[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

[invasif]

Who knows, perhaps music might've soothed it.

[fairysong]

It didn't. I was going full blast during the entire battle, and it didn't do a damn thing.

[invasif]

Such a pity, perhaps you are of no use...

[ That is... not nice, Ilde. ]

[fairysong]

[Wow. Rude.

Sheryl's voice carries with it a stung sharpness.] If my power's useless, then whose fault is that but the person who gave it to me?!

It comes back to that damn witch, just like I said!

[invasif]

Did she take some more impressive power from you?

[ She sure had taken Ilde's power and replaced it with something a lot less useful... ]

[fairysong]

Does it matter?! She's still the one who decided to bring us here at all! Any way you look at it, she's to blame for that.

I'm an artist, for culture's sake!

[invasif]

Every court does need its artists, but they do so often tend towards the vain. Though that has its uses. You might make a fine spy.

[fairysong]

And if that's what you need, sure-- I'm your girl! I can do concerts, I can bridge gaps between people, I can charm my way into places I really shouldn't be. I can do all of those things!

But none of that helps fight the literal end of the damn world!

[invasif]

What if I had sent you to gain the princess's trust? And if she had taken you to meet her mother. Could you have convinced her, to take in the mermen? Could you have assassinated her, on behalf of the mermen?

[fairysong]

I could've damn well done better on the first part than most of us here, I'd bet.

But I'm not a murderer.

[invasif]

Then I'll remember that.

[fairysong]

Are you in charge of our assignments, now?

Who are you, anyway-- talking about "courts" and all this other weird nonsense?

[invasif]

No, I have no authority here.

[fairysong]

...just as long as you're not telling me to go kill anybody.

But seriously, they don't have singers where you come from? Just general musicians?

[invasif]

Music is a staple of court affairs, but musicians and vocalists are few and far between. It is not a trade most waste their efforts on, except at funerals.

[ of which there are many. ]

Even I know funerary tunes.

[ And has a pretty voice, though you're unlikely to convince her to the task publicly. ]

[fairysong]

Seriously? You really only get music at funerals? That's so depressing.

What sort of place do you come from, anyway?

[invasif]

There was a long war between magic users. Most common people found their lives touched by it, the continent over.

[fairysong]

So there was a war. That's not that special, you know. Lots of places have wars.

Why were these "magic users" fighting?

[invasif]

For power, like any other war.

[fairysong]

Not all wars are fought for power. Sometimes people fight to survive. Or to defend their homes.

[invasif]

We might not call that power, but it is a kind. They want power over their own agency, if not others'.

[fairysong]

If you're going to define "power" that broadly, then sure, you can say everything's about power.

[invasif]

I could, yes.

[fairysong]

That undermines your point. If you can twist everything to be "about power," then saying something's about power is kind of meaningless.

[invasif]

Only unworthy of distinction, not literally void of meaning.