• Closed • [Hopetoun] What a Difference a Trial Makes...

[Elisabeth Black]

That note from Kura said what?....

Ymiden 1, Arc 721

As soon as her feet hit the ground, Elisabeth had excused herself from Balthazar and the settlers, seeking out someone she needed to talk to.

Clad in a gown of sapphire, not overly formal but appropriate to the occasion, the young mage made her way to the area where it seemed people were setting up for the feast. The settlers from Haven had arrived early, by design, to see if they could help in any way with the set up but Elisabeth had another need at that moment.

Word had come from Kura right before they had left Haven. Balthazar was being reassigned, back with the Elements, and Elisabeth was to become the new leader of Haven. The news had been something of a shock, but a mutual decision had been made to not inform the settlers until after the feast. The reasoning for Elisabeth had been simple – it was Hopetoun’s night. They were going to celebrate with Hopetoun, and she had no desire for the change in leadership to impact anything that evening.

Despite that decision though, Elisabeth found herself reeling just a bit. Yes, she knew some of what projects were going on in Haven, but she hadn’t been involved in all of it. There were things that still needed to be done – important things, and people were looking to her for the answers.

The dynamic was going to be a bit different as well. They had worked together in Haven since arriving in Ashan, but Balthazar would be gone a good portion of the time, leaving her to sort through things on her own. They could communicate by echo scroll, but it wasn’t the same as having him in Haven.

All the worries and concerns whirled through her mind, endlessly circling. There were so many things to do. Darius would need to be told eventually. As Hopetoun’s leader and one of the three Barons, he might have already been informed. Kura’s missive hadn’t indicated who knew of the change.

It wasn’t Darius she was thinking about when they landed though.

Elisabeth needed to see Vega.

Glancing around, she finally noted the redhead, fussing with some tableware and very obviously showing now. Stopping for two trills, the young woman smiled, giving herself a moment to be happy for Vega and her husband. Just because her world was turned upside down didn’t mean everyone else’s was…and she needed to be mindful of that.

Swiftly walking up to Vega, the young mage gave her a gentle smile in greeting. “It’s good to see you again. You look well. We are excited to be here and share this night with Hopetoun.” In the past, Elisabeth had tended to use words a bit carelessly with Vega, and in so had learned that the redhead enjoyed concise conversations, was not a fan of small talk, and was partial to getting to the point of things.

And somehow, it all came tumbling out. “Vega, Balthazar has been reassigned. Back to the Elements. Kura chose me to lead Haven.” Her voice was calm, but her insides? Anything but.

[Vega]

1st Ymiden, 721

Vega was fussing around. She was mostly, at this point, sure that there was no more they could do - no more preparation to be done. She turned to Kirt and grinned. "I reckon, you know, you lot have outdone yerself in terms of farmin' an' growin' stuff. Sir Chip an' I get to do fancification an' stuff, but you've been amazin'. What you've done on that farmland is amazin'." It was a mistake, she knew, because the moment that she said it, Kirt beamed. "Well, it's all about the soil, you see, let me tell you!"

And, of course, he did. And he kept telling her about acid levels and volcanic soil and minerals and how the trick was to choose what to plant near to what else - and how most farmers would have struggled because of the circumstances, but here in Hopetoun they worked together. "Do you use any fertilizer or anythin'?" Vega asked and he nodded. "We have a composter what we use in our camp. Maybe we should make one for Hopetoun?" Vega regretted the words almost as soon as they were out of her mouth. Five full bits later, she patted him on the arm. "Righteo, Kirt, I can't talk about fertiliser no more. I had no idea there were so many types, but I need to get on. I'll have a bash at that composter tomorrow, ok?" He bade her a cheerful farewell and then went in search of his next victim.

