eachdraidh | video ( seelie-locked )

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rachel elizabeth dare: pjo

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Hey, guys. This is- actually kind of tough now that I'm here doing it, but I've committed and I know this is the right thing to do. So.

This [ she turns her locket so this guy is in frame, and he's currently just watching Rachel to see what the heck she's doing and who she's talking to, but then he looks at the thing in her hand, tilting his head left right left right left. very curious! Rachel reaches out to stroke his neck, grinning when he dips his head up and down and shakes his tail feathers a little bit. someone clearly likes to be pet. ] is Apollo. I've had him since he was a little tiny thing, and he's really, really great, but I've come to realize that it's kind of selfish to hang onto him just because he's a great friend. I still have Blackjack, after all, so it's not as if I need him to get around.

He's just really fun to hang out with.

But that's why I'd like to offer him up to one of my fellow Seelies.

[ her voice sounds a little shaky, but she's pushing through it. she's not super sad, but... okay, it's super sad!! it's hard giving away a pet. ]

He's really, really fast, and really protective of his rider, too. He gets a little weird around water, but if you have a lot of ground to cover, he's the best mount you could ask for. Really. He's also capable of magic - healing magic, as far as I can tell - I just never tried to enhance his natural abilities very much. His diet is pretty basic, but he'll just keep eating forever if you let him, so you have to watch out for that. I'm not even sure what else to say, just that I can't sing his praises enough. --Oh, he likes to sing along, too, if you start singing. I'm not about to make my vocal debut on the locket, but trust me, it's very sweet.

If anyone would like meet him to see if you mesh, let me know. We're in the courtyard of the Citadel, if anyone wants to just come by and hang out. But I'm only going to let him hang out with the very best people around, so make sure you bring your A-game when you speak up here. [ she furrows her brow and tries to look really serious when she nods, but she ends up laughing again with a little sniff ] Alright, that's it. Take care.

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This might seem like a silly question, but um, what is he?

[Verity has never seen a bird like that before, so she's curious.]

Oh, wow, right. Apollo is a chocobo. When he was a baby he looked just like a regular baby chick, but he just- got huge. Gracefully huge. [ PLACATING THE BIG FEATHERHEAD, YUS, she's even reaching up to pet him again ] His egg was given to me by a Shardbearer, so I'm not sure if they're actually native to the Drabwurld or her world. I haven't seen many like him, at least.

Yeah, neither have I. I didn't know there were any rideable birds around, native species or not. He's really impressive.

[ "impressive", that's a word Apollo knows. apparently! because he's ruffling his feathers from his tail to his little wings to the tip of his head. YES. LOOK HOW IMPRESSIVE! ]

He needed a little training at the start - he just likes running so much - but he's definitely built to bring a friend along. I think once he got used to having a rider, he actually liked it a little better. There's something in him that makes him very protective, that's for sure. Like, he's not about to just attack people for getting too close, but it's like he knows when he should keep running or when to slow down and make sure I'm okay, that kind of thing. I wish I could explain it, but he's just- intuitive?

[ and now he's bumping his big head in her hair, which jostles her a bit, but she laughs again ]

He's intuitive, and he's an attention hog, yes.

[Wow, what a charming bird. She laughs a little, herself.]

It makes sense, I think. He seems really sweet. Is riding him easier or harder than riding a horse?

Well-!

[ no wait she's gotta think that out ]

I actually am not the best judge of that. The only horse I've ridden recently is actually a pegasus, so I'm used to the wings being right in front of where your knees end up sitting. But in general it's kind of the same. Same saddle, at least. Apollo's "back" is smaller than Blackjack's, but it's still more than enough to get a good seat.

That's okay. I actually don't know anything about riding a horse, so I guess I just wanted to know if that would make riding a bird more difficult or not.

[She shrugs a little.]

I haven't been here long, so I'm still trying to figure out my options when it comes to transportation.

The fairy rings are pretty useful for big trips, but if you want to go standard transportation, horseback is totally an option. There's a stable that's free for the Seelies to take horses from. Well, y'know, borrow. They're all very well trained.

I just got lucky - both Blackjack and Apollo were sort of passed down to me.

Yeah, I've used the fairy rings a few times. I was thinking more about when that's not an option.

I'll probably need some lessons either way. It's just nice to know there are other options out there in case I don't...uh...click with horses.

Oh! [ Rachel brightens up a little more, excited that she can actually help with this. most people look for fight training, which is so not her bag, but riding? YUS. ] I can show you the basics sometime, if you want? You can even ride Blackjack, if you want to try flying, too.

Oh, yeah. That would be great.

[She sounds kind of relieved, honestly]

I haven't really known who to ask about that. Everyone is so focused on battle preparation, I feel silly interrupting for more, um...mundane things.

