eachdraidh | [video] Open to both courts.

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And here I was thinking this was going to be one of those cheerful, happy wars.

[The child just smirks and rolls her eyes.]

A responsibility to what?

[Now her cheeks are burning. Of course it'd be obvious to anyone that war is bad; she probably sounds foolish.]

A responsibility to make sure that people who can't protect themselves stay safe. From... the enemy. Even if that enemy is other people.

Riiiiiight. But how are you going to do that, exactly?

If you don't want to kill people, I mean.

Like I said. It's a responsibility. Even if I don't like it.

So you are going to kill your enemies!

Mm. But who are you protecting?

[A bit of a wince. She'd have more heart for it, but the person she wants to protect most of all isn't here; she's floundering.]

Anyone who can't protect themselves.

That's noble, but it's hardly specific.

Especially here! There are people on both sides that can't protect themselves.

[Now she stops drooping, flaring up a little, suddenly impassioned.]

That doesn't matter! Nobody wants this! Nobody wants war... [Well, maybe she's naive.] And so if somebody needs help, I will help them. It doesn't matter!

[That is pretty painfully naive, yeah...]

Mm.

What's your name, anyway?

Oh, please forgive me. I'm Elizabeth Midford.

[Lumina leans forward a bit, closer to the screen.]

Well Elizabeth, what do you think one side of this war will think if they find you protecting someone from the other side?

[Without even realizing it, Lizzie, in turn, leans back a little. She's glancing to the side, disquieted.]

My family answers to the Queen of England.

[Lumina just raises an eyebrow.]

Which side is she on?

She isn't here. And my family isn't here. So I have to act on my own.

Right.

Which brings us right back to my question.

It must be understood that I'm not in anybody's service here.

I didn't think there was really a 'free agent' option in all this.

They can't really bind us, can they? From what I know, some have left the castles altogether.

So is that what you're going to do? Strike out on your own into this strange new world?

[Her big curls bounce while she shakes her head slowly.]

I still want to help the castle, if I can. I'm only saying that if, on the battlefield, somebody needs me, I'll go to them. No matter who it is.

[Lumina hasn't asked which castle this girl is with, but it isn't exactly hard to guess.]

And what will your comrades think when they see you helping their enemy? Helping your enemy.

[video] Open to both courts.

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