♔ II ► VIDEO 【UNSEELIE LOCKETS + HERMIONENET COMPASS】

[skjalf]

( Today, she is beautifully dressed in a gown of dark green, and her hair is braided in a crown about her head, with some loose curls falling past her shoulders. Appearance is everything today, when she has such a request to make. It is not as humbling as she might have expected, to be in such a position as to need to ask for aid; perhaps it is because it is not for her, personally.

But rather an endeavour which may benefit all. Carefully, at first, she smiles, an expression which gains warmth after a few seconds. )

I greet all of you well. And pray that all of you are doing all right. Sadly, as we are all keenly aware, such a state will not long be enjoyed by many of our native brethren. The Void would consume Leathann, and I commend the great efforts being made by all to keep it at bay.

Yet the isle of Briste to the north is in similarly dire straits, and I would make a great effort there to see their people saved from death, if the Void is not stopped ere it might swallow the isle. I know not if raising it might be viable option; rather, I have struck up an overture, a dialogue with their Council of elders.

My hope is this: that we might relocate the people to a settlement on the coast of the mainland here. If I might secure their trust and blessing to do so, I will lead their people to the head of the North road. There, I propose a settlement be built, which may in time grow into something greater.

I would do this myself, but I lack the funds to. Thus I appeal to you all: please, aid me in this. I will either repay you in turn or owe you a favour later, for certain. I would not ask for donations unless it is within your wisdom to provide one. Either way, you would bear my eternal gratitude for this.

These people may be hesitant to trust us, but they deserve a better fate than that which awaits them if we do naught.

Comments

Hermione net Compasses

[cinnamoned]

[She bites her lip. Of course she wants to help. If this were somewhere in the South she could do more to help. As it is, she's willing to give what little she can at least. Because she can't deny this any more than she could Hermione's attempt to help the natives learn to read and write. This is their home. While she may not have been born here, Snow has been here for over a year now and she would want any and all assistance if this was happening to the Forest.

Even so, she's cautious, using the compass privately.]

I'm not sure I have much to offer, but I'll try give you what I can. If this is up North, I'm afraid I can't be there myself to assist. But I'll give some gold marks towards this if necessary. Everyone deserves a home. Shelter.

[She spent so long without either. She knows how important that is. But at the least, hopefully, the families would remain together.]

hermionenet compass.

[fuga]

Lady.

[ They haven't spoken properly since that night in the forest and Lauralae is... Almost shy. Her voice is quiet, but when she speaks she is sure. ]

I have funds, left by a shardholder that has now gone. You may take what you desire.

unseelie

[desperate_times]

I just ran a similar operation getting people out of Leathann last month. Helped a bunch of them relocate to Dorchadas. Not all of them agreed to go, of course, but it was some, at least.

Oh, I have a ship that flies. Maybe that's important.

Private - Video

[scorchedchivalry]

Whatever gold you need, I shall provide. I will set 250 gold marks aside for this.

unseelie.

[survivra]

Elizabeth. Whatever you need from me is yours.

I've no crowns or people to back my claim to all my bags of gold.

[ teasing through the offer. katsa has a job but the ability to provide for herself, so she's more than willing to part from her money. ]

Hermione net Compasses

[skjalf]

( The sight of Snow brings warmth to Elizabeth's features, as she cants her head forward in a nod of fond acknowledgement. It is a pleasure and a surprise to see her, given the tension in the air; but also not, given how she had spoken by the riverside previously. Remembering the levity and wisdom with which she had talked of this situation causes her own features to gentle further.

This is a great risk she takes, and all to help others. She is a truly good woman. )

Lady Snow, it is a pleasure to see you again. The territory in question sadly is to the North; all-told, the matter is complicated, but I well understand why. These people do not wish to be beneath the rule of either court.

( She knows without asking that they both feel the same as those people. ) They do deserve those things, and also safety, protection. Your funds will aid in providing them with that, my lady. I will never be able to thank you enough.

hermionenet compass.

[skjalf]

Dearest,

( Colour rises in her cheeks, because she, too, is now also quite shy. But she regains her composure as well, managing to smile softly with fondness.

She has missed her. Her heart has missed her. )

I.. ( Suddenly, she is touched, humbled. There is no way she might comfort her in the wake of her loss, but she can thank her for giving of what has been to her of her friend. ) am honoured.

You have my thanks. And— ( She pauses, tentative. ) would you like to visit, once it begins to take shape? Perhaps by then I will have learn simple wards, to keep the people safe from harm. I would be pleased to be in your company once more.

unseelie

[skjalf]

Ah, yes! The flying ships! ( For a moment, she appears as excited and buoyant as a child. Such an invention is naught less than a marvel in her eyes. ) I think that would be very important, lady.

