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Viva La Mods ([personal profile] vivalamods) wrote in [community profile] vivalaooc2024-05-31 08:15 pm
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Test Drive Meme #1


TEST DRIVE #1

The day begins as any other, you’re going about your day, living your life, when, without warning, you feel the world around you shift on its axis. You feel a great tear, welling from the depths of your soul as you are ripped from all you have known. If you’re lucky, you arrive in the wilderness of an unfamiliar world, where the language is foreign and the people are hostile. To make your escape, you must learn some language, flee, and occasionally fight, all to find your way off the floating isles you find yourself on and to the great ocean below, where rebel forces will welcome you.

If you’re unlucky, you materialize within a room full of armed guards and are quickly subdued with charged nets, stripped of your belongings, fitted with strange devices that suppress your powers and pressed into servitude. Your days are unimaginable pain and toil.

Fortunately, even in this world, there is still hope. For the denizens of this world have not given up. And it is for that dream of salvation that the Crimson Corsairs raise their flags and sail - for liberation. Perhaps you are one who has lived their entire life under the oppressive yoke of the Empire. Perhaps you have seen first hand your family and friends cut down by nobles hunting men for sport, or perhaps you have run afoul with the church and barely escaped with your life. No matter your origin, the Corsairs sail for you, for your freedom, for your life. And today, a taste of freedom will be won for all.


ARRIVAL/LIBERATION
This month, the Crimson Corsairs raided a Larendt labor camp in order to obtain much-needed parts and textiles as well as liberate another batch of servants for the cause. The raid was executed under the cover of night, with one team sweeping the dormitories and gathering as many servants as they could while the other team hit factories as they could, focusing on taking important items like ship parts and clothing, loading them into prepared trams and fleeing before the guard could mobilize. The operation, thankfully, went off without a hitch, and the Corsairs were able to usher a number of servants into their waiting ships.

As dawn breaks, the raiding fleet docks at Flotsam as the city-fleet begins the long journey away from the continent before a retaliation fleet can be mobilized. The former servants are finally let above deck. The sun is beating down hard on them, its brilliance marking their first step into freedom.

Corsairs on the fleet will have a lot to do - the new arrivals will need to be sorted, clothed, and fed. Many are emaciated from the conditions in the labor camp, and the former servants will be immediately ushered to a mess hall for their first meal as free folk. Corsairs will be needed to organize the movement, prepare and serve the food, and also just sit with them and talk to them, helping them adjust and filling them in on the situation.

Former servants will have found the entire process exhausting to say the least. They were awoken in the dead of night by heavily armed people quickly moving through, shattering their chains and ushering them into ships. The entire night was spent sailing, and while the hull is dark it is crowded and difficult to sleep in. Finally, upon arrival they are ushered into a meal hall and served a humble meal - but a meal that far exceeds anything that was ever served at the servant’s table. What is known is that they are now free.


MEANWHILE IN THE WATERLOGGED ROW…

With another successful mission under their belt and their duties more or less complete, the triumphant Corsairs observe a time-honored tradition: heading to the Waterlogged Row and getting absolutely shitfaced on awful grog.

The mood is jubilant and self-congratulatory, with drinking songs ringing out across Flotsam. In consideration to other residents, the Row is currently moored a good distance from the residential areas to keep the celebrations from disturbing what little peace there is in the chaotic town that is Flotsam. But for those who participated in the mission, tonight is about celebration. Singing, storytelling, socializing, this is the glue that holds the operations team together. And as the Crimson Corsairs do not officially recognize a drinking age, everyone is welcome! Even if they probably shouldn’t be!

New arrivals are, of course, not at all restricted so those who finish their meal and go exploring will quickly find the Row, as well as many Corsairs eager to buy them a pint to toast their newfound freedom.


MAKING THE GOOD STUFF

Elysium often serves as the crux of Corsair operations, and the next operation is no different. While the operations team is carousing and toasting their success, the planning team is hard at work preparing for the next mission.

The order of the day is gathering, which has brought the team to the forests outside of Elysium. In the coming month, Elysium will host a lavish party for the guards of a certain continent, and it is the duty of the gatherers to ensure that any drink served is “enhanced”, with such potency that they won’t be in any position to do their duty when the raiders strike.

Any herbology specialists will be absolutely vital for this operation. While the Corsairs have some documents and know, generally, what they’re looking for, there are a wide variety of things that grow within the forest, many of which can be quite dangerous.

