Hollis smiled as he walked through the streets, his expression comforting and warm as he handed out baked treats from a basket, guards on either side of him to keep him safe, he was after all a great asset of one of the big families in the city. His hair was up nicely and his dress was simple yet elegant along with lovely heels which he walked in with grace. Yes this was a boy but he was known as the rose of the ashlands, a beautiful singer with a feminine tone and quality.

he had begged to be out to help the people in their time of need and barely got the head of the family to agree. He had to have the body guards at all times and could only hand out the food, no more than a greeting and a few words and no letting anyone get too close to him. Hollis was a bit annoyed to be looked after while helping. He wasn’t even upper class, merely a jewel in one of the families crown. But as long as he could try and ease the burden some on the townsfolk he would do it while he could

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Putting it Back Together
Participants: Two or more
Location: Ashlands (Darkveil)
Post Requirements: 4 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: Darkveil was hit the hardest during the events of Vulcadreaus, with many of its inhabitants having fled the destruction. Now that things have calmed, people are moving back, only to find their city is in shambles. An effort has been put in place by locals, with help from those who remain of the Ashen Father gangs, to fix the city up. Assistance is being requested, with a long list of things to be done. Buildings are toppled, chunks of them missing, the ground has been split and ripped apart, with the streets filled with displaced and homeless. Whatever you can do to help, it will be accepted. Help rebuild the city, or offer food and water to the displaced. Clean the streets or help bring supplies in from other cities. No task is too small

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Although it had taken him far longer than he might have liked, Videl had finally managed to arrive at the one city that had been affected the most by the Vulcadreaus incident, from what he could tell. He had sworn to Dante that he would visit the city at one point or another to offer his aide but things had continuously gotten in his way along his journey here. It was only as he had arrived past the gates of the city that he would come to realize just how bad things had been here. Not only had the city been toppled, buildings having collapsed and the very ground having been torn asunder, but those that had chosen to return had been left without anywhere to return to. It was truly a sight that would bring tears to the eyes of many.

While it was true that he had no real reason to assist those that had dwelled here, considering that his primary habitat had been within the frozen wasteland of Frost Gale, Videl had devoted himself to assisting others in need in the same way that his companion Sylvari had. There was no way that he could turn away from the city after seeing just how bad things had truly been here. That being said, shortly after he had arrived, Videl had decided to speak to those in charge to see what he could do to help. There were several regards in which he could do so, whether it be physically helping rebuild the place , providing food and water, or even going as far as to transport goods from another city to this one.

Knowing the methods in which he could assist those of Darkveil City, Videl had to consider what he could do in the here and now. With his wealth of magics, there were quite a few things that he could ultimately do. The only issue was that they hadn't been all that useful when it had come to rebuilding. Perhaps transporting would serve as a better option for him? Honestly, he hadn't been sure. Attempting to ascertain what might be the best way for him to help at the moment, Videl would find himself lost in his thoughts. It was through this action that he would ultimately end up bumping into an individual without having realized it. "O-oh.. My apologies."

Hollis turned in surprise feeling someone bump into him before shaking his head with a small smile “it’s alright. Are you okay?” He asked the other, his tone light and calm. The body guards on either side of Hollis however were tensed and seemed ready to attack if they saw need in it. Hollis however ignored them as he looked at the other with a kind and curious gaze. He then looked over the others outfit and added another question “are you a traveler? You don’t look as if you’re from here. If you are then welcome to the city! I wish you could see it in a better state but I’m sure there is a place you can stay if you need to rest for a night or two”

There was no hint of ill intent or lies in the others voice. He worse his heart on his sleeve and was very honest and open. He tilted his head a bit wondering if the other also needed food and water “ah you can have some provisions as well if you need” he offered smiling warmly to the other. He wanted to help anyone and everyone he could

A soft smile would tug up at the edges of Videl's lips as he had begun to nod to the individual that stood before him. It was only then that Videl had caught wind of this stranger's appearance. A true beauty had stood before him, catching him entirely off guard. The only person whose natural beauty could possibly topple the individuals before them would have to be Sylvari and that was only in Videl's exceedingly biased mind. Needing a moment to gather himself, Videl would fall into a brief silence. Once that silence had come to pass though, Videl would speak to the individual before him.

"Ah.. Yes, of course. I'm quite alright, thank you." The ends of his lips would turn further upwards at this point as Videl had moved to extend a hand out towards the one before them. "Quite the eye that you have on you. I am indeed a traveler of sorts. That being said, I greatly appreciate your welcoming of myself." A short bout of laughter would peel forth from the T'saya's lips at this point as he had gone on to return his hand back to his side. "As for the state of this place? Well that's actually why I'm here."

