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[the_queen_of_thieves]

[There's a young blonde on the screen, her hair painstakingly combed and braided to perfection, but the 18th century dress she wears, although equally painstakingly washed, is frayed and torn at the hems, with a few stains which couldn't be fully removed yet. She looks pale, her cheekbones a little too sharp, deep shadows still under her eyes. These signs of her recent captivity couldn't be washed away as quickly as the grime, or as she had demanded for a lady in the Welcome Center to teach her the proper use of this - still uncanny - device.

Eleanor may hate appearing in public looking less than perfectly poised, but every inquiry for suitable clothing got her pointed to Fayren, and she's not quite daring enough yet to brave a town everyone keeps telling her is full of real, actual magic. First things first then.

My name is Eleanor Guthrie, formerly of Nassau, New Providence Island. I'm not going to waste your time with complaints about being taken captive, as I'm sure you hear them from every new arrival. I'd rather sate my curiosity. I've been told a woman may own and rule equal to any man in your towns, even in Fayren, and that quite a few of the most powerful citizens are indeed women. Is this more than just the letter of the law?

[Old wives' tales come to life or not, Fayren is the only place that seems to hold any comforting familiarity in this bizarre, foreign world she has been thrust into, and she's not going to let sorcery or any kind of bizarre otherworldly creatures stand in the way to that.]

I also have another, more trivial question for you: Can we hope for it to get warmer yet? It's a little bit nippy for this time of the year, compared to what I'm used to. I'd hope Fayren, at least, is warmer; I'm planning to settle there if all goes according to plan.

Comments

[Video]

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

Well, yeah.

[Kind of a blunt reply, but he looks friendly enough while he gives it.]

Trust me, that's the last thing you've gotta worry about around here. You can even wear pants and stuff if you want.

[She looks a little dated, and given the question...he figures it's information worth giving her.]

Or whatever you want, long as that's not to go around killing people. Kinda frowned upon.

[That answer given, he smiles in something more like greeting.]

Peter Quill, otherwise known as Star-Lord. You know, I don't actually know if we're gonna get seasons. They got a weather report in the paper though, so you can check that if you want.

[Video]

[swordprincess]

[Oh yes, Karla is all too familiar with the "men rule over women" culture that she's grown up with before she defied tradition and took up the sword for herself.]

Indeed, there are many powerful women here. Women can accomplish anything they put their minds to. Anyone who believes that men are superior to women in any way is a narrow-minded fool.

[Yeah, she's going to be blunt on that one.]

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ Coming from a place where everyone of renown goes by a fanciful moniker, Eleanor just nods at being told he goes by Star-Lord. ]

I'll have to wait and see about the seasons then. As far as summer goes, this is disappointing.

[ She sizes him up, brows slightly arched. ]

I think I should be able to quell any sudden murderous impulses, I wouldn't want to be frowned upon, now would I?

[ Even if that's actually an issue with her, every now and then. But hey, it's not as if she even has henchmen in this place. Yet. ]

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ There's something almost a smile on her face, though a little too sharp for it - and she, she still looks too weary to wear the sharpness well. ]

Oh, I know that women can rule just as well as a man can... it's just men who need to be regularly reminded of the fact. They are forgetful in such matters.

[swordprincess]

[Karla flashes a smile of her own.]

Sometimes. But there are just as many powerful men here as well, so I wouldn't underestimate them either.

[the_queen_of_thieves]

Of course. Never underestimate anyone.

[ Her face turns more somber at this, eyes far away, though she quickly shoves it away. ]

I'm not seeking to make enemies here, neither male nor female.

[swordprincess]

[Karla continues her usual amiable smile.]

That's good to know. If you're an honest, law-abiding citizen, you shouldn't have that worry for the most part.

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

Well, if it helps you can actually change the temperature in the rooms. Warm it up while you're inside at least. Make it a little more homey.

[Most of the places around there anyway. He wasn't sure if Fayren had magical heaters or what.]

Definitely not when you're right in the middle of election season.

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ Oh. Oh. Now this has her perking up. ]

Election session? Who are you electing? And on a related note, should I be concerned about the outcome?

[ Power is a delicate balance, if that balance is shaken things can become dangerous for everyone. Or so it's in Nassau, at least. ]

[the_queen_of_thieves]

There's always a whole lot of people who don't care if you're honest or law-abiding, they'll want to come out on top no matter the price.

[ Which. Um. She knows because she's one of them. Details. ]

But right now my first concern is to find employment. I don't want to waste time and money being idle.

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

City Guardians. So it's not a political election, really, but...more one to figure out who's in charge of keeping everyone from, say, killing each other. Crime, public safety, all that stuff.

I wouldn't worry too much, and you can probably still check out the debates.

[Which he's in, but doesn't feel the need to share right now.]

[swordprincess]

Hmm, yes. We've seen our fair share of those as well, some of whom were very powerful. But the citizens will band together to defeat them.

[Consider that a warning of sorts.]

As for jobs, there are plenty in the newspaper and on the job boards.

