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

VIDEO

[starseedling]

[It's hard not to be a bit disappointed, having spent the last few days hoping that the Coven would fix this somehow. Even if he gets that it's a complicated situation.]

If this doesn't work... We can't just leave them like that.

[Just putting that out there.]

voice

[bloodwit]

Morgie.

[ just. repeating that. he knows this woman has a fondness for nicknames, but wow. ]

And our queer little situation, hm? I'd say very little of this exactly inspires confidence.

video

[cspd]

No information about the security arrangements?

[ DOES ANYONE ELSE FIND THIS TROUBLING, because Lloyd sure does. ]

video;

[weirdnecro]

Well damnit.

[She stares at the network for a bit. And then:]

This could be a trap. All right, I need to make a post, and I'm going to get ripped into for it.

Fantastic.

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.]

Video

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett looks downright intrigued by all this. More than a dream, after all. He's also up for an attempt at diplomacy.]

If they are extending such goodwill towards us for a chance at diplomacy, I shall volunteer. [the key work there was certain loaded with skepticism in his tone, the idea this may be a trap is all too obvious, but he will go along despite that]

... provided I have some strong and ready guardians at my backs. [people to protect the diplomatic squad is only reasonable, he's far from a fighter and a monster, at that... though he may pretend otherwise]

Voice

[spaghettimonster]

It was a dream...

Isn't there a chance it was, uh, an exaggeration?

[It is not even slightly reassuring to him that the monster of the two of them is not choosing to go along with this expedition, especially with them knowing how important bonds are.]

Re: Video

[cspd]

I don't trust whatever security arrangements they may have in place, given the situation.

I plan on coming along.

[ Cop got yo back. ]

[halfmoon]

you guys have gotta be nuts. who the hell'd risk getting put up on the auction block again? everyone knows they did that to some of us monsters, right? and there was no way to talk yourself out of it either? and thats assuming this isnt a trap, which it probably is...

unless there's a way to keep that from happening, i just cant go back, as much as i'd love to help the monsters there.

[halfmoon]

yeah wtf. i cant even consider going without hearing how they plan to protect everyone this time

[cspd]

I hardly blame any monsters among us for preferring to avoid that place.

But that's what the witches in our numbers are for, right?

[ Not really addressing the trap bit because he absolutely expects trouble...that might be why he's planning on going in the first place. ]

video

[freeing]

If this other Coven has nothing to hide or fear, a journey for goodwill serves no harm. We have seen many things from this dream.

Monsters are bound to a spoken word as much as they are chains and collars. Witches are given a privilege above them, ensuring a system that is unfair and unjust. If such is not true, we will see it with our own eyes.

I wish to go, to ensure that any chains are broken if our dreams indicate the truth.

[ Here's a smol mother of dragons getting involved per usual. ]

If anyone plans on making this excursion, I believe we need to organize some plans ahead of time so we do not walk into a slaughter.

[cspd]

I'm not sure I'd have much faith in their arrangements even if I knew what they were.

[freeing]

Then stay. It is a simple choice.

There is plenty of good to do here and safety we have been allotted. No one will think lesser of you.

[voice]

[proficience]

[After a slight pause, Dazai sighs, a hint of displeasure ringing throughout. He does speak, however, and the tone of his words are a bit too chipper, considering the circumstances.]

I'll play diplomat! I'm make sure to apologize when necessary, too.

[He's actually an incredible manipulator, despite how his outward appearance may show.]

I do wonder who else will be joining me.

[honoraboveall]

I would think that we'd be safe; after all we're part of a diplomatic team, and it'd a rather large faux paus to sell members of another city that they're trying to keep good relations with.

Re: video

[cspd]

If what we saw is the way of things, I don't trust them to make much effort towards the safety of the monsters among us, if nothing else.

[ And honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if they were no friendlier to the witches, given how most of them had reacted to the dream. ]

I think the first question is going to be who among those going is there purely for diplomatic skills and who has experience in this sort of thing.

[freeing]

Soldiers wear armor to protect themselves from swords. Children take milk of the poppy to help fight colds. Would the same not apply here? [ Her words were firm, as if she was sure. ] I am not able to dabble in magic, but I believe there has to be a way to fight magic with magic. If there is some sort of spell that compels monsters to obey, perhaps someone in Aefenglom's Coven has a spell to counteract it?

[ Or at least, a device created? They're out of the dream, so they can at least seek guidance on that from those more experienced. ]

Negotiating? War? What "sort of thing" are you implying?

[freeing]

Let us not worry about the what-ifs. We must be firm in our conviction. On what is right.

[rollfordiplomacy]

That's a good man! I've never been a fighter and I don't intend to become one now. If diplomacy should fail us, I put my trust in you.

[Everett's a trusting man, despite his suspicion of the situation, he's going to charge forward and give his best to tactically solve this. Nobody wants to go to war, there is enough terror out in the Wilde without provoking it between their should be allies....]

[cspd]

That was inspecific; I apologize.

I'm coming at this from a position of security. I was in law enforcement in my own world - I've been on the security detail for conferences not unlike this one, actually. So I'd be interested in knowing whether anyone else planning to go has similar experience.

audio bc he fails at text;

[faithlikeaseed]

What about something less overt, like slipping us suggestions to act against the rest of our team?

[He usually wouldn't even have that possibility in mind except for some...unfortunate...run-ins in the dream while playing hero.]

[cspd]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'll give it everything I have.

[halfmoon]

it'd still be risky even with some kind of security in place, but something would be better than nothing

video;

[sylphid]

[Wow, Fie's addressing this personally instead of over text. She must have feelings on the matter.]

Even if we do send a sizable party to cover security and whatever else, what's to stop them from trying something here while there are less of us around? Diplomatic missions like this are often a cover for something else.