eachdraidh

[Aubri looks pensive: ear tufts flat against his head, gaze piercing, posture not quite relaxed. He speaks slowly, deliberately softening his accent for the sake of this message.]

Not so very long ago in my world, two great mages fell into war. Ma'ar grew to love power too much. Urtho was the only mage who could even think to stand against him.

[Aubri taps the ground next to the locket. The tap tap tap of his talons is dimly heard until he speaks again.] Ma'ar polluted magic. He poured every evil he possessed into his creations. Our troops were decimated. In the end, Urtho's only defense was to build a weapon as great and terrible as Ma'ar could conceive. I do not know if Urtho knew how great the consequences would be.

I helped deliver that weapon. [Okay, no. Not really, but he was there when Skandranon delivered it. But those are details and he'd rather not get into those... because then he'd have to talk about getting caught and abducted and that's just not fun talk.] It was a terrible price to pay for our lives.

[But he would do it again, if it meant saving the lives of so many people.] The magic corrupted the land and all the creatures in it. We could live there no longer. The storms would have killed us, if the creatures twisted by magic did not first.

[A pause.] Be careful out there, my friends.

waterbearer

[ This is Kaldur’s second video in the library, and this time he is accompanied by several even larger stacks of books at his side. With titles like Complex Warding, Armor and Weapon Buffs and Anchoring Points for Spells and Non-Physical Structures mixed in with a few like Compendium of Schools and Disciplines of Magic, Vol III and Pratical Applications of Theoretal Sorcery. He’s roped in a few fairies in the library to deliver more books to the table, which he is sharing with one other individual surrounded with similar stacks of books.

Kaldur already has several pages of notes organized by subject, when he stops, runs a hand through his hair and turns to the camera. ]

Greetings, for those of you who do not know, I am Kaldur’ahm of the Seelie Court. With me here is Mr. Dorian Gray, of the same. We are researching into magical methods of a more defensive variety. Wards, buffers to reduce attack damage or nullification methods of attacks.

Any magical means of protection.

[ Kaldur shifts the locket towards Dorian ]

[ Dorian glances up from a book—oh, it’s his cue?—and while he is trying to maintain a dignified seriousness appropriate to the task of guarding their residence, he may be a little excitable about the nerdy magical possibilities. ]

We have found a remarkable variety of kinds of ways that spells can work. Magic with written talismans and carved wards and decks of cards and the like, of course, but other bases for magic, too, in song and dance, in mathematics—it looks like everything can act as a starting point from which a spell might develop. Even those who don’t know magic could take their own skills and, with the theories we’ve found, develop some basic protective charms.

[ He glances over at Kaldur and shifts the locket over for him. ]

[ Kaldur straightens the locket, and looks square into the camera. ]

What we ask is this. If you are familiar with magic of any sort in your home world—or even this one—please inform us, especially if it is non-attack based or not directly aggressive. Even if it does not have any immediate or obvious defensive application, it may be useful in what we are trying to achieve. Whether or not we like the situation, we are in a war. The least we can do is try to make sure we are well-protected and defensible should the need arise.

[ Kaldur pushes the locket back, then, so that both himself and Dorian are easily in the videofeed ]

For those who have no familiarity with magic but wish to aid in defence of where we and those under our protection reside, you are welcome to contact myself or Mr Kaldur’ahm, and we shall assist you in finding ways to help. [ That little badly hidden moment of excitement flutters to the surface as he adds, ] And, if it so happens that you’re merely curious about what you’re capable of here, it would be our pleasure to share what we have found.

[ Kaldur nods. ]

We thank you for your time.

bondedgryphon

( There is nothing visible from the locket... Warnings: Torture, violence, mind fuckery, fear dogs )

boutant

[ Judging by the fairly spooky looking trees in the background, Ariadne is in the thick of La Llorona. With her is an imp who appears to be wearing a neckerchief, perching on the side of a cart and fussing over the sacks in the back of it. Ariadne herself has a steak of dirt on her forehead and a bit more on her nose, as well as her clothing.

Yup, she's been digging up bones. ]

If anyone needs to get any remains to Caer Scima, I may be able to meet you somewhere and get them there. I know we're all sort of spread out.

