video; seelie + unseelie (hermione-net.)

[babbylon]

[The feed opens to a broad view of a dilapidated Leathann. The buildings no longer shine with pristine gold; the people no longer laugh and smile and conduct their business in the market square. Instead, there's a large crowd that's gathered around him, and an even bigger one working in the background. Hauling off rotten pieces of plywood, handing out strange necklaces of ground blood and feathers, and doing whatever they can as fast as they can for the sake of the island's survival.

And in the middle stands Gilgamesh, clad in his gilded armor, as he addresses both the remaining citizens and the compass, suspended before him by magic. For those who've seen him recently, they'll know he's at the end of his figurative rope; none of that exhaustion shows through now, however.

Now, he radiates only confidence and strength and so wields the full force of his Charisma for all to behold.]

People of the Drabwurld, hear me. I address you in the hopes I find sympathetic ears and minds, undeafened by the pull of the Void and unclouded by improper judgment. I have decreed it that Leathann shall not fall. Not to looming apocalypse, nor anything else.

[Sharp eyes lift to scan across the faces present. These are the few, the faithful. The ones left behind. He speaks to them as much as his outside audience.]

I am the Hero of the Garden. I alone may till it as I see fit. I will not abide another power, some rival god or false messiah. I will not abide an end that comes without my authority behind it. What of fate? What of destiny? I curse them both and pursue my own path, as should you.

[Some scattered cheers rise up, but Gilgamesh ignores them, and confronts those tuning in proper.]

I call upon each and every one of you to assist me in this endeavor! See that Leathann lives and that we all may face tomorrow, together!

[Gilgamesh clenches his fist and shouts; even over a distance, the force of it nearly can be felt.]

Rally to me! The time has come, the miracle descends now! The miracle Gilgamesh has wrought, which shines beyond the darkness! IRNITTU!*

[Is he aware of how ridiculous he sounds? Probably not. The feed remains on and follows Gilgamesh about his rounds as he pitches in his own efforts in various ways. He's open to discussion, but don't expect much in the way of listening to any disagreement. He's effectively immune with his current mood.

*"Victory!"]

(( Accompanying log here! ))

Comments

[babbylon]

[Though she didn't specify, Gilgamesh seems to understand at once what she means.]

A colleague of mine has seen to the evacuation of the children. Alice...

[There's no time and no energy to express sympathies for whatever tragedy may have befallen her, but his features soften all the same. His tone eases to something gentler, and so Gilgamesh proves he seems to understand a lot more than he lets on behind that arrogance.]

It was those same children that believed in me, that cheered my name, when few others did. I would never have any harm come to them.

[digophelia]

Ah.

[ She really hates how anything like that seems to set her off into tears and it does, only a few. She wipes tears from the corner of her eyes. It's a relief to hear -- as always, she always think shes lacking and nearly scoffs. ]

They're the future of this world, but that is good. I've only been able to take in a handful, myself. What will you do now?

[babbylon]

I will give everything that I have so that Leathann might live.

[Everything outside dying again, granted. He's had enough of that for a lifetime or two. Whereas she wavers, Gilgamesh's eyes shine with determination. If he could, he'd place his hand on her shoulder right now. As it stands, he can only give her strength this way.]

And then I will see to its future, such as it may be.

[digophelia]

[ She'll take it, she needs it, despite any discretion offered up when it comes to Gilgamesh. The world is wasting away and there are some people out there fighting for it. It reassures her and it'll reassure her own children. ]

I wish I could lend you aid rather than offer up well wishes.

[ She can't, she's still sitting here with the children in Aghmor, determined to protect them. ]

My children may not live there, but they'll be happy to hear this. [ Alice has to pause to compose herself. ] You said you were the first hero, right?

[babbylon]

That's right.

[And tentatively, as he's well-aware of the girl's temperament even in the best of times:]

Shall I come see them? After all this fuss is over and done with.

[digophelia]

You may.

[ Just as equally tentative. Alice had shut the doors and almost herself down after Lancelot's disappearance. She couldn't bare to have anyone else's company and stubbornly refusing most unless it was him. For goodness sake, she thinks, rubbing her eyes before she looks to the side. It's been a rough few weeks and Alice finds herself clasping her hands together, almost pleading. ]

Then promise as the first hero that you won't exhaust yourself in the process. Even someone like you, you are still vulnerable to injury and exhaustion. Don't let that happen to you, too.

[babbylon]

Are you worrying for my sake, Alice?

[Gilgamesh has to laugh a little. He's by no means shy, but his smile does look a bit boyish now. Her words are simply too earnest and of course Gilgamesh would always have a weakness for pretty young girls; how could he not heed her?]

You have my solemn vow. I shall return to you in one piece, with gifts for all.

[digophelia]

[ Alice can't really confirm nor deny, outside of a slight look. She doesn't want to say that what has happened so far has been sufficiently terrifying.

And she's yet to forget Reynard skewering Lancelot. ]

Then you can spare gifts to the children.

[babbylon]

And for their caretaker.

[He tries to keep the mood light, tries to tease. One of them has to.]

[digophelia]

[ If Alice wasn't so miserable, it would have gotten her flustered. ]

No, it isn't necessary. What I want, you cannot provide, I'm afraid. Their safety and the children of Leathann's safety is enough for me.

[babbylon]

[He'll bring her something, anyway. He's stubborn. All Heroic Spirits are. It was simply how they were.]

Look after yourself, Alice. Sun shines even in the darkest spaces. If I must prove that to you personally, I shall.

[digophelia]

[ Does she ever know. She's had similar conversations with just about all of them, and yet, he says the same thing Rider told her.

"You cannot bring him back." Still, maybe in an irrational way, she wishes she could be like them, she wishes because she wonders if it's the only way she'll see him again. ]

I'm content making my children happy, lord, that is all I ever need.

[babbylon]

Is it really enough?

[But Gilgamesh doesn't question too much. He still remembers the eyes of that girl at Treun, traumatized by something deep, something beyond him. He cannot heal this hurt. He would not attempt to.]

The face of the young woman that greeted the golden hound, smiling, happy, radiant... I should like to see it again.

[...he will let that secret go, though. She would've found out eventually.]

[digophelia]

[ Alice does little to hide the surprise when she hears this. After all the odd magic in Drabwurld. Then again, considering Alice gets very affectionate with animals?

A slight flush crosses her cheeks and Alice childishly glances off to the side. Really, she has no comment on that and still stubbornly would insist that what she wants is simply not possible. ]