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video — un: starburst.
( Hello, Eastbounders.
Once again, a dynamic and alarming duo greets you, with no better news than last time.
In fact, it doesn't seem to be an announcement at all.
The first thing the jostled communicator picks up is... a sound. Guttural, croaked, agonising. It belongs to Lady Arabella, throwing herself upon what becomes quite obviously Wrath's frame. Her mouth opens wider, and wider still, as though she might want to swallow him whole.
The sound becomes a scream, unending.
Wrath's golden gaze stares at Arabella like one might survey a mildly interesting change in the scenery — his own expression impassive as her grip tears the buttons from his shirt.
His companion, on the other hand, reacts a bit more angrily, Emilia's initial concern shifting into something more vicious. As Arabella attempts to latch on to Wrath however she can, Emilia strikes back at her, prepared for a fight. Except it never quite comes: no sooner Arabella is thrown off, she stops,
backpedaling into the communicator that turns the video black. )
NOTE: Again, the second link leads to Grudge-y things. The video is short and choppy and hectic, taking place not long after the assassination attempt on Arabella. Wrath and Emilia helped in the rescue efforts and were, uh, rewarded. For more details, feel free to read here.
Once again, a dynamic and alarming duo greets you, with no better news than last time.
In fact, it doesn't seem to be an announcement at all.
The first thing the jostled communicator picks up is... a sound. Guttural, croaked, agonising. It belongs to Lady Arabella, throwing herself upon what becomes quite obviously Wrath's frame. Her mouth opens wider, and wider still, as though she might want to swallow him whole.
The sound becomes a scream, unending.
Wrath's golden gaze stares at Arabella like one might survey a mildly interesting change in the scenery — his own expression impassive as her grip tears the buttons from his shirt.
His companion, on the other hand, reacts a bit more angrily, Emilia's initial concern shifting into something more vicious. As Arabella attempts to latch on to Wrath however she can, Emilia strikes back at her, prepared for a fight. Except it never quite comes: no sooner Arabella is thrown off, she stops,
backpedaling into the communicator that turns the video black. )
NOTE: Again, the second link leads to Grudge-y things. The video is short and choppy and hectic, taking place not long after the assassination attempt on Arabella. Wrath and Emilia helped in the rescue efforts and were, uh, rewarded. For more details, feel free to read here.
no subject
Emilia writes it, just to be on the safe side. )
'dolly, back in your dollhouse.'
The lilies were white, and the effect only took place once the words were spoken aloud.
no subject
Rebirth, then. The color is a form of poetry where I come from. I know not if they follow such a trend here, so make of it what you will.
The wording is abrupt, but still poetic. Like a spell. What was the intent, then? For her to spread her madness upon the entire city? They must know she would be stopped.
no subject
I do not discount what the lilies represent, but I am less concerned by them, in truth. They were magically preserved by a charm, but the charm itself had no extensions or residue. It was merely to preserve the lilies, and was easily broken, at that.
The words themselves were the threat, and when paired with the assassination attempt ... the target was mainly Arabella, and in turn, her target became whoever read those words aloud.
I do wonder what would have happened if she'd been the one to speak them.
no subject
You say there was no magical residue on the charm... What of what of its memory? The note, especially. Pen to paper is an intimate gesture, requiring thought and intent. It has its own history. Perhaps I could read it, or even the charm.
[ This group is full of people who seem to know magic, and these two seem to be familiar enough with the concept of demons and spells. She probably doesn't need to offer herself; the very idea scares her. Angered by her fear, she offers anyway, but part of her hopes that this has already been attempted by someone else. ]
It may lead to nothing. Has anyone tried this, or would you permit me to make an attempt?
no subject
she forces it all aside, however, and decides this on pragmatism. )
No, no one has tried this in particular. If someone can glean something that Wrath and I have not, it is to our best interest. The bouquet is with me in Eidris, the note with Wrath in Minaras.
How would this work, exactly?
no subject
Too, I could attempt to read her, but she would need to be willing. I think the tools a safer attempt for now.
[ She wouldn't need to be willing, but Vanessa has no wish to assault this woman's agency any more than it already has been. Nobody deserves that. Let her have a little peace for the moment. ]
Forgive me, in my initial fright I did not introduce myself. I am Vanessa Ives. Not headless, nor a doll, I do so swear.
[ Perhaps not the time to be cracking a joke, Miss Ives. ]
no subject
( She'll let her and Wrath sort out the note business, frustratingly aware there isn't much she can do from Eidris.
The ghost of a smile touches her lips, grimly wry, not that Vanessa can see it. It is exactly the time to crack a joke. At least, her conversation partner seems receptive of it, fond of witty banter that she is. There's hardly been room for it, considering... everything. )
I am Emilia di Carlo.
A relief, to be sure. Best to get ahead of the issue and leave it to the Horsemen.
( A pause, before she adds: ) Were you among those in the Mouse House that helped secure our passage?
no subject
The teasing response makes Vanessa's lip pinch momentarily, and the tickle of amusement is all the more striking when following so closely behind terror. When emotions are so heightened, it's too easy for all of them to rush in at once, after all.
More seriously, though, as even the joke does make one think... ]
A beautiful name. Not fitting for a city where I fear the Horsemen have already attempted to raze.
[ The reminder of that strange little venture in the Mouse House scratches at the back of her mind. Nobody has really addressed it since they've left, but then everyone is quite about problem solving, and the problems up above sparkle all the brighter. ]
I was. A less grand entrance to the city than your own, I suppose, but I found it far less intimidating than the citadel proper. I almost miss it. Have you been below?
no subject
She would not find herself without armor for any of it. Any of them. There is no edge to her she will not whet against stone if it means another weapon for her arsenal, if it means she succeeds. Wily, wary, and flame-bright, Emilia shakes off the lingering vestiges of her unease.
And focuses.
Her amusement ebbs in tandem with Vanessa's, the quiet moment of respite having served its purpose. )
No, not yet. But as I understand, it stands separate from Serthica in more ways than one. It is not so impossible to tell the living from the dead. ( It stands forgotten and disdained, but not so unnatural. )
no subject
Can you normally sense such things? Spirits?
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no subject
I am not accustomed to other spiritualists, but it seems we have no shortage. We may have spoken, if he was the one to alert us to the strangeness of the citadel's dead...and living.
Have you suffered just as long of a journey as he?
no subject
It has been many moons. Not as long as he, but close to a year, I should think.
( Keeping track can be difficult in this place. )
no subject
That does not bode well for my future here, but at least we may take comfort in each other during such a stretch of imprisonment. How much worse it could be were we truly alone in this.