eachdraidh

[ The video opens to the woodlands surrounding Caer Glaem. Aslan rests not to far away from a shrine to the White Hart, which is visible in the distance.

His expression is grave, indeed, but his address is made with poise. ]

To those of you to whom I have never spoken, greetings. My name is Aslan, and I arrived in the drabwurld approximately a year and a half ago by this world's reckoning.

I speak to you now, to those who may be unaware, of events that may be coming in the near future.

Earlier this month, I dreamed a dream like unto the visions that came to a number of individuals at the turn of last year. In my dream, I saw great beasts made of metal ravaging the lands with fire. They destroyed everything in their path, and the light of their eyes glowed like unto the very Shards we bear.

I cannot say when, but I believe this vision will come to pass.

I give this warning so that you might not fear, but prepare.

The End comes, and we must be ready to meet it.

[ He lets his words sink in a moment, then- ]

Be well, all of you.

[ With that, he ends the feed. ]

---

[ ooc: Please check out Aslan's permissions post if you would like him to know your character, and make a note in your tag so I know to look! c: ]

brainiest

HERMIONENET / COMPASSES

To anyone that owns a device that can read this notice:

Please return your device to me for additional protection and charms. This won't come with any charge, but it is something that needs to be done. It will make it so that no one but you can use your device and, should it be stolen, it will turn into a harmless little lump of fool's gold, with a promise of a replacement from me if you need it.

If you can't come to me personally for any reason then, please, let me know. I'll do my best to either visit you or send you information on the runes for you to perform yourself. Thank you.

SEELIE LOCKED

[ The video feed shows a harried, tired looking Hermione sitting behind her desk, head held high as she smiles, leaning forward. ]

As always, if anyone is in need of potions or charmed, protective cloaks for the upcoming battles, let me know. Artefacta will be happy to provide them, and we can enchant items you already own as well. Just let me know through your lockets and I'll arrange it all.

notyetlegend

I'm sure by now we're all aware of th' Shuck's decree.

[Sup, Drabwurld? It's your resident princess coming to you live from the back of a flying bison. When Korra had asked her if she wanted to go to Quendi to see the Shuck, she'd jumped at the chance, and now her friend was holding her compass and her locket for her so she could talk while they flew there.

As excited as Merida is that the ban on interacting with Unseelie has been temporarily lifted, it doesn't mean that she'll get to see everyone that she's missed, or that they'll be happy to see her. Instead, she focuses on what she wants to talk about.]

To those seekin' Him, I suggest takin' an offerin'. When talkin' to gods, you should always be respectful, while keepin' in mind that He can an' will kill should He feel it necessary. He is the god of death in this world, an' you'll do well to humble yourself before Him.

[With that out of the way, she clears her throat.]

Banshee are beings of lore in my world an' time. They're women who met with terrible fates an' wail when someone is to perish. Bean nighe we call them, for they wash th' blood from the grave clothes of those who are about to die. I've heard tales that they are spirits who died givin' birth, but that might not always be th' case. Sometimes they lose things, such as hair combs. Perhaps these might help them regain their voices.

[For banshees to lose their voice makes her worry. Is it to do with the vision that Ben had? With the sightings of the White Hart scampering through the cities a month ago with death on His heels?]

Help them. Aid them as He's asked, in any way you can. This is a balance that shouldn't be broken.

rube

[ben is nervous, but not because he's about to share another vision, but because of what he knows is about to come. he's not entirely sure if it's all relative, but he'd been hoping it wouldn't happen so soon. the winter had been a harsh one. for a lot of people, this may be the first time they've seen, let alone spoken to, ben in a long time.

he finally speaks, his voice even but urgent. he seems to finally be ready to speak of his vision.]

It might be too late to change anythin', but I saw somethin' over the winter. It's hard to describe if you haven't seen it, but it's all important, even if it ain't gonna happen right away.

