eachdraidh | 02 ♘ video ♘ locked to seelie (backdated to around the fifteenth)

[ Cullen cannot quite say that he's particularly in the mood for anything as of late. There had been the matter of the silver sickness earlier in the month (something that still troubled him as to how much it seemed to resemble Red Lyrium's corruption, and though it had vanished, it still troubled him). And now, there was this. ]

For those of you that knew him, Ser Tarz, the Knight of Dawn, passed away. [ As it would seem common with the seelie champions as of late. ] For those that did not, as a Knight of the Golden Cadre, Ser Tarz was a man who believed deeply in this Court's cause, even until the end. Some found his methods... harsh... [ to say the least ] yet he did his part in always reminding us what all of this truly means. What was truly at stake.

[ Something that he could never forget. And though he couldn't ever fully believe in the Seelie cause... If there was truly no other way... ]

To honour his memory, I will... try to impart some of his wisdom.

[ Though he might not fully agree. ]

I know that there are many of you with... comrades in the opposite court. Perhaps they were friends from your own world, or perhaps you met them here during a less dire time. [ A sigh. ] Perhaps they were closer than that, as your family, or as your lovers.

[ His face hardens. ]

It would be... kinder to forget them. Punishments for fraternization are harsh in our own court, and who knows exactly what tortures the Unseelie rulers might inflict on those you profess to care about. Do what you must to keep others safe. For one day, you might very well see the face of your "friend" staring at you from across the battlefield.

[ It is not a lie, far from it. But it might be... better for the new arrivals to hear it, to understand.

Somewhere, he hopes that they understand the message: be discreet if you must. ]

That is all that I wish to say.

[ Wear the mask, but do not become it. As he closes his locket, he cannot help but wonder yet again what this war will make of him. ]

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Is it not troubling for so many of those in power in this Court to be...dying?

[Odd indeed since she has not heard of it before now but she is woefully distracted. A man is dead but still her mind has drifted to the second part of this. A warning.]

But if we were all friends, instead...

[Stupid. Foolish. She regrets it and that's obvious the moment it is out of her mouth.]

I am sorry, monsieur. Did you know Ser Tarz well?

Yes, it is. Though I wonder if it has more to do with the fact that the war seems to be coming to its close.

[ What with the Void sitting on the edge of Leathann. ]

If we were all friends, we'd find ourselves subjected to the same fates we saw those traitors face a few months ago.

[ And she really shouldn't regret it. Though he would not voice it, it was his wish too. ]

Thank you, Lady Lia. We were... as close as any of his comrades, I imagine. He was a good man that came to my aid during the Treun tournament, and continued to assist me as I settled into my position throughout the year.

[ Yet he tortured Katsa... ]