♔ dix-huit || that i shall lead an endless life with them in peace

[ensorceler]

[Skilled Fighters & Soldiers]

[ This is written on a different page from anything else, with handwriting slightly sharper than her norm. An attempt at being anonymous. ]

It has now been over a year since I awoke here, and still I find myself seeking warriors only to be disappointed. I wish not only for guards and soldiers to keep peace, but also to learn after skills of a savage nature myself. This is not my world, and I cannot continue to treat it as such.

If either prospect interests and pleases you, then say so here, written to one named 'Nan'.

[/Skilled Fighters & Soldiers]

[The Doctor]

[ She doesn't know there is more than one! ]

To The most esteemed Doctor,

You have shown a clear, if misguided attention for my concerns and well-being. I recall once that you put forth your efforts into seeing after the livelihood and humors of the Queen Elizabeth on my behalf. Though she has gone, I have not, and would ask after your unusual skills once more.

I understand you say that you are no court physician, but still there is a matter that must be sought after and none other to look to for it. I shall pay you what you please, to look towards the health of one Spike Spiegel. He is in a most grievous state, though he speaks not of it, and he is of little use to me and cannot share the Lord's work while so immobile and pained.

With a cautious but hopeful faith,
Anne the Queen

[/The Doctor]

[Ben Paul]

Young Master Paul,

I require your presence in my apartments. Please do not question, or tarry.

In humble guidance and request,
Anne the Queen

[/Ben Paul]

[General Windrunner]

General and Ranger Windrunner,

Should you fancy a ride, I find myself unable to wait for kinder airs. My horse rides well enough in the snow, and I will have no shortage in sustenance. I think you to also be interested by an even longer ride I am thinking after soon enough.

Your friend,
Anne the Queen

[/General Windrunner]

[ Dictated in her handwriting; ]

Residents of Cair Paradisa,

I bring you both hopeful tidings and the most sad news. I have seen the matter as far as I must, but there is no helping it. The Master Once-ler has departed this cursed realm, and for where he goes to requires our most devoted and kind prayers. Just as he understands that his world must be so bettered, he strove to strengthen the love and warmth of this one. For any who have not seen the grand orphanage he tirelessly worked over to place before the first snow fell, I bid you to think of him whenever you look after it on your way to the market; whenever you see children well and good and looked after in a building that seems a realm of it's own. It carries his character with it forever-more, and in such a small way he will never truly leave us.

But though I continue to seek the betterment of the peoples both within and without the castle, and I do promise you I will not allow May Day to go uncelebrated, I still cannot condone the curses we must suffer in trade of supposed gifts and enticement. I will be leading a progress when the ground has thawed and the world beyond beckons those who would brave new possibilities. For some, there is no returning, and it is those who ought to think the most on such a matter. Shall you live here forever, or shall you discover another kingdom entirely to settle? Then there are those who merely need to wander, who have felt trapped for too long but do not wish to stray overlong — you are also most welcome.

Do not worry overmuch for your decisions now, as there is time yet, but to those who can offer protection and guidance, I urge you to not dally in your response. Such charges require planning.

— Anne the Queen

Comments

[ensorceler]

[ Please stop talking about monsters eating people, Ben, it is unpleasant! And she makes a displeased face at the comment before reaching for her goblet of ale, smiling again. ]

How else am I to be certain you do not again stray from the Lord's gospel?

[indirectcause]

[He can't help it, it was his liiiife.]

...You could check the journal?

[ensorceler]

[ Don't you dare argue with her flimsy excuse, Ben! ]

To pray with another is not the same in the least. Is this to mean you do not wish to come?

[indirectcause]

Oh n-no nothing like that. [He shrugs.] People just...don't usually ask me to go anywhere with them voluntarily. Outside my group, anyway.

[ensorceler]

Your group? ...You mean those from your world.

You mustn't think like that. For now this is your world, and you must open your arms as wide as you may, and set your sights as far as you wish.

[indirectcause]

Yeah, the people I travelled with.

[P.A.U.S.E] That's pretty poetic.

[ensorceler]

I am merely speaking from my heart. It is something more people ought to practice.

[indirectcause]

I guess people just don't feel as safe doing it. It's a good way to get yourself hurt.

[ensorceler]

[ He's much smarter than he looks. But she smiles anyway, because she doubts he yet understands that women have two hearts. Better to tease. ]

You think to use my poetry to wound me?

[indirectcause]

[Yeah he totally has not learned that lesson yet.]

I...uh NO!! No, that wasn't what I was trying to do at all. I don't...think?

[ensorceler]

[ She has to shake her head at him while taking a drink, then points to the northwest of Paradisa. ]

I wish for us to travel here. It might take a rather bit of time, but I believe the further we extend beyond this castle, we have a higher chance of discovering the truths we seek. Perhaps even better homes.

[indirectcause]

[Well, that's something.]

So somewhere that doesn't feed on our souls all the time?

[ensorceler]

[ Anne can appreciate the dark, if honest jest, chuckling grimly with a nod and another drink. ]

Or to discover a way to limit this castle's power over us.

[indirectcause]

That'd be good. So long as we don't piss it off and make it send us back.

[ensorceler]

[ Anne glances sharply at him. She doesn't quite...understand his usage of the word, but again there are centuries separating the definitions. Either way it's inappropriate. ]

Your language, young Paul. You are in polite, and royal company.

[indirectcause]

Oh shit. He winces.]

Fuck, sorry. NO SORRY. I'll...try to tone it down.

[He can do it with Clem, he can do it with the queen.]

[ensorceler]

[ Just after telling him, too! She nearly slaps him, but holds back. What would happen to her if he ran away? ]

I will forgive you, for you have been long from the Lord's gospel and proper living. But this is a thing you must practice, Master Paul. The art of proper language. ...Perhaps on our travels.

[ Anne's gaze wanders back to the map, before she abandons it to move closer to the fire. ...Not too close. Never too close. ]

Though it may be some time to arrange. So many seem keen on offering resistance for unknown understandings. How easy it was to once arrange a progress for myself and His Majesty.

[ Because they had people to do that for them, and oh yeah they owed allegiance. Wow life is hard. ]

[indirectcause]

[NO PRAYING EVER AGAIN.]

I guess it would take time to gather supplies. It's not like the castle's magic works out there. But I bet it could be all organised in a month or so.

[So hard for Anne.]

[ensorceler]

[ She tries to forgive his ignorance but it's still hard to hold back somewhat of a deadpan look before she moves onto the fire. He's still but a babe in this world, and doesn't truly understand how difficult it is to unite anybody here, no matter the fate they all share. ]

Tell me, Master Paul. Should you be one who prefers to be treated well and good, to be held above the rest? Or should you wish for honesty, no matter the tidings it may bear?

[indirectcause]

[Ben gives a soft scoff/]

Trust me, I've never been that first one. [A soft shrug.] The castle wants honesty to be my deal, so I guess that.