eachdraidh | video ; both courts, open

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I don't want a locket.

[ katsa's dangling hers in front of her face, close to and giving a clear (as much as the locket's image quality is capable, anyway) image of her mismatched eyes, one an unnaturally vibrant green and the other a bright blue. she's Not Happy, if the pull of her eyebrows is any indication, and her voice is impatient. though the scene behind her isn't easy to make out, since she's holding the locket close, an astute observer might notice the twisted branches and dark green flora of la llorona. ]

I don't want any gifts. I'm not here for any kings and queens, so you can have this back—I'm not going to be yours more than I am anyone else's to do your bidding. There are enough kings to deal with already in Lienid and the Middluns. Do you imagine I won't find my own way?

[ well, all she heard was "from high king and queen" and "send a message" as she was busy trying to kick an imp in the face when she got her locket, so she thinks this is how this works. ]

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I think they're pretty! [ It's insistent. Gently so, but insistent. Everyone needs compliments, even if they didn't realize it. Just like Kelsi needed that same boost when she first met Troy. ] Who's Grace?

[ katsa can't help herself: she laughs, breathlessly, and catches herself by surprise. it's so absurd—kelsi's admiration of her eyes, her questioning katsa's grace, her unrelenting optimism, on top of everything else—katsa simply has no response left but to laugh.

...and to decide kelsi is kind. ]

No... my Grace. I'm a Graceling. [ she's past even being bewildered that kelsi doesn't understand this immediately, and struggles to find a way to explain it without assuming it's self-explanatory. ] All Gracelings have such eyes, and some skill to go along with it.

[ She freezes. It's visible--her eyes widen ever so slightly and she sort of tenses. The only reason people laugh at her trying to suggest something is--well. Sharpay. She knows, rationally, that this girl with the pretty eyes and down to earth attitude isn't the pink wearing diva, but old habits die hard. She actually wants to hide behind sheet music or her piano until she peeks cautiously back into the locket and realizes that Katsa's not about to finish the laugh with 'transpose!' and the click of heels moving way. Her smile is very, very cautious, but widens once she explains. ]

Skills like what?

[ she notes the reaction. now that is familiar, people cringing away from her, but it's usually in fear of her reputation and her grace—and considering kelsi is asking what a grace even is, katsa knows that can't be the reason. she might no longer be savage, but it's still a part of her, and she can't help but wonder if she still seems like a beast, to all but her closest friends.

po would tell her there's no truth in the thought, or that it's up to her. she takes a breath. ]

It can be anything. Some are Graced with swimming or tree-climbing, or some with dancing. More useful Graces are those of bakers, fighters, or even mind readers who supply their skills in service to their king or queen.

[ more accurately, with the exception of one kingdom, they belong to the crown, but she doesn't want to get into that. ]

[ The continuation of the conversation seems to have Kelsi relax again, just slightly, and it shows in the curve of her shoulders. She hums thoughtfully, and hesitates only because she's sure this poor girl has had enough of her questions already. Still: ]

I'd love to have a musical grace... What's yours?

[ katsa's an incessant interrogator, herself, and she doesn't mind kelsi's questions. she almost welcomes them, for the novelty. ]

I'm a Graced fighter. My true Grace is survival.

[ she's still adjusting to saying that, after ten years of thinking it was only good for the opposite of that—but it's a good adjustment. and katsa finds herself almost smiling again (though not quite) at kelsi's notion of having a grace. ]

You're likely to be happier without it in most places. It doesn't mean not having skill at all—my cousin, Prince Raffin, is Ungraced, but his medicines are almost as good as those of a Graceling healer's. Are you a singer? Or some other kind of musician?

[ The attention is on her, now, and she's surprised--she blinks, looking a bit like an owl with her glasses, and puts her hands in front of her like she's trying to wave away the wrong impression. ]

No, no--well, I can sing, I'm not very good at it--I just really like writing songs for people, and composing--and I was thinking, if I had a Grace like yours, but with that sort of thing, then school would be a cinch.

Well.

[ katsa doesn't understand what kelsi means with the last part of her statement, but she can guess the sentiment. she's not much interested in the cerebral aspect of creating something like music or art, and she's not a performer and has never been good at anything particularly artistic, herself; but she does know pride, and she knows enjoyment. and for kelsi's surprising kindness, katsa is curious. ]

You'll not need it, I'm sure. I should like to hear one of your songs sometime.

Edited 2014-10-16 21:08 (UTC)

[ Oh.

Oh.

Someone's interested in her work. Someone that's not a Wildcat, of course. Kelsi feels something fluttering in her stomach that remind her less of butterflies and more of a small animal trying to sort of claw its way out of--

--no, no, too descriptive, but Kelsi's having a hard time concentrating with the weird feeling those words gave her, so she sort of looks like a deer in headlights: clueless, eyes wide, thinking, for a brief moment, that she's been tricked. ]

...Really?

Likely not while I'm still in this forest. But after, if it's something you'd like to share, I would.

[ and then, realizing she has to have some way to identify her in the future: ]

My name is Katsa.

I'm Kelsi. [ She's trying not to get too happy about it. Trying to reign her enthusiasm in, but it's-- ]

--Once you get out of the woods, I'll try to contact you, okay? I mean, whenever you want of course, but you have to find yoru court and--um, maybe you're Seelie or Unseelie, but that doesn't matter because we're all in this together--and you could take a look at some of the stuff I've written and maybe if you can sing or dance we can do something or you could just tell me stories about your home and Grace and pretty eyes like yours and--

Um.

[ A deep breath and a wince. ]

Maybe step one first. Good luck finding your way, okay?

[ Katsa's a little overwhelmed by that speech, but it's not a bad thing. More than anything, she's just... suddenly surging with appreciation and warmth. Katsa might not know how to respond in as many words, but she's no less grateful for it. ]

My Grace does nothing for my singing and dancing, but I'll be waiting for it, then, once we've the opportunity. [ And she smiles, because she doesn't need luck. ] Thank you, Kelsi.

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