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ Her lips get a bit pinched for a moment. Warning noted. ]

I have studied the offers on the board, and already have a few in mind. [ Eleanor hesitates for a short moment. Yes, she has them in mind, now she needs to work up her courage and enter the town of magic so she can get one of these jobs. ] Are you familiar with Fayren?

[the_queen_of_thieves]

So in a way, you are choosing your own captain. Interesting...

I take it a land without laws holds no appeal to the locals, then? I would think with so many powerful people here, rule of law would be vastly unpopular. Where I come from, such men don't like to be fettered by rules and sovereigns.

[ She will check out the debates, and then she'll notice, but for now she's happy to talk to a helpful, and respectful stranger. ]

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

[Peter is in full-on question-answering mode still from those, she came at a good time.]

I mean, probably some of them. But so far so good, 'least as long as I've been here. Oh. And we keep having weird stuff happening, anyway. Giant sea creatures attacking, spirits attacking...okay, just a lot of stuff attacking. So it helps to have someone keep everything organized, and make sure the people who can't fight are safe.

So far? It actually isn't that bad.

[the_queen_of_thieves]

That's a lot of attacks. [ Her voice is rather dry at that, not quite concerned, but also not exactly pleased at the news of her new home being so dangerous. ] I hope the people in charge of security know what they're doing.

[ After all, she has no faithful guards to protect her anymore. ]

It sounds like I should be spending money on a good musket.

[swordprincess]

Fayren is a nice city, and it feels more like home for those who aren't as well-versed in technology.

The only city I would recommend avoiding is Everglade. It...hasn't been kind to humans lately...

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ Eleanor nods. ]

That would be me. Let's just say I didn't enjoy my first walk through Genessia City very much.

[ More like, cars had taken a few years off her life. ]

Everglade is the, ah, the one with the ghosts, right? I can avoid it, I'm not keen on going there anyway. I heard they have butcher's shops for human meat.

[swordprincess]

[Karla sighs.]

Ghosts, undead, those sorts of things. Despite the fact that humans are little more than food to most residents there, they're trying to promote peace between them. With the last election, the current Guardian has made a movement to move humans out of Everglade...but I can't help wonder where they get their human meat from...

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ Another nod, far more grim nod, and Eleanor is looking disturbed beneath her bravado.

It's been a terrifying day after an even more terrifying week, and now they're discussing her chances to end up as steak sirloin. It's a little bit much all at once. ]

I'd say I don't want to know, but ignorance hasn't ever protected anyone. So yes, I wondered the same when I heard of that meat shop. Didn't anyone bring that up at these election debates I heard about? I would think even the most uncivilized people would be disturbed.

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

Well, the plus side is apparently if you die you can come back as long as you give something up. Don't even try to ask me how that works. I'm pretty sure even that doesn't happen a lot though. The place, really, is pretty under control.

[And, he realizes after the fact, that might have been a pretty big thing to lump on her that fast. The thought leaves his head almost as quickly as he realizes what her second question was.]

A musket? Oh, you can do better than a musket. There are- [He pauses, not even sure where to start.]

Let's just say it's a whole new world. If you want, I'll buy you a drink and give you a better run-down. [The request is completely casual.]

[pretty_handy]

[Eleanor's post catches Ildikó in her break and she can be seen outside a building with a sign that reads 'Mokona's Magical Cafe'. She's braiding her hair with 3 hands while the other holds up the communicator, and Idikó feels a little envious of Eleanor's much neater braid. Her hair was always too unruly for a decent one but that doesn't stop Ildikó from trying to comb it.]

I'd pity the man who told a woman what she can or can not do. [Warm, brown eyes glint with mirth and a smile appears on Ildiko's lips.] I'd also kick him in the loins for good measure. As long as you don't don't injure people or steal, you can pretty much do whatever you feel like here.

[The woman's looks are far too familiar to Ildikó. She's never been in Eleanor's situation but some of the other Atheris, her mercenary group, had a similar difficult past. And there is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.]

You look like you could use a drink and a hot meal, why don't you come over the cafe? It's on me. And the cafe is in Fayren.

[swordprincess]

Grell Sutcliff claims to know what she's doing. I don't know about the other candidate, though. I haven't heard of them crossing the archways to get food, so they must have some ways that I don't know about...

[the_queen_of_thieves]

[ Back home, she would assume that offer comes with delusions of sharing a little more than a drink, but the Star-Lord has been nothing but respectful. She sizes him up for a moment longer before nodding. ]

I'm in the Commonspace, but if you tell me where to go I'll find you. I have a map. I'm expecting a drink and a better explanation than... Coming back to life. [ She scoffs, shakes her head. ] I would think you've had too much rum, if it weren't for everything else I've seen today.

[the_queen_of_thieves]

I would hope this Grell Sutcliff knows what she's doing.

[ Excuse her, she's on the menu, she's biased on this. ]

As long as the problem is contained to Everglade... Avoiding the town will have to do for the moment. But it's good to hear they don't go... raiding in other towns.