( ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ) ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴛɪᴅɪɴɢs | ( ɴᴘᴄ ᴘᴏsᴛ )

[acatastoria]

[ there is a sudden sparking that emits from your magical watches and a hologram appears, showing a petit woman with dark hair. her eyes seem to hold a certain amount of mischief and light, and when she speaks, you listen. it's something about her; you are captivated by her presence, and you can't help but give her your attention. ]

Hello, hello, hello~! ♥

[ it's a trill of a voice, light and airy. ]

I know you've all just arrived~♥ but I wanted to introduce myself! To those who haven't met me, my name is Astoria! I know many of you are likely unhappy with being found here, and I understand. But the need is urgent, and dire, and I am in desperate need of your help, as is the universe in which we reside. There is much darkness, in this universe . . . plenty of worlds on the brink of collapse, or at the precipice of something great. It is my job -- our job -- to help where needed. Like superheroes, but a little less flashy!

[ she pauses. ]

No offense to the superheroes. -- but anyway! I want to let you know were we're going to go first.

[ she takes in a D E E P breath!! ]

There is a city, by the name of El Minha. It's beautiful, an oasis in the desert. There are many shops and stalls and the entire city is bustling, but El Minha is facing a difficult path. Transitions of power are hard, you know? And they have a new King, who is . . . probably nice, but the people there are suffering. Crime is at an all-time high, and King Kathashun can only do so much . . . if he's doing anything at all.

[ she brushes a loose piece of hair behind her ear, and astoria smiles a little. it is obvious, by now, that she's definitely bubbly and full of spirit, but she is deadly serious about her mission. ]

I truly believe that we have the ability to help those who need it most, and those people are in desperate need. So we're going to go there, explore, and talk to them! And maybe, just maybe, we can affect some good in this world, and change the tide for the better for these poor people.

[ she pauses. ]

So that's where we're going first! But before that, I'm here to greet you, to support you, and welcome you to my beautiful Temple. Please, please, please make yourselves at home! I'll be here if you have any questions. ♥

[ astoria pauses before lifting up a single finger, as if she's forgotten something important. ]

Oh, and please let me know if you find anything interesting or important or otherwise peculiar in the Temple! The Forest of the Fey is a magical place, and I'm keeping a careful eye on all of you explorers to make sure you don't get too lost, but my dear friends within the forest may like playing with you all, so be respectful of the wildlife! It may fight back. ♥

[ is she serious? the world may never know. ]

Comments

[rootbound]

Who indeed. Does the name Qri ring a bell? And perhaps you'll be able to reach me, though I don't know what the limits are on the power you've granted me yet.

[he tilts his head a little...definitely edging towards humor now]

I'm being nosy, I admit: you say this is the first time you're trying this with others. Is that more to do with your being trapped yourself, or do you really have such faith in your motley summoned crew?

[acatastoria]

I have no idea who Qri is.

[ she's telling the truth; that doesn't sound familiar. ]

And I haven't done this before because being stuck here is a fairly recent phenomena . . . but I also have a lot of faith in my motley summoned crew! They don't have to be mutually exclusive, do they?

[rootbound]

I suppose not, if you're the type to have a lot of faith.

[drums his fingers on something outside the communicator's scope, thoughtfully]

Can you tell me a little more about your getting stuck? In case we find something that might help with that around El Minha, or elsewhere.

[acatastoria]

[ there's a pause. ]

The same magic that holds this place together, the Temple, the Forest . . . it runs through me. We have a connection, this world and I, and normally I can leave it. But lately the Temple and the Forest haven't been so cooperative, and any attempt at leaving as left me . . . well. It isn't pretty.

[ pain. immense pain. ]

Bringing you all here was something of a last resort. Beings and things can come to and fro from here, but I can't. I don't know why.

[rootbound]

But you don't feel any weaker; the connection's still there, not being interrupted by anything? Perhaps your world is at the brink of something, itself.

[acatastoria]

It's possible.

[ in a musing tone; astoria isn't surprised, by the suggestion. ]

But this is less of a world and more of a . . . pocket, I think, would be the right word. All the same, I've thought about it. But it's just me, here. No one else, unless you count the beings and creatures in the Forest.

[ which, you know, vern might. and astoria does, too. ]

[rootbound]

Well, they live here, don't they. It would make sense to count them.

[he travels with a dragon, of course he's gonna count the magical beasts and beings]

Perhaps more exploration's in order when we get back. Though...are you sending us there for a certain amount of time, or just until we've wrought enough havoc?

[acatastoria]

A few weeks, at most. I'm testing the limits of my powers, with this, and I want to make sure I can bring you all back here, unharmed. So not very long at all. This is truly supposed to be an exploration mission, and if you can manage to do something, if you want to, then you can.

[ she scratches her cheek in thought. ]

And during your time here, you can certainly use it to explore and figure out what's going on here, if that's what you'd like to do.

[rootbound]

It's hard to sit idle. And Geir certainly likes to poke around, with or without me...I think you'll find people eager to solve your mysteries.

[and, with an actual small smile]

Or at least fuss about them terribly.

[acatastoria]

Geir is your dragon companion, isn't he?

[ as if speaking from faint memory . . . she wants to know all of your names by heart!!! ]

I'm certain he'd have no issue navigating the Forest without real risk of injury . . . but I'd accept any help you were willing to give me.

[rootbound]

Yes. He's noticeable.

[dry]

I help you partly to help myself, I suppose. I don't gain much by getting on your bad side, and I've gotten used to not having to look over my shoulder as I do at home. And you give me less of a headache than Qri did. So, yes. You'll have my help, at least for the time being.

[acatastoria]

[ and, with that, there's an immediate bright smile. ]

Thank you, Vern. I'll earn your trust, and ensure you don't regret your decision to help me.

[ and astoria inclines her head, in a slight bow, in thanks. ]

If you require anything at all while here, please don't hesitate to ask. I am here for you, and I can even come meet you in person, if you like.

[rootbound]

[he shifts visibly in the video, awkward all of a sudden]

It's fine for now. You've got--a lot of people to talk to, don't you? But perhaps when we get back, and everyone's settled in and has a better idea of what they're in for.

[acatastoria]

I'm sure more people will have more questions one you all return from El Minha . . . hopefully I can answer them, but.

[ she'll just have to do her best. ]

But it is nice to have a lot of people here. It's normally just me.

[rootbound]

[he regards her through the vidscreen, an odd expression on his face]

You're very vivacious for someone who's been isolated.

[acatastoria]

It hasn't always been this way! I've been able to leave before, to do my work. I haven't been able to leave lately, though . . . and I do have some friends, in the Forest, but I haven't been able to talk to them for some time.

[ the zheng, in particular, makes fascinating conversation. ]

[rootbound]

You've no way even to send them messages?

. . . did you want me to try to leave one, before you transport us somewhere else?

[acatastoria]

I appreciate it, Vern, but the Forest can be dangerous. I'd rather you avoid it until you at least get through the first mission. Maybe after that, we can try.

[ she pauses ]

I can usually communicate with them through magic, but it feels like something is clogged . . . I don't know why.

[rootbound]

Hm. Well, food for thought until then.

[inclines his head to her]

Let's speak again.

[acatastoria]

I would like that very, much, Vern.

[ warmly; she means it! ]

Please let me know if you need anything else of me, until we begin our investigations into this place.