eachdraidh | video - unseelie (slightly backdated to early july);

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video - unseelie (slightly backdated to early july);

[ The surface of the locket is smudged with red and nearly blurred.

For half of a minute, it remains cupped in her hand -- a bloody hand -- just as Alice is turned, her features almost distorted into something ghostly, something not entirely her. Clutching her locket, she switches, returning to a much more recognizable form. Still, it hurts, even shifting to that for even a minute takes the breath out of her and she has to brace her hand against something to steady herself. Another breath, as Alice is clearly annoyed, wiping off the locket. ]

I forgot how messy that could be -- oh, and terribly draining to maintain. Memory is a tricky thing, isn't it? It wasn't that long ago that I thought memories so terrible were worthy of forgetting and not ever once realizing it could be the loss of who I really am. But this?

[ Alice maintains she's just treating this as something normal, nothing different, just Alice being herself. ]

It is much of a nuisance as it is a godsend. It's only a little difficult, at times, to turn back from it, but the strength and shield it provides me. Frankly, I like how it can boost my strength with a blade that's indestructible. It's a good combination, even if it can be difficult to maintain.

[ Alice reveals her knife, the vorpal blade, running her fingers over edge ever so gently. She flicks her wrist as she swings it, the edge of the blade glinting blue as she does so. ]

I'm always looking for ways to expand my skill sets; I'm not always a matron and a school teacher. I find memory and education holds better with sights and sounds. So, that being said, let me put forth the gentle reminder that I ask for simple things, nothing more or less. I ask for simple compliance, I don't ask for much, I'm not a demanding woman. I dread being anything but civil.

[ Not to worry, as Alice puts it back underneath her apron, she straightens herself up, crossing her arms. ]

That being said -- for this month, I will be restricting my travels. If I am leaving Aghmor, I'll pick my most trusted caretakers. If anyone wants to spend time with the children, I will not be opposed. I could always use more help and they enjoy visitors, even more than I do. And one other thing, as silly as it sounds: use a door. Although, that's barely been a problem as of late, yet still worth the mention

[ Alice presses one finger to her chin in thought. ]

Ah, one more thing, I have one unusual request! Since my plans have changed for this month, the children and I have been gathering items of the god of children and fairies. I told them that they must share candy and the younger ones didn't take too kindly to that. If anyone is generous enough to provide sweets, I'll be deeply grateful. The candy wasn't my doing, but I can hardly say "no" to them and they never had sweets until they fell under my care.

[ ooc; standard open log for july, too!. ]

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[ Honestly. Why is he always pinged by the children. ]

My villagers make their own kind of sweet things. I will ask them to transport some to you.

That is very kind of your, Mr. Lehnsherr.

[ She sounds so deceptively kind, considering she looked as if she was going to kill someone a few minutes ago. ]

On that note -- your children. How are their clothes? Do they need to be mended, at all?

[ Erik hardly cares about that; there's enough blood on his hands that commenting on someone else's seems a little out of sorts. He just nods his head. ]

No, they're fine. There are around thirty people in Graymalkin now and only a handful are children, come with their parents. They have what they need.

That's good, then, children outgrow clothing fairly quickly.

[ She believes it's the best way to protect them all. ]

It sounds as if Graymalkin has grown twice in size the last I saw it.

Morgana and I were a little more vocal with our proclamations. Natives that didn't want to take part in the war or adhere to the courts, or wanted protection, came to us. Now? The village is thriving.

[ He hums, absently. ]

They are mostly farmers, but they do work for the keep.

I understand. The concept of the village sounds peaceful. A collaborative rather than some sort of structured, hierarchical governing body. If only the rest of this world can function in such a way. Growing crops and tending to a farm are far more meaningful than drawing a sword.

[ She's only partook in three battles, but she's already tired of it. She's tired of fighting, it's been an annoying 13 years, she'd say. ]

The same is said for the orphanage. No court matters are discussed here; they're taught to put their natural skills to use, learning to read and write, and undoing the trauma inflicted upon them during the fall of Caer Scima and invasion of Dorchadas.

You would think, wouldn't you? Sadly, humanity is prone to violence. It's simply how they exist and how they've existed for so long.

[ Erik dismisses humans as easily as someone else would a fly or an ant. It's obvious how he feels about their particular brand of existence. ]

That's good for them. I'll make sure they're sent extra sweets, then, and any spare clothes that aren't useful to the children anymore.

They exist for such a long time, for the miracle of those who are not as ignorant as those prone to violence. Humanity would be at a loss without knowledge and imagination.