Hey, believe me, I know what that's like. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, so this was all very new to me at one point, too. It still is, in some ways.

There are a lot of people here who are willing to help out the new kids on the block and show them around, teach them how to hold their own in a fight, but people tend to forget how important the very basics are, after living here for so long. Like, yeah, we're all used to riding horseback, but you probably came from a world that isn't quite so- medieval?

Yeah, actually I live in Manhattan. [Or used to live there. It's still hard for her to think of it entirely in past tense, though. But it's always nice to talk to a fellow New Yorker.] A very modern Manhattan, with smartphones and internet.

Mhm, mhm. That seems right. I don't know for sure if most people are from places like that anymore, but that's how things are where I'm from. It's been a long time since I've been home, but I do remember how weird the transition was.

Yeah. Weird might even be kind of an understatement. I'm doing better than I was my first week or so, anyway.

[She spent her first week feeling disoriented and kind of in shock. At least she's started to make some sense of things by now.]

That's good! I'm glad to hear it. There really isn't any crash course to the Drabwurld, although there really should be. There are pretty recent "history" books in the library to catch people up to speed on what's been going on, but a guide to actually living here? Not so much. ... Not as far as I know, at least.

Maybe we should come up with pamphlets to hang out at the newbie feast or something.

-- Just kidding, nobody has time for that. We should, but I doubt it would go over well anyway.

"Hey, I noticed you're rightfully overwhelmed from being pulled into this world between worlds at random, because a fairy asked you to follow them! Here's a brochure."

Eh.

[ Henry is incredibly excited, though he's trying not to be...overwhelmingly excited over the device. He's never seen a bird like this before, though he's used to lots of different magical creatures so Apollo is just, in his opinion, a fun new friend to meet. Even if he doesn't get to keep Apollo as a pet (she might decide someone else would be better at taking care of him), he'd still love to meet him because he sounds really neat.

He has a soft smile on his face, although he hears that shakiness in her voice so despite his initial excitement, he can't help thinking of her first. ]

Apollo sounds like a really great friend, but...are you okay? It's not easy to give up something you love a lot.

[ Rachel's adopts kind of an AW, YOU!! smile at the question, and it's totally genuine. oh. aw. what a sweetheart. ]

Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Really fine, not just the putting-on-a-brave-face kind. I love this big guy, but he deserves way more attention from his buddy [ not owner ] than I've been giving him. He's capable of so much, but I've never had a reason to really help him tap into it, you know? So. I like the idea of him being with somebody that's going to teach him more, and someone he can protect all the time.

[ Oh, good, he's glad to hear that. While he's never given up a pet, he's lost...people, and separation really sucks sometimes. But he thinks it's awesome that she wants something better for her friend. It's selfless, and the way he tries to be. ]

It sounds like you're a really good friend to him, too. [ Henry smiles and then...asks the question on his mind. ] Do you think I could come see him? I always wanted a pet, I think I could be good with him. [ He's hoping he's not too young to qualify. ] Apollo and I could teach each other stuff, like partners.

[ Although he doesn't want to infringe if someone else is vying for him. ]

Oh yeah! Of course. So far most people have just been stopping by to pet him, but nobody's spoken up about getting to know him yet, so... Yeah! That would be great. I'd like that.

[ it's kind of selfish, her reasoning. like she knows Apollo's going to protect the everyloving Styx out of whoever he ends up with, and she's for sure got a soft spot for younger kids. it was the same at Camp Halfblood - seeing young kids get brought to camp to start their demigod training, it's as heartbreaking as it is promising. there has to be a reason this particular boy was brought here, it's not like this place has a habit of bringing in kids just to watch them buckle under the pressure of the war, but there's still some part of her that's always going to worry a little bit.

so yeah, she's happy to hear he wants to meet Apollo, and teach him things ]

I'm Rachel, by the way. Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

[ If he knew Rachel was feeling a little protective of him, he'd understand, he gets that a lot from his family and even some of the other people he's met here. Though, he's always quick to remind everyone that he can take care of himself and help others. He wants to help other people. Putting people first is the reason he almost died in Neverland - he was willing to stay there forever, alone, if it meant keeping his family and even complete strangers safe.

Being in Drabwurld, to him, just makes sense. He's here for a purpose, to help, and he will to the best of his ability. Of course, he's a teenage boy so he doesn't take everything too seriously all the time, and he likes making friends. Rachel is already really nice, and he's pretty sure he'll click with Apollo. ]

I'm Henry Mills. It's really nice to meet you. Um...I'll come right over to the courtyard so then we can meet in person.