And as for Leathann, that matter troubles me, as well. Would that a way to slay this Void might be found, so as to spare these people such toil.

Private - Video

[skjalf]

( Good. Lord. Elizabeth is wide-eyed at that proclamation from the General, in shock. How will she be able to repay that great a sum at present? )

Lady, you have my most sincere thanks. I confess, I am stunned and humbled by your gesture. I shall ensure the people will know of all whom have lent them aid.

unseelie.

[skjalf]

( Oh, of course it would be Katsa to make her laugh when she has been awe-stricken beyond her power of speech. She chuckles for a little while, and then shakes her head, finally as a grin comes to her face. )

Mind that you keep enough to feed your turtle! Each time I see him, he seems to have grown by leaps and bounds.

( The teasing (and this time not about motherhood!) dispensed with, she sobers into a pleasant gentleness of countenance. )

You are most beloved to me, Katsa. I think you know already that should you ever need or want for anything, you need but tell me of it. But perhaps it merits reiteration: whatever you desire, I will happily provide for you at any time. But for now, will my eternal thanks do?

( Okay, perhaps the teasing is not so dispensed with after all. )

Private - Video

[scorchedchivalry]

Please, I am no lady. [She was a king.] You are the lady, my dear. I have aided the people of Briste in the past when the Roc's fury froze the land, so I am known to them. It pleases me that others have finally turned their eyes toward the island.

I have little need for the fortune I have amassed over my time in the Drabwurld. [She still had over half her purse from the Treun Tourney when she won the joust as Wart.] This is a good use for it. I shall have it set aside for your access at Caer Scima.


[ooc: Saber is no longer General, but a commander that reports to General Balor (NPC). I know the information hasn't made it all the way through the player base, so no worries about not knowing.^^]

Hermione net Compasses

[cinnamoned]

Of course. And for you too. I figure these seemed like a useful enough idea in trying to keep in touch with some across the other court. I know it's risky, but. Sometimes the potential rewards can outweigh said risk. But I can understand if some don't want to support either court, to be involved in this fighting.

[There's a smile in return at her own lips as she then considers, pausing for a moment in attempting to figure some way to get said funds to her. It's once again more dangerous and risky to meet in person in Unseelie or Seelie lands, unlike when they initially did. So it would have to be somewhere neutral, unless they know of someone else delivering to her area along the way. Which is unlikely to say the least.]

I suppose the main issue would be getting any money or supplies to you from here. I know the Station is neutral at least. I'd use the birds, but the money is probably a bit heavy for them rather than letters.

hermionenet compass.

[fuga]

It is only a swan, and a bare handful of coin, no more.

[ Lauralae turns her gaze away, a little pinked from the kindness, the notice. She's softer, now, with liberty hand in hand with her newfound innocence, and she breathes out.

She had missed her lady. Truly. ]

There is no honour. It is only gold, coin - there is no use that I might have for it. I have bird, hound and magic - no more is necessary for me. [ Tilting her head down, she nods, once. ] I shall visit, if that is what you wish from me, lady. I might help you, teach you, if you ask it.

hermionenet;

[notyetlegend]

[It warms her to hear Elizabeth's voice, having kept her in her thoughts over the last month. Merida hums, tapping her fingers against her chin.]

Any gold I can offer is yours. I still retain some of my winnings from th' hunt a year an' a half ago, an' th' swans from last May that I had melted down into marks.

voice; sadly still locket

[wasteofbreath]

[There's some ruffling in background, which would be Simon packing for his trip out to Vanessa's spire, he figures he can multitask, which is why he's using voice instead of video.]

I know some people around here don't like shardbearers, but why wouldn't they want to move? They have some problem with the mainland? [He pauses, pushing his injector and a box of drugs into his bag, cushioning them among the clothing.] I can't give any money, but I wouldn't say no to helping.

[desperate_times]

Just call me Chloe.

As for Leathann, people are researching solutions, but I doubt it'll be easily solved.

[survivra]

[ shaking her head and trying and failing to suppress a smile. ]

I'm beginning to think you care more for the turtle than anyone. Your eternal thanks is more than enough, Princess: that's far too long for anyone to be thankful for anything, let alone something so minor as my offer. The people of Briste need the help that can be given, and that's what's simply right for me to do.