Those new to gathering will really need to watch their step. Elysium is rich in hallucinogens, and a whiff of the wrong flower or mushroom could leave them contemplating their navel for the next hour. Tasting is out of the question, but what they don’t know can’t hurt them right? After all, the Elysium workers spend a lot of time eradicating poisoned growths to keep wandering nobles safe so anything they find can’t be THAT bad. Right?

And of course, for experienced foragers, they will find an entirely new duty thrust upon them - keeping the newbies in line. Really, how can they expect anything productive to be done when they send a bunch of green recruits into a forest full of hallucinogens?


EDUCATION AS THE BOMBS FALL

New Corsairs almost always find themselves in the Vault. Nestled in the earth and subject to the constant pounding of munitions overhead, the Vault is the repository of knowledge for the Crimson Corsairs and the place where new inductees are educated. Language instruction, education on the world and its people, writing, reading, arithmetic, just about any kind of learning can be done in the Vault’s halls.

Notable about the Vault’s education is how deeply tied it is to the Crimson Corsair’s broader philosophy - everyone’s unique talents and insight have value. As such, Corsairs are often called to the Vault to share their specialized expertise. While many Corsairs do choose to become full-time teachers, any Corsair can come and teach a class.

For the new Corsairs, now is a time to learn and train, acclimate themselves to their situation and figure out where they want to go from here. For established Corsairs, this is an opportunity to meet the new recruits and help train them so they can help with the cause. Those who might be students today will be comrades standing at your side tomorrow, so teach them well.


DANGER AT SEA

As the most mobile of the Corsair’s settlements and the only obvious Imperial target, Flotsam is well equipped to deal with any number of dangers. One such danger is the enormous sea monsters who dwell within the Eternal Ocean. While many are not too keen to tangle with such a large fleet, occasionally a monster will become angry or territorial enough to try to attack the fleet.

And it is for that reason that the Corsairs now find themselves battling a massive sea serpent that has stretched itself across the western edge of the fleet. New Corsairs aren’t expected to assist in this battle, but as the sinking of Flotsam would be VERY BAD for those who are currently trying to live on it, many will jump in anyway, especially as they should have been issued weapons. As to established Corsairs, well, you know the drill by now. Monster bad, try to sink ship, let’s convince it that there are easier marks than the pride of the Corsair fleet.

Some Corsairs will need to man the cannons to blow it away, but many will get up close and personal, jumping into melee range to drive it away from the ships and mitigate as much damage as they can. Others still will provide support from the back with magic or ranged weaponry, and still others will need to weave their way in between the battle to carry out wounded Corsairs for medical attention. Whatever your specialty, your city needs you. Best get to work.


WILDCARD

Have an idea for your own prompt? Feel free to make any prompt that you think would fit!

OOC
Welcome to the first Test-Drive Meme for Viva La! All threads here may be considered canon once characters have entered the game. Threads here are eligible for use as a roleplay sample for applications, which will open on the 15th of June at midnight.

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minorinasskicking: (Confident)

[personal profile] minorinasskicking 2024-07-02 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Gohan nods. He's also a person who can appreciate a good starry night when he has the chance to do so. Not even going into space dulled his enjoyment of the night sky.

"Oh, yeah! I bet we could go to Flotsam for fishing some time, when there's nothing important to do! We should do that when we get the chance!"
purplexing: (weighing pizza)

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-07-02 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
That proposition has Donnie brighten. He really hasn't made too many friends his age and the thought of doing something so casual with someone is a nice one.

"I'd like that," he says, smiling.
diamondblades: (011)

[personal profile] diamondblades 2024-07-02 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[The glaive is hard - far harder than its steel-like appearance belies. Almost as if it were a blade made of diamond.

But when his foot strikes the blade, an odd thing happens. The pole snaps cleanly and the blade goes flying. The rest of the pole shines with light and re-forms rapidly in her hand as she keeps her forward momentum, intentionally pulling her angle down to target his chest instead of his throat as her hands clasp together around what was a broken haft and is now blunted longsword]
Edited 2024-07-02 22:45 (UTC)
minorinasskicking: (Aside Glance)

[personal profile] minorinasskicking 2024-07-02 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gohan listens to what Preme has to say. While he doesn't necessarily agree that weaker people are the ones who come up with tricks, he can't deny that Piccolo and Krillin using their techniques against vastly stronger foes has bailed him out of bad situations before. But he knows his father has come up with plenty of tricks, and he can't imagine anyone stronger than him.]

