[ Video; Both Courts ]

[knightscode]

[ This video feed is focused mostly on a Lancelot's dog, so all that is really seen of him is his hands holding her still. She's terribly curious about it, but he's restraining her from licking it or chewing it.

His voice is distinctly tired, and anyone who is paying attention will notice that you can just about see a line of red, raw skin on his wrists -- leather guards covering how heavy the damage might be. ]

Is anyone good with names? I'm afraid my friend here has gone too long without one. She's brave, curious but cautious, much cleverer than I am...

[ She's also turning to nudge his hands. He lifts one gently and pets at her ears. She squirms a little, shakes her head -- then makes a quiet, high-pitched sound and...

... hiccups a tiny fireball. The dog's ears flatten back, perhaps unhappy or apologetic (maybe embarrassed, it wasn't very elegant) but Lancelot just huffs amusement and strokes her again. ]

Forgive me, I almost forgot, it seems these -- [ He reaches out of the frame and his hand comes back holding a small, blue feather. ] -- have some kind of magic in them. It appears it does not discriminate in who it grants it to.

[ Which means he now has a small, magically inclined dog. ]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[gordianknots]

Oh?

[knightscode]

Well, for one thing Reynard has thousands of bannermen gathered now.

[gordianknots]

That's.....[consistent with what Waver's been hearing about the Unseelie] concerning.

[knightscode]

As you say. Reynard appears to be working to some sort of deadline -- his own, I think, rather than Morla's. It seems his collecting of shards is specific, too, not... random, not perhaps as crazed as I thought. He needs 13 -- for what, I cannot say. He has 12 of those.

[gordianknots]

That's consistent with a particular remark I heard about Reynard compulsively biting the hand that feeds him.

[The source in question being Morla. Waver considers the number for a moment. It's auspicious, but that's not a lot to go on.]

He's insane but with purpose. What else did he say?

[knightscode]

[ At that Lancelot seizes up again for a moment, hesitates. ]

Mostly, he tried to get information from me.

[gordianknots]

Ah.

[Waver tries to treat that as a more acknowledging-this-happened-without-getting-into-details ah, in part because he doesn't want to dredge things up, but also because the mention of Reynard earlier sort of explained what he saw of Lancelot's wrists.]

[knightscode]

He learnt nothing.

[ Just in case you expected anything less. ]

[gordianknots]

Thank goodness.

The question is, what now?

[knightscode]

I admit, I have not planned past making it back to Caer Glaem.

[gordianknots]

It might be worth mentioning to both of our crowns what Reynard's up to.

[knightscode]

Of course, I had not considered doing otherwise.

[gordianknots]

It may force them to act together.

[Ha ha, fat chance.]

I'll have to do mine by proxy, but it will still get passed on.

[knightscode]

[ Another pause, then Lancelot seemingly gives in -- gathers up his puppy and turns the locket so Waver can see him. He has cuts all over his face. He looks... terrible, really, but he's outwardly calm about it. ]

Can you think of any good names, then? I'd be in Unseelie hands if not for her.

[ Yes. The dog. ]

[gordianknots]

[Waver's eyes go wide at seeing the state of Lancelot, but that's the advantage of audio on his end - his reactions can't be seen.]

Victoria comes to mind.

But...how did she contribute to your freedom?

[knightscode]

She went for help. Then she came back for me.

[ Brave little friend, isn't she? He's so proud. ]

[gordianknots]

--She is a very smart dog.

[knightscode]

Cleverer than I, as I said.

[ He gathers her close, a touch protectively, and smiles down at her.

It's a little like an adoring parent and a child, really. ]

[gordianknots]

[That's oddly normal for dog owners though.]

In this case, I may be inclined to agree with you.

[knightscode]

You should be glad to have someone on your side, perhaps she will learn to speak and the two of you might berate me together.

[gordianknots]

We say it because we care.

[knightscode]

[ ... Oh. Lancelot's expression does something complicated, a little frown that morphs into a faint smile. ]

You are kinder than I deserve. I have learnt much from you, my lord. I hope I can repay the care you have shown me. I will be your sword, if you ever need me.

[ Says the tough knight who tried to kill an overpowered fox man and is now... cuddling... a puppy... Lancelot why... ]

[gordianknots]

Hopefully I'll never need to take you up on that overly generous offer.

[knightscode]

Hopefully not, but it will stand come what may.

[ He shifts the dog in his arms, cradles her against his chest and smooths fur on the top of her head. ]

Any other ideas? For names, I mean.

[gordianknots]

Well, if fire-spitting was a regular thing for her, I'd suggest Thais, but I don't think you want a dog that will encourage people to burn down palaces.