Video )

[faileas]

Name: Nerissa Bell (andernach) & Mhairi Ainsley (fearolc) Date: Septeril 1st Format: Video The video starts focused on a familiar face, close up until a differently familiar hand comes into the shot to set the watch down. Claws click on the outside of the surface, followed by both parties leaning back - then taking a proper step back to ensure both are in view. Miss Nessie looks as chipper as always, evidently still Delighted about this whole watch business, though there's a tightness around her eyes; Mhairi looks tense and decidedly displeased. It's more emotion than she's shown to the group at large, ears back and hackles raised, arms folded with a militant discipline behind her back. "Hello, dearests! We hope today finds you well." Nessie grins a little wider, though it softens after a lengthy pause. "While we'd love for this to be purely for pleasure - believe me, we both would - we've some things to discuss today, we do. After the full moon last month, a missive arrived from Morgie - that is, Morgana Drummond, the head of the Coven over there in Dorchacht - asking about our..." She pauses again, briefer this time, her lips thinning as she continues. "Our 'lost luggage,' as she so kindly put it." At her side, Mhairi's low voice outright growls, "After much back and forth, and discussions amongst Parliament, we've come to a decision that Drummond has... agreed to." Nessie's smile continues to wane, and she leans against Mhairi. "And we're quite glad that she has, considering conflict with Dorchacht is not exactly ideal at the present moment." With a deep breath, the Turnskin pulls back her disdain and focuses on the task at hand. "The Parliament has requested that the Coven send a group of dignitaries to Dorchacht to negotiate, and hopefully deescalate the situation. While we may not be able to immediately bring change, should things be as terrible in the waking world as it was in the dreamscape that you unfortunately faced, our best attempts will be made." She pauses, and displeasure is obvious in the way she lowers her gaze and turns her head to look at Nessie. "... your best attempts. Because we don't know what may happen, or what hand Drummond and the Coven of Dorchacht might turn, I will be remaining here. Those that wish to do the same are welcome to, and I will do my utmost best to assist you and answer any questions you may have." "While my lovely Mhairi does that, I'll be attending the meeting with Morgie - though I'm sure that's not a surprise at all, is it?" Nessie pulls away slightly, stepping forward in frame just a bit to spread her arms. "The dignitary group'll be handling all the real fun stuff - talking, seeing if there isn't anything to be done about this queer little situation that's come up, apologies when necessary, so on... I'd like to ask Morgie myself about how she's running her Coven, thinking on it," she pauses, then lowers her hands and steps back again. "And I know a few of you've been worried about it all, and wanting to help, so if any of you dearies would like to come along and play diplomat - show her things are right as rain and all, that we can all get along just fine even without what laws they seem to have in place - then I won't say no." She pauses again, tilting her head. "Might help, even." "Relations between Aefenglom and Dorchacht are... tense," Mhairi adds, wryly. "Per their insistence and refusal, there's no means of direct transport between the two cities, teleportation included. We've tried to get an alternative up and running, something that has been in the Coven's possession for quite some time. The device is a little too risky for us to consider, however, as it's theoretical in execution. Perhaps a project for the more technologically inclined of the mirrorbound at a later date." "I'd appreciate it, at least. That thing's one of our seven wonders in the Coven, it is." "On the fifth, any who wish to join Ness and a handful of our finest Witches should meet at the port." Mhairi reaches and, finally unfolding her arms, curls her hand at Nessie's elbow. "My best wishes, travelers. Be safe." Nessie returns the gesture, hand settling on Mhairi's; it's a little hard to tell, but she's rubbing the side of it gently. "Take care until next we speak, dearests." NOTE This post will NOT receive any responses from Nessie and Mhairi. You can, however, use this post to interact with one another in the meantime.

Comments

Audio

[whomthebelltolls]

How quaint.

[She's feeling better than she would otherwise - she dumped a bunch of mana onto at least one, if not two Monsters over the last full moon, but it is a bit interesting to feel the way the new moon is building it back up fairly rapidly.]

... A trap, then?

[Sign her up.]

Audio

[boneofsword]

Most likely. "Morgie" definitely is cunning enough. [the amount of sarcasm accenting the nickname is enough to burn a hole in the ground.]

Are you going to join?

[whomthebelltolls]

Of course I am. [No good knowledge was ever gained without any risk.] Perhaps not for the same reasons as everyone else professes, but I will join nonetheless.

