001 ♖ [video] | both courts

[writeswrongs]

[Castle appears on the locket network looking concerned. It's been 24 hours since he followed faeries to the place, 24 hours since his car went off the road into an embankment and he had… died? Maybe. It's his assumption, based on the faeries, which makes this some kind of afterlife. It isn't what he was expecting, but he's pretty pleased with it. Who knew heaven was one epic renaissance festival?

One problem remains though, and that's the location of Kate. Of course, if this is the afterlife, she's not here. As far as he knows, she's alive and well, possibly mourning his death on what was supposed to be their wedding day. He feels guilty, but hopes that he made the right choice in coming here.

He's spent the day searching the castle and asking whoever he comes across whether they've seen a woman matching Kate's description. No luck so far. Castle is finally taking the advice of some and asking over the locket network.]

Hi there. My name's Richard Castle and I'm new to your land. It's awesome, by the way. I've got no complaints, really, except… I'm looking for someone and wondering if she managed to find her way here too. Her name is Kate Beckett. She's in her thirties, tall, thin, long brown hair, really beautiful. [He smiles in a way that makes it obvious he's describing his lover.] But also really stern. Like… probably waving around a badge and barking that she's NYPD and what the hell is going on. [That's Kate in a nutshell.] Anyway, if anyone knows of her or her whereabouts, please let me know. If she's here, I'd like to find her.

[Despite the odds, there's still a little glimmer of hope in him. He and Kate have a very odd connection and a tendency to find each other, even when it seems unlikely. She could be here, though Castle doubts that Kate would actually acknowledge faeries existing, let alone follow them to another world. But, he could still hope.]

Thanks.

Comments

voice;

[writeswrongs]

[Well, ok, yes, that war thing. He's kind of planning on ignoring that for as long as he can.]

It's been over a day... she's usually pretty on top of things, even despite being brought to a magical realm.

voice;

[silmarils]

[ yeah that war thing. you might want to get the hell out of dodge while you can, bro. ]

Perhaps she is still in your home.. world. [ it still seems bizarre to think that everyone here is from worlds that aren't his own. ] Though.. 'tis passing strange, to bring you here and not your lady. One would think these rulers would want their soldiers serving them gladly.

voice;

[writeswrongs]

Indeed.

[You and your elf friend up there are making quite the argument. Castle and Beckett are an extraordinary couple anyway. They've survived so much to be together, sure they would survive this?]

But would they separate us?

voice;

[silmarils]

[ woah don't tell thranduil you mentally called them friends. ]

I should think it possible, for reasons beyond my understanding. I have family here, but not all my family. Perhaps they choose based on traits they wish represented in their respective courts.

voice;

[writeswrongs]

[Welp, sorry about that. Maybe at some point he'll be well-versed in Elf politics.]

I doubt she would be in the other court. Kate doesn't take to chaos very well.

[He's caused some for her in the past and the reaction was not pretty.]

voice;

[silmarils]

[ you'll be doing good if so. even some elves don't get elf politics. ]

I hope you find her, then. I expect that being brought here is enough chaos for most. [ a brief pause, then, slightly cautiously: ] .. I shall keep a sharp eye out for someone who fits her description.

voice;

[writeswrongs]

Thank you. I appreciate that. [Then he remembers something.] Oh! I have a picture, if you can see this over this thing.

[He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet, which was lucky enough to come with him. Inside, there's a picture of he and Kate that he holds up to the locket.]

[silmarils]

She is indeed very fair, your lady. And 'tis no burden to watch for her, Master Castle, so thanks are unnecessary. [ though he kind of wants to ask about that tiny, extremely impressive image. it's not a painting, but he's not sure what it is. ]

[writeswrongs]

Yeah, she is...

[He looks at the picture and finds that he misses her already. He imagines the massive eye roll he would get if he referred to her as 'a fair lady' and smiles. And feel free to ask about photography technology. Castle will be happy to share.]

