II [Video; open to both courts]

[wilder]

[The video feed on the amulet shows Zelos sitting crosslegged on his bed. The room looks to be a rather comfortable room that's given to people of nobility in the Seelie court. Though other than what looks like a small vase of purple flowers on the nightstand, there's not much in the way of personal touches.]

Well what do you know, I've been here almost a month now! Which is a lot longer than I'd like, buuuut from the sounds of how long people get stuck in this place - I probably shouldn't complain too much.

[Though always going to complain some.]

Anyway! Since it seems pretty normal to ask questions on these locket - I thought I'd might as well throw in a few of my own again if there's any kind souls willing to answer! I mean, I always prefer to hear it from a lovely female voice, but don't worry- I can settle. ♥

[He clears his throat. For each number, he makes counts them off on his hand]

1. Just what exactly were those shadowy blob guys? I mean, other than the name I can't say. Any idea just where they came from? Are they like a normal thing in this place? Because seriously, talk about annoying and creepy.

2. Is there anyone who can tell me more about the Shards? Yeah, I already know they're crystals inside us that the courts want to collect- but why? What are they made of? How'd did they get into us? Honestly...any information would be of use.

3. Does anyone know where I can get more hair ties or supplies? Because I'm down to my last tie, and that's a serious problem!

And... [He taps his chin] I think that's it! Huh! I thought there would've been more! Oh well!

Comments

[wilder]

[A battle, of course that'd keep everyone's attention. He rubs the side of his forehead a little]

Yeah? That doesn't surprise me they didn't tell you more. The Monarchs sure seem fond of their secrets.

[Just saying man]

But you said you had an idea, right? What is it?

[showmeyourwreath]

It just seems like...some things could have been handled better. Those stars were alive and in pain at the time, they didn't want to be abandoned.

[She still remembers those dreams and the voices, and for a moment she looks quite upset but she composes herself.]

It might have had to do with the faerie rings. They haven't been here all that long and as they were appearing, that's when the sky started behaving strangely. It seems that the environment is just particularly sensitive to magical shifts and changes in some ways.

[wilder]

[He really would comment on her theory, but he's too distracted by what she said about the stars. Since all he heard before was that they were glowing diamonds]

- Wait. They were alive and in pain? I thought they were like...glowing gemstones. That's what I heard.

[SEE THIS CONCERN ON HIS FACE? BECAUSE ITS SOUNDING REALLY EFFING FAMILIAR TO SOMETHING HE DOES NOT WANT TO SEE.]

[showmeyourwreath]

[She can see the concern on his face, though.]

They are glowing gemstones, but they were...more than that. They seemed to be fine when they were able to be pulled out of the sky, like they were sleeping. I could feel that they were sleeping. [She sounds weary.] They felt so tired.

But before we could take them, when things weren't quite stable...I had dreams. [And how they hurt.] I don't think it happened to everyone, in fact, I know it didn't. Not everyone can sense these things.

[wilder]

[....]

[There's a pause, before he pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters to himself]

Shit.

so so so very sorry

[showmeyourwreath]

Zelos? What's wrong?

[Like, you know, aside from everything she's just said.]

never be sorry

[wilder]

[He gives a little sigh. No need to jump to conclusions right? He just needs to look into it]

...It's nothing.

I was planning to look into other stuff in the library. I can try to keep an eye out for anything about the stars of this world too.

i'm not actually sorry

[showmeyourwreath]

[Flora exhales.

Patiently.]

Zelos, no one could possibly listen to what I've just said, say what you've just said [As in swear--she doesn't do that.], then say "It's nothing" and mean it.

[Like come on now. Of all the things to say. He might as well have said this was gargantuan and extremely worrisome.]

You have an idea of some kind, right? Please.

[He has his secrets, she knows that much, but she can't help but ask. He won't tell her anything he doesn't want to, but she's hoping he'll say something.]

WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE /sends mixed messages

[wilder]

[Damn. Guess that was a big giveaway. He really needs to work on those reactions of his. He used to be so good at keeping his emotions concealed. This is clearly all Lloyd's fault]

[But...she has a point he can't argue with. And it's not really a secret of one of his per say. Just...unpleasant.]

...Fine, I might.

They just...sound like something that's found in my world. It's possible it's not, there's a lot about this world's that's different from Aselia. I need more evidence before I can say be certain.

But if they are what I think they could be, it's...not good.

[showmeyourwreath]

[Don't blame your boyfriend for everything.

This is a good and fair compromise though and she nods her assent.] I can respect that, especially since I'm not sure about things, myself.

But, here's hoping they're not. I'll probably try and have a look myself before I go, because this will probably bother me a good deal on my trip.

[She's good at compartmentalising when she must, but still.]

It...might perhaps do some good to speak to the monarchs, just to see what they say. They might give you something.

[Even if it's not much, even if it's not enough and may only deepen suspicion.]

[wilder]

Yeah, I hope it's not the case either.

[He pauses at that suggestion, before posing a question]

How do you feel about the monarchs?

[showmeyourwreath]

[Maaaaaaaaan, okay, it's not that she doesn't want to answer, but this is a hard question.

It's been weighing on her mind.]

