1st libretto | video | seelie and unseelie

[playmakings]

Okay. [ Kelsi takes a deep breath, trying not to look too frazzled. She's feasted, woken up, and...Nope. She's still here. She takes a quick breath and offers a shy, slightly waning smile to the network of lockets. She's in her room--it's one of the smaller ones--and Ryan Evans can be seen in the background with his eyes closed, doing yoga. More specifically, parsvottasana pose. Kelsi seems completely oblivious. ] So this isn't a dream, that's--great. [ That's one word for it ] Which means if we're all here for a very long time, it's probably a good idea to say hi? So...

[ A little awkward, but she lifts her hand in greeting, the smile completely gone after her hand moves to fall on her lap. ] Hi. I'm Kelsi, and if there are any Wildcats out there, please let me know? At first I thought this was a dream, except normally my dreams involve East High still, and musical signups, sometimes I dream about tea, and--oh! Right. I also wanted to know if anyone here has a good singing voice. And maybe if you were okay with letting me hear it?

It's not for something weird! I promise, I promise, it's just--If I'm going to be here for a while, I might as well do something. Like write, right? [ Wow Kels, way to not tell people what you actually do. ]

One last little thing--if anyone was going to university or college for music composition, I'd really like to get into contact with you. There's this bit in one of my text books that's really confusing to me for some reason. Thanks!

[ She ends it with a little wave--and throughout this entire conversation, Ryan has moved to Downward Dog, and eventually to a handstand. ]

[video] open to both courts

[alikeness]

I'm looking for someone. [ no doubt, a tried and true phrase the lockets have played before. Connor tacks a piece of paper to the locket so that everyone can see his drawing of a demon. it's sketchy and messy, but a pretty good likeness considering he was being beaten up during his confrontation with it. guess he inherited one more thing from his father's side. ]

He's over seven feet tall and made completely out of stone. And he's mine. [ and by the look on his face and the tone of his voice, that clearly means MINE TO KILL >:[ !!!! but the sassmasters of eachdraidh are welcome to poke fun at him anyway. he lowers the paper, revealing the rest of him and the lovely decoration scheme caer scima's rocking. ] He'll try and kill you, but I don't have to really warn you guys about that, huh? From what I've heard of this place, that's what we're supposed to be doing.

[ killing each other!!! guess who hasn't been given the 'make love, not war' lecture of his life. there's no clear sign on his face that explains what he thinks of that exactly. He moves to turn off the locket and hesitates. ]

I want to know. [ how do I get out, who can I beat up right now, where can I find Angel -- ] Who's winning the war?

( video: open, both courts. )

[gameplaying]

[ appearances are important, he knows — everything, almost — and fairies and their ilk aren't known for any dedication to being either honest or straight forward.

so: he's been here long enough to have worked out how the locket works, and to have decided on how he wishes to appear. "as himself" — in a manner of speaking — is easy and simple enough, and this is not the place for tantrums and demands. that had all occurred earlier, when he'd realised where he wasn't and that he could not leave. that he'd lost — again, momentarily — what was, finally and rightfully his. he's not willing to commit to an assumption one way or the other as to the presence of thor or any of the so-called "avengers", so—

there's a drawn-out silence, whilst loki's gaze runs pointedly over the locket, eyes narrowing briefly; he looks very much as if he's considering something and, at length, he lets out an audible, almost defeated sigh. it's punctuated by a brief raising of his shoulders in a lazy, almost arrogant shrug of sorts. ]

The Realm Between Realms. [ the corners of his lips twitch upwards in a brief facsimile of a smile. the utterance itself is dry, but with the barest hint of mocking, although who or what that's directed at isn't made clear. ] I admit, it's not quite where I expected to find myself, but given the alternative, I can't really complain. Perhaps one small act of redemption can do much more than one imagines, although— [ a momentary pause, hesitation gracing his features before giving way to another brief twitch of a smile (faintly amused). ] —it's no Valhalla. [ deliberate caution. after all, for all that anyone knew, after all, loki had died; only odin and thor now live.

silence again, and a fleeting glance away from the locket. ] There have been a few words, but Fair Folk tend not to be known for their dedication to honesty, and one has to be careful with what they say and how and to who, do they not? So if any truth [ wry, fleeting smirk. ] can be spared: it would be appreciated.

[ impressions can and often do tell more about a place than simple facts, and above even that, they speak more of the person holding them than anything else, and it's that that has loki's interest for the moment. ]

001; video; open to all;

[nowthatsfunny]

Okay, I get it. [ Tess' tone is brusque, cool, almost flippant. She feels fucking weird talking into a locket, of all things, but it's been a long damn time since she's had anything like a phone, so hey, might as well try this out, right? ] This place is magic. Fairies, trolls, goblins, whatever. You have 'em. Like some kind of fucking fairy tale. [ She honestly isn't sure what to believe right now, so she's getting right to the point. ] I just have one question for you. Cordyceps. Have you heard of it? And more importantly, is it here?

