fourth arrow → VIDEO → both courts

[notyetlegend]

[Merida appears to be outside the manor when her locket flips open, brushing out some of the feathers in Angus' wings since he doesn't seem to know quite how to preen them himself just yet. She's wrapped up for the weather, a warm-looking cloak draped over her shoulders and fur trimmed dress, held together at her breast by a hand carved cloak clasp. She tugs the cloak around her a little more, depositing feathers into a bucket before she turns her attention to the locket.]

When I first got here, I was already familiar with th' terms Seelie an' Unseelie, an' Drabbish is close tae th' language of my people. Seelie means 'lucky' or 'blessed', while Unseelie means 'misfortunate' or 'unholy'. [She shakes her head.] I don't believe there's a difference, personally. In all th' stories I was told as a wee lass, Seelie were known tae tell just as many lies as Unseelie. Th' only difference was, Unseelie were more honest, believe it or not, while th' Seelie's words were like roses. Pretty, but not without their thorns.

[tl;dr - all fae were assholes.]

There's many a tale of both of them lurin' men from their path, or kidnappin' children in exchange for their own young, that sort of thing. There was a man who came into DunBroch claimin' he'd been down a sìth for th' last few hundred years. We even have a demon bear who used tae be a prince that roams th' lands.

[She brushes her hands off, then slips them further into the sleeves of her dress as Angus leans his head down towards his water trough, ear flicking as his wings fold back properly into place now that they've been groomed. Merida pats his neck, then tilts her head as she sits down on a bench in his stall, not caring about the hay or snow littering it. There's two saddlebags near her, both appearing to be carrying as much as she needs. Leaning back against a wall of the stable, she fidgets with her cloak clasp as Angus leans over the stall, nuzzling at another horse.]

I suppose what I'm tryin' tae say is, people are more alike than they care to admit, even those who are too prideful tae say so. [She gives a small sigh, lips twisting into a wry smile as her eyes shine with a bit of guilt.] I'm...a lot more like my mother than I'd ever have thought before I arrived. She'd be Seelie if she were here.

[Merida shakes her head, pushing her hair out from her cloak, the material falling down around her shoulders.]

I'd also like tae apologize tae those of you who I suggested come tae th' manor or those I was goin' tae do things with, but I'll be unavailable. I have some travelin' tae do.

[a.k.a she's getting the hell out of dodge. The redhead opens her mouth to say something else but she's interrupted when one of Angus' wings flick over her head, fluffing her hair up over her head and causing her to fumble and drop the locket, cutting the feed on her next cry.]

Angus!

Comments

Re: video;

[digophelia]

Ah.

[ Given that Elsa is a queen and there's elves here, is that really much of a surprise. But Alice almost does a small little flail. ]

It's alright, we cannot always follow in our mother's footsteps. Eventually, I suppose, it's natural for a girl to mature as she becomes a lady. There's no harm in straying a little off course, you'll come back to it, eventually.

[notyetlegend]

[She gives a short bark of laughter.]

That about says it, doesn't it? [Her mother wouldn't agree, that was for sure.] I think mam would say that I didn't just stray a little off course, I bolted for th' door as soon as it opened.

[digophelia]

What good is growth if you do not do a little exploring? Besides, you'll be surprised how much you do end up like your mama and papa as you grow older.

[notyetlegend]

I think that's why she let me get out of th' castle for a day here an' there. Maybe she thought I'd concentrate in my studies more if I had that to look forward to.

[Merida shakes her head and runs her fingers through her hair.]

If I got any more like dad, I think mum would flip.

[digophelia]

I doubt that will make her any less proud of you. She's your mother, she will always love you.

[notyetlegend]

[Her cheeks flush a little.]

Thank you, m'lady. Truthfully I've come to realize that since arrivin' here.

[digophelia]

Separations are an unintentional harsh reminder of that, yes, but it doesn't make you any less ungrateful.

[ Always a pessimist, unless she's speaking to another. She'll be optimistic. ]

[notyetlegend]

So I've heard many say.

[Yet she sounds like she speaks from experience. Merida offers a kind smile.]

I'm sure your loved ones think th' same of you, miss.

[digophelia]

I am sure that they would.

[ She hopes so. Next to Lizzie, she looked up to her father so much when he as alive. ]

[notyetlegend]

My name's Merida, by the way, m'lady. Merida of DunBroch.

[digophelia]

My name is Alice Liddell, Lady Merida.

[ She did say she was a princess, after all. ]

[notyetlegend]

Just Merida, please, m'lady Alice.

[She gives the other girl a smile.]

[digophelia]

You as well?

[ She still struggles not calling Saber "Miss", after all. ]

So be it.

[notyetlegend]

[There's a slight giggle from her.]

Others tell you not to as well I take it?

[digophelia]

There are others who prefer not to go by formal titles. In my time, it's encouraged, if not looked down upon if you do not refer to someone by their proper title.

[notyetlegend]

As it does mine, but I simply don't believe my title holds as much meaning here. [She tilted her head, thinking of how to explain it.] I might be royalty by birth, but I want to carve a name for myself here. I want to be known for things that I accomplish with my own two hands, not for whatever crown sits on my head.

[digophelia]

It is an admirable sentiment.

[ Though she has to wonder about the elves. ]

And an understandable one at that. But you don't have to carve a name or a presence here, you can be yourself.

[notyetlegend]

[At that, she smiles.]

I've found no greater pleasure here than in being myself, m'lady. Th' freedom that comes with bein' here an' not home is wonderful.

[digophelia]

Well, I am not a princess -- I was a maid.

But I am inclined to agree; I like it here more than the world that I came from.