ataraxion | ♕ 5th - video

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♕ 5th - video - The Sight

[ there had been a point to her opening this channel. in light of the tragic losses they have suffered here, she has wanted to hold a dinner to celebrate the memory of those who have died and vanished. her mouth moves, but no words are produced. her face becomes deathly pale, her eyes wide and dilated as though in fear. but she has not seen a ghost. no, what she is seeing is something else entirely.

horrible images play before her, which only she might see. the blank look she sports is soon replaced with a one of complete and utter horror. ]

It is hot.. too hot to fight! The Dragon has come from across the sea to wage war against the Boar. Ah, the sun blinds the eyes!

[ she shudders, blinking her unfocused eyes. ] The field is an ocean of blood. I can barely hear over the din of it. The Dragon is swooping in, and his men roar behind him.

His Grace is brave to wear his crown to battle. He is winning.. standing alone in a field of dead, blood coursing over his boots. Ah, it is splendid and horrible!

[ once again, her face becomes a mask of pure terror, scrunching up while her eyes are too-wide for her face. ]

But here comes Lord Stanley! "For Tudor!" he calls. And His Grace has lost his horse. Treason, treason, treason!

[ and that seems to have snapped her out of it. still on camera, elizabeth exposes vulnerability for the first time to those aboard the ship at large, as she cannot control the violent shaking of her form or the tears that appear in her eyes. this is, unsurprisingly, a result of the nightmare she endured within the maze.

she cannot seem to speak for a long, long time. elizabeth covers her mouth with her hands to cover the fact that she is biting her lower lip so hard it is bleeding. and while she is able to finally get a few words out, it is muffled and quavering: ]

Forgive me.

[ she then abruptly ends the broadcast. ]

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[ He can't imagine what it must be like, to have this curse thrust upon her, and though he feels helpless, it's encouraging to know that what little he can do - offer his touch - seems to help in some way. ]

When I left it, our land was...at peace, but far more desolate than it once had been. When the Queen cast her dark curse, there was little goodness left in the land, and we were under constant threat from ogres. I managed to keep my son safe, with the help of my men.

( ogres exist too? she shouldn't be surprised. faeries are real enough, and she's heard tell of dragons, even. why not? oddly enough, the strangest thing of all is to hear a man straight out of english folklore speaking of ogres and queens casting curses. but she has learned to roll with such things, otherwise she would never be able to wrap her mind around the semantics. )

I am glad you were able to keep him safe. ( her features soften, and she squeezes his hands as though he were the one in need of reassurance, and not her. ) I have four younger sisters and a brother at home. All I cna hope is that they, too shall be safe.

No matter what might happen to my uncle.

[ Luckily, he hasn't personally come up against any dragons, though they do certainly exist in his world as well. All manner of dark creatures, really. But all manner of light creatures as well; fairies and good witches. ]

I hope that as well, for all of us who've left loved ones behind.

Are you close with your family?

( elizabeth doesn't know whether to nod or shake her head. )

With my siblings, yes. Well. Cecily is a pain in the arse at times, but I do love her well. My mother..

( mmm. ) That is rather more complicated. She seems more interested in power than our welfare quite often. Here, she is younger, but.. I remember her being willing to betroth me to the man who killed my brother simply to have the throne.

( why is she spilling all this? she stills, and opens her mouth to apologize, but then decides against it. nuala has said that she must not be a ghost to anyone here. a relic. opening up is not terrible, is it? )

But I adore my father. He caught a fever and was taken from us some time ago. It matters not. He is my first memory. This great man grinning at me like a man besotted. I will never forget it.

[ For his part, Robin is glad to hear all of this, as it only serves to bring them closer. He'll be glad to return the favor if asked, though he doesn't tend to simply speak of himself unless some particular point in the conversation compels him to do so. ]

It sounds as though your mother doesn't quite know how to love her children, I hope you don't mind my saying so.

Your father, however, reminds me of myself, the day my son was born.

I do not. ( it's a fact, no more, no less. one which causes her obvious turmoil, but not one she has ever truly felt able to change. )

That she loved my father, I have little doubt. But afterward.. ( things changed. )

I can imagine. You have a kind spirit, sir. My own father's enemies rejoiced that I was not the hoped-for boy.

