[MINGLE] Great Shakes

[sixthiteration]

WHO: EVERYBODY
WHERE: EVERYWHERE
WHEN: 13 July (afternoon, main quake) - 14 July (morning, last aftershocks)
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: Potential injuries, PTSD, and anxiety

---

The sun is still high when the earth begins its initial, almost benign sway, but seasoned villagers know well enough that what follows will be far from gentle. Vibrations ramp up swiftly, exponentially, until within the space of a few seconds, the whole world is shaking — Dishes pinging down from shelves, young trees sifting free of the earth, shingles dislodging and tumbling like rain.

After 20 seconds, the worst is done, and after 30 the shaking has ebbed completely. Some will have escaped relatively unscathed, but others will not have been so lucky...

...and the aftershocks are still to come.

Comments

[cleptes]

"The earthquake happened." Bela replied, not sounding too pleased. "Had a fall in my home after it struck, and I didn't waste any time in getting out of there."

She doesn't want to think what would happen if she hadn't left. Crushed to death by the roof or trapped for days before anyone found her.

"No, I didn't break it. Just a bad sprain." She shook her head with a sigh. "Could've been worse I know." Bela looked her friend over, checking for any signs of injury. "And are you alright? No damage done?"

[thekittenqueen]

Something similar had happened to her during the first earthquake. Since then, she had been fortunate enough to be outside when they hit. But she wouldn't be able to shake the image of her roof nearly caving in on her, the floorboards of the second story creaking in warning. Bela was fortunate.

She placed a hand on Bela's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "I'm glad you are safe. Your home wasn't too badly damaged?" Everything seemed to still be standing. There were no demolished houses this time.

"No. I was in the fields with my animals." It was just mental scars, but that was hard to express in words. "I normally manage through these with Robb, but he's gone now." She rubbed her hands over her face. "This is my first quake alone."

[cleptes]

The shoulder squeeze is comforting, and she gave Margaery a smile in return. "No, not too bad. It will need some repairs though." Bela is going to ask people about it.

At some point.

She listened to what the other woman had to say, feeling a touch of concern when Margaery mentioned that she was alone; Robb isn't someone that Bela has met but it didn't take a genius to figure out that he was or is important to Margaery.

"I'm sorry." Her tone is one of sympathy as she drapes an arm around Margaery's shoulders. "How long has he been away for?"

[thekittenqueen]

"There are a number of people in the village with experience in repair. I believe I saw Clint building something a few days ago. If you ask him, he might help?" She suggested. If she had any talent herself, she would offer to assist Bela, but the boys had always done repairs for her.

"A week." She murmured, folding her hands in her lap in an attempt to keep them from shaking. She had managed to hold herself together for the most apart, hiding her tears from the public. There was less danger about it with Bela. She understood her walls and how weak she would feel breaking down in front of her.

"Would you ever consider moving from the inn? I have two rooms that are empty now."

[cleptes]

Bela did understand where she was coming from, knowing how difficult it is to let other people in. To show that kind of emotion. It doesn't take her long to think about Margaery's offer and give a response.

"I definitely would, yes." Having a housemate wouldn't be a terrible thing and it was clear that she needed the company right now. "But I still think I should get the repairs done to the house."

Just in case.

"Might take a while before I'm able to move my belongings. My ankle needs to get better first."

[thekittenqueen]

"Of course." It would mean that whoever occupied the home after Bela wouldn't be inheriting a mess. So many new arrivals were forced to clean long ago abandoned houses and she knew from personal experience what a chore that could be. "We could see to it together."

Simply having Bela nearby and knowing she wasn't alone in the house would be a relief for her. That emptiness was too much to stomach, especially after a day like this.

"Whatever you need done, I could see to as well." But Bela was right, she needed to heal and look after herself. "You don't mind dogs, do you?"

[cleptes]

"Thanks," she replied, giving her a slight smile. Bela doesn't want to do it by herself, knowing how much effort it would take to clear out her house and bring her belongings to Margaery's.

The question gave Bela some pause.

"I prefer cats but I could adjust to living with dogs." Which is the truth. "They're friendly, yeah?"

[thekittenqueen]

"They are. Akira and Gilbert are only two years old." Though they both were the size of adult dogs now. "Akira is quiet, she won't trouble you. She is very soft and sweet. Gilbert is a bit more wild, but he keeps close to me and he won't bother you. If he does, tell him 'out' and he will leave the room."

She would have seen the sheepdog as it was. He was always at Margaery's heels and at her side.

"Perhaps you will get a cat of your own soon?"

[cleptes]

"Good to know."

Bela said with relief in her voice.

"The thought had crossed my mind - but I just haven't gotten around to looking for one." Her own survival had been more important. "Would the dogs be all right with a cat around?"

[thekittenqueen]

"I believe so. They do well with my other farm animals." Though that was a bit different than a cat. "They are well trained and they won't attack unless I give command." She felt confident enough in that.

She smiled, hoping it would be enough to convince Bela to have her move in.

"Perhaps the Observers will be kind and send you one soon?"

[cleptes]

"Wouldn't that be decent of them." Bela said with a snort. "I don't know why they would be so kind to me. Not like I've earned it."

If anything, a person like Margaery deserved something nice. She was good.

"Hopefully a stray cat will come passing by one day and I'll take it in."

[thekittenqueen]

"Do any of us earn our gifts? I think they give them to us for other reasons, not because we've been good or kind." She certainly wouldn't claim herself to truly be kind at heart. More altruistic than anything else.

"If we find one, we will take him in." But she could at least hope the Observers would offer her something more.

"I am glad that you would stay with me."

[cleptes]

"It was kind of you to offer me somewhere to stay in the first place." Turning it down didn't seem like a wise choice, given Bela's current circumstances. Margaery would look out for her.

"Would you mind sitting here a while longer? Until I feel up to moving?"

[thekittenqueen]

"No, of course. I wouldn't want to leave you alone while you wait to feel better." She said, leaning on her knees. "How is it? Does it still hurt a great deal?" She nodded at Bela's ankle.

"It's not broken?"

we can wrap up here?

[cleptes]

"I think it is just sprained, not broken. The pain would be so much worse if it was the latter."

She's keen not to put much pressure on it just yet.