eachdraidh | hermionenet / seelie locked

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hermionenet / seelie locked

HERMIONENET / COMPASSES

To anyone that owns a device that can read this notice:

Please return your device to me for additional protection and charms. This won't come with any charge, but it is something that needs to be done. It will make it so that no one but you can use your device and, should it be stolen, it will turn into a harmless little lump of fool's gold, with a promise of a replacement from me if you need it.

If you can't come to me personally for any reason then, please, let me know. I'll do my best to either visit you or send you information on the runes for you to perform yourself. Thank you.

SEELIE LOCKED

[ The video feed shows a harried, tired looking Hermione sitting behind her desk, head held high as she smiles, leaning forward. ]

As always, if anyone is in need of potions or charmed, protective cloaks for the upcoming battles, let me know. Artefacta will be happy to provide them, and we can enchant items you already own as well. Just let me know through your lockets and I'll arrange it all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Then I should see you soon?

[ 'Even Dorian' - if only Hermione knew. For now, she just accepts the motherly streak as something she's been missing, even if she does have her father figure here and legally adopted. ]

Emma has been to see me about Henry already, actually, and I've been teaching her a little magic for it. I wouldn't worry about it until there's any proof of them being around - and you can see Unseelie posts through the compass, right?

Soon. I'll try give at least some warning before arriving.

[And somehow, she's hardly surprised if Emma's been asking assistance in keeping her son, Snow's grandchild somewhat protected and safe in all of this. The more people helping, the more resources they have to ensure he doesn't potentially get hurt or killed in all of this, the better, really. So Snow won't deny that.]

I'm not surprised to hear that. Henry is--well. He's her son. My grandson. Having him here -- I didn't know if I'd see either of them back home. But Drabwurld isn't exactly the safest. We both want to do our best to help him. But you're right. There's no point worrying too much on this until we know for sure if there are others from home around in the Unseelie. I've been seeing the Unseelie posts though, yes. Though I admit I don't check the compass as often as I do the locket.

[So she could be missing some things. Is trying to be cautious about it, selective in who she approaches from the other Court through it.]

My guards would appreciate that.

[ Hermione is doing everything she can, of course, and she might be stretched thin - but she doesn't care. She's helping people, she's making sure her friends and her allies are safe, and that's the most important thing. If it means she loses sleep then... That's fine. She can handle that. ]

I'll do whatever I can to help keep him safe, I promise. I know it's not safe, and I know that I have the magic and the - the power to help make sure nothing hurts him. If there's anything I can do, please let me know.

Of course. I know how some can react to unexpected guests.

[You know. Given the amazing welcome Regina got at their wedding, for one example. So she knows to be cautious. To give some notice where possible at least, to help her and them prepare if necessary. She's aware she would hardly be the only one Hermione is seeing about the compasses.]

We actually gave him the other cloak - the one to Protect. So that's something in the meantime. I appreciate this. You're already being a great help, Hermione. And not just to us. But everyone.

They're a little overprotective, but that's okay.

[ She's not going to admit that it has anything to do with an assassination attempt, of course, since she's still trying to forget that day. Instead, she focuses on what's ahead - and that's helping to take care of someone's son. ]

Of course, I just want to do what I can. It's my job, one that I enjoy, and if it means going out of my way to make a few extra cloaks then it's not too much to ask, is it?

Better that than have them not be loyal. Or have them be neglectful. I know it can feel a bit--stifling at times with such, but you get used to it. I was much the same growing up in the castle back home, and later once I reclaimed my status.

[If she had mentioned the assassination attempt, Snow wouldn't be surprised. That's always a risk when someone rises in power, when one could have clashing views with so many while being more a public figure. She gets that.]

Just make sure you still have time and rest for yourself as well, in among it all. You need to take care of yourself as well, Hermione.

[Not that she could really talk, the way she was while ruling. Or even in general around Storybrooke, always wanting to help as many as much as she could.]

You grew up in a castle? Do you want my guards?

[ She's only teasing, of course, a gentle nudge - Hermione is fond of her guards, even Galan, the notorious flirt that seems to want to make everyone she's ever met either fall for him or squirm with discomfort.

Softening a little, she nods her head, lifting her hands to tie her hair up behind her. ]

I promise I'll take care of myself. If I don't then I think my dad will come and drag me back to bed.

