thebrideoffire: ([Daenerys] This Is Madness)
Dąεŋεŗγş Sŧσŗɱɓσŗŋ ([personal profile] thebrideoffire) wrote in [community profile] westwhere2021-11-10 11:49 am

"Why do the gods make kings and queens, if not to protect the ones who can't protect themselves?"

WHO: Daenerys Targaryen and OTA!
WHEN: As nobles and merchants return to the Citadel
WHERE: Merchant Square, the gates Taravast, and Palace of the Doxe
WHAT: Arrival of the Mother of Dragons
WARNINGS:


I. Arrival to the Citadel

The welcome has been overwhelming, to say the least. A far better sight than Khal Jhaqo and his khalasar. Though when she had first come to in the Stairs of Sighs and was spotted by the band of minor nobles and merchants, it wasn't much of a different feeling than seeing the Dothraki. In both situations, it was simply Dany with Drogon, now it seemed, he was the size he had been in Astapor. There was no riding him now, instead he curled around her shoulders and neck. His serpentine body and black scales startling against the canyon and harsh sun.

She would have to reflect on the magic of it later and how someone had managed to change her child. The moment the men and women saw Drogon, they crowded around Daenerys eagerly. For the few daring to touch her dragon, she quickly pushed their hands away, sensing Drogon's agitation as his claws dug into her skin. She attempted to communicate with them, not recognizing their language. First in the Old Ghiscari/High Valyrian blend of the Meereenese. Next trying simple High Valyrian. When that didn't work, she hoped and prayed the Commmon Tongue would be understood, but that was much like the rest. The most she tried finding their language, the more the pressed in around her and stared at her with wonder. Finally, in desperation, she tried Dothraki, but that was a lost cause.

So here she was, tattered, burned and dirty, looking more like she crawled from the bowels of the Seven Hells, following a large group of people and relying on their gestures to understand them. It didn't help that as they reached the entrance to their city, others started to flock around her as well. She wasn't feeling nearly as regal or majestic as the people were treating her. The more they crowded in, the more agitated Drogon started to become. She kept her hand on him, but soon he was launching himself from her shoulders, taking to the sky and flying across the Citadel.

"Drogon!"

II. Merchant Square

It's becoming more and more obvious that something was being planned when Daenerys was ushered into the Merchant's Square. The man that repeatedly called himself "Rosso Capello" had stayed with her up until the square. Only then did the merchants take control of her. Some stood on crates or boxes, spouting lofty speeches and stories, that while Dany couldn't understand, recognized as some extoling of virtues. She wasn't exactly a glorious sight, but people still stared in awe at her. There was no real room to escape, and for better or worse, she was relying on the people that found her to take her somewhere safe.

She just didn't expect to become a side show at the same time, no different than the mummers and slave auctions in Essos.

Drogon returned, perching on one of the stalls and staring down with his red eyes, no different than the blood red of his horns and back plates. He was terrifying, but that seemed to please the people. They turned away from Dany towards her dragon, still not looking overly pleased with the attention.

'How long before he retaliates? I need something to hold him, to keep him in check.'

The whip she acquired in Daznak's Pit was gone now, but there were so many stalls and so much merchandise, there had to be a whip somewhere. She touched the shoulders of people, repeating the request again and again. "Please, I need a whip." Only to be met once again with the blank (but mesmerized) stares of the people.

"Please can someone understand me?" She shouted in common tongue.

III. Palace of the Doxe

By the end of it all, Dany is exhausted. There was a grim realization of what was happening when money exchanged hands and she was lead away by...some noble household. The way the merchants responded to them, it was someone influential and of high standing. There was no gold collar, at least. No brand on her face denoting what she was slated for (which thank the Gods didn't seem to be a pleasure house.) It was possible to escape all of this as she had helped the others in Astapor. True, there was no army, but there was Drogon.

Yet...the idea of more charred bones at her feet, chaos in the city and looks of anger made her feel sick to her stomach. Where was she supposed to go? What should she even do? This place was foreign to her and she was starting to realize it wasn't Essos. So, without much objection, she followed to the Palace of the Doxe.

Along the way, a sorceress named Karsa offered her a communication and translation device. It was such a relief that Dany started to cry in gratitude. At least she wouldn't be lost in both language and world. There was information, stories about others who were newcomers to the world, which cleared up how she got here. Knowing there were others also was a comfort, though she didn't ask if they were bought and sold as well. She'd find out soon enough.