[he lets out a sigh, rubbing his temples,]

Black line in the horizon, only gettin' bigger. Far as I know, it's the Void-- that ain't news. It's comin'. There was-- there was a head, no body, and arrows hittin' the beach. There was some kinda noise there, too. Damn loud, if you ask me. Then the birds came, bigger than anythin' I've seen before, grabbin' at snakes as big as them.

[he pauses; he doesn't look thrilled at what he's about to say.]

The Shuck was eatin' the White Hart. [he licks his lips, gaze hardening,] Whatever's out there, we got to prepare ourselves.

[the feed ends.]

vrykolakas

[The Brucolac isn't in his rooms, for those who know what they look like. Rather, the locket shows him cross-legged on the floor of an inn room in Mair, with a ledger on his lap, a teacup in his hand (Alice will recognise it) and a pile of coins set nice and obviously by his knee. The king was in his counting house, etc.]

Who amongst you can restore sight to one blinded?

I'm willing to pay, provided your service is prompt and effective. [Scratching thoughtfully at his neat-trimmed stubble, evidently assessing some mental diary of appointments. He's got to fit in visiting fire-nymphs, hearing Alyosha lecture at the Barrel, potentially roughing up some brothel-owners, selling drugs and, oh, and somehow finding Morla's favour. His mouth turns down with faint, irritable displeasure at the chaos of it all.] Preferably before the end of the month.

graciousness

[ the voice that can be heard is full of nervousness and skepticism ]

Alright, then. I know this is working, it worked for everyone else, no reason it wouldn't for me - aside for the matter that I do not know what I seem to be doing at all -

[ but then, video! at first you might see only freckles and then she'll step back and you'll see a young woman with dark curls, a purple, flowery dress and one bottom lip that seems to be busied between her teeth. ]

-- Greetings to both courts, I have heard there are two. I hope there are not more and if there are -

[ she might be offending someone. oh no. she'll take a quick yet graceful curtsy ]

to those who can hear - see! me. My name is Gunievere - Gwen, really. of Camelot! I - the fairies -

[ the fairies. this is so unsettling ]

I was told I was brought here to help. I will do all that I can but I - I am but a maidservant. I do not know what I can do, truly but whatever you might need of me, I am in your service.

-- They will send us home when our duties are through, will they not? I have other.

[ erm ]

duties! at home. I am already in the service of a Lady and she might be unsettled with me being gone.

[ and morgana being unsettled is bad news to all ]

--- It's nice to meet you all, I'm certain. Whatever I can do, truly.

starspangled

Looks like we're getting the new arrivals again. My name's Steve Rogers, sorry I missed the feast. I should probably start by telling you that it doesn't matter which court drafted you into this war, and that it's not some shard inside of you that makes you important. But I think a lot of us already know that.

Another thing that I've learned is that you can get so focused on this world, you start to lose touch with the little things that you love about your own.

[The subject that he's about to bring up is also full of jubilation and heartbreak, love and victory and loss. And in some cases, betrayal.

He's looking at you, Dodgers.]

For me it's baseball. Does anyone else play? Because I couldn't help but notice that there's plenty of field around here. Maybe in the spring we could find a couple of bats, or even just toss a ball around for a little R and R.

See, the thing I love about baseball is that both sides get a fair shot. Everyone on the team wears the same uniform, from the manager to the rookie, and it's not over until the last out. It's for everyone, doesn't matter if you're a little bit smaller than the other players. If you can swing a bat or throw a ball, you might just make the hall of fame. It's about hope.

Plus it's a heck of a lot more fun than fighting.

[He gives a slightly sheepish smile when he's done, because Captain America waxing poetic about America's pastime, where's his handful of apple pie.]

So I guess all I really wanted to say is don't forget where you came from. You can even share what you miss about it, if you want. I'm not really much of a hunter, so I've got the time.

steeledskin

[ before the lockets sits a well-composed and well-turned-out lady: her face is set with discipline -- though below it she wants to crack and cry. but sansa stark has a duty -- some imperative -- to speak calmly of grave matters. nothing about this is comfortable; nothing about this is within her conventional grasp. she could compare it to her makeshift trials before the lords declarant or her audiences with the king, but this stage is far wider. out of frame, her fingers tremble. ]

Dear Shardbearers of either court --

[ if her voice shakes then it is by design. some honest fear is permitted into her tone, for what better to move the hearts of strangers than to express genuine dismay at this great knotted problem? she would not have thought to even sell it as injustice until living here and meeting many a person who appeared outraged over these alliances. these marriages. these common cages. ] One turn of the moon ago, High Queen Morla delivered onto me an ultimatum: to marry some Unseelie lord of her choosing, or else invite war upon the Cothromach. Whatever your loyalties, I beg you all to recognize the attempt for what it was --[ and do please fill that blank with your own outraged conclusions. ] I call for aid and support.

[ some words are permitted more of a quiver than others: morla; marry; aid; war. ] But I fear war has come already -- has long already been present -- and today I will refuse the proposal offered, because I fear it was only ever a blade's poisoned edge. I would prevail upon some soul from that queen's court to speak my refusal to her. [ powerful men have met her vulnerabilities with laughter, only to turn and shake their heads when she took small careful steps towards decision. what else is she to do? if she will not play the game by their rules, she must try to write her own. but even now, she hinges her action upon the passion of someone else's protest. someone else's judgement -- for better or worse. ]

The Lady Keeper of the Cothromach will not swear away her city to another court by marriage vows or by vows of any kind. [ except for other partial vows made in quiet rooms with would-be neutral parties. but those meetings are a secret and her announcement today comes instead to engage the hearts and sympathies of prospective champions who might grow incensed over a bully's tactics. lady sansa is not above playing upon their pity if said pity will protect her, her family, and her new city. anyone's pity will do: seelie or unseelie alike. ]

High Queen Morla's dogs are at the gate; let us be wolves when we meet them.

( ooc; i know some efforts have already been made re: the unseelie camps by lancer and others -- there's also a fresh log for the battle itself. )

herotypical

[ the locket swings jarringly into action -- like a camera stuck to a pendulum, shuddering back and forth and only occasionally picking up a stern-eyed blonde. ] Ugh. Whose idea was it to glue a webcam onto a necklace--

[ there! steadied. there is first a grimace and then a forced smile and then a flutter of girlish eyelashes. ] First order of business? Those of you still bumming around the Station -- could you tell me how those repairs are coming along? I'm feeling a serious oncoming modernity craving. Like, a gallon of lattes and underwear that doesn't require learning whole new categories of knots.

Second: does anyone know how to make a quick buck outside shilling it for either court? [ she is not a fan of either of the caers. ] Preferably while also maintaining some facade of dignity.

And third and last but absolutely never least: does the name Sunnydale mean anything to anyone? Y'know, anyone other than the someones I've already talked with. [ hey! it's worth asking. doubly so now that it looks like she's here for the long(ish) haul. double ugh. ]

rube

[for anyone who may have noticed, soon after ben returned to caer glaem from the station, he fell into a slumber for seven days. it takes him about an hour to actually show himself on the network after putting everything back together again. it's early evening. he's showered, at least, but there's a glassy look to his eyes and concern and panic wracking his features that he's trying to reel in. when he speaks, he sounds out of breath, as if he's just woken up.]

I don't got any idea what the hell just happened to me. If someone- if someone could explain how I got home and woke up back here [he runs a hand over his face, shaking his head. is tone has calmed, but he sounds more impatient now:] I gotta go back. I got things I got to to do.

[it's his first day here all over again. he squeezes his eyes shut, then sighs.]

I saw somethin', just before I woke up. Somethin's comin' for us. Somethin' bad.

[he leaves it like that, shutting the locket before he says too much, or says something he'll regret later. he isn't used to talking about his visions. he's not even sure if he should say more, because of the unseelie court, but he doesn't want to completely exclude them. they're not all bad there, he recognizes that.]

( ooc: if any of his cr may have visited him/maybe is there when he wakes up, feel free action that up! you are also free to have your character find him in his room, or out and about the castle. he's most likely getting something to eat after this post! also, i must remind everyone to fill out his permissions! )

boutant

[ Caer Scima had not been a place Ariadne had wanted to return to after the previous month. But when searching for the feathers and feather thief pointed the trail in that direction, Ariadne had returned both her mare and her bandersnatch to her manor. Bentley the imp would look after them, and with the offerings (offerings, of all things) being left at the gate, she doubted finding others to employ would be as difficult as she'd feared. She uses her ability to move through shadows again for the first time, and combined with the fairy ring, she is soon back at Caer Scima.

For the best, she supposes; she has to pick up Ser Pounce-a-lot anyway.

As she opens the locket, Ariadne twirls a blue feather in her fingers; another one she'll have to give back to the imps, though she wonders if perhaps she ought to see if she can turn into something decent at tracking. Catching thieves is hardly her strong suit. ]

I have a confession to make, [ she starts, forcing herself to look at the locket. The twirling of the feather is a nervous gesture. ] Last month, some of you encountered a large shadow creature -- horned, with giant claws. Some of you were injured by it.

[ Some saw others killed by it. ]

The creature attacked the Station, Caer Scima, and Caer Glaem. It was at Caer Glaem that it was brought down and returned to its true state.

[ She takes a breath. ]

Me. And I'd like to apologize for what I did as the creature; I didn't have any control over it, any conscious thought at all.

[ She would not, at least, have attacked the Station or Caer Scima or her friends. Caer Glaem... well, she had been there before because she had been ordered to. ]

I have already been punished for it; I was in the dungeons of Caer Glaem, and I'm sure I'd still be there now if things were different. [ If Razul of the Larks had not been sent for her. ] I just thought that I should explain.

So. Now you know.

metalica

[ The post comes across with a name that, really, no one will recognise. It's one word, simple: ＡＤＬＥＲ. Thank goodness for the text option so he has no need to attempt to hide his voice or face; for now his name is enough. ]

Tell me about your world. Your wars. Your powers. Tell me about the things that you fight for, what you continue to cherish even here.

Educate me.

antagonising

[ The locket opens and the view from the message's intended audience shows the condition of the Station, after Ariadne-Lawkamercyme's rampage through the place not days earlier — claw marks on the walls, furniture and interior structure shredded and destroyed, carpets ruined, basically the entire place in shambles.

Then, Natasha appears. ]

I don't need to ask what happened, here — it's pretty evident that those things got inside somehow and tore the entire place up. I'm a little surprised they'd cause this much damage, though; they hadn't seemed that large when I'd encountered them on the road from Caer Scima.

I assume the threat is gone, for now? If anyone from either court is interested in assisting with the clean-up and repair, I'd imagine they could use someone here with a little more construction know-how than I have. [ She's an expert in demolitions, not rebuilding, and she gives the locket a small smirk. ]

I'm sure the fairies and imps will appreciate it.

steeledskin

Fellow Shardholders. [ of either court! ]

I would speak to a man of law -- should any find himself amid our numbers. [ such a profession is unknown to her, but stiles has explained some occupations and tenets of his world and this one in particular piques her interest. sansa stark could make use of such a man who might be bound by her confidentiality. of course, she does not quite understand the ins and outs of the arrangement.

but that's why she asks today: to learn; to plan; to piece together little patches of her defence. ] Anyone who would call themselves lawyer. I would speak with you. That is the word for it, yes? [ lawyer. ] My apologies if I've gotten it wrong; I'm only a simple girl and I am unwise in these matters. I want to learn about the things that are mysteries to me.

[ like whether a lawyer's strange binding powers of argumentation would even apply in these lands. once her conversations are finished, she snaps the locket shut and can be found in the library -- where she organizes books she doesn't care to read, because the practise soothes her and distracts her mind from its darker thoughts. or else come the evening she sits in her chambers, and allies of hers are welcome to stop and knock. ]

rube

( SPOILERS FOR CARNIVALE, WARNINGS FOR MURDER )
ACTION.

[after the memory was broadcasted and ben found out about it, he chucked the locket out of his window as hard as humanly possible in a rage. and, of course, regrets the decision immediately. he mopes around in his room for a while in silent frustration before forcing himself to go out and look for it.

he can be found wandering around the castle near his window, looking around just about every bush and tree, refusing to ask for help from anyone. he convinces himself he doesn't need the help, mostly because he doesn't want to see anyone's face, not now, and not ever. he would be fine if he was suddenly kidnapped and plopped in the middle of the forest. he'd prefer it anywhere else.]

Dammit.

[he's too emotionally tired to care, and with conflicting emotions (mostly anger) interrupting his thoughts, he doesn't have the patience to look for his locket. he decides to take walk to blow off some steam and come back to look for his locket later.]

( ooc: icly, ben won't respond for a full 24 hours because he threw the locket out of his window and hates life 5eva. as a warning, he's going to come across as even more difficult and angry than he usually does, so don't take it personally! )

fateagainstyourwill

[Simon's peering into his locket, looking uncertain- brows gently furrowed as if he's concentrating, but slightly hesitant to speak. To one other person in particular here, it must be somewhat reminiscent of the Simon who was worried about speaking up, worried his friends might think he was stupid for voicing his thoughts. He licks his lips. Should he have told Alisha first?]

Did-.. anyone else see things last night? [Though his voice is even and sure, a hand is idly pushes back the brown hair at his forehead with a flicker of self-consciousness. He doesn't really know these people, should he be sharing this?] I don't know if it was a message- it was, more like a vision. Like someone trying to contact me.

[Blue eyes lift, glancing upward briefly before settling back upon the locket he recalls what he was shown.] There were people asking for my help. It seemed like they were being torn apart er- in the sky. [His nose wrinkles a little, it sounds vaguely ridiculous and wasn't pleasant, that much is reflected in his expression and he's compelled to help them even if he doesn't have any idea how, this is all he can do. Perhaps someone else here will know better.]

rube

[it's been three months and it's the first time ben has ever broadcasted over the network. he hasn't quite figured out to keep his 'announcement' to just one of the courts, and maybe he doesn't care. he'd prefer it if he could just stay under the radar forever, but that would be unrealistic. the locket is settled on a table in front of him, and he appears to be in the bailey.

the question seems to be quite a feat for him as he speaks, because there's a certain amount of stress to his words. he tries to keep it light, but it's hard for him.]

Name's Ben Hawkins, and I need work. Don't gotta be paid, just need somethin' to do. Don't care if it's just movin' books or a table. Leave me a message, whatever you gotta do.

[his tone reeks of exasperation, even boredom. he's desperate. he shrugs his shoulders, lips pressing together and brows furrowing.]

Maybe even a few sword lessons'd be nice. [asking for help is hard] Ain't askin' for much, just-- just in case I need it.

[he pauses, awkwardly, as if he doesn't know what else to say. how do other people usually end the feed? they just turn it off, right? he hesitates, reaching for the locket, and finally--]

Bye.

[and the feed shuts off.]

greenjacket

(ACCIDENTAL VIDEO)

...Bloody hell.

[ the locket is propped open on richard sharpe's lap. it catches the lower half of his face and shows a steep-angled frame of one green-jacketed shoulder as he works: trying to transplant a second charm from it's own chain onto the locket's. why carry around two bleeding necklaces when they can be consolidated?

but the chain slips in his calloused fingers and he swears a second time. bugger. ] I should sell it. [ he talks to himself. ] Or else let Pat handle the fool thing. He likes talking. Talks enough for the both of--

[ again, something tumbles; slips; goes awry. sharpe drops another string of strong oaths. ]

╍ ╍ ╍

(PURPOSEFUL VIDEO, LATER THAT DAY)

Who in Caer Glaem's got some scissors I can borrow? [ he doesn't want to ask the damned fairies; don't make him ask the damned fairies. he'd rather the damned fairies didn't even exist! ]

And while we're at it -- [ huff ] -- speak up if any of you poor sods are British army. Either bloody court.

