[video] Open to both courts.

[chaoticwhimsy]

[When the locket turns on, it shows Lumina perched on the edge of her bed in her quarters, with a large, unpleasant looking dog thing dozing behind her. Just because the shadow beast things seemed to have calmed down doesn't mean she trusts them in the least, after all. She's bullied one of the castle imps into holding up the locket while she addresses it, and it dips or swings from time to time as the little creature gets restless.]

[She just watches the locket for a minute, as if trying to decide what to say before she just smiles and lifts a pale hand to give it a wave.] Hey everybody, I'm Lumina.

I figured I should probably say hello on these, since everyone else seems to love doing it. [Her hands settle on her knees, and her smile turns into more of a grin as she starts to get into the swing of talking.]

I mean, I was going to earlier but then those shadow things decided to eat everything that wasn't tied down. That was fun, wasn't it? I never thought I'd miss the monsters back home, but...man.

At least they were everywhere, right? Attacking everyone? No choosing sides, no fighting in a war we don't really understand, just crazy monsters for everyone to team up and slay! Or...make their dogs slay them. [She reaches back to give the beast behind her a scratch on the neck, and it makes an deep, unpleasant, but vaguely happy growl sound.]

It won't always be like that though, huh. [The kid trails off for a moment, shaking her head.] I mean, it won't always be so black and white. That's why we're here, right? Get recruited, join the army, go kill some total strangers who got recruited for the other guy's team. It's all a bit...mm. Ridiculous, huh?

But from what I'm seeing, everybody's getting into it! I just got here, but this war's obviously been going on for ages and ages, and everyone who shows up picks up their sword or magic or something and runs off to kill the other guy.

[She leans forward, reaching out to pluck the locket from the grip of the imp and bring it closer.]

Which has me really curious. Why is everyone going to get involved? I mean, we're all told what the stakes are, but they could be lying. Everybody lies, no matter how bright and shining their armor is. [She giggles softly, covering her hand with her mouth.]I mean, those people always seem to lie the most, from what I've seen...

So! What's your...mm...motivation? What were you told, if that helps? Are you taking our glorious new leaders at their word? And if you're trying to stay out of it all, how come?

[With her question asked, she waves again, smiling cheerfully, and closes the locket with a click.]

Comments

video.

[smallshoes]

[Uncomfortably,] I don't think that's anybody's goal here... killing strangers.

video.

[chaoticwhimsy]

Well, it does sound pretty bad when you put it that way.

[Wait, wasn't that how she had put it? She taps her finger against her chin.]

Killing 'the enemy' then?

video.

[smallshoes]

Maybe some people are more inclined towards... that, [she allows, still uncomfortable.] War is full of sad things. And terrible things. But we have a responsibility.

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Everyone has their own reason for either entering the fray or remaining on the fringe. Personally, both Courts will be hard-pressed to make me kill anyone. [War or not, there are ways for outsiders to pursue a peaceful existence. Maybe. Hopefully. He's trying.] I seek peace, though I will not hesitate to protect those dear to me.

[Video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

Yeah, I know everyone has their reasons. That's why I'm asking what they are!

[She shrugs.]

Ever notice people who seek peace always seem to add a threat to the end of mentioning how much peace they're seeking?

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Forgive me, but it seemed like you thought people arrived here and threw themselves into battle thoughtlessly. I assure you that isn't the case.

[So many reasons; so much to lose.]

I make no threat, lady. Those who seek violence - particularly against those I care for - will be met with force.

video

[earthsend]

[Enma...doesn't actually like fighting. But he can't dismiss what Morla said to him out of hand. He shrugs, slumping over]

She said it would be the 'End of All Things.' The queen, I mean.

[Not the best incentive Enma had heard]

Don't know if I should trust her.

video

[chaoticwhimsy]

Worrying, isn't it? It doesn't 'feel' like the end of the world, and trust me I would know, but maybe we just can't tell.

So if that's the truth, why does the other side fight so hard for it?

Re: video

[earthsend]

I don't know...maybe they think the same. If they don't fight us, it's the End.

[Though, what the End of All Things entail, Enma has no idea]

Video

[starspangled]

Not everybody.

[Steve arrived expecting everything to be a little more cut and dried. But his "enemy" isn't anything like HYDRA or attacking aliens.]

The only thing I am sure of is that we're not getting all the answers. Maybe the higher-ups don't know them either. I'm just taking it day by day, fight by fight.

Video

[chaoticwhimsy]

Nobody ever gives you all the answers. That's just naive.

[Says the twelve year old.]

You just have to decide what to do from what you figure out. And it sounds like you've decided to fight for your side, hmm?

Video

[starspangled]

I don't know about you, but I don't like fighting for someone I can't trust, and I'm not doing it for either side right now. I just focus on what's important, helping people when and where I can. I don't care which side claims them.

[He's not used to biting his tongue, so. Forgive him.]

No offense, but you look a little young to be a soldier.

video;

[choreographics]

[...hm.]

You might be on to something. [Said the one who actually didn't get involved because he's, unfortunately, powerless. He's been fine just trying to figure out what's happening here and not rushing to get involved, but he's starting to get a little restless. The whole thing is interesting to think about.] But I guess you could say it's because there's nothing else to do. What else are we supposed to do if they won't let us leave?

video;

[chaoticwhimsy]

[Lumina can't help but laugh at that.]

You'll ride to war out of boredom?

video;

[choreographics]

To war? Not exactly. But at least start to check things out. Why's that bad?

[Video]

[fairbrook]

[Well now you've caught her attention.]

Only a fool would not find themselves skeptical of this war and what it represents.

[Or Integra's way of saying she does not wish to get herself involved.]

[Video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

[Lumina giggles softly.]

And assuming you aren't a fool, what are you going to do?

[video]

[knightspirit]

There's plenty of people who don't buy into this and would rather find a better solution. I'm with those. In the meantime, all I can do is protect who I can.

[video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

I keep hearing things like that, but no one can give me anything specific.

Protect who from who? Even just protecting someone forces you to pick a side.

[knightspirit]

People who need help. On either side. My side isn't Seelie or Unseelie, it's anyone who realizes we can come together and make a better solution.

[ voice ]

[admirably]

[ Meekly: ] I just want to keep innocent people safe, if I can. What I choose to do has nothing to do with what the courts might want us to do.

[ good one, hans ]

[ voice ]

[chaoticwhimsy]

And you think they'll be happy letting you do that, hmm?

[ voice ]

[admirably]

I'm not really concerned with making them happy.

[deadpoet]

Fancy that, you've managed a chorus of agreement. [Pacifists! How dull.] Me? I just like a good fight.

[chaoticwhimsy]

I know! Isn't it boring? Everyone wants to stride the middle and not make any decisions.