127. [video]
[Welp, It's Priscilla. And she looks slightly irritated. Maybe even more than slightly. Her nose is all wrinkly, and she's pacing a little, moving in and out of the camera's field as it sits, perched on her desk, recording her restlessness.]...I don't know how I get myself involved in these things. But I guess I'm going to be fighting in the
( Read more... )
[He's sitting on the edge of his bed, his direwolf curled up on top the comforters next to him. They both watch the camera with molten golden eyes.]
What's this about an Arena fight involving you, though? How did you find yourself caught up in such a thing? I realize you said not to ask, but I find it difficult not to...all things considering.
Reply
[She tips the Forge back slightly, letting her watch him more directly. She smiles.]
...anyway. The Arena thing is a little... well. It's embarrassing. And not as much for me as for...everyone else involved. But also for me because I shouldn't have let him talk me into it.
You could at least go private when you ask about things I just said not to ask about!
[And then a little breath.]
...that wolf is going to outgrow your bed, one day.
Reply
[A pause.]
I never imagined it would be so splendid. The idea came from something I read, yet it was much more wonderful to behold.
[His fingers dip into Senji's long, thick fur, heavy with the arrival of winter. He keeps growing, the direwolf. Bigger and bigger, but Isley doesn't seem to mind.]
[Another place, another time, he might have killed the beast and thought nothing of it. Here, after seeing Priscilla's collection of pets, after growing fond of her and not just what she might become...well. Everything changed.]
[He smiles back at her.]
I'm certain he will, but he doesn't like sleeping in the lodgings across the property that were prepared for him. He follows me almost everywhere.
[And now, leaning toward the Forge, tapping a button, he switches over to private.]
Happy now? Tell me about what happened.
Reply
And yes, it-- Oh, wait.
[...sigh. Private!]
Yes it is!
[...]
Someone stole... err, something... from Helen and we went to get it back but we kind of got talked into fighting for it instead, which is embarrassing, but in fairness they were using it to fight in the Arena, and it's a bit harder to deal with that kind of thing in Dismas than in Anatole.
Reply
[He shakes his head.]
How is it you were made to help retrieve it? Can't she fight to win back her own sword?
Reply
[Sigh.]
Well, she already gave it away, herself. Mrmph. She just asked me to watch her back in Dismas, so I went with her and... that man can really talk. Next thing I knew... we had an arena date.
Reply
I can see now why you might be embarrassed. Talked into an Arena match. It can reflect one of two ways upon you. Heroic, or...foolish. The Alliance's leader shouldn't partake in negotiations with thieves, after all.
[And thus, he's imparting wisdom again. With her, it appears to be his natural role, whether he's on the side of good or...quite obviously not.]
Still, if you give a sound beating to the perpetrator, perhaps it will taste a little like justice in the end.
Will that...will Helen be fighting also?
Reply
It probably won't be an issue, but... it's better safe than. Err. Not safe? But yes, she will be!
Reply
[Isley looks thoughtful.]
Reply
[...]
Why do you look that way?
Reply
Roxanne recently gave the Arena goers a taste of what you warriors can do, and I'm afraid your type...stands out. The dots are easily connected.
As well, if this man could talk you into fighting, what makes you think he hasn't some other trick up his sleeve? You may find yourself facing two opponents instead of one...not that I'm suggesting that isn't something the pair of you couldn't handle, but in this city, and in Dismas, you can never be too sure.
I want you to be careful, Priscilla.
Reply
Reply
I do not want to see a repeat of the incident in Wynn.
Reply
[Just the memory makes her shudder a little inside.]
Mm. That could happen any time, really...
[She rubs her face a little.]
I still don't know who could have... or even what happened, really.
Reply
[After a moment Isley slips off the edge of his bed and stands. Senji's not long following, four paws hitting the ground more heavily.]
It's a small thing I ask, Priscilla. Will you do this?
Reply
But yes, of course I will. Of course.
Reply
Leave a comment