北堂墨染 || Beitang Moran (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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westwhere2021-08-14 03:36 pm
beitangmoran) wrote in westwhere2021-08-14 03:36 pm
Your future is.... uncertain
WHO: Beitang Moran, OPEN
WHEN: Month of August except for the protest and the poisoning incident
WHERE:Mostly Donna Vannozza's palazzo. If not, probably a bookstore or a library.
WHAT:POLITICS and also being a Court Prophet.
WARNINGS: There might be some spoilers and or bad stuff in visions f those happen, we'll try to warn appropriately if this is the case.
A.THE PROPHET
[After a few a days, a rumor has started spreading in hushed whispers.
Donna Vannozza has a guest with a strange power. It is not unlike that of some of the Attaryl witches, except it appears to be both more powerful and more accurate. All those who have visited him have been stupefied with it. They exchange tales, and sometimes, in whispers, pronouncement that this man has seen their city governed fairly and with great intent by a noble lady.
The man, however, is reclusive. he rarely leaves the apartments he was given by Donna Vanozza, and will only accept to see someone if they come by appointment and recommended. That hasn't prevented some stragglers from waiting at his door in the vain hope of being admitted in his presence. They very rarely are allowed. Although depending on who is out, Moran might indulge one or two on occasion who might be useful.
The servants do have a list of people who are allowed to jump the queue. It has, conveniently, all the people from their little group on it, mixed in with a handful of influent nobles from the city. There is no end to the teeth-gnashing when that happens, but Moran can quite rightfully invoke all the hauteur he is capable of summoning as an actual Imperial Prince to quiet down any attempts at bartering for entry.
Come get your fortune told.]
((OOC : if you'd like Moran to have an actual vision about your chharacter's future while visiting for other reasons, feel free to hit the plotting post and we can arrange something.))
B.THE POWER
[Maybe it's some sort of cosmic intervention, but Moran's power has decided to somehow cooperate and manifest with enough regularity that he is, in fact getting actual visions for most of his visitors.
And for those he does not, he has lived at court long enough and is observant enough that he can make slightly general pronouncements that end up being mostly accurate.
But of course, that is taking its toll on his body. During one evening where he deigns attend the dinner and entertainment, he is taken with a dizzy spell, and has to be brought back to his apartments. What little can be seen of his face is always pale, and reports from the palazzo's kitchen say he is not eating much.
With Xunxian on the other side, it's harder to remember to take care of himself, especially since he needs to use the power to advance their goal. On the rare occasions that he takes a stroll, usually later at night or early in the morning to avoid crowds, he will more often than not find himself fatigued. Will you help him from the bench he has had to sit on, or help him to recover as you find him leaning against a wall and trying to fight dizziness?]
C.THE CITY
[On the days he doesn't feel too bad, Moran will be mostly trying to explore all of the bookstores in this city and try to acquire as much as he can about history and language. He uses the device for ease of translations, but will occasionally attempt to communicate without, just to practice a bit.
Someone entering one particular bookstore might find him wandering the aisles, followed by a man carrying a relatively impressive pile of books. Every few moments, Moran will inquire about a volume, be explain what is in it, and then...]
Fine, I'll take that one too.
[And on top of the pile it goes.]
WHEN: Month of August except for the protest and the poisoning incident
WHERE:Mostly Donna Vannozza's palazzo. If not, probably a bookstore or a library.
WHAT:POLITICS and also being a Court Prophet.
WARNINGS: There might be some spoilers and or bad stuff in visions f those happen, we'll try to warn appropriately if this is the case.
A.THE PROPHET
[After a few a days, a rumor has started spreading in hushed whispers.
Donna Vannozza has a guest with a strange power. It is not unlike that of some of the Attaryl witches, except it appears to be both more powerful and more accurate. All those who have visited him have been stupefied with it. They exchange tales, and sometimes, in whispers, pronouncement that this man has seen their city governed fairly and with great intent by a noble lady.
The man, however, is reclusive. he rarely leaves the apartments he was given by Donna Vanozza, and will only accept to see someone if they come by appointment and recommended. That hasn't prevented some stragglers from waiting at his door in the vain hope of being admitted in his presence. They very rarely are allowed. Although depending on who is out, Moran might indulge one or two on occasion who might be useful.
