SCRAMBLE 02 :: video :: open to both courts (slightly forward dated to the 23rd)

[foreignflight]

 [ When the video turns on, it's to the conflicted face of a young boy. He's clutching a letter in his hand, not quite focusing on the camera just yet. There seems to be a lot there just from this glimpse alone. He's not a stranger to what's been going on with the network, although he stopped looking some time ago when it was evident there was going to be more things shared. For their privacy he stopped...

But he didn't expect the letter and it's the letter that's troubling him now. There's a balloon of hope in his chest that he's sure will be popped in just a few simple words. He wants to try, though, to understand-- but he has to ask something before he ca let that hope go one way or other. ] 

--Does anyone know how well we can trust the rulers here? They told me they could help me with something, but... I can't trust people who kidnap others for war. I've never met them. They gave me something last month, too, but that was different. This is-- This is something I need to know.

[ A beat. ]

If I do it, I'm going to be away for a while, too.  It's fine because I'm by myself, but if anyone has any tips for traveling I'd be grateful.


...At least it looks like all the memories have slowed down. I hope everyone's okay.

Comments

voice;

[fewerdays]

What's going on?

voice;

[foreignflight]

Mm... in a away they said they could teach me more about Anma.

voice;

[fewerdays]

Anma?

voice;

[foreignflight]

Anma means mother.

audio

[caditquaestio]

'Help' you... and are you of help to them?

audio

[foreignflight]

I'm still not going to be one of their soldiers if that's what you mean. I guess I did what they asked, but it wasn't that big of a deal.

[caditquaestio]

No, no. Here is the mathematics: does the help they think to reap of you long exceed the help they offer?

[foreignflight]

I don't know. I'm not sure what they'd get from it. It's not like it would help them any more.

Text

[gordianknots]

If you don't feel comfortable with the idea of trusting them, then I would go with your gut.

As for travel: research the routes you want to take, so you have an idea of how many days you'll be out and can budget food etc. accordingly.

Text

[foreignflight]

I don't really know them. I'm more worried about doing something that would make me work under them because I took a gift.

There's maps around here, right?

[gordianknots]

They do come off as the type to call in favours. The only suggestion I can give on that front is this: if you end up doing something that you object to, or else enables the war, try and find a way to offset or balance out whatever they've got you doing. It might not be much, but it'll help your own peace of mind.

Mm, plenty. And your court's library should have a lot more in depth information for planning purposes.

[foreignflight]

Then wouldn't it be better to leave and not do anything else regarding the courts? There's already people deciding to act on their own who's only helping it... If someone doesn't want any part in it, that would be the best answer, right?

I'll have to look at it, then. There's a lot to consider.

Thanks.

video;

[breadmaking]

I don't think we have reason to distrust them... I mean, they did kidnap us all here, but it's not like they haven't treated us well, right?

[Even if he's trying to sound sure of himself, his expression isn't exactly that of a person who feels exactly like he says.]

If they said they'd help you with something, I don't see why they wouldn't. I kind of get the idea that they want to keep us happy so we'll be willing to fight for them.

video;

[foreignflight]

Only after they kidnapped everyone to use as their tools. Treating someone okay doesn't out weight all of the facts.

[ He frowns uncertainly himself. No one has denied they could use it against him and that's the worst part. He doesn't want to be in that position. ]

I'm never going to fight for them. Not in any way that would hurt the people here.

video;

[breadmaking]

Well, no, of course not. I'm just saying...they seem pretty trustworthy to me. Aside from the kidnapping thing.

[His expression is awkward as he shrugs. Honestly, he'd rather believe that the rulers here are people that they can trust, considering they're going to be the only way home for them all one day. Supposedly.]

That's good! ...I think, anyway. I suppose those that brought us here would be a lot less thrilled with that... [But Hiccup's kind of in the same boat, too.] You don't necessarily have to tell them that, though. It just depends on how important this thing they can help you with is to you, I guess.

video;

[foreignflight]

Except they kidnapped us with a specific purpose.

[ So it's still something. He won't agree with. It does't matter that they're giving presents or feed them, they're still just being groomed for something they don't really know about. ]

I don't care what they think. [ Firmly said as he rubs a hand through the nape of his hair. ] It's fine either way without it... It would just be nice to know about it.

video;

[knightspirit]

They do seem to keep their word, I'll give them that much, but I don't think the things they offer are an express kindness.

video;

[foreignflight]

That's what I thought and what I've heard from everyone so far.

[knightspirit]

One person told me they were offered the power to restore a dying world in exchange for their cooperation. It's a fair enough exchange, if you think about it, but... [ he frowns ] It seems pretty cruel, in a way. I don't think most people would be strong enough to refuse something like that.

Video

[mildly]

Where is it that you'll be going?

Video

[foreignflight]

'The mountaintops where the sylphs live'.

[ Quoted, not that he sounds too sure about it. ]

Video

[mildly]

That sounds like quite the journey. You're sure it's safe for you to go on your own?

Video;

[showmeyourwreath]

I'm not so sure, but... [Her latest boon is sort of changing her opinion. Maybe? Should it?] I guess we'll see more in time.

Where are you going? There's somewhere I'll be going, myself.

Re: Video;

[foreignflight]

The letter says I can find them in the mountains.

[showmeyourwreath]

[The mountains? Wow, it might be a longshot but--]

Hey, you wouldn't happen to be going to see the sylphs, would you?