fifteenth. dictated.

[akweks]

[Connor's tone is calm but businesslike. Again, he doesn't really seem interested in smalltalk.]

Several weeks ago, when we had the unseasonable snowfall, I encountered an animal in the woods I had not seen before. Since the castle has changed itself, there have been new animals in the land surrounding it, so that in itself is not unusual. But this animal was quite tame, but fled as soon as I came within a certain distance of the castle itself.

I am wondering if perhaps anyone has lost this animal. It was horselike but not a horse, with a great horn in the centre of its head and cloven hooves. I believe it is used in Scottish heraldry, if that means anything to you; it has been some time since I learned of such things, but I seem to remember it being so.

And also, I wonder if anyone else has seen this animal, or perhaps more of them. If it is simply a wild thing, I will leave it be. But if it belongs to someone, I will do what I can to help return it to the stables.

Thank you.

Comments

Dictated forever

[preformthisneigh]

...Are you talking about a unicorn? There's a unicorn here?

[akweks]

Does that describe a unicorn?

[preformthisneigh]

Well, they don't have cloven hooves where I come from, but the rest fits. They're a race of ponies, in Equestria, they can use magic.

[akweks]

[Ah...]

This one did not speak. Like you do.

[preformthisneigh]

...Oh.

So they were like the weird horses in the horse prison? The ones that just kinda...stare and sometimes neigh.

[akweks]

"Horse prison." The stables?

[assassino]

A unicorn! [A chuckle.] But perhaps not –– you know I have heard that they look more like elephants than horses in reality, so perhaps this is something different.

[akweks]

It was closer to a goat than an elephant, I think. But I have only seen drawings so I do not know for certain.

[givetheslip]

[Looks like others have the unicorn part covered, but...]

It approached you?

[akweks]

Yes. I was near the river, and saw it standing nearby. It did not seem aggressive, and so I let it come closer.

[givetheslip]

Ah. That's a little surprising.

[Crap, she probably shouldn't have said that.]

[akweks]

[??? Maria...]

Yes. That is why I thought perhaps it belongs to someone...

[givetheslip]

That's not why...

[Okay, no. Changing course.]

I think it very likely it is simply a native creature to this land.

[akweks]

[MARIA.........]

But so tame?

Anonymous Writing

[clever_girl]

[Her handwriting is neat and tidy, and practiced to be anonymous without distinguishing features or flairs. Granted, given the technology of her time it has been a while since she's handwritten much.]

By all descriptions you seem to have found yourself a unicorn. Mythological creatures, symbols of purity, legends tell they could only be captured by a virgin.

written;

[akweks]

[Connor's own hand is neat and looping, befitting an 18th century education. He's not disguising it because there's no point, but he always feels awkward dictating to someone's handwriting, so he writes a response in turn.]

Symbols of purity?

[clever_girl]

Yes. Purity, naivete, chastity.

[At least, as far as she knew from her own world mythos. She's not going to mention that she's used to them not actually existing, because she's learning the reality of this particular world works a little differently.]

[akweks]

[He doesn't write a response immediately, just squinting at the words as they show up. For real...]

That seems specific for an animal to represent.

[clever_girl]

I don't make the rules.


Have you had any luck in your other endeavors relating to the creature?

[She could - and would - read the other open conversations, but that was no telling what private or in person conversations he might be having.]

[akweks]

Not as of yet. It does not appear to have an owner, so perhaps it is best left alone after all.

dictated;

[peacockherald]

I believe... I believe you just described a unicorn, Connor...

_{[ For a moment he and almost though it Yfandes, but she had no horn and no cloven hooves, though she was almost unnaturally white and horselike, but not really a horse. ]}

dictated;

[akweks]

Oh. Yes, that does sound familiar now that you have said it. Is it an unusual beast?

Re: dictated;

[peacockherald]

Well, in my world, it is a myth. It is not real. It is a creature of stories and little more.

dictated;

[akweks]

[A bit wryly] I would think, after everything you have seen in this world, the appearance of a mythical creature would not surprise you so.

Re: dictated;

[peacockherald]

No, I suppose not. I have actually met an "alicorn", but I suppose it is different when one things of them as being wild creatures and not residents.