VIDEO ( UNSEELIE LOCKED );

[conqueress]

[ The locket reveals the face of a young woman--some would say a girl--peering into it. Her hair gleams silver-gold in the candlelight, her eyes an unusual purple color. In the background, an imp peers over her shoulder, its claws clinging to her bared skin. ]

There is magic in the Free Cities and Qarth alike, yet I have seen nothing half so convincing as Allaidh Darach. It is ... [ She hesitates; what to call the place that's imprisoned you against your will? ] ... intricate work, truly. Were I settled into my kingdom, my children fierce and grown, perhaps I would not mind it so much, calling Caer Scima home.

[ For a fraction of an instant, she looks sad. Did Drogon sense her as she faded into this world? ]

But lush pillows will not shield my freedmen from those who would send them back to the shackles, no more than peach tarts will keep famine away from my gates. [ The imp shakes a foul little fist at the locket in punctuation, as though its fellows didn't help to abduct her only four nights ago. Dany turns and fixes it with a measured look. ]

Leave me now. I want no spies.

[ It hesitates, but something in her voice convinces it. Muttering, it releases her shoulder and shrinks away as though scolded. Dany waits impatiently for two more of the creatures to leave her presence, some private struggle raging beneath. Then, at last, she exhales in a sigh. ]

Yet time is not so easily disrupted, I have learned. Tell me, was I spoken true? [ It's phrased as something of a demand, but there's a very clear plea beneath it. The queen is there, but so, too, is the girl. And the girl is frightened, fearing for her people and her dragons alike. ] Will my people notice I have left them, or will all be as it was? How may I be assured of their safety?

[ Restless fingers pluck at the fringe of the cushion in her lap. ]

Comments

[digophelia]

I thought it was beautiful, once. [ Compared to London's desaturated scenery and the social limitations on women, Caer Scima was a place she could have almost called home. Since the Jabberwock is such an important creature to the Unseelie, Alice is cautious to avoid discussing her disdain.

The creature is why Alice refuses to go back to Caer Scima. ]

But I have not been back there in some time. It was a year ago that the Seelie invaded Caer Scima and a battle ensued all over parts of Dorcahads and Nime Gleanne. I was told that Caer Scima suffered much ruin and today I see that it's grown. The natives in the city treat all travelers well, there's many things there. Weaponry, clothing, and food. Unfortunately, I have many bad memories there of the invasion and I have children under my care who were orphaned from the invasion.

[conqueress]

[ Few things inspire compassion in Dany more than the idea of orphaned children. She and Viserys were two such, exiled across the Narrow Sea and left only with each other when the house with the red door closed to them. ]

Then we need not speak of it further. [ Her eyes soften. She would speak of regrowth and peace over battle, but she's rarely had the luxury of seeing it for herself. ] If I may bring any provisions that may be spared for your children, I will do it gladly, my lady. What needs do they have? [ She holds no influence here yet to simply make donations, but she intends to come into it. ]

[digophelia]

[ Alice appreciates it and that goes without saying. She smiles softly to herself, gently splaying her hands over her apron. She wouldn't take help from others, but now, she isn't in a position to turn it down. ]

Clothing and food are my top priorities with them, as always. They're growing, so those things are what they need most.