Miro x The Chosen of Underbridge

   Miro works himself to near exhaustion until things seem to calm down.  Then he amasses the people he had spoken with to speak with them again.  From person to person until finally finishing with Lilie's father.   He takes them to the corner of the church and asks them to sit and listen.

Vrinn's sitting back with little else to do, recounting stories of the elves to Lily. Describing the splendors and fascinating cultural differences as she plays with his long golden ponytail and perhaps letting slip a few funny pranks he pulled when he was a child as well. When Miro begins to gather everyone around, Vrinn cocks an ear towards him, only half paying attention (as usual)

Miro smiles as everybody gathers and walks to the corner of the room.   "I am Miro Kaijutsu a savior of the town of Sandpoint.  We have come here to gather some information and in our search your homes have been caught in the crossfire as a mage hired by our query sloppily cast a spell.  He has been taken care of but that leaves you the innocents still at a disadvantage.  So I come with a proposal of oportunity.  The town of Sandpoint is small but growing quickly.  As such there is room for those seeking a better life.  I will not however waste your time, if you are uninterested in what I have to say, then please make your leave now, be sure to get your meal and stay in the chaple as long as you need." Miro pauses a minute to give those uninterested time to leave and then continues. "I offer you now the chance to move with us back to sandpoint.  There you will be given the opportunity to start life anew.  I am not saying it will be easy.  Though you will not be alone.  I myself, and many of my friends will be there to help you along the way.  But there are things to know before you go.  For one, Sandpoint is the NEW star of Varisia.  Under new rules it is to be understood that Sandpoint is to be a home for anything to seek a new and better way of life.  Which leads me to the next concern,  I have selected each of you because at face value you are good people who are on hard times.  But that does not mean you are impervious to slipping back into old habits.  Sandpoint is a haven for those seeking not only a new life but to protect it.  Work will be difficult and expected and those who undermine Sandpoints peace and prosperity will be dealt with accordingly." Miro looks about the crowd judging reactions.

When Miro first suggests to the gathered masses to leave,  many do, as they fear the discomfort of listening to a sermon.  The ones who remain are mostly the older men who remember a better time, women with babes at their hips and breasts, or children with no where else to be. The younger and, what many would consider able-bodied, were among the first to leave - only the ones with stars in their eyes stayed.  They listened with varying degrees of attention to Miro's words of opportunity. There  were a few heads nodding and others shaking in dismay. Children ran around the one sanctified ground chasing shadows, vermin, and dust motes they mistook for fey.  As Miro spoke of his expectations and the realities of the promised new life, the crowd thinned more and more. By the end of it, there were 11 listeners. A family of 5, a young Shoanti man, a middle-aged woman with 4 of her own, and an orphan lad with a badly scarred face, black skin, white hair and grey eyes.  "What work is there?",the Shoanti asked. "Who will pay us? You?"

Ukawada, who had simply chose to listen while he attended to those were hurt, as listened he saw more of himself in these people, memories of home dragging up from deep below. As the crowd gathered and only the family remained he got up from where he was sitting and stood beside the family "Bradda, I know your heart inda righ place, but no everyone like us. Dey no able just drop everythin and leave dere home. Some people doo old do change, oders know no odder life, some see dis place as home even wih da bad. you give promise, and in a place like dis you canno risk evertin for promise, even one da nice as yours." he removes his mask, letting it fall to the ground as his nature is naked for all to see, eyes red with tears "Who are you Miro, who are we, do say life be bedda in Sandpoin den here?"

Miro nods as the crowd continues to dwindle.  Finally as the last of the people remain he smiles brightly.  "Thank you brave ones.  Thank you for having the bravery to stand and bravely seeking what lies beyond the veil of what is to what could be.... " Miro walks to a side of the crowd over to the boy and stares deep in his grey eyes.  He stands again and surveys the rest in the same fashion taking measure of their resolve and musing over what skills they bring.   "There is farming work, as well as apprentice opportunities among many artisans located in town.  There is also a lumbermill in need of work.  As for your pay, I will assist in your relocation and insure that you are cared for until your labors being to bare the fruits you need to survive."   Miro says pointedly as he continues back and forth through the crowd.  "There will also be further investments I intend to pursue here in Magnimar and I will need colleagues to assist myself with...... There are other things to consider as well.  Sandpoint is a town of freedom.  We have a grand chapel just built that is full of welcoming people.  There is education for your young ones available at the school.  Most of all there is a community that you can be a part of.... instead of being forced to live beneath the shadow of underbridge, forgotten and alone." Miro rises and walks over to Vrinn.  He turns back to the crowd and smiles. "I myself am a refugee from a land that had no use from me.  Since I came to Sandpoint, I have found a family, friends, and opportunities abound.  I invite you as a man with experience.....  So, who here has the resolve to take a new life by force in nessisary and make it their own?" (Diplomacy: 36 rolled in RotRL)