But he never cared a whit. ( but this isn't all about her! her features soften visibly. )

May I ask how old your son is now? My siblings range in age from seventeen down to four.

[ Even with a mother like the one she's known, Elizabeth has grown into a fine young woman, someone any parent should be proud of, though from the sound of it, her mother isn't terribly aware. ]

I'm glad you had your father, at least, though I'm sorry to hear he was taken from you so prematurely.

My son has just recently turned four, growing far too fast for my liking. [ He smiles warmly. ] How many siblings do you have?

( her father was proud, god rest his soul. that is more than enough for elizabeth, who if given the choice would admit to loving him more because he had actually cared for her well-being and as much as he could, her happiness.

if her mother does not care, then it is not so very great a loss to her. )

As am I, sir. There will never be a day when I will not miss him terribly. Your words are kind, and I thank you for them.

( her features soften, as she pictures her own brothers at that age. ) They do that, do they not? It feels like yesterday that my youngest brother was born, but he was all a-gangle last I saw him.

I am the eldest of ten, sir. And my mother had two boys prior to her second marriage. Though we have.. lost several over the years.

[ There are few things more difficult to abide than any sort of neglect or mistreatment of one's child. To Robin, children are the most precious treasure in any world, realm, kingdom. To not appreciate the love of one's child to the fullest is comparable to forsaking them, and a grave sin in Robin's mind.

And it seems terribly unfair that her father was taken from her, that the parent who showed her affection and pride would be wrenched from her. Life is terribly cruel that way sometimes. ]

The day my son was born stands out among all my memories. The best day of my life, I must admit. He was...such a tiny thing, and when his mother passed away, I felt sure I wouldn't be capable of caring for him properly, but we've managed quite well so far.

I can think of no greater loss than that of children, I'm sorry you had to endure that, Elizabeth.

( then he would not get along at all with her mother. when revenge, a throne and an ornate hat are more important to a woman than aught else, that includes her children. she has berated her in the past for being willfully inconsiderate of her fate and that of her sisters. for whom she has, at times had to think of as a mother might because their own would not.

yet their birthright was more important then, and she can see that little has changed. she is glad, to hear of another father who loves his child as much as she knows her own did her. her features remain softened, this talk of family calming her. )

I am so very sorry for the loss of your wife, sir. But glad that you have one-another to count upon. Such a gift is one without measure.

( she takes a steadying breath, and squeezes his hands once again. )

As am I. We still know not what befell my little brother, Edward. Merely that he was seen one day in the Tower and then never again. I heard the dirge upon the river.. as I do whenever a member of my Mother's line should perish.

( he is gone. but so is her dearest sister, and two little ones which did not survive toddlerhood. she will not speak more of such loss--but it is good to speak of it a little. which she has done so rarely, and only with those she trusts implicitly. )

[ From the sound of it, he would not. And though he always strives to be a gentleman, Robin doubts he'd be able to curb his tongue, knowing everything Elizabeth's explained to him. It's good for all their sakes that their paths aren't likely to ever cross, and to be the honorable man, he would avoid her if he knew of her presence. ]

Your sentiment is appreciated, m'lady. Roland is the greatest treasure I could ever behold, the best gift Marian could have ever given me. Having him gave me a purpose again after her death.

[ And he won't ask her to, knowing what it does to the heart to speak of such things. ]

Is there anything I can get for you? Anywhere I can take you? You ought to rest.

( once again, she is stricken by the unending support he offers her, time and again without fail. the trend of her feelings much as though she is in the presence of a dear brother continues with no sign of ceasing at any juncture. and the lest she might do is offer it in kind, unreservedly. that being the affection of a sister. )

The both of you shall keep the best of her alive between yourselves, I think. Ensuring that neither of you shall ever forget, no matter what life might bring you in the future. You need not say such words for me to see it is how you feel; your face fair illuminates the heavens when you speak of him. I am pleased that you have someone who might bring you such joy.

( for that, she will be eternally grateful. much as she is for everything else he has done for her. her features soften and warm at once, and she nods. )

I would like some water, thank you. And perhaps a change of scenery. Might we sit in the gardens awhile, if you have no other plans at present?

[ She is as much his sister as anyone born to his own mother would be. He thinks of her no differently. They have a friendship that goes beyond mere friendship, something which makes him feel as though they share blood in every way that matters. ]

Thank you, Elizabeth. I wish some day you could meet him, he would certainly adore you.

