♔ seize || but you won't be heard

[ensorceler]

( FILTERED FROM THE MURDERERS AND ACCOMPLICES; )

[ The handwriting is small and flourished but legible, especially with certain old spelling being aided by the journal's lovely powers of translation. ]

My friends and fellow travelers, we may yet have a chance in ending this massacre if we should only shut the door to our panic and open a new one to hope and faith. God has seen to it that we would know of our own strengths, should we only acknowledge His is what guides us. He hears you even in silence. We will soon have time to properly handle the honored dead, as soon as this foe has met justice.

Much knowledge has been shared, though the aid of the story spinner August Booth and Dairine Callahan, and further conference with Mark Hunter and Dora Diniro. Here is the full poem as currently known to us:

"Can't even shout, can't even cry,
The Gentlemen are coming by.
Looking in windows, knocking on doors,
They need to take seven and they might take yours.
Can't call to mom, can't say a word,
You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard."

[ Followed is a collection of drawings re-drawn by Nora to showcase the tale of the Gentlemen stealing voices and hearts, and the girl's scream killing them. ]

We know that there will be seven deaths if we do naught, for they have tormented kingdoms before. They spirit away our voices so that they may do as they will and we shall be helpless in our newfound solitude, for they hunt at night while we rest out heads. Weapons may not bring them harm, but there is a supposed solution.

The "true voice" of a princess shall strike them dead. Mean it true princess or not, I should think a safe preference for all of the ladies to let their cries by heard best as they may, and should one voice of a siren be enough, evil will tremble and flee.

The trick, then, is to learn of how to retrieve our speech. There has been a suggestion, from one who claims knowledge of witchcraft and curses, and he would say that "True Love's Kiss" breaks all curses in his realm. He would say the love of dear family is just as potent, and I would dare agree, no matter the differing natures. I bid you to do all you can, but pray you use discretion in the knowledge you do gain, genial ladies. There is no proof this will bring back our voices, but it is what I must say and for you to do what you will.

There must also be other suggestions, should this not be the cure for this kingdom. People of Cair Paradisa, the power of your faith and determination must be as one if you are to prove that not only can Man can resist the Devil because of God's grace, but that Woman has a cry of war buried in her heart rather than her breath. There is a key. Find it. Find it.

God bless you all, the denizens who have mine own love and fealty,
Anne Boleyn

( EDITED IN LATER; )

There has been news of a box, a handspan's length to the side, at most, with iron studs and detailing. With such talks that a physical source is needed to conduct such witchcraft, then it is like it holds our true voices, and so now we know best what to seek.

I would also know where The Gentlemen's "minion" has been held, in haste. Can he speak? If not, then as Mistress Everdeen has so said, our only option is to release it and then follow in the greatest stealth. This is not a cause for all to join with blind heart, but with skills that match their character.

General Windrunner, Mistress Everdeen, and "Batgirl". So you have been summoned, with reverent humility for your grace and our cause.

Comments

[written]

[sonatilove]

[She wants to help. So eventually there's childish and playful handwriting in return.]

Everyone's hearts should resonate as one!

[written]

[ensorceler]

[ Except unlike this girl, Anne has little to no hope. All her talk is kind of BS, sorry, sweet girl. ]

Yes, as it is.

Filter / Written

[wizard_redfive]

[...Seriously? True love's kiss? Are they for real? Her true love isn't even here.]

There are various ways of muting voices.

For something on this scale though, a physical aid is usually required.

[ensorceler]

We were not touched when our voices were lost.

Written/Action

[putuporshutup]

[Meg was a bit too much of a cynic to believe that true love's kiss would actually break the curse and get their voices back, but all this talk about love was genuinely starting to get under her skin.

She stops what she's doing completely and reads through Anne's entire message, mesmerized. It's mostly a very useful summary of what they'd found out - and a rousing call to action if she'd ever seen one. The bit about August's theory and “bidding you to do all you can” amuses her. That is, it does until the actual longing it stirs up registers and Meg realizes just how screwed she is.

Since Cas had reappeared, a lot of feelings had surfaced that she had yet to sort through. She'd been changed by this place. Whether it was the castle’s magic, the humbling experience of having her human soul temporarily restored, or just the idea of having a second chance - she didn't know. She just knew that she by some stroke of luck, or fate, or destiny, or simple coincidence, they had been brought here at the same time, and that had to mean something.

They had been an impossibility before. An angel and a demon. It was a marvel they'd ever become so close. But now? Here? He was mortal... and she was perhaps just different enough now. It made her uneasy trying to put it into words - she hadn’t explored this depth of emotion in actual centuries, since before her humanity had been stripped away and replaced with darkness.