The servants do have a list of people who are allowed to jump the queue. It has, conveniently, all the people from their little group on it, mixed in with a handful of influent nobles from the city. There is no end to the teeth-gnashing when that happens, but Moran can quite rightfully invoke all the hauteur he is capable of summoning as an actual Imperial Prince to quiet down any attempts at bartering for entry.
Come get your fortune told.]
((OOC : if you'd like Moran to have an actual vision about your chharacter's future while visiting for other reasons, feel free to hit the plotting post and we can arrange something.))
B.THE POWER
[Maybe it's some sort of cosmic intervention, but Moran's power has decided to somehow cooperate and manifest with enough regularity that he is, in fact getting actual visions for most of his visitors.
And for those he does not, he has lived at court long enough and is observant enough that he can make slightly general pronouncements that end up being mostly accurate.
But of course, that is taking its toll on his body. During one evening where he deigns attend the dinner and entertainment, he is taken with a dizzy spell, and has to be brought back to his apartments. What little can be seen of his face is always pale, and reports from the palazzo's kitchen say he is not eating much.
With Xunxian on the other side, it's harder to remember to take care of himself, especially since he needs to use the power to advance their goal. On the rare occasions that he takes a stroll, usually later at night or early in the morning to avoid crowds, he will more often than not find himself fatigued. Will you help him from the bench he has had to sit on, or help him to recover as you find him leaning against a wall and trying to fight dizziness?]
C.THE CITY
[On the days he doesn't feel too bad, Moran will be mostly trying to explore all of the bookstores in this city and try to acquire as much as he can about history and language. He uses the device for ease of translations, but will occasionally attempt to communicate without, just to practice a bit.
Someone entering one particular bookstore might find him wandering the aisles, followed by a man carrying a relatively impressive pile of books. Every few moments, Moran will inquire about a volume, be explain what is in it, and then...]
Fine, I'll take that one too.
[And on top of the pile it goes.]
c.
Looks like you're doing your homework.
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It seems like the smart thing to do, guniang. As a guest, one must learn.
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[It's usually why she prefers to get out and experience the people.]
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[.... Listen, he's an introverted Aquarius book nerd.]
I don't know if just these will be enough, though.
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Books are always filtered through the point of view of their author. You may get one perspective from them, but there are likely other angles to pursue as well.
[And what manages to get published also depends on who controls the presses.]
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B.
Tonight, his little friends tell him that Moran is out strolling, and as an event has taken most people out of the area and Xunxian has a mask and attire that have not been seen before, he slips out of his quarters to go and join him.
Which is when Moran wavers, and Xunxian reacts without thinking much - his arm goes around Moran's shoulders and he walks with him to the nearest bench with a soft, my lord!.
Once they are seated, he'll keep the other's body close - lean on him a little, Moran, maybe?
He won't speak beyond that... half panicked exclamation, half greeting, not immediately. ]
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The dizzy spell hit him out of nowhere, and he is thinking about how undignified it would be to just fall down when someone catches him.
The hold is familiar, as is the voice whispering in his ear, and he relaxes almost instantly, but excuse him if he needs a moment for the world to stop spinning.]
Not that I am not glad to see you here, but should you be here at all, Xunxian?
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Yes, and the people who will even know it's me is rather low - I'm just another nobleman out for a stroll. And there aren't many people nearby.
[ His fingers find a lock of Moran's hair and play it with, knowing that voicing his concern... won't necessarily help. ]
I should be by your side... and I can only give you this. Stolen moments, when you need me the most.
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I should probably be thankful that my power has decided to cooperate for the time being, but it is exhausting.
[The only time he remembers it being that bad was when they were chasing Orion land infected mad men in the city and his visions allowed him to see their movements ahead of time. Sometimes, the Aquarius decides to be useful in certain ways at unawares. But Moran, being used to sporadic use, tends to take the consequences harder than his fellow Star Masters when that happens, simply because he is unused to them.]
There isn't much you could do for this beyond tuck me into bed.
