eachdraidh

[ The locket reveals the face of a young woman--some would say a girl--peering into it. Her hair gleams silver-gold in the candlelight, her eyes an unusual purple color. In the background, an imp peers over her shoulder, its claws clinging to her bared skin. ]

There is magic in the Free Cities and Qarth alike, yet I have seen nothing half so convincing as Allaidh Darach. It is ... [ She hesitates; what to call the place that's imprisoned you against your will? ] ... intricate work, truly. Were I settled into my kingdom, my children fierce and grown, perhaps I would not mind it so much, calling Caer Scima home.

[ For a fraction of an instant, she looks sad. Did Drogon sense her as she faded into this world? ]

But lush pillows will not shield my freedmen from those who would send them back to the shackles, no more than peach tarts will keep famine away from my gates. [ The imp shakes a foul little fist at the locket in punctuation, as though its fellows didn't help to abduct her only four nights ago. Dany turns and fixes it with a measured look. ]

Leave me now. I want no spies.

[ It hesitates, but something in her voice convinces it. Muttering, it releases her shoulder and shrinks away as though scolded. Dany waits impatiently for two more of the creatures to leave her presence, some private struggle raging beneath. Then, at last, she exhales in a sigh. ]

Yet time is not so easily disrupted, I have learned. Tell me, was I spoken true? [ It's phrased as something of a demand, but there's a very clear plea beneath it. The queen is there, but so, too, is the girl. And the girl is frightened, fearing for her people and her dragons alike. ] Will my people notice I have left them, or will all be as it was? How may I be assured of their safety?

[ Restless fingers pluck at the fringe of the cushion in her lap. ]

halfdressed

[ The room is pink. Pink, gold, and are those fluffy, clever bunnies-the-size-of-imps running around adjusting the statues? Might be. ]

Hey! Goddess of Love speaking! Pay attention. [ She's curvaceous, tall, and dressed in enough chiffon that you'd think physics would keep her covered up, and yet. ] Hi-iiii. My name is Aphrodite, you might know me by a bunch of other things.

Obviously this place is like Ares's wet dream with all the war biz going on, but that's not my jam. Love would be the name of my game. Problem is, I don't have anywhere for mortals to leave messages for me when I'm busy and I am so not answering calls for help on this locket indefinitely because, uh, I have a life, so here's the deal; build me a temple near the edge of Dorchadas and I'll give you a freebie. That babe you've had your eye on? I'll make them fall in love with you! Are you ugly as a toad? I'll give you a permanent make-over! This is a one-time thing because I'm feeling generous ... and clearly don't have any offerings coming in, ugh. Speaking of, if you want to leave cute shoes as a gift, I'm a size six.

So yeah! Get in touch.

selfimage

[ it's Loki! he turns his head for a moment before focusing back at the locket, his chin is resting on his hand, and his elbow on a desk. he gives a friendly wiggly-fingered wave, holding the locket with the other hand. ]

Hello. Story time, anyone? Some of you have already heard this one before, and I hate to tell it again, but bear with me, there are some interesting deets that most usually lack.

[ and then, he starts in his best storyteller voice, playing with words on his tongue and in a certain cadence. ]

There's a place known as Asgard aka the Realm Eternal. Asgard, in all of its glory, rests in the branches of the World Tree, up near the tippy-top. This place is the home to the gods. The nine realms below it are homes everyone else: storm giants, frost giants, angels, elves of the most annoying sorts, some humans, dwarves with bearded faces, etcetera etcetera. Inter-realm relations are always tenuous at best, someone is always fighting someone else over blah blah blah. There are even wars over dumb squabbles, and you'd think that the only way anyone could solve a problem is with an axe to the face.

However—cue the dramatic music—there was only ever one war to end all wars: Ragnarok. [ he draws a circle in the air with a dark nailed finger.

it's a funny thing to call something "the such-and-such to end all so-and-so," because it generally comes up again and worse somehow. there are lots of wars to end all wars, ends to end all ends, but it does make everything sound more dramatic. ]

In short, Ragnarok was a fated event and the Gods of Asgard were always finding new ways to try and stop it. [ a pause and he scratches the back of his head. ] Actually—erm, hold on just a sec. Let's rewind just a little bit. This Ragnarok, this "end of all ends" and "war to end wars," kept happening. Over and over and over again. The gods would get caught up in the same pattern, and boom! another Ragnarok. Even if details differed, everyone would fight and suffer and die just like the last time. [ then his hands come up in wonder! ] And then be reborn! Ta-dah! It would start all over again. More Ragnarok and more betrayal.

