ninth arrow → VIDEO

[notyetlegend]

[It's been a crazy few months, but things seem to be finally settling back to normal. At least, as normal as the Drabwurld goes. Sometimes she has to remind herself that this is her world now, weirdness and all, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Luckily, her last gift from Solais is still active so she didn't remain lost for very long, teleporting herself to Leathann, to home.

But there are numerous, countless others that she needs to check up on. Merida sits with a hound or two by her side, the only new thing about her being the braids on either side of her head, sitting in her hair. War braids, that her mother had carefully interwoven into her hair as a last gift. She smiles, though it falters a little, and the choker around her throat feels a little tighter, hiding most of the scar that goes up to her jaw.]

This is Merida.

[Duh.]

It's been a while since I've spoken to some of you. [She remembers her last post and feels a little lump in her throat.] I'm not even sure how many I know are still here. Well, here being a relative term since it seems there's even more courts.

[One of the pups whines and nudges her side, and she reaches to give him rubs.]

I know that many of you might be adjusting, but I wanted to offer myself, should you need help. I'm shardless, so I'm not barred by whatever alliance your court holds. Angus an' I can fly, an' I can teleport myself, so transportation isn't a problem. Anythin' you need - trackin', magic, archery - I can do. [Her lips quirk faintly.] I've been told I'm a good teacher.

[Merida reaches for her locket, then pauses.]

Shuck knows we've been given another chance. I don't intend to waste it.

[The feed ends.]

Comments

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[boutant]

You're coming to Diasbaile to at least visit, right?

[ come at her ]

Angus has to come see how large his son's gotten.

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[notyetlegend]

I'll stay as long as you want me to, m'lady.

[She can't stay away from her friend for too long now, not after being able to see her again without consequence. Merida giggles a little.]

Och, I'm sure he'll get a right shock. Last time we saw he was only a wee thing.

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[boutant]

So forever? Glad we got that settled.

[ Ariadne grins; she can't help it, giddy at the idea of Merida coming back to her, staying with her again. ]

He's not quite Angus-sized yet, but his wings are huge. I imagine he'll grow into them if he stops trying to swat the other creatures with them.

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[notyetlegend]

As long as it doesn't get in th' way of my duties to Leathann.

[Her own grin is wide on her face, excited to go back. She hasn't been at the manor in two years. It would almost be like coming home.]

I'm sure he will. Angus tripped over his hooves a bit when he was younger because he was too big for them.

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[fulminants]

And here I thought you'd gravitate towards the Seelie-sounding courts, princess.

[ Is someone still mad? Yeah, a little. ]

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[notyetlegend]

[She makes a face almost like a grimace - even a little hurt - then closes her eyes.]

You don't have to put it like that.

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[fulminants]

[ He doesn't miss the hurt in her eyes, and a part of him feels guilty for it -- but not too much; he wants to know why she turned on them (and how had she even lost her shard? Was it fighting against the Unseelie?). Nevermind that Johnny had turned against them in the end, too.

But at least he hadn't joined the side that wanted all the worlds dead. He narrows his eyes. He likes her, he does. He likes her feisty spirit, her will, and the fact that she's pretty his type of person. But what he doesn't get is this: ]

You betrayed one side to join the other one that wants to end the world. How am I supposed to put it?

video;

[notyetlegend]

That's not how it worked. I didn't choose at all.

[She shakes her head, placing a hand over where her shard should be before she realises what she's doing and curls it against her chest instead. It's still an uneasy thing, knowing how empty she feels without it. Merida's brow knits together before she glances away from the feed.]

Either my heart or my shard decided I was better suited for Seelie. Or Solais had something to do with it. I'm still fuzzy on th' details of how it happens. [She remembers Saber thinking she had been taken from them somehow. Merida sighs a little.] But I didn't betray anyone. Not willingly.

Video

[roman_hands]

Merida?

[He blinks.]

Sorry, I'm surprised to still be here too, I just didn't think you could fly last time I saw you.

Video

[notyetlegend]

Well, I can't fly personally, but I asked for Angus to get wings, once.

[It took them a while to get the hang of it, but he can land without crashing now, so that's a bonus.]

He's my horse.

video

[benumbing]

Tracking.

[There's the first word that catches his attention.]

Does that mean you're a hunter?

video

[notyetlegend]

I won th' White Hunt my first year in th' Drabwurld, so yes, I am a hunter.

[She doesn't say which side for, though, because that doesn't really matter to her anymore. She crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow.]

An' I didn't have any magic back then.

video

[benumbing]

And not just any hunter.

[And it's murmured, almost to himself. Jack's eyes are a little brighter.]

There are people where I am, ones who came back with us. None of us know how to hunt, at least not the way we're going to need to. If your offer extends to the far and frozen North, I'll make sure that the favor is returned.

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[unsolitary]

Merida. ( it's clear she's surprised, but some sense of familiarity in saying her name, if only because Clarke has heard it many times before. )

You knew Jason, right?

video »

[notyetlegend]

[The question makes her pause, brow furrowing. She doesn't know who she is, so she doesn't know how she knows that, but her face twists into a small grimace as the lump in her throat hurts, fingers reaching to play with the jewel dangling from her choker.]