Turning around, she wandered off. As she did, she saw Elisabeth and made her way over with a grin. Vega was wearing a dress - long and floaty and pretty. She'd tied her hair back loosely and there was no sword at her hip, although she had a bag on her shoulder. Her pregnancy was now obvious even if the dress hadn't accentuated it, which it did. She walked over and smiled. "Hey, it's nice to see you, too." Vega smiled. "You look well lovely. Thanks for comin' an' makin' the trek." She watched Elisabeth and Vega figured there was something niggling at the woman - her expression told Vega as much..

Then, Elisabeth told her. Balthazar had been reassigned - and Elisabeth was now the leader of Haven? Vega nodded. "So, he's been yoinked - an' they figure you're the better person for the job?" She considered it. "How do you feel about that?" She didn't ask how Balthazar felt - but she got the feeling that Elisabeth was reeling a little. She was quiet for a moment, after Elisabeth had answered, and then she spoke again. Her voice was

"People will say I built that," Vega said, gesturing to the Beacon. "An' that," to the Inn. "But I didn't. People will say Darius built Hopetoun, but he didn't." She smiled. "If bein' a leader changes who you are, then you're doin' it wrong." Thinking about it, she shrugged slightly. "Have you thought about what it means, practically, for you? What do you already do, an' what will you need to pick up?" Looking around, she smiled as she turned her attention back to Elisabeth. "Bottom line, how much is really goin' to change, once you've sorted out what he did an' what you're goin' to do?" Vega looked at Elisabeth and spoke in a friendly but also rather calm way. "When you think about it," she said with a slight smile. "It's jus' a new wilderness to survive in. An' a lot of what you're already doin' is transferable across, I'd say."

With a nod of her head towards the settlement of Haven, Vega gave a slight, almost mischievous grin. "You can do it. You've got everythin' you need. An' you've got friends here, too." Vega said, matter of factly. "I'll help you any way I can." Thinking about it, though, she felt the need to quantify. "You know. With practical stuff. No emotions." Her smile was wicked as she added. "These trials, I'd cry. Always jus' on the verge."

Looking at Elisabeth with her usual pragmatic expression, Vega considered. "I reckon the same rules apply, you know. Stop any bleedin', take stock of where you are." It made sense to her.

[Elisabeth Black]

Stop the bleeding....

Ymiden 1, Arc 721

Smiling at the redhead, who very succinctly boiled down the situation, Elisabeth sighed, considering how she wanted to answer. “That is my understanding. He will be doing Element things, has been offered Officer’s Training, and Kura and Saoire would like me to lead Haven.” How she felt about that? Hmmm…that was a mixed bag for sure. “Conflicted. I’ve never considered myself a leader so to suddenly have someone wanting me to step into the role is daunting. On the flip side, I’ve been in the presence of some very good examples of the type of leader I would want to be…” Kura, Vivian, Vega, Balthazar, Faith, Varlum, Genna, Praetorum – she had learned things from all of them simply by listening and watching.

Paying attention as Vega continued, she understood the point she was trying to make. “I don’t want it to change me. I don’t think it would. At the end of the trial, it’s about wanting the best for those you are charged with guiding. Well, wanting and helping accomplish those things mutually using the collective skills of the group. That’s what I’ve always felt about it anyways.”

The questions were good ones. Ones Elisabeth needed. She was in a bit of a tailspin, which is why she had come to Vega. Balthazar was dealing with his own issues related to the decision and through supporting him, she had realized that she needed a bit of support too, to knock her head back to where it needed to be.

“I already work with the settlers every trial, and I know how to talk to people…so I’m not worried about that. I dealt with resource management a great deal, so I think I have a handle on that. Logistics and planning, I’m good with.” As her mind whirled, going down the mental checklist she always had going, prioritizing, and re-prioritizing, she found the things she was more concerned about.

“It’s the infrastructure of Haven I’m more concerned about. I don’t know anything about building things or anything of that nature really, and I know that will be needed sooner rather than later. Docks, bigger more task-specific buildings. Even the water supply. We implemented a rain barrel collection system that has eased our immediate reliance on government-supplied fresh water, but that will only help so much. We need a more reliant source.”