It's like they were stuck, and they were. Fate was using them, and just as many other things in this cosmos, someone found a way to take advantage of it. They stopped it eventually, and cut the threads of the tapestry that the Norns had woven. Those that had fed from their suffering were extinguished. [ and as an aside, he says: ] Or so they say. Who knows what happened to them?

And thus, the gods won their free future. Dancing ensued, parties happened, drinks were passed around, and everyone lived happily ever after. [ he lets out a breath and looks bitterly amused. ] Or so you'd think. But, hm, let's say—they kind of did. Here's the part they don't tell you, the epilogue: they didn't want it. They broke free from the horrors of Ragnarok only to find themselves at a loss. In their freedom they lacked security, so they forged themselves other chains of destiny.

[ he waves his hand and sits back in his chair, bringing the locket with him. ] There you have it. It's not like stories like that haven't been told a million times, but it does beg the question: are some events only deemed the "natural order" because they've happened so many times before, becoming a favorite trope of the cosmos? Perhaps fate would have us think so.

[ there's a pause. ]

Ah, well, enough of that for one day. I could use a pint of ice cream and a good romcom.

extramural

[ The locket, as always, is held up in mid-air when the Outsider turns it on. He is not alone in this recording, though; behind him are four women in long, gauzy black dresses and veils. With them are several children, eyes all black; the women are gently ushering them along the shore of the beach behind them while two massive dogs run back and forth.

In the distance is the black line of the Void, creeping over the ocean.

Next to the Outsider is another one of the children, and next to him the resemblance is clear: the same eyes, the same curious tilt to the head, the same bony cheeks. The child looks a bit more fey, but he sticks close to his sire, hands clutching to his arm. ]

Do not harm the children, [ the Outsider begins, and his voice is cold, shows every century of age and power. ] Do not harm the children or we will use your blood and bones, and you will be lucky if you are dead when we start.

[ A large palm smooths over the hair of his son. A daughter comes up on the other side, humming. She smiles at him and her teeth are sharp and red. The Outsider leans in so she can murmur in his ear. ]

Ah, yes. Should anyone find themselves with a need to desecrate shrines further -- the same warning applies to you. I will know, should you touch one of mine.

[ His daughter giggles and takes the hand of his son, and the two go to join the others. The Outsider watches, head half-turned. A seagull swoops down and perches on his shoulder, ruffles its wings, and the feed ends. ]

tacticalturtleneck

Alright, let's get a couple facts straight.

1st -> Fuck the Seelie. Yeah, which one of you asses are going to argue with me about that? It'll be a quick trip to the dungeons for you, King Louis XVI. That's spelled L-o-u-i-s but pronounced in a dumb frog way. Don't get me started.

2nd -> Get your ass over to Archer Point Military Academy. Seriously, learn how to be a good soldier. Girls love soldiers which means you can get some serious bed action as long as you follow what I say.

3rd -> Don't disrespect Darth Wark. He's my chocobro and I will let him remove you from existence if you do. Bros before does, right? [Yes, there is a loud WARK off the screen.] Are girl chocobos called does by the way? I don't even know. Quick, someone find me a bird expert!

4th -> All hot women drink for free here. Considering there is an extreme lack of unhot women using these things, I'm pretty sure that means all of you. Using my bed while I'm in it is also free, hint hint. Psst, that means I'd bang you.

What else am I missing? Fill me in.

slugout

How do you know for sure if a horse is preggo? Like, for real, legitimately got a baby horse bun in the oven, and your horse isn't just turning into a fatass or something.

thebreakingwave

Hello, for those of you I haven't yet met, I'm Harry.

