CRYSTAL;

[sparklequeen]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Glimmer of Bright Moon
RECIPIENT: Everyone.
NOTES: Discussion of xenophobic violence and refugees.

[ It starts with Glimmer clearing her throat. ]

Alright, so, I guess I should start by introducing myself, since I'm new here. I'm Queen Glimmer of Bright Moon, on the planet Etheria. Not that it means much to anyone here except maybe Ellie, but I figured I shoul do a proper introduction.

Next, I have a question: I heard about refugees in Hasmal and that they're being attacked and persecuted by the people there--are we doing anything about that? Is anyone? And is there any reason why we shouldn't? These people are afraid, desperate, displaced from their homes--it's bad enough for them, we shouldn't just sit by while these people are being hurt!

It's not right. Isn't there something we can do to help?

Hell, if it's not something Riftwatch is willing to get involved with officially I'll go by myself and see what I can do!

Comments

[notathreat]

Hate to say it, but you probably won't get much done all by yourself. People usually want fuck-all to do with refugees, especially if there's a lot of them at once.

[But explaining what happens to the refugees when they get to the Zones isn't gonna be super helpful in this situation, Ellie.]

It's different if the place they're going to needs them.

[sparklequeen]

Well it's not exactly the refugees fault--they need to go somewhere, don't they? It doesn't matter if someplace needs them or not. You can't just let people rot like that--or worse, attack them because they're outsiders.

[ A little of that noble spirit and desire to help leaking through. ]

Maybe if we can somehow provide for some of the refugees needs or find them occupation, it would help?

[notathreat]

Yeah, but there's always gonna be assholes. And I'm sure some of the refugees are assholes, same as the people fucking with them. But pretty much everybody else is just trying to live. If they get pushed, they push back.

[Ellie sighs, her voice scratchy, weighing her words before she says them.]

That'll help some of 'em. The ones who can work, anyway. The rest are in a tight spot.

[And it's not one Ellie really knows how to handle. People who can't take care of themselves in some way don't last long where she's from.]

[rowancrowned]

Some advice, ( very casually. )

You will not get very far as a Rifter carrying your old titles. Nor will you be able to act as yourself with that shard in your hand.

[sparklequeen]

Like I said, I don't expect my title to mean much to anyone here. It didn't mean anything to people in the world I was whisked away to before this one, either. I just thought it'd be best to introduce myself properly--it's not like I expect everyone to fall all over themselves to obey me, or anything. People wouldn't always do that even back home.

[ Sigh. ]

So what you're saying is just having the shard is enough to make people think I act for Riftwatch?

[rowancrowned]

You mean well, ( not unkindly, mostly because she has a baby voice and is probably a child?? ) It would be a waste to ruin your efforts with a misunderstanding of the ... etiquette here.

Yes. You represent Riftwatch and Rifters with every action outside the Gallows. Luckily, it has been some years since we arrived in Kirkwall, and the locals have become somewhat accustomed to seeing Rifters in the city.

[archademode]

Your mercy is admirable.

And it will do you— and them— little good I fear.

[Take it from a former refugee, your majesty.]

[sparklequeen]

Your cynicism doesn't do you any good.

[archademode]

I speak from experience, your Majesty, not cruelty. Though you are, of course, free to do as you wish.

[He's done more than enough battling with headstrong royalty across the span of his life; you won't see him digging his heels into a battle he won't win.

Well— at least not in this regard.]

[clawings]

Wonder how many unseated by the nature of bein' here folks we got kickin' it around.

[ Anyway. ]

Part 'o the problem's gonna be gettin' there. The war is right there, at Hamsal. Most of those people fleeing are probably Tevinter. They could come here, right? 'Cept the people who already live here ain't gonna be thrilled. They don't like Tevinter people, understandably.

[rowancrowned]

( too many, but on the second point: )

There is also the matter of feeding, clothing, and vetting them.

[clawings]

Vettin' 'ems the big part. If we start takin' in war refugees without that, someone's gonna put a spy or seventeen in the mix, not to mention assassins.

