eachdraidh | ♔ I ► video 【open to both courts & backdated to 02/01】

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♔ I ► video 【open to both courts & backdated to 02/01】

( Her progress in working out what her locket does is very much a WIP. Still, she has fiddled with it enough to activate whatever magic controls the moving images of people. This is in an invaluable tool in her eyes, because she has precisely the purpose to put such a resource to use. Keenly aware that appearances matter especially so upon making a first impression, she is dressed elegantly, and her hair is mostly left in loose waves, some cloth-of-gold ribbon threaded throughout. She keeps the look on her face pleasant, but cool.

There is no benefit for the time being in playing the fool, as she had at home. The warmth of her smile does not extend to her eyes, not yet. Instead they hold a light of curiosity, and a great amount of seriousness. Her awareness of the situation at hand is dim but for this: she is not dreaming. She has lost all, and stands to gain everything if she but works for it. Just as her father had won the throne of England: with smiles, charm and good business sense.

Her address, then, is an earnest one. )

Good day to you, one and all. I know not how many of you there are, or from whence you come. Yet if I may, I would humbly beg a favour, if you would be so gracious as to indulge me: your acquaintance.

Indeed, I would meet as many of you as might be possible. And, if you would be even more indulgent, information pertaining to the state of affairs in this land and abroad. I find myself possessed of a desire to know the full scope of things here ere I chart my course and navigate myself through whatever trials I may face here.

( Now, finally, the warmth enters her eyes. She has no choice; it would not do for all the land to bear witness to her grief. )

I am Elizabeth Plantagenet of England. It is my hope that I will be able to repay any kindness shown me sooner rather than later. I look forward to meeting and speaking with many of you!

Until then, farewell. Deus vobiscum.

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Then you'll want An Account of the Year 5700 In the Age of the Uncertain Heavens, assuming you're in Caer Scima.

The long and short of it all is that you've been sucked into a war where no matter who wins, everyone loses.

I am indeed in Caer Scima at present! I thank you for the advice, sir.

Yet why must everyone lose? Unless the war never truly ends— ( Oh no. On her end, she turns pale. That would explain a lot. )

I see. That is the game, then, and these lands are the board. We are the players, as well, I must guess. Where do the natives fit in?

The war ends with the other side slaughtered en masse for the shards in their chest. Any victory that demand slaughter is a loss, as far as I'm concerned.

The natives are...well, it's awkward, if we're being blunt. They live and die in a world that they don't impact half as much as shardbearers, and are always at the whim of forces much more powerful than they are. Some do believe in the courts and the war, others just want to live their life.

Of late, there has been a massive swing in anti-shardbearer sentiment, resulting in riots in various cities. There's a Cult of the Fox at work as well, which encourages these sentiments.

My God. ( What the hell, man. ) No. It is no victory at all.

I do not understand how we, whom are guests at best and prisoners at worst depending upon our point of view might impact this world more than one who has been born into it. Are those whom favour peace left alone, or afforded any aid?

( She is thinking of them. Of course she is. Something the rest of her family has neglected to do since the death of her father. )

I see. This.. cult. Do you think they are supported from within the courts themselves? I would not discount the possibility. That has soured the mood and made conditions far more favourable for war. I must ask, then: whom are the players upon this board we all share? What roles do they play, how much sway do they have and how many moves would it take them to wipe a pawn clean from its square?

( Politics at home were easy enough to understand: England, at odds with France and Scotland. Her family, at odds with itself and everyone else caught between. This board seems far more complex. Elizabeth is certain that she does not have even a fraction of the entire picture here. And she'd best change that fact soon. )

It really isn't. And it isn't advertised much upon arrival, for what we can only call obvious reasons.

To be brought here as a shardbearer gives one a certain amount of status right from the get-go. Consider it being born a minor noble, and your actions can only gain you more influence on the world as you spend time here. Those who want peace either find ways to remove themselves from the courts, or eventually fall into things eventually. But that's often a long ways off.

Chess is a messy metaphor. Pawns can become queens one day, and then be pawns the next.

That said: while I actually think that you've brought up a valid point that needs to be investigated, there's no indication that the courts benefit from this kind of dissent. Shardbearers are their precious commodities, and having those that are so impacted - heck, that make up the soldiering ranks - against them? Bad idea, to say the least.