[The video footage is of a young man with messy black hair, one bottle-green eye, and half his face silvered over with old scarring. On the damaged side, he has a red amber prosthetic in place of an eye. In the background, there's a crow that periodically peers over his shoulder.]

The queen has tasked me to talk to every one of the Unseelie and ask for a memory of solidarity, overcoming great odds, or defeating a foe. With these, she can use it to create a better, stronger defence for a rebuilt Caer Scima.

It's going to take time to do this — at the very least, a few months — so there's no hurry to meet and I've the ability to get to pretty much anywhere in the Drabwurld quickly.

[He looks down at a bit of paper that's just out of sight; seems like someone made notes before talking.]

Sharing a memory is done through magic, it doesn't hurt, I won't look at anything you don't want me to see and I'll swear to that.

How's that?

prissykid

[Sup, Fairy Land, there's a 15-year-old newbie on the network today. He's regarding the Locket with a cool, vaguely curious expression.]

It's a little too abrupt for my taste, but it has relevance in light of certain events. What sort of afterlife do you think there is? Or, if you don't personally believe in one, then what's one that's common in your world or that you might agree with? On the other hand, which one would you disagree with wholeheartedly as an afterlife?

[Joshua shrugs slightly.]

It's a morbid topic, I grant you, but...well, I can't say that I'm not interested in learning about different beliefs and how other cultures view different things.

[The teenager shifts into a more comfortable position.]

Not to mention, with various worlds comes even more cultures I've never come across. I wouldn't like to squander such a chance.

falconkick

Hey, uh. Network. My name's Sam, for those of you I haven't gotten the chance to meet yet.

[ a small smile and a lift of his chin that both say he might genuinely like that chance to meet everyone everywhere at some point. but he's here with something serious today, so he moves right along. ]

I wanted to tell y'all something I like to keep in mind from day to day, but especially on days like the last dozen or so. I'm retired military - Air National Guard pararescue, for any of you that are familiar - but I enlisted a long time ago. Don't ask for a number, a man's gotta keep some secrets.

[ feelin' your age, wilson? his cheeky smile is short lived. ]

When I went to basic, I wasn't exactly itching for a fight, so I wasn't with the other greenies that were disappointed when we started with folding our own bed sheets. My ma raised me right, and the first time I picked up a gun, it was with all due respect to the power they were putting in my hands. I didn't wanna let all that go to my head and forget the responsibility that comes with carrying arms.

[ he purses his lips for a quiet beat, inhales shortly before continuing. ]

Wish I could say the same for the first time I shot a man. My country went to war right after I was accepted into the PJs, and when it was down to me or him, I chose him. Just - [ he makes a small pew gunshot sound, glum; ] - and that was that. I wasn't scared and I didn't feel guilty about it - and that was what stuck with me. I asked my unit, my CO, anyone that would listen. No one could tell me whether or not I was supposed to feel good about killing the "bad guys".

[ another moment's silence - half to find his next words, half out of respect for the dead. he scrubs a hand over his head. ]

Still don't really have an answer, and like I said, it's been a long time. Some days I think I might be close, and other days I ask myself "man, who do you think you're kidding?" Thing of it is - whether or not you think it's for the right reasons, taking someone else's life isn't easy, and it shouldn't be. That kinda thing stains your hands, and then you gotta decide how to live with it. For me, at least, some days are easier than others. And on the days when it's not, I keep looking for an answer.

[ finally, he gives a small, weary smile. the point of this whole thing: trying to get people to talk about it so they don't bottle it in. sam knows where he stands, and it's at the door, trying to open it for others. ]

If you've got any ideas, please, I'd love to hear 'em. Maybe we can trade a few around, see if we can't come up with something new. Either way, today's a good day.

[ dead tired, quiet, but sam still says it with a smile before signing off. ]

cagedinflesh

Good evening. To those I have not yet met, my name is Berserker, I feel it is always best to start with introductions, especially here, where there is no code to follow in them.

What I am asking today is the subject of medicine and healing. As some will know, I am a doctor and a scientist. Yet it is rather more difficult to pursue here, especially now, after what we have lost. I hope members of each court might set aside differences in the midst of war to speak on the subject, as sharing such information would benefit not only shardbearers, but the common people as well. Medical assistance is, after all, a basic right, and not something which should be withheld even from an enemy.