[ He smiles, and it doesn't take him long to get there. When he spots them both, he waves from a distance, though approaches Apollo slowly, not wanting to startle him. ]

[ Apollo's entertaining himself by balancing on one foot as best as he can, switching from left foot to right foot. his little wings ( well, little compared to the rest of his body ) sometimes spread outward like they'll help him in his challenge, but mostly he's just standing there like a flamingo. because he's a nut. and Rachel's just, y'know, fawning over him, because she's determined to get as much Apollo-time as she can in before she hands him off to someone else.

"hands him off", like it'll be that easy.

still, when Henry approaches them she gives him a big wave, meeting him halfway and quickly squashing the urge to greet him with a hug because yes, that's how she greets people, but she doesn't want to freak the kid out. need to become proper friends with somebody before you squish them on arrival ]

Hey. Henry, yeah? [ she reaches out to the side with her hand, wiggling her fingers so Apollo knows to come closer to her. he's quick to step up to her side, nudging his big beak at her knuckles before he stands at his full height, ready for action. or whatever. his full height being about eight and a half feet, by the way. and he's even short for his kind. ] Henry, this is Apollo. Apollo, Henry.

[ Apollo chirps a few times before ducking his head down, not invading his space or anything, but it's very much a HI HELLO THERE gesture. ]

You can pet him, if you'd like to. He might nudge you with his big ol' face, but it's a good thing, I promise. And you can talk to him, too. He understands us. And not just in a here, sit, stay way, I'm pretty sure. Not that he's ever spoken English, but.. He's very intuitive.

[ While Henry doesn't always initiate hugs for people he doesn't know too well yet, he would more than welcome them if one is offered. Even being a teenage boy, he's not one to shy away from that kind of thing. He's grinning as he gets closer to both of them. And seeing Apollo up close, he's even more excited about him. Of course, he likes meeting Rachel in person, too. ]

Yep, I'm Henry. [ He nods and then his eyes widen with unmistakable awe as Apollo rises to his full height. His little chirp is so adorable. That he can understand them is just awesome. And Henry's mind is just wide open, no hesitation as he gets closer to Apollo. He doesn't pounce on him or anything, but he's friendly and he wants Apollo to know that he likes him. ]

It's really nice to meet you, Apollo. [ Henry's still smiling and he reaches out with a gentle hand to pet him softly. ] I wanted to come see you because Rachel said you're a great friend. Just had to see for myself.

[ He glances at Rachel for just a moment, hoping she doesn't mind when he adds a little. ] She said you take really good care of your riders. I like taking care of people, too, so we already have something in common. And if we were friends, I'd teach you stuff, lots of stuff. [ Talking to him just feels natural. Henry never really had many friends growing up so he has a big imagination, loves stories, and has a deep appreciation for the friends he does find. He looks to Rachel now, not wanting to ignore her. ] Do you and Apollo ever play games? Does he like stories?

[ Apollo's chirping along as Henry talks to him, bobbing his head and tipping it from side to side. he's like Big Bird, basically, but he can't speak English. but he's animated like that, all wide eyes and ruffled feathers. he moves to sit after a little bit, neck still making him tall enough to be about eye level with Henry, maybe a little shorter ]

I don't know for sure, actually. [ wah, Rachel's basically just inwardly chinhandsing at all of this. she's not even trying to hide it, she has a big smile on her face to match how happy this is all making her. ] We play games a lot, but they're mostly chasing games. Like playing fetch, but with people. [ a beat ] Okay, that sounds mean. But I'll really just say "go get So-and-So!" and he'll run off looking for that person, and bring them back sometimes. That was something we played around the Oracle's spire, more often than anywhere else.

[ she sighs, reaching up to pet the top of the chocobo's head again ]

He's a very good listener, though, so I'm sure he likes stories.

[ Henry can't help thinking that Apollo is just adorable and he knows he's already really attached to him. He can't help smirking a little when she says that Apollo would fetch people. Mostly because he's imagining how amused his mom would be by it. ]

I bet he can do anything. [ He smiles confidently, at both Rachel and Apollo. ] I forgot to ask, but...what kind of bird is Apollo? He's so awesome, I've never seen anything like him before.

Oh, right, he's a chocobo! I don't think he's native to the Drabwurld, but... Maybe he is? All I know for sure is that someone in our court had eggs, and she said they need to be trained early on, so that they would grow up to be a great mount and a great friend. And he totally did.

[ Rachel's taking a seat on the grass while she talks, stretching her legs out in front of her and crossing them at the ankle as she leans back on her hands. she nudges Apollo with her shoulder, and he rests his head up on top of hers, like she's a shelf. whatever, she's totally cool with it. ]

You should have seen him has a baby - he looked just like a regular baby chick, just this little poof of feathers, but y'know, green. And then over the course of a year he turned into this giant doofus. He's almost two years old now.

