001; visual; seelie

[accidentalqueen]

[ It troubles Medusa to have to do this: to admit to what she doesn't know. But she doesn't have the luxury of trying to remain proud. Her people need her. ]

Greetings, fellow shard-holders of the Seelie Court. My name is Medusa. Where I come from, I am the queen of a people known as Inhumans, in a kingdom called New Attilan. I speak to you today to ask you for your help, and for whatever information you may have.

First, if you have heard of us— the Inhumans, our city of Attilan— or our allies the Fantastic Four, the Avengers: I would speak to you. I would know how long you have been here, where you were, what you were doing when you were taken, what you have learned since. It does not matter if we knew each other before. If we share friends in common, then you may consider yourselves friends of mine.

[ Until the moment in which they prove themselves false. But Medusa carries on as though this hasn't occurred to her. See how answers, and if there are enemies who come out of hiding. ]

If you are an Inhuman, of any tribe or city— know that you can always come to me for aid. The time for petty and superficial differences has passed. We are one people, and as one people I will defend you and stand for you as I would any citizen of New Attilan. Should we ever leave this place, you will always be welcome there.

[ This, too: she has ways of knowing who might pretend to be one of her people as well. But if they're here, others besides Kamala...she needs to find them. ]

Second, I would like to hear your opinions on what we've been called to do. Tell me what you think of this war, and of your experiences. If you fear reprisal, speak to me privately and I will keep what you said in strictest confidence. I will come and meet you anywhere you desire. You see, I cannot pledge my allegiance and my willingness to serve before I know who and what it is I pledge for. To stake myself is to stake my kingdom and my people, and I cannot do so lightly.

Comments

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[dicktionary]

[ He remembers meeting her at the feast; that hair is definitely unforgettable. And he'd suspected she was more than she seemed but this is surprising... ]

--Wait, Avengers? Do you know Herc too?

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[accidentalqueen]

[ Hercules are you just adopting all the children. Or teenagers. ]

I have known Hercules for many years, yes. He's been an Avenger for a long time, and he was my former brother-in-law's comrade.

[ She's not holding that against him. Pietro just happens. ]

[not here]

[theincredibleherc]

[Yeah, you got a problem with that, Medusa? Someone has to show the kids how to punch hydras. And Hydra. And...stuff.]

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[dicktionary]

[ Then she'd probably want to know about Thor too, and all the others he and Hercules had mentioned... But not on the lockets. He's not that careless, wouldn't want to destroy the gods' trust in him. ]

Oh, awesome! He's here, uh. Somewhere? I bet he'll reply to your message as soon as he sees it.

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[accidentalqueen]

We've already met at the feast.

[ He's hopefully keeping an eye on Kamala when Medusa's not around to do it herself. But that's a conversation they'll have elsewhere. She won't embarrass a teenager. ]

It is hard to miss Hercules, even in a crowd. But some people are more...subtle.

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[wwjd]

[She is deciding whether or not she'll fight for the Seelie? ... Well, it's beyond him to understand a queen...

Kirei doesn't know of Inhumans, Attilan, the Fantastic Four, or the Avengers, so he skips right to the rest.]

I think if I have been called to serve in this war, then that is what I must do. [Full stop.] I fight for the Seelie cause and everything it stands for, including the Void.

[He says this in some sort of stone room, the echoes of children playing and people murmuring filtering in from outside.]

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[accidentalqueen]

[ Well, you know. It is a rather sudden request. She would be remiss if she didn't evaluate the wisdom of committing to a fight that's not of her own (or her ally's) making over other contributions or actions. ]

Because you believe in it, or simply because you were called to serve, and you feel obligated to answer the call?

[ Although she suspects from the way he says it that the distinction will be meaningless to him. ]

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[wwjd]

[It really is close to meaningless, but not exactly.]

... Both. Because I have been chosen, I feel as though I shouldn't refuse. But it is also the case that I believe the Seelie are in the right.

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[accidentalqueen]

You would still fight regardless, even if you did not believe in their cause? Because you have been chosen?

[ Her hair visibly moves, a brief obfuscation of expression, pensive wave-like movements around her face. This is curious. ]

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[theincredibleherc]

[Hercules doesn't bother to really...respond...to any of that. She knows who he is. He's not an Inhuman. And, he has other things to talk about with her. Important things.]

Lady Medusa, where are you currently?

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[accidentalqueen]

[ It's ok, bro, it wasn't really for you. It's just to see what fish might bite. ]

Returning to Caer Glaem from Leathann. Should I be elsewhere?

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[theincredibleherc]

No.

[She gets a smile.]

But the Son of Zeus would have words with you. Important words. [He winks.] I have news of events from afar and would like to speak with you on the matter personally.

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[accidentalqueen]

I think I could accommodate such a request. As it happens, I have thoughts to share with you as well. Say, in an hour?

[foraneye]

That's a weighty question. I think you'll have to engage in a lot of private discussion if you want to hear complete honesty, though.

[The monarchs are always listening to the lockets. Or could be.]

[accidentalqueen]

[ She'd considered that. But Medusa is confident in her ability to turn making the request to her advantage, should it come up that they knew what she'd asked. She'd tried to phrase it as carefully as possible. ]

I expected no less. But if I were not prepared to go to those lengths, I would not ask. Nor do I expect that everyone will be willing to speak, or willing to speak freely.

