[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]

"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.