Of healers, I would ask after your methods, whether that of your own world, or adopted here. Magic, natural remedies, anything at all. Or else where one might find further information.

Botanists, or any others familiar with the plants of the Drabwurld might also be of use. The fewer which must be experimented upon to find medicinal properties, the better, of course. Once again, even peculiarities within your own world, as the knowledge may very well prove useful here.

In addition, if anyone - and I do mean anyone at all, regardless of court status or otherwise - if anyone would like medicines of some sort to keep for emergencies, I would be glad to provide. As of yet I have managed to compound a few pain relievers and the like, but would happily work to find some solution for anything. And of course, should any require proper medical attention, do contact me at any time.

Please do feel free to use this as a forum to discuss the subject among yourselves, if at all appropriate.

chaoticwhimsy

[Lumina is skipping along ahead of the image feed when it clicks on, so one of her imps is probably filming her again. People familiar with the area might recognizing the rolling hills outside of Mair, but now nestled between a number of them is what looks like a large, sprawling ranch. Lumina comes to a stop beneath a hand-painted sign that says 'Gran Pulse Chocobo Ranch', with a painting of a bright yellow chocobo standing in front of a giant green and blue planet, with a smaller gray planet hanging in the background.]

[She twists around once she's under the sign and grins at the locket. Chaos the black chocobo is standing just inside the gate, sans his usual armor and saddle, and he peers at his mistress and the imp with a 'why me' kind of expression, then warks quietly.]

Look, they gave me a whole ranch! I had to make the sign myself though. [Lumina can find fault in anything.]

But it's a chocobo ranch! I mean, it will be. Once I have more than three of them. I mean, who gives you a ranch but not any extra animals?

[She huffs because she can't exactly breed their glorious chicken-mount overlords without more chicken-mounts, can she? But then the cheerful grin is back and she jumps forward to snatch the locket away from the imp.]

But look!

[There's a flare of light and darkness that obscures everything, and when it fades, Lumina is inside somewhere. There are two yellow chocobos, smaller than the black one seen earlier but ride-able, standing over a little wooden box, and Lumina runs over to it. She spins the locket around to her face again, and she is clearly more excited than she can contain.]

There'll be more of them soon!

[And again the locket goes spinning around, pointing inside the box. There's hey, and five eggs about the size of melons, each speckled a different color. She reaches out to tap one of them, which earns her an annoyed little wark from one of the parent chocobos, and then she giggles.]

Sooorry.

[And then back to pointing the screen at herself.]

See Steve, that's a chocobo egg. No you can't eat one. [A beat and a smirk.] I'd say people can come see them but there's that whole war thing going on, huh?

[Another little pause.]

But uh...on a related thing, dooooooes anyone know anything about hatching eggs? Or taking care of eggs? Or...really...anything about eggs? Except the eating part. Anything useful.

[Because she doesn't have a clue whoops.]

extramural

[ The message that comes across the network is abrupt, as though the sender thought about sending it and simply did with no further thought. ]

I wish to learn more of the magic of your worlds, of this world. Not only how it works but how to use it.

I can offer a trade, should you require it.

[ After a moment, there's an addendum: ]

If you do not wish to discuss such things over the lockets, dedicate a shrine to the Outsider. I will know. We will speak there.

steelminded

[ The voice at the other line sounds exhausted. Well, considering he did spend a month away from the locket for the duration of the month on a building project, it's no wonder he didn't even bother to show his face to the general public. Either ways, Shirou Emiya is going to address the mass with a question. ]

...What exactly do you guys fight for? I used to think that I know what kind of future I'm moving towards, but lately it's been really fuzzy.

[ It's true that this world would end up another illusion that will disappear the moment he ends up back within his own world, but there was no way of knowing that right now. Having to deal with a close friend coping with this war, and having to question his own ideals for the second time had not been a fun experience for him at all. ]

I guess I'm just unnerved by all these going-ons, but I'd appreciate it if you could spare your time to answer this question.