But still... deep down she knows that if she has anything like a true love, it's him, and that if they even have a chance at happiness together, it's a risk worth taking. Not to break some stupid spell, but because she really can’t deny how badly she wants it at this point.

Before she... whatever it is she's about to do, she feels compelled to write a quick reply to Anne. She ought to know how inspirational she's been, after all.]

I'm not sure if it's going to break any spells, but let's just say you've certainly motivated me to... test out that theory. Wish me luck.

[Meg sets her pen down and sighs, grateful that the unsteady breath doesn't make a sound. She looks across the table, over to where Cas was sitting, and waits to catch his eye.]

[ensorceler]

[ Well she doesn't mean for girls to go slut it out, that's for sure... But hey, Anne's as screwed as anyone. Her "true love" sure isn't around, and none of her family is, either. Whoops. ]

You need no luck, for you go with God's grace. Please do not forget to entertain other possibilities of a cure, for we must not forget why we act.

written;

[gottaknockhard]

[Anne, your handwriting is impossible. (But pretty easy to identify.) He decides he gets the gist after picking apart a few key sentences.

Why he still thinks the journals can be helpful is anyone's guess.]

We've really run out of ideas.

[ensorceler]

[ Her handwriting is quite beautiful, thank you! You should see everyone else's handwriting in her era. ]

Then go search for more.

Filter; written

[whichwayyoulean]

...Love's true kiss?

That's seriously what we're going with.

Filter; written

[ensorceler]

I did not claim it my goal, nor the plan in fruition. It is merely all that has been procured. Have you any ideas, Master Once-ler?

[originalcopy]

You have got to be joking.

[ensorceler]

[ At least by now she knows joking means jesting. ]

I dare not in the face of such calamity; I only share what has been most hesitantly offered. I have also invited more planning, should you care to invest your thoughts.

[written]

[heliotroping]

Very much doubt it. The kiss.

[ensorceler]

Then do not do so. I am only sharing the only bit of information so procured, and ensured by the workings of his own world's magics.

[ You don't need to tell her, jeez. She doubts it, too. ]

Have you any claims for your own solutions?

[written]

[lord_wizard]

I dreamed about a box. Perhaps some people could dedicate themselves to locating it.

[written]

[ensorceler]

And how know you this differs from a dream of norm?

[sworn]

[NOW we're getting somewhere.]

At your service, my lady.

[ensorceler]

Katniss Everdeen wishes to find a way to locate where our voices may yet be held, but there is little chance a frontal assault will gain us anything but rampant death.

As Mistress Callahan has mentioned, we do so need different manners of approach, but I think more than three. For spies, they are where our true hopes lie, if they are to find this possible box. For the fighters we hope never to need in case of catastrophe, there must be both melee and archery.

Would you lead this charge?

[hellofist]

[And hey look how convenient, Batgirl was just coming to check up on you, Anne. Under the cowl she's developed something of a permanent scowl because this isn't going well, too many people have died and as far as she knows, they're not any closer to finding the culprit.

That kind of thing tends to make for grumpy Batgirls, but Cass is trying to remember to take time out her patrols to check in with the people she's close to.

So hi, Anne. Cass is giving you a wave as she comes closer.]

[ensorceler]

[ Whoa! That's kind of alarming to see just walking around the halls. Normally Anne wouldn't leave without an escort, but learning that they only attack at night as somewhat soothed her, and she wishes for some fresh air for just a moment.

The outfit is hard to forget at least, but it still brings a strange, skewed smile out of her. Still adjusting to it, even if somehow seems to suit Cassandra's own strange nature.

Relieved to see she indeed lives, Anne stops short with a light nod, for now ignoring the lack of Cass's bowing. Instead she holds up her journal and taps against the entry she made quizzically. ]

Written

[the_effect_she_has]

They've struck again.

[She has that dread feeling, reading the one man's post.] This might be our last chance to take them off guard. So ... what are the orders?

[ensorceler]

[ NOOOOoooo fuck all well she knew this plan was screwed. Still gotta try. ]

Who?

filtered forever

[wolfchild]

[ she takes the time to filter to make sure robb will not interrupt. ]

I can help

filtered forever you bad girl

[ensorceler]

I would not wish to gain your lord brother's ire... But I believe him best to lead the melee charge, though we must pray it never be needed should the spies retrieve our voices.

How see you providing, Princess?

[fantasies]

True love's kiss is the strongest magic there is.

[He just... had to say it, after all these people chimed in against it. His handwriting is scratchy and large next to Anne's, but this is important.

This whole situation is too reminiscent of home. It's unsettling, terrifying, but...]

[ensorceler]

So claimed Master Booth. But were it to help, there are no true loves for princesses here.