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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

[ this is a very long silence. ]

Like a Care Bear?

[ Johnny Storm doesn't do Care Bears. ]

[ welp. ]

Uh. Well, they're not like... powered by love, as far as I know.

[ Good, because he's not sure he can do that emotional touchy-feely shit. ]

So, they're powered by memories of home? Good and bad memories?

To activate them, anyway. At least, that's how I was taught. I'm sure there's more.

[ She shrugs. ] I'm still learning myself.

Gonna keep that in mind.

[ never gonna unsee care bears. ] Where'd you learn it from?

A friend of mine. I'm not entirely sure who taught her, honestly.

Think you can teach me? Can't hurt to learn how to use it.

[ Bad idea? Maybe. But honestly, Ariadne wants to see if she can. ]

I could try.

How about I take you up on that after the war?

You'd be waiting awhile, then.

[ ariadne you shit ]

But after the battle works.

Good point.

[ He has to laugh a little at that, entertained by her wit. ]

Gotta ask you, though. Do these battles happen a lot?

[ She sobers quickly at the question, shaking her head. ]

No. There have been- smaller ones, but nothing in this force. Nothing like that's coming, not for almost a century.

[ See, it doesn't sink in -- not for a city boy like Johnny Storm, but maybe a little of it makes him pause. If she thinks it's serious, it's gotta be bad, right? ]

Not for almost a century? What are they fighting about this time that's so different from the others?

They're fighting about the same thing they've always been fighting about. I don't know why the severity is so much- more, this time.

[ And it worries her. A lot. ]

[ Johnny doesn't like the sound of it. ] You gonna be okay?

I don't know -- I don't think anyone knows. I guess we'll find out.

Wait, how are you gonna protect yourself? [ BECAUSE THIS IS P MUCH A LEGIT CONCERN??? ]

I have some daggers. A crossbow. That invisibility-- and a few other tricks.

1. {video :: both courts}

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