raced through him, but concern. His time with the Order had been brief but in that time the focus had been largely internal. He knew the warriors of the order could protect the bodies of those in need, but their souls? His gaze dropped and he studied the dirt at his feet.

 

"Forgive me, Miss Primrose. But you speak as though you and are in some manner of adversarial position and I don't believe that is the case. Eorzea needs us both. Men like me to safeguard the peoples lives, women like you to make sure those lives are well lived."

 

He looks up at her, "I am sorry you have been troubled so." He bows slightly. "But please remember that we aid one another, even though we may never see one another again. That there is a woman of integrity and conviction doing her utmost for the welfare of those most in need... it can only but make dark moments a little less so."

 

He bows slightly, clearly a gesture that he intends to leave now. He bows as well to G'leo and offers him a polite, "Live well, friend."

[111]

Evangeline blushes slightly, "Sorry,that came off a little strong." She bows to him as well, "May you continue helping this wounded land in your own way." She offers a warm smile, "My apologies for saying your task was less important than mine."

 

"Should we meet again, perhaps we can speak in... less depressing surroundings? I would very much like to hear the tale of your travels."

 

"Journey safely, Ser Ebrelnaux"

[Whittledown]

Evangeline blushes slightly, "Sorry,that came off a little strong." She bows to him as well, "May you continue helping this wounded land in your own way." She offers a warm smile, "My apologies for saying your task was less important than mine."

 

"Should we meet again, perhaps we can speak in... less depressing surroundings? I would very much like to hear the tale of your travels."

 

"Journey safely, Ser Ebrelnaux"

 

"I think I would like that, Miss Primrose." He offers a genuine smile and another slight bow.

 

"No apologies needed. I know well the proclivities of some who claim to be heroes and their blindness for all but their own stories. Should you need anything that my meager means can provide, I can be reached at the Order's house in the Goblet."

 

With that, he quietly walks out of the camp, pausing on the very edge to converse briefly with one of the refugees, a young Highlander woman, before making his way through the gate and into Ul'dah.

 

She was a curious woman, he thought to himself as he went. Passion such as hers is admirable, but a nagging concern lingered. Passion such as hers was also unstable, and by her own admission she would be considered an aggressor to the state of Ul'dah. He hoped for her safety and that perhaps her fire may dim just a touch.

 

The world has no use for another dead hero...

[111]

She smiles as he walks off, then turns to the Miqo'te, "I should be heading off as well." She bows to him slightly, "Though I come here often, should you wish to learn with the rest."

 

She walks off towards the city gates.