Video | Open to Seelie and Unseelie

[nobleminded]

[A very annoyed teenager is somewhere in Caer Scima. Over his right shoulder rests a sheath for a light blade, possibly a rapier. The handle isn't within view, but from the way it sits the sword is likely in there.]

These little Ainsel creeps or whatever they call themselves have been running amok for days! I don't think the leaders here have made much effort, if any, to do something about them, though! Is it this bad on both sides?! For claiming we're their guests or soldiers, they're certainly not treating us very well! I-

[Just then, a small pair of glowing red hands pop up from behind his shoulder and latch on to the sheath. Elliot nearly loses his balance before turning his head enraged.]

DON'T TOUCH THAT YOU LITTLE-!

[The locket goes dark, but from the way it was moving at the end it can be assumed that he ended the feed and let go of it to fight off the latest infected imp.]

Comments

[nobleminded]

[Of course the Vessalius family doesn't get it, being related to the hero and all...

If Elliot weren't dead already himself, the notion of seeing most of his relatives would have sounded absurd. The mention causes him to look a bit more somber.]

I...appreciate the offer, but I don't need your help!

[Because he did such a stellar job of not getting himself killed...]

I'm not trapped, I...

[Wait, he needs to back up a few seconds.]

...What do you mean, Gilbert is THERE?!

[dappergent]

[ as if Oscar would lie! ]

Of course! Do you think my cute Gilbert would be anywhere else? [ really, what kind of question was that? ] And even if you don't need my help, you have it! I could hardly promise less on behalf of my nephew though I would gladly do so anyway.

You're barely sixteen, are you not?

[ an adult, sure, but still wet behind the ears! A man could benefit from having Oscar as a mentor you know. He's a well liked man! ]

[nobleminded]

[Please stop claiming his brother. He needs to be a Nightray now more than he ever has before, okay?]

Yeah, with the family he's got here! [The mention of Oz forces him to think for a moment. How much was he really doing right now to help things between their families? Even if he had died before, he was alive now. He gives a soft snort.] Do whatever you want. And I take it Oz Vessalius isn't there either?

I AM sixteen! [Totally an adult!] So if I ever did need your help, I could ask for it!

[dappergent]

[ Oscar huffs ]

Well then that's just why you need to come over here!

[ he paused ]

Or we could make the arrangements to travel over there. It should only take a few weeks on horseback I think. [ and by weeks, he means months, but what's a few hardships between men and family after all? He'd do it all for the sake of the people he cares for! ]

[ but Oscar sobered up and looked Elliot dead in the eye ]

No, I'm afraid he's still missing unless he's in the castle there with you. But Oz always did enjoy making an entrance. I'm sure he'll be by in no time at all to visit!

[ And he ignores Elliot's comment about asking for help. He's heard all about it from Ada. Elliot would never ask for help even if he needed it! Stupid precious boy. Only in this is Elliot a true Nightray. ]

[nobleminded]

Obviously Gilbert needs to come here! [Because he just has to be on team Unseelie with his other brothers.] But if this war is as serious as it sounds, I doubt they'd allow people to visit freely.

[That comment about Oz "visiting" strikes a nerve. One of many easily struck ones, but still.] Don't make it sound like we're in someone's home! People can easily be killed here! You don't actually want to drag anyone else in to this, do you?!

[dappergent]

[ wow, way to hog your bro, Elliot! He had thought so much better of you... but alas, it looks like it was time for Oscar to be the ever self-sacrificing uncle again. He was getting far too used to this role. ]

Hmm... But we are guests in someone's home, aren't we?

[ he raised an eyebrow but then simply waved the whole mess away. Easy peasy! ]

And don't worry! I'm sure we can sneak in past the guards if we have to. We'll put on a disguise. It can't be that hard! And it's not like you'd hand us over, would you?

[ because, you know, there could potentially be their deaths on Elliot's conscience. That is most definitely a thing Oscar wouldn't want to risk. It's probably the only thing he wouldn't want to risk. ]

[nobleminded]

[It's not hogging, he's just being logical. As much as Gilbert embarrasses him, the Nightrays being together just makes sense.]

They should see us like that, but it's sounding more like they see us as expendable soldiers.

[And he just keeps frowning.] Of course I wouldn't, but with as many people as there are here, even if you came up with a good disguise, it might not fool everyone.

[dappergent]

[ sadly, he can't actually argue against that logic and there's a moment of deep disturbance that crosses over his face. ]

Expendable soldiers, hmm? but is that really so different? [ no, no, don't mind him. It's just a moment of maudlin weakness as he shakes his head before shrugging broadly. ]

Well, you certainly can't know until you try! We'll just devise a quick plan to get you away if you're discovered. Just trust in Uncle Oscar and your brother Gilbert to handle it!

[ doesn't that inspire the greatest of confidences? It should! ]

[nobleminded]

[He notices that, but he'd rather press his own ideals whether or not they were the issue.]

They could at least let us decide if we want to fight for them!

[And...no, it doesn't. His face says it all.]

Do you even know how far away you are? I can't remember the map exactly, but it covered a lot of land.

[dappergent]

[ he just shrugged ]

Do you think I'd allow a little thing like distance keep us from making a daring rescue? We'll sweep in just in the nick of time!

[ mostly because they'd be somewhere close by and hovering just out of sight. What do you take him for, an idiot? ]

But I don't really know what our hosts expect to pit friend against friend. Perhaps they don't truly wish to win this war, but are rather hoping we'll broker a peace between us.

[ well, that'd at least explain the separation. Not that Elliot should be at all inclined to watch the decline of the Vessalius name or anything. Why should he? It's not like there's a family feud or... anything... ]

[nobleminded]

How is it even a rescue?! It's not like you'd be taking me back home!

[And then his own comment effectively shuts him up for a few seconds. He's not sure if he can go back if he even wants to. But yes, he does take you for one.]

I can't see why they'd abduct this many people for peace talks. Maybe they think we can't make decisions for ourselves so we'll just listen to them. It's stupid, whatever it is.

[dappergent]

Perhaps, but when men are desperate they'll do just about anything for their cause.

[ he holds a moment of silence as though Oscar truly was capable of deep thought before he sighed ]

I need to do more research, but I believe our usefulness lies in these shards the fairy told me about when I arrived. I'm not at all sure what they mean, but I have my suspicions.

Regardless, I'd take care where you are and tread carefully. We may be new and unaccustomed to the creatures of this world, but that's no excuse to insult a dryad!

[ or any lady really. The men though... well, don't insult them either! He knows you well Elliot and he's got his eye on you! ]</small.