i. video. unseelie.

[thedominatrix]

[Firelight, laughter coming staticky over the locket, the clink and slosh of tankards. Some might recognise the scene as the interior of a tavern in Redgate. Crowded. The locket is fumbled with, panning to show drinks and drinkers, then settles on a woman in the corner sitting with a lutist, talking quietly to him. It's her locket, but it's not her who's holding it. She's dark-haired and redmouthed and while her white dress is simple and cut in the native style, over it is buckled a lightweight black leather pauldron. It flares over her left shoulder, multi-layered and slightly spiny. From the rest of her appearance and the way the straps draw the eye across her body, it might be decorative. Of course, it also might not be. Someone says shh, shh, as the lutist begins to play, and Irene begins to sing.

She's not looking at the locket; when her eyes drift over to whoever holds it, her expression flickers, either in amusement or consternation. Whichever it is, a smile wins out and she cocks an eyebrow, then continues her performance.

There's applause, someone puts a drink in Irene's hand, and the locket goes dark.

An hour later the locket transmits again, this time in Irene's hand. She smiles.]

The audio on this thing is absolutely shocking. Come and see me in person? I'm in Redgate. But not for long.

Comments

[heralding]

Didn't you hear? You're supposed to be keeping yourself busy in a different way.

[The music itself is pleasing enough, but Lightning's no good at identifying good or bad music. Serah had always been better, and Lightning just followed her lead. But it isn't bad ... or annoying, so that's something. "Annoying" is where most music gets categorized for Lightning.

She's only offering these words, not as a bit of advice, but as an opportunity to be bitter. Plus, she had met the woman at the feast, so it doesn't hurt to follow up. She might think this war is a bad idea, but she doesn't want anyone getting themselves in trouble.]

[thedominatrix]

Singing doesn't take up much time. Plenty of hours free to sharpen a sword.

[Irene's tone is light and mocking, but she's been spending long hours preparing for war in her own particular way. Her voice drops, warmly amused, when she asks:]

Worried about me?

[heralding]

It wouldn't be wise to get off on the wrong foot.

["Worried" is a yes, but with Lightning, it's surface level. She pretty much cares about everyone.]

[thedominatrix]

I know. I'm not. Don't fret. I won't be on the front lines any time soon, but I've been making myself useful.

The singing is for money, mostly. Weapons, tutoring, first aid supplies, they cost hard cash. As does food, board and these...glad rags. [A one-handed gesture across her chest, indicating dress and shoulderguard with a small smile.]

Anyway. Perhaps I can play camp follower and keep morale up. Send our brave men and women out into the field with a song stuck in their heads and feeling...satisfied. If there's one thing the Seelie don't have, it's me.

[heralding]

Do you wanna keep morale up? Is that in your interests? [Unfortunately, she misses the double entendre there. It's not out of naivety, but out of not leaping to that particular conclusion.]

If you don't know how to use a sword, do first aid, or anything else, you might just be caught under foot. Maybe it's right that you've gone your own way after all.

[thedominatrix]

I'm very invested in other people's happiness.

[Like, monetarily invested.]

No one tramples me. I'll be just fine. What about you, my dear? What's it that you're doing towards this war?

[heralding]

Finding a way to keep death from happening unnecessarily. I wouldn't want anyone to be among the people revered at the next feast, lost to the problems in this world.

[Her words are careful. She does not say that she wishes to stop the war or the fighting, but her sentiments definitely lie in that arena. Lightning is conscious of where she speaks.]

If you really do mean to raise morale, it sounds like we might be in the same boat. Not fighting to cause more problems, but to help in our ... unique ways.