{Video; 1st Story}

[astion]

[It takes Estelle a little tinkering to get used to the idea of the tablet. But she thinks she sort of gets the idea, managing to open up a video feed.]

Oh! There, it seems like it's working now. [It's almost like seeing Rita working with her blastia research a little....

[She pulls back a little from peering closely at the tablet, smiling almost triumphantly at having figured it out for the most part and giving a small wave.]

Hello everyone! I guess I'm one of the newer arrivals and my name is Estellise. Oh, but you can just call me 'Estelle'. I might not be quite as aware on the situation as others who have been here longer, but I'll help as best I can. War is a terrible thing and I'd like to do my best to prevent it escalating if possible. I've done some fighting back home and I wouldn't like for things to get too out of hand, with children or civilians getting hurt and caught up in this.

[She's worried there, obviously upset at the situation from what she has gathered. It's not quite as dangerous as back home with the threat of the Adephagos, but even so, this is still serious and it seems like they are bringing in a lot of people to help out the Initiative.]

Though I guess all of this might take a bit of....getting used to. This is quite different from Zaphias back home. I can heal, so if there is some sort of clinic or something I'd like to offer my help if I can.

Oh! I'm not sure if there are any books here but I'd still like to hear some stories! I think this is a wonderful chance to learn so much with people from such different places! I've never heard of 'Earth' before I came here so I'd love to hear more about it.

I wanted to also thank everyone that helped me when I first got here too. I think I'm getting used to things here now.

And....I'm sorry if Yuri caused anyone any trouble. It's...not necessarily his fault but trouble sort of seems to follow him sometimes.

[A light, almost sheepish smile. She knows what Yuri can be like at times and even unintentