audio | unseelie locked | february 7th, post-destruction of caer scima.

[boutant]

[ She would use the video function but there's blood everywhere -- on her hands, her mouth, her chin. There will be more, if she has her way. Her voice is tight with barely concealed emotion -- rage, worry. Next to her comes the low sounds of a wolf who seems to be in pain; poor Brennan had felt it when Caer Scima was attacked, his howl having split across the battlefield like a clap of thunder. ]

If you can be spared or have the capacity, go put out the fires in La Llorona. Caer Scima's destroyed, if you haven't already heard the news. Any refugees can head for the third spire, if they need a place to go. I'd offer my manor as well, but you'll have to get through the burning forest to get there. Still, if you can, it's open to you.

[ A hissed breath. ]

Let me know if you're out of there. And- if anyone knows if a vampire named Aindrea got out of Caer Scima, please tell me.

Oh, and if you still think this war doesn't involve you, is something you can avoid? You're an idiot.

[Video] The Path to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions (Locked to those with compasses from Rin.)

[oathshackledbird]

[The video starts with a string of swear words in Ancient Gaelic.  Those looking closely at Diarmuid will notice that there are places on his face where the skin is slowly healing from what almost seems like rot.  Rot certainly shows itself on his clothing.  In fact, the edges of his cloak crack and bits break off it, fluttering away into the air as it flaps.

Once he stops swearing and actually looks down at the compass in his hand, his expression is grim.]

I tried, but perhaps it was foolish of me to think one man could make a difference...

[Not only is his expression grim, it is angry.]

I don't know how and I don't know what fool is responsible--perhaps we all are--but the Jabberwock has been freed from beneath Caer Scima.  It seems to be heading toward Caer Glaem.  There is an aura or rot that follows it making it extremely dangerous to approach.  Please spread the word.  Anyone in its way is going to be in danger.  It seems to be...maddened...

[To be honest, he doesn't blame it if it is in anyway tied to Caer Scima's condition.]

May all those Above and Below be with us.  We are going to need them...

video; open to both courts; very backdated to the 1st

[eldesthatter]

[Sophie appears, her red hair wildly strewn about the edges of her face. Her eyes are narrowed and her brows knit together as she examines the locket. She doesn’t seem particularly aware that anyone can see her via the device, though she had been told that’s how they work. She taps at it, as if that might reveal its secrets to her.]

Curious little thing…

[She pauses, her lips pursed.] Oh! It’s working now. [She clears her throat. Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.] I’m sorry. I didn’t exactly mean…

That is, my name is Sophie Hatter. I’m still rather sure that there’s been some sort of mix up with my being brought here, but no one seems inclined to believe me. I wonder if they have fancy coats that I could cut up? But no, I imagine that only works on certain people.

So instead of telling you all the same thing I’ve said countless times already, I’ll ask you this: Has anyone here heard of the Wizard Howl? Or Pendragon. Or Jenkins. Any of those names would do. He’s a rather vain man, apt to look for hair potions before a roof over his head. He wears bright colors and likes to change the color of his hair, though he usually favors blonde…

If you know of him, I’m sure he must have something to do with this and I’d like to have a word or two with him. As soon as possible.

Backdated to early 8 Feb | Text | Unseelie locked

[gordianknots]

By now I think everyone knows that the monarchs are asking us to run after the Jabberwock to try and return it back to them. We know that it responds to touch, that it likes puzzles, and that lavender will help soothe it.

But there are problems with what we’ve been told that need to be solved now.

1. It’s the middle of winter. We need sources of lavender, and I do not imagine that this will be easy. If anyone knows where to begin, and can say so on an open post here, you’d be doing everyone a great favour.
2. The Jabberwock isn’t small. Making puzzles that will be the right sie will be a struggle. Thoughts on how to go about that are welcome. I’m not imagining that it is going to be possible to walk up to this thing and ask it why did the chicken cross the road?
3. Touch. If this thing’s aura of rot is as true as old accounts have presented it, we need to find ways to deal with that. Quickly.

I’m encouraging brainstorming on this network post because anything that can be thought up together will have a greater chance of working.

Chime in if you can and for the love of whatever is dearest to you, stay safe.

vi. video. unseelie locked. night of the 7th.

[vrykolakas]

[News has reached the front lines. The Brucolac has rubbed his face clean for this broadcast, but his pupils are blown, blood drying in his eyebrows, and he hasn't taken off any of his armour.

He looks like cold hell.]

Those at Caer Scima who got out. The Ninth Spire has room for you; if you need to avoid the sunlight, the cellars are ready. Blood, food, medical aid, a place to sleep, whatever you may need. Go via fairy ring, or else follow the Criostal down to where it meets the sea.

I can't meet you. [He grits his teeth, rubs at one brow with a spike-gauntleted hand, sounds like he's furious at himself for it.] Needed at the front lines. Give me some days. Until I return, my captains have orders to take you in and treat you well.