[skjalf]

More than I care about you?! Never! ( She laughs, holding a hand to her heart as if wounded. ) That would never be possible, for you hold too large a piece of my heart for your import to me to be eclipsed by a turtle.

Even if he is a darling little thing. ( Her expression shifts to something quieter, softer. ) Though you are, as well. The former, not the latter.

And yours is truly a good soul. I knew it for truth when we fought together in that siege. It seems we fight another now. May we be more victorious this time than the last.

hermionenet;

[skjalf]

( After Merida has previously stated there would be a cessation of contact, this is indeed a pleasant surprise. )

I offer my deepest thanks for this, Merida.

voice;

[skjalf]

Ah, that. The natives of this land by and large trust the shardbearers not, and the monarchs even less. We are not the first sharbearers to appear, even if we may well be the last unless we destroy that accursed Void. The natives have endured what has likely been millennia of the same, and thus I feel, have good cause not to trust anyone. But those who live upon the isle of Briste are even warier than most. Like as not due to their isolation and the marked lack of shardbearer interest in the region.

( She sighs softly, a sound which might be discerned as sorrowful. ) They wish to remain among the familiar, and may even fear the Unknown more than certain death. I well understand. They are woven tightly together, as a family might be.

And I would more than welcome your aid in the construction of this village, sir. It is as valuable to me as gold, do not doubt it.

Private - Video

[skjalf]

I mean no disrespect; I tender my apologies unto you if I gave the impression. ( She pauses, and then inclines her head with a small smile. ) Then you have done them much good already.

When I returned and heard of the crisis in Leathann, it occurred to me that very few have ventured North—and ventured there to find them threatened by the Void as well. They are a proud and sturdy people, and I have become fond of them. I refuse to lose them to the Void or aught else.

I.. you have my thanks all the same. I wonder, might you share your contacts there with me? It may facilitate the evacuation of as many as may be possible.

( This time when she bows her head, it is a clear indication of respect. ) Yes, of course. I thank you again.

[skjalf]

Very well, though only if you call me Elizabeth in kind.

I know not whether the land may be saved, but the people certainly can be. efforts in both Leathann and Briste can benefit many. I simply hope the lot of us may peacefully coexist without tensions flaring.

( Hope? That's not anywhere near approaching good enough, and so she squares her shoulders and tips her chin up in renewed resolve. )

We shall simply need to ensure than they do not. Tell me: might we use your flying ship for some time? Certainly it is the best option for transporting people, but now that I think on it, such a method would be ideal for ferrying supplies as well.

hermionenet compass.

[skjalf]

All of which mean a great deal to me because they come from you, dearest. I shall discount that not, just as I will not your beauty.

( Shy as she feels with her now, she still cannot seem to resist complimenting her, nor flirting with her. She is lovely without in her eyes, yes; but it is what she sees within which shines brighter, and draws her to this woman like a moth to a flame. And is it not meant to be the other way round? The irony is beautiful, and she smiles both for it, and the fact that she has just caused Lauralae to blush. Again.

Pink is definitely a colour which suits her. She has missed the sight of it gracing her cheeks, as she has missed the lady herself. )

You are necessary to me. ( She blurts out, and for once, finds herself flushing. There is no taking that statement back, and she does not wish to. Tentatively, softly, she continues: ) Might I ask for all of the above? It has been a time since I have last seen you. And it would be.. wonderful to amend that fact.

Hermione net Compasses

[skjalf]

Your words hold a good deal of wisdom, lady. My mother has said somewhat similar before, and I did not see it at the time. I am better able to do so now, and I share in the sentiment that this is worth the risk. We can achieve naught without risk, and in this case, it might be much good.

( She has missed her! Elizabeth smiles back, softly; as she might at her mother, were she here. Unbeknownst to her, she has missed this; receiving guidance from a woman whom holds her respect. )

The Station may just work! A lady has offered me the service of her flying ship—think-you that would suffice as transport? I shall ask her, and see what she says.

But please, may we send letters back and forth? Mine are sent by dove typically. I simply wish to keep in contact.

( She refuses to llet this world take anything else from her. Her innocence was more than enough. )

Hermione net Compasses

[cinnamoned]

Well, one cannot be in line to rule without having some wisdom to guide them.

[Or rather, she did have some period of ruling herself, but it wasn't for long. Not nearly so long as she should have gotten a chance for given the situation with Regina back then. Still, there's an almost knowing smile at that before she tilts her head slightly.]

A flying ship? Well, I would imagine so then. Just tell me when and I can do my best to be there. But of course. The birds are one option, aside from these, which wouldn't be monitored the same way the compasses are, to my knowledge.