( looking and feeling terribly (though admittedly not a fraction as terribly as many others, elizabeth opts to communicate by voice. she sounds faint, tired and a little short of breath. )

One year, a maidservant of mine told me of a sweating sickness in the city. I bade her return home that day. She never returned. Never thought I to witness such horrors as the plague firsthand. My sister, Mary was taken by such an illness. This time, I hope it will be different and that Fortune's wheel will spin in our favour.

If there be a cure to this malady, I pray that it is to be found soon. Perhaps this mysterious blue substance is the key. Though if not, a poet by the name of John Lydgate captured a strange and dark sort of solidarity in his verse titled "The Dance of Death":

"In this mirror every person may find
the he needs to join this dance.
Who goes in front - and who goes behind
all depends on God’s arrangement,
which is why each man lowly accepts his fate.
Death spares neither poor nor royal blood.
Each man should therefore remember
that God has forged all of one matter."

No matter the outcome, we are all of us to share the same fate. Whether it be happy as I pray, or no.

( a long pause, as she smothered a sneeze in the background. ) Pardon me.

If anyone would like, I can play my music, or provide company for any who desire it. It is the least I might do as so many of you have been kind to me since my arrival.


( and as an addendum, a failed renfaire encryption lock to ilde: )

Dearest friend, I hope you are passing well. I would ask a boon, despite this being a trying time. If I may, I am in need of a place to rest my head. Can I stay with you for some time?

[ Though Éowyn has gotten used to the device over the past few months, she still takes a moment to adjust the camera once it is connected, shifting away and tilting his head politely once she has done so. ]

A good day to all. Months have been since I have arrived here, yet this is the first time I address the ship as a whole. So I introduce myself: my name is Éowyn, I hope to find you all well.

[ Now onto the point of her video. ]

I have recently joined the Security team. As such I wish to practice further, so that my skills will not fall into disuse. For this purpose, I seek any and all people who would be interested in sparring with swords. [ A moment before she adds. ] Equally, if anyone who should like to be taught, I will gladly spare what little knowledge I do have.

That said, I also ask if anyone here should be so willing about teaching me about... firearms, I believe that is the term. I have never before heard of them, so I would ask for your patience as I learn.

Thank you all ever so much for your time. [ She smiles briefly, then adds as a last note. ] Oh, La-- I mean, Buffy, I should like to speak to you when you have the time.

[ And with that, she ends the feed. ]