[ 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

video.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione replies with pursed lips, not looking entirely pleased at what she sees. Obviously he's hurt but he's trying not to let on about it. What does shock her out of her hint of anger is the hiccup of fire and she blinks, eyes wide. ]

I - um, wow. I could try and fix that, if you wanted?

[ Wrinkles her nose. Were there even any anti-hiccup-fire spells? ]

As for the dog... The last two names I heard for dogs were Fang and Fluffy so I don't think I'll be much help.

video.

[knightscode]

The fire?

[ He tucks the feather away, gently reaches back out to tug the puppy slightly closer to himself. She turns and looks up at him, sets a paw on his knee and he ruffles her ears reassuringly. ]

I expect she'd like that, as would I. I've been a little worried she might set fire to my sleeves.

video.

[brainiest]

Yes, the fire. And, um, the other things? Maybe. Only if you'd like.

[ Hopefully it's obvious what she's talking about-- she'd hate for him to suffer any more than he has to. Lancelot is charming, lovely, and she wants to help. ]

If I can't fix it I might be able to make you a little fireproof for a while? Small mercies, at least?

video.

[knightscode]

Other things?

[ His tone is questioning, because unfortunately he thought he was hiding this better than he is. ]

Is there something else these feathers do? Forgive me, I was not aware.

video. | private

[brainiest]

[ She snaps the feed closed, just in case. ]

I meant your wrists, actually?

video. | private

[knightscode]

[ Oops.

His hands snap back away from the dog and he examines his wrist-guards, tries to work them down a little further. ]

Thank you for your concern, I will be fine.

video. | private

[brainiest]

[ She looks apologetic almost instantly, leaning into the camera. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to point it out -- I just... I could help. Really. I have potions and my spells, but it's fine. If you'd rather I didn't that's okay too! I was just wondering.

video; locked;

[jaywalks]

[ oh. he knows what it's like to cough fireballs like that — it's not comfortable. ]

Make sure she drinks a lot of water, her throat is going to be hurting her later. If you can, mix in lot of honey and keep it warm.

video. | private

[knightscode]

[ Lancelot audibly takes a shaky breath, and his dog turns further toward him -- clambers into his lap and licks at his fingers.

There's a moment of hesitation before he reaches out and draws his locket over, tilts it up. There are cuts all over his face, and there's some mixture of wariness and regret in his expression under the layers of exhaustion. ]

No, forgive me Hermione. Your offer is made out of kindness, but I fear I need more than healing magic can offer.

video; locked;

[knightscode]

[ Huh. He hadn't thought of it that way. The puppy is turned a little as Lancelot considers her. ]

I have no honey with me, but I will make sure she has some once I am back in Caer Glaem. She deserves whatever she needs.

video | locked

[kingsdaughter]

Are you all right?

Audio, permalocked

[gordianknots]

The feathers have also been making people fly, so keep a good eye on your friend there.

Did you get out of your situation all right?

video | locked

[knightscode]

[ That is, Lancelot thinks, a rather complicated question.

It should not be, but it is. Lancelot is not one to lie, not one to conceal things without reason but Sigrid has a tendency to feel responsible for things.

A half-answer, then. He tries to rally a little confidence. ]

I will be fine, I am on my way back to Caer Glaem as we speak. She has not managed to burn me yet, I promise.

video for doge, permalocked

[knightscode]

I told you I would find a way out.

[ ... That is not, strictly, an answer. ]

[gordianknots]

Yes, but clearly not unscathed.

[knightscode]

[ Lancelot hesitates.

His fingers pause in the middle of gently teasing his dog's ears, and the silence is slightly longer than is natural between them. ]

Perhaps not, but everyone made it out alive. That is all I can ask.

[gordianknots]

[Waver sighs, knowing it'll carry.]

You wanna tell me what happened?

[knightscode]

I made a mistake, and I paid for it.

[ NotThisShitAgain.jpg. ]

[gordianknots]

[You're king of the vague, Lancelot.]

What went awry?

[knightscode]

[ On the one hand, Waver will probably be.... displeased. Also, Lancelot does not really want to talk about it.

On the other, the Unseelie might out him from their own (rightly angry) perspectives and better Waver gets it from him first. ]

I was in Maupertius.

[ He's pretty sure that's enough for Waver to assume exactly how badly this might have gone. ]

[gordianknots]

--Fucking Reynard.

[Waver rubs the bridge of his nose. Of course it was Reynard.]

You tried to outsmart him, didn't you?

[knightscode]

[ Well. In for a penny. ]

Actually, I tried to kill him.

[ He sounds reasonably calm about this. ]

[gordianknots]

You what?!

[knightscode]

Obviously he's still alive.

[ You heard him. ]

[gordianknots]

[Waver's trying very hard to control is anger, because he has long since learned Lancelot is excellent at holding himself accountable for even the smallest mistake, but all the same.]

On one hand, I understand the sentiment entirely, Reynard is highly stabable, but why did you think you could do that alone?!