[ It's what her own father would say; for a brief moment she thinks of him. ]

Humanity would still be caught in the dark, if it weren't for the small numbers who would go against the grain for the sake of honest knowledge and imagination.

Ah, they should be fine on clothing, for now -- that is, if Slania , Telor, and Liam don't shoot up within the next few months. But they enjoy their candy, a little too much.

Humanity is at a loss already. They scrape the barrel of their own existence.

[ He shakes his head, huffing his reply. ]

They're foolish, all of them.

[ At least he has a good reason to think so, more than people might imagine that he would. ]

I'll send it soon, then.

Loss or not, one does not have to associate with that loss. You'll just have to stand out from them.

[ She's far too cynical with life to disagree otherwise, really. ]

But just think: as long as the children remain in your hands and mine, as long as we teach them, the next generation of this world will be different. They'll be reading, writing, and creating better things than the nonsense that is currently being put out.

[ Sometimes, Alice can't really blame that sentiment. Iorveth spoke the same way and Alice agreed with him. After being in "treatment" for 10 years, Alice doesn't want to think anything of it. ]

Oh, they'll be happy. I've had too many temper tantrums so far.

Sometimes one does not get a choice.

[ Erik is frustrated. Sometimes, the choice is taken from them. He can admit the fact that he will protect his people, mutant or not, and he is doing that here with his village, but all the same... There is a struggle with changing the world. There's no denying that it would take a very long time to do anything with it.

He has to try to manage to ignore his own dissatisfaction for as long as he can. ]

You should bring them to the wedding.

No, not at all, and there is nothing wrong with that. You do what you must to survive, yes?

[ Gentle, yet firm, which leads Alice back to her intent of this. Her threat. She may not be able to stand against every single person who may harm her children. She will try. Erik seems like a similarly-like minded man so far. ]

The wedding? Is there a wedding in your village?

I've been told I'm a survivor.

[ Logan had told him that on the plane and he supposes it's true. Experiment to monster to weapon to prisoner to survivor. Labels that mean nothing in the face of what he truly is; a mutant. ]

There is. Morgana and I are engaged.

Good.

[ "Good." That's honestly a good thing to hear. She thinks another person should own that word and be proud of it. Although her tone shifts into something warmer. Breathy, as if she's about to laugh. ]

Are you? Congratulations, Mr. Lehnsherr. Then, if you like, I can bring them -- they'll be well-behaved.

[ Is it good? He's survived this long half by choice and half by luck. He supposes that is good, as much as the word might suit anything. ]

I'm sure they would be. Perhaps I can give them their treats when they're here.

You may. I'll make sure they'll be on their best behavior, as well. More importantly... I have not been to a wedding before. Are there any sort of customary measures I must take?

If they are then I don't think we'll be adhering to them. It's going to be an interesting ceremony.

[ Because he is a Jew from the 1970s and Morgana is a witch from Medieval times. ]

[ Being from 1875 England and spending 10 years locked away from an asylum, Alice has fallen out of touch with a lot of customs. Perhaps brides and grooms are supposed to do something, she's not entirely sure.

And Alice isn't the most spiritual person. ]

Ah, I see.

[ Somewhere, she knows there's supposed to be a fuss about gifts, she just can't really remember them. ]

Yet, still, I am pleased for the both of you.

I'm sure it will be an event all the same. I'm not entirely sure what Morgana has planned, but...

[ Honestly, he has no idea what's ahead for either of them, but. Well. ]

I look forward to seeing you and the children.

We will be there -- might take time for us to travel, but we will.

[ Herding six kids while traveling is a complicated feat. ]

[ Yuusei squints down at the locket — something seems terribly wrong here. He doesn't know her, and he doesn't know her situation so he can't make any real judgment calls either.

But, he has to ask. ]

The children?

Well, yes.

[ He doesn't look familiar, so obviously he doesn't know. ]

I maintain a small orphanage in Aghmor; there are six children under my care.

Edited 2015-07-18 00:00 (UTC)

[ He shouldn't be surprised that there are orphans — especially not in a world with difficulties, but it still twists his heart a little. ]

I don't have anything other than company to offer.

[ It's a half-apology — but also a half-offer; double checking if that's all right. ]

Ah.

[ Alice only feels slightly guilty for asserting her protective nature over them. Up until now, she felt fine with visitors and felt comfortable enough to leave them with others.

More than likely, she'll just keep a vigilant watch. ]

Company is fine; candy can be surprisingly expensive for some -- something they don't really realize, but they're so young, too.

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