How much is really going to change? “I imagine everything will change. Not different from what he was doing, but progression. Balthazar set things in motion. I need to sort out all of what has been started and figure out how to progress it. There might be holes that we aren't aware of yet that we will need to identify and figure out how best to move forward.”

Vega’s calm helped a great deal. Not much tended to throw the young mage but events over the past few cycles had served to make her more disciplined, yes….but also, always waiting for the next thing to come. This one had been a doozy for sure, but at least jail or animated silverware wasn’t involved.

Nodding in her direction, Elisabeth smiled. “A new wilderness indeed. I was just getting used to the old-new wilderness. I agree though. It’s not as though I have been uninvolved. I suppose I’m simply worried about the things I don’t know. It’s always been one of my weak spots – being uninformed. But the thing with that is there is always someone out there that knows what I need to know. I just have to find them.”

The grin was returned as Elisabeth listened to Vega lay out what she knew to be true. In the moment, she had needed to hear someone else say it. She did have friends that would help her. And she could do it. They could do it – her, Balthazar and the settlers of Haven. Just because the roles had shifted didn’t mean he was any less a part of what was happening, nor did she want him to be. Haven was their home.

Laughing softly, she nodded, turning to face the redhead. “Practical stuff. I promise. Besides, if you cry, I’ll cry and it won’t be pretty. At all."

Stop the bleeding. Take stock of where she was. Vega was helping teach her how to survive in the wilderness. Different wilderness, same rules. Where was Haven bleeding?

When she looked back on the conversation at a later point, what she would remember the most about it was not Vega's calmness or her own anxiety. It was the feeling that she was truly amongst friends. Vega was her friend, and that was something she was eternally grateful for.

Remembering once again that it wasn't all about her, she shifted a bit, wanting to ask after Vega. "How are you feeling these trials? It's been a bit since we've spoken. I'm sure your family and Darius are taking good care of you. Darius is a wonderful man. I'm looking forward to seeing him tonight."

That trial belonged to Hopetoun and their accomplishment. Elisabeth was simply happy to have been invited to share in the event with them.

[Vega]

1st Ymiden, 721

Elisabeth said that she was worried about the infrastructure of Haven, which made Vega pause slightly and then said that they had a rainwater collection system for water. Vega frowned slightly. "Have you lot been sittin' on your hands an' meditatin' on your navels this whole time?" Ever the subtle one, Vega spoke her mind. "Fresh an' clean water is the first thing you need. Government supplied? I don't know about that, we've got the oasis an' we jus' use salt buoy. Do you not have any?" That boggled Vega's mind. "How many people in Haven actually have any experience of survivin' in the wild, do you reckon?" Frankly, it sounded tricky in the extreme. Vega shook her head. "It's about thinkin' things through, an' applyin' what you know to where you are. Who else has to survive without fresh water for long periods of time? Sailors. How do they do it?" She gestured to the ship out on the waters outside Hopetoun. "We have a weed-lookin' thing called salt buoy. It removes the salt from seawater an' turns it fresh. You can take some back with you." She looked at Elisabeth then, almost sternly. "Why the strudel didn't Balthazar jus' ask? There's a settlement here dealin' with the same things. Why wasn't Darius the first place to go for help?" She didn't know Balthazar, but if he didn't think of it, then surely some of the settlers should have.

Never one to hide her emotions, it was fairly obvious that Vega was very far from impressed.

"Well, thank goodness you're in charge now, an' you've got more'n the sense you were born with," she said. As for progressing what Balthazar had started, that seemed like a good thing. "Ok, so you've got water barrels for rain, an' now you've got salt buoy. What else has he started?"