[ She rubs the back of the hand that's not holding her locket across her forehead, smearing the dirt across it. Despite the drop in temperature, this is still hard, sweaty work. ]

And if anyone else is in or around La Llorona, or will be traveling through the forest to get to or from Caer Scima -- I have a manor in the forest. While I wouldn't say it's one hundred percent safe, knowing the way things go around here, it's definitely safer than camping within the forest. As long as you aren't looking to hurt the forest or Caer Scima -- or haven't just come from doing those things -- you can stay there, if you'd like.

[ She grins at the camera, tired but obviously pleased. ]

I even have rooms picked out for a few of you.

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.

bird_brain

[So Aubri's mad. It's pretty obvious, if one is adept at reading bird expressions. His gaze is direct, the lines around beak and eyes hard, every line of his body radiating tension. When he speaks, his tone is clipped, angry, accent heavy. This is open to both courts, if only because locking it to only Seelie slipped his mind. (Oops, sorry, Seelie.)]

Not long ago, I asked for news of a woman named Ariadne, after she disappeared while fighting the shadow creatures. Days passed without word until she contacted me herself, to tell me that she had been held in Seelie dungeons for an indefinite amount of time.

[A pause. His beak opens, closes, and he hisses. His ear tufts flatten against his head.] I would like to thank those in my own court for keeping me abreast of the situation.

[Another hiss and then click goes the locket.]

bird_brain

[Aubri speaks with an urgent clipped tone, though it's fairly obvious there's something distracting him: he looks to the side every now and again before his gaze flits back to the locket.]

Has anyone seen or heard from a woman named Ariadne? [There's a hint of desperation there; he's really like someone to answer him in the positive here.] She disappeared--

[And his distraction strikes again: Ariadne's bandersnatch cub is apparently doing something dumb off-screen.] Straton. [Aubri turns back to the locket.] She disappeared last night near the Station Ring. I fear--

--Straton, enough. [There's a bit of rustling off-screen and then Aubri hisses. Just before the broadcast ends, there's one more thing said -- and it's obviously not meant for the wider audience.] That is my tail. Thrice-blighted little--

[And the locket closes.]

bird_brain

[Aubri looks far more composed for this message than he did the last time he addressed the locket. His feathers are neatly groomed, all traces of dirt and blood gone. The alertness in his gaze is less stress-induced and more of genuine curiosity. The brand above his left eye -- a simplied Unseelie sigil -- is visible, though well on its way to healing. All in all, he looks much better than he did when he warned of Celegorm's march on Caer Glaem.]

It has not been so very long since many of us found our memories plucked from our minds and given to the public. Perhaps it is not so for some of you, but for me, it is rather unheard of.

[A pause] I wonder: do any of you know why this happened -- and why it happened to some but not to others? I was otherwise occupied during much of that time and, if it was said, I missed it.

[[This also serves as an open ACTION post: Aubri has taken up residence, for a good part of the day, on a patio at the Station. He has laid claim to a nice, warm sunbeam. For the price of good company, he'll share it.]]

bird_brain

[The light of day is no kinder than the dusk of yesterday, but at least Aubri has been given enough time to make himself a little more presentable. His feathers are still in disarray and he's careful to keep the left side of his face away from the locket but there's less obvious blood matted through feathers and fur. His every intention is to keep this short -- he's found it within himself to actually travel today and he feels as if he needs to travel faster than the army that left yesterday.]

Some of you know that an army marches toward Caer Glaem. [He had considered warning only those who were aligned with Seelie. However, he has friends among Unseelie and isn't dumb enough to assume he's the only one. And if any Unseelie have objections to Celegorm's march, just maybe he can spur them toward taking some action, as well. In his mind, this is not Seelie vs Unseelie. Not yet.] Do not take this lightly; it is an army of considerable strength and number. I urge you to make preparations.

[A pause. Celegorm charged him to deliver a very specific message but Aubri will not be cowed. But something needs said.] I do not believe that reason will halt their march.

[[threadjacks welcome, if you've a desire for conversations between characters in this post. go to town.]]

bird_brain

( Cut for blood/mild mutilation: In here is a memory )

teenyoda

[If Stiles had been asked which memory he would have thought would have been forcibly pulled from his brain and broadcast to the entire Drabwurld, he never would have thought it would have been the one chosen by the star. With how his life had been lately, he would have expected something along the lines of screaming and death and pain and blood. Hurt. He'd expected to hurt.