[ She gets the impression that she and this woman might be two peas in a pod. ]

That is generally the case for royalty, yes. Though I admit the period without them was rather....freeing. But I already have some staff of my own. Though likely not as many as you do here, perhaps.

[Some slight teasing of her own in return, but Snow does empathize. It wasn't easy for Charming to adjust to either, compared to his much simpler and harmless life of a farmboy. But there's a nod, a slight smile at her lips, relieved that Hermione agrees. Just hoping she actually does so.]

Your father is here?

Oh, you're royalty - I had no idea, I'm sorry!

[ She feels a little sheepish, but seeing as they both owed some kind of loyalty to Solais, even if they didn't like it very much, but at the same time... Talking to someone who was royalty - who wasn't Gilgamesh - still made her a little nervous, even if she might be a Marchioness here. ]

Not my biological father. I, um, adopted him?

No, it's okay. It's not necessarily something that comes up a lot. This isn't my kingdom, so I don't expect any particular special treatment while here.

[Nor does she necessarily act like it all the time. She's learned from her mother on how to respect and get along with everyone, regardless of their status after her fury at Joanna trying on her tiara. Grown a lot since then. Even if Drabwurld isn't her kingdom or her people she still feels some sort of desire to do what she can all the same for these people. And if others considering her status back home as important would help, she'd use it. Snow just finds everything easier when she isn't worrying about titles and the rest.]

I see. Someone you've become fond of while here then. That in and of itself is wonderful too.

No, I suppose not - I'm still not used to all of... This.

[ She means being a Marchioness, being 'my lady', having all the respect that comes with her title. She's worked hard, she's earned this, but it doesn't mean that she's entirely prepared for all that it entails. She had been supposed to be June's second, after all, and now... She shakes her head, her smile small and soft. ]

That's right. I have a brother, too, the same way.

It can take some adjusting to, I know. I'm still not really sure my husband ever actually really got used to it. He was a farm boy before I met him.

[Given the context and what Snow knows of Hermione in general, that much is obvious what she refers to by 'all of this'. Obviously she has managed to work her way up to it. Snow has taken a couple of quests herself but has mostly thus far since been content to assist Emma in hers for now if necessary.]

I see. That's wonderful that you've found and made a family here. It doesn't replace what we may have had back home, but even so. They say friends are the family we choose. Or something like that.

That's incredibly sweet. It sounds a bit like a fairytale, doesn't it?

[ Oh, she doesn't have a clue. Hermione is adjusting, of course, but her life is hardly a story - she's suffering under the weight of all the responsibilities on her shoulders, but she's managing. She's keeping her head above water and that's all that matters, in the end. ]

My friends have always been my family. I'm an only child and my parents don't remember me, so... They are my family.

Well, the fairytales some grew up with here might explain it. Most stories have some basis in truth at least.

[Mostly, she just gives her first name so sometimes it can take a bit before people actually catch on. If they were familiar with the fairytale, of course. Which not everyone is. Not to mention her appearance and mentions of family, of a daughter and grandson even.]

They....don't remember you? What happened? If--if it isn't too personal, I mean.

[Because. That hits rather close to home for her. But the other way around, thinking until Henry showed up that he and Emma would leave and forget her, forget Storybrooke, their memories replaced with new, happier ones as if Emma never gave him up for adoption.]

That's what they say about the Drabwurld. According to everything I've read the Drabwurld is the origin of all our worlds, so they're going to have stories or events that reflect our worlds.

[ Hermione didn't spend much time on fairytales, but she does accept that there are things that are true - magic, she knows, is one of them now. Does that mean she'll believe every story? No, but...

Breathing out, she purses her lips and lifts her head, eyes flickering everywhere before they settle. ]

I used a spell on them to make them forget... To protect them from a war, from insane people that would have killed them.

I suppose so, yes. I just know some remember reading about me as children. Or, some I've met here at least.

[Which. Took some adjusting to after her previous life in the Forest as that was reality, and in Storybrooke the whole town was the same way. Initially oblivious before regaining their memories. And had no real outside interference to have to deal with that potential conflict and confusion on their names and identities being so recognizable. Even in her appearance, though she has cut her hair shorter again.

But that's not the important thing. Not in the wake of this.]

That's horrible. I could only imagine how hard that must have been. Emma and Henry - they weren't supposed to remember me either. Which is--a long story. But we couldn't leave Henry alone when the rest of us had to go back home.

