FIVE ☠ she who can bring the ghosts from their tombs

[hedonic]

[ Dictated; ]

Oh boo, must I really be the first to say it? You all had this coming by being so stingy with your liquor in the first place! I hear those poor misunderstood outsiders simply wanted us to help supply a wicked party and nobody ever took them up on the invitation.

Well my goodness, shame on you. Is it any wonder such rampant paranoia and smothered desires brought forth the most twisted, malicious, and dare I say delicious stirrings of your souls? Why, I was almost stirred by the selfish delinquency.

It occurs to me I never did officially introduce myself, although I'm certain the dearly missed Combat Instructor took it upon herself to endear my charms to all of the lovely denizens at one point. [ The sarcasm is lazy, comfortable. Content. ] I am the Veteran Mercenary Echidna. I offer myself up to assist any who need special deliveries of any sort. We're all in this...together. Let's be the best of friends, shall we~?

[Galadriel]

And of course I have a very anticipated delivery for you, most radiant lady.

[/Galadriel]

Comments

Echidna

[inafadingcrown]

Do you? [Are you picturing a raised eyebrow? You should be.]

Galadriel

[hedonic]

Don't be suspicious! I thought you might be thirsty.

Echidna

[inafadingcrown]

[Asking Galadriel not to be suspicious is like asking a fish not to swim. :')]

How kind of you to think of me.

Galadriel

[hedonic]

[ Yep that's why it's so damn fun! ]

I'm a simple-hearted woman.

Busy?

Echidna

[inafadingcrown]

[There's a pause where she considers making some excuse.]

Not at the moment, no.

Galadriel

[hedonic]

Your room?

Echidna

[inafadingcrown]

You are aware I do not live alone, are you not? [She has a roomie and a husband there. Both of whom may be milling about in the background.]

Galadriel

[hedonic]

Hm, what do I care?

[ A pause. ]

You're welcome here.

Echidna

[inafadingcrown]

[Another pause. She's being ridiculous isn't she?] No, you are welcome here. Do you know the way?

[hedonic]

[ There's a snide chuckle before shutting her journal. Give her some credit, woman. She's only one floor above you!

But it's still nearly twenty minutes before she shows up, two dark bottles hanging from her knuckles. And, surprise surprise, she actually knocks. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Hey, she has no idea where most people live! It's called "not really caring."

Regardless, she appreciates both the knock and the gift of alcohol. She'll open the door with a smile and a nod.]

I should not have doubted you, it seems. [She steps aside and back from the door.] Come in.

[hedonic]

That is a mistake nobody should ever make.

[ It's said with a mirthful tease, but the weight it carries is no less true. Strolling in, she looks around with a half-interest at whatever might be noteworthy. And of course Kenta is draped around her waist like usual, hissing a greeting Galadriel's way. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[It's a fairly predictable room, if you know Galadriel's taste, except for the mingling of Rin's things here and there; the mix of Japan and Middle Earth is strange, but it works, in an eclectic sort of way. Galadriel herself will go and fetch two wine glasses and set them at a little sitting table.]

Somehow, I imagine it is a mistake few make twice.

[hedonic]

Few.

[ She concurs, but doesn't elaborate, her thoughts somewhat distant as she strolls over to set the bottles of wine down. ]

Is this where you slept? Such a comfortable set-up, you must have had the sweetest of dreams.

[ A tease, though half-hearted. She knows better. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[A dry tone.] Amusing.

[She seats herself in one of the chairs surrounding the table, gesturing for Echidna to do the same.] Dare I ask of your dreams?

[hedonic]

[ She gets herself comfortable in her chair, crossing her legs and stretching them out while she pops open one of the bottles. ]

Why... I dreamt of times less complicated.

[inafadingcrown]

[She laughs, though it's equal parts amused and bitter.] And I dreamt of the end of such times.

[hedonic]

All I need are my memories to hash over that.

[ But it is true that it hurts, especially now, to have been forced to be reminded of all she chose to abandon at one point or another. To see where those paths have led now.

Echidna tucks one ankle under the chair, hooking a boot around the leg as she holds out a filled glass for Galadriel. She wonders what ended her simplistic times, and how long ago those were.

Semantics. ]

Is your husband from the same time as you?

[inafadingcrown]

[She takes glass with a nod of thanks and leans back in her chair.]

I have seen a few weeks more, at most. The difference is not great.

[hedonic]

You wouldn't think it should make such a difference, hm? Even a human would merely bat an eye at it. Weeks. Months. Not when there are some here that are separated by years of pointless knowledge.

[ Relaxing, seemingly, back into her chair, she props an elbow up behind her while taking a drink. ]

Little Miss Instructor was not so far ahead of me.

[inafadingcrown]

Do you miss her?

[It's asked suddenly, on an impulse. Having been the lone person from her world for quite some time, she knows it can be difficult, no matter who has left.]

[hedonic]

[ The question draws a sudden outburst of hysterical laughter, a truly flawless mixture of venom and delight as she kicks up a leg before leaning forward. It takes a moment for her to calm down. ]

Goodness, no! Why, before the last Queen's Blade, I hadn't seen that face for at least a century. And if it's a millennium before I do again, so be it. Our lives together are long since done, most esteemed lady.

[ It's stated with an accepted finality, but her tone is deceptively heady despite. ]

She's merely the harbinger.

[inafadingcrown]

[And this sort of thing? This is exactly why she can't just dismiss Echidna out of hand, however much she may irritate her on occasion- she's too interesting and there's always that feeling that there's more there than she lets on.]

And what does she herald, if I may ask?

[hedonic]

[ At that, her gaze darkens, the mirthful youth tugging at the corners of her lips beginning to slack. She finishes her glass, then sets it down to pour another. ]

Did she ever divulge anything to you? About our world. Our enemies.

[ Our. Not theirs, or hers. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[She knows that look well and her expression sombers some to see it.]

She told me of your customs- the Queen's Blade. Little else.