[ Knowing your allies is just as important as knowing your enemies. She's not the greatest puppet master in the world by any means, but that won't stop Medusa from taking stock of whoever chooses to answer. And what it might mean that they choose to answer. ]

That would be unrealistic. Still, it can't hurt to ask.

[foraneye]

For some, it would hurt to answer. [Herself included, probably.] Or so I've heard. If there's any great number of disloyal among us, they haven't confided in me.

[Liar, liar, trousers on fire.]

Still, it's admirable of you to consider those you left behind, who don't have a choice in this.

[psalmed]

[Inhumans? Attilan? The words mean nothing to her but then again so very little does in this place. Never the less at least at the end there is something which might be useful.]

I hope you do not find yourself lacking in information, mademoiselle. I feel it is most difficult to learn the truth of something with only opinions but with great unfortunate it is all we have.

[And all that conflicts Lia, as well.]

Perhaps someone of this world might be of help to you?

[accidentalqueen]

I think there is merit in knowing what people think and say, if they are willing to say it. Perhaps if I could find enough the truth will be in there somewhere.

[ At the very least, she'll learn more about the people she's been thrown in with, and that's no small thing either. ]

I am open to suggestions on who among the natives I should speak to. My first inclination is to go to the queen herself, but I thought it might be politic to give it some time.

[ Respect the woman's mourning. She's been there before. And truthfully, Medusa would want to know more about this woman who can find the answers Medusa never could herself— an answer so specific and yet so fantastic that it must be true. ]

[psalmed]

There is merit in that, I agree. But it can be most difficult in a country that is not your own to know the opinion of those who live there.

[A problem she has run into frequently, though in this world she hasn't been quite so intent on finding out any kind of truth. This woman seems more focused on that, and Lia wishes she were of more help.]

I fear you shall have little answer from the queen, and I have heard tale of that. The answers on why we are here are always the same and they are sometimes met with punishment.

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[notyetlegend]

That's a question you'll find many different answers to.

[She's heard of Medusa, like she's heard of many heroes and myths, but like all the others she knows she'll keep her separated from the tale. Merida pauses, then inclines her head in acknowledgement of what else she had said.]

An' you're correct that some things might be best left unsaid over locket. If you'd like my word, I'm down at the trainin' grounds. I've been here almost two years, if my insight can be of any help.

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[accidentalqueen]

I expected as much. But sometimes many different answers are better than only one.

[ On the whole, she would rather have many opinions and many choices than be forced down a single path, even if that doesn't provide her with a very clear idea of what she'd personally like to do. It will still tell her something interesting. ]

Two years. [ Randac help her, she can't spend two years here. That's unspeakably depressing. ] I'd gladly hear whatever insight you had to offer, after such a long time. I'll be down shortly.

[ Never mind that she's barely been back a day. There's no time to be exhausted or pass by on any opportunities. So she heads to the training grounds, an unmistakable presence even with the dust of travel still on her boots, what with the veritable cloud of constantly moving scarlet hair billowing behind her.

No snakes, though, unlike her mythological name-twin. That wouldn't be nearly so versatile. ]

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[notyetlegend]

Aye. Many have helped me durin' my time here with their varyin' answers.

[It was how she had come to a few decisions, and some she definitely appreciated their years of experience. Her choices were what had made her who she was, and she continued to forge her own path based on that here. Her lips quirk a little.]

I know of those who've been here for longer. Two years is little compared.

[She thinks of Ariadne when she says that, though she nods when Medusa says she'll come find her, shutting off her locket shortly after. Her own bright red trail of curls is braided back, bushy despite it, and she lowers her bow from her target practice when she spots her, smiling and bowing, placing a hand over her heart like a knight.]

Thank you for agreein' to meet me face to face. My name is Merida.

visual;

[aslandish]

[ He speaks to her from the shores of Leathann. The Void itself is not visible, but city rests in the not-so-distant background.

A talking lion surely isn't too much of a surprise? ]

Those who bear shards of the Seelie Court have been called forth from their own worlds to preserve the natural end of this one so that all things might have new life and be reborn.

It is no small task, and not many who have been brought here have ever been presented with stakes of such magnitude.

[ And yet- ]

It is a cause I intend to see through to the end.

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[accidentalqueen]

[ She recognizes the background all too well. After all, she was just there, and as Hercules has made abundantly clear, she'll have to return soon.

A talking lion is no stranger than a cousin who looks like a satyr, or one who looks like a fish-man, and a family dog that teleports. ]

I have witnessed the threat of universal destruction before, sir. I am not unaware of the magnitude. But experience has taught me that matters are complex, and I would be remiss not to ask for all the information I could receive.

[ She's decided she might prefer to face the Cancerverse again. Could they bring it back, please? At least they know how to defeat that, now. ]

And in matters of such magnitude, no action can be undertaken lightly. It is a certain thing, then, that in acting and allowing destruction, all things will be reborn?

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[aslandish]

It is certain.

[ Aslan speaks calmly, with the quiet authority of one entirely sure of what he believes and why. ]

The drabwurld itself is reaching the end of its lifespan. If the Void is destroyed, it may prolong the inevitable, but this world will inevitably die.

When that happens, if there is no mechanism in place to bring about rebirth, all of existence, every world and reality, will meet the same fate, never to return again.