voice; unseelie.

[survivra]

Each day that goes by that we're waiting for something to happen is each day the Void gets closer to all of us. We lost all last month to fight against it due to the Black Shuck's orders, and now we're left scrambling to make up that lost time. Isn't that a bit too convenient for those who would have us die against our will, to squander the little time we've left?

I can't shake the feeling there's something more that's happening than we're being told, and more we ought to be doing than simply preparing. The least we could do for now is try to figure out what that is. If you've no experience with self-defense, then I can help with that; and if you have that, or at least some experience in finding your way through the woods without getting lost and setting off warning signs wherever you walk, then I suppose I'm your lieutenant, if you wish to scout our borders.

Either way we know something is stirring, and we'd better be prepared for it.

Comments

voice;

[uncertaindestiny]

I'm afraid I can't be of much help right now. I'm very new to this place and adapting to the styles of combat open to me here. I also have duties to a baroness I promised to complete.

However, I would be glad to know your name, Lieutenant, so I might call upon you later when I am able to help.

[In return of course:]

I am Azula. I have a fair amount of experience working with a small team to accomplish goals of tracking and infiltration.

[By which she means "I and two other girls once conquered a city from the inside." But. Now's not the time for mentioning that. Not yet.]

voice;

[survivra]

My name is Katsa. Truly, you've not the luxury of taking your time to learn the highest levels of advanced combat here, and it would be a mistake to think otherwise. If you can jamb your knife into someone's gut, then that's all the style you need for now.

[ Not that she doesn't understand the importance of using a weapon or a fighting style well, but right now Katsa's all about learning on the go. ]

I'm glad to know your willingness to help, though. You don't sound as though you need much time to adapt.

voice;

[uncertaindestiny]

I've never used weapons before, and my usual preferred combat isn't able to be used here. So, right now, I'm a liability in a fight more than I am an asset.

I intend to change that soon, though.

AUDIO. PRIVATE.

[selfimage]

Hello Katsa.

Long time no see. [ he sounds pleased with himself. ] Discouraged about the war faring on double sides, I see. Perhaps I have something to cheer you up.

[ boy, does he ever. ]

AUDIO. PRIVATE.

[survivra]

Yes? [ Oh! Someone she likes. Hearing from Loki wrestles with Katsa's determination to be in a bad mood. ] Is it the same thing that's making you sound so delighted?

voice »

[unsolitary]

Scouting borders sounds a little risky. ( there doesn't seem to be any real concern in her voice; she trusts Katsa, of course, but it's also leading into the next portion of why she's contacting her for this. ) I'm helping out with something around the spires, but I've learned how to integrate some of my magic into items; ways to silence your footsteps, granting temporary invisibility, cloaks to camouflage into your surroundings.

I don't exactly have unlimited resources, but I can give you and your teams what I have.

voice »

[survivra]

It would be even riskier if we didn't.

[ But her voice is equally calm; she knows Clarke knows this. Though it goes unseen, Katsa smiles. ]

Your magic is growing. Thank you, Clarke. I've no need of those things myself, but I'm sure a number of others would be grateful for it. I know you're busy, but where might I find you?

voice.

[manipulative]

Of course they're not telling us everything. That's how this works.

[ katherine sounds slightly amused. this is how klaus had tricked her. this is how she has tricked every little pawn she's ever played with on her chess board. the fact she doesn't know what's happening, of what's truly unravelling, does bother her, but indifference has always lead her to feeling less attached and thus disappointed and hurt. she doesn't understand why this is a surprise, or even knowledge that's thought to be hurtful. isn't this how every person in power approaches wielding it? ]

[ her tone shifts, voice deepening without the amusement coating it. ]

If you're speaking of spies in the woods, none of them have been able to see me.

voice.

[survivra]

[ She snorts. ]

No. Of course not. It would be too simple to win a war, to ensure our own survival, if we had all the information we needed. To ask us to fight and not withhold everything else.

[ Which is to say: of course this is how this works. Because Katsa expects very little of people with actual power. ]

It's not only spies of which I'm speaking. [ Katsa sits up a little straighter, though, because this sounds worth listening to. ] You've seen or caught them? And not been detected yourself?

[ That... sounds like what they need more of ]

[voice]

[madeover]

[ All this stuff about the Black Shuck and the Void goes right over Eggsy's head. It sounds important and he should probably learn about it, but now doesn't seem like the right time. He'd been told to seek out the scouting lieutenant and here she is.

Since her message is voice only, Eggsy sticks to that in his response, though he won't mind showing his face if she needs to see who her newest volunteer is. ]

Katsa, right? I'm Eggsy, Saber told me I should talk to you about scouting.

What d'you need me to do?

[voice]

[survivra]

Yes—Eggsy. I'm Katsa.

[ It might sound skeptical, but just checking she heard right. That's a strange name in her opinion—but she knows a Greening Grandemalion, so. ]

Well. I'll need you to scout, clearly. [ Is that a joke? It's hard to tell. (It's only half of a joke.) ] What experience do you have with stealth or mapping? Or weapons?

vidya

[andallbite]

You can't expect them to spill everything all the time. [ In his experience, that's not how it worked. ] There's probably a good reason for it.