Vega gave a slight smile. "I'm not book-smart, but I can do practical. If you give me a break down of what's been started, what's been done - I can maybe help identify gaps an' help prioritize what's there." She knew how to do things in a practical way. "An' as for buildin' stuff, well I'm sure that you'll manage it. But I'm happy to help in a bossin' people about an' showin' them what to do way. No liftin' till after the baby's born," she placed a hand on her stomach and smiled. "But I can build stuff, straight enough, an' I'm happy to help." She nodded. "So, give me a list, an' we can work through it. You like those, don't you? Lists." She grinned slightly, remembering the very organised woman's way of dealing with things in the Umbral Caverns. Lists seemed right up her street.

As for being looked after, Vega laughed. "I'm lookin' after myself an' the rest of them can jog on," she said. "An' if any of them think differently, it doesn't take much effort to punch them into next Ashan, that's for sure." There was no part of Vega which felt the need to be looked after. "An', yeah, I'm feelin' alright. Arlo an' I are makin' plans where we can an' jus' wingin' it where we can't, as is our way. I'm tired an' right glad I've stopped feelin' sick all the time, that was a pain." She considered it and then shrugged. "Yeah.I'm feelin' good. Pregnant. Energy-filled. Mostly, jus' carryin' on as normal."

It was probably as much sharing as anyone would get - but Vega was genuinely happy and content. Then, though, she had a thought. "Oh, I'm goin' to write to Gennadiya an' ask her - but you're all books an' parchments an' tomes an' stuff. Have you ever heard of an Immortal's curse, or blessin', passin' on or impactin' a baby? I'm blessed by four of them, but it's Faldrun's curse that I'm thinkin' about mostly. An', when it gets hot, I'm goin' to be a right mardie mare. Don't suppose you know how to get rid of a curse, do you?"

[Elisabeth Black]

Lists. All the Lists........

Ymiden 1, Arc 721

As soon as Vega began, a slight panic began to rise. Frankly, Elisabeth didn’t know what they had been doing as she hadn’t been part of the larger picture. A piece of the smaller pictures, certain situations – yes. She knew some things. There would inevitably be things she couldn’t answer for Vega because she just didn’t know.

“I….I don’t know, Vega. I don’t know what was happening. I thought I knew and I don't think I did. I just know that I need to figure it out and come up with a plan.” It wasn’t far from the truth to say that the young mage felt overwhelmed, but over time had learned how push through that feeling, to carry on. What was in front of her was a challenge and Elisabeth wasn’t going to turn away from it. People’s lives were on the line and someone else had thought enough of her to think she might be able to help.

Vega began talking about the water and something called ‘salt buoy’. It was not a term she recognized, shaking her head when the redhead asked if Haven had any. Their conversation began to feel like a conversation they had had the previous season with Vega teaching her about survival skills. She couldn’t answer why Balthazar hadn’t said something to Darius or asked how they dealt with certain problems.

The questions hit Elisabeth hard, mostly because she felt like she could have been doing so much more for the settlement than she had. Having gone away in the middle of Ashan and then returning with memories missing – memories that were still missing – had left her uneasy in the intervening time. It wasn’t an excuse, nor would she use it as one, but perhaps if she had focused more on the settlement, maybe she’d feel better prepared for what she was being asked to do?

Vega said she could take some salt buoy back with her, to which Elisabeth nodded gently and spoke. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

Lists. Yes, lists Elisabeth could do. It would take a few trials to get things together. Her mind was a swirling mass of priorities and to-do lists, but little context with which to base things on. “I can do lists. I have a ton of stuff to go through, people to talk to and things to check out with my own eyes. I could come back in a few trials with a list and go from there? “

As much as she wanted to talk everything through at that moment, Elisabeth understood she didn’t have all the information she needed, and as such, she would have felt horrible giving Vega inaccurate information, and felt the need to explain that. “I want to make sure I really know what I need to know so that when we talk, I’m sure it’s right.”