Ukawada could feel anger, a feeling he hadden't had for a long time, begin to stew within him "So wha yo gonna do if people say no, if dey go odda people dey wanna hire insead, wha if da farmers who lef come back and find forigners working dere old farm, wha you do if dere employers fire dem cause dey no know da firs ding about farming or masonry!? An who are you do say da people and forgodden and alone here, da dey go noone who cares abou dem here!? Wha makes you know wha bes for people?"  his knuckles are white, clenched in anger.

Miro stops and looks to Ukawada ignoring his first comment, but his second strikes a nerve pretty deep.  Miro closes his eyes and sighs in a thick australian accent, then opens them again and looks to Ukawada.  "To answer in turn, first I make no demands here Ukawada, well other than you spend less time involving yourself in my affairs and more time cleaning up your mistake.  Second I have contengencies in case those vacancies can not be filled by these people.  However you who are just a newcomer to Sandpoint are less aware than you think.  Do you think I would be making these suggestions without thinking it through?  I am not the one who jumps the gun Ukawada that is you.  I already know of vacancies in these positions that WILL NOT be refilled by their predacessors.  Another thing to consider is that in my converstation with these brave people I have allready given ample time for those uninterested to leave." Miro shakes his just abit and raises his eyes level to Ukawada this time with fire.  "For that matter who makes you the keeper of a mans fate?  You who wander the land with a herd of fluffy goats staying place to place without ever laying any roots?  Would you see no man better his situation?  Is this the way of nature?  No... Nature is growth.  With every seed that falls from the tree the forest grows.  Why if you were the controller of the fates of others I would still be in chains beneith some nobles dungeon dieing of thirst, hunger, and darkness.  So begon with you nay sayer.  If you can't focus on repairing your own mistakes then I will take over for you, you can return to your sheep and leave the Sandpoint I struggle every day to make a better place." Miro's eyes burn with challenge as he stares down Ukawada.   (Was going to write more but... seems a good place to stop.)

Ukadawa's voice is cold, his fury honed to a razor edge "You righ bradda I made misake, I'm par human, and I no live like people of Sandpoin, so I have no know if i be bedda. Bu you tell me bradda, wha makes an ousider like you able to tell people here whas bedda for dem?"

The arguing of the two outsiders, one small and one large gathers a larger crowd. Some smirk and smile. Men in bedraggled clothes trade whispers and slips of paper before they shake hands and motion towards the two. Mothers pull their children closers or usher them out but seem to share interests in this debate.

Miro moves to turn away and thin his head snaps back, this time his eyes have lost all their fuel and anger and are replaced with simple knowing. "Because I too know what its like to feel strangled beneith the shadows of those BORN more fortunate.  To live in the shadows of others and know beyond any shadow of doubt that there is nothing in this life better than that cramped, horrid darkness.  Yet still I dared to dream of flying amoung the stars, to see life above the throng of those of better station.  You ask me why I as an outsider think I can show them a better path?  Because I dared to take that first step down an uncertian road, to follow a path that was forign, and unknown.  And at the end of that path I found that I too could soar amoung the stars.  I found that freedom at Sandpoint, I found hope, freedom, and opportunity there.  And having travelled the road, I seek to show others that there is more than living in the shadows beneith those who were simply lucky enough to be born to a better home that I.  Much like you Ukawada, except I intend to shepard those who are lost and downtrodden, instead of just goats." Miro turns and makes his way to the soup to check on its progress and see if more is required.  

Synovia, having just returned with the Gangster, Hears the last of Miro's speech, the questions of the crowd,  Ukawada's angry reply and steps forward. To Ukawada she says "My friend, Miro meant no offense to you or these people. He speaks with passion and from experience. I am Synovia Pais." She turns and looks at the orphan boy "five years ago my entire Gypsy clan was died in the fires that claimed the cathedral in Sandpoint and the people there took me in and raised me as if I was there own." She looks at the Shoanti man, "You look strong and able to work. What work have you found here? The Sheriff of Sandpoint is of the Shoanti, I know for a fact that if you are willing to work your ass off, he will train you for the guard." To Ukawada she says "As for whether or not theses people have anyone that cares for them, I'm sure they do. I think the point Miro was trying to make is do they have a city that does? Take a look around" she says anger "This tragedy struck hours ago, and who is here to help? The city guard, the priests from the grand cathedrals, no we are here to help, four strangers from a town that few have heard from." She looks at Miro then at the group of misfits, "Miro has unintentionally misled you. IT WILL NOT BE EASY. Sandpoint has suffered much in the last couple months, we have been attacked by a great evil. I believe that evil has been, for the most part, purged and is again beginning to rebuild." She pauses a moment and looks every one gathered in the eye then continues, "So the choice is yours. If you are happy and content with your life here, buy all means stay. But, If you're not, and if you have the willingness and courage to make a new life, then come with us. We have so business here to wrap up before we leave.. We will most likely be in Magnimar for one more day, maybe two. Get word to us at the Oasis Inn if you want to come with us."