That's as good a place as any to start. You need to know the basics to master just about any fighting technique. And even someone like me has to train my muscles.
leczdeszczrozmyllitery: (pic#16960690)

II

[personal profile] leczdeszczrozmyllitery 2024-07-04 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Is everything okay?" Himmel, who was just passing by, asks the young man.

Ah, a flower. Himmel leans down, to see what kind of flower it is, with a sort of innocent curiosity. Sorry, he might not be looking at Link for a second, right now.
trash_eater: ("who cannot seem to give")

Education, also, hi, a mun here who once had a thread with you (with my Valgaav) :D

[personal profile] trash_eater 2024-07-04 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Are you from some stuck up traditional family who won't even look at a tv screen, much less a mobile?" Suguru Getou, not really curious, perhaps slightly bored, who was just passing by, asks the older man. "Even if it's made by monkeys, you should at least know the bare basics. It'd help you."
Edited 2024-07-04 12:07 (UTC)
istandwithmycancelledwife: (Suddenly)

kalim al-asim | twisted wonderland | ou

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-07 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
(ooc: DONT mind me i know this tdm is old i'm just here 2 mess around. i'll be on the next one for real, a bitch is just impatient and wants to try some stuff out with one's pals)


i.

[ Like so much in his life, Kalim’s arrival in Esthere was relatively fortunate: he materialised in an alley in an unfamiliar city rather than surrounded by people ready to subdue him, and so rather than slave labour, he spent most of the time between then and making it down to the Eternal Ocean variously getting mugged, narrowly escaping arrest, and busking.

In those couple of months he managed to pick up enough of the local language to get by, but he is not enjoying trying to expand that understanding to the written word. Right now he’s sitting cross-legged on the floor in a corner of the Vault’s library with a little stack of books next to him, Suffering. His brow creases as he unconsciously mouths along with the words he’s reading, but eventually, overwhelmed, he screws his eyes shut and lets his head fall back against the shelves behind him. ]


This is even worse than learning to read the first time…


ii.

[ Having eagerly volunteered to help with foraging because of his personal experience identifying poisons, Kalim is now coming to realise that his confidence was misplaced. He MAY have failed to think about the fact that he only has practice noticing poison that’s already reached the point of being put into food…which it turns out is a very different experience from figuring out what’s okay to touch or step on or breathe too near when it’s out in the woods like this.

But that’s okay! For one thing, if he runs afoul of anything out here, it’s nobody’s fault except his own and maybe nature’s if you’re feeling judgemental: a total accident that implicates no one. And for another, if there’s one thing he’s learned since he got yanked into this horrible alternate dimension, the best way to learn something is by doing it!

He puts his hands on his hips and looks determinedly out at the vegetation. ]


Okay, let’s go!

[ He immediately trips over some underbrush and eats shit in the dirt. ]


iii.

[ Working a shift at the King’s Table might have Kalim on the opposite side of a banquet to the one he grew up on, but he’s still pleased to be there: he genuinely likes seeing people enjoy themselves and indulge in good food. Even better when there’s live entertainment! Sure, some of them are monsters, but he’s always been good at compartmentalising. He makes up for his lack of grovelling deference with completely earnest enthusiasm about every item on the menu and sincere eagerness for the patrons to have a good time.

And he’s learning to keep some things to himself until he’s well out of earshot of any of the diners and only his fellow employees can hear him: ]


Wow, the guy at table six smells awful!


iv. OR WHATEVER.
chosenkingoflucis: (N2)

[personal profile] chosenkingoflucis 2024-07-08 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
"So you were reunited only to be separated again..." Noctis muses. That sounds familiar. He can't help but huff a bitter sort of laugh. "Yeah, me too, but everything went to Hell just before I was brought here."

Noctis dodges some flying debris by means of another point warp but makes sure to not get ahead of his companion.

Luckily, they seem to be getting close to the point of origin- which means the head of the creature- and they can finally take it out.

"Hey, you prefer broadswords?"
chosenkingoflucis: (pic#17019292)

[personal profile] chosenkingoflucis 2024-07-08 07:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh. Uh... good? Memories, I hope?"

