( message 01. 🔮 video. )

[thricefold]

Hello, everyone. I’m Zita.

[ the woman on the screen smiles at the direction of the far caster, giving a polite wave before she returns to the task of packing up some things for the day.

judging by her surroundings as packs her things while she speaks towards the far caster, it seems that she’s taken residence in, well, the queen’s residence. ]

I hope this isn’t presumptuous of me to ask on this but— I’m hoping to offer my healing services to those here in the Queen's Residence or around the city for free.

However I’ve been informed that it’ll be in my best interest if I had an escort with me when I do this. If anyone is willing to keep me company, I would be grateful for it and be willing to pay you back somehow. You're all welcome to seek me for healing too, of course.

[ she pauses. as if considering something.

usually, she would end her message here and refocus her attention on the next task at hand - in this case, her packing for her when she heads out - but... ]

If you’re not interested in that, you’re welcome to also make use of my fortune telling services instead. Payment for this will be required but I promise the price for it is reasonable enough. I only ask for a story.

And that's it. Thank you for taking the time to hear me speak.

[ added ooc note;; for those who would like to thread out their and zita's time out in the city for the free healing services, i now have a log post with that activity as one of the top-levels! feel free to hit it up if you're interested. ]

Comments

[thricefold]

[ an sigh escapes her while her shoulders slump down, now unable to keep her disappointment in check.

in her heart, she knows it's the truth. it doesn't make it hearing any easier. ]

At the very least... I hoped there would be some form of compensation for those who lost their homes and possessions in the fires. It's not fair to them.

[phykios]

[ if a little thing like murder isn't illegal here, arson probably doesn't stress the people in charge either, he thinks -- but doesn't say. ]

You're right, it's not. But, hey -- [ struck with sudden inspiration, ] that doesn't mean we can't do anything to help.

[thricefold]

Oh?

[ she looks curious now as she stares at percy through the far-caster. she's curious- and also hopeful. ]

We can? What can we do? [ zita leans forward, indicating her interest to hear more on percy's thoughts about what they could do.

she wants to help others in this problem they're facing. and if percy has an idea than zita wants to give him a hand on whatever it is. ]

[phykios]

[ the attention makes him feel a little uncomfortable, like -- here's a rare good idea, now try not to mess up with the follow-through! but he stops and thinks, anyway, frowning faintly. ]

We should probably start with asking what they need over there. But the rebuilding isn't over yet, and people probably still need help getting back on their feet. The Council or whatever can't tell us what to do. Even if they don't want to do anything about that, we can.

[thricefold]

[ zita certainly seems to like the follow-up of percy, nodding along and taking time to think on what he said. ]

That's an excellent approach. Asking them what they'll need to get back on their feet will give us idea of what's needed the most and prioritise what to get first.

[ her expression is more hopeful than earlier, a good sign, but there's no denying the caution that still shadow her eyes and smiles.

she pauses to thinking, going over this in her mind one more time. ] We should be careful on how we approach this, of course. We won't be able to help others if we're in trouble with the Council or others in power.

[ a cowardly thing to be concerned over, she knows, but zita doesn't want to get in trouble. she's here for a reason, and she doesn't want to ruin the chances of helping the carnival and her family. ]

[phykios]

And that way we can be sure we're actually giving them what's needed. [ really helping them. ] I think we've probably earned some goodwill after the fires. At least enough that people will give us the time of day.

[ zita isn't wrong, probably, but percy shrugs. it wouldn't have even occurred to him to worry about the council. ]

What are they going to do, put us in time-out for helping people? Besides, I think the queen would back us up.

[thricefold]

[ zita has to raise a hand press it against her mouth after hearing what percy had to say.

it's not because she's gasping in shock or she's trying to hide her disapproval. rather, it seems to be because she's trying to suppress a giggle. if the dim twinkle in her eye and the approving curve of her cheek is to believed, zita is doing her utmost to hide her amused reaction at, most likely, his last words.

when she manages to compose herself, ] I think- I think that's a good point you made.

... I also think you would have gotten along with some of my charges back in the carnival. [ she gives it some thought and- yes- ] Definitely with Penelope. She wouldn't have stood by when others needed help and would have simply done the right thing. Consequences aside.