...I'm not sure, yet. I believe that they mean well and they don't just rest on their laurels, they fight battles we can't see. And sometimes, sometimes there's a need for secrets, but I wonder if there are things they could perhaps be more forthright with, I don't know. When I last spoke with him, King Ridire seemed...very concerned to me, about the darkness.

[Almost like he knew something might happen.]

But I could be wrong or imagining it. Maybe there's nothing to be wrong about or imagine; there are things that live in shadows--that's just common sense, to me--but not everyone grows up knowing that. Even if they did, a little warning goes a long way.

[She laces her fingers together to try and ground herself.]

I would like to speak to the King again, if I could, because I'm not certain about that either way, and I could be being grossly unfair.

[wilder]

[He listens, putting his hand on his chin]

Hm.

still can't believe this shit

[showmeyourwreath]

[Did he actually just.

Ex.

Hale.]

Hm?

[Zelos when she called you out for saying "it's nothing" that didn't mean use something that's effectively the same thing.

But, it's a lot to take in maybe he's just weighing it.]

Yes?

[wilder]

[Oh. Did he do something to offend her with the "hm"? He never knows with people gosh]

What? I'm listening.

[showmeyourwreath]

It's nothing.

[A beat.]

Actually nothing. But yes, that's me, so far. [She sighs gently.] I'm hoping that this trip will somehow provide some insight.

[wilder]

[Well okay then...!!]

Mm. Well, thanks for the viewpoint. I appreciate it.

[he might even mean that!]

I dunno. I'm kinda hoping you're wrong about the whole darkness thing. I got nothing against the element, but it does have a tendency to attract demons.

[showmeyourwreath]

[Oh, gratitude! She instantly forgets she was even a bit irritated and smiles.]

You're welcome, Zelos.

[Yeah, she's that easy. Usually.

She sighs, because yeah.]

Trust me, I don't want to be right, either. Back home, it's like the school year just isn't complete if isn't attacked or destroyed in some way, but I wouldn't want to this happen to the castle on a regular basis, and I certainly wouldn't want to see anyone get hurt.

[Especially since repairs take a lot of time here, apparently.]

[wilder]

Uh....

[Wat gurl]

Just where was your school again? 'Cause mine was next to a cursed forest and it wasn't that bad.

[showmeyourwreath]

Um, that seems like a strange place to build a school, unless you're a witch. At least the ones I know anyway.

[Okay, but he asked first.]

In the realm of Magix. [Flora rests her head on a hand and uses the other to tick things off.] Something always happens, because the school itself housed something villains have wanted, or because my friends and I were there, or just because it's one of the three schools of the realm that can and will do something to stop whoever's out to destroy or control worlds, or otherwise commit evil of some kind, so they're always out to destroy it before we can.

[Oh, right.]

There may also a bit of a rivalry between witches and fairies. [She winces and raises her thumb and forefinger close together.] The witches play some sort of prank every year. They hexed the food at last year's orientation to turn anyone that ate it into frogs. And then a fight broke out.

[She shrugs.]

[wilder]

Hey, it's not like I choose it to be built there. Anyway, the school does a lot of research- so maybe that's they picked the spot.

[And okay that makes a bit more sense, but it's still weird]

Ah, nothing like a good ol' rivalry to bring out the best in everyone.

- But wait, the schools were the ones tho take care of those problems? Does your world not have a military of any sort?

[showmeyourwreath]

Like research on the forest itself?

Nothing happened at school last year, though! [Wait.]

Well, no property damage.

[Wait.]

Not much property damage.

[Nodnod!]

It does, but the way things have happened, we've had to take care of things largely on our own. Every year, my school was directly targeted, and the other two schools often were, as well. In third year, a dark wizard went around enslaving everyone militaries across realms, as well as the witches of Cloud Tower, so there was no help there.

[wilder]

I dunno, probably. I was only involved with one of their research projects, but they got people researching all sorts of topics.

[He snorts a little at her amending her statement.]

Oh, I see. Well that kinda stinks. Nice to hear that you guys get this stuff sorted out though.

[showmeyourwreath]

Oh, you're a researcher? And yet you still can't say lawkamercyme

[Still, she sounds pleased!

And at least her school isn't by a cursed forest!! ...even if that sounds interesting because forest.]

Yeah, it is the purpose of our schools, mostly. Red Fountain is a military school for specialists, and graduates usually go on to serve at home. Alfea and Cloud Tower are where girls go to learn to be fairies or witches, which isn't all about fighting, but we're still very combat-oriented since Guardian Fairies go on to protect their home realms, usually. The schools on Magix are particularly prestigious, so they're entrusted with a lot.

Oh but what about the forest makes it cursed?

[wilder]

I can hear you, you know. But haha- not exactly. I was more a test subject.

[So rude Flora. AND NO FLORA YOU DON'T GO INTO THE CURSED FOREST]

The Gaoracchia Forest? Well, let's see- [calmly listing them off] there's hordes of undead, no light can get through the trees and the layout is a maze- so if you don't know the exact path you can get lost in there forever. [a shrug!] Needless to say, most people'll go around it.

[Unless you're hardcore as hell like Presea]

So I take it you were at Alfea or Cloud Tower? But wait, how do you learn to be fairies. I thought you were born one.