Ukada takes a deep breath, his voice full of pride "You know wha I see sissa? I see some of da sronges people ever da live. Dey live even when everythin in da city would rada wiped em off da face of de earh! Dey survive wihou magic, or healers, or guards, or any of da thins we have, like food or a warm bed, bu ye dey sill here dispite all of dat! Dah srengh few ever have, srengh magic can never give, its srengh in its pures form, and I lived in Belkzen wih some da meanes orcs ever da live, so I know wha true srengh is." He turns his head to Miro, his eyes burning with passion "Miro, you may see squalar and horror, bu I see a place of beauty, of nadure ah is mos base, and I see some of sronges people in dis cida righ in here!"

Synovia says "You're right they are strong, they could not survive here if they weren't, but Ukawanda the point is they should not have to live like this. They should have the option of a roof over their heads, food for their children and way to provide those things that they can be proud of. That is what Sandpoint offers them, options"

Ukawada nods "you're righ sissa and I no know wha da righ answer is, buh I feel like leaving home isn da righ answer, ih may be good for da people who leave buh da one who cant, dey sill godda live here, and wih less people den before."

"I  don't know the answers either.I am beginning to understand that we can't save everyone, but we should help as many as we can and besides killing things, this is all I can do." She takes the Gang leader toward Miro and say "What can we do to help?"

"I know sissa..." he looks over to the crowd "Wha do you thin? Who knows wha bedda for da people of Undebridge THEN the people of Underbridge?"

"Now that they know they have options, they can choose what is best for them."

Miro finally pipes up after the extended silence.  "Exactly my point Ukawada."  Another australian sigh. "Who better than the people themselves.  But to make their decision they must be informed of their options.  That is all I sought to do.  To inform them of another option avaliable to them.  Now for the sakes of all the gods... let us be done with this.  I had only hoped to see those who sought something beyond the shadows of this bridge.  I did not mean to turn this into a political debat."   Miro shakes his head as he walks past a child covered in dirt and half starved.  He stops and strokes her cheek slightly.   "To give others an oportunity they may not have been aware of." At that Miro walks off towards the soup pot in frustration at the Ukawada's pride for the less fortunate.

Lucy has been watching the excitement from her post at the door and sees when Miro starts to return to the soup. "Well, it's now or never." she whispers to herself and walks up to Miro and clears her throat. "Um...Mr. Miro sir can I speak with you a minute." she says, nervously biting her lip.

Miro stop in his activities and looks over to Lucy eye level and smiles.  A strange visage with half his face mostly blackened and a dark red eye.   "Yes little one?  How may I be of service to such a brave little one?"

Lucy, trying not to look at Miro's terrifying visage, says "I... I was listening to what you said and I know that, well I am not really the type of person you would want in your town. I mean I am ...was part of the gang, but the thing is I really didn't have many options and your town sounds like a place I could maybe have a shop or something. I promise I am not really a bad person. Can I please go with you guys? I'm small and I don't eat much, I can make bombs and potions and stuff." She finally gathers the nerve to look at Miro's face, waiting expectantly.

Miro looks to Lucy with a full smile stretched across his face.  His eyes glittered with hope and happiness.  "Little one, your bravery fills me with hope.  But I must ask... where is your family?  Should not they have a say in this?"  Miro looks about expectantly as he speaks and then back to Lucy. 

"I have no family. My Gnome village was destroyed by orcs. I was with adventurers for awhile, but we were taken by pirates and ended up on seperate ships. I escaped my ship and ended up here with this lot."

Miro continues to smile.  "Of course you can come with us.  Sandpoint is a home for all who wish for a new or better life.  Just know.  Your actions here are in the past.  I do not judge on what has been.  But in Sandpoint your must cast off your past and work towards a better futua with the rest of us."  He says pointedly "If you are to live in sandpoint, you must give up your dishonest life or face the consiquinces." 

"I really wasn't good at it anyway. It didn't fit you know, but here in Underbridge, you either prey, predator, or pawn."