He would hate to have brought up something bad. Not that Noctis knows this guy's story or anything. But he can tell there's more there.
newmemorywhodis: (Pensive 02)

[personal profile] newmemorywhodis 2024-07-08 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
Link pauses.

"...The Empire," he says. So no, not good memories, really. But with their talk of rescues, and how people like them were treated...it was hard not to remember.
fray: (say)

[personal profile] fray 2024-07-10 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
Id arches an eyebrow at him, not expecting the question. But he doesn't see a reason not to answer as they approach their destination. "Yeah. It's what I'm used to." There's a reason he can swing them around like they weigh nothing.

He clearly doesn't expect anything to come of that question beyond simply establishing what he can do as they advance on the creature's head, one large eye shifting to watch them. "Sounds like we've both got unfinished business back home."

Which is all the more reason for them to dispense with this beast.
justlikemother: (10)

number 2 babey

[personal profile] justlikemother 2024-07-13 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ To say Morgan has no expertise in botany or poisons whatsoever would be an overstatement. Okay, he's got some base level survival skills, sure, but identifying toxic plants? Zero experience whatsoever. Which is precisely why he volunteered for it. There's no better experience than firsthand experience!

He does wince a little when he sees that other guy faceplant directly into the ground. Trying to avoid his own pitfall, Morgan steps carefully over a few protruding tree roots to half-crouch beside Kalim, one hand on a tree trunk to keep himself steady. He holds another out to help Kalim to his feet. ]


Ooh, that looked like it hurt. Are you okay? You didn't hit your head or anything, did you?
istandwithmycancelledwife: (Suddenly)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-13 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm fine!

[ He accepts Morgan's hand up, though, brushing himself off and beaming. ]

There wasn't anything weird down there, haha!

[ Although, uh...hmm. He takes another look. ]

Actually, I don't think I've seen the one with the little purplish leaves before? What do you think?
justlikemother: (08)

[personal profile] justlikemother 2024-07-14 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, good! It'd be pretty unfortunate if you fell face-first into some poison ivy or something.

[ Morgan transfers the helping hand up into an earnest little handshake before letting go. He drops to a crouch to peer at the plant in question, scrutinizing it with a furrowed brow, then grins cheerfully up at Kalim. ]

Well, I think the leaves look pretty nice! No clue if it's dangerous, though. Does your face feel itchy? Any burning sensations?
snizier: (004)

iii-ish

[personal profile] snizier 2024-07-15 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jamil had done quite well for himself since arriving in Varschein Palace, if you asked him. He'd managed to get himself "adopted" by a middling noble family soon after arrival by emphasizing both his magic and his domestic skills--he may not speak the language, but he knows what kind of people to look for and how to orchestrate a timely demonstration--perhaps with a touch of laying on the demure routine extra thick, in case they were the type to take pity.

Thankfully, they were. His new owners (wonderful) were familiar territory: an old-money, early sunset-years couple only just starting to get their first grandchildren, the type to fancy themselves philanthropists and enjoy imagining themselves uplifting the downtrodden now that their children are the ones managing the empire. More money than influence, unfortunately, which isn't ideal, but Jamil could certainly do worse. He immediately worked very hard at becoming their favorite. Once Jamil proved himself to be as reliable and skilled and oh-so-humble as he'd initially promised, they even deigned to start teaching him to read and write. And once he'd demonstrated (a minimum) of his magical aptitude, along with his complete trustworthiness, his owners had even "generously" had his suppression band loosened to a whole 50%. Wow.

It would be worth it. Jamil is nothing if not patient. The whole humble servant routine is being delivered through gritted teeth as always, but Jamil is well practiced at it, and it's been gaining him ground these past several months. He's already at the point where the couple is dressing him up and taking him along to all their vacations so he can manage their bags; a few months more and they might just start giving him a stipend. Or even access to their bank accounts, if he can prove to them he knows how to budget.

He hasn't even had to use any hypnosis. That's something he's keeping close to the chest for now--a wildcard he's not going to play unless he absolutely has to. Jamil doesn't have the benefit of years of history to save his ass here. Any trust these silly nobles have formed in him is very easily broken.

Anyway. It turns out they're theater people--not that Jamil is complaining--and one of their newfound favorite pastimes in retirement is making weekend trips down to Elysium to sample the local events, and the Starlit Stage is a must-visit every time. It's not generally the kind of theater that Jamil is into, but he's not the one who gets to make these decisions, and it's certainly better than being left behind in their hotel room. Since these aren't the type of people who attract assassins--really, Jamil might as well be on vacation--he lets himself pay more attention to their bags than their surroundings as they head toward the ticket booth.