Quick run down for the biggest players, forgive me for using list form but it'll be easier. Consider these folks untouchable by any means:

Unseelie Monarchs: Reul and Morla
Seelie Monarchs: Ridre and Solias

Nay, and understandably so, as it would be counter-intuitive for their image. I have already heard some negative propaganda pertaining to the Seelie court. Also natural, I would think, given the situation.

Ah, I see! It is a pity that the natives are unable to have a say in the goings-on of their own land. Once, the kings of my own realm were elected by its barons. A tradition which ensured the people had some say in whom ruled their country, at least. I admit it must be for them quite like how it must have been for the Saxons when my ancestor invaded England and took it for his own. Though he still submitted himself to their laws, and was fairly elected.

They call him 'William the Conqueror', but he would have conquered naught without the good will of the people. Their welfare should not be forgotten in this. We should see that it is not if naught is being done already.

( That's right: we. She likes this man. He challenges her views, which she knows are those of a novice. He is wise. His counsel, then, is more than worth noting and heeding. )

Indeed you are correct. Yet it is the only metaphor I know, for I was born to be a pawn. Such possibilities have never before been within my reach. It is.. interesting.

Fair enough. Though it may still be worth investigating, I believe. As for the players: I thank you! I had not known their names. What of those of us whom have been here for some time? I have seen that it is possible to gain influence and power here. What is the landscape of the politics among shardbearers such as ourselves? I would see both points of view and also a neutral one, if possible.

( To discern some truth from within all of that propaganda. )

Anything the Unseelie say about the Seelie, assume that it's being returned in full. The real skill is cutting through all of it and understanding the longest of long terms.

--Ah, then before we go further, let me sidebar so that you're aware: I'm from Englad. 2014 London, specifically, so much of this is information I'm well familiar with what you're describing I do actually think such a system would be welcome here, or might have been in less dire times, but to work back to a point where that would be possible now would be a long ways off.

You've been given an advantage. And you're clearly starting with a logical point to gain the full of it: learn everything you can.

Shardbearers of recent arrivals (past 10 months, before that it had been several decades) are struggling to really commit to the cause of the courts. They're more inclined to fight to defend friends and their homes, rather than the court and the monarchs. Neutrals do exist, but battle looms over head, and will test that resolve.

I would expect nothing less. My mother was a Lancastrian widow who married a Yorkist king, and she once told him that she wished there were no sides at all. The hatred of the divided houses of my family was very similar to this. Thus, I know things are never as clear as they might seem. I wish to cut through it all to see what lies beneath, as you put it. To understand it.

Another countryman! Well met! I am pleased and heartened to speak with anyone from home. ( That time difference, though. Good thing this conversation takes place in text, because she has gone deathly pale. This is the third instance of someone claiming to be from her future within the past hour. It is.. jarring, to say the least. )

Perhaps we may yet work our way to such a desirable end. Margaret Beaufort has said often that her son was 'destined' to rule, but naught is ever set in stone. I have seen my house prosper one moment and crumble the next. If the bad can be sprung upon a kingdom so quickly, so too must the good.

( She is an optimist. Because the moment she allows the negativity circling her to drag her down will be the moment she will succumb to it. )

I would very much appreciate your aid in this learning, if you would be so kind. Your counsel is most wise.

So it seems the rulers of these lands must needs either secure our loyalty, or allow us to destroy ourselves. There is ever a method to adjust a situation to turn in one's favour. Has anyone searched for one?

There's a fair few of us from England around here, and I suppose you're learning that time is nothing short of weird here. People are pulled from all over time and space, and sometimes even details of the same say, country, will differ.

With that warning said: I can respect the desire to start hacking through the words to get to the truth of things. That was my first instinct here, and it's the best one to have. Mind, it's not an easy task because the politics of this place are well, they shift quickly. Not unlike your already described house. Your knowledge and familarity with such quick changes will be nothing short of a massive advantage here.

You flatter me with finding me wise. I only have the advantage of being here for ten months, and thus a bit more time to get a hang of things Nothing more and nothing less.

In regards to adjusting the situation to suit one's own needs, plenty have done so thus far. You can use titles to your own end, begin saving money in order to buy property away from the courts, and use whatever you're offered by the monarchs to further yourself. The Unseelie tend to be a little more permitting of this approach, for reasons that lie in their support of chaos.

