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

[tawarwaith]

Is that not a fickle way to live?

[At least when she followed her heart, it was down a consistent path.]

Possibly? I know of none who can look through the eyes of any creature. If such exists where it is that I am from, then I have not yet met them.

[Yes, she has lived a secluded life.]

This has reminded me that there is one other magic I have not spoken of-- one that allows another to take on the form of a beast. There is a rumor that such a creature lives at the edge of our forest. He is said have the form of both a man and a bear.

[extramural]

I observe. I do not follow every path that catches my fancy -- I simply watch as others make their choices.

[ And sometimes gives random people magic. ]

Ah. A bear... few of mine can change, but I can.

[tawarwaith]

[Waver's theory that order vs. chaos seems to be fitting the more she talks to the Outsider.]

You are a skinchanger? What form do you take?

[extramural]

Leviathan.

[ A pause, then- ]

Much like a whale.

[tawarwaith]

[She pauses and tilts her head in confusion. Either word meant little to her, as she had grown up far removed from any sea.]

... I am sorry I am unfamiliar with such a creature. What is it?

[extramural]

A great beast of the sea.

[tawarwaith]

I know nothing of the sea... I was raised deep within the forests of Mirkwood, far from any shore save that of the great lake where Esgaroth rests.

[extramural]

You should learn.

[tawarwaith]

My people are not scholars by nature, so will you teach me a little about Leviathans then? That way, when I am able to further learn of them, I will have a sound foundation to work from?

[In other words, teach her what a whale is so she doesn't end up looking up krakens or something else equally scary and end up being terrified.]

[extramural]

Great beasts that live in the ocean, but breathe air. They sing. The meat and fat and bones of the whale can all be used, but it is a dangerous task to hunt them.

[tawarwaith]

If they exist upon Arda, they must share a kinship with my kin who love the sea. They too love to sing.

[However, she was also practical, and while she did not think she could bring herself to hunt such a creature, it was easy to make a comparison to a creature she knew well].

So then they are much like a deer in their uses. Only deer do not sing.

[extramural]

Far more intelligent than a deer, but one could compare the two.

[ Obviously, as Tauriel just did. ]

When the last of the leviathans is gone from the world, so too will it end.

[tawarwaith]

[Hearing that they were intelligent, gave her pause. Her expression turned horrified.]

That is saddening. Even if they provide materials for living I could not bring myself to hunt such an animal. The deer we hunt are simpler creatures, but even so, we still revere the life given to feed and clothe us.

[extramural]

Few believe they are. Pride blinds more completely than many things.

[tawarwaith]

Obviously they do not live in a place where they can speak with animals. They would know then that a great many creatures are capable of talking. The world you are from sounds unpleasant for a skinchanger.

[extramural]

It is unpleasant for most that live there, in the current time.

[tawarwaith]

[For a moment, she wondered if that could be true of Arda as well, and then decided that no, her home was a better place. It had to be.]

I hope then that will change for the better.

[extramural]

We will see. The choice is theirs.

[tawarwaith]

Was it not your choice as well? You should not sit idly by as the world changes around you. Instead you seek to influence the changes you want.

[extramural]

It is not in my nature to interfere.

[tawarwaith]

Then you do not care about the fate of your world?

[extramural]

Civilizations rise and fall. In the end, the Void will devour everything.

[tawarwaith]

Now you sound like my king... only even more jaded. He at least has faith in our realm surviving.

[extramural]

Is it jaded if it is true?

[tawarwaith]

Yes. Given that in every end there is always a new beginning.