001 | video | open to both courts

[extramural]

[ The locket is floating.

It’s the only explanation for the view that the item gives – a young man, out on the walls of one of the castles, the moon curved behind him. His arms are crossed in front of him, not touching the device as it records. Black eyes (all black, like the depths of the sea) regard it for a moment and then one hand moves, gestures at the locket. ]

Well, well.

[ His head tilts, and while his lips don’t turn up, one may get the feeling that he’s smirking. ]

I must say, this is an interesting turn of events. One that even I did not see coming.

[ His voice is almost monotonous, but there is something like music in it – like whale song. ]

To be pulled away to the Drabwurld, asked to take part in this war. I wonder if they truly know what they are doing. [ His hand returns, head moving back so that he can look straight at the camera. ]

I hear there was a battle. One should expect such things, in war. I suppose I should ask about it. [ He doesn’t. Instead- ]

Tell me, Shardholders, something... interesting.

Comments

[extramural]

[ Luckily, making the Outsider angry is also rather difficult. He's very used to people curing his name, after all. ]

Each Overseer has their own reason -- though many simply because it is what they are trained to do, from the time the Abbey takes them from their families and they watch those who were not chosen be killed. But above all, fear.

The Abbey of the Everyman does not enjoy that there are forces in this world besides their own, forces beyond human that they cannot control or predict.

[showmeyourwreath]

That is just the way a lot of worlds work! You can't control or predict everything.

[She's upset and frustrated, though, but not with him, just all this. She manages to keep her tone reined and not at all loud, but it's in her eyes.]

Not everyone uses their magic responsibly, but if people are being hunted indiscriminately, that's horrible.

[And people being taken from their families are you for real right now.]

[extramural]

The Overseers care very little for how magic is used, or -- in truth -- if it has been used at all. They care for the power their positions bring. Few truly follow their Strictures.

[showmeyourwreath]

Is there no one to stand against them or make them see reason?

[This is complicated, and her feelings are divided. This is absolutely not okay, but fear propels people to do unspeakable things, sometimes.]

[extramural]

Only those that they hunt. Even the Empress, either the old or the new, would face serious repercussions if she were to speak out.

[ He inclines his head. ]

But perhaps I will be surprised.

[showmeyourwreath]

Would she want to? Either of them?

[Honestly, Flora just wants to know someone cares, even if things are as he says they are.

But she blinks at that.]

Is there a reason why you feel you might be?

[extramural]

The first is dead. The second... young Lady Emily is a child with a strong will. She may, and her protector will have his work cut out for him if she does.

[ Good thing Corvo has his Mark. ]

Most people are easy to predict, their paths unlikely to change. But others, the most interesting, make choices that I would not expect.

[showmeyourwreath]

I'm sorry that she's dead, but I hope Emily can grow into her own safely.

[Hope is all she can do from here, and it's frustrating.]

People are very remarkable that way. They can surprise even themselves, sometimes. It's wonderful--and yes, interesting--to see happen when it does.

[She sounds positive because has faith as well as the experience to back it, but also because she needs to believe in the capacity for good in others, right now.]

Though I find it interesting that someone like you can still be surprised.

[extramural]

She will take after her protector.

[ And as he's from the High Chaos end, it will be bloody. ]

It would be a boring existence if I knew all.

[showmeyourwreath]

I could definitely understand that, and yet you're certain there will be nothing of interest for you in this war?

[Since he didn't ask about it. ]

[extramural]

In this war? No, not at all.

But battles themselves tend to be quite tedious.

[showmeyourwreath]

A battle in a war fought by many different people that have been brought here together, including one God. At least one.

[Her mouth quirks slightly.]

I dunno that tedious can apply here, and it's definitely not a word I'd use for a battle anyway, but I can't speak for all of them and the wars you might have seen.

[extramural]

Perhaps. We will see, will we not?

[ His own smile widens a little. ]

[showmeyourwreath]

That sounds a little foreboding, even if I know you're absolutely right, one way or another.

[A gentle sigh, but she'll be ready for it when the worst happens, because it's what she's trained to do.]

Pardon me, um, my..."lord" doesn't seem quite high enough, I apologise. I'm not certain how I should address you, sir.

[extramural]

[ The Outsider waves a hand, not overly concerned with titles. ]

Whatever you choose is fine.

[ That said, he likes having his ego inflated. Who doesn't? ]

[showmeyourwreath]

[Flora looks a mite distressed, because manners! And formalities! And you're a God, Outsider, how does this even work.

But he says it's okay, so she'll try not to get wound up about it. ]

My Lord, then. Unless there's something you'd prefer. Anyway, you earlier said I was unlike the other fairies, here. Are you sure?

[She rests both her head on both her hands, and it becomes apparent that she was never holding her own locket, either. It floats.

There is a slight, teasing smile on her lips.]

[extramural]

[ He is a pretty chill god, other than the whole accidentally making people insane with his magic thing. ]

You are more complex. More interesting.

[ The native fairies and imps have barely enough thought to fill their heads. ]

[showmeyourwreath]

[That's kind of a big deal. Kind of.

He probably means that as a statement of fact, and not a compliment...which doesn't keep her from being a little flattered, anyway.]

Thank you, you're very interesting yourself, but I wouldn't write them all off just yet, my lord. You may be surprised. The Monarchs are fairies, after all.

[She folds her hands together, looking thoughtful.]

But you're right. I'm different in that I wasn't born here, at least. There are difference, but...similarities too, for better, or worse.

[She winces a moment, recalling how she got sick and attacked others a few months ago.]

[extramural]

You are also, [ and his voice sounds ridiculously solemn ] quite a bit taller.

[ Another statement of fact, though certainly some would find it complimentary. ]

And do you find the monarchs interesting, Flora?

[showmeyourwreath]

Oh! You mean compared to the little fairies...is that bad?

[Outsider, are you short or something. Are you insecure about this, is that it.

Then he mentions the monarchs. Her face grows mildly weary and she sighs the sigh of someone who has committed themselves to solving a riddle, to no avail.

It is a tiring sound, but there is no surrender in it, either.]

Interesting is a word for it, I suppose. I don't presume to understand them, yet.

[If she ever will. At any rate, she wants to. Needs to, even.]

[extramural]

I do not think height has any sort of moral quality to it.

[ no but all the screenshots make it look like he has enormous hands ]

Know this -- they are powerful, if they can pull me from the Void. Factor it in to your choices.

[showmeyourwreath]

You just sounded a little upset about me being taller is all...um, you wouldn't happen to be capable of transformation at all, would you?

[In case he is indeed vertically challenged and isn't able to do anything about it.

She suddenly grows very serious.] I never underestimated them, but your circumstances do put this into greater perspective. There may be something about the magic of the world itself that's playing a part here, I'm not sure.

[extramural]

Only factual. Though I cannot change my own height without changing more than that.

[ Now he just sounds amused by the idea that he might not enjoy being short. ]

Perhaps. My magic is certainly tied heavily to my world, and as such I have... less of it, here.

[showmeyourwreath]

Really? [She sounds surprised, but then perhaps transformation just isn't in his skillbank.] What else would you have to change?

[Hey, she's cool with it either way, but she knows about guys and height sometimes.

But she makes a thoughtful noise.]

What is the nature of your magic, if you don't mind my asking? Maybe you can find something that can supplement it here, unless there's no exceptions with that.

[extramural]

[ pretty sure that's length, flora ]

The rest.

[ A+ details, Outsider. ]

My magic is, as I am, of the Void. Neither light nor dark, but chaos.