1 ✦ voice ✦ unseelie

[erythristic]

[it isn't that she doesn't trust those Seelie folk. it's only that she doesn't see the point in associating with them for the time being. time will come to meet them, and she has little down it will be with them on the opposite end of her scythe.

in any case, she believes if people can ask after their friends and loved ones, after transport and expeditions, one more question cannot go amiss. she clears her throat, and the voice that comes out is calm yet stressing words in a somewhat theatrical manner.]

The beauty and fierceness that inhabits this land...oh, the words of the poets struggle to match up to what can be seen, to what exists in every breath. Let one be silent in that instance, and all the better for it to merely experience it all. Bringing such an obvious thing to notice is not my purpose in addressing this device and by extension all of you, however.

Since arriving here, much has intrigued me, from the hows and whys behind our new circumstances to our recent encounters with the worms to the overwhelming presence of magic in this world. The latter, really, has been most attractive to me, especially with the newly opened possibility of being able to wield it myself.

Yet I am not so prideful as to think I can achieve such a thing on my own. To that end, I am wondering if someone out there has the time and inclination to take on a pupil in learning the arts of magic. I can promise you I am a faithful and punctual student, and I would be sincerely in your debt.

Comments

[boutant]

[ Well, she's in it now. One hand moves to wrap around the strap of her bag, short nails digging into the material. She steps a little closer in the next breath, mentally filing away what she now knows about him for later. ]

And now you're the one talking about survival instead of power, [ she points out, pride screaming. The temptation to reveal what she had done on the Fischer job is strong, but if this is still a dream, it would be suicide. Even if it isn't, it isn't something she particularly wants everyone to know about. ] What's your definition of 'untested', then?

[dragmire]

[His eyes remain challenging, daring her to step out, to unleash her anger. He would welcome it. Praise it, even. But she had not stepped out just yet and so, he would provoke her pride, which she seemed to have ample supply of. Pride, he thought, was a good thing to have.]

Survival is important, but not enough. My people suffered a barren land because they lacked ambition. It made them strong, but never powerful. You are untested because you stand at a precipice. Here, in this world, greatness and power is within reach. You can take it, if you have the ambition and will to seize it. Or you can walk out that door and dwell among the weak and mediocre, knowing you are already better than they can ever be, but never knowing what you might become. That is for you to decide.

[boutant]

[ And now from desire to ambition. Ganondorf clearly loves power, and loves to show that he has it. Ariadne had meant what she said about being subtle. It's not that she doesn't love to show off, but the last time she was overly ambitious, it very quickly got her stabbed by a shade.

She's tried to be more careful. It's something she will at least try to continue. ]

You asked why we wanted to learn magic. You didn't ask what we want to do with it in the future. Greatness makes you a target, and so yes, I want to use the power magic would give me to survive. I can't exactly achieve any sort of goal if I'm dead. After surviving is less of a concern, then I'm sure I'll have other uses for it.

But for now? My answer stands.

[ Proud and stubborn. ]

[dragmire]

[For a moment, he simply watches her. Were he king of this place reveling in absolute power, he might find some sort of way to reprimand her impertinence. But such as it was, he had to play the game. And the truth of it was, she reminded him of the Gerudo. She reminded him of poor, foolish Nabooru.

At last, he smiled thinly.]

So be it. [He turns to Grell.] My apologies for the diversion.

[erythristic]

It was no trouble.

[actually rather amusing to watch them go at each other for a minute. her respect for Ariadne's grown ever more from this--small though she was, she had courage. that might just be the reason she's here in this Court.]

May I take this as an indication that you have reached a decision, or should we withdraw and give you time to think?

[boutant]

[ It's not quite a victory, but it's something. Ariadne takes a breath, though she doesn't relax very much. She does, however, take a step back toward Grell.

She'll apologize to her later, she thinks, when Ganondorf isn't around. ]

[dragmire]

I have decided. I will teach you both.

[He takes a few steps back now, looks from one to the other, and nods. Yes. They shall do nicely.]

In my land, magic comes in many forms. Those without talent rely on magical objects devised by other sorcerers. Others may learn spells. There are many spells woven into magic, some that need only a simple word to utter them. But to use this magic, one must have not only the capacity to draw upon, but endurance as well. And so, I give you these to begin with.

[Form inside his cape, in some place unseen, he produces two simple lanterns. Each one carries the flicker of light in them. They are, by all rights, wholly unremarkable. With one in each hand, he holds them out for each woman.]

[erythristic]

[oh good. she wouldn't be going into this alone. what an excellent outcome.

the lanterns look harmless, but she very much doubts it'll be so. (where did he even get them? a pack?) still, to refuse them is the incorrect answer, and so after taking only half a second to come to this conclusion, she takes the one offered out to her.]

[boutant]

[ There's no sigh of relief, but there will be one later. For now, Ariadne takes her lantern, an eyebrow raised as she looks it over.

If nothing else, they're decent lanterns. ]