eachdraidh | 001 | video | open to both courts

[ 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.

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Oh. I guess it's not too much of a secret, then? The people with your... Gifts? Can I ask what those are, if you don't mind?

[ She nods, looking a little perkier. ]

Thousands, all across the world.

If one is careful, it is a secret they take to their grave. If not... well. If not, they still take it to the grave.

Magic. The abilities range. Sometimes it is no more than a carved charm, sometimes a single ability. Sometimes more.

That's... Well, they know the risks, I suppose? [ That's the nice thing she can muster about it. ] And you just give this magic to people?

The Abbey hunts down any even suspected of knowing me. Not unlike those who were burnt at the stake in your world, I would imagine.

[ Yeah, it's not nice. ]

I do.

That's just... Ugh. It's despicable. All of it, all that hatred. People fight wars over these things and it's just ridiculous.

[ She sniffs, crossing her arms. ]

Do they learn to control it? Do you help them?

Most do. Very few of those need my help.

Others... [ He frowns. ] I do not give my gifts lightly. But there are charms and runes that have been Void-touched, with magic that both is and is not my own. Sometimes people find them. Sometimes they're driven mad by them.

No, I wouldn't imagine that they would. People with enough power to start a war don't need more of it.

[ She nods her head, curious now. What kind of magic could he offer that she would be unfamiliar with? ]

People go insane from touching your magic? Can't you return the magic to - um, the Void?

They are quite content to make lives miserable for the people they think lesser.

[ :3 ]

Some. The Void is beginning, end -- all things and no things. It is chaos, and such things can have undesirable effects.

But I do not interfere -- the choice of what they do with magic, whether it is a power or a charm, is theirs.

[ That is enough to have her eyes flickering and Hermione nods, once, sharply. Oh, she can understand that, her own brand burned into her skin. ]

Which is why we have to teach our children to understand the world differently - better. So that they don't judge people for things that they can't control.

[ Still, all this talk of a Void and magic - it's interesting. ]

So you give them magic, kind of like the king and queen here, to see what they do with it? What choices they make?

Far more difficult when the parents are tortured in front of the child. And the children of the poor are often expendable, in the eyes of others.

[ But he understands what you're saying, Hermione. ]

Yes.

Which is idiocy at it's finest. No one is expendable, no matter who or what they are. All life is precious.

[ She shifts, pursing her lips. ]

And what if they displease you? Can you just take it back?

Ah, the Overseers and aristocracy would hate you. [ He sounds tremendously pleased by this. ] So few truly speak their mind in Dunwall.

I could. But I do not. Their choices are just that: theirs.

A lot of people hate me, just for being who I am. I've never let that stop me.

[ She does look pleased, though. She perks up a bit, her cheeks a little pink. She can hear the approval in his tone and that's enough for a girl that's always been so desperate to make people proud. ]

That's... Benevolent of you.

Is it?

[ Amused or surprised -- it's hard to tell. ]

I suppose, depending on the people you give these gifts too. If they did want them then -- yes, it would be benevolent, wouldn't it?

Is it better to let the child have yet another sweet, if that is what they want?

[ Sorry Hermione, he likes to play devil's advocate. ]

Surely that depends on the child?

Perhaps.

Child and upbringing, then?

[ He laughs slightly. ]

There are some temptations that most people cannot resist.

... Like what?

Power, for good or for ill.

[ She shakes her head. ]

I've seen power, what it can do to people. I don't want that. I think there are more people that understand that then anyone could imagine.

There are many more who do not. Who think it will be different for them.

001 | video | open to both courts

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