![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
[CONSOLE] video;
[The man in this video is recognisably Heojin to those who have seen him before, but to those who have been looking closely there are some slight differences. Less grey in his hair, slightly more tapered around the waist—a little younger, in general. There’s something about his demeanour which has changed, as well; while formerly Heojin had seemed solid and serene, there is something sharper about his gaze now.
[For all that, when he speaks his voice is the same: low and soft-spoken, with every word considered and even.]
Hello, Keeliai City.
Some of you may not know me. Some of you … only think you do. My name is Heojin, whom the Woodsmen call their head. The man who has thus far made himself known to you is a body-double.
I regret that any subterfuge was deemed necessary. Rest assured that I lied or hid nothing of vital importance save the exact nature of my presence. The man who stood in for me is a trusted friend; all that he heard came to my ears, and all that he said may as well have come from me.
I stand before you now because I want to believe such a deception is no longer necessary. I have spoken to Yunxu, my brother of the city, and he has granted that threats outside Keeliai must take precedence to any tensions which lie between us. Whatever happens in the future, I believe that we all of us can stand together—Foreigner or kedan; Metalworker, Snake, Woodsman, Merchant.
This city is our home. She deserves our united esteem. I would like to make this happen. Will you join me?
[ooc: Heojin will respond to anything directed at him, but feel free to also use this post to talk amongst yourselves.]
[For all that, when he speaks his voice is the same: low and soft-spoken, with every word considered and even.]
Hello, Keeliai City.
Some of you may not know me. Some of you … only think you do. My name is Heojin, whom the Woodsmen call their head. The man who has thus far made himself known to you is a body-double.
I regret that any subterfuge was deemed necessary. Rest assured that I lied or hid nothing of vital importance save the exact nature of my presence. The man who stood in for me is a trusted friend; all that he heard came to my ears, and all that he said may as well have come from me.
I stand before you now because I want to believe such a deception is no longer necessary. I have spoken to Yunxu, my brother of the city, and he has granted that threats outside Keeliai must take precedence to any tensions which lie between us. Whatever happens in the future, I believe that we all of us can stand together—Foreigner or kedan; Metalworker, Snake, Woodsman, Merchant.
This city is our home. She deserves our united esteem. I would like to make this happen. Will you join me?
[ooc: Heojin will respond to anything directed at him, but feel free to also use this post to talk amongst yourselves.]
Video
You speak of a threat to our city as if none existed before, but what of the threats within our own walls? The ones who have lingered since before us foreigners returned? Why now as opposed to months ago?
[Something had changed, and she suspected it had little to do with the 'threat'.]
no subject
I chose now because I feel I can no longer wait and still be worthy of the regard with which my people hold me. Because the ambassadors of Bresilyk left in distaste when we could not show them we are a worthy ally. Because the Chihuelans seek to return.
Our internal threats are still present, Ms Valdis. But we can no longer fixate upon what is within our walls, when there may be help from without we are losing due to our own quarrels.
no subject
It was our inability to deal with our internal threats that drove the Ambassadors away and I suspect that this external threat from the Chihuelans is also tied to our inability to protect our own. We cannot expect others to ally with or respect us if we cannot handle the threats facing us within our own walls.
[Her voice is even, conversational and not confrontational.]
The internal is just as capable of destroying us. They have proven that. If they can get to the proprietor of the Midnight Hotel, then they can get to you, Yunxu, Xuiyu or Aroyan. They could cripple us in a critical moment.
[Such as at the moment the Justicar's forces arrive.]
And it doesn't have to be one of you. It could be a child, a sibling, a lover, a friend...
[Almost anyone would do, Chaos Theory was not picky and Chaos might as well have been her middle name.]
no subject
You have discovered nothing regarding those who poisoned the hotel owner, then?
no subject
...I have discovered several things.
[Not that she was going to reveal them over the network.]
no subject
I do not believe that internal and external focus are mutually exclusive, Ms Valdis. I do believe that being more attentive to those outside our walls will helps us be more attentive to troubles within. It is a form of accountability, for as long as we believe there is no one who may be watching, there less desire to address what issues may be present. And I believe that the Chihuelans are a potential threat to be prioritised, at this moment in time.
But I would not deny your desire to seek those who have harmed others, and ensure they cannot do so again. Nor would I stop you, so long as your measures do no harm to those who do not deserve it.
[He smiles faintly.]
But I do not think they will.
no subject
Just...don't neglect what is behind you.
no subject
I never do. Good luck, Ms Valdis.
no subject
Same to you.
Video
That being said, Brave Vesperia will lend help to anyone that needs it.
