eachdraidh | seventh arrow → VIDEO → Seelie / Hermionenet

I'm sure by now we're all aware of th' Shuck's decree.

[Sup, Drabwurld? It's your resident princess coming to you live from the back of a flying bison. When Korra had asked her if she wanted to go to Quendi to see the Shuck, she'd jumped at the chance, and now her friend was holding her compass and her locket for her so she could talk while they flew there.

As excited as Merida is that the ban on interacting with Unseelie has been temporarily lifted, it doesn't mean that she'll get to see everyone that she's missed, or that they'll be happy to see her. Instead, she focuses on what she wants to talk about.]

To those seekin' Him, I suggest takin' an offerin'. When talkin' to gods, you should always be respectful, while keepin' in mind that He can an' will kill should He feel it necessary. He is the god of death in this world, an' you'll do well to humble yourself before Him.

[With that out of the way, she clears her throat.]

Banshee are beings of lore in my world an' time. They're women who met with terrible fates an' wail when someone is to perish. Bean nighe we call them, for they wash th' blood from the grave clothes of those who are about to die. I've heard tales that they are spirits who died givin' birth, but that might not always be th' case. Sometimes they lose things, such as hair combs. Perhaps these might help them regain their voices.

[For banshees to lose their voice makes her worry. Is it to do with the vision that Ben had? With the sightings of the White Hart scampering through the cities a month ago with death on His heels?]

Help them. Aid them as He's asked, in any way you can. This is a balance that shouldn't be broken.

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[Merida feels a strange sense of relief roll through her when she hears Elizabeth's voice, immediately switching the feed to private. Hermione's network might be composed of those who wished to keep in contact with each other through different means, but there was no sense in never being too careful.]

Yours as well, Elizabeth. [She sighs a little.] You'll have to forgive me for making this private. I have my reasons.

[As private as it was with her on the back of a bison anyway. There's a thoughtful hum; she'd heard rumors last Samhain of such a pup. God...Elizabeth was like Kirei then. A follower of the God those crazy cultists in her time believed in.]

He has shown me kindness by coming to meet me not once but twice, an' tellin' me of my homeland an' my mother, givin' me reason to believe His word over Morla's. He's a connection to that place for me, one of th' only ones I have.

[The Black Shuck is important to her, for many reasons, but that one is the most prominent.]

I'm afraid I'm not quite so inclined, even with all things considered. I have never laid eyes on one before, but I wish to help them in any way I can. For them to lose their voices an' throw off th' balance of life an' death...there must be somethin' else happenin'.

Do not apologise to me, please. I am remiss in not having made it so, myself. I hope that you have fared well! I have missed you.

( Well, being on the back of a bison in the air lends some interesting background noise to this conversation, at least! )

I see! He may be frightening, but Death ever is. I should like His guidance in a particular matte, one perhaps you might know a little of yourself, given our shared ancestry. But nevertheless, it was an honour to meet the pup. I must wonder, if He was the new fire god I have heard so much about.

Perhaps this Samhain, what lies in my heart will be sufficiently altered that I might be found worthy of Their presence.

( She has a feeling that He is about to become very important to her, as well. ) I was afraid of that. I could find no cause in the research I made briefly into the lore surrounding them of such an occurrence happening before. Sir Porthos has told me of rumours surrounding what may be happening to the White Hart.

If so, then perhaps these occurrences are related. Death can hardly exist without Life.

An' I you. [She pauses.] You weren't to know, but my heart or my shard decided I better fit in Seelie, some months ago now.

[Though she had come to accept her new court, her face scrunches a little into a small grimace. Merida was still unsure of exactly how or why she came to be in Seelie, but she took Waver's word on it, that it really might be that simple.

She shakes her head at that, humming under her breath.]

From what I hear th' fire pup is only a few months old, where th' one you met might have been around for longer than his existin' face belies.

[Gods were able to to change their shape after all, she'd been told. Her brow furrows, pursing her lips together.]

What may happen to th' Hart...? Tell me, please. They say he scampered through towns about a month or so ago, bleedin'...

Oh, Merida. ( She pauses, and her voice is softened by emotion. This is precisely when she turns this conversation to video. ) There is no shame in that at all. You are still my friend, no matter the course your heart chooses to take.

Mine beats to no direction other than its own, as well. Are we yet allies, despite the circumstances at hand? I hope that we may be.

( Elizabeth tilts her head, brow creasing in thoughtful confusion. )

Then whom did I meet, do you think? Surely.. ( Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. ) Nay, surely not.

( The Shuck would not have bothered to alter His form for her comfort's sake, she thinks. He does not seem to be that sort of creature. Which she has long since come to respect and acknowledge. )

I have heard exactly as you have told me: that He is racing about the wilds, bleeding and wounded. Would that I might help Him. Such a beautiful, pure being as He cannot be allowed to die.

[There's a look of relief on her face when she hears that, a small sigh leaving her.]

Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm afraid not every Unseelie shares your sympathy. I've...come to terms with it but I still...

[Merida shakes her head.]

Of course we are still allies, but I will not be in contact with you. I've cut myself off from those I call friend in th' Unseelie court because I don't want them in trouble.

[And still, she pauses.]

Th' Shuck told me last Samhain to pray for him. I believe that's what give gods power in this world. Pray for th' Hart, pray that he heals. That might be th' only way.

It is not my welfare I bid you to be concerned for, Merida; but your own. I would miss you, if we were to lose contact again. For me, it is a risk I take with others. And gladly so.

One I would take for you without question. But that is me, and you may not wish to take the same risks as I.

( She quiets, emotion hitting her with the weight of one of those great blocks which form Stonehenge square in the chest. So that she can hardly breathe, move or think.

Does she want to lose Merida? The answer would be a resounding, unanimous never. But that is not entirely up to her, is it? )

I will, you have my word. If.. ( She blinks back tears, and finds it difficult not to shed them in this case. Damn this entire situation. ) If this should be the last time we should ever speak, please never forget how dear you are to me.

We are from the same land, you and I, and share a kinship of a sort. I will never forget it, nor the kindness you have always shown me. You have a special place in my hart.

Aye, I know. Were Jack an' Hiccup still here I might think otherwise but...

[They haven't been here for a while now. Merida places her hand to her chin, closing her eyes in thought. Were they here she would have fought tooth and nail to stay in contact with them, but she'd given their shards to Korra for safekeeping, preferring to keep them together rather than apart.]

Many of my Unseelie friends hold...positions within th' court. Saber, Ariadne...even Hiro is startin' to climb. I can't afford to take that risk.

[She can't help but pause when Elizabeth says that, slightly taken aback, before she raises her hand a little higher to run the heel of her palm over an eye.]

Thank you. I wouldn't be able to say anythin' better, but you are of my heart, one kin I have here where I have little else.

No—no. ( She is not on display before eight hundred strangers any longer. Here, there is but she and Merida. And her heart is deciding that no, she cannot bear another loss after all. Even if it is to politics, and not to Death or disappearance.

She sucks in a sharp breath and she shakes her head once, but it is enough. )

This will not be the last occasion upon which we shall speak, Merida. I refuse to believe it! I know not when, or how, but this is not farewell. I will not say it.

( She smiles now, warm and bright. ) As you are mine. That is how I know this is not good-bye.

No matter what happens henceforth, or where we go, that will never change. Come Samhain, I will hope to meet again.

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