eachdraidh | 1. {video :: both courts}

[ The face that comes onscreen after a few obvious jostles might be one you're familiar with (if you are, sorry, he's probably not the one you're looking for). Johnny's half-concerned, half-amused with the general state of things and it shows in the way he's looking into the locket, clearing his throat. ]

Ever wonder how this feels like some weird State of the Union address? Except with a lot less people. Or maybe it's like making a YouTube video. Here I am, talking to you guys, and I can't even see your faces. [ He shrugs. ] Oh, well -- anyway.

What's up, strangers of Drabwurld? I have three questions: [ Holds up one finger. ] one, why is it called Drabwurld? Did its founders hate being here, or does Brightworld just not have the same ring to it? Ha, there's your thought of the day.

[ Two fingers. ] Two: Anyone seen a big orange walking rockpile lately? Grumpy, looks like he lost a bet with a mudslide? Failing that, how about a guy who can stretch to grossly disproportionate levels, or a girl who can turn invisible? If found, let me know; they can be pretty ornery, and reach dangerous levels of boring when put together for too long.

Three, and I can't believe this didn't come first. It's a very important question, so I'm gonna need all of you to be honest with me, whoever you are.

[ He leans closer to the screen, loses the smile and gets serious. This is crucial. ]

Which side's got the hotter babes? The Seelie, or the Unseelie?

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Who's Steve?

[ Hey, cutie. ]

Yeeeaaaaah, he's all rubbery, you see. It's a thing. [ He adjusts the screen to get a better look of her. Interesting, these lockets; it's like your standard real-time videochats. ] You seen him?

Someone who looks almost exactly like you.

[ There has to be some difference somewhere, right...? ]

That's some... thing. But no, I haven't. As for walking rock pile... there are golems? And I can turn invisible, here, but I'm pretty sure that I'm not who you're looking for.

Yeah? Gotta meet him sometime.

[ Johnny's a touch younger, leaner, wicked humor in his eyes -- there are subtle differences. She has his attention, all the same. ]

No, very unfortunately. [ And he means that. ] Golems, huh? Happen to see any one of them wearing pants?

I'll have to see that.

[ He comes off as less- heavy, and not in a sense of physical weight. Ariadne is all about the details, but she also knows just how easy it can be to disguise things over the lockets. ]

No, but I think they tend to stick to the Greenwood, which is- well. Opposite side of the map.

[ If he's been doing his homework, he'll know that means Seelie, which means she's not. Ariadne isn't too bothered -- she's never hidden which court has claimed her. ]

Opposite side of the map?

[ As much of a slacker as Johnny (and other people think he) is, he actually does some homework, and her comment, casual as you please, clues him in on where she stands in the scheme of things. His brows raise briefly. ]

Unseelie, huh? That's one for the pretty girls on this side.

Only one so far?

[ She knows there are some other lookers, she's just saying. ]

Only one like you, so far.

[ Flirting, Ariadne. He's flirting. It's a thing. ]

[ She's used to people with this face being way more awkward about it. ]

And what's "like me", exactly?

[ You know, he hadn't actually thought that far. ]

Helpful. And apparently, someone who can turn invisible.

[ Good job. ]

No one else is being helpful?

[ hush. ]

Everyone else seems to be new. You're not, right?

No. [ A wry smile. ] Two more months and it'll be a year.

A year? [ His brows raise, clearly having not expected that answer. How does anyone last that long in here? ]

What do you do?

[ By being very cute and friendly and learning how to kill everyone you meet. ]

I'm an architect. [ ... Though, well... ] I have a manor in La Llorona and now I'm in charge of one of the spires, too.

Cool. [ That's pretty impressive, all things considered. ] Which spire?

[ He might pop by and say hello sometime! Don't tell Steve. ]

You haven't even seen them yet. [ She'd proud of her work. ] But yeah, they are.

The third one.

Is that an invitation, Miss?

[ He makes a note of that, and also to pore over the map again to find out just where the third spire is. ] Are there plenty of Unseelie there as well?

Maybe. And it's Ariadne.

[ A faint nod. ] Not many shardbearers yet, but the spire is still under construction.

Nice meetin' you, Ariadne. I'm Johnny.

[ He pauses at that, then. ] Hey, I gotta ask. So what do these shards do? Does everyone here have them, or?

Everyone from a different world has one, at least. Anyone born here doesn't, and some people- lose theirs. Usually by dying.

[ Which implies that sometimes people come back from dying, but she'll let him catch that or not. ]

They're part of this big... magic gem that's incredibly powerful, but shardbearers can learn how to use them to make themselves stronger, faster, that sort of thing.

[ Huh? ] Lose theirs by dying? So -- what, they're still alive somehow?

[ Oh, he didn't know that. Johnny straightens. ] How do you do that? The whole learning how to use the shard thing.

Sometimes.

[ ~*~*~magic~*~*~ ]

I only just learned recently. It's- they're tied to our homes, so if you focus on home strong enough, that can activate them.

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[Steve doesn't want to be that guy. Ariadne can take care of herself, and he certainly finds her attractive in all sorts of ways. He can't really blame another guy for noticing.

But there's a line, Johnny.]

I'd be interested in hearing the answer to that too.

[ Hey, it's nothing personal. Johnny appreciates all beautiful lady-shaped people -- she's not the only one.

He smiles, more amused than anything. ]

I come in peace, big guy.

[He thinks you're interested in a piece, slightly smaller big guy.]

Just wanted to make sure that you didn't get off on the wrong foot with the ladies. Especially this lady.