[Short, sweet, and simple, but that's Yuri's stance on things. Help people that need it be it foreigner or Kedan.]
Video
Re: Video
Video
[He smiles a little wryly.]
Yunxu. The public. The raiders. Destiny. I hid from many things.
no subject
[It was more a statement than an accusation. But there was really no nice way to say it.]
No offense, it's nice that you're coming out now and all, but how do we know you're not gonna tuck tail and run when things get tough?
no subject
no subject
Were I truly a coward, I would not have bothered to make myself vulnerable to such judgements at all. Discretion and subterfuge are not the same as cowardice, even when attached to fear. I had hoped some of the Foreigners would understand that difference.
no subject
[If anything, Yuri was testing this guy. So far he seemed to check out. The lack of defensiveness at the accusation was telling.]
What you say sounds nice, but not everyone around here is friendly or honest. But you're right about one thing, we all want to help protect this city. So if everyone can put aside their bickering that'd be great.
no subject
You said you are of the Brave Vesperia. Have you any plans as yet?
no subject
[Yuri never was the diplomatic type. That was always best suited for Flynn or Estelle.]
Kinda hard to plan when we don't know exactly what we're up against. Care to shed some light on that?
no subject
They are not averse to attrition. The first thing they did was cripple the city's supplies. When they move, they move quickly, and thorough, and take surprise if they can.
no subject
There's not many of us either, but I've got some people that can keep an eye on them.
no subject
[Says the man who's been in apparent hiding for the last two years.]
They have our measure--but they do not, I hope, know you. The Foreigners would have the advantage.
no subject
[Having the advantage is definitely a good thing here. Hopefully they would be underestimated.]
no subject
video
May I inquire as to why, precisely, you chose to use a body-double?
Did you fear for your life?
video
video
[She was not judging. Yet. But judgement would be made based on the responses to these questions.]
video
[He smiles then, and it's a soft smile, a fond smile.]
I did not force him to do so, if that is your fear. I could not talk him out of it, in fact. I have known him all my life, and there is a point when to deny such loyalty ... it is an insult. How can I reject his wish to protect me, just as I wished to protect him?
video
[But Aya didn't think like that. She rarely did, unless presented with irrefutable evidence either prior to or even after a statement was presented to her. Partially because of her youth and lack of experience in dealing with professional liars. Partially because, logically speaking, she did not see a reason to lie about something like this. It would not change events as they were, and would serve little purpose besides gaining a slightly more favorable perspective in certain eyes.]
[So she accepted the statement after a moment's thought. Nodding in response.]
Very well.
Now that you have presented yourself as you truly are, may I ask what precisely it is you require of us?
[Stand together was a vague statement and could have meant anything from verbal support to offering necessary supplies to aiding in fierce combat. Both offensive and defensive.]
video
video
Though I cannot speak for the majority, it is currently my understanding that we are merely prepared to do whatever is necessary. Whether that involves tactical diplomacy or defensive fighting, I cannot currently predict.
video
To your knowledge, are there any communications between yourselves and the families? It is also difficult to predict the need for either diplomacy or defence if one is unsure what any allies might be doing.
video
I was, at one time, an employee of Zanru, though I do not know if she is still considered a member of these Families given...recent events.
[It was also not an amicable relationship by any definition.]
My understanding is that those current residing in Keelai are leaning heavily towards the probability of defensive measures, given that an ultimatum was issued with little chance for negotiations prior to arrival.
video
[It's a simple declaration, but perhaps a telling one.]
That is true. They took us by surprise, last time. I would prefer to negotiate, but the ultimatum given does not leave much room for diplomacy.
What sort of defences are you accustomed to?
video
I am well-versed in several tactical strategies, with more than a year's experience out in the field, not including time spent familiarizing myself with local landscapes and population.
Where I come from, I am a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Fighting to protect those who can not adequately defend themselves is what we do.
video
video
[With all three.]
I have been on both the offensive and defensive end on multiple occasions.
video
video
[Though this was their first meeting, and Heojin could not possibly know all that much about her as an individual, the fact that he was more prepared to judge her trustingly based on her claims of knowledge and experience rather than...certain other factors...well, perhaps it was still a touch innocently naive of Aya, but it made her want to be able to trust him. Even fight alongside him as equals.]
I will do my best to aid those most in need, and defend our current place of residence.
[The emphasis on defense was not consciously intended. However, it did indicate her preference for peace, rather than any indication she desire retaliation, revenge, or unjustly overpowering the enemy when the time came to fight back.]
video
Thank you. I should hope it will not be necessary, but I am reassured to know at least some such powerful people such as yourselves will stand with us.