eachdraidh | video | open to both courts

[ 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. ]

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[ Strangely enough, it is the Maidenfish who react first; they clutch at their veils, their dresses, making distressed noises. The Outsider is still for a moment longer before lashing out, a blast of wind slamming into his wardrobe and splintering the wood. ]

She is mine, [ he snarls, a leviathan from the deep come to take revenge. ] She bears my Mark and he will not dangle her above my head like bait on a fishing line.

[ Quiet and cold, it is the Prince, the Lord of the Gap, the Once-High King of the Noldor who answers, calculating and precise, emotion locked away beneath a sheet of ice ]

Peace! If you lash out, you will give him exactly what he wants. Let me see the note again - there may yet be a way to get her back and foil him at once.

I know well the nature of man and beast, [ the Outsider hisses in return. He does seem to calm somewhat, though, and a flick of his wrist has the wardrobe being straightened before he shows the note to the locket once more. ]

I have a boon -- a knife that will lead me via my own shadow to things I seek.

Then I should not need to warn you to be careful of your temper or precipitous moves. [ Maglor retorts and nods, calculating ]

And I, a ring that will allow me to go any place I have been by moonlight, taking two with me. If your knife can lead us to her, I can get us out. However, I doubt it will be that easy - doubtless, wherever the Fox has her will be well guarded, perhaps warded against such magics. But it would be worth a try.

[ A sharp, feral smile, although the Outsider cannot see it ] If we succeed however, we will have robbed him of his prize, and that would be well worth it.

Do you know how to activate your Shard? It will help keep him from ripping it from your chest, should he come across us.

[ Fun images. ]

I do not - do you? At best I can disguise us, but I do not know how well elven song would hold against such a foe.

Focus on it, on your world. You will feel the difference.

[ Maglor's eyes defocus a little as he tries to do as suggested ]

Is there ought I should be specifically seeking?

Your home. Your world. Memories of it, thoughts of it.

[ Beat. ]

Do try not to break anything around you.

[ And Maglor's eyes refocus abruptly, one eyebrow crooking up ]

...'Break anything'? What... exactly is activating the shard supposed to do?

Grant you power. They say one Shardbearer is worth many native warriors on the battlefield, simply because of such things.

[ He just doesn't want you to try and pick up a glass, break it with your new fancy gem power boost, and yell at him. ]

[ That eyebrow is gonna stay up yes, Maglor is out and out curious now ]

I see. And is there a way to know if the shard is activated? Does it remain so or have to be activated each time?

You will be able to feel it.

[ And you have to activate it each time, but the Outsider isn't going to share that because he doesn't see how it's relevant -- Maglor will feel the increase in power, after all, and then know the lack of it. ]

I see. [ Maglor shrugs and does not press, instead questing inwards. He has spent time learning the Songs of this world, but it was to his own world's that he was always privy to, the whisper of a melody just at the edge of his conscious thought from his very earliest memories.

He knows when he finds it, that familiar tune, and his breath catches, the world around him sharp and clear, and then he lets it go ]

Hm. Not unlike some of the uses of Songs of Power.

If I had my sight, I could tell you if your chest glowed with it.

[ But, you know. He can't see. ]

[ Maglor makes a low amused sound in return ]

And I had my eyes closed. Well. I suppose we will have to see if I learnt it a-right.

When shall we hunt?

Someone wishes to see if they can reverse this spell. After they make an attempt- immediately after.

I wish you good fortune in that endeavour.

[ Maglor's eyes are bright and his smile has too many teeth - not that the Outsider can probably tell ]

I will be ready.

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

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