Video; ☆ Seelie / Both Courts

[aureinsof]

[Locked to Seelie]

[As much as Aster doesn't want to do this, it's important in the end. It might help him make connections.]

Hey. With everyone preparing for war, thought I would make an offer. Name a monster you want and I'll tame it for you. I need a favour equal in return. You want something simple, it's simple return. Harder and I need more for it. Make an offer if you're interested.


[Open to Both Courts]

[Aster opens the message up here, because he needs to know more.]

Tell me about the beasts of this land. I need to hear from both courts. What monsters do you know about? The more in-depth, the better.

[He considers saying thanks but he doesn't, just shutting off his locket instead.]

Comments

[aureinsof]

They can. Some kelpies have a long fish tail, others are just horses in water. I hear the ones out in the ocean are even tougher and stranger but for our purposes, a river kelpie would be just fine. Do you think you can fight too or do you want to watch?

[depicted]

[Dorian hesitates before he remembers not to hesitate, and then he straightens up and sets a hand on the hilt of his cutlass.] I will fight with you.

[aureinsof]

[He nods, proud.] Good. All right. Let's get the first one.

[Aster draws his sword as well and walks along the riverbank. Then he notices it, much like a crocodile would sneak up on its prey, the top of a horse's head coming closer, eying a nearby cow.

He grins and signals Dorian. Wait for it. And then, as the Kelpie launches out, Aster jumps forward, coming down on its head with the butt of his sword.]

[depicted]

[Dorian is at least prepared for this moment by Aster's signal, his sword drawn, his stance as ready as he can make it. But nothing, nothing can ready him for the first moment of battle. Nothing can ready him for the first moment of danger.

So like a party member bearing a stun status effect, Dorian shifts to move forward but then freezes completely in the face of the violence before him.]

[aureinsof]

[Aster notices. He slashes the kelpie back as it rears, snapping its mouth, ready to bear down on him.]

Dorian! Dorian snap out of it!

[depicted]

[It breaks him free of his paralysis. He has to fight. He has to help. Dorian dashes forward to come at the kelpie from the side, he raises his cutlass—

—he strikes it with the flat of his blade. The thought of blood is too terrible.]

[aureinsof]

[Striking it does stun it briefly, sparing Aster, but the horse immediately turns his sights on Dorian now instead. It neighs loudly, rushing forward.]

[depicted]

[Oh, shit. And thus, a moment that comes to any training warrior, and may as well come to Dorian now:

Freaking the Hell out, Dorian flailingly runs away.]

[aureinsof]

Dorian! [He's equal parts amazed, frustrated, exasperated and just plain angry but apparently this kid needs a lot more field training.

Aster rushes out and jumps onto the Kelpie, getting it's attention. It tries to buck him off, stomping its hooves in angry, managing to snap a nice bite into Aster's arm. But despite his cry, he doesn't stop bashing it in the head until it whinnies, laying down.

Aster stumbles off it and puts his hand out. A large magical glyph appears under the Kelpie, coloured black and purple, and after a moment the wounds on the Kelpie heal and it stands, walking over to Aster and nuzzling him once.]

Her name is Aisling. I'm keeping this one. The next one will be yours.

[He turns to Dorian.] Keep Aisling company.

[depicted]

[Dorian stops and turns when Aster jumps on the kelpie. But when Aster starts hitting her, Dorian flinches himself. He can't help himself: he covers his eyes, wincing in sympathy. His eyes sting with unshed tears.]

You didn't have to be so harsh with her!

[please train this useless child]

[aureinsof]

[Aster pulls his scarf off and ties it around the wound on his arm.]

Yes, I did. Monsters will only obey you if you best them. The pact heals them anyway and she agreed.

[depicted]

[Dorian's lips, his brows, all of it draws together in a frown. But he rushes over to Aster's side so he can help him with the wound.] I can help.