When the redhead touched her hand to her stomach, the young woman felt her anxiety subside slightly, just as it had when she approached. Elisabeth was unsure why the idea of Vega having a baby touched her so, but it did. She herself had no experience with children and had spent most of her life believing that she didn’t want a family. Whether or not that belief had changed was still a matter of debate in her mind.

Vega laughed at her comment regarding being looked after, which in hindsight she should have realized how the redhead felt about such things. Laughing with her, Elisabeth nodded her head. “Well, I trust in your ability to set them straight on that matter.” She listened and considered what was being said. “If you ever need help with anything, a project or something where an extra set of hands might be useful, don’t hesitate to yell. Loudly.” A grin punctuated the last word.

Vega mentioned Gennadiya, making the young mage smile. Listening to her remarks, Elisabeth frowned a bit at the question, shaking her head. “I’ve not. I’m afraid my knowledge about Immortals is minor really, although I plan on doing a bit more research in the future. But I will investigate and see if I can dig anything up. I’m happy to do that.” Thinking back to Rharne, Elisabeth suddenly remembered that the very first time the two had met, Vega had told her that she was Faldrun’s daughter and that he had cursed her. She didn't know what form the curse would take, but knowing what she knew about the Immortal, combined with Vega's comments, gave her a pretty good idea. Elisabeth hated Saun on the general principal of its existence. Hot weather was not something she enjoyed and currently her plans revolved around residing in the Hollow Sea for a majority of the season. Right in the Hollow Sea, in the water, trying to keep as cool as she could.

She couldn't imagine what it would be like for Vega...

[Vega]

1st Ymiden, 721

Elisabeth sounded just on the verge of panic, and so Vega did something she rarely did. She kept her opinions to herself. There was no point in stressing Elisabeth out, and Vega shook her head. "Right, well, whether you know or not, no matter what's happened before, it don't matter." She looked at Elisabeth with a half-smile. "It's jus' like the survivalist stuff I told you about. If you waste time wonderin' how you got where you are, you're jus' wastin' time an' not spendin' it working towards movin' forward. Move forward." Recriminations, questions, things like that? They were not of any use. "Where you are, right now in this minute. That's what's important. How you got there, what did an' didn't happen before this moment, that's not important. Deal with what you're standin' in front of an' you'll be fine."

Elisabeth's idea of coming back in a few trials prompted a nod from Vega. "That's sensible that is. If you come here, then if there's anythin' that you need what we can help with, we've got it here. Like the salt buoy, we've got it here an' it's not a problem." It seemed sensible to Vega that they would discuss things here and then, if there was a solution or resource which Vega had access to, she could help out rather than just tell Elisabeth about it. That made the best sense to her, anyhow.

Elisabeth said that she was happy to do some research on the Immortals, and Vega nodded. "Thanks," she said, simply. "That's right kind. I'm sure it's not an issue you know, but still." Grinning, she gave a slight shrug. "One o' these trials, my temper's goin' to get me in trouble. If I'm not punchin' my Immortal father, I'm scrappin' with another one in the Mummers' Ball. Never did learn to keep my gob shut." And nor did she want to, in fairness. "I'm a bit surprised I've only got the one curse. But, I'm not complainin' mind." Glancing over to where the feast was starting, she smiled. "We should get over there. Have an evenin', celebrate the fact that we're alive. You lot haven't got your memories back yet, but I'm sure whatever you did was big. " She wondered if it was linked to the storm, then the freeze - she was sure it was. But, there was no point mulling over it and she knew that being without memories was frustrating.

"Sometimes," Vega said, thoughtfully. "A quiet life sounds almost temptin'. You know? Jus' quiet an' safe an' not battered around from one side to another at a whipsnitch an' on a whim." Considering it, she shrugged. "But then, when it starts to sound almost temptin' I think that, an' then think about what it'd be like. An' I reckon I'd rather the life I have than one where I'm safe but dull." Looking at Elisabeth she grinned. "Come on, I hope you've brought an' appetite." That there was a lot of food was an understatement, Vega knew.

