Backdated to early 8 Feb | Text | Unseelie locked

[gordianknots]

By now I think everyone knows that the monarchs are asking us to run after the Jabberwock to try and return it back to them. We know that it responds to touch, that it likes puzzles, and that lavender will help soothe it.

But there are problems with what we’ve been told that need to be solved now.

1. It’s the middle of winter. We need sources of lavender, and I do not imagine that this will be easy. If anyone knows where to begin, and can say so on an open post here, you’d be doing everyone a great favour.
2. The Jabberwock isn’t small. Making puzzles that will be the right sie will be a struggle. Thoughts on how to go about that are welcome. I’m not imagining that it is going to be possible to walk up to this thing and ask it why did the chicken cross the road?
3. Touch. If this thing’s aura of rot is as true as old accounts have presented it, we need to find ways to deal with that. Quickly.

I’m encouraging brainstorming on this network post because anything that can be thought up together will have a greater chance of working.

Chime in if you can and for the love of whatever is dearest to you, stay safe.

Comments

[herotypical]

Like Hansel and Gretel. Only for...monsters. [ ... ] Not that the old witch wasn't a monster. She totally was. Let's just get this out in the open from the very outset: I am not okay with cannibalism.

[ so on topic. ]

[gordianknots]

Noted for the future in case it ever comes up. But the metaphor holds water, absolutely.

[herotypical]

Speaking of breadcrumbs, though! They had lavender shampoo at that -- uhm -- Stationy place. Do you think that'd help, too?

[ look she's almost almost almost being a team player. ]

[gordianknots]

That'd probably do in a pinch. I know a few people still hanging around there--

[herotypical]

I mean -- as long as you shell out for an upscale brand, there oughta be some real lavender in it. Pair it with the matching conditioner and shower gel for truly inspirational results.

[ yes, that said almost as if she was reading off the back of a bottle. ]

[gordianknots]

[A perfect salespitch, really.]

And create some useful trails to follow too, as long as the weather holds.

[herotypical]

Hey. [ she grows serious for a moment -- and (because waver seems to know a thing or two about...things or twos of things) she asks: ] Do you think this thing we're trying to, uhm, safe...is it some kind of demon?

[gordianknots]

I think demon's the wrong phrase but....well, you're in the right area, given what I've read.

[herotypical]

[ see that's where this starts getting tricky. how is she supposed to balance her mandate to slay all things demonic while also not trying too hard to piss off the monarchs?

sternly: ] What's the right phrase, then?

[gordianknots]

[Waver doesn't trust the lockets, not with this sort of thing. Not knowing that they'll be monitored more closely.]

My research has informed me that adult Jabberwocks can create years long famines thanks to their aura of rot, for starters.

[herotypical]

--Shit.

[ she draws a hand across her face. again, she asks herself why it was this court that claimed her? there is no love lost here. only the mounting knowledge that she can't be doing the right thing.

but she doesn't know what the right thing is. so -- wryly, and with a great deal of coping mechanism mixed in: ] Time to start hoarding canned goods. Just in case.

[gordianknots]

If you're anywhere near Seelie lands, then doubtlessly. I'd take advantage of the Station now, if you can travel safely and keep clear of the fog of war.

[Waver pauses.]

Where is your fortress? Rough area.

[herotypical]

Where the Mary Magdalene and the Forward Waist meet the ocean, I guess.

[ ahem. the maighdeann-mhara and the forodwaith, technically speaking. ] The second one's mine.

[gordianknots]

Too far out, you'd be crossing the battle lines.

[herotypical]

Y-yeah. I -- don't wanna do that.

[ a soft sighing confession. perhaps she sounds like a coward, but it isn't the battle that buffy fears. it makes her skin prickle and crawl to think she might be press-ganged into someone else's war. the slayer's fists will not be used to hurt just anyone.

it's better for everyone if she stays away. ]

[gordianknots]

No, I don't blame you. Anyone who's berating folks for hunkering down right now is just lashing out in angr.

[herotypical]

Can't blame them. [ oh, but she does. her heart sings out blame. ] They feel a calling. They want us to feel it too.

[gordianknots]

On one hand, I'm sympathetic. Everything is gone to shit and friends have gotten hurt. But to draw people into a conflict they haven't chosen? To pressure them? To create more damage rather than mitigate what's been done already?

[He breathes out.]

They're asses.

[herotypical]

Tell me about. [ ...pretend insouciance. ] Conscription's never sat too well with me. It gives me stomach cramps.

That and avocados. It's a tragedy.

[gordianknots]

That avocado thing might be an allergy.

But no, you and I are in agreement there. I'm just hoping other people will shout them down for dragging more people into this. I'd do it myself but it wouldn't be productive.

[herotypical]

No? Why not?

[gordianknots]

It'd be spending energy better focused on this Jabberwock business, for once. And second of all, yelling at people when they're already angry just makes enemies.

[herotypical]

Sure. But it also feels good.

[gordianknots]

Okay point.

[herotypical]

You'll come to find I have a lot of those.

[ pointy objects are her jam. ]