[CLOSED]

[baetiful]

WHO: Jon Snow and Petyr Baelish
WHERE: Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Sometime after Jon's arrival.
WHAT: Continued from here. Baelish tries to get on Jon's good side. Jon is wisely skeptical.
WARNINGS: The test drive thread touches on darker topics of rape and brutality. But the log at this point has none of that.

[ The words do slip out. And maybe they're rhetorical. Or maybe Jon is seeking council. But Petyr can only offer words similar to what he had offered Sansa. ]

Our world is cruel, unjust, and unfair. Men of honor die to treachery all the time, but it does not mean they should not still house that honor. There is no true justice in our world. Perhaps there is in this one, but this world is not our world. However, you defeated Ramsay Bolton. You and Sansa won back Winterfell. You will protect our world from the Others. Justice is what you make of it. And it was from your honorable hand that you've rallied so many different forces to fight alongside you. You are making your own justice, Lord Snow. And moreover, you aren't letting stubbornness or a need for vengeance cloud your judgement. I believe you will be able to do what both your father and your brother were unable to do.

[ Baelish doesn't say anything in response to the commentary about Sansa. It's best not to reopen that can of worms. Because he definitely recognizes the slight barb in the way Jon says he wants to see Sansa safe from men who would sell her to those traitors. Instead his eyes follow Jon's hand to his sword. ]

I can easily arrange for a meeting between you and Ser Mormont. He serves as my bodyguard currently.

Comments

[song_of_ice]

[Why did he ask that question? Whether it was rhetorical or not, it allowed Baelish a glimpse into his mind and the lingering insecurities that even death couldn't cure him of.

He wants to object about the absence of honor in their world, but he witnessed it first hand and suffered the ramifications of choosing honor over realism. It should have been enough to warn him away from similar decisions or leanings, but he is as much of a Stark as Robb or his father.]

You speak as though you know me well. [He's uncomfortable with the flattery and honestly doesn't know what to say in response to Baelish's perspective on the coming war.] I still don't understand how I am supposed to rally men here when I am in no position to do so. The Free Folk, the men of the North, we shared a common threat. Here...this isn't our world.

[He considers the offer.]

I should like to meet them both. Ser Jorah and Daenerys Targaryen.

[baetiful]

We do share a common enemy here. And in time, that will make itself apparent to you. It's easy to forget when the world goes on with celebrations and distractions. But we are at war. And it isn't simply a war between countries, but one in which both sides wish to utilize us as weapons. And we also must fight one another as there are those who come into this world and kill its natives with little to no remorse.

[ Petyr sets his glass to the side, glancing at Jon. His expression softens a bit. ]

It's true, we may not have had the number of years to get to know one another. Not truly. But I've a talent for seeing things in people others often do not see.

[ A beat. ]

Which porter city do you call a home, Lord Snow?

[song_of_ice]

[That managed to catch his attention and concern, prompting the Stark in him of taking notice. He didn't want to jump to conclusion in the motives of those that came into the world and harmed others. Such things were said of the Free Folk, but their motives were similar to the men of the realm. Yet, it didn't sit well that such things were done to the innocent.]

We are brought here then as tools. [It answered some of his questions regarding whether or not to trust these soldiers.]

There is little reason to play their games. We could each come together and repel their attempts to be their weapons. So long as the others wish to pursue a better means than to squabble among each other.

[He hesitated to share that information, but decided against such open rudeness. He needed to follow his words and set an example by working with Baelish.]

De Chuma.

[baetiful]

De Chima is a difficult city for those of us born without this sort of technology. But I've no doubt you'll adjust. Though should you find yourself disliking it greatly -- Maurtia Falls is always welcoming imPorts.

[ If Baelish had his way, most of the imPorts would move to his city. ]

They'll try to tell you otherwise, but the evidence stands. Nearly a year ago, the Soviet forces invaded this country and forced imPorts to undergo hours upon hours of mind altering torture. They were attempting to sway imPorts to their side. And as retaliation, this country went over and bombed one of their most vital fortresses. You may not know what a bomb is, but it is deadly. And it does not kill a single target. But many through an explosive charge. Because of this, the United States killed many innocent people -- civilians whose only crime was living in the wrong place at the wrong time. And it was all in a fight over who was the rightful 'owner' of the imPorts.

[song_of_ice]

[Living under Baelish? He might work with the man, but that is where the line is drawn.]

I have refuge away from the city, should I need it. [Lucy had run into him the day previous and offered him the chance to visit her farm. Well aware that Baelish knew her, he preferred to keep his thoughts at that.]

Where is this evidence? [He would need to see it himself. Sorry Baelish, he can't simply take your word for it.] The imPorts are kept under their control, both by oath and benefits. If they could be removed and set up as their own entity, it would take the power from the hands of both the Soviet and the United States. They view us as pawns, we would need to become a stronger force.

