eachdraidh | video / action (?)

Entry tags:

video / action (?) | open to all

[ It's all misery footage, Caer Glaem in paltry glory: rammed gates, scratched walls, torn stone, upturned soil, roughened up trees. The locket's coverage pauses on each 'tourist attraction' from a high vantage point, briefly stumbling on hands that are exceedingly worn, blistered and bitten. ]

What has... what's... wrought this? How many dead does the court mourn, how many supplies were lost to - to enemy unknown?

[ A pause, then less startled, slightly cold. ]

...how do they wish us to make war upon each other, if they give siege first? Not the finest general, not the most accomplished tactician can devise strategy against Anaximander's unknown. Not Caesar - Caesar, who had little gain from the Gauls without paying the blood price, but at least he knew what enemy lay in wait.

And we? Look here. Remember this next you think the time is nigh to fight well and fight fairly: we are not armed with weapon or knowledge. We are played for puppets, and when our masters go without their laughs, our strings are cut.

[ Muttered. ]

'Lawkamercyme'. Hah. We do not even know what the word means, or who gave it to us for the telling.

[ ooc: ...and lo, a ~~much belated, for RL KO'd, APOLOGIES!~~ wild intruder appears in the Seelie court! He's given up his war declaration in favour of sheer horror at Ariadne's mad interior decorating skillz. Those who'd like to run into a Borgia need but look for the 'worker' who's... probably... holding... the tools by the wrong end. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He blinks away the juxtaposition - a child-sister, now woman, and both with the same foolish habits of showing their necks too trustingly - the littlest bit caught aback. Something else's changed. Oh. The way of bowing.

Yes, they do it... differently in Lucrezia's time, the gesture is more refined. Or maybe it's Lucrezia's own habit, and he blames it on the fashions. Unfortunate, how he can't tell. ]

If it pleases you to say so.

[ A nod towards the door. ]

I'm afraid I must offend your modesty and ask you leave your locks turned behind you. I am not... a guest here, Madam.

[Oh. He thinks himself the only man to be alone in her rooms. The thought makes her grin though she does not bare her secret. Instead she moves to shut the door though the hall seems to be empty.]

I have not had the pleasure of an Unseelie visitor. Does my court know you as such? [How worried should she be?]

[ Well, does it? He takes the moment to consider, calculate - how many people has he spoken to, what is their allegiance, whom do they follow in truth, and how easily could they be persuaded to different...?

And then he laughs, because - ]

I don't often show face. It is -

[ Disastrous, if ever one thing is. ]

Uncalled for, in a man of my station. My work must be seen, not my person.

[ A hand comes up to stall objection. ]

But enough of me. How do you find your... kingdom?

When we are not being attacked, [Perhaps a nod to the damage already done or the fact that he has snuck in.] it is lovely.

And how is Caer Scima?

[ Scima. Yes. Their court has a name. No one speaks it past curse, so it - surprises him to hear it. ]

No where as blessed or kind.

[ He moves on to torture another book, scrutinizing the cover, the weight of paper, the skill of calligraphy. ]

You've not visited?

[She moves to sit upon one of her couches as he fiddles with her books again.]

I have had no reason. I have not even left the confines of this castle. Yet. [She needs to talk to him about that.]

[ And that is unsurprisingly enough to see the book discarded.

Testily, now: ]

...yet?

[She smiles sweetly back at him.]

Are you still mine though I have asked nothing of you?

[ Never trust a blazing sun or a priest's benevolence or a woman's candour. These are easy lessons.

He frowns at first, then eases into his own smile. ]

'Yes.' Because you've just asked it of me - silently.

Then I will ask nothing of you, save for one thing.

[A woman of her stature in the time she is from is not equipped with much. In a war she has found that out quickly, but she has her smiles and her charms.]

To travel to Troichean Beinn. When the time comes.

[ A time and a journey. Enough to see the tides of a war turned, if the right hostage and message go with him.

He nods along, absently considering how to work around the terms of their agreement. ]

And is that time now?

No, but it is the only thing I would ask of you. [She knows the parameters of the agreement, but she has nothing else to ask of him. This is all she needs, someone to take her there when Gendry leaves.]

[ A curious thing - and now the book, repicked, can't hold his eye. Damn it, but why Troichean Beinn? ]

Is it?

[ He turns the page, pretends at interest. ]

And why there?

[She presses her lips together.] Because you have given yourself to me, and this is the only thing I ask.

[ And then there're the sighs, litany and endless. ]

Yes, yes, of course...

[ Merchant's daughter. Brothel keeper. Purse coin counter. Haggler. ]

But why there? I only mean to understand. It makes a difference, you see? In the travel.

I told someone I would go, and they worried for my safety. Which is why I am asking you. [Meaning she is still going to go with or without him.]

[ In review, and he will articulate slowly - ]

A stranger told you to go to a place unknown, offering no escort. Did this gracious benefactor at least guarantee a fair welcome? Gave note of introduction?

I did not say they were a stranger. I will have lodgings, and you if you decide to join me. [She raises her brow. He will not dissuade her from this. She is simply not giving him all the details.]

[ Too much disgust can sour a smile. ]

I do not take unknown kindness and patronage.

[ And back to his book again, turning the pages attentively, as if that might endear the words to him. ]

But, as you have said. You have had my word of it. I will bring you there.

Then I will see to your stay. [The most pleased grin ever for she has gotten her way.]

[ The most displeased downward turn of his lips, because he hasn't. ]

You're not afraid to have me here? [ Peering past his pages a little. ] A man grown, and you a woman alone? Just how many others have you received in this way?

[She looks put out at that.] I can assure you, should you wish to do anything untoward against me, I have enough men who would offer me your head.

[ He does laugh. ]

And I assure you, should a man wish to give you hurt, there would not be enough of you left to summon guards or avengers.

[ A shrug, all too careless, because apparently behaving as a man and not a beast is a matter of generosity, not sanity. ]

You're in luck that I have no reason, nor nature for it. But it doesn't do to open your doors so lightly.

[ ...or to close them in such a way that can be teased open. Details. ]

And you forget the nature of these lands. We are not home. Killing me would not put an end to me. [Though she very much dislikes the tone he takes about it, too separated, too cruel.]

Could you be so vile to kill a woman in her rooms? Has not your master taught you duty, tact, respect, what is right and godly for is not "thou shalt not kill" holy scripture?

[Not that there is not call for it. There is war, there is murder, there is vengeance, but Lucrezia is not nearly immersed in political strategies, in the ruthless underbelly of the dealings of men in power. There will come a day when it will shape her, change her world view, but for now she has been raised in the law of men and the law of God.]

[ Oh, enough. Enough of it. His hand comes up again - objection, defence, he himself can't say. 'Whatever it will take to earn quiet'. Yes. That. ]

I spoke of possibility, Lucrezia, not current eventuality.

[ And it occurs to him (he frowns) belatedly that he might have spoken to the point of rousing her upset. ]

Think little of it. I have heard too many stories of deeds and horrors done. It's put the fear in me, and the mistrust also.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject