eachdraidh

[ Cullen has used his locket a few times, particularly during his time in the Cothromach as he recovered from an injury. Still, it was one thing to respond to others, or leave them short messages. It was another to cast one’s thoughts out, as though talking to everyone and no one in particular. He rubs the back of his neck, frowning slightly. ]

There is something that I’ve been meaning to ask for a while.

[ …Oh Maker, he’s forgotten something. ]

Though, I suppose it might help if I mentioned my name first. To those that don't know me, my name is Cullen. In Thedas- [ a pause ] my home world, my title was “Commander”, but, I really doubt that means all that much here.

[ Another pause, as he tries to find his footing, feeling more and more foolish by the moment. ]

As I was saying, there’s something I’ve been curious about almost ever since I arrived here, but I hadn’t gotten the chance to ask anyone about it, what with that Blighted creature rampaging across the world…

[ Another pause. ] And… that’s magic. That is, I’ve been meaning to ask about magic. just in case he wasn’t clear enough. ] I’ve no doubt you all know what it is, seeing as we’ve all been brought here by such a force.

In my world, opinions about magic were… mixed, to say the very least. While mages are certainly valued in many situations, they are more prone to possession from hostile spirits that offer countless temptations in exchange for a foothold in the mortal world. Not to mention, some possess the ability to raze entire cities to the ground, demons or no. To that end, the Templar Order existed to guard against the dangers of blood magic and demons. W-[ he corrects himself ] They used abilities of their own to combat hostile magic, often at a great personal cost. Mages also often studied in something called the Circle of Magi, though conditions were… not always ideal.

[ Perhaps he was a bit biased in some regards, but he was still attempting to be as diplomatic as possible. Maker knows if he actually managed to succeed. ]

I’m curious to know more, both about the magic here, and magic from… other places. The places that you come from. And how those without magic interact with those that possess it, or where that power is drawn from. Or... those with other abilities that aren't magical but are still... something. It would be… rather helpful.

[ And not fully satisfied that he didn’t make an utter fool of himself, he closes the locket. ]

VIDEO | SEELIE LOCKED

[ Not much later, he opens the locket again, this time with a message only visible to those in the seelie court. While he is perhaps somewhat unaccustomed to asking total strangers about their opinions on more sensitive subjects, there is one thing that he does know how to do.

When he speaks again, he is professional and to the point. ]

Ser Lancelot has tasked me with locating additional men and women for guard rotations at Caer Glaem. Given what has occurred there, it is vital to protect not only those that would aid in reconstruction of the damaged areas, but others that still cannot defend themselves [ a pause, as he contemplates something. ]. And, regardless of your personal feelings on the war, it is a worthy cause.

[ A nod, as he shuts the locket. ]

debts

I keep thinking of this story.

[ There's nothing particularly guarded about the way Natasha sounds. Lazy, maybe; a little mildly amused. ]

Once upon a time, there was a proud and warlike tsar— [ A short pause, then a correction. ] —a ruler. His name was Dadon. When he was young, he invaded and destroyed neighboring lands, taking them for his own. When he grew older Dadon wanted peace, but now his enemies sensed his weakness and it was their turn to wage war on him. He asked for help from his court magician, who gave him a golden cockerel. If any enemies approached, the bird would crow, and because the tsar was pleased he promised that he would give the magician anything he asked for.

Dadon's people lived peacefully for two years. The bird did its job whenever there was danger. One day, the golden bird cried out louder than ever before, so the man sent a great army under the command of his eldest son. Eight days passed. When the bird crowed again, his son and their army weren't back, so he sent out his younger son and another army. There was no news again for eight more days.

He was worried. The bird crowed again, so he went to go investigate this personally, with an army of his best warriors. After several days, he came across a battlefield where both armies and his two sons lay dead. At the edge of the field, he saw a tent with a woman of stunning beauty inside. Her name was—

[ A beat. ]

—you know, I don't think I remember. Her title, though, was the Queen of Shamakha. She invited him inside his tent and Dadon fell in love with her. He took her home, back to his kingdom.

When he did, the magician was waiting for him at the gates. He asked the tsar to pay for the golden bird by giving him the Queen of Shamakha. Angry with the request, Dadon hit the magician with his sword, wounding him fatally. At that moment the bird swooped down and pecked Tsar Dadon to death. And the Queen of Shamakha disappeared, as if she had never been there.

[ Natasha huffs out a laugh. ]

Sorry. Maybe that was too obvious a moral. [ And just like that, the audio abruptly ends. ]

brainiest

[ The locket opens on just Hermione's face; behind her there is nothing but a blank wall, at least until she turns. Then there's a small bookshelf, a series of vials and a cauldron before she sits down and refocuses the camera on her and nothing else. It takes her a moment to speak but she does - after taking a long, deep breath. ]

For anyone that doesn't know me, my name is Hermione Granger. We're about to enter a war and I don't think it's right that any of us enter entirely unprepared - there's only so much we can do, but I intend to do whatever I can to make sure that everyone is ready and as capable as they can be.

[ Another deep breath and she turns, so that both her cauldrons are in sight. ]

I've been brewing potions for the last few days, as much as I can and as quickly as I can. I have things for cuts, scrapes, wounds, for loss of blood and for burns, anti-paralysis... I think you get the idea. I've got a lot of stock and I'm ready to give it to anyone who thinks they might need it before they go and fight. If you need it after then you know my name and how to contact me, right?

[ She looks troubled, still; war isn't something she is entirely comfortable with, even now, even with how familiar she is with it. ]

Just let me know if you want or need something and I can pop over and deliver it. And if you have, um, friends that might need it but can't read this? Let me know. I'm an equal opportunist potioneer, I promise. Thank you for your time.

[ And, added a little later, if the change in the shadows of the room are any indication -- ]

You don't have to pay me for them, but if you can find ingredients or donate something that would be nice. Just so I can keep this going.

[ Happy, Mako? ]

Entries tagged with athos: the musketeers

01 ♘ video | both courts

o1. spider | audio; both courts.

( video ; seelie locked. )

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