TEST DRIVE #6

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

[daventries]

[ Rosella startles at the sound of her name, turning her gaze to... Her eyes widen in surprise and she only just manages not to let her mouth drop open. ]

Edgar?

[ After all that has happened, a familiar face warms her heart, and her hands are out to receive his as he draws near. ]

I'm... I've only just arrived here. There were several people willing to make the journey to the Station. I thought I'd come along.

[ She's...babbling a little. She shakes her head. ]

What are you doing here? I didn't think to find anyone I knew around these parts!

[edgar_of_etheria]

[He eagerly takes her hands, his touch tender and gentle. Oh, she's just as beautiful as ever.]

I didn't either. I came to the Station to find some supplies to grow a few roses.

[He blushes faintly.]

I'm glad you're all right.

[daventries]

[ To grow roses. That's so...romantic that she actually laughs softly, gently, because that is just like Edgar, isn't it. Sweet and tender. And, frankly, it sounds so much more normal than people coming here to use their 'phones' and 'internet'.

Her hands tighten on his. ]

I'm glad to see you are too. How long have you been here? I did not see you at the court.

[edgar_of_etheria]

Not that long. A couple months, perhaps.

[His smile fades into something more bittersweet.]

...I suspect that might be because Morla chose me for her court. Are you with Solais?

[daventries]

Solais?

[ Oh. Oh. Rosella looks absolutely devastated at the news, shaking her head. ]

No, no. You can't be-- You're in the other court?

[edgar_of_etheria]

[He nods, slowly.]

Unseelie. Yes. Not by my choice, but it could be worse. I'm not being transformed into anything or... [No, no, he decides better against that thought. He breaks off, shaking his head.] Well, anyway. It could be worse.

[Hesitantly, he reaches up to shyly brush her cheek with his fingertips.]

Don't worry, Rosella. It'll be all right. I have a friend in the Seelie Court. His name is Aragorn, and he's a good man. Seek him out. Anything you need, I'm sure he can help you. And there are neutral places where we can meet. And the lockets, they're not so different than the magic mirrors. You can talk to me anytime you like.

[daventries]

[ Her eyes widen at the very idea of him being transformed. She remembers how he was before, what Lolotte put him through-- It chills her to the bone and her grip tightens on his hands. She has not allowed him close, not before now, but she has always held on to her fondness and care for him. That will never change.

She steps towards him, and he touches her cheek, reassuring her. ]

Aragorn.

[ She will remember the name. If he is a friend to Edgar, then she will count him a friend of her own. She sighs, letting the tension rush out of her, though she is by no means placated. Edgar can promise and promise, and though she trusts him, she does not trust the queen of the Unseelie. Her features darken in frustration. ]

It shouldn't be like this. You being over there-- [ It is his safety she worries for, not her own. ] I don't trust the monarchy of the Unseelie. What if something happens to you?

[edgar_of_etheria]

Truly, I don't think either Court can be fully trusted. We just have to make the best of things, as we can.

I... know it's a risk. But, if I make myself indispensable to Morla, well, if being around Lolotte and Malicia taught me anything, sometimes the safest place to be is closest to your enemy. They're considering me for a barony and guardianship of one of the towers. And from there, who knows?

And... if something does happen... Well, I've been through death before. Hopefully it'll be easier the second time around. And then I guess I'll be put in with the memorial one of the others is working on.

[daventries]

[ He's right. When it comes down to it, both courts were willing to kidnap and coerce. One is not inherently better simply because they offer Order over Chaos. That is something she will need to remember. ]

A barony? And you've only been here a few months.

[ She's pleased, not for the lavishness or the power, but because Edgar deserves his own destiny and his own say in what will happen to him. And if that allows him a position in the Unseelie Court, then so be it.

Her eyes fly open wide when he speaks of death, and she tugs at his hand. ]

No. Edgar, we don't need to die. You don't need to die. I won't allow it!

[ Her heart sinks at the idea. ]

We will make this work. [ Which sounds...presumptuous, doesn't it? She flushes briefly and pouts. ] We can still see each other, no matter the cost. I'm not afraid.

[edgar_of_etheria]

Apparently my, ah, service record is known to Morla. It's why she chose me.

[He laughs, softly, gently.]

I assure you, Rosella, I have no wish to die again. It wasn't all that pleasant the first time. Easier or not, I don't imagine that gets any better. But I'm not afraid either.

I'll always be there for you, Rosella. I won't let them keep us apart. Whatever it takes.

[A momentary pause.]

Here. Why don't you take this? [He pulls a red rose from his things.] As a reminder.

[daventries]

[ There is nothing more classic than Rosella's frustrated pout, though it melts at his sincerity, as is always the case, and she dips her head briefly to hide her disappointment. She had thought, before seeing him here, that this might be a bit of a roundabout (and dangerous) adventure. But now the stakes are so much higher.

She could never fight Edgar. And now, caught up in a war, someone might kill him.

She vows, then and there, to do whatever she can to keep him safe.

Rosella lifts her head when he offers a rose to her, taking it from him with careful hands. She smiles, almost sadly. ]

That's just like you, Edgar.

[ Her fingers are gentle with the flower, terrified she might harm it in some way. She reaches up towards her hair briefly and then pauses, realizing she has lost her comb back in Daventry when she was with her mother. She has nothing to give--

Wait.

Rosella uses one hand to undo the clasp on her brooch, offering it to him. ]

Here. I want you to have this, to remember that I am here and that we will find a way out of this together.

[edgar_of_etheria]

[He accepts the brooch with a smile, caressing it gently with his fingertips before pinning it onto his clothes.]

Thank you, Rosella. I will cherish it for as long as it is mine.

[Shyly, chastely, he leans over to brush a kiss against her cheek. They're courting after all, right?]

[daventries]

[ Uh. UH.

All those fluffy, gushy feelings just came to a screeching halt. Not because she doesn't like the affection but-- ]

Wait.

[ She thought she had told him months ago... ]

Edgar, what are you doing?

[edgar_of_etheria]

[...well, now he just looks confused.]

I... I'm sorry. Is something wrong?

[daventries]

[ No, he's done nothing wrong, and Rosella would be lying if she said that she didn't appreciate the affection after all she's been through...

But her last memories of him -- ]

I know it's been some time since I've last seen you but...oh, Edgar, I'm sorry. I still can't accept your marriage proposal.

[ Boy is she dating herself here. ]

[edgar_of_etheria]

[And the confusion only deepens!]

I... I don't expect you to yet. We've only just begun courting. You... gave me permission and... [He trails off, blushing pink.]

[daventries]

I gave you permission? When was this?

[ She doesn't sound angry, only...greatly confused. ]

I'm not...opposed to it, let me assure you-- [ Mouth, insert foot. ] Agh! What is going on here?