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[ But I can't shoulder the drain of energy for you. No, that would have been too easy. ]
... do the visions at least keep you from being bored on top of tired?
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A
Still, he can't help but feel like an inconvenience, particularly to those unhappy about him skipping the line as he's shown in. He fidgets just as soon as the door closes behind him, vaguely guilty]
Ah, I didn't realize I'd be interrupting. I just thought it would be easier to talk in person..
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There's no interruption. I am not planning to see any of these people. No one invited them to come here and if they wish to waste a day at my door, they are welcome to.
The tea situation is still quite unfortunate, but I have found a few varieties that are palatable. Let me make some.
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No, that's okay.
[Logically, he knows it isn't his fault Moran is so tired, but it still feels that way a bit- like if he hadn't come, the man would have been able to rest]
I can manage tea; you look like you're in need of as much rest as you're able. I can offer a sleep spell later if you'd like.
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I do not know if a spell will help much, but it cannot hurt to try.
[It's not that he has trouble sleeping, Eleven. His power just drains him and as long as it keeps going, no amount of sleep will help.]
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I was hoping you might have some advice on managing court. I grew up in the country, so it's difficult for me to navigate, but you always seem so poised that it looks effortless.
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a
After gathering an armful of history books he shuffled towards the reading area, trying to keep his head down. That he was supposed to be a rich man's son was well known, and it seemed like anywhere he went he ran into someone who wanted to spin him a yarn about life and impart a pearl of wisdom or two.
Focusing on hurrying he rounded a corner a little too quickly his shoulder colliding with the arm of a stranger. ]
Hey! [ He sounded almost affronted but caught himself quickly, huffing a breath underneath his mask. He was trying to be better at being good. ] Sorry.
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The Aquarius symbol on his forehead glows brightly, and his eyes glow with a purple and silver glow for a few seconds, and once it stops, he quickly catches the wall to lean on.
Normally he would be fine after a vision, but he has been having way too many of them in a shot time these days.
And when they concern his companions, they are always... peculiar.]
... What exactly is an Agni Kai?
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When whatever it was that took hold of him finally seemed to pass and the other man reached for the wall Zuko found he was about to move again, and he braced himself to steady the guy.
On the verge of asking him if he needed to find a chair, when the stranger spoke the question he asked knocked the air out of Zuko's lungs, leaving him gaping underneath his mask. ]
W-what? [ The word was more like a wheeze, after which he lifted his mask and shook his head, trying to clear it before he spoke again, quicker and more assertively than before. ]
It's a duel, for honor. Why do you know it?
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[And not everything he sees makes sense to him.]
I don't know who that woman is you will be duelling, but I believe it is fair to say she is not happy with you.
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It was his turn to reach for the wall, bracing himself against it as the news hit him like a gut punch. The worst possible inevitability being thrown in his path prematurely was a weird thing to try and come to grips with. ]
Do you, do you need to sit down? I need to sit down.
[ He didn't wait for the other man to follow, walking immediately to a seat and sinking into it, lifting his mask to scrub his face with his hand. ]
My sister isn't happy with anyone who doesn't do her bidding.
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c.
Found anything of note?
[ This one is hungry for knowledge and answers, too. ]
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History, geography, astronomy, some economics... as well as a few children's books.
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[ Not surprising, with Macaluso specializing in it. A sort of shame, really, that she was assigned to Vannozza with that in mind. Emilia's thought of looking into it a bit more closely, and she wonders of Moran's own curiosity. ]
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However, they do not appear to have anything equivalent to Star Masters here.
[He pats his pile of acquisitions, and the poor chap carrying them stumbles a little.]
Hopefully this will help with acquiring more of the language. The kind they speak here is a little different from the dialect of... where we came from.
[Let's be discreet and not mention that in public just yet.]
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[ Message received, and appreciated. She does favor discretion.
Due attention is paid to his words, along with a healthy focus on their surroundings. Emilia is never without such assessments these days: of threats, and details, and other relevant things. Her inquisitive eyes stray idly from the poor chap in question back to Moran. ]
Star Masters. I'd be interested to hear more should you ever feel like sharing, signore.
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