While he had acknowledged the looks that the guards had given him, Videl had gone on to outright ignore them. Unless they had opted to lash out at him in some manner, Videl would disregard any rudeness that they might display towards him. Given the protective stances that they had currently held, with their bodies somewhat leaning towards the defense of the pink haired individual between them, Videl could more or less guess their purpose and as such, would reserve his opinions of them.

Tilting his head off to the side for a moment, Videl was sure to hold Hollis' gaze. "My name is Videl, you see, and I'm here to try and help repair the city in any way that I can. Something of a.. charitable act, I suppose. Someone that I know works out here and well, I'm really just hoping to make the city an easier place to be at the moment. Help clear up the damages that were caused by that whole Vulcadreaus incident."

"Wonderful I'm glad to hear that" he replied at the news that the other was okay. His eyes then glimmered curiously like that of a childs hearing he was a traveler "Where are you from?" he asked with quite a bit of curiosity. He never got to explore even when the ashen father would take him on 'tours' to other cities to sing. He snapped out of his awe stricken phase and shook the others hand eagerly listening to his every word as if it were the most important thing "Ah you are?You must have seen the request for help then that's wonderful! We are thankful for your assistance" he smiled having let the others hand go after shaking it

"That's so kind of you sir Videl!" he smiled brightly "I am Hollis Mermir!" he said happily "Luckily my employer let me come to aid the people here even if it is only to pass out some food and water and such. He is quite protective as you can see" he replied glancing to the guards "It's lovely to meet a good hearted adventurer like yourself though! Your friend is lucky to know someone like you who is willing to help"

Hoping to respectfully respond to the question at hand, Videl would offer his response shortly after Hollis had asked it. "Suppose that my homeland isn't too far off, if you really think about it.. Only about a region or two. You see, I'm from Frost Gale." As he had said this, the cold permeating aura that constantly lingered about him would likely extend outwards, brushing up against Hollis as the pair had shaken hands. "The name is self explanatory but still.. It's quite different from your homeland." A soft bout of laughter would proceed to escape Videl's lips at this point.

"Anyways, Hollis, I'll be sure to keep your name in mind once I depart from here. Always try to keep the names of my friends in mind." Videl would allow for his smile to grow alongside his enthusiasm, his hand remaining wrapped around Hollis' own briefly longer than he had anticipated. Once Videl had noticed this, he would drop his hand fully back at his side. From there his gaze would turn towards the guards that surrounded Hollis. A group that he would fully acknowledge this time around. "It's good to see that you've got such a protection detail. Means that not only will you remain safe.. but they can help out here as well." Another laugh would break free of Videl's lips as he had turned off in the direction of one of the nearby houses.

"Suppose that we should get to work then..!" The only question at this point was what they would do to extend help. 'Removing the heaps of debris would likely help,' Videl would think. "Not sure how well this can really help but.." The T'saya would then charge up the silver circlet that hung around his wrist with an abundance of mana. Shortly after he had done as much, the moisture in the air would begin to coalesce and take on a frosty form that emitted a layer of cold. This form was ultimately that of an ice elemental ^{[Summon: Ice Elemental]}! It was then that Videl would offer a command to the ice elemental, requesting that it clear things up. "Go ahead and grab the hunks of debris and lie them in the back of.." Looking around for a moment, Videl would soon come to find a wagon of sorts. "..that cart." And much like it was designed to do, the ice elemental would follow suit.

Hollis looked at the other in awe and excitement “really?! That’s amazing! I was there to preform once I would have loved to explore! The snow was so pretty to see!” He smiled to the other. After all the closest thing he ever got to see to the snow was the gray ash that rained from the sky above them on occasion. Hollis then paused his eyes widening more at what the other said next and lit up “friends? You mean it?” He asked hopefully and excitedly “I’ve always wanted a friend!”he then giggled at the others comments on the guards. “Far better work than babysitting me I’m sure” he agreed with the other

Hollis then nodded again as the other turned and spoke of work. He gripped his basket and put on a determined smile “indeed!” He replied passing a few treats out to the people before looking over amazed at the ice elemental the other made “wow…! Video that’s fantastic! You’re so powerful!” He exclaimed watching the icy creature move around to the others commands. It took him a few moments to focus and hand things out again though he checked on the creature still amazed

Videl would do nothing more than nod at his offer to be friends with Hollis. Unless the latter had given him a reason to change his mind, Videl was more than willing to take on another friend. Compared to the majority of people that he had met, Hollis had even seemed to be a bit more on the sane variety. Less problematic. Less likely to cause trouble for Videl and those that had been around him. Such a person had deserved his friendship.