He did, but in a different sort of way.]

[The boy that came running down the stairs had to have been about six or seven, dark hair tufted and sticking up, pajamas emblazoned with iconic little Batman symbols as bare feet padded over carpeted floors, down a set of stairs and over to the large Christmas tree set up in the corner. There was no snow outside (duh, California), but there was fake snow sprayed all over the windows, snowflake decals added to give it a winter feel. There was a gasp, little hands moving up to cover a mouth open in an 'o' of surprised glee at the presents piled up under the tree. The boy went over, pulling one out and shaking it, then looking up the stairs with a sort of thoughtful look. Maybe he could open just one before...]

Put that down, Stiles. Let us at least get a little coffee in us first?

[His dad came down the stairs, flannel pj pants and a tshirt half covered by a robe. He was yawning and scratching at his belly as he shuffled towards the kitchen. A woman followed after, looking just as sleepy but giving him a fond smile as she came over, her robe closed as she went to sit on the couch.]

Oh, let him open just one. It'll help him take the edge off, right, baby?

[The woman smiled at the boy and the boy jumped up, coming over to throw small arms around her neck and give her an enthusiastic kiss. The woman laughed and ruffled his hair, pushing him back over to the tree.]

Go on, then. One to tide you over until your old, grumpy parents get some caffeine in them.

[His dad sighed and looked over at her, but he clearly wasn't actually all that put out.]

You know you spoil him.

He's a baby. He's supposed to be spoiled.

I am not. I'm almost seven. That's practically all grown up.

See, mom? Practically a man already.

[The man laughed and set up the coffee maker before coming over and sitting heavily in a chair.]

Well, go on, then. It's two against one. Majority rules.

[The boy grinned, coming over and giving his dad a thankful hug before he went over to the tree, picking out one of the medium packages because he wanted to build up anticipation for that big one in the corner.

There were flickers of how that morning continued; paper everywhere, ribbons tied in hair both long and short, happy smiles as socks were oohed and ahhed over, gifts made by small hands fussed over and elated squeals of glee over the large box, which turned out to be a Star Wars compilation present with Lego sets and a pair of light sabers that would be used the next day with Scott. They'd both be broken in four months. The image flickered and faded with the three of them on the couch, the boy sitting on the woman's lap, playing with a strand of hair as the man sat beside them, showing them something in a book he'd gotten from his wife.]

IN THE MORNING
[With eyes a little red, he addressed the network.]

So... guess there's nothing we can do to stop that, huh?

[What he really wanted to ask is if there was a way to save it.]

bird_brain

[Aubri's bored.

It's also right around dusk and, in the background, is the sound of rain and thunder rumbling lowly and the occasional flash of lightning. He's grounded and traveling alone, so he's poking at the locket.]

This world has lovely weather.

[He's also grumpy.]

bird_brain

I travel faster than many of you.

[That's the assumption anyway -- and now that the obvious is stated, Aubri forges ahead:] Would any have use of a... delivery service, I suppose is the best phrase. I find myself wishing to stretch my wings and I might as well try to be useful while doing so.

[Pause] Payment would be negotiable.

bird_brain

[For a moment, Aubri stares at the locket. His ear tufts are up, his head cocked slightly to the side. When he speaks, his accent is obvious, with rolling consonants and hissed sibilants.]

My name is Aubri. Yes, I am a gryphon. [Because seriously everyone's asking.]

No, I do not breathe fire. Yes, I can fly. I prefer to fly. Yes, I know what humans are. No, I am not the one of my kind, though I may be in this world. Yes, I can speak. [Obviously.] And, finally, yes, the talons -- [he holds them up and, yep, pretty wicked looking] -- do make certain things difficult.

[Pause] Did I miss anything?

Entries tagged with aubri: mage wars trilogy

video | ota

VIDEO | 1 JAN | SEELIE LOCKED (+ Waver Velvet)

Video - OPEN to both Courts

video | open to both courts

001 ♖ [video] | both courts

video | open to both courts

[video]

|video|

open to both courts - slightly forward-dated to July 19

FORWARD-dated to the evening of July 18 - open to both courts; video

Video - Seelie/Unseelie (Memory)

[video]

| two - open to all |

[one] video

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