un: starburst, toward the end of this arc.

[valeas]

( Emilia di Carlo has seen better days, by the look of her. Her battle leathers are torn, soot and cuts still on her face — but she doesn't give in to the exhaustion just yet, nor the bile in her throat. First, she addresses the people of Alem, dignified and resolute. )

Prince Haiva sacrificed himself and leaves his sister, the young Cle-Florens, spared.

I was witness.

( A pause, then, as she allows that to sink in. )

Hell is sealed.

You fought with valor so others might live. I'm glad to have fought beside you, and will remember your fallen just the same.

If you've yet to evacuate, the time is now. Hassir awaits.

Comments

[reparo]

I'm working on it, but - oh, Emilia, listen.

Don't worry about me - I can make it out just fine.

Did my coins system work?

[valeas]

I'll always worry about you, Hermione. But I trust in your capability.

As for the coins, they worked brilliantly. ( she uses that word with hermione in mind. ) I've a couple left to share when I see you next, which should hopefully be soon.

queen of timing

[reparo]

[There is a small pause at that - I always worry about you, Hermione - and the knot of tension in her throat gets tugged at a little.]

Emilia, I - [Rushed:] I'm glad the coins worked and that you are both out of there and also - [Inhale, and then squeaky:] Were we arguing?

sob

[valeas]

We were. I was.

( a quiet sigh lingers in her throat. )

I've no excuse for it, save that spending so much time in the Room of Seals left me more short-tempered than usual. ( and she already...struggles reining herself in a lot. ) I'm truly sorry.

1/2

[reparo]

[I KNEW IT]

[reparo]

Ah - well, if it makes you feel any better, I wasn't actually trying to argue back. [And it's absolutely not the time to be making this kind of joke, but then again when is?]

I know, I'm surprised about that myself.

[valeas]

( Or is it the perfect time to be making it? Emilia's next exhale is tinged with faint amusement and the corners of her mouth twitch, not that Hermione can see it. Some of the lingering tension leaves her shoulders. )

I believe it may be that we'll always have a natural talent for it.

( Ah, debate. Let's call it that. )

[reparo]

I would like to say that our natural talent is what makes her good friends.

[valeas]

You are a dear friend, Hermione. I hope you know that.

[reparo]

I do! And you are a dear friend as well - so it's not terrible if we argue from time to time, we are opinionated women. It matters that we can still come back to being dear friends in the end, right?

[valeas]

It isn't terrible at all. I don't believe our friendship so fragile it cannot withstand quarrel, and I'd always want you to feel comfortable enough to speak frankly. But in this instance, there was no real provocation. It was nothing you did, and I admire your determination in helping an innocent child.

( it was the right — the only — thing to do. )

[reparo]

[A relief.] Being in the room of Seals was really doing a number, wasn't it? [A small smile.] It's alright - I've got some experience with being around magical interference that turns a lovely person into an arsehole.

[valeas]

I can tell you've your fair share of experiences.

( With the sort of darkness an object or a place can draw, yes, but also war itself. It's never fair in that sense. )

We'll leave Alem soon enough, but with the state of it, I don't have much hope for its beacon.