That's pretty cool. [ He's grinning, and he makes a mental note to ask his mom or grams if they've heard of chocobos before. Maybe they exist in other worlds, too. He likes talking to Rachel and Apollo so decides he might as well get comfortable, plopping down on the grass and crossing his legs beneath him. It's really cute when Apollo puts his head on top of Rachel's, and Henry's smile shifts to something soft and warm. ]

He's two? [ Henry glances up at Apollo, smiling with obvious affection. ] Still kind of a baby. Just a bigger one. [ Still, somehow knowing he's only two just makes Henry feel that much more protective of him. ] And really cute.

So - you've been in the Drabwurld a while, huh?

[ Apollo's not usually one to preen ( unlike the Greek god he was named after ), but he hears cute and his feathers puff a bit, and he chirrups happily in response. he's super okay with being called cute. he's also just going to oh-so casuall strech out his neck so he can rest his big head on Henry's knee, eyes falling shut pretty fast. yes, this is nice. ]

Mhm. Just a little less than three years. ... Possibly closer to two and a half. Time used to fly when I first got here, but lately it feels like every day stretches on a little longer. There's just so much going on all at once. [ and none of it is very pleasant ] I spent a long time at the Oracle's Spire, down in Leathann? If you arrived here recently there's a good chance you haven't been able to visit, which is fine now, since everything is so crazy there- But it used to be very peaceful. I loved it there. They were doing really important work, but it was apart from the war, you know? Now it's dangerous for Shardbearers to even visit.

[ Henry's just fine with that, and he smiles when Apollo's head is on his knee. He reaches out to just pet him lightly, smiling at him again before looking at Rachel. ]

Yeah, I just got here about a month ago. Things have been getting so bad, with everyone talking about war. If it was peaceful before, I wish it could be again. Where I'm from back home, we have magic. Both my moms have magic, my grandfather. So it gets crazy and sometimes bad stuff happens. But it's nothing like this place. I'm just glad I can be here to help people, you know? I already know how to use a sword pretty well and I'm trying to get better with magic, too.

[ He's rambling a little, he knows, but he does that sometimes when he likes talking to people. ]

[Another of those creatures. Lia remembers them well and remembers giant birds being ridden like horses and how safe could that be with how dumb birds were?

But it seems clear this woman loves the bird.]

May I ask why you are giving him up? You seem very taken with him.

I'm pretty in love, yeah. But most of the time when I'm out and about, he just hangs out by himself. I already have a pegasus ( one that I'm also in love with ), and he's usually the one I take when I need to travel because he can fly.

I just figure Apollo deserves to hang out with somebody that really needs him, not just someone like me who just likes having him around as a buddy, more or less.

Might you ask the bird what he thinks?

[But then that's what she supposes the other woman is doing. Trying to find him somewhere to be happy and that is certainly admirable. It's a reason Lia has never had pets; it is rare she has time to simply be with them.]

That is very kind of you to release him. It is often difficult to do what we feel is best when it hurts us.

I haven't let myself think about that side of it very much. Nnh, his feelings, yes, my feelings? No. I know I'm going to miss him like crazy. He's a big doofy bird that lets me ride around on his back, what's not to love?

[ she grins, but it's obvious she's been kinda-sorta thinking about what she's talking about. it's just weird for her, having someone else say it. or just "get" it. ]

I think Apollo is a free spirit. He's not shy, so I think if he's introduced to someone he really likes, he won't feel lost of neglected if I'm not around. That's the important part.

[What's not to love is that it's a bird with a bird brain. But there is affection there and Lia imagines she would miss a pet, regardless of how dumb it was. Maybe because of it.]

To think outside of yourself is very noble. I am certain he will be happy if he finds the right person.

[Won't they all?]

Do you...have need of anything? Perhaps tea?

Oh, um. Maybe! I could go for some tea, yeah.

[ she's surprised by the offer, but pleasantly so, for sure. ]

Are you around the Citadel?

I can get there.

[Just let her fast travel with a teapot and cups. She's already gathering them up as she goes.]

We may have to sit on the ground but that is not such a hardship.

Yeah, that's totally okay. We can have tea picnic style. I could find some kind of blanket for us to sit on?

[ hey, this is kinda nice. nice things in the Drabwurld that don't include the art gallery. whoooo knew? ]

That will be fine. Shall I meet you in the courtyard?

[With hot tea and cups and everything else she is packing up. At least she puts the teapot with the hot water in a basket so if it spills it won't be terrible.]

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ahaha crud, Rachel's from Manhattan too, I don't know why I put Brooklyn. that's okie tho.

haha no problem, I can pretend she said Manhattan

<3

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AH sorry for the wait!!

No worries at all! <3

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