eachdraidh | video; open to both courts

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video; open to both courts

[Alice is currently outside the stables once again, sprinting up to greet a small, white rabbit. The imp that's decided to become her company has made a point to turn on the locket, in the midst of a mild debate.]

Oh, not now, it can wait- Sophie!

[ It's no ordinary white rabbit, as it runs up to Alice when she greets her, Alice kneeling down beside a familiar grey mare.]

Sophie! I am so sorry, I didn't mean to leave you!

[ Alice picks her up and holds her up to look at her better. The imp is tugging on her hair gently and Alice is ignoring. ]

Miss, please-

No, it's alright, my friend, They need to eat first. Oh, surely you two like something other than hay?

[ Alice glances to the horse grazing behind her. Alice looks exhausted and even paler if it were possible. She feels more secure with the animals and the small imp that she talks a bit more freely than she would with others.]

Miss, I think you need to eat! They're already so well fed, don't you think?

No, it wouldn't feel right. They've both been so lonely, I think! I'll be fine, I-

[ Hold up, Alice pauses with the rabbit jumping out of her hands and grazing besides the horse. Alice shoots a look up to the imp above her head. Exasperation crosses over her face more than anger.]

For goodness sakes! I said I was fine!

If it makes you rest for yourself just once...!

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Your modesty is something worthy of acknowledgement.

All the same, I have no desire to rely on you for your prowess. I would simply prefer your company and judgement.

[ Slowly, Alice opens her mouth to protest this, even almost tempted to insist it's not modesty. She frankly doesn't feel that way because of immense self-loathing. ]

I was fortunate enough to strike the dragon, because my knife will never dull. The same goes for any other armor.

[ She's just saying. She doesn't even think she's that good of company, too. ]

If you need a helpin hand, you can have it. Especially before more nitwits of the opposing court destroy them or rip out more shards for their own fancy.

[ Ha.Ha. ]

[Lancelot didn't think little of Alice at all, but it could easily be thought he was inconsiderate when it came to her.

He lacked delicacy when he held a modicum of respect for someone.]

Your presence will not be wasted, Alice. I only wonder why you support those fork-tongued beasts.

[ Thankfully he can't see the expression on her face. He's confusing and a little frustrating to her at times. Alice is making a face, but she's able to at least let out a soft huff to cool off. It shouldn't make her angry. ]

I don't.

[ Clarisse she has decided she does not like, and Korra on the other hand... ]

I still stand by my words. Korra's actions were foolish and reckless, they put everyone's lives in jeopardy, including her friends. It was an act of selfishness and if she cared enough about the dragon, she would have put it out of it's misery. But that is what comes with you. I've seen men stand in positions of power meant to be healers abuse the young and orphaned.

In my eyes, her actions pale nothing in comparison, actions of a naive seventeen year old girl. She's a child, Lancelot. I don't support it, but I will not demand further blood over it. What matters to me right now is the safety of those I know, I daresay the ones I've recently traveled with, including you. If you want my support, you have it.

Only those who have a death wish dare to double cross me. I have and will kill anyone who even thinks about it.

You are too forgiving. My King made the same such mistake as to be too benevolent to put down such creatures.

[As such, Guinevere died because Lancelot did not. He had no forgiveness in him for anyone who could act so selfishly and commit such evil deeds in the pursuit of those goals. It was because he knew that Arthur's benevolence made the kingdom unstable that he couldn't stand someone else being forgiven so easily for that behavior.]

I am one of those betrayers. I should know that punishment is justice. Were I punished at the time of my crime, many fewer lives would have been lost.

I will excuse none who deserve punishment. As such, I will not mind your loathing if I endorse such things.

[ "Too forgiving" he says. Alice has to snort at that. He has really no idea just how unforgiving she is and how deep her grudges lie. ]

On the contrary. There is no such thing as absolute good and evil. Each of us are capable of evil deeds and vice versa. However, the world is not that simple.

It is something I know all too well.

[ Alice then falls into silence. ]

I think you have enough penance on you already, Sir Lancelot. You do not need anymore.