[ Tess glances aside for a moment, her eyes flashing with - fear, maybe. Not that she would ever admit that. ] Because I can live with magic and shit if there's no infection to worry about.

[ Whatever 'living' might entail here, anyway. ]

voice; locked to the unseelie

[digophelia]

[ Alice has switched to voice, from her usual pattern of video. This takes a lot for her to ask since Alice is not the least bit willing to ask for help from strangers. So she takes a breath, keeping it to the people she can somewhat rely on. They don't have her absolute trust, not yet. ]

I suppose I ought to introduce myself for those who don't know me. My name is Alice Liddell and I have gone along a few excursions with my fellow court members. It was not my intent to be so vested in these matters, but the livelihood of those I know mean a great deal to me. I'd rather not have anyone take anymore blows for me.

So I must ask... how does one go about improving offensive skills? I mean to say- [ With a small huff of frustration-] I have no form to pay someone, not yet. I hope that my sincerity in order to help my friends is enough.

I have my knife- the vorpal blade. It is meant to never dull and it will remain sharp and it can go through almost anything. In addition, I was given a sword when I first moved to the Station but I am not very good with it, not like those who I know. I have just recently acquired another weapon from my world that can best be described as a blunt weapon with a strange side effect.

Please understand -- there are so many skilled fighters here and I am nothing more than some maid and nanny to children. I'm not skilled in many things, but I owe it to those who risked their skins for me.

video ; both courts, open

[survivra]

I don't want a locket.

[ katsa's dangling hers in front of her face, close to and giving a clear (as much as the locket's image quality is capable, anyway) image of her mismatched eyes, one an unnaturally vibrant green and the other a bright blue. she's Not Happy, if the pull of her eyebrows is any indication, and her voice is impatient. though the scene behind her isn't easy to make out, since she's holding the locket close, an astute observer might notice the twisted branches and dark green flora of la llorona. ]

I don't want any gifts. I'm not here for any kings and queens, so you can have this back—I'm not going to be yours more than I am anyone else's to do your bidding. There are enough kings to deal with already in Lienid and the Middluns. Do you imagine I won't find my own way?

[ well, all she heard was "from high king and queen" and "send a message" as she was busy trying to kick an imp in the face when she got her locket, so she thinks this is how this works. ]

Image;

[red_branch]

This locket's pretty nifty. [Lancer, poised on the edge of a cliff, leaned his locket against one rock as he fiddled with a cloak and brooch, trying to pin one to the other without ripping it. He kept doing it over and over so he could weather it down and make it more comfortable to wear. When he got into a good little cycle of repetition, he spoke up, again.]

So, hey--I'm curious, has anyone heard about any 'help wanted' situations in Caer Glaem? I'd ask, but I figure this little artifact's got a good reputation is folks're using it so often.

[He continued talking, returning his eyes to the cloak and brooch.]

Let's see--I'm good with a plow, I know my way around horses and spreading seed... [Said nonchalantly, examining his handiwork.]

Pretty good at preparing and serving food. I wouldn't recommend me as the cook, though. I can read and write. [Conveniently, in every language on Earth.]

I'm a really good gardener, too--on top of farming, I mean. If you like flower-arrangement and things like that, you could say I've got a real knack for it.

[Lancer, seemingly content with the work he had done with the cloak and brooch, set both aside and began folding them where they lay. He crossed his arms and grinned back at the locket.]

So, if you folks know anyone who's hiring, put in a good word for me! You can call me [A pause. Lancer definitely stopped at that, thinking through his options.] Lancer. Yeah, I'll stick with that. It's gotten to be a habit, by now.

Video; open to both courts

[spiritedbow]

Uh--hi, my name is Bianca. Bianca di Angelo. I guess I'm new here?

[ She pauses after that and fiddles with the locket a little, not really sure where she should go now that she's introduced herself. She has a lot of questions, and plenty of concerns, but she's also not really sure where or how to start voicing them. It doesn't help that this whole thing feels very impersonal. It's almost like she's talking to a wall and not a whole bunch of different people. ]

Right, okay. So I get why I'm here. I've got something important inside me, and...all that. [ It's said a little uncomfortably.  Not only is it a little weird to think she's been living her whole life with the shard of some otherworldly crystal inside her body, but she definitely has enough on her plate already, She doesn't want to worry about a another war on top of everything else. ] But what if--[ She hesitates again, biting her lip. ]

What if we have something equally important to do back home? Will they send us back? My--friends are in serious trouble. [ And it's definitively her fault they are. She didn't listen to Percy, and now, well, things are bad. Really, really bad.  ] I'd like to be able to help them, somehow. Even if I can't return, there has to be something I can do from here, right? 

[ And then, just to have something a little less heavy to talk about; ]

Oh, and are the imps always so rude? I tried to talk to one, but it bit my finger.

