eachdraidh | video | morning after the audience | unseelie & open non-locket comms

[ It's safe to say that Ariadne has never been this upset about anything in her entire life. She tends to smile, with large, gentle eyes. She does not tend to look murderous.

She does today.

Her trust has been broken, betrayed. Her people have been caught in the storm that Reynard started. Her mind has been violated, her companion dead.

When she speaks, her voice starts out calm. Cold. ]

So. When were we all going to start sharing what we know about the Cult of the Fox?

[ A breath and then she snarls. ]

Because it turns out they're wearing shard masks that let them look like anyone and they can get into your memories and mind control you to the point that you'll hang yourself.

[ It takes a tremendous amount of effort not to throw something. ]

That lying little fuck and those like him know how to use shards even when they're masks. If we don't stop sitting on our information then they're going to tear us apart from the inside. Do not trust anyone without- somehow verifying it's them, though I don't know how when they can do that much.

If you're staying at Diasbaile -- get to work or get out. I don't know how many people might still be under his spell but he's destroyed wards and rooms on the top two floors, read what was in my office if he didn't just steal it.

Everyone- be on your guard. And share your information, because otherwise we're all fighting this blind and then everyone is dead.

[ locked to steve rogers & sam wilson; ]
You need to get out of the Station. Just in case. Bucky's with me, he- we're not okay, he was with me when it happened, neither of us remember anything after a point. But we'll look after each other; he at least knows I'm me.

[ locked to grell, jason todd, loki, & waver velvet; ]
Gaff died in the Battle of Falling Fire. It was a cultist all along. Grell, can you watch Diasbaile? I can only assume that he'll know what I would do, but he didn't get in your head.

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She can turn into air. Of course.

[ because this day couldn't possibly go in a good direction ]

If you go too deep in your mind, you get lost.

[ She's seen it happen. ]

I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't do anything.

It may be wise to look for ways to work against the nature of a sylph to prevent her from working her way in if she hasn't done so already.

[ like at Redgate, at the tombs. ]

This is not your fault, Ariadne. How were you to know they were capable of such a thing?

[ She sas this with the inability to forgive herself for what Bumby did to her, invading her mind and manipulating her. To think nearly all of her memories could have been lost. ]

There is a potential to get lost, yes, and fall down a rabbit hole. Do not think it is impossible, you must fight to keep your mind, you mustn't lose hope now. Believe in yourself.

I will. Thank you, Alice.

[ She sighs. ]

Yeah. I just-

I haven't told many people, but I worked in dreams, back home. I designed them. I could walk in people's minds with them, with other people. And if you weren't careful... bad things could happen.

And now...

[ It had been a secret she had intended to keep, save for when Javik and Steve had found out on accident. But now the Cult knows. Now it's something that, if people are going to know, she wants to tell them on purpose. ]

I know that bad things can happen.

[ She desperately wants to comfort her. Alice glances around, wringing the ring on her finger. For her comfort, she decides to offer a tidbit- ]

I know. I know what it is like to trust and confide in someone with your well being to invade your mind and use your memories against you.

[ A lot of good that did, really. She squares up her shoulders, lowering her eyes. ]

If others were to say it sounded unbelievable, I believe you.

[ His words were going to ring in her ears for the rest of her life -- "Indeed? A hysterical woman, former lunatic, roaring outrageous accusations against a respectable social architect and scientist. My god, Alice, who would believe you? I scarcely believe it myself."

No one would believe a woman who spent 10 years in an asylum accusing a man like that of brainwashing and manipulating her and children. No one would care about the lives of those in the slums of Whitechapel. ]

And now you'll know what to do to stop it from happening again, you'll pick up the pieces and become stronger for it. Do not forget, hold onto everything. The solutions to your problems are not always easily found, but they can be found. It is your mind, no one else's. They cannot control you, don't allow them to. You are not a doll.

[ Ariadne takes a deep breath and nods. ]

Okay.

[ It's hard to tell if she actually believes it, right now, but she's listening. She'll listen over and over, if she has to. ]

Okay.

[ If there has been one thing that Alice has learned from the children, is that for her to keep them calm, she must be calm herself. She wants to cry -- she's terrified. She's afraid and she hates to admit that she is. The possibility of having her mind turned against her scares her and to see everyone else around her fall the same way. Alice feels helpless, yet again.

But her face, it doesn't show it. She remains placid and in control, despite her mind lighting up in chaos. Even now, as she keeps herself calm in front of Ariadne, a shaky hand goes to her chest. It aches. It is burning in her and she cannot control it.

Reynard hurt her more than she cared to admit. ]

You'll be safe, you must believe in that. Your memories and mind are safe.

[ She nods again. Maybe she should repeat it, but she can't right now, not when her mouth feels like ash when she even so much as tries. ]

Both of us, [ she says at last, her own hand over her shard. Hers aches, too. ]

[ Watching her friend like this makes her want to cry. It's not fair, after what happened with Bumby and now this. ]

I'm here... if you ever need anything.

Thank you.

You too.

video | morning after the audience | unseelie & open non-locket comms

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