video; un: dunscaith

[scatmaam]

Name: Scathach (un: dunscaith)
Date: Late May
Format: video

[ It's midday out in the Wilds, a turnskin woman setting down her device to record on a nearby surface before stepping back and sitting herself against a stone, a blood red spear rested against her shoulder, and face partially obscured by a mask. The darkness of her fur and clothes mixes with the stark shade of the canopy overhead, making it a little difficult to see her aside from the bit of face that's visible.

She speaks in a calm tone. ]


I've seen quite a few of the new visitors and seen there are quite a few among you that adept and strong. As well as folks who've been here some time already who could use something besides Shades to fight.

I propose, before all of this gets corrected, we have ourselves a bit of a bedlam, to enjoy ourselves as warriors and treat ourselves to some friendly fights and whiskey to share.

I don't doubt there's a lot of you that have had the same itch I've had. Particularly with the last moon phase being as it was.

Well, what say you, then? Shall we have a warrior's festival, before the month's end?

Comments

video; un: chazuke

[needsteaplz]

[Saori and whiskey have never gotten along in the past, but the chance to learn more about how the others fight is too hard to pass up.]

Well, I suppose this is one way to blow off some steam. I can only do so much solo training without getting bored.

[scatmaam]

Precisely. Just striking a training dummy dulls the heart of a warrior. We prefer life threats, don't we?

[needsteaplz]

[She cracks a smile.]

Yeah, even I can't deny that. Nothing adds to the drive to survive when the stakes are raised high enough. I miss monster hunting back home, to be honest. It always spiced up life between raising my kids and running the family business.

[scatmaam]

[ Ah... so this one was a parent, hmm? ]

Well. With a life like that, one must take care not to grow addicted to battle.

[ Like she had. ]

[needsteaplz]

Of course, I'll be sure to keep that in check. Besides, I got my own family of sorts to watch over.

[Granted, technically most of her housemates are adults, but she just can't help but mother them anyway.]

Oh, and uh, that username of yours, it seems rather familiar to me.

[scatmaam]

[ ... There's a pause, and a shift in her tone as her eyes narrow. ]

Does it, now? In just what way, may I ask?

[needsteaplz]

[Well, that wasn't the reaction she expected. She winces at that glare but collects herself to bow apologetically.]

I'm sorry if I offended you. It's just that I'm an avid reader of mythology and lore around my world. The name just happened to sound familiar. Plus, with all of us coming from different worlds, it's just possible some might share similarities.

If you don't want me to ask anymore questions about this, I'll respect your wishes. You're more than welcome to take a first crack at me...assuming I'm not banned from attending the festival, that is.

[scatmaam]

[ Her next words came almost as a bark. ]

Do not cower away from what I've asked you, warrior! Face my challenge and answer me clearly! How do you know of Dun Scaith!

[needsteaplz]

[For a second, it was like being in front of her combat teacher all over again. She wasn't going to shrink back again.]

My father was a professor specializing in mythology and folklore, so he had a mass collection of books on the subject, including Celtic mythology. After he vanished, I inherited it and read as much as I could. When I died, I found out those stories did have a grain of truth to them.

What I know about Dun Scaith is that it's the castle on the Island of Skye and also known as the Fortress of Shadows. It's named after the great warrior woman who resided there, Scáthach. Many a warrior sought her training but only the most skilled and bravest who could pierce through Dun Scaith's defenses and enter it were deemed worthy enough to teach. The most famous warrior who trained under her is Cú Chulainn, who also inherited the Gae Bulg. I think it's safe to presume you are Scáthach then?

[scatmaam]

[ There's a silent moment before her expressions softened some, and she let out a small hum. ]

A scholar, then, are you?

Well, lass, you can be grateful for your education, because it's lead you to the correct conclusion.

[ She took in another breath before shifting to where her spear was more visible against her shoulder, a smirk pulling at her lips. ]

I am Scáthach, Witch of Dun Scaith, Queen of the Land of Shadows. I wield Gae Bolg and speak the Old Words, a Killer of Gods and Teacher of Heroes.

... But you can just call me by my name, since you managed to figure it out.