[ He reaches out to help keep her steady on her feet as he nods in response to her query. ]

Let's go to the gardens, and I'll fetch you some water.

( blood alone does not a family make. there is genuine love between she and her sisters, and her elder half-brother. and though thomas is not her father's son, he is her brother in every way that counts in her eyes. this is no different. it is odd and wonderful, how she can feel as though she has known someone all of her life, and be able to trust wholly in them; their word and their ability to protect her. a gift she keeps being given here. each more precious than the last.

this bond is one she will treasure and cherish. )

I would love to have the honour. Is he quite skilled at hide-and-seek? I fear I have become an expert.

And I would adore him, as much as I did my brothers.

( she shoots him a grateful look, and steadies herself after a moment, though she takes his arm as she might with thomas. it makes her feel safe. )

Thank you, for everything.

[ It feels understood between them, that they might appreciate the other beyond mere friendship, though Robin also isn't the type of person to shy away from admitting to such feelings, the way some men might. He hopes she knows, but if she ever has reason to doubt, he'll also gladly remind her. ]

He is, in fact, and he's quite nimble, so he tends to cheat and hide in other places until I'm able to find him.

[ He tightens his hold once she takes his arm, leading her towards the gardens. ]

You're important to me, Elizabeth, it's my pleasure.

( it takes her longer to admit her feelings, even though they have a tendency to form quickly. she attaches to people much more rapidly than they truly realize. a fact she has been used to hiding as it would have been a weakness to exploit at her uncle's court. here, not so much. on this ship, she has realized that it is all right to admit how she feels without fear of her emotions being used against her.

and at the rate people vanish and die here, it is better they be made aware of them sooner than later. )

I wonder if I would be able to. My youngest brother, Richard and I would ever play such games. Thanks to him, I have no shortage of experience.

( she is able to smile through the continued pain of the boy's absence. but she misses him as fiercely as robin must surely miss his son. it is a pain that everyone aboard this vessel can understand. surely. elizabeth glances at him quickly, as she feels his hold on her tighten, and smiles quietly. )

As you are to me. I have missed the feeling of having an older brother. That is.. well, very much how I have come to see you.

[ And that's his own motivation in making his fondness for her known. He's been here long enough to know that nothing is guaranteed, that someone you care for might suddenly not wake up at the next jump. ]

I'm certain you could manage.

[ The smile that lingers on his face becomes even more fond and warm. ]

I'm honored, truly. And I've come to regard you as a sister, one I'd always longed to have, so we're well-matched.

( she smiles quietly. )

You are kind to offer such words of confidence.

( and as his grows in fondness, so does her own. it might be difficult for people to make it past her walls, but once they are inside, that is it. they're in. )

Then I am also honoured. I shall endeavour to be a sister worthy of such high regard, in that case.

And I'll endeavor to do the same.

[ Once they've made it to the gardens, he helps her find a spot where she can sit and rest. ]

I'll return in just a moment with some water.

( she nods, and seats herself in the grass with her skirts pooled about her. )

You have my thanks.

[ When he returns with the water, he decides to sit with her, handing her the cup, then just taking a deep breath. ]

I forget to come here as often as I should. It's quite peaceful.

I thank you. ( she takes the cup quietly, and brings it to her lips to sip of the cool water before she might respond. )

It is. For a time, I resided here with the elves. They are good and kind people. Have you met them?

[ He glances over now and then just to make sure she's alright, though he doesn't want to seem overbearing about it. ]

I haven't had the good fortune yet. Will you tell me of them?

( she leans back after taking another sip of water, holding the glass delicately between her palms. )

Of course. They are fey folk, tall and lovely and ageless. Her Grace—Galadriel, is her name—she may be thousands of years old. Her people dwell in the forests of a land she calls Middle earth, though they hail originally from a different land altogether. They possess incredible power; foresight, magic, strength.

And the ability to play the most beautiful music and sing with the loveliest voices I have ever heard. I stand in awe of them.

And Lady Galadriel, she.. is all I wish to be: gentle, strong, and kind.

[ As she speaks, it's soothing in a way that's reminiscent of a fairytale, or lullaby, her words lyrical and evoking such pleasant images. ]

They sound lovely, I think I'd enjoy meeting them.

♕ 5th - video - The Sight

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