[baetiful]

[ Hmmm. A refuge away from the city should he need it? Hmm. Baelish will have to consult his network of mockingbird spies. Fortunately, it will be fairly easy since he had gifted one to Lucy.

But he does not seem offended by Jon's choice or the disbelief. He simply rises to his feet and then begins to rummage through a filing cabinet to rifle through some old newspapers he had stored away. Knowledge is power. Finding the ones that detailed all of the things he talked about, he sets them down on the table before Jon. ]

Look through those. Ask any number of imPorts. Look through older posts on the network. They will confirm what I said to be true. I've no reason to lie to you, Jon Snow. [ There's a twinkle of amusement in his eyes and Petyr strides over to the fireplace, standing before its warmth. ]

It's a difficult thing. War. Neither side is right. Neither side is fighting for anything other than their own pride. But this country does house us and provide for us more than they need to. They could have chained us up and demanded we fight for them. But they didn't. Yet, in a way they still do chain us.

[ He lifts his arm and pulls back his sleeve, showcasing the glowing REGISTERED tattoo. They don't need actual chains when those damn nanites are within their body. ]

[song_of_ice]

[Should he consult his mockingbirds in a few days, he would find that Jon had paid Lucy a visit. For now, it was only an intended visit that he hoped to make soon. Being around animals and on a farm once again was enough to bring him some relief in a deeply confusing and frustrating world.

He takes the papers and flips through them. He would need to do more research on his own, but so far he didn't like the options presented to him.]

They provide for us, but they are the ones that brought us here. It's no different than abducting a man and then forcing him to fight for your cause. All it seems to me is that we are being used as tools, rather than given autonomy.

[He's surprised, and it shows, to see Baelish actually registered.]

Another oath, another order seeking allegiance.

[Meaning he's conflicted about becoming registered.]

[baetiful]

[ It takes Baelish a moment's pause to catch Jon's meaning -- what oath he's referring to, that is. His eyes drift to the mark on his wrist and then he allows the sleeve to fall. ]

There's been a great deal of misconception by many about what it means to register or to not register. So many are under the belief that it means you're swearing allegiance and fealty to this government and are therefore bound to them. But all registration means, truly, is the agreement that you will act within the law and do no harm to those in this country.

The choice is ultimately yours to make, but I do recommend registration. There are restrictions that come with choosing to remain Unsettled.

[song_of_ice]

[If that is all it is, it lessens a number of his concerns. He doesn't wish to be bound in the same he had been with the Night's Watch. The less obligation he feels in remaining here, the better. There is a war waiting for him at home. He may be worried and concerned for those brought here, but there were those depending on him in the North.

But is that what father would do...?]

What restrictions?

I had been told there was something of a 'swearing in' ceremony. Is that just the registration?

[baetiful]

Aye, it is. Every month we have a different, unique experience to welcome in new imPorts and invite the old along as well. This is a place where people can choose whether or not to register, but also enjoy themselves. Barring the few exceptions where the Swear Ins were attacked. But that is a story all its own.

[ Petyr waves his hand. He'll get into it now if Jon really wants to hear it, but he figures the young commander has more than enough to digest about this place and how it operates than to hear about the few attacks that have happened at Swear Ins before. ]

As for the restrictions that come with being Unsettled. It becomes increasingly difficult to find employment. You won't be kicked out of your housing but should you wish to find lodgings of your own -- the government will not aid you. You no longer have access to healthcare, you need to obtain special permission to utilize the porters between cities, and you are subjected to searches by government officials at each of the borders. These are only the restrictions I know about. There are plenty more, not to mention the fact that you are regarded as having suspicious motives and therefore monitored closely by the government.

[song_of_ice]

[He'll ask more at a later time. For now, he still has to digest the news about Sansa having met with Baelish, as well as the disgust he feels for having to ally in this place with the man.

He needs space and freedom, somewhere to go and think about all of this. Somewhere where Baelish couldn't watch him.]

I don't need their assistance. [Except he did and he knew he did.] I will take this into consideration.

[baetiful]

You aren't bound to the decision you make, no matter what, Lord Snow. Should you change your mind at any point to either register or unregister, the government allows you that choice. So do not fret about making the right decision. You can always amend it later.

[ He turns to the former Lord Commander turned King of the North, gesturing for the door. Baelish can see the conversation has drawn to a close. ]

Shall I see you out? [ He can at least escort Jon to the door before letting him go out into the winter cold. ]

[song_of_ice]

[He'll stew on that, along with a number of other things they've discussed. For now, he's grateful the conversation has ended and the awkward meeting can end.]

No need. I can find my own way.

[baetiful]

[ His hand splays out and he gestures toward the door. A way of saying by all means. The smile on his face is a cross between pleasant and mildly mocking. ]

Safe travels to you then, my lord.