04 / UNSEELIE / (VOICE)

[dragmire]

[Ganondorf is not usually a man to speak at length or to make messages on the lockets. But in light of recent developments and his aims to begin working against a tedious rival, it is time to begin gathering forces to him. He's built himself a sizable army already. Now he needs shardholders to stand with him. He has come to understand that each one of them might potentially be as valuable as a hundred native soldiers.]

With the passing of my sixth month, a fourth collection of Shardholders has been drawn into this world. The war carries on, though fate would seem to favor the side of our monarchs. [Absent as they might be...]

I am Ganondorf Dragmire. In my own land, I was the King of the Gerudo and of Hyrule. Until I return there, I am presently the Lord of Mair. My keep and city was won by conquest and much work has been done to rebuild and improve upon it. There are those among our court who helped to win and those who have labored to restore it. I have arranged quarters be provided for each one of you. You will always find Mair a safe haven as repayment for your efforts.

To those other Unseelie sharded, I extend my welcome to come visit the city. You need not travel the long road here. The High Queen has provided a Fairy Ring to the outside of the city. The land here is rich and bountiful so much that the people idle their time away in gambling houses and taverns. No doubt most will find some manner of entertainment within the city. [Says a man who clearly doesn't go out of his way for entertainment.]

Furthermore to those who wish to press the battle and see this war ended, then I welcome you to fight beneath my banner. Those who serve me will not go unrewarded. We stand on the cusp of victory. Already we have claimed powerful allies from Redgate and Maupertius. [Though he is eager to be rid of the latter...] We may have lost one battle at Cothromach, but we have slain their dragon and given our Seelie counterparts pause to reconsider their allegiance. Once the Seelie monarchs have been taken from their throne, we will at long last be able to return to our rightful homes.

001 | Video | Open to both Courts

[stillhope]

[There's some hesitation at first, unsure if the locket is working, but with a small sound from the imp beside her, she adjusts. The image is no longer one of the stars and boughs of the trees overhead but resting on the face of a weary elf. A weight had been lifted off of her with her arrival, though the chill still remained - seeming to radiate from within.]

Mae govannen [(Well met)], these creatures informed me I am in the Drabwurld just beyond the Unseelie castle. They do not seem to be able to tell me how I might return home. It is imperative that I do not linger here, my father will worry.

[Among others, though he would be first to notice her absence. It could be a terrible distraction from the war, causing worry when it was unnecessary - even cause a horrible loss. That could not happen - no on her account.]

Goheno nin [(Forgive me)], but I must return to Imladris at once. You seem to have powerful enough magic to bring me to your world, surely it could not be such a hardship to return me home. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

[And with that the locket closes, uneasy eyes searching the forests for an unseen danger - far too accustomed to things like orcs roaming in the night. The sooner she could be returned home, the better.]

first shout ☆ video, open to both courts.

[milkdrinker]

[ J'sairr gives the locket a darkly suspicious look as he fiddles with it, but... Well, he wouldn't be using it like this unless he really needed to. ]

Never has Khajiit seen a magic object with such function as this... This one is uncertain he is using it correctly. But, ah, there must be a first time for everything, no?

[ Not that he looks or sounds particularly convinced by his own words. Anyway... ]

This one is called J'sairr, and J'sairr would not be making this attempt if he did not require answers. Khajiit is newly arrived in this land, and there are many things he does not yet know, but of all his questions there are two with great importance.

First... This one has been led to believe he is the only one of his people — the only Khajiit — in all this world. Khajiit hopes dearly that this belief is false, not least of all because any land bereft of his kind is surely much sorrier for it.

And, second... Khajiit has heard some mention of dragons, but little more than that. [ In an unconscious gesture, his ears slowly swivel back as he speaks. ] This one wishes dearly to know what manner of dragons inhabit this land, and to what extent he may expect to encounter them. This, Khajiit wishes to know more than anything else.

[ He's not quite sure how to end his message, so after a few seconds of visible uncertainty, he nods towards the locket before awkwardly moving to snap it shut. ]

Video; Available only to the Unseelie

[of_the_lake]

[Lancelot stood in front of a great, molten forge, walking along a narrow walk-way inside Troichean Beinn. He was out of his armor, wearing a thick smithing apron and a short-sleeved tunic, startlingly different from the usual attire he would display. As always, Lancelot's absolute lack of enthusiasm shined like a dying star.]

To those of the Unseelie court--I have a trade I would like to make with you. If you believe yourself skilled in researching history and mythology, please respond.

I have a second trade I would like to make to those with an affinity towards nature--in which I must emphasize that such an affinity is a necessity, unless one prefers risking death in this.

[Hoisting his free arm up, Lancelot raised a short-sword with a gleaming red blade, fairy letters written down the length of it. Visibly, the sword seemed to have been vibrating somewhat. Anyone with magical affinity may even hear a soft, hollow sort of noise coming from it as well.]

To those who can assist me in these favors, I can repay you with the fruits of my labors. Wrought iron, enchanted by fairy-magic. I cannot promise the best of weapons at this moment, but if you aid me in this, I will create a finer reward for you.