eachdraidh | video; seelie.

I know I've made an entry like this before, but I thought it might be apt to make a new one considering how official things have become lately.

[ Hermione looks at the camera, initially nervous but gathering in her own determination, expression tightening before she continues to speak, careful and measured and making sure she doesn't rush her words. Anyone that hasn't seen her since June will have heard the rumours of her duel and will see the mark of it on her face - a scar, healed now, covering the left side of her from her brow down across her cheek. ]

My name is Hermione Granger and my friend Dorian Gray and I run a business called Artefacta. Together, we make and produce potions, runes and protective enchantments for you to use for whatever you happen to be doing while you're here in the Drabwurld. We can also create and enchant items for communication, generally compasses, should you need that for anything - or if the lockets stop working as they did this past year.

[ She nods her head, turning the camera to show off the cloaks, compasses and set of vials that litter the desk she's sitting behind. ]

If you need something please feel free to contact us privately or visit me at the White Citadel. Tell the guards outside my door you're here on business and I'll make sure they let you in.

[ Unfortunately, since January, Hermione has had her rooms on lockdown, just to be safe. Only a few people are allowed in without permission and, generally, people looking to buy things are not on that list.

But - she continues. ]

I've also been learning to duel and swordfight over the last year and I was hoping to find someone who wouldn't mind sparring or practising with me. Nothing professional or intense, I'm hardly that good, but a little something to make sure I don't go out of shape would be nice. Let me know? And... Thank you. In advance.

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[ Hermione's own grin is a little brighter, now, and she looks earnest. ]

That would be wonderful. I have my magic but it never hurts to be prepared for whatever life throws at us.

Aye, I hear that. "Princess or not, learnin' to fight is essential", as my dad used to say.

[Still said, but her mother hadn't been so against her lessons after fighting off Mor'du. That said, she shakes her head.]

I've been learnin' magic myself since I got here. I figure it's better to have all my bases covered than be defenseless in a world like this should my bow or sword be torn from me.

Well, I don't see why being a princess would stop you from protecting yourself. In my opinion it would make keeping yourself safe a higher priority, surely.

[ But, you know... ]

It's a good idea. I've been relying on my magic too much and I learned that the hard way. I want to be as prepared as I can be for whatever happens from this point forward.

Apparently I should have left that up to my clansmen.

[There's a small huff, but that's neither here nor there. Though there's a small part of her that worries something will happen like it did in Treun, she's beginning to feel better about her swordsmanship. Wasn't that why she kept practicing?]

It's not always so bad, relyin' on somethin' you're more familiar with. I'm more of a bowman than anythin', but if I can defend myself with sword or lance or magic, I'm never unarmed.

That's a load of rubbish, isn't it? It's all well and good if they're there, but if you have to protect yourself then it's your mind and your arms that's going to do it.

[ But - well. She shakes her head and decides maybe she ought to let that slide for now. ]

I have a lance! But - I don't think it's the type of thing I'd be comfortable using in a battle. Sword, rapier and archery are good for now.

That's exactly th' type of thing I tried to say, but mum would have none of that. An' if someone successfully raided th' castle after overwhelmin' th' clansmen, what am I supposed to do? Sit around an' twiddle my thumbs?

[She throws her hand up with a roll of her eyes, shaking her head. The mention of archery, however, has her interest piqued.]

Aye, if th' way I did in th' tournament is anythin' to go by, I don't think I'll be carryin' a lance into battle anytime soon. But fancy yourself a bit of an archer, do ye?

Hardly. Being a damsel doesn't mean we ought to be in distress.

[ ANd she says it with a little huff. ]

Not really a bit - I've been practising, on and off, for just over a year and a bit. I'm not a professional but I'd like to think I could hold my own for a little while.

I happen to be more of an archer than a swordswoman; it's my preferred weapon anyway. Bested my suitors back home in th' games for my hand.

That's incredible. [ She beams. ] You must be incredible talented.

It helps that they were bumblin' idiots with little to no archery knowledge. [Is she smug? Yes.] They've gotten better in th' last couple of years with my help.

Do you think you'd be able to give me a few pointers?

If I can teach my bumblin' suitors I'm sure I can teach a fine young woman like yourself.

[ Fine young woman, gosh. ]

I'd appreciate that, very much.