A soft smile would continue to tug at Videl's lips as he listened to the enthusiasm that the man had been brought. While Videl hadn't quite thought of himself as powerful, there were certainly those that would think so. It was nice to hear that others had thought such a thing of him, even if he himself hadn't believed it to be true. "Well I appreciate that, Hollis, but I can assure you that I'm not all that strong. Not compared to some of the others that I have met." Swaying his head from side to side, Videl would momentarily envision those that held a far greater degree of power. Compared to them, Videl was nothing more than a speck of dust. Truly horrifying power.

After a moment, Videl would pull himself back to the present and his surroundings. "If I'm being honest, this is the most useful magic within my repertoire. In regards to being able to help out your city anyways. Everything else is a bit.. Well, I'll just show you and you can see why there might be some that won't understand it." Having said his part, Videl would make his way on over towards one of the craters on the ground. From there, Videl would channel magic to the bottom of his soles. A thick expanse of ice ^{[Ice Bridge]} would proceed to cover the opening of this crater, more or less sealing it off with a bridge of ice. A bridge that would likely melt with enough time having passed. "You see, much like my elemental, this will come to fade away with enough time. Albeit the heat makes it far more difficult for my bridge to sustain itself. I haven't quite mastered a way to keep it in place yet." What Videl hadn't known was that the locals would be sure to make use of this bridge for a few hours at the least. Within that time, some of the locals would traverse the gap in the ground and make their way towards the more inaccessible homes.

Hollis felt like he was floating with how happy he was to have a friend. It was wonderful!”but look what you are able to do! It’s amazing! I think you are very strong” he smiled happily to the other.Hollis listened and then watched as the icy bridge appeared. He walked over to it amazed and gently touched it surprised at how cold it was before looking to video once again “but it’s amazing and beautiful! Nothing truly lasts forever. You have a beautiful gift videl!he smiled watching some of the children approaching the bridge amazed and curious. “Many here have never seen these things. It’s like a miracle” he said happily”it’s almost like the winters eve they experience in the capital in some ways” he remarked as the children began playing on the icy bridge some with curiosity. Hollis walked back over to the other and took his hands in his for a moment “You bring a rare gift here to us truly and we are thankful for it. Thank you videl” he smiled before releasing the others hands again as he stepped back “you may not see it now but your power is truly amazing and I look forward to seeing it grow”

As Hollis had proceeded to expound compliment after compliment unto Videl, the latter could only avert his gaze from the mans before him. He wasn't exactly used to hearing such words of affection from another. The only ones that tended to offer him compliments were either his beloved vampiric companion or those that tended to want to fight him. Given the nature of Hollis' words and how they had come out, Videl could tell that these words had contained a genuine warmth. Something that had left the T'saya feeling a bit at odds with himself. Did he truly deserve such praise?

While Videl hadn't quite been willing to accept that these words were true, he would be sure to keep them in mind for down the line. In the event that he needed to hear such words, Hollis' own would likely make their way through his mind. This was something that might bring joy when he genuinely needed it. Something that he wouldn't come to know for quit some time.

"W-well.. Once again, I appreciate your words, Hollis. Still.. We should try and focus a bit more on the task at hand and less on myself." A bit of an anxious cough would slip past his lips at this point. He wanted to bring the topic at hand to literally any other focus. More preferably towards the one subject that should hold all of their focus at the moment. Assisting those that needed it here. "So how do these guards of yours intend on assisting, hm?" As he had said this, Videl's gaze would briefly run across the guards in question, before turning back towards the scene in which the ice elemental had stood.

It would seem as though this particular wagon was starting to find itself a bit overwhelmed by the product that the ice elemental had continued to place atop of it. If any more had been placed atop, the wagon might find itself collapsed. Seeing this, Videl would raise his hand towards the golem and request that it stop. Once it had done so, Videl would close up the back of the wagon and let the driver know that they could move the goods to wherever they needed to go. Videl would then request that his golem continue with his task whilst loading up another wagon. The magic that bound it together was coming to an end soon and Videl wanted to get everything that he could out of it.

“Ah right sorry!” He nodded and looked around again “I still have more supplies I can hand out… I’ve tried to get the guards to assist but they were only told to guard me while I’m out” Hollis remarked as he looked at the two. He never really talked to them as they hardly ever answered and were merely following orders as usual. He passed out more things to those around him in need wondering what he could have them do if anything. Would they even listen to him? He wasn’t their boss after all. He looked at the two guards who seemed to focus on anyone who approached, fixing them with a warning look.

