[ video ] open to both courts (backdated a week or so)

[knightspirit]

[ A video clicks on of a teenage boy. He looks a little worn out, almost making him appear older than he really is. When he speaks, his tone is brusque. ]

... Hey. If we haven't met, my name is Tsurugi Kyousuke. [ not one to spare words, he jumps straight into business: ] I recently learned something everyone should know.

You might know that people seem to disappear on occasion. Sometimes they leave their Shard behind. Sometimes we just can't seem to contact them. [ he pauses, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. ] Apparently, those people die. Or worse, they either get trapped between worlds, or forget everything and lose their forms. I'm told that while we're here we a thin connection to our worlds, and that connection can be lost forever.

[ It's probably clear enough why he looks so tired now. He's talked to a few people he can't seem to find anymore, and thinking that may have happened to them is ... unpleasant, to say the least. ]

I can't tell anyone what to do with all that, but I think that makes it clear enough that we need to find a solution instead of dragging out this war. We don't need to lose more people.

.... That's all I had to say.

[ the video cuts off abruptly. ]

Comments

[video]

[silvergift]

[This isn't something she needed to hear. Her hand moves and tightens around the pendant that holds her husbands shard, knuckles turning white and face going pale. The last piece of him she has besides the long cloak she'd taken from him and the dress he'd gotten her, left in her room in Caer Glaem.

Ridire's words ring in her mind. "He is safe, and has gone from you unharmed, Lady."

How could any of that mean the same as 'unharmed?'

Tears sting her eyes and her hand remains tightly wrapped around Elrond's shard.]

The king lied to me.

[video]

[knightspirit]

[ ... Oh. He's .. really not sure what to say to that. He hesitates slightly before responding. ]

... I'm sure he was trying to be kind, in his own way.

[ Not a way Tsurugi would agree with, but he doesn't necessarily think the monarchs are bad people. ]

[video]

[silvergift]

[The laugh that comes from her is humorless and she finally lowers her hand from the pendant, wringing her hands in her skirt instead.]

I am no child, it has been thousands of years since then. I would have preferred the truth. It would have hurt less and my trust in him would not now suffer.

[Because how can anyone trust a ruler than can't even tell one of their Shardbearer's a hard truth?]

[knightspirit]

[ He can't speak much for the King's intentions, or what's going to hurt more or less—that's different from person to person. He also knows there's not much he could say to improve the situation even if he were good at the sort of thing (he's not). All he can really offer are honest, but useless condolences. ]

... Sorry, that you found out this way.

[ Maybe he should have rethought his tactics in telling everyone; he's already grappled with it for a while before coming out with it. But it's a little too late for that now. ]

[Video]

[fairbrook]

[Well that's interesting, to say the least.]

What would you propose, might I ask? A solution to this war, I mean.

[This war hardly sits well with Integra, either, which is why she is quick to respond.]

[Video]

[knightspirit]

... I'm not sure I know enough to answer that. There's a lot of conflicting stories about what it's real purpose is, and we don't know what Shards even are. Not really.

But if I can say anything, it's that people have been complaining too much. If we really want to change the outcome, we have to start combining our power to make that a reality, not sit around hoping for it.

[Video].

[sculptor_of_aman]

How have you come by this knowledge, Tsurugi Kyousuke?

[ Video ]

[knightspirit]

I asked King Ridire. That was what he told me.

[ Video ]

[sculptor_of_aman]

You believe this information is trustworthy?

[knightspirit]

I don't have any way of confirming, but I don't see any reason someone would lie about something like that.

Video

[wilder]

Really now?

[This is not good. If it's true, it means returning home is even more unlikely.]

[Then again, it could be a ploy to make the shardholders more willing to fight in their war]

Just where exactly did you get this information?

Video

[knightspirit]

King Ridire. I know that makes it suspect for a lot of people, but I can't see any reason to lie about something like that.

Video

[wilder]

Oh. You mean other than make us more willing to win their war so we can go home instead of just waiting until we get sent home by accident?

voice. private.

[orcsurfing]

[ It very nearly chokes him up to hear this, to know that his father who has willingly come here to offer his aid in the war of the monarchs died for it in such a pointless manner, or worse yet was floating between worlds, never to experience the peace of the Halls of Mandos after death or the comforts of Valinor? Fooled they both were when they came, their kindness repaid in a manner most foul.

And the same fate awaits him, but then... what reason he would have to return now anyway? With this knowledge? Never to see his father, never to see any of his friends again who have long passed.

His hands tremble on the locket minutely, and it takes him a while to finally open a feed to ask a question he finds most important right now: ]

What certainty do you have that this is the truth?

voice. private.

[knightspirit]

I don't have proof, but that's what King Ridire told me. Take that as you will.

[orcsurfing]

[ The Seelie King. Now they say it, now when they are stuck in this world with no way out rather than laying things out in full when coming to ask for aid. His temper is not overly terrible, very difficult to spark unless it comes across a particular subject. Family is one of those. Family and friends, their safety are always matters he never takes lightly and now... now this.

Anger flares up and licks up his insides, yet it doesn't show in the slightest in his tone nor in the words. Calm, the target to it is not this child, after all. ]

And so I shall.

[ Brief, but his thoughts are currently elsewhere, wrought with great worry and great anger both. ]

video

[devotedqueen]

...I...thank you for telling us.

[She presses a hand to her chest, suddenly anxious about what would happen if that connection suddenly broke]

That is troubling news indeed...

video

[knightspirit]

... Yeah. I'm not sure there's anything we can do about it except try and get home as quickly as possible.

Re: video

[devotedqueen]

[She taps her chin, looking thoughtful]

Indeed. I will be making a journey to the drabkeep with a few companions. Perhaps the drabkeeper's archives will hold more information on this.

[text]

[shadow_spread]

How did you learn this?

[text]

[knightspirit]

I asked King Ridire. I think he was telling the truth.

[text]

[shadow_spread]

Is there any other way to verify this?

backdated forever 1/2~ [action/not here]

[bythewaves]

[ When he first hears the news he goes paler than before, swaying on his feet, and the glass in his hands drops from nerveless fingers, the first thought screaming through his mind

How am I to tell Celegorm? for Celebrimbor was as a son to him, and he is gone, and Celegorm has never dealt well with grief.

The next draws a keen from him and he crumples to his knees because

Elrond, Elrond, no, not my son, not my son!

After a while however he pushes himself up and sets his face - Celebrian - he needs to find Celebrian, his niece will need him now ]

2/2 private voice

[bythewaves]

[ By the time he answers his voice is as even and calm as a glacial lake ]

You are certain of this, Master Tsurugi?

private voice

[knightspirit]

... That depends on how much you trust the rulers. But I do believe them.