[Elisabeth Black]

Did you say food?

Ymiden 1, Arc 721

It had been a momentary blip, but Elisabeth wouldn’t deny that it had happened. For all the discipline she had, anxiety had almost run her over. It probably would have had Vega not been there to redirect her into actionable items and remind her of what she could do.

More importantly though, Vega had acted as a friend, and Elisabeth knew that. The redhead had far more experience in matters that the young mage was currently facing, and she had shared some wisdom of that, offering to help. When Elisabeth reflected on that trial though, what she would remember most was simply that Vega had been there to remind her she had people that would help her.

Nodding in response to Vega’s remark to her about returning, the young woman simply felt that she needed a few trials to sort out what the priorities were. Vega’s questions had made her realize that she really didn’t have a good grasp on the state of things in Haven, and Elisabeth needed a much better understanding before she could, in good consciousness, ask for anyone’s help.

Shaking her head gently, Elisabeth gave Vega a smile, trying to reassure as best she could that she would help in the matter of the curse. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but still, I’ll look into it. I’d like to get to Scalvoristown soon so it’s no problem to swing past the Nook and see what I can turn up.“ Laughing as Vega continued on regarding being unable to keep her mouth shut, the young woman couldn’t help but comment. “Well, there are some of us that like you just the way you are. You tell it as you see it. All good from my point of view.”

She mentioned the missing memories, and Elisabeth knew she wasn’t the only one that had been affected. Vega had told her about the others, and while it didn’t make her feel any better, it did help her understand that whatever happened, she wasn’t going to be alone in dealing with the fallout. “I just hope we get to find out what it was. It’s…a disorienting experience for sure.” That was an understatement from Elisabeth’s point of view.

Community. Friends. Being thankful for what one had in their life. Wasn’t that what it was all about?

Elisabeth listened to what was said about a quiet life. “Oh, I’m not sure I would enjoy a quiet life either, but small periods of time would be nice occasionally.”

Giving Vega a grin, she waved her hand gently towards the group. “I’ll let you lead the way, and I’ll tell you a little secret – I’m always hungry.”

[Doran]

Vega: -
Loot: -
Lost: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 15

Elisabeth:

Knowledge:
Etiquette - Arriving early to help set up for banquet
Etiquette - It's not all about you
Etiquette - Offering to help a friend with a problem
Leadership - One can learn appropriate leadership skills from observing others
Psychology - Understanding how a major decision impacts one's life
Psychology - Recognizing when you need support from another
Logistics - Taking stock of the settlement to know how best to move forward
Logistics - When in doubt, get eyes on issues yourself.
Socialization - Being asked pointed questions make one realize where gaps in knowledge are

Loot: -
Lost: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 15

- - -

Comments: I can imagine that Elisabeth found herself reeling a bit after she received the news that she would be in charge of Haven from now on. You described her reaction very well in my opinion. I like how she almost immediately turned to Vega for help rather than getting absolutely overwhelmed.

I thought that it was interesting that Vega immediately wanted to know how Elisabeth felt about it, and what it meant for her. She asked a lot of important questions and provided Elisabeth with good advice. Vega’s right in my opinion, by the way. This is just a new wilderness to survive in. I love it when she says things like these!

Vega’s question if they’d been sittin’ on their hands an’ meditatin’ on their navels this whole time (I chuckled a bit when I read that, I have to admit!) and Elisabeth’s reaction makes me wonder why Balthazar never reached out as well. Either way, Elisabeth’s desire to do things differently and rectify the mistakes that were made in the past is described well in my opinion!

I thought that it was nice of Elisabeth to offer Vega her help in return.

The feast provided an interesting backdrop for this thread. I hope that Vega and Elisabeth will enjoy the food, and I wish Elisabeth good luck with her new responsibilities!

Enjoy your rewards!