[ If she is assuming correctly with what he did, that's fairly harmless compared to Rutledge doctors and Bumby. If anything, her pity grows. ]

Not even I would.

No, sometimes things must be done to protect one's self and others. Even if they're deemed to be cruel.

Those with power should know better. They must understand consequence and the cost of hubris.

Had I, the offender, been accused and punished-- I would not have seen my Queen hung. My King would not have fallen, lacking my aid.

[He didn't see why it should have been a murky grey. Murder was a sin and knights who took part in it should have expected the punishment of death in combat. It was a risk in which fate was the judge. From the beginning, he knew he was a sinner and begged the lord's forgiveness, knowing he would gain none.]

We must never make excuses for our sins. We may evade punishment as long as we can, but we must never be so arrogant as to believe our goals are better than others.

Those who misuse their authority were never meant for it and I do mean that in the most horrific ways possible, mind you. They say that it takes more to forgive a person and there are true that there are horrible crimes that even men will use children in the most terrible ways.

But that does not sound like the case. Time passes on and if you possess regret for your actions, then you're not a terrible man. Your king was admirable and had a tremendous weight on his shoulders.

[ She huffs, knowing that he's going to insist otherwise. He's honest and Alice appreciates honesty. ]

Well, I would much rather have you in my company than those I used to know in my own world. I'm sorry that I cannot change your mind.

Please, do not misunderstand. I believe myself incredibly useful as an ally. I'm the greatest swordsman in Earth's history and I am exceptionally strong as well.

With me as a traveling companion, I cannot let you down.

[He said, brutally missing the point. The point flew past Lancelot's head, fell into a ravine and died after suffering incredible blunt force trauma.]

[ YOU ARE WEIRD. Then again, this is what she gets for being so blunt and honest herself. It does take her a few minutes to respond to that, because her initial reaction is to push away and not bother after so many years of trauma and neglect. But he, he's someone that actively looks for punishment at the slightest slip up in Alice's eyes.

Awkward.]

I wasn't doubting that.

[ He's pretty good at mowing down people, anyway. ]

I mean that even if you think yourself so lowly, you're far better than what I was once accustomed to. I think you're a good man.

[ Now, please, don't kick yourself in the mud, Lancelot. ]

[Lancelot stared at the locket awhile after Alice responded. He assumed since she went quiet awhile that she had nothing else to say.

When she spoke up again, it seems as if she had become a bit busy since they began talking. He almost felt as if he were wrong in that assumption.]

I must only pity the state of the men you've dealt with before.

[ Nothing extravagant, just Alice being confused. ]

Only true monsters hurt children, Sir Lancelot.

I would hope that isn't the requirement for being a monster.

Then, we would have far too many saints.

No, it is not. May I ask you something, Sir Lancelot? In all honesty?

I cannot promise answers you would prefer to hear.

Honesty trumps sincerity. Even with that knowledge that there are those who torment and abuse children, do you still see yourself as a monster?

I do. Those are great sins, but they are no more inexcusable than what I've done.

I don't think so, not at all. I have yet to see anyone as of yet. Do you still want my help?

Nothing has convinced me otherwise. I do not retract my request.

Well, good. [ It's something to do and maybe she should stop picking on him. Oh, well. ]

For someone so terrible, you're very generous. I appreciate it.

[He would take years to realize it was Alice actually ribbing him.]

Still, I cannot have you accompany me, yet. The problem lies in distance and the fact that I know almost nothing about my upcoming task.

[ Oh, no, Alice may have more fun picking on him when she actually learns how teasing actually works. Or at least not poke fun at something other than his formalities and lack of emotion. ]

It's for the best. Besides, I... [ She falters just a bit; everyone here seems to have one big task that actually contributes to to something meaningful and Alice has a rabbit and a horse. That's it. It makes her feel small again. Of course she puts them before herself. ]

Well, I'll need to feed the mare and the rabbit. I shan't be leaving from the station until then.

[Alice. He's heard that voice, before. He once had a squire who would twiddle his thumbs and sound sad whenever Lancelot took the work from him. Alice obviously wanted to go slash some throats, so--]

There is no rush, my lady. Even if I were to move in haste, it would still take me a bit of time to meet with you.

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