[sparklequeen]

I feel like that's all the more reason to try and help. If the war is right there and we do nothing, it just exposes more people to danger and suffering.

There have to be some people willing to look past that, right?

[clawings]

I think presumin' nothin's happenin' just because no one's said anythin' here is a bad idea, given the givens.

What I mean by that is that Riftwatch is part of a larger selection of folks and projects that are all engaged in the war effort here.

Lemme ask you this, your majesty. Would you rather hit somethin', talk with someone and get 'em to listen to your side, or trade in secrets?

[elegiaque]

If all you want to do is ruthlessly finger yourself to completion in public about your moral outrage, by all means, continue to insinuate people who've been fighting shorthanded for the better part of a decade didn't solve every single problem in Thedas to your satisfaction before the sky squirted you out its cunt because we don't care.

If you want to make yourself useful, Princess Sparkle of Fuck Off That's Not Real, get a job. There are four divisions. You'll know in which you can be of the most use; you can learn what resources and capacity we have and whose dick you need to suck to get more.

( it is an incredibly posh orlesian accent, for the incredible words that come out of it.

thranduil is the nice one. )

[rowancrowned]

( smoothly: )

The Chantry does a great deal of the charity work in Kirkwall. Perhaps you might offer your assistance there?

My wife and I have long been in favor of the integration of Rifters into existing institutions.

[poleaxed]

Hasmal's a fucking pit, mate. You're as like to find some poor innocent soul as a slaver in mummery. If you think you've found the simple answer, of course, be my guest. Get the fuck out there, girl.

[sparklequeen]

Thanks for the good wishes.

[acreage]

[ not unkindly, ]

I understand how you feel, [ trust him, professional moral compass jim holden really does, ] but there's no reason to assume that no one's doing anything about it.

[ riftwatch isn't a tiny operation, after all, with people coming and going all the time. he's, himself, recently returned from an excursion to learn more about the tevene occupation of an orlesian city. the inquisition is even larger; and thedas besides.

but more to the point: ]

Before you plan on going anywhere by yourself, I recommend you learn more about the dangers out there to rifters. People not being too fond of us, [ as she might have seen some of, just in kirkwall, ] is only the start.

[sparklequeen]

[ Glimmer has always been the sort to go off half-cocked. Hence, the upset chatter into the crystal. She exhales and tries to focus herself--her emotions are already running high. Having someone at the least talk to her like she's not stupid or trying to understand, though? Helps. ]

I'm used to being in danger.

[ It's not said or meant flippantly. It's matter of fact, almost sad. ]

I'm not used to feeling so... helpless. Useless might be the better word. Just... hearing about these people who need help because they're running from a war, from something or someone coming to take their homes--

[ It lands close to home and Glimmer isn't sure how to put it, for a moment. ]

My people at home are fighting a war. I should be with them and instead I'm stuck here.

[satinet]

[Ah, youthful exuberance. It brings a tear to the eye or whatever. Particularly when it affords him some opportunity to swan in and sound benevolent.]

Well I think it's a marvelous sentiment. And I suspect the chantry in Hasmal would happily direct any supplies we might arrange to send their way toward productive relief efforts.

[sparklequeen]

It's a starting point, at the very least.

[ Glimmer sounds a lot more subdued than earlier. ]

[infantes]

How would you propose to help?

[sparklequeen]

I'd want to try and organize some way of bringing them some kind of relief. Organize a drive for clothes and bedding. Organize a supply of food and distribution for it. We'd need permission to be there, obviously, but if I had some other hands...

I was thinking of something as basic as providing a hot meal once or twice a day. CHarity soup. It's not a lot but it'd be something and I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty. I can cook.

[ There's a pause, thoughtful. ]

That might not be a bad place to start, honestly. When we had displaced people back home, even just making sure they had something to eat was a big help.

[thereneverwas]

Ah... bless.

[The sweet ones have the hardest time, it seems.]