[Video; Open] 04 Shadows

[fell_to_hell]

[The video starts by looking on a rather sobering landscape. The remains of a leveled palace are all that can be seen, and scorch marks are visible on the stones. Rubble and bits of scattered parchment litter the landscape for a few miles out from the main husk of a grand building. A couple familiar people might be seen checking out the carnage for any hint of what may have happened to cause this in view of the Locket's "camera." The others may be shuffling off out of view.

Finally, it turns on to Nico, and he doesn't look at all pleased. His expression is grim and the muscles in his jaw are tight with tension. He's beyond caring about the bounty on his head at the moment.]

This is the remains of the Drabkeeper's Castle, a place said to have knowledge from the beginning of time in this world, and it was supposed to have been neutral territory. I can't say we can confirm that anymore.

[He pauses for a moment.]

From what we can tell, this magical attack took place weeks ago, maybe sometime in August. As far as we can tell, there are no survivors, and I can't confirm whether there are or not because their ghosts have moved on. There's no way to contact them to get the truth of what happened.

[He cuts the connection abruptly. He has an important call to make.]

[Private: Kaldur'ahm]

[It's only to Kaldur that Nico shows some of the weariness, frustration, and stress he's been feeling since finding this broken shell of a palace.]

I'm sorry, but I don't think we'll be getting any information to our questions, at least not from here. I'm still going to look for the Black Dog, but I need to talk to Elincia about her quest first.

{OOC: Here is a GDoc of what the mods have said on this subject! Also, anyone from the Travel Log can potentially be called in this post if you wish. Threadjacking is also encouraged. If you'd like a specific character, then please let us know! Also, as a side note, Soren and Nico responses will be on the slow side because I'm on hiatus until the end of the month.}

Comments

Private video forever

[showmeyourwreath]

[She's seen more castles fall to ruin than she'd care to admit, but is not desensitised in the least and her face twists in horror at the scene laid before her.

She has questions, but so does he and with little means to answer them from the looks of things. Perhaps she can help with that, she really hopes she can.

Flora's voice is gentle, even, and concerned.]

I might be able to help you shed some light on what happened here.

[But, more importantly.]

Nico, are you alright?

[fell_to_hell]

[He sighs, and he's grateful to Flora for making this a private conversation.]

I'm frustrated, that's all.

[And a little guilty for wishing the ghosts had stayed to give him at least a clue as to what happened.]

...And worried, honestly. If it's Unseelie doing, then they're a lot stronger than we realized. On the other hand, if it's not the Unseelie, then...we've got a third party to be on guard against. I don't like that option at all, but....

[Nico shrugs slightly.]

What can you tell me?

[showmeyourwreath]

[Anything for you, bro.]

I'm sorry, Nico. You're right, though, either option isn't a good one. If it was the Unseelie court, then they'll have to have hidden their tracks incredibly well. Violating neutral territories in a war is not a good thing, and often incredibly foolish. In the cases it's not, it usually doesn't bode well for everyone else.

[But maybe this will make him feel a bit better.]

I'd have to come there to see, but I have retrocognitive abilities. Unless something's been blocked in some way, I should be able to glean what happened there, something of it, anyway?

[fell_to_hell]

[He blinks, surprised. He's never heard of an ability like that, though...it sounds incredibly useful at the moment.]

You can? Do you have to be here physically or could you do it if we brought you something of this place?

[showmeyourwreath]

[Flora ponders that carefully, a finger brushing against her lip. That's a good question, actually.] I've never actually tried with just an object, I've always used that power to find something or someone, as it related to a place. It may work the same, or using one might change the frame of reference. I should probably check the place out, myself, but I could see what happens with an item, after.

[She sighs heavily, looking disappointed.]

It might be a bit of a while before I can, anyway. My magic's gotteen locked down for the time being and I'm on the road, I'm sorry.

[fell_to_hell]

[His expression softens slightly.]

Don't worry about it, Flora. Whenever you can get to it will be fine by us. We're not going to be here for much longer, so...is there anything we can do to help get a better connection while we're here?

[showmeyourwreath]

[She returns that expression with a soft smile.]

No, it's fine, Nico, but thank you for offering. The past is written, it can't be changed, so it's just fine as it is.

[She won't say "thankfully" or "unfortunately" because it's both and neither. It just is.]

Safe travels, alright?