video ✞ seelie locked, june 20th

[wwjd]

[What's captured by the locket is the image of an unsmiling, expressionless man, but those who know Kotomine Kirei -- perhaps from around Caer Glaem or one of the chapels surrounding it or Leathann -- might note there's a little bit more energy to him. He's in Leathann now, in fact, riding down a street on horseback, his cleg's wings carefully folded back.

A golden cross hangs from his neck, so even those who don't know him may be able to guess at what he is.]

It's fortunate to see the number of victims suffering from the silver sickness decreasing instead of increasing, finally. Still, if you or someone you know should require healing to halt the disease's progress while you search for your cures, don't hesitate to contact me. I hope you are all well, or become well soon enough.

[He doesn't... well, his deep voice doesn't sound very cheerful or uplifting about anything, but at least he's calm and composed. Maybe he gives the impression of someone who would be a good healer. Apparently Kirei has more he wants to ask, however, and he's not done yet.]

It seems like a good time, though, to ask a few questions. I am new to the Drabwurld and would like to find out all I can. Specifically, I would like to know about the Void.

[That topic is mentioned as emotionlessly as if he were discussing the weather. It is nearby, visible a few miles distant from the coast of Leathann.]

What is known about it, at this point? How quickly does it move? What's been done with regard to it, both on our side and by our enemies? If you're able to provide any information at all, I'll be grateful.

Comments

[uptowngirl]

[ She's all friendly smiles up until the mention of that guy. Someone who has given her an off vibe when they first met--all wandering eyes and boisterous titles, indeed--and seeing the way he spoke to Korra only solidified the fact that maybe she should have been more wary from the start than considering his offers.

Asami tries to keep her expression neutral. ]

Ah...yes, actually. I've met him. He's a friend of yours?

[wwjd]

[It's all right. She doesn't have to put on a show for him; Kirei understands. It's worse than he expected. Gilgamesh has probably suffocated her with marriage proposals. Do yourself a favor and ignore him next time, Asami.]

An acquaintance.

[Kirei's answer comes quickly, without a moment of pause. They just share a bedroom together, it's nbd.]

[uptowngirl]

[ There was definitely some subtext there, but thankfully no marriage proposals. She has a feeling that sort of thing wouldn't be genuine, anyway.

But the fact he doesn't say "friend" and chooses a less pleasant noun rather quickly says enough, at least to Asami. ]

It sounds like he's been here for a while. He presents himself as a valuable resource.

[wwjd]

[She... may be wrong on that point. His extravagance is truly genuine. Not that he treats a real marriage proposal with the respect it deserves, Kirei believes.]

He's been here longer than I have, in any case. No doubt he does have many valuable attainments to his name. But this place has made him different from what he was before.

[uptowngirl]

[ "Valuable attainments". That's an amusing way to put it. Asami allows herself to smile a little. ]

A place like this would change anyone, don't you think?

[wwjd]

... Perhaps. [A dispassionate reply.] I have not been here long enough to know.

[It's a lie. He's worried he will never change, no matter what this world has to offer.]

[uptowngirl]

I think we can just hope it's for the better.

[ She's seen how both Korra and Mako have grown away and without her, but they're good people. They always have been, at least that much hasn't changed. ]

My friends have, but I'm sure they would still be happy to help you out, Mister...?

[wwjd]

[That was his next question. If her friends have changed and how they have.]

Kirei Kotomine. Please forgive my manners. It's true this world has so much in it it would not be alarming to change for the good. Already, we are gifted with shards of the Uaine Cridhe and we fight for the better cause.

[He means the Seelie.]

[uptowngirl]

[ She shakes her head at the apology before offering a smile. ]

Asami Sato. It's nice to meet you.

[ She failed to introduce herself in the first place, after all. ]

Yes...I'm admittedly pretty curious about these shards. In theory, their powers seem limitless.

[wwjd]

The pleasure is all mine, Miss Sato. [And yes, he most likely will continue to call her that.]

I don't know the full extent of their abilities, but it seems like they are quite special. Have you activated your shard yet? That's the first step to harnessing them for battle.

[uptowngirl]

[ She'll take it. Politeness is appreciated.

She shakes her head. ]

I haven't. I want to learn more about them in general. Have you had a chance, yet?

[wwjd]

I have.

[Is this his first chance to potentially teach a fellow Seelie, about something like magic? The roles have been reversed. Kirei stands a little straighter as he rests his hand against his chest, just above where his shard slumbers, and he wonders if he should try to call forth the faint green light now.]

Miss Hermione Granger, the Marchioness of the White Citadel, taught me how to activate my shard. I practice it daily. They're connected to our worlds, and they offer us power drawn from that connection when we call on them.

[uptowngirl]

[ Asami raises her brows. It's not something she'd spent much time thinking about, not when the sickness was going around. She supposes now... ]

I've heard of her. My friends seem to know her pretty well. How...did you do it?

[wwjd]

[He closes his eyes.]

I am told it is as simple as concentrating on a strong memory from home. I don't believe it has to focus on a certain emotion above all others, but simply be emotional to you.

[uptowngirl]

I see...that doesn't sound complicated...

[ But the reality itself may be a little different. She can't just assume. ]

How long did it take you, if you don't mind me asking?

[wwjd]

[It's both complicated, and not. Still, it might be easier for Asami if she isn't an emotionless husk who doesn't feel any normal happiness, like Kirei.]

Not at all. To activate my shard took a training session with Hermione. I'm still seeking to master the activation. I've been advised it may take months to master it enough where I can take part in further training.

[The shard magic is all... very involved.]

[uptowngirl]

[ She nods. She's been meaning to reach out to Hermione in general, but she supposes this extra incentive. ]

That makes sense. It is a little strange to think that we have these things inside of us...learning to control them is just one step further.

[wwjd]

No less strange than anything else in this world, by my view of it.

[It isn't that he disagrees it's super hella weird (and who decided he was a suitable carrier for a piece of some majestic gem anyway), but that he's grown to accept things in the Drabwurld for what they are. His reality now.]

Until they leave us and join the greater gem, it's permitted to use them to defend ourselves.

[uptowngirl]

[ Learning to be not be surprised by the surprising is something she's working on, for sure. Korra and Mako have already learned to take many of the Drabwurld oddities in stride. ]

And is that supposed to happen at the end of this war?

[wwjd]

[For Kirei, just accepting things as they are has the unfortunate little side effect of distracting him from important thoughts. Like this one, for example.

He audibly pauses.]

--I'm not sure.

[uptowngirl]

[ She exhales quietly. She doesn't expect anyone to have all the answers, but this is also something she hadn't thought about until it occurred to her. ]

I guess there are just more questions than answers at this point.

[wwjd]

We could always check the library.

[He's thinking of it now, in fact.]

As new arrivals in this world, there are so many questions to ask. I doubt the library and the other records available to us will have all the answers, so we must do nothing but search.

[uptowngirl]

[ Asami can't help but smile a little at that. ]

Funny that you mention it...I think, other than the Western Road, I've spent the most time in the library than any other place since I showed up.

aaaa that's such a beautiful icon!

[wwjd]

You have...? [It makes him want to ask what she's learned.] Have you discovered anything interesting? Not solely about the shards, but anything.

[Kirei has done his fair share of searching for information himself, during the silver sickness, but it isn't as if he's spent every waking moment there.]

oh thank you!

[uptowngirl]

Interesting, yes. But useful? That's...

[ Well, she shouldn't put such judgement on it. Asami shakes her head lightly. ]

I guess I'm just not used to the type of medicine this world uses. I was trying to find a cure for my friend during that outbreak.