[silmarils]

If I might inquire-- how long have you been.. betrothed? [ he's pretty sure he saw something about betrothal, though he could be wrong. ] And what is.. en-why-peh-di? [ english letters are strange and what are acronyms, anyway. ]

[writeswrongs]

Engaged? Since last May. We dated for about a year before that. [And he was on his way to the wedding when he came here. He'd rather not dwell on that.] NYPD is the New York Police Department, sort of... the protectors of the land where I come from.

[Castle figures that might be something the Elf might make sense of.]

And if I may inquire... to who am I speaking?

[silmarils]

Dated. [ he puzzles over the meaning of the word in this context for several moments. ] 'Dated' for a year.. Do you mean you courted her during that time? [ it seems like a very short courtship, but then, what does he know? he's over three-thousand years old, and he hasn't even considered courting or marriage since taking the oath. (and only reluctantly before then.)

at least the new york police department is beginning to make sense. ] .. I see. At least, to the extent that I believe this would need a great deal of additional explanation to entirely make sense.

[ at the question, though, he makes a small, faintly startled noise. ]

Ah. Your pardon. I am Maedhros, lord of the House of Fëanor. [ it's the only title he claims here, and that hesitantly. ] Well-met, Master Castle.

[writeswrongs]

Yeah, basically.

[This guy obviously comes from the more romantic days gone by. Not that Castle wasn't romantic with her, but he and Kate technically slept together before they went on any real date. It was after four years of unresolved sexual tension, so it was to be expected.]

Nice to meet you as well Maedhros. And where is the land you originally hail from?

[silmarils]

Originally..? [ that's.. a long and complicated story. ] The land was called Aman, but.. there is no home for me there any longer. For some centuries, I defended the marches, not so far from Angband in Middle-Earth. The fortress was called Himring. It was destroyed some time ago, though, and I doubt that any of that means much more to you than a place called New York does to me.

[writeswrongs]

No, it doesn't. [He laughs lightly.] You're not from where I'm from, at least. Although being in once place for centuries implies that you're, at least, several centuries old.

[silmarils]

Aye, I am of the First-Born. We are commonly called 'elves' by folk here. Are you familiar with the term?

[writeswrongs]

Yes... I definitely am. Elves take on various forms where I come from, though all fictional.

Would you believe that some of them are really short, live in the snow and help a big fat man make toys for kids?

[silmarils]

.. You are not the first to say something of the like. A spirit recently asked if I was the size of a rabbit. [ a brief pause, then with a hint of dry amusement: ] Which I am not, if you are wondering the same. I am typically head-and-shoulders above all but the tallest of Men.

[writeswrongs]

No, I can tell you're not rabbit-sized. I can't even think of any folklore where I come from that would have elves the size of rabbits. Imps, maybe, but those aren't elves.

i'm sorry for everything in this thread so far

[silmarils]

Indeed not, if you mean the creatures that dragged me to this place. .. Are the First-Born of your world's fictions enslaved?

[ how else does one explain malnourished elves living in an icy hell, building playthings for an overweight mortal? ]

looool no, why

[writeswrongs]

Some. It depends on the story.

[There are some who are small and dress in pillowcases and serve humans until they are presented with clothing and then are set free. Maybe Castle shouldn't share that particular story.]

s-so ridiculous

[silmarils]

How did they come to serve the portly mortal?

[ nnnnoooo probably not. good call on that one, castle. ]

[writeswrongs]

[Castle opens his mouth, then pauses, thinking.]

You know... I'm not sure. Wow, how do I not know the origin story of Santa Claus and the elves?

[silmarils]

If he is truly fell, then perhaps his origin and his means of enslavement are not meant to be known.

[writeswrongs]

No, he's actually good. He brings presents to kids on Christmas. Well, actually the parents bring kids the presents, it's just a little story to go along with it.

[He hadn't had to put up with that charade for very long, as Alexis saw through it herself when she was 6. Benefits and drawbacks of having a brilliant daughter.]