Video - Seelie/Unseelie (Post dated to after the feast)

[curser]

[Have a curiously peering fairy, Drabwurld. It's a close up of one oddly colored green eye before it's drawn away and the rest of the face comes into focus, along with the horns and large wings as a backdrop.]

Is this some form of scrying stone? How curious. And I'm to talk into this?

[She turns to look at a pixie, one who's hovering near her head and giving her directions on how to use the locket.]

And one can address everyone this way? Marvelous.

[The pixie tells her that it's on and that currently everyone can see her and she eyes the locket again, wondering at how this particular bit of magic works.]

Greetings. To those that do not know me, my name is Maleficent. I'm curious to see if a girl has wound up here as well. Golden hair, blue eyes, and quite likely charming those around her. Her name is Aurora and if anyone has seen her, I'd very much appreciate being informed of this.

[She looks to be about to turn the locket off, but there's a small twitch of her lips as she begins talking again.]

I suppose I'd also like to be informed if anyone finds a raven who is not a raven. He's incredibly cheeky, but he's also mine.

[And that would be the end of her speech. No need for pleases and thank yous. Someone's clearly used to being obeyed.]

Comments

[chromosomes]

[ Oops. ]

I was a soldier, back in my world. It's been a long time since the country I fought for required the services of people who didn't volunteer. But there are people here who don't know how to defend themselves against someone trying to rob them, much less someone with every intention of killing them.

[curser]

It seems somewhat counterproductive to conscript those to war that have no inclination or ability for it.

[It was a waste as far as she was concerned. For a creature that spent her off hours healing the woods around her, she found that abhorrent.]

[chromosomes]

It does. Unfortunately their existing abilities don't matter -- the Shard does. And if you learn how to activate it, you're far stronger than the natives. For some people, that's true even if you don't know how to activate it.

[ This is information he feels quite comfortable sharing, shared as it was with him by Alyosha. Besides, he's seen firsthand what a Shardholder can do to native troops. ]

[curser]

[That was information that she wanted to have, so excuse the narrowed eyes as she pinned her gaze on him through the lockets.]

Is that so? This thing inside of me that I'd no notion of being there can... enhance my abilities?

[And they'd thought her powerful before...]

[chromosomes]

Yes.

[ A pause. ]

If you can fight, I'd ask that you help protect those that can't. No matter what you think of the war itself.

[curser]

I'll act as the situation prompts me to.

[She'd not give her word to anything as she wasn't certain of what that would entail and promises given by the fae were not given lightly.]

[chromosomes]

Would you be interested in teaching others how to defend themselves?

[ He's not asking her to throw herself into every battle -- that's a bit much at this stage. ]

[curser]

I do not think that my brand of fighting or defense would be teachable.

[She flew into things and beat people up with her wings and magic, John.]

[chromosomes]

You never know.

[ A beat. ]

You use magic?

[curser]

Magic and wings, dear boy. Unless you've got winged mages or fairies willing to learn how to unmount a rider with a wing cut, I don't think I'd be of much assistance.

[Sorry, John, but she didn't know any sort of actual self defense. She was a creature of pure instinct. Her fight with King Henry had been her first true fight and since then she'd fought mostly with magic to take them by surprise.]

[chromosomes]

I'm sure there are other people with wings around. And there are definitely people with magic who could use assistance.

[ Hell, he could use help with his magic. ]

[curser]

You do realize that 'magic' isn't a class, yes? What I can do might differ drastically from what another fairy can do. In fact, it does where I'm from and I can taste the difference in the magic and wildlife here. Why, it would be like... asking a fish to teach a cat how to use its tail. Just because they both have them doesn't mean they work quite the same.

[chromosomes]

The monarchs here gift people with magic and direct them to the library to learn how to use it. That's all fine and good, but sometimes having a physical person help makes all the difference. I know there are differences between the magic of this world and others, but-

[ He sighs, rubs the back of his neck. ]

Every little bit helps. If nothing else, when we start the training -- if you could at least stop by.

[curser]

I'll think about it.

[That was as good as he'd get in terms of a commitment from her. She never promised; the word of a fae could be far too binding and she'd learned her lesson with that as well.]

Where would this 'training' take place?

[chromosomes]

[ He nods. ]

In the Ward.

[curser]

Then perhaps I'll see you there.

[And perhaps not. Someone might have to entice her with more than just potential responsibilities.]

[chromosomes]

I'll keep an eye open.

[ A pause, then- ]

I'm John, by the way. I didn't say.

[curser]

John.

[Socialization wasn't really one of Maleficent's strong suits. But she'd acknowledge and remember the name.]

[chromosomes]

I hope you find your friends.

[ He means that sincerely. ]

[curser]

As do I, if they are here as well. If not, then I hope to find my way back to them.

[She had responsibilities, John. Surely he knew all about that.]

[chromosomes]

It's a common sentiment. Good luck.

[curser]

[With a nod of acknowledgement, she was directed by the pixie on how to turn the locket off -- ending their conversation.

She had things to think about now; shards and ravens and fights.]