There are former shardbearers who've taken to building entire fortresses to protect the people here. The late Alyosha of Redgate is one such example.

Pray, what does that word mean? Weird. I have never seen nor heard it before this. I have.. well, I have seen what I had thought to mainly be claims of such a thing occurring here. It hurts the head to contemplate that it is in fact the truth, and that I am a mere relic from the past to many here.

( Which is a detriment. She will not be a ghost here. Her presence must be known and felt in positive ways. )

I thank you. One thing I have noticed is that folk are prone to gossip, and that if one believes they are in the presence of a silly girl who cares not for what they say, then they will be wont to say more. I played that role very well at home, in order to survive. How quickly would you say things shift here?

There were a pair of brothers—lords. In times of conflict they would ever each stand firmly with either side so that no matter the outcome, their family stood to gain much. Is it like that?

Nay; it is the truth. Your words hold much sense, and though I know not your name, I do value them. Ten months, however! Goodness. Things have changed very much since then, I would guess.

Ah, yes! Titles. How does one go about earning those here? I should like to do somewhat of the like, though I would watch and listen before declaring allegiance to anyone.

My condolences for the passing of this individual. Their goal was a good and noble one. The people ought never be forgotten when there is conflict.

Out of the ordinary, out of place, a feeling that something is off - that's what is generally meant by weird. But at any rate, I wouldn't worry about who's a contemporary when - there's other things to focus on.

Things can shift in an instant. December was marked with various winter celebrations and levity, and before even the old year was out, the battle we're about to see unfold now was being planned. The pace is rapid, and staying on top of it is no easy task. Things will always fall by the wayside.

Funny you mention siblings here. The queens of both courts are sisters. I don't know how much their family bond plays into their decision, but they both desire a victory.

Ah, right, names before we continue! I'm Lord El-Melloi II, although I respond to a few other nicknames up to and including Elmie and Prickles (long story.)

Titles can often be gained by service either by doing things on behalf of the monarchs or keeping an ear to the ground and doing favours that are asked. One's fame and title will come from performing those actions, and influence grows from there.

Alyosha was exemplary. Too few have the resources these days to do what she did.

My humblest apologies. I am perhaps far too inquisitive for my own good.

That does sound terribly familiar to me. And this land will never be the same after it is done. War is only useful as a last resort, and if there is a clear victor. Should there not be, then this place and its people will be ravaged for naught. If there are efforts being made now to help the natives, I would lend my aid to it.

Sisters. ( Bollocks. ) Not knowing either, I can only guess that it plays a very big part, indeed. It is truly incredible how close ties might be so easily severed by the promise of power. The stories I might tell you. But they are not a mirror-image of what is in play here, or in the least I should hope not.

We are well-met, Lord El-Melloi! I am Princess Elizabeth Plantagenet, also known as Elizabeth of York. ( She will wisely not comment on the choice of Prickles for a sobriquet. ) Some also call me Bess.

I believe I could do the latter, if no opportunity for the former should arise. None ever suspect that a pretty girl interested mainly in dancing and fashionable gowns might listen to their gossip and make sense of it.

I would have liked very much to meet her. But that fact ought to be remedied, in time.

Don't apologise for being curious or asking questions - they're the signs of someone very wise.

I believe there's been some rumblings about trying to help those that make their lives here, but those rumbles have been drowned out by the sound of war. Should I hear anything concrete, I'll let you know.

You could always ask them yourself, and get some distorted version of the truth. I imagine that it'd be an interesting response, even if it isn't the whole scope. I know from experience that Morla is honest enough, but tells you just enough that you feel the answer is complete.

[Prickles is what happens when you're a hedgehog for a week.] A true abundance of names - which would you prefer?

They're often around in equal measure, but the second thing you speak of? No better way to learn things here, I'll not lie to you. I've done it myself to great advantage.

Let us all hope that there are others capable of following her then - and sooner rather than later.

I.. thank you, my lord. ( Wise is never a quality which anyone has attributed to her save for perhaps her father. ) Perhaps when the coming battle is over, or should there be a lull in the ensuing war, I shall ask more. If that would be acceptable.

And I must thank you once again. The people who live here do not like us, from what I have heard, and I cannot rightly blame them. Fostering mutual trust and goodwill, God-willing even friendship could only be beneficial for all.