He sighed a little wishing they could at least pretend to be more friendly before hanging out the last of his supplies. “Hopefully I can come back with more for you all again soon” he said with his usual smile back on his face. He still wanted to do more to help but he knew he would be stopped if he went near the rubble or other hard jobs. His image was to remain perfect and with a voice of a song bird.

It wouldn't take too much longer for Videl's elemental to reach the end of its temporary summons. Sensing that that time was drawing near, Videl would have the elemental cease its work before offering it a thumbs up. The elemental would return the action before disappearing into a puff of snow. This snow would remain idly upon the ground for the time being, waiting for the heat to melt it away.

"There's no need to worry too much about it, Hollis. At the end of the day, I suppose that they have a job to do. And that job doesn't exactly require that they do such tasks. Still," he would say whilst bringing his gaze towards the pair of guards once more. "..if someone from outside of the city is willing to put more work in then them than that might be a bit of a bad look, yes?" His words were entirely directed towards the couple that had been protecting Hollis. To see someone simply standing around rather than assisting those that shared their city with them.. It was despicable to Videl. At the same time however, it wasn't his place to call them out directly. As such, he had opted for a more passive aggressive route.

Thankfully Hollis themself had been more than willing to help out. Whether it was an act of goodwill or because they were assigned to it hadn't mattered to Videl. The fact of the matter was that they were still doing their best to help out. To someone like Videl, that made a world of difference. "I don't suppose there's any other method of helping that you have in mind? If there is, I'd be more than willing to extend my assistance. You'll just have to let me know what works best for you."

Hollis watched amazed as the creature disappeared into snow. He noticed some kids run over curiously and begin to play in the snow pile curious and happy.Hollis then nodded as he listened to the other just wishing he could do more. The guards glared at the other male and grabbed some things to help as the other did the same doing a few small things to help. Hollis watched them amazed and in awe at that.he smiled but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t much effort but it was nice to see them help a little at least

“Ah we can maybe get more supplies to pass out! Well, if sir Graylock allows me too. I hardly convinced him to allow me to do this much. Kept trying to suggest a charity concert only which I don’t mind doing but we should be helping everyone with more than just that “he huffed a little as he thought about it. “We could maybe get some blankets for everyone!” He remarked with a smile at the idea. He loved to help others unlike the ashen father who controlled and took care of him. “Want to come with me?”

"Sir Graylock?" This wasn't someone that Videl had been aware of. It was unsurprising when one had considered that Videl knew very little about the political scene. That could be said doubly so for matters that pertained to the outside of Frost Gale. There was never really a reason for him to learn such things and as such, he didn't have the faintest idea as to whom Hollis had been referring to. "I'm not quite sure who that is.. but I'm sure that, if it's coming from you, that you might be able to sway them over to your side with time. There aren't many that could say no to a face such as yours, after all."

A soft bit of laughter would peel forth from Videl's lips at this point. While he had only meant to tease the man a bit, he couldn't exactly say that his statement was false. When it pertained to those of the more physically gifted variety, they certainly had an easier time getting what it was that they had wanted. This was something that Videl had learned in his youth, seeing as those of his siblings had continuously received whatever they wanted from the tribe elders. If his tribe hadn't believed him to be cursed, he likely could have gotten away with a slew of things as well.

Once this bout of laughter had come to an end, Videl would find himself nodding along to Hollis' question. "Handing out blankets certainly sounds like the kind of thing that can help. Especially given how many of these folk have lost their homes." Taking a moment to gesture towards himself, Videl would continue on. "I don't really know where to ascertain such things though so.. Lead on!" From that point, Videl would follow after Hollis', hoping to help out in any way that they really could.

Hollis nodded with a smile “yes he is my sponsor. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my career singing if it wasn’t for him. He takes care of me” he replied before adding “he is a noble of the city”.he was happy to hear the other saying he may be able to convince him. He certainly hoped so. His cheeks then tinted slightly pink, giggling softly with a soft smile “you really think so? Thank you, you are quite kind”

Hollis was happy to hear the other laugh and see them smile. It was nice to converse like this. “Well I should ask sir graylock for permission first, and we can get some blankets in the noble district. Quite a few of those homes are less damaged and the shops opened up again not long ago” he replied thinking “then we could come back with all of the blankets for the people here” he suggested. “The carriage is just down the road so it wouldn’t take too long” he looked to the other to hear his feedback and opinion on the idea wondering if it was good or not. It was nice to have a friend to share ideas with