eachdraidh | video; unseelie.

Well, now that that silver nonsense seems to be sorted out, I think we need to start talking about things we can actually fight back when they attack us.

[ About as direct a greeting into the topic of this message as you can get. Katsa sits somewhere outdoors, cross-legged in the grass with her locket angled to show the sky clear behind her: fitting for the mismatched colors of her eyes, unusually bright green and blue. ]

I know our High Majestic King and Queen [ the titles spoken with a hint of irony ] don't seem to care always how old someone is or how much experience you've with weapons or fighting when they decide to claim you. Whatever you think of this war, whether you'd rather run right into the Void right now or wait for it to come to you, everyone here should have the skills to unlock their own strength. It's better that you've the ability to jam a knife into a man's eyeball and never have to do it than find yourself at the end of an attacker's blade with no way to get out of it. You shouldn't have to rely on anyone else.

So I'll teach you if you've no experience of your own. I usually teach young girls—children—but I'll not turn my back if you need it. That includes how to use your shard—the thing that Seelie will try to take right out of your chest.

[ She moves to close the locket—then halts, fumbles, and picks something off the ground to hold flat in her palm to show anyone watching. ]

And what in the name of the Middluns am I supposed to do with this?

[ WHO HAS TURTLE CARE TIPS???? ]

( dated after boon delivery on the 25th! )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Really? How large, do you know? Large enough to ride?

...Although that would be the world's slowest steed, if so...

A slow steed for those who don’t ride well enough to ride much faster. Then they can blame their mount for the lack of speed, not their skills.

[ there’s a story behind this somewhere ]

It sounds like you've put some thought into this.

[Is it storytime now? Will she elaborate, or just smile mysteriously? Who can say!]

[ mysterious smile time! though it's more like normal smile time. she's trying to be elusive. it just happens. ]

I've heard all sorts of excuses from people who can't keep up on horseback. Despite common opinion, I don't take pleasure in ruining my horses.

[Aw, no story...although apparently there's common opinion. That tells him a lot, too.]

I don't think there are very many people that do.

[That aside, though, there is something else besides the turtle that she mentioned in her broadcast that he wants to address:]

On a different, slightly more serious topic, you mentioned children - how often do kids get kidnapped here?

[ her face smooths and settles, tugging into a frown from her previous smile. ]

More than it should. I've yet to see any children younger than ten years of age who've been kidnapped by the imps, but a few just a couple years older. And there are children of all ages all over the Drabwurld.

Well, where there are people, there are going to be children....

[He'd kind of expected that. There were native inhabitants, after all. The population had to come from somewhere. However...]

But that's different than kidnapping. [UGH. He sighs.] The more I learn about this place, the less I like it. Is there anything that can be done for them? In addition to what you're already doing?

There are slavers if that's what you mean—and I'll be hunting them down and making so they can't kidnap anyone at all.

[ a scowl and that threat should be taken very, very seriously. ]

There's—[ Katsa composes herself and starts over. ] I don't know. A woman named Alice has taken in some of the children who've lost their homes, children born and raised here; other than that, I'm not sure. Is there something you'd suggest? The most I can do is put blades in their hands, but if there are other things, children especially ought to be protected.

That...wasn't, actually. But if you'd like company when you head out to do that, I'd like to volunteer.

[He's unpleasantly surprised to hear there are slavers here, and it's reflected in his voice, but his offer to aid her is hard and sincere.]

As for the kids...there's nothing I can think of immediately. But I'll keep thinking.

[Wow, his two hot-button issues - orphans and slavers - right here in the same place all because he saw a cute turtle...What are the odds.]

I won’t say no to anyone wishing the same sort of fate on them as I do. [ she tucks that note away. ] What did you mean by kidnapping, though, then?

I meant our general situation - the imps kidnapping children from their homes to participate in their war here.

That's what I meant the first time, too. [ She's embarrassed now, but at least they're mostly still on the same page. ] Well. Either way, I think we agree, and I'm glad to know you've their interests in mind, too. You're—who?

[Oh, whoops...well, best to move on, in that case. Despite what some of his friends may claim, he doesn't actually enjoy embarrassing people. Well. Most people. Definitely not new acquaintances. Let's just move on to introductions!]

Oh, right...Sorry. My name's Hawke.

[ She isn't often, but she's aware that her communication skills are often... lacking. She waves off his apology with her hand. ]

And I'm Katsa. I might have a lead on some of those slavers, if you mean it about joining me in looking for them.

It's good to meet you, Katsa.

And I don't have anything else to do. Let's hear it.

It’s nothing certain yet, but I’ll be traveling the Astar River this month to follow those leads. There’s more, but if you wish to join me at any point, I would welcome it. Otherwise I'll send you what information I have.

That's...To the south, right? I'm still getting acquainted with the local geography, I'm afraid. When are you planning on arriving?

In the southeast, yes. The Astar flows south from Loch Noa, if you take a fairy ring to the Station or however else you wish to travel.

And I'm not sure—how long it takes depends on what—or who—I find. But I plan to start traveling in a few days. If you tell me, I can meet you anywhere or any time.

Right...That shouldn't be too difficult to coordinate...I can contact you as needed with these lockets, right? Do they still work even over a large distance?

I've no idea the full extent of their range, but I know it's large. Anything should be fine.

Well at least I know around where you'll be, and that's usually all I have to work with. Anything extra can only be a help.

[So...bonus! Usually all he has to work with is sheer dumb luck and smoke signals.]

I'll look forward to speaking with you in person soon.

[And also maybe killing some slavers; that's always fun, too.]

video; unseelie.

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