video | open to both courts | morning of the 26th

[extramural]

[ The locket is, as usual, in the air and facing the Outsider. Unfortunately, his gaze seems to be a bit to the left of the locket and instead of floating in mid-air, he's sitting on his bed. A large white rat scurries up his arm and across his shoulder, then leaps to the mattress and then the floor; judging by the faint noise in the background, it's not the only rat in the room. ]

I can no longer see, [ the Outsider states simply, sounding faintly confused. ] The Maidenfish have handed me a piece of paper, but if it says anything, I cannot read it.

[ The aforementioned piece of paper is held up so that the locket can get a good look at the writing- or that's the intention, anyway. He's holding it backwards, and one of the Maidenfish (in the form of a woman, wearing a veil and a long, black dress with a train) gently turns the paper around so that the words face the screen.

Dearest Outsider,

You will have found by morning's light that I have divested you of your eyesight. Is it something you miss? Something you might like to have returned to you?

I'd hoped so! For I'd dearly like to have those shards of mine returned. I propose this to you:

Deliver either a fully-powered shard or a sigil tablet to an old, ruined place where the Black Shuck was once worshipped, in the dark of Nimh Gleane: a circle made of seven stone statues of the Old Dog himself. Place the object in the open mouths of any number of the statues and be on your way. If this is done within a month, I shall make the return to you as swift and silent as it was stolen!

If not, I'll distribute what I've taken among the humble populace of native folk.

Best wishes,

Reynard the Fox, Rightful Lord of Maupertius, titles & honors, etc. ]

If someone could inform me of what it says...?

[ After what he deems an appropriate length of time, the Outsider lowers the paper. Shifting slightly on the bed to hand the note back to one of the Maidenfish, his movement reveals one more thing: on the wall behind him, a fine drawing of a winking fox's face in red chalk. ]

Comments

video.

[amplified]

Ah -- ( what?? what even -- is going on? her eyes flit over the paper and the moment she hears his request she starts to speak. )

Dearest Outsider... You will have found by morning's light that I have divested you of your eyesight. Is it something you miss? Something you might like to have returned to you - ( she stops and makes an 'augh' sound because what a disgusting horrible thing for anyone to do! ) - I'd hoped so... ( she continues on, to read the entire thing, and as harrowing as it is... she feels nothing but pity for him. )

... Do you want help?

video.

[extramural]

Ah.

[ There's definitely a frown on his face now. So far he seems fairly okay with this -- mostly just confused. ]

I may need some, yes. I would rather not give the Fox anything, but I am also unaware what the sigils he is referring to are.

video.

[amplified]

Well, aren't you lucky? I happen to have a rather extensive background with ciphers. Sigils. Whatever you want to call them. ( sort of. BRUH SHE'S A BANSHEE SHE HEARS SOME SHIT... ) When he says sigil tablet, I imagine he's referring to a -- um -- a magical or religious artifact.

[gwynbleidd]

[Well, this is a being he hasn't had the pleasure of ever seeing in his life. Admittedly, it takes him a moment or two; he does have to read said letter.]

It seems the Fox that has been causing trouble has taken a liking to you. Or a disliking.

[extramural]

[ Most haven't. Drabwurld exclusive access, really. ]

Most likely the latter. I did help rip Shards out of his chest.

[ Said like that's just a thing you do on weekends. ]

[gwynbleidd]

That explains the letter. [Could you even see to begin with, Outsider? What.] And the blindness.

Do you plan to give them back? He's asking for them. You have a month.

private video

[bythewaves]

It seems to be a blackmail note. Of the usual sort - deliver to me what I wish or else. Specifically, it requests shards, or sigils.

[ Javik spoke of sigils says Curufin quietly, eyes narrowing. And shards... to ask for such bodes ill ]

To take one's sight speaks of strong magic indeed. And I would be leary of any offer to return it, when it would be just as easy for the Fox to continue to dangle it over your head.

private video

[extramural]

Yes. And I am rather uninformed as to what sigils he means.

[ Though that could be a loophole. ]

This would all be a great deal simpler if I had not been so altered upon coming to this world. Less interesting, perhaps, but I have no intention of sitting blindly in this world.

[ Not when there are so many interesting things to see! And not when people may very much try to take his Shard, too. ]

private video

[bythewaves]

[ Does not the Elvenking... begins Curufin

Shut it Caranthir snaps, eyes narrowing To endanger the Elvenking is the endanger the Prince, as well. We have no quarrel with the Laiquendi. ]

And the note does not specify. [ Maglor nods, although the Outsider cannot see it ] I do wonder about the final part of the note however - 'I'll distribute what I've taken among the humble populace of native folk' - that speaks of more than sight being taken - how would one distribute sight after all?

action;

[erythristic]

[the Outsider is the closest to her room, so it's him she goes to see once she's been assured of the truth of the Fox's words. if he's not here, she's tracking down Ganondorf, because she needs someone who might be able to bear the brunt of her ire. she remembers his words -- you owe me something precious -- but this? this went beyond that.

the Outsider had been there. if nothing else, he would need to know Reynard had threatened Alice before he had dumped them in the ocean, it was obvious the two were close.

if the sharp knocking on his door doesn't get his attention, perhaps the unconcealed, nearly tangible bloodlust in the air will.]

action;

[extramural]

[ A knock is- unexpected. With only a small amount of assistance from the Maidenfish, he stands to answer the door; more assistance is needed for him to navigate his suite in order to actually get to the door. Two of the Maidenfish pause to light candles, the light making the rats scatter further into the room; no point in allowing them to freely roam outside of his rooms.

When he answers, he looks straight ahead, gaze completely over Grell's head. ]

Yes?

video.

[scinlae]

[ She does not answer straight away though her image appears, she reads the letter and stifles a laugh "Rightful Lord of Maupertius". His pride much ache from it's wounds. ]

The Fox has taken your sight and demanded a fully powered shard or sigil tablet for it's return.

[ Her raven craws, perching itself upon her shoulder. ]

If his demands are not met he says he will "distribute what I've has stolen among the humble populace of native folk", I doubt you are the only one he has pilfered from.

video.

[extramural]

[ The white rat has returned to his lap; the Outsider strokes it, lets his fingers twist the hairless tail. Both look in the locket's direction when the raven caws, though the rat has a better idea of where it is than the god. ]

As I have neither of those things, I suspect the Fox will have to remain disappointed.

voice.

[metalica]

[ The reply doesn't come from Erik; rather, the person that the Outsider 'hears' sounds far more cheerful, the lilt of his voice a little better. It's certainly more cheerful and -- well, if the Outsider could see Erik might have bothered with the face. Thankfully... ]

It seems you have upset Reynard.

voice. his face in that icon laughing so hard

[extramural]

And so he throws a tantrum.

[ He's petting the white rat now, the Maidenfish still hovering. ]

Private / Voice;

[dragmire]

You are not alone in receiving such a message, though Reynard's skills are great if he can steal your very sight. The thief has taken Alice as well. I too have lost something of great value to this thievery.

I believe a pattern begins to form.

Private / Voice;

[extramural]

I was not asleep when he did it, yet I do not remember it happening. He is very powerful.

[ And the Outsider does not like it. He's used to being the biggest bully on the playground. ]

He has stolen Grell's ability to speak, among other things -- though she will not say what, likely because she is tracing letters on my hand to communicate anything to me.

video;

[vaccinations]

It says this "Reynard" guy went and stole your eyesight and now wants you to get some shard or "sigil",

[A beat.]

Basically, he fucked you over.

video;

[extramural]

He's having a tantrum.

[ So. Irritated. ]

voice; private

[reticence]

It would seem you are not the only one to have upset Reynard the Fox thus. Dare I ask what you did to deserve such attentions?

voice; private

[extramural]

I was one of those who faced him outside Maupertius.

video omfg ive no idea what happened I WROTE THIS TAG EARLIER AND POSTED IT?? i guess it got eaten?

[showmeyourwreath]

[What.

What, actually. Is this real.

That smug--what is with that family and blinding others, for pete's sake.

Flora doesn't panic, but her voice is heavy with worry. She'll be angry later, but it won't do much of anything in the moment. Right now all she has room for is concern.]

I'm sorry this happened, are you alright?

[YOU KNOW, ASIDE FROM BEING BLIND.]

video dreamwidth :|||

[extramural]

[ Rude, aren't they? ]

I an not the only one he has stolen things from.

[ Judging by the fact that the Maidenfish are all trying to keep a hand on him, no, he's not doing too well. But it's not the sight, really. ]

He took Alice from the castle as well.

[chaoticwhimsy]

[It's a few minutes after Grell leaves that Lumina suddenly bursts into existence in the Outsider's room, with two crumpled up notes in one hand and dragging poor Derya along with the other in her teleport. The maidenfish is handling it with respectable calm though, and Lumina lets go of her as she bee-lines for the outsider.]

Have you seen this?!

[She has Reynard's note about Alice in her hand, thrusting it out towards him with no idea he can't actually see. Whoops. Derya had gone to check on the older girl first, and found the note before going to check on Lumina, who immediately got her hands on it, along with her own note, and grabbed the poor maidenfish for a quick ride.

[extramural]

[ Ah. Hello, Lumina. ]

I cannot see, [ he says calmly, though by this point he's been informed of Alice's kidnapping by Maglor and Ganondorf -- it will save Lumina from a show of his anger, if nothing else. ]

I take it the Fox stole from you as well?