Reaching the Palace, Dany took a seat on the marble floor, not responding to any further attempts to move her. They brought her here, but they couldn't make her budge. Not until she was ready and had some energy. There were others, people who appeared a bit out of place compared to the rest.

Hoping they might understand her now, she called over, "Are you a newcomer as well?"
wooden_one: (neutral | worried resting bitch face)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-11-12 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
He looked towards the dragon (still without realizing it was a dragon), then looked back at her, his frown deepening.

"Does it have to be you?"

He's concerned but his concern could, on first glance, seem more like annoyance. A creature like that...should the responsibility of keeping it in check be left to just one person?
wooden_one: (neutral | resting bitch face)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-11-13 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
When she put it like that, he could understand a little. If it were one of his disciples, his feelings would probably be similar.

...not that any of his three disciples were dragons or anything but very ordinarily human. But if they ever took the wrong path, if they were ever in a situation where they'd hurt someone...it'd be his responsibility.

So he nods, as if agreeing to help look. Except, then he takes a step back, his expression as before.

"Hold out your hand."

That's all the explanation she gets before he holds out his own arm. "Tianwen, come forth."

And there's a flash of light golden light at his fingertips that reforms itself into a whip. Well, sort of a whip. It looks like a willow vine, with leaves and all, but it has a handle and it's shaped like a whip. It also feels distinctly magical (to those who can sense such things) and not only that, but quite powerfully so at the same time. He closes his fingers around the handle.

Then he looks at her expectantly.

Perhaps, if he were less socially inept he may have asked her to hold out her hand now rather than before. He may have explained what he's actually holding, maybe. But he really isn't very good at talking to people so this is what she gets.
wooden_one: (neutral | worried resting bitch face)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-11-14 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
He's not used to anyone being so happy to see Tianwen. Usually people assume if he brings it out he's about to whip someone (and maybe their reaction to him handing over this weapon would be equally disbelieving). The last time he'd seen such wonder had been that rainy day when he'd decided to take Mo Ran on as a disciple.

He's not sure what to do with it so he turned his head with a huff, embarrassed. "It doesn't seem to be something those who are here are familiar with." He said it gruffly...mostly just because he's embarrassed. Somehow, it was easier when people didn't want to talk to him. "Though it may look like it'd be weak to flames, Tianwen is made from a branch of a celestial willow tree. It will serve your purposes well enough for now."
wooden_one: (neutral | what now)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-11-15 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes." Yes, Tianwen is the weapon's name. Yes, it's his weapon to use, the one he's most well known for.

Though his answer is simple. Since it applied to both what need was there for further clarification?

He followed her through the crowd, wanting to let her handle this and yet worrying if he might need to help. He was running through the possible actions he could take when the creature returned to her.

"There's no need." He waved her off, "If the worst had happened we all would have been dragged into things." That's his excuse and he'll be offend, angry like a puffed up cat, if anyone tries to argue it. "If you need a whip, we'll have to look for one you can keep."

Because Tianwen is sort of tied to him. Even now, it required his own spiritual energy to keep it summoned. Though that is something he plans to keep to himself.
wooden_one: (neutral | ???)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-11-21 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
When she offered it back to him, he nodded and then it disappeared in a gentle flash of light. It was something he could call on at any time, but right now it has done its job.

His gaze follows the direction of hers and when he listens to her concerns he frowns.

"They don't have to right to do that." He says it as if it were a matter of principle, and a little like he would fight anyone who disagreed. In fact, the way he glared at the merchants seem to say that he'd fight them, right here and right now in this place.
wooden_one: (neutral | worried resting bitch face)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-11-24 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
"No. I'm--" But he pauses because the translation device they had probably didn't afford them any chance to speak without others understanding them. "I'm not from around here. I have something that acts as a translator. Without it, I doubt I would be able to understand you or you, me."

He studied her for a moment. "Are you new to the city?"
wooden_one: (neutral | worried resting bitch face)

[personal profile] wooden_one 2021-12-09 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Chu Wanning of Sisheng Peak."

Which, given the translators they have may have actually translated that as Peak of Life and Death. He gave the introduction with all the ease of someone who didn't want attention but is confident he won't be recognized here.

"Are you hurt?" If asked he would insist he wasn't concerned (but he was).