[ he can't yet decide if it will be a windfall or a disaster if he and patrick are the only poor bastards to find themselves absent without leave from their own army. a windfall if he finds some he can order around, he supposes. and a right pain in his arse if he comes across anyone whose rank exceeds his own.

and lacking in many graces, major richard sharpe fails to identify himself. he just sits and glowers at the locket with a scarred face and an impatient expression. ]

steeledskin

Dear fellows and members of the Seelie court -- [ the voice which addresses the locket is composed and clear and perfectly conscientious. but the girl whose image accompanies the voice looks a little less than all those things. her dark-dyed hair is fastened in an uncommonly simple braid...and if one looks very closely, she can be seen to have a haggard look about her. she's somewhere outside and all her caution is bent at hiding a panic she doesn't want to share with strangers. nor with those few genuinely waiting on her return. ]

I don't want to alarm any of you. Indeed, I speak to the very opposite of that effect. It's -- [ her gaze flickers 'off-screen' for a moment ] -- it's Alayne Stone. Those of you who are acquaintances [ not friends ] ought to know that I've found myself...left behind. I'm sorry. It should not have happened. But I suspect I won't make Caer Glaem again for some time. [ the fault of the matter is a little trickier than that, but she knows better than to play with implications. so after a steadying breath, she presses onwards. ] Or we won’t -- because I'm not alone. [ i have nymeria, she thinks but doesn’t dare to say. just like how sansa wants to speak directly to those who know her for who she really is -- but instead: ] I have a knight with me.

Don't I, Ser Gendry? [ and she twists her locket, letting it capture the surly blacksmith who stands a few paces away from her with an irritated expression. his armour is dented and blooded and the man sags with an obvious exhaustion. ser gendry is a man who looks and feels beaten, but it does not stop him from standing tall. he is a talisman of sorts: a warning, to any sansa fears might prey upon what would otherwise be a journey fraught with vulnerability. ser gendry is here; she is protected, albeit not happily so. he at last looks towards her and her locket and grumbles an unhappy agreement to her statement, which is accompanied by a nod. ]

A lady needn’t despair when she’s so well accompanied. Instead, my thoughts are with the returned; I pray the High Queen’s desired prize was taken without steep costs or losses. [ following this, there is no formal farewell. no official sign-off. her attention lingers, perhaps waiting for one or two responses in particular. ]

( ooc; sansa and gendry are now officially stranded and making their long way back to caer glaem -- and it’ll take them at least two months, though they’ll be reachable by locket at their respective ic inboxes. but for now, responses to this post will receive replies from one or the other or both!)

Entries tagged with ben hawkins: carnivàle

VIDEO | SEELIE + HERMIONE-NET (backdated to the 25th)

hermionenet / seelie locked

seventh arrow → VIDEO → Seelie / Hermionenet

video. (seelie court only) | a vision.

v. video. open to both courts.

❖ ００１ ; ＶＯＩＣＥ ⇨ ＶＩＤＥＯ（ＳＥＥＬＩＥ＋ＵＮＳＥＥＬＩＥ）

Video | Both Courts

(sixth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

(first stake) video ✧ open to both courts

three ✝ video/action ✝ unlocked

video | open to both courts

( TEXT ) ( 001 )

oo1 ⌛ video ⌛ open to both courts

(fourth lemon cake) voice ✧ open to both courts

two ✝ memory/action ✝ seelie/unseelie

[Open to both Seelie | Unseelie]

one ✝ video ✝ seelie/unseelie

(sharpe's locket) ♖ video: open to all courts

(second lemon cake) video ✧ locked to seelie

Links