I've met some incredible people here that reminded me of legends, but they're just people to me now. Stories aren't anything like the real thing.

[ Her eyes lift and she gazes at the other woman before she softens, swallowing the lump in her throat as she runs her hand over her scar, absently, her heart a little heavy and thick in her chest. When she finally manages to find the words inside of her, they come out soft and quiet, a little sad, even as she tries to find it deep inside of her to push forward, and pretend that she's okay.

She's good at pretending. ]

It was something I had to do. I... I know it's - it's hard. But they had to be safe, and that was more important than anything else, even me.

No. They aren't always exactly like the real thing. I'm sure I'm only one such example around here among everyone else.

[You know. Lancelot, for one. Among others.

But pretending to be okay and actually being okay are entirely different things. Different things that certain people tend to be more perceptive to, not that Snow always outright says as much. She's just used to certain cues, certain gestures or inflections in the voice from her own experiences, mostly with Emma, her daughter and those walls she's had to try get through ever since meeting her.]

And I get that. Making sure Henry was okay, that he was safe. That they were happy, that was the important thing for us too. Even if that was hard. For their sake. I hope your parents were safe with that war at least.

That's why stories are stories. Reality is never exactly like what the stories said.

[ Hermione never believed the story of the Three Brothers until she saw the cloak, stone and wand all together, but even now she doesn't really believe that it's exactly at the Tales of Beadle the Bard actually say. Coming face to face with Death himself... She doesn't think that's possible, except for here in the Drabwurld. She had met the Shuck, after all, even if she had felt a little flustered and ashamed at the time, lighting candles for the dead.

She holds her head up high, though, intense and sure, and she keeps herself together. Hermione is turning from a witch and a healer to a soldier, and she's tucking herself together before she breathes out again. ]

I sent them from England to Australia, and they thought they were two people that didn't have a daughter. It was safer for them, and I'd like to think they're happy now.

Not exactly. I'm sure even biographies and histories and autobiographies leave some things out.

[She knows her own story left out some rather crucial details. But that's neither here nor there, something she's used to by now in other's being somewhat surprised when she reveals her full name.]

I hope they are.

[The same way she hopes Henry and Emma were, in New York, with replaced memories without all the excitement and pain that Storybrooke brought the both of them over the years.]

They probably have their reasons, but... It would be nice to know the whole story.

[ Hermione shakes her head, tucking her thoughts away and tying them up in a neat package in the back of her mind. She can dwell on them later, and that's more than enough for her, at least for now.

Looking back through the video, she softens. ]

I think they are. The war is over, there, and... They're happy.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I could share mine at least, if you wanted to hear or read it sometime.

[Reading would require asking Henry on the book, of course. Or copying at least some sections of it. But even so. That much she could offer. Because everyone needs some hope. Even in the darkest of times like war. Especially then.]

That is good. That you have at least that much reassurance that it works out.

[Even if at this point Hermione is here. Obviously not yet having been able to reunite with her parents and restore their memories. They're safe and happy in the meantime. Which is as much as she or anyone else could hope for, Snow guesses.]

Oh... I would, I would love that! I have a book of stories from my world that I translated, too, if you're interested in that?

[ Translating it from Ancient Runes into English had been hard, but no harder than the month or so that she couldn't speak Drabbish.

Tilting her head, she smiles and nods, once. She's been here almost three years - she can handle this. All of it. She has to. ]

The rest of the world should be safe, too. That war is over, and now - now I can help in this one.

I'll see if I can't ask Henry to loan it. Or I can copy some of it down at least. And sure, if you wouldn't mind. We can swap.

[That way they both get something in return, at least. Though Snow is aware Hermione is possibly one of those already a little familiar with the basic story of Snow White. The start, at least. There's a smile at her own lips in return as she gives a nod.]

That must be a relief. We'd just managed to deal with stuff back home too. Or, at least. Last I can recall, anyway. Henry remembers more. But in a way, that's reassuring and lets us focus on things here, right?

I might be able to duplicate it with a bit of magic, if he doesn't want to give it up? I wouldn't mind.

[ And she could show off her magic to him, at least, and that might impress him. There's so many fairytales to think about and even Hermione knows that some of them are going to be incredibly fascinating. ]

It does - it lets us focus on all the things happening here. There's so much to do that sometimes... Thinking about home has to become something that happens when there's nothing else left to do.

hermionenet / seelie locked

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