Depends on what kind of sense you're takin' about, but aye, I did.

[If you could call meeting once or twice on the battle field, a single conversation that didn't seem half bad, and then killing her knowing him, she guessed she did. Merida shifts a little and then drops her hand, turning her head towards the locket in a way that tilts it so the part of the scarring on her neck near her jaw shows.]

What of him?

video » locked

[unsolitary]

( she isn't sure what to say at first, and the hesitance is clear in her expression. it's only after a moment that she switches the video feed to private; only Merida needs to know about this. )

I am- ( a beat. ) I was his girlfriend. I saw him right after his fight with you during the Red Hand heist.

I know it won't mean much coming from me instead of him, but I'm sorry for what happened. He- ( her throat tightens and Clarke has to swallow back the lump in her throat. she knows it will get easier to talk about him, she knows it will, but it still feels difficult. ) He thought he was a monster for what happened. He never wanted to hurt you. I know that doesn't change what happened, but I wanted you to know that he did feel guilt over it; he wasn't proud of what he did to you.

text, locked;

[zerotohiro]

[Thank god. Thank god Merida's back, too, and while his first instinct is to ask her a lot of questions to make sure she's all right there are a few other things he has left to deal with. Instead, it's a text and it's carefully worded. Merida knows him too well. She'd pick up if something was wrong if he spoke or saw her right now.]

I'm still trying to count just how many of them popped up while we were gone. Never thought I'd be a timetraveler or anything, but here we are.

[There. Nice and light and casual and very much "hello, I'm not dead."]

[notyetlegend]

[Oh. He's here, and she's so glad about that. She sighs a little in relief, then wonders why he used the text function before deciding it doesn't matter.]

Is "time travel" much of a thing in your time? I went there but there didn't seem to be that many to me.

[zerotohiro]

It's not exactly a thing where we're from, no. It's something that shows up in movies and stuff all the time but we haven't figured out how to really make it work yet. Getting close though.

Where did you go?

video » private (and so backdated that it's painful)

[skjalf]

( Features drawn and tired, Elizabeth is already pale when Merida's face pops up on her locket. Her locket and not only her compass. That fact alone is a shock, but not so great as the sight of this woman, her friend alive and well. Blue eyes open wide, and she feels whatever colour is left in her face rush from it as the fact that the dead have once again returned to life in this land settles in.

A beat, a moment, a thrum of her heart before it begins to race in her chest; and then the colour comes rushing back, suffusing her cheeks. A smile brightens her entire expression from ear to ear, and by contrast, her eyes are sparkling with something else entirely. Tears. There can be little doubt as to just how happy Elizabeth is to see her. )

I should throttle you for giving me such a fright. ( Her voice is halting, hoarse, but does yet hold a teasing note to it. Emotion is overwhelming her in many ways. ) I heard what happened on the field and I... I feared the worst. Thank all of the gods that you have been returned to this world, Merida. It would be a much darker place without you.

What if what I need— ( She pauses, ducking her head, and continues softly: ) is to embrace you tight and not let go for a time?

[notyetlegend]

[She almost hesitates, because how long has it been since she saw Elizabeth? Merida pauses, then reaches to tug her scarf a little higher, hiding the scar. It makes her a little self conscious, but touched, knowing that there were people who would miss her. She manages to give a small smile, if not a bit shy.]

Thank you, Elizabeth. It's...I was given th' opportunity to stay home, when we were fallin' through th' worlds, but I chose to come back.

[Her lips quirk a little more at the other woman.]

I could possibly make a trip to you for a hug like that.

[skjalf]

( The shyness in Merida's smile causes her own features to soften with fondness. Until they grow gentle, with just a hint of the joyous shock and relief she feels sparkling in her eyes. )

You are a beautiful sight, I will warrant. No matter the occasion. I am most gladdened that you did decide to return to us here. I, too was sent home not once but twice.

But this place truly feels like home now.

( Will she now? Elizabeth grins, a small laugh escaping her. )

Well, then! How soon can you make the journey?

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[ex_halberd259]

( This is an unexpected and hugely overwhelming relief. She'd been there, at Diarmuid's side when he'd found her body. And seen the grief etched into every inch of his face, so like her own when she'd first realised that Gyda was gone. Taking a steadying breath, she doesn't allow anything but her relief to shine through, along with a fond smile.

Merida is a strong, capable girl. It is a blessing from the gods—her own gods—that she is among the living once again. )

Good. Life is far too short to not live every moment to its fullest.

( Interest becomes apparent in her eyes as she switches topics: )

Are you going to explore this world? If so, I think I'd like to come with you.

[notyetlegend]

[She smiles when she sees Lagertha, thinking to herself that at least her papa hasn't lost someone all over again. Merida knows the hurt well now, of losing someone that you love, and it makes her glad for him. She knows what she means all too well, and she nods.]

Mmm. I was thinkin' about goin' to all th' new places. My teleportin's been limited.

[ex_halberd259]

So has mine. It looks like the the more conventional methods of transportation are the only option.

( Unless she can secure herself a mount. Hmmm. It's about time for that, maybe. She smiles to herself, and then back at Merida. )

Would you mind if I were to go with you?