[boneofsword]

Good. The more of those who can fight the higher chance everyone will come back from the trip.

[Archer is a realist, not a fool. He hopes she will someday realize the distinction between a monster with a human heart and a human with beast's heart. It will take time, though.]

I don't expect you to change your opinion on a whim. As long as you're willing to aid your companions it's enough.

[whomthebelltolls]

I won't need to aid anyone. I feel they'll rush in and make a mess of things at even the slightest provocation, real or imagined, without my help whatsoever. [She thinks everyone's being an overreactive idiot, actually. The derision for... pretty much everyone is plain; the mirrorbound are prone to dangerous near-hysterics over even slight threats, regardless of if they're even real, and that makes them especially hazardous, in her opinion.

So Archer has a loooong way to go.]

But if I can come out of this with useful knowledge to aid us all, then I will consider it a success. If we can get back to the city with at least more than half the people we left with, then I will consider it similarly a success. And if I need raise my blades for either of those things, then I will. [And that's as far as she's willing to help. She's not going to "liberate" slaves. She's going to learn. The Monsters are none of her personal concern.

You can't save them all.

But you can kill them all based on a false assumption, and Maria knows that better than anyone.]

[boneofsword]

There are at least a few warriors that took part in several wars that aren't too prone to jump into fray. I can't say much about hot-headed idealists, but there's at least a few everywhere. [Archer's opinion on the majority of the mirrorbound isn't much better, even if he wasn't any different as a teen.]

Changing beliefs of someone willing to murder those not agreeing with his opinions will take more than a diplomatic trip. [just saying. The mission will most likely fail, unless they're willing to use force.]

It's more than enough, Huntress.

[whomthebelltolls]

We don't even know if that's the truth of life in Dorchacht, or if the dream was making an exaggeration of the situation there. We need to first find out how willing they are to speak, what their opinions are, and then escalate things from there, or de-escalate if that is what is so called for. This was never our fight to begin with, and so making ourselves responsible for the fight also brings responsibilities for the outcome of it. Rushing in based on so little information is suicidal at best. [She huffs off-screen, and it's because she's wrinkled her nose in distaste. At worst, it'll spark an international incident, and a war that Aefenglom will not win. And then there's two subjugated city states. Who wins then?]

... I can only hope that, though they will need to be firm and unyielding, negotiations will prevail, and if action needs be done, it is left up to the citizens of the city themselves to decide how it goes.

[boneofsword]

Such would be an ideal outcome. Sadly too many lack common sense to consider the whole situation instead of the glimpse we've been shown in the dream. [it's clear that Archer doesn't believe the negotiations will go right, though he considers Dorchacht to be much worse. Optimistic approach isn't for him.]

The real question is what they want from us.

[whomthebelltolls]

That we cannot answer until we get there. I would imagine it may not be anything pleasant that people are willing to part so easily with to prevent an all-out war.

[She can hope otherwise, but she won't bother.]

... A war they have no hope of winning, if their soft-hearted rantings here are any indication.

[boneofsword]

I would imagine they wish to preach their ways instead of Bonding. Only time will tell.

[He snorts with grim amusement. War is something that he's too familiar with.]

War is rarely won by sheer force. For example, if there's no one able to order these Monsters this take care of the problem.

[wordsinthesoul]

Most likely. [The shape of it certainly seems familiar.] I believe I'll treat it as though it were.

[whomthebelltolls]

I believe it is a mindset everyone here should adopt, if for no other reason than to ensure they watch their own backs. It may be that the only lives we can truly save are our own. I hope everyone is prepared for that.

[wordsinthesoul]

[There’s... some self-preservation in him, probably... But, we’ll, if it came to it he’d try to protect the others.]

Perhaps so, though it would be a pleasant surprise to return with more. We should take the time to try to make sure of that.

[whomthebelltolls]

If it is possible, then by all means - save whomever you can, if they so wish to be saved. [She takes a deep breath, and presses her lips together.] On their terms. With their methods. Without making things worse. [That is the tone of someone who has absolutely no faith that is how it's going to work out, though.]

[wordsinthesoul]

I can see the sense in that. It would be a choice that belonged to them. [Not something pushed on them, nor dictated. He gives a wry smile- he imagines they’re going to have a hard time with that.]. I can promise that I’ll do my best.