[video]

[invasif]

[ A woman dressed in a black, a small glowing locket around her neck, sits in the grass at the base of a tree: ]

Many of our Circle have been heartbroken for what they witnessed. I am sorry for that, for those who have never seen such large casualties before. I have never wished that experience on another person, and yet I have never possessed the power to prevent it either.

I ruled a kingdom that had been ravaged by war. I was raised a refugee in that war, and when I become queen it was to a country of heartbroken war orphans, all like myself. I could do little to heal their hurt beyond recognizing we shared it. It is a pain that never goes away, even if you muster yourself to live on and strive hard, loss will always haunt your steps.

I'm sorry.

I have no comfort to offer you in this, but if you wish to confess your hurt I will gladly be an ear to it. Perhaps you can unburden a little of yourself, and I can surely bear the weight.

My name is Lady Ilde, and I am here if you wish.

Comments

video;

[mistimed]

[Horō's eyes are shadowed by her bangs because her gaze is lowered. She seems serious and contemplative and waits quite a while before she speaks.]

It is not my first time encountering that weight, but you are kind to offer. I can tell that you are a good person. Your people must definitely adore you.

[The small smile she just offered returns to a sober expression.]

It is quite difficult to fail. Even failing many times over...the last time is no less difficult than the first. But...that is why we must persist.

Have you tried offering any of this to our friend who is hosting us?

[invasif]

[ She smiles. Yes, she was hoping to hear something to that effect. ]

Astoria and I have spoken. And much as before, I have little to offer her but understanding.

[mistimed]

I am concerned about her. I hope that she understands that man of us here will stand by her side. After all, that is what comrades are for.

[Even though it may be bold to call everyone here "comrades," Horō seems both honest and determined in her declaration.]

I have not been here long, but it seems this outcome isn't usual. Yes, we can call that our "silver cloud." [That is...definitely not the idiom.]

[invasif]

[ Ilde is a very still, controlled woman. She doesn't react visibly to this declaration of faith. ]

You're a faithful young woman. [ She acknowledges that without indicating whether that is a positive or negative trait. ] If we ever hope to succeed again, we will need faith such as yours.

voice

[fairysong]

[Honestly, Sheryl's not sure she's going to respond to this. It takes some time to even decide that she'll do it. What's the point?]

You can't change the past.

What's the witch going to do to make sure it doesn't happen in the future?

[invasif]

Why blame her?

[fairysong]

Why shouldn't we? She's the one who brought us all here, isn't she? She knew what that rift was and didn't tell anyone to do something about it.

If she's going to send us on missions, she'd better damn well do better.

[invasif]

I dislike blaming others for my own failings.

[Text]

[eyeofassault]

Squad leader would say WHEN DO WE EVER TAKE A MISSION THAT MAKES US HAPPY?

but idk p.sure war is diff from reality ripping apart

[invasif]

Is that not reality at war with itself?

[eyeofassault]

fuck if i know, im a t-doll not a wizard

thatd b like askin if time & space has a conscious. sounds like a waste of time 4 no answers

Video

[additionalmemory]

I like your locket. [It’s easier than commiserating about tragedy. Or opening up her vulnerabilities. Or asking more of a stranger than she should.]

It must be special.

[invasif]

[ Her look is a somber one, ]

It is. They are the ashes of my lord. I keep them in mourning for him.

[additionalmemory]

[YIKES.]

Oh...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something sad or traumatic...[Although, given the circumstances...there’s not much else to talk about in general.]

It’s nice that you keep him with you all of the time.

voice

[theseuschip]

[ This Ilde seems perfectly nice, but Simon cannot get behind giving their witchy host a full pass for this, and her relative scarcity makes the alternative much easier to do. ]

None of us possess the power to prevent it. Astoria never should have sent us there.

[invasif]

Who else would she have sent?

[theseuschip]

[ is that a trick question...!!! ]

No one. She never even knows what she’s getting us into. We’re canaries getting sent into coal mines, and we’re not all even coming back out.

video;

[paladorable]

That's very kind of you to offer. I was a refugee for a time as well, so I understand what it's like.

[invasif]

It leaves a mark, to witness so much death and be driven from one's home.

[paladorable]

That it does, in more ways than one.

Ah, sorry, I'm Arenvald. Nice to meet you.

video;

[infailtration]

I've seen entire worlds lost to war before, it's not something you get over easily. [ His way of saying that Ilde is making a kind offer. ] But do you know how it works here? Is everyone that's missing... are they just gone? Or is there a chance they're trapped somewhere, not dead?

It was my first world jump, I don't know the rules.

[invasif]

Not with any more clarity than anyone else, unfortunately. We could always hope that Akvos has merely been... misplaced, for a time.

[ To put it as gently as possible. ]

This was also the first world I had visited on behalf of the Circle.

[infailtration]

I don't know about misplaced, but they could've wound up elsewhere.

[ York really doesn't want to think about everyone that's lost being dead... he may not have known any of them personally but it's tragic all the same, that the magic would pick and choose who survives in Lake Dona and who's just gone. The Princess certainly didn't deserve that fate, he wants to hope she's out there somewhere. And York himself... he's supposed to be dead, he knows now. He certainly doesn't deserve a third chance, when she'd get none. ]

From what I've heard, the last two worlds were apparently doing okay when the Circle left.

[besieging]

I admit I'm not one for such confessions, myself, but it's heartening to see such an offer freely made.

I hope you have also found someone to lend ear to your own troubles, my lady.

[invasif]

I have no need of such an offer.

[ As simple and restrained as that. ]