☙ 001; video

[thequitecontrary]

[Mary is on a horse, riding as though she's in a steeplechase that will cost her her life if she loses. She's not riding sidesaddle, because damn ladylike manners at the moment. She needed to escape Glaem as fast as possible and it's much easier to ride a horse astride. Trying to use the locket while doing so is proving difficult, partially due to the fact that Mary still hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. Whoever's viewing this video will notice her head bobbing up and down, wisps of hair flying about her face and a long braid bobbing at her shoulder.]

Please.. if anyone should hear this.. where might people from Caer Glaem take refuge?

[She's headed south, mostly because that seems as good a direction as any, so long as it's away from the monstrosity that had attacked the castle. She's sure that it was the Devil himself. Her horse barrels through the snow, the night frigid and her body shaking through the thin nightgown she's wearing. The only thought in her mind is to get away.

She wonders briefly if this is how women in the French countryside felt during the war.]

Video | Locked to the unseelie | Backdated to the afternoon of the eighth.

[forsworn_rose]

[Beatrix was on horseback when she received the news of the destruction of Caer Scima, and she took the time to read over the report several times, then calm the soldiers with her before she decided what to do. They were her first priority, of course, but after that...]

[She eventually took out her locket, addressing it for the first time since she had arrived. Though her expression is neutral, her eye is hard, almost steely.]

I am Baroness Beatrix of the Three Sentinals. [A strange title to her, but it was becoming more natural to her as the days passed.] With the recent destruction of Caer Scima...of home to most of you...I would offer the safety of my spire. It is far from the battles that we wage right now, and well protected. I cannot promise an easy time of things there, but you would be safe enough for the moment.

[Which is probably all they can ask for, right now.]

And to all of you that have questioned this war, look at what has become of our home and think on why you should not, can not, remain standing on the sidelines. Our enemy has shown what they are willing to do, willing to destroy.

Do you think, if they would come and slaughter innocent people in their homes, that they would give a second thought to killing you? All you accomplish standing there wringing your hands is giving them another chance to kill you or someone you care about.

[She hesitates, looking out at the men she is leading, then back.] This is a lesson. A harsh lesson taught at a terrible price, but learn from it, or don't, to your own peril.

[There's the sound of someone calling for her, and she turns away, closing the locket without another thought.]

BACKDATED TO DUSK ON THE 7TH | BOTH COURTS -> SEELIE LOCKED | VIDEO

[enjoymyatelier]

OPEN TO BOTH COURTS

[...ahh, Kayneth, you're supposed to hate modernity! You're not supposed to be taking a video of the Jabberwhelp flying off like some kind of tourist with an iPhone and showing it off to everyone with a locket!

...actually, from his audible breathing, it's pretty clear that he's not taking a casual approach to this. After a moment or so, he can be heard muttering to himself...]

...yes, you might as well take "mutually assured destruction" up a notch by ensuring it lays everything to waste... did the Americans and Soviets think of anything quite this absolutely mad? Ah, one of them probably considered something...

[...he pauses, as though he remembered something...]

... oh, for the love of --- just a moment.

[He sighs angrily, ends the feed to both courts, and then opens up again for Seelie only.]

SEELIE LOCKED

...apologies for all that, it was a bit difficult not to get caught up in the moment of watching victory go absolutely pear shaped. It was best to warn everyone Seelie, and at least a video will show you what we're dealing with.

Anyway, that's the absolute horror that was unleashed from the ruins of Caer Scima just a moment ago... I've got absolutely no idea what that hideous thing is, but it's certainly something. I wanted to try and hunt it down, but...

[He turns the locket down to his hand, where his usually nice looking coat and gloves are looking like they've been left out in the rain for about a decade.]

...well, I'm eternally grateful for the fact that I can heal, because my flesh suffered roughly the same effects when I started getting too close to it. I have absolutely no idea where it's going now, but our prospects aren't looking fantastic if it crosses our paths. I wouldn't advise fighting it if you don't have anything you can use at range --- or at all, really, until we find out what in God's name it is and how to kill it.

...anyway, those of us at Scima won't be here too much longer at all, I'd imagine. I'd be happy to discuss something with someone who might know what's going on with this... perhaps when we're back in Seelie territory.

[...he goes back to mumbling as he begins shutting the locket.]

Ugh, what an absolute mess...

Voice - LOCKED TO UNSEELIE

[scorchedchivalry]

[There was a terrifying rage underlying Saber's quiet, controlled words.]

If you are not helping with evacuations, either go to the infant Jabberwock the Seelie forced into this world or join me on the battlefield to prevent the Seelie soldiers from doing any more damage.

Should you choose neither of these three options, pray that I never find out.


[ooc: Anyone requiring orders, here you go! Also, do not expect much as far as conversation from Saber.]