[ It was short, but what could he say? The growing tensions between the Seelie and Unseelie meant that he can't really say anything specific of his current going-ons. ]

desperate_times

[Chloe is being filmed by another. She’s aboard the Black Pearl, sailing high in Unseelie skies.]

Well! It looks like we’re being called to do a little work. Since I don’t like to be on the bad side of uber-powerful beings, I’m going to have to be good and scout the southern border of the Unseelie territory.

So! Here’s what that means to you.

If you cross the border and you are not Unseelie, I may just have to drop something unpleasant on you from above. The Black Pearl will be sailing to-and-fro, and despite not having actual eyes, the skeleton crew is somehow pretty good at spotting things. Let’s try to avoid that nastiness, alright?

[A bright smile.]

This job is, well, it’s not exactly entertaining, so here’s how we’re spicing it up.

[She steps aside and lifts her arms out ala Vanna White to show off three mystery boxes. They’re so mysterious they even have big ? marks painted on them!]

Ladies and gentleman, inside of these boxes are three super fun surprises. Or, fun for me, anyway. I’ve asked my crew to place inside one of these boxes a load of confetti, in another box a load of dish water, and in a third box, a load of cow dung.

When you’re spotted, I’ll randomly choose a box! I’ll have no idea what’s in it until my crew drops it on top of you. Won’t that be exciting?

Now, if you continue to persist in your venture into Unseelie territory, the next thing that falls on you will be a cannonball.

See? We can make patrols less boring if we try really hard.

erythristic

By now, I'm sure nearly all of us have heard the news. This is a war, despite the slight amount of peace we were afforded.

To this, I've set up preparations to have space at the Ward cleared out, for use in conducting a series of training sessions this month for those who wish to learn the arts of hand to hand and swordplay, or wish to refine their technique. The beginner's class will be in the morning, the more advanced class in the afternoon.

I am also looking for those who'd wish to instruct beside me. Our ranks have quite the accomplished sort among them, and if you have the time, the desire, and the patience to impart your knowledge, I ask that you please do.

We begin tomorrow morning at half past eight.

extramural

[ There are two brown puppies eating a Christmas pudding off the floor when the camera activates, little tails wagging as they trip over paws that they have yet to grow into. Their muzzles are oddly long even now, but they're not quite as bulky as they will be -- not yet.

A quiet chuckle from behind the locket reveals, to those who may have heard it, the surprising owner of the pups -- the Outsider. The smaller of the pups looks up from the pudding at the sound and scampers over, whining and pawing at his legs until the Outsider bends down to scoop the little one up. The locket, which is floating in midair via magic, is pushed back -- just in time for any viewers to watch as the pup attempts to burrow into the Outsider's shirt. ]

You are unlike others of your kind, little one, [ the god murmurs, smoothing a hand over floppy brown ears. The other pup is still eating the pudding, though at this point it looks more like she's getting in a fight with it. ]

In my world, Wolfhounds are kept and trained by Overseers of the Abbey to hunt heretics. That I should now have a pair myself is rather ironic and more than a little amusing. But then, they are terribly intelligent creatures.

[ The small pup licks at his chin and he starts, blinking. The locket turns off just as his mouth twists up until a slight smile. ]

ziggyzoggy

[ Vol'jin had woken up with aches and pains all over, his mouth full of what he could only assume was the flavor of whatever poor unfortunate thing had crawled into his mouth and died there. He felt like ass. His shoulder hurt more than it had in months, and he was exhausted. So much for having a restful night.

...Or however long it had really been.

So, excuse his disheveled appearance, lace of face paint and disarrayed hair. He's still a bit out of it. Rubbing at the inside corner of one eye with his thumb, he speaks before picking up the steaming mug of whatever that is nearby. It had partially obscured a plate full of very picked clean bones, a few bread crumbs and a couple slices of as-of-yet-uneaten cheese. He sniffed loudly. ]

What'd I miss?

[ --And takes a drink. Forgive his brevity, Caer Scima; he's been through a great deal in the last week. It's wearing on him.

