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

Hermionenet, Video

[gordianknots]

So, what shall you do with Leathann once it's out of the Void's grip?

And for that matter, what landmass will it hover over?

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh just grins.]

As if you need such a foolish question answered.

[I'll rule it, of course. As for the second...]

I imagine it will float wherever it pleases. A suitable throne for a king among the heavens.

video;

[digophelia]

[ Normally, this sort of thing would have earned a scoff from Alice, who was always so ready to blow past anyone who spoke in such a matter. She thought so little of authoritative figures and yet-

That was Leathann? She had heard of how lovely it once was and never seen it for herself. She spent the past few weeks keeping to herself and with the children, almost in her own world and rightfully so. Alice looks as if she's been crying, again, and she has, off and on for weeks. She's been miserable and yet... something like this -- Ahgmor or not -- makes her feel a little bit better.

It's good to see one heroic spirit hasn't been hampered, as far as she knows. A rallying cry to stop the Void almost makes her cry. Then again, any little thing has been making her cry, lately. She's been out of the loop with Leathann, she knows she's been trying to coordinate efforts to get some children out of there. ]

Are you going to help them?

[gordianknots]

Humour me, I'm in tired spirits and the kids have been running me ragged.

[In your own words, Gil.]

That'll make it a bit hard to get supplies, won't it? You aren't going to have sea life to live off of here, and the small number of flying ships available does mean that getting say, good and water, is going to be a big of an issue.

[Waver raises an eyebrow at it.]

I mean, I expect you want things to flourish, yes?

not here;

[aslandish]

[ Aslan listens.

He remembers that first day at the feast when they met one another and spoke of this world and its mysteries.

He remembers a journey around the drabwurld itself, the small adventures along the way.

He remembers a night spent in fear curled in a ball on this man's pillow after visions of a coming war.

He remembers going forth into battle, a golden standard set out to drive back the curse of the Dullahan.

He remembers other things, receiving aid from Gilgamesh in Leathann, the banshee by the Pool of Souls, and sharing one of his most favored tales.

He also remembers the last conversations, and he knows their paths are set apart.

Aslan does not answer. He only watches, and a sharp wind blows that day towards Leathann.

Their paths will not cross again until the final stage is set, and the End is fully come. ]

telepathic

[depicted]

[Oh, Gilgamesh. Dorian actually has to smile seeing that on the network. It reminds him of when they first met.]

Do you need a final check on any spells?

[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.

[babbylon]

[His eyebrows lift in return, vaguely, and that shrewd politician at heart comes out. Waver has very much met his match.]

You think I'd even attempt this without the appropriate connections lined up? All the right people are in the right places, I assure you.

compass; voice

[notyetlegend]

[Because who does video at a time like this? It reminds her of Treun, the day that she decided he'd have her loyalty. Her voice comes over as light and teasing, the sound of one or two of her hounds barking in the background.]

Very inspirational, ghrian.

[babbylon]

I need something else from you, Dorian.

Something much more important.

[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]

[Busy though he may be, Gilgamesh still finds space to preen like a pretty, pretty bird for his lovely atmu.]

I do try.

[gordianknots]

Can you blame me for wanting to double check? Especially since Rin'll be supplying your supply fleet and she has a tendency to over-work.

[Half politics, half can we agree to keep an eye on Rin's blood magic?]

And I'd like to offer coffee services, if I'd be so permitted.

[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.

[depicted]

Name it.

[babbylon]

[Dammit, who said you could make him laugh? He breaks down, just a little, and that heroic edge wavers.]

Well, I wouldn't say I'd never have made it this far without you, but... it's pretty good coffee. For a commoner, granted.

voice;

[colorofthesky]

[ He knew time was running out.

He's been working all this while, too hard, perhaps, and he's starting to feel the strain.

There's too much to do, too many place he wants to be, too many people he wants to help. He's only one man, though, and he can only do so much.

The call is heard, though, and while he hasn't forgotten his commitment, it does bring his focus back to home. ]

I'll be there as soon as I can.

[notyetlegend]

I know you do.

[She lets him preen. He's earned it.]

Let me know if you have need of me apart from what I'm already doin'. I should have a pup or two in th' area who can pass th' message along.

[babbylon]

I can see to all the appropriate arrangements beforehand, but when the time comes to summon the sylphs... I need everything that you have. Every ounce of prana, every bit of strength you can spare. I'm sorry, but I'll have to get greedy.

[It's the one time he'd apologize for it. If he took too much, all at once, even the portrait might not be able to sustain him. At the very least, it would be remarkably uncomfortable for a certain period of time. Just because Dorian could die didn't mean Gilgamesh liked to watch it happen.

Not anymore, anyway.]

We'll have our vacation soon enough. For now, work hard with me. Give me your very best. Then let us toast to our mutual success.

...waver pun intended?

[gordianknots]

Thank you. I'll try and keep it as innocent as possible, and offer what consultation on matters of State you'll humour me with. And well, one technical question.

Can you actually control where the island floats towards? So that you might say, avoid hovering over a number of problems that will be on the continent soon.

[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?

...yes totally let's go with that

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh flashes the back of his hand to the compass feed. Etched upon it is a swirling symbol, clearly magical in nature, and his trump card.]

All the right people. All the right places. Don't doubt me even for a second, magus.

[depicted]

All right.

[It is in part arrogance, a sense that his own portrait can handle it all. But also, it is ready acceptance. If that is what it takes, Dorian will give it. Not for any interest in Leathann or its people, the Void—anything.

Just for Gilgamesh.]

The ring I gave you at our contract. Draw on the mana stores in it. I'll use other stones for myself.

[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.

[gordianknots]

[Waver leans in, trying to see that symbol.

Ariadne had something similar. Good then, the slyphs are in on it.]

Understood. But by that same token, trust me when I advise this: if you go north west, stay clear of the university, Redgate, and the mountains just north of Redgate.