Perhaps I may. I expect it to be no less than entirely biased, if I may be honest. But I should like to hear the answer from her own lips, all the same.

( For the public record, ofc. She's thinking a bit ahead. )

If titles are necessary, then Princess Elizabeth will do. If nay, then simply Elizabeth.

I shall do so. There is usually some small kernel of truth to rumour, unless it is an exceptionally well-fabricated lie. I will be gathering all the information I am able to glean for myself ere I decide which position, if any I should take in this conflict. Truth be told, I am not over-fond of conflict as a rule.

Whether or not I may ever be able to remains to be seen, but it would certainly do no harm in trying. I may be new here, my lord, but I wish to help as much as might be possible.

More than acceptable, and it is better to have these conversations in person. These communication devices can be easily compromised, and shouldn't be relied on heavily.

It's an argument that's hard to counter. Our mere presence upsets and threatens their way of life. As individuals we're fine, but as a group we create destruction. But I repeat what you've already concluded.

Morla will prove interesting no matter what, I am sure.

Elizabeth I can do in private, and for public I'll happily add the appropriate title. Does that sound fair?

As far as conflict goes, ah, well, you'll need to find ways to make peace with that dislike. It's unavoidable here, sadly. But finding information is easy to do, if you set up the right fronts.

With an attitude like that, I think you'll get very far with that goal indeed.

Then I shall look forward very much to meeting you in person, my lord. And many thanks for that bit of information. I shall henceforth be mindful of the content of my words when I use this strange device.

Do you believe that one day it might be possible to form positive ties with them? I would very much like that.

( Oh, wow. That is actually pretty fair! ) It certainly does! Fair enough, indeed.

It seems as though I shall have to learn quickly, if the gossip I am hearing of a coming battle holds any truth to it. Tensions here seem to have been thick for some time. I smile, I dance, I sing. And people talk all around me. It is not my fault should I overhear and listen, is it? Surely.

( He can't see it, but she is smiling on her end, because she is jesting. Nobody ever suspects the frivolous little girl when they believe she's the renfaire equivalent of an airhead, do they? )

I should hope so. I cannot go home; nothing awaits me there. Here is where I wish to make a life for myself, for good or ill. Have you any advice, then, on that score?

If I have any use at all here, it is in giving out warnings. Don't mention it.

It's possible, I do think, but there's been so many breeches of trust that it will be a very long uphill climb. But all the more reason to try to do it, because anything with a positive impact here is worth doing.

[He's suggested it if only because that's what he does himself. Regular name for those he trusts, the nom de politique for everyone else.]

Not your fault at all, and if they're fool enough to speak so openly, then shame on them. Being clever is the be weapon, and manipulating appearances is one of the best forms of it.

At the end of the day, you get out of this place what you put in. If you're intent on doing well with those that live here, then you find ways to live among them rather than stay within the castle. If you wish to fight you stay within and you learn from the monarchs.

Whatever you do, know where you mean for it to end.

What you have said tells me that we have every reason in this world to keep the door open for them on our side of the matter. As it seems my descendants and those of my people should have when they decided to set out exploring and to expand the reach of my country.

( Is she upset about that? Yes. It is wholly lacking of any and all honour. Deplorable and shameful are not words which can even begin to describe her feelings on the topic. )

I thank you for the compliment, my lord. My Uncle's court was a veritable pit of vipers. I cannot expect any other to truly be different in terms of their inner-workings.

A decision not made lightly, and one I will not make until I have seen and heard more. Rashness is not the best course, I would expect. Both roads or neither could easily lead me to a good and prosperous existence here.

May we speak further in a more secure fashion, my lord? I mislike asking too many questions upon this necklace.

Last statement first: yes. When things blow over, we'll be in touch.

As for everything else: I feel like a broken voice agreeing with everything you're saying here, so let me just give a blanket "yes, absolutely" to all things - but especially your comparison to dens of vipers, and avoiding rashness.

You and I seem to have much in common, my lord. Would it be too forward, then, to suggest that we speak of a possible alliance when the imminent conflict is done?

I think I should very much like that.

Let us see where things fall and what areas can be gotten to in the aftermath. Sound like a plan?

That is more than fair. I accept.

I look forward to speaking face to face.

As do I, my lord.

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♔ I ► video 【open to both courts & backdated to 02/01】

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