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

[boutant]

[ 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.

Comments

video; private

[boutant]

[ Ariadne returns the smile with one of her own, just as sad and strained. ]

I'm... honestly not sure what to do. But I won't turn you away.

video; private

[huntedby]

Of course you won't.

I will be there within moments.

[And true to her word, she teleports to the front door, terrifying a servant.]

video; private

[boutant]

[ The shriek of surprise has Ariadne there in an instant, daggers drawn- but it's Vanessa, and she relaxes, shoulders slumping. ]

You weren't kidding.

video; private

[huntedby]

[She would apologize for her little laugh at Adriane's face. But perhaps the woman needs a small bit amusement in this horrible time.]

It is a bit of a shock, I realize.

[boutant]

A bit. We're all a little on edge.

[ Still- she's glad to see her, and Ariadne smiles at her before turning to the servant, murmuring something soothing before sending her on her way. ]

[huntedby]

Understandably.

[Vanessa sighs, and once the servant has left, she smooths her hands over her skirts.]

I hesitated to offer this, over the locket. But do you know anyone who can enchant runes, with particular abilities?

[boutant]

My architecture team can enchant stone. Is that what you mean?

I guess it would depend on the abilities, though.

[ She turns, beckons for Vanessa to join her; might as well not stay standing by the entrance. ]

[huntedby]

...I am unique sort of creature, in my own way.

[Vanessa follows her.]

I often can see past masks; it is difficult to describe, but in men, I often see their true nature. Feel it. Darkness pulls at me, and at them, towards each other. Someone like the man who attempted to harm you.

[boutant]

I wonder if it would have worked, [ Ariadne murmurs, rubbing at the back of her neck. ]

I'm- I worked in dreams, back home. I know how to navigate people's minds. I couldn't do anything when he was in mine.

[huntedby]

Who can say. But if there is a way to transfer some of my ability to a rune for you, a trinket, I would do that.

[She does not say that lightly. Her gifts, her secrets, are her own. She rarely shares.]

A terrible thing. To be cut off from what one can normally do.

[boutant]

I don't know if there is, but- we can try.

[ She appreciates the offer, gives Vanessa a slight, grateful smile. ]

It is. I'm- well. I'm going to see what I can do to keep it from happening again, once I figure out where to start.

[huntedby]

And trying is all we can do, these days.

[She smiles back, if only a little.]

That is always the most difficult part--the start.

If--

[She pauses, as if debating something, then--]

--often my reading of people's futures can give some insight, on where to start. I could that for you, if you like.

[boutant]

[ Ariadne considers the offer for a moment. She's not so sure if she trusts things like looking into the future, but... it can't hurt, right? ]

If you wouldn't mind, I won't say no.

[huntedby]

What, no skepticism?

[She pulls the cards out of her pocket (always there, the weight a reassurance)]

[boutant]

I've been here for two years. I'm running short on skepticism.

[huntedby]

And yes some people still try to not believe.

[She gestures to the table.]

What I will do is lay the cards out, face down. Choose three--let them choose you; not the other way around.

[And she goes to lay them out.]

IF THAT. WORKS. i know you do these for real but idk how you lay the cards out lskdhg

[boutant]

Some people try to cling to the wrong things.

[ Ariadne looks at the cards for a moment and then selects -- the second from the left, the second from the right, and the fourth from the left. ]

ITS GOOD

[huntedby]

If it lets them sleep at night.

[Vanessa turns each card over, pursing her lips as she analyzes them.]

The first card is your past.

[The Five of Swords.]

The Five of Swords indicates defeat. You may have lost a battle (most likely a mental one), and found yourself in retreat, seeking to calm the choppy waters of your emotions. This card can also be a warning to you to avoid your own lusts for revenge, showing that only hurt and pain will be the result. These wounds you suffered needed time to heal. Even now, you should concede your defeat and find new things to focus on, letting go of this part of your past.

[Which is a good warning for Ariadne, considering what she has just been through.]

The second, is the present.

[Page of Cups. Vanessa smiles at the card. As Ariadne had told her of her ability to enter dreams, it makes much sense.]

The Page of Cups is a card of creative imagination, deep feelings, and psychic aptitude. A Page of Cups person will be gentle and compassionate, often highly imaginative and artistic. He values tranquility and peace, and as such is often out of place in the modern world because he cannot always cope with conflict. He seems dreamy and detached a lot of the time, though beneath his quiet calmness lies a bravery and studiousness that could rival a Knight's. The Page's appearance tells you to never stop listening to your intuition.

So if you can, listen to your heart, yourself. What you know best.

[She taps the last card, the Empress .]

This is the future.

The Empress in your future indicates that you will use loving, caring ways to accomplish your goals without losing your power. You will be required to put your heart and soul into your undertakings, and cultivate your talents, but retain your control over the situation. Do not let yourself become either too easily swayed or too inflexible. Above all, you will be the best barometer of what is right for you. Remember to use your judgement.

People question your open nature, your caring soul. This...this tells me that you shouldn't harden your heart. That you should remain open. That one tragedy, one betrayal, should not shut you off from how you are. Find ways to work within it. Only then will you thrive.

shaking and crying

[boutant]

[ For a long moment, Ariadne is still.

Then she all but launches forward to pull Vanessa into a hug. ]

Thank you. I- thank you.

[huntedby]

[Vanessa can't help herself. She stiffens for a moment when Ariadne hugs her. She isn't normal to such open affection, but it only takes a moment, and she softens, wrapping her arms around the woman, rubbing her back gently.]

I am glad it helped.

[She truly is. That her gift...her gift is something good. Not the bearer of bad news, as it often can be, especially in her own life.]

[boutant]

It did, [ she confirms, squeezing Vanessa a little tighter for a moment. She shouldn't have surprised her with the hug, she thinks, but- well, Vanessa hasn't pushed her away, and god, she needs this. Needs the other woman's strength when her own, for the moment, seems so far away. ]

I might need you to remind me of the Empress card every once in a while, though.

[huntedby]

[Vanessa pulls back slightly, so that she can brush some of Ariadne's hair out of her face, and look her in the eye. But it is still a hug; Vanessa can admit to herself she truly needed this, as well. She hasn't had a female friend since Mina...since she ruined it all.]

Perhaps I shall simply have to have someone make you a tiny figure of the Empress. So that you can keep her with you, always.

[boutant]

Maybe I could put her on a necklace.

[ Ariadne smiles at her, tilting her head a bit so Vanessa can more easily brush her hair away. ]

[huntedby]

Yes, yes you could.

[Vanessa has a card that represents her, as well.

But she would never wear it about her neck.]

Are you feeling better now, hm?

[boutant]

[ Better, yes. Not 100%, but... better.

Ariadne nods. ]

Yes. Thank you again, Vanessa.