[survivra]

Like what? Good for watching us hope we happen to stumble across all the right things?

video (private);

[conqueress]

You are Katsa.

[ Dany's heard of her. How could she not? The young woman speaking to Katsa has a regal bearing about her, though the look in her oddly-colored violet eyes is curious. ]

My name is Daenerys. I will admit I have never fought with my hands. [ But she has fought with her words, her wits, and her will. And when she's served this court more, she'll have her dragons. Morla's pledge, given in response to her own. ] But I have a keen eye for assets and weaknesses alike, and I am a skilled rider.

[ In the past, Targaryen queens fought with bows and swords. There is precedent to learn distance weaponry, though Dany is growing fond of her whip. She doubts she possesses the strength that is necessary for closer combat, but perhaps there are certain things to learn that may be useful. ] What manner of defense do you teach?

[ She's never had the need to learn any variety of combat before, and though she has allies who would protect her here, she'll be better-served requesting guards of her own for the kind of protection she's accustomed to having. As such, she's willing to seek even minor instruction for herself, if Katsa will give it. ]

video (private);

[survivra]

Yes—I'm Katsa.

[ Truly, it's a strange feeling Katsa thinks that she should be surprised now that people do know her name before she tells it. Two years ago, throughout all seven kingdoms, people knew her name and to fear the blue-and-green-eyed Graceling who'd killed for one king and murdered another. It had been strange for a time when her name and her mismatched eyes had caused no recognition in anyone. But now again, it seems, that is changing.

She's not sure what that means, nor how she feels about it. She's not sure she wants to know. ]

It sounds as though you've many skills already, lady. [ She smiles. ] I teach any sort of defense you might wish to learn. I'm skilled in hand-fighting and most weapons, though I prefer dagger, sword, and bow. I mostly teach most basic self-defense for women—girls—who need it, but in Allaidh Darach I've also taught a little for combat, for it isn't only women here who seem to have lacked the means to reach the highest levels of their skill.

video, private;

[zerotohiro]

[When the video clicks on, Katsa's just going to be rewarded with Hiro's face giving her the most skeptical look he's probably ever given her. He heard what she said, and part of him really agrees with that, but...]

Sure you're prepared to do some scouting on the boundaries out there? [Katsa please don't do something stupid.]

video, private;

[survivra]

[ This is fine, this is perfectly fine. It's not like she's planning to cross over the borders or anything again.

nope

she definitely wouldn't have that idea ]

Of course I am. It's only scouting, Hiro, and I'm prepared.

[ it's not like she's planning more than only scouting ]

ha haaaaaa guess who forgot to check the network first .///.

[unafraid]

Count me in.

[ scouting, training, whatever. she's there. the most there. ]

<3

[survivra]

I'd not tell you to do otherwise. [ said with a grim sort of smile. ] If you're in the south, why don't I meet with you for a while to look at our borders together and see how your training is progressing?

voice

[anarchos]

There any places along the borders that need it more than others?

[Scouting is - well, it's easy enough for him to handle. He was good at it back home, and he's gotten even better about moving through the woods in his time here.]

voice

[survivra]

The Fasach Moors. [ Her answer is quick. ] I'm not sure—the eastern coast worries me. We've spires and villages enough in the west, but even though it would be difficult for them to come from the other side, if they thought we weren't watching...

» video, forever private.

[skjalf]

We have now lost two months, considering all of June was spent trying a succession of old wives' remedies until one worked. It does feel like a distraction, or a side-effect of something larger.

I agree with you. I.. ( She quiets now, almost shy. ) should like to train further with you. And perhaps it is time I share my magic with you, dearest.

To protect you in case I am unable to be by your side to do so.

» video, forever private.

[survivra]

I hate not knowing what this is! [ It's a sudden outburst of frustration, built up from Katsa's trying to take charge and keep herself busy to distract her own emotions, that she lets out now with no others but someone she trusts to see it. ] It's driving me mad, Elizabeth. I don't know what we should be fighting. I don't know how. If I could march up to the one who'd started this imbecilic war however many years ago and slide my dagger in his throat, I would end it all right then before it ever had a chance to start.

[ She scowls at the floor, then takes a deep breath and forcing herself to calm for Elizabeth. It's a touching offer, still strange as it is to have others say they will protect her; but Katsa knows better than to refuse a desire to look after a loved one simply because she knows she can look after herself. It would be unnecessarily arrogant when she can still return the favor. ]

Forgive me, Elizabeth. I should like to see more of your magic.

voice;

[accomplicedauthor]

[ He's still awkward with the locket, voice low as if to keep the conversation private. ]

I don't know how to fight very well, but I've been getting ready to set off on the road. I'm not sure what I can do, but if information from my travels can be of any help to you...

voice;

[survivra]

Much appreciated, soldier. Any information that may seem of note will do.

[ though of course he's not a soldier—but it's the easiest method of address katsa has without a name, and katsa sounds as though she's simply being friendly.

there's a pause, and she ruffles through something. ]

You ought to be careful on the road, if you've little experience in a fight. The Fox Cult is targeting shardbearers again.