Please tell him he didn't miss the feast, though; he still feels like he could eat the entire banquet by himself. ]
( [ Private to the Outsider ] )

extramural

[ The locket is, as usual, in the air and facing the Outsider. Unfortunately, his gaze seems to be a bit to the left of the locket and instead of floating in mid-air, he's sitting on his bed. A large white rat scurries up his arm and across his shoulder, then leaps to the mattress and then the floor; judging by the faint noise in the background, it's not the only rat in the room. ]

I can no longer see, [ the Outsider states simply, sounding faintly confused. ] The Maidenfish have handed me a piece of paper, but if it says anything, I cannot read it.

[ The aforementioned piece of paper is held up so that the locket can get a good look at the writing- or that's the intention, anyway. He's holding it backwards, and one of the Maidenfish (in the form of a woman, wearing a veil and a long, black dress with a train) gently turns the paper around so that the words face the screen.

Dearest Outsider,

You will have found by morning's light that I have divested you of your eyesight. Is it something you miss? Something you might like to have returned to you?

I'd hoped so! For I'd dearly like to have those shards of mine returned. I propose this to you:

Deliver either a fully-powered shard or a sigil tablet to an old, ruined place where the Black Shuck was once worshipped, in the dark of Nimh Gleane: a circle made of seven stone statues of the Old Dog himself. Place the object in the open mouths of any number of the statues and be on your way. If this is done within a month, I shall make the return to you as swift and silent as it was stolen!

If not, I'll distribute what I've taken among the humble populace of native folk.

Best wishes,

Reynard the Fox, Rightful Lord of Maupertius, titles & honors, etc. ]

If someone could inform me of what it says...?

[ After what he deems an appropriate length of time, the Outsider lowers the paper. Shifting slightly on the bed to hand the note back to one of the Maidenfish, his movement reveals one more thing: on the wall behind him, a fine drawing of a winking fox's face in red chalk. ]

extramural

[ A bit of silvery mist is the first thing anyone sees on the broadcast, then the growl of a one of the dog spirits. The Outsider hasn't quite gotten the hang of the Patronus charm yet, but it's fairly effective in getting the creature back enough to then slam it with a blast of wind magic.

His locket is bobbing up and down next to him, recording the whole thing from the side so that viewers can see both the dog being hit by magic and the Outsider (and his rather impassive) face. ]

It would seem that we missed a few of the grave sites.

[ Fear is a strange thing for a being who has seen so much; there's a tingle of it, but he's far more fascinated by it than anything else, at least for now.

The dog has only been knocked back and he lunges forward again; there's an irritated sigh and he pulls out a small, black-bladed knife and slashes at the beast's throat. ]

I'm finding that the alteration of my powers in this world is more and more of a hardship.

((ooc: if anyone else is in or around Caer Scima, feel free to come join him!))

fiercestwarrior

[ Sif doesn't really use her locket too terribly often, but these past few days spent digging up old bones and transporting them back to the crypt of Caer Glaem has made her somewhat philosophical, especially since she has a promise to keep and she is very much a woman of her word.

Her chief helper in the task of transporting bones can be seen as well, since she decided to record this message on a whim just as she was dismounting her cleg. The big animal seems to have decided that she is a worthy enough mistress, since it is rubbing its great head against her arm with enough force that even the sturdy Asgardian has to brace herself a bit against it. ]

Stop that, my friend.

[ There is a somewhat uncommon softness in her tone as she gently shoves the cleg's head away from her before addressing the network. ]

I was tasked by Black Shuck with honoring the plains of Cathraon after the revels of Samhain were over and done with, to mark the sorrow of those lands and to pay it homage. I have been carrying bones from unmarked graves to a final resting place for days now, since it is his will that we do so, but I am uncertain if that is enough to see my oath fulfilled. It is up to me to decide how this should be done, but if you would be willing to share with me how you would do such a thing I would gladly listen. I know many among you belong to peoples strongly connected to the land you walk upon.

[ She's friends with elves after all. The cleg tries to get her attention again, and she smiles a little while she turns away briefly to again make it stop pestering her. ]

On a less somber note I would also ask if any of you ladies in this world know of a way to avoid getting with child should one desire to take a lover. I am unfamiliar with the methods of this realm.

[ Asgardian bluntness strikes again. ]

Thank you, and a good day to you all.

Entries tagged with the outsider: dishonored

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