At least until he hears That Voice welcoming them in. Jamil of course recognizes it immediately--he hears it in his fucking nightmares. His head whips up to confirm before he can compose himself--and there he is. Kalim Al-Asim, their usher for the evening.

They must be desperate for help.

There's no way Kalim won't recognize him, but Jamil prays he won't anyway. There's no way, considering the way they last parted, that Kalim will be able to compose himself if he does recognize Jamil, but Jamil prays he will anyway. It's futile, but it's all he can do. Don't look at me. Don't say anything. Do NOT say ANYTHING.

There's no way Kalim will keep quiet. Jamil can already feel the dread and fury building--all this work he's put in after all this time, and Kalim is going to stumble in and ruin it like always. He's going to have to finally use his signature spell after all these months to keep Kalim from blowing his cover, and he'll have to somehow do it without revealing himself to his "beneficiaries." This sucks.]
Edited 2024-07-15 19:29 (UTC)
istandwithmycancelledwife: (You will undoubtedly look back)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-15 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Of course Kalim notices him – he always gives the same beaming smile to any attendants accompanying their noble guests as he does to the nobles themselves. This time it freezes on his face, though, his eyes going wide and round. His mouth almost opens around his name, but at the last moment he manages to force it shut. Mercifully, he's been here for long enough to grasp how important maintaining cover is. But...

Jamil is here? Jamil is alive? And he's – oh, it's actually sinking in that these people must own him. He's their servant. A complicated, unpleasant feeling twists its way around Kalim's guts and squeezes. He must hate this so much, he must be so angry to be here, it's got to be even worse than serving Kalim was – but maybe that's not actually true? Perhaps he doesn't actually hate these people as much as he hates Kalim; perhaps that makes up for the suppression band.

(Perhaps some awful little part of him can't cope with the thought of someone else as the recipient of Jamil's doting, familiar care.)

He looks back at the couple Jamil is attending. What kind of people are they? He can't tell. He wishes he could. Even if they're the nicest people in the world, though, he knows he needs to get Jamil out of there. He just has to figure out how. ]


U-um, sorry about that, I just – your servant is so handsome, I couldn't look away, haha! [ He's SURE they must hear this all the time, so this won't be suspicious. He beams at them, although it's not the same effortless smile he manages when whatever was making him uncomfortable has really just gone in the vault for ever. He tries very hard not to glance back at Jamil as he leads them through the theatre. ] Your seats are this way! Is, is this your first time here? You look like you come to the theatre a lot!
istandwithmycancelledwife: (Is the dance floor calling ? No)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-15 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Kalim rubs his cheek thoughtfully. ]

Mmm, nope! Or...oh, that might just be from me rubbing it. Hahaha! The leaves do look nice, though, huh? Do you think they're good for anything...?

[ He does NOT remember the details of what they're looking for. ]
justlikemother: (11)

[personal profile] justlikemother 2024-07-15 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I guess if we don't find any other use for them, it could make a nice houseplant! That always brightens up a room.

[ Morgan squints at the plant some more. ]

I guess it's hard to tell just by looking at it...maybe we'd be better off just gathering samples? I've never tested poisons before...ooh! We could try brewing it into a tea! A poison tea.
snizier: (005)

[personal profile] snizier 2024-07-15 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[What--he--what?!

Granted, it's a lot more discretion than Jamil would have expected from Kalim the last time that he saw him, so perhaps Kalim didn't arrive yesterday either. But could he really not come up with a better excuse than that?? Jamil immediately ducks down, continuing to pretend to inspect the bags, in order to give himself time to get his face under control--he is not blushing, thank you--which at least helps sell the excuse that he was too distracted to hear what Kalim had said, when the couple turn around to tease him about it.

It's like nothing ever happened as Kalim resumes leading them all to their seats and making pleasant small talk. If nothing else, Kalim is very good at distracting people. Jamil gathers their bags and keeps quiet and they manage to avoid making eye contact the entire time--more self-control and self-preservation than Jamil would ever expect from Kalim, honestly.

