eachdraidh | 3rd Chassé | Video for Both Courts

[After the madness of the dogs, Ryan's mostly taken to spending time holed up in his room in the castle with Kelsi and her specialty-made tea, readjusting to make things more normal again.

Of course then he wakes up to a message from her.

"❤To Mr. Fred Astaire❤
I got asked to go on a quest!!!!!
It's alright, Sif is with me. We're going to deal with a manticore. I don't know what that is but I brought a few books of me along the way.
See you when I get back!

PS. I took your hat so I won't feel so lonely. Sorry!"

There were several things wrong with the equation:

1.) Kelsi ended up going on a quest.
2.) Kelsi ended up going on a quest without him.
3.) Kelsi ended up going on a quest without him and with his hat.

Then there was also the other question…who the hell is Sif?

Fine. Whatever. He can deal with being apart for a few days. Anyway he had his own business to go about. He needs to get back to his training and the longer he puts off the advice from Queen Solais, the worse off he'll be.

When the video on his locket clicks on anyone watching will notice that Ryan's sitting on a cliff in the sunken ruins. He's busy watching a small group of mermaids swimming below him and the bit of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the walls are bouncing off of his hair now that it's not sheltered by one of his hats. He's humming a song under his breath for a few moments as he continues to watch, only mildly aware he's even humming that particular song to set the mood. Maybe he was more homesick now than he initially thought. Whatever. He can't do anything about that now, he has other goals to reach.

Truth be told, he's kind of wondering if he should ask at all considering everything else that's going on right now. Yeah. He's aware of the things happening at Redgate. He's heard the broadcasts from other people, but…

…but if he doesn't ask now, how the hell is he supposed to really help in the future?]

Weird question. If you were a mermaid, what would be the most flattering thing a person could tell you?

[A beat.]

Scientific purposes only, I swear.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No, because I'm afraid they would be envious of me. [ Someone's confident in her looks. ]

Do we know anyone that has? Maybe those with ships, but they're kind of preoccupied right now.

[…well to be fair she is cute. There's just a noise that's something affirmative, even if he's not going to verbally comment on that.]

I don't know anybody personally, no. It's sort of why I'm asking. But yeah…I heard. [About everybody being busy. That's kind of another problem.] I don't even know who has a ship around here.

There has to be people with ships. I've been reading into that enough to know such things do exist. [ Just who is a good question. ]

Poor timing to be asking all things considered when the people who could answer are likely caught up in current events. You should work on that.

Well sorry I got a little busy, too. [You know, with being carted off to Cothromach because he wants to impress Lancelot and then immediately dealing with demon puppies. No big.]

Look, I know it's bad timing. But…do you really think there's ever going to be a good time in a place like this?

Well we did have a huge party last month... [ Then was a good time. ]

What were you busy doing?

Between you and me? I would rather keep the party going than everything else that's come up.

[…part of him doesn't see the problem in telling Rin basically everything. Rin, thusfar, hasn't screwed him over and that's cool. On the other hand he keeps remembering things people in Seelie court have told him about trusting people too much without really knowing them. So he pauses and eventually just shrugs.]

Training. Field experience, I guess you could call it. Somebody told me that the best way to learn anything here is to just do it instead of waiting around in a training yard so I've been in and out of the court.

[ He really does trust people. Not that Rin abuses these things, but she does look a little surprised by his honesty. ]

That's pretty brave of you.

I assume you weren't on your own the entire time... were you?

I don't know if it's bravery. [Flat-out. He doesn't think it's bravery. It's just…doing what's expected, isn't it? Lancelot asked for his help, so he went. The dogs were running rampant from their graves, so he helped. It just makes sense and if he's capable, why not? Being separated from Sharpay has done wonders in his ability to be honest.]

And no, not exactly. Why, would it be more brave if I was?

No, you'd be stupid.

[ Implying that he is for doing so in the first place. ] Geez, what good is going out on your own if you lack the knowledge to do so in the first place?

I didn't say I was going on my own! ["Not yet."]

So what are you saying, if someone knew everything they could about the world they'd be fine on their own?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

Most people pick up something like a mentor before they engage in any task they're unfamiliar with. Learning things on the go isn't as easy as it sounds in the books, you know.

[ Aw, she just doesn't want him to get hurt. ]

[Rin while that is honorable, and while Ryan usually agrees with that, he's suddenly fixated on the idea of being able to accomplish goals himself.]

I'm working on it. But I can't have a mentor for everything can I? That's asking a lot.

No, you can't, unless you have a lot more to give in return.

There's plenty of people in this world and who are new to it that have experiences unlike your own. Barter, trade skills, and maybe make a few friend in the process.

One that isn't half-fish.

[That's a good point, of course.]

Think about it this way. All of the people in this world who're from other worlds? They've got their own things going on. Everybody's busy. It just makes sense to try and find someone native that isn't doing other stuff to work with. Besides, I figure compliments are easier to trade than anything else I might have. [A shrug. Is it just because he doesn't have a lot to offer that isn't money and dance? Possibly.]

...it's solid advice, Rin, but I'm not sure I can take it. Sorry.

Everyone is busy doing what? Learning things for themselves.

Fighting a war they have no interest in?

Face it--most people here are bored out of their minds with nothing to drive them forward except a feeble promise that killing the other side and collecting their shards may allow them to return home.

I'm giving you good advice without asking for anything in return and your reasoning is the time given excuse that everyone has in this place. It's infuriating.

You're not a believer of altruism, are you? [It's mostly a throwaway question, if only because he's not so sure she's wrong about everyone being bored. It's hard to say, honestly.]

I'm pretty sure even if you did ask for something in return I wouldn't be able to give it to you. Fine. What do you want me to say?

Maybe a "thank you" is in order-? [ Huffing and puffing a little bit. ]

I won't make you promise to keep yourself out of trouble since it's by experience alone I know that boys who say they will do that will also disregard their word when it's convenient for them.

…thank you. I mean it.

[Except all thankful feelings suddenly dissipate.] And what's that supposed to mean? It's not like guys are the only ones who do that.

It's just that I'm used to boys being that way more than girls. In Japan, it's traditional for a woman to stay at home to cook and clean while her husband runs off to do whatever. In turn, that means children was raised to those same standards.

[ Except children from magi families, but that's a conversation he'll unlock when he's friendship level 5. ]

If the comment bothered you, then I assure you it just has to do with the cultures we were raised in. It's likely that it's different in your world. I don't have the time to sit around and discuss all of that though, so I wish you luck in your... fish charming. [ He's going to get himself hurt at this rate. ]

Sounds pretty backwards. [It's hard to imagine his life that way, but then again he and Sharpay more than likely were half raised by their parents and half raised by various nannies and housekeepers. Oh well.] Surprised it doesn't bother you.

[He rolls his eyes though. Yeah, yeah, he gets the hint.] I'll let you know how it goes.

3rd Chassé | Video for Both Courts

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