♕ 2nd - video - ode to joy

[skjalf]

[ elizabeth is seated, and can be seen plucking curiously at the strings of an instrument she has never seen before. it appears similar to the lute, but much larger. this is the first time she has ever seen a guitar. looking over, she notices that her comm is finally broadcasting. yay!

she effects her usual smile, appearing nothing other than cheerful. the strength of the mark she wears is improving here. ]

There is a saying that goes somewhat like this: Ubi bene, ibi patria. In other words, where one feels at ease, there is their country. I have wondered, if that is so for the rest of you. Or if perhaps some of you feel more at ease here than whence you hail from.

[ she is getting to a point, promise. ]

Happiness can be such an abstract concept. Yet I find it possible to find here more so than at Court.

But there is another saying: Aliis si licet, tibi non licet. Simply because others are permitted something does not mean that you are.

Thus if you are not permitted to be happy, what are the permissible steps to take in order to acquire what little joy which may be found?

Comments

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[mathematically]

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam. Where there's a will there's a way. [ Lydia pauses and shrugs before she continues. ] If it's about happiness and finding it, there's no such thing as permissible steps since, you know, all of them except— murder and things that end in people getting hurt should be pretty okay.

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[skjalf]

[ elizabeth isn't entirely surprise that someone else here is fluent in latin. but she is impressed. ]

Of course. But I meant something more along the line of someone not being permitted to seek their happiness.

What does a person, even one of means, do to find some joy if their family and religion forbid it?

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[unbalancer]

I wouldn't put it that way. But, things slowed down. They're less... something, here.

As for joy, if it makes you happy, you should go for it. Like she said. Unless it hurts someone. Or, you're hurting yourself.

video → locked from klaus

[skjalf]

I have noticed the phenomenon myself. Most of the time, in the very least.

[ things are easier here, in a way. she can make choices. ]

Oftentimes I find it a strange sort of relief to be here and not at Court.

[ a small smile. ] Harm could never bring joy, could it? I do not believe so. And I would not harm anyone unless someone I care for were to be threatened.

v i d e o »

[favouring]

First, don't defeat yourself before you begin.

v i d e o »

[skjalf]

[ oh, nuala. thank god. ]

May we speak of this in person, my dearest friend?

[ since smiley hacked the network, she doesn't trust its security. ]

video;

[mansuetus]

You must speak the words Ovid has said on the subject. Omne solum forti patria est. The brave find a home in every land, even if the land is not quite a land at all but a ship which sails the sky. God would grace you with bravery if you shall pray, signorina; and with bravery, comes happiness.

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[skjalf]

There is a notion I have not considered before. I have prayed to God daily since my arrival, but not yet for bravery.

I did not think happiness could be found within it. I shall do so, my lady.

[ she thinks perhaps this girl might understand what she's getting at. but she's loathe to get personal to such a degree, yet. ]

Please, my name is Elizabeth. I hold no title any longer, as per my Uncle's law.

( text )

[darkart]

You aren't responsible for anyone else's happiness.

Where did you learn Latin?

( video )

[skjalf]

Perhaps not. But that is where I have found what little joy I have known of late.

I was tutored as a child along with my siblings at Court.

voice; locked from klaus

[outliver]

Sadly is not as easy as that in my case. While I do happen to enjoy my time here, and back home, there are always things that get in the way, or mistakes of the past coming back to remind one of such indiscretions.

All in all, I could get used to the ship. Maybe.

voice; locked from klaus

[skjalf]

I have seen how even the most obscure rumour can follow someone through the course of their life. It is a sad thing.

I would see you happy here, Katherine. I believe we deserve some form of joy.

[northerner]

Do you wish to be happy here, my lady? Surely deciding upon that is the first thing to be done.

[skjalf]

I do. It is far better than being melancholy or apathetic, I think.

[ she smiles a little. ]

We are well-met once again, my lord.

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[vindictam]

[ He doesn't know the language, almost similar but not at all. He mouths them out on his end, carefully putting them to memory so he will not forget. He likes their meaning, more than anything else. ]

I do not think it strange, as I find it much the same. Anyone who does not understand such, lives a blessed life. [ This place is cruel, but he does not breath in memories too painful to bear just by simply opening his eyes. He can say nothing for happiness, though, because he does not feel it. memories perhaps not in waking, but ever in dreams. The respite is small, but one he welcomes. ]

video;

[skjalf]

[ in this stranger, she has discovered some unexpectedly empathy. she keeps her smile in place for whoever it might be. ]

They do, indeed. And I envy them such freedom as they have been gifted with.

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[doggedly]

Can I ask you something, instead of answering your questions, miss, or would that be considered rude.

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[skjalf]

[ oh, hello! colour her intrigued. elizabeth tilts her head curiously, and nods with a bemused look. ]

You may proceed with your query, sir. I confess you have my curiosity engaged.

video

[askedtobe]

I don't feel at ease here, not really, but i think there's parts of this place that can still... be comforting.

video

[skjalf]

For that, you certainly cannot be blamed, sir. Each of us hails from a unique situation and point in time, after all.

But I should like to think that together we might all find some form of happiness here, however fleeting.

[ for her, it's the first taste of 'freedom' she's ever had. no guards, no uncles, no murdering betrotheds across the sea. she'd gladly trade all that for a floating prison. ]

[lostkings]

Audentes fortuna juvat. [ a beat ] Fortune favors the bold. Can't be happy if you aren't willing to try for it.

[skjalf]

Do luck and happiness travel hand-in-hand, I wonder? I had not thought thus.

However, that statement does hold true when it comes to battle.

[ her father crushed his enemies because he had guts along with skill, after all. ]

Video

[lafautedevoltaire]

[The boy on screen is wearing the ship's jumpsuit. Which probably says a thing or two.]

I like how much food there is here.

Video

[skjalf]

[ his appearance softens her, and her features grow gentle. she's in big-sister mode. ]

You do, do you? [ her smile brightens. ]

Does it taste very good? I am now able to cook a pastry called 'pancakes'.

They are wonderful, indeed!

video;

[wroughtsteel]

[It is the first time Éowyn actually ventures to use this device to respond to anyone's post. Because of that, there is a moment in which the video does not quite still as she tries to settle it in a decent position before she is looking at the camera.]

Apologies, my lady. Hello.

[She tilts her head politely.]

It is interesting, that which you say. I do not think this place would ever feel like home so long I am alone. No other kingdom will be my own without the presence of my king, my family and my people. And back in my world, even when the situation shall prove to be dire at best, it is still my place; it is where I belong.

However, I can understand that many here may not feel the same way. Knowing of other worlds, it would be foolish of me to assume that there are not those who suffer more, and who would find peace and joy in this place.

[Her piece spoken, she gives herself a pause before asking.] Why is it that you think to not be permitted happiness?

video;

[skjalf]

[ lizzie can empathize with her plight something fierce. her smile turns encouraging. ]

Nonsense. It is all right.

I greet you well, my lady. You may call me Elizabeth.

[ elizabeth listens quietly as éowyn says her piece, nodding at points she can relate to. it is curious, how what she says reminds her of tauriel's words not long after elizabeth herself had arrived. ]

I understand. Our circumstances do differ greatly, though I was hardly suffering at home. But I was not free, either, as a woman.

[ elizabeth's smile fades until it is but faint. ] In some ways I am still not free of the bonds of duty which bound me at home.