There's no opportunity for them to break off for a private conversation just yet--they both very simply have jobs to do. Well, Jamil's job right now is to sit around for a bit, but Kalim has more patrons to seat. For the minutes until curtains up, Jamil contemplates dodging it entirely. It would be easy enough to do--just find a reason to convince the couple to return to the hotel early tonight, and he could probably never see Kalim again.

As soon as he has the thought, he knows it's a futile idea. Now that Kalim has reentered his life (again), there's no way he'll agree to simply walk out again. And considering the circumstances under which they last saw each other... Jamil finds he doesn't actually want to leave it at that, either.

What he ends up doing is leaving right before curtains up on the excuse of needing the restroom--plausibly cutting it close enough that he'd still be there when the show starts, meaning he would have to hang back in the lobby area out of politeness. That could potentially give them until intermission. The amphitheater being outdoors will make it harder for them to avoid notice, but there's still enough out of the way structures to duck behind with most of everyone's attention about to be on stage.

Kalim should be done seating patrons this close to show start. As Jamil quickly makes his way back up the aisle, he makes sure to catch Kalim's eye and jerk his head--as discreetly as possible--to the nearest overhang behind the audience.

They've been through enough dangerous situations together for that message to get across, at least.]
istandwithmycancelledwife: (Turn an appealing refrigerator)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-15 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Kalim is fidgety and on edge as he finishes showing people to their seats. He feels kind of bad about it – he's supposed to be making sure all these people have a the best time possible! – but he can't stop thinking about Jamil. He does allow himself the occasional look back in his direction, just to convince himself that he didn't imagine all this somehow, but he's alarmed when he glances over and Jamil's seat is empty.

Thankfully he spots him again quickly, and when Jamil makes clearly deliberate eye contact and gestures for Kalim to join him out back, all of the panic and tension goes out of him.

He waits for as long as he can bear to before he follows – probably a minute at most, but it feels like for ever – and then nods to one of his fellow employees and hurries out. ]


Jamil!

[ Kalim almost stumbles as he catches up to him, breathless with relief. He keeps his voice down, at least, though, as he grabs onto Jamil's sleeves. ]

Jamil, it's really you! I thought, I thought I'd never see you again, I thought you were dead – I – 

[ He glances over his shoulder anxiously, but when he turns back to Jamil he's smiling. ]

If we go now I can hide you, I know some people, I have a room here –
istandwithmycancelledwife: (confident that your horse is bombproof)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-15 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh, good idea! I'm pretty good at telling whether things are poisoned or not, so maybe I can tell if the tea is poison!

[ WINK! THUMBS UP! ]
snizier: (039)

[personal profile] snizier 2024-07-15 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jamil lets Kalim grab at his sleeves, at least at first. Kalim's voice is low enough not to carry, but Jamil still can't help but shush him as soon as he hears Kalim implying escape. This is exactly what he was afraid of.]

Don't be ridiculous, Kalim! [Jamil yanks his arms out of Kalim's grip to emphasize the point, even as he keeps his voice hushed.] I've been working my way into their good graces for months. My position is precarious enough as it is, do not mess this up for me now!
istandwithmycancelledwife: (legs. HOW WILL YOU BE)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2024-07-15 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Wh. What?

[ Kalim's face falls, the picture of confusion and dismay. ]

But...but don't you want... Jamil, you really want to stay with them...?

[ They didn't look like awful people, he supposes – and Jamil clearly isn't having to do backbreaking labour in a mine or a factory or anything like that. But... ]
snizier: (089)

[personal profile] snizier 2024-07-15 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I--

[Jamil stops short. He isn't sure why. It's not that Kalim's reaction surprises him--of course he'd be dismayed that Jamil doesn't want to just drop everything and run off with him on a whim, that's how Kalim has always been--but the way he frames it makes all of Jamil's protests die in his throat.

Of course he doesn't want to stay with them. Every second he has to spend demurely groveling just for access to basic education feels like torture. It's just--it can't be that easy. He has a plan. He's spent months clawing out this little cliffside handhold and as long as he can stay clinging on to it and inching his way up everything is going to pan out eventually. Kalim can't just come waltzing in out of nowhere and offer him the easy way out after all this time, it doesn't work that way.

Whatever Kalim is offering him tonight can't possibly be more reliable than his own plans, can't possibly be worth the risk of losing them all.]


I already have a plan, Kalim. I don't need your help.
justlikemother: (08)

[personal profile] justlikemother 2024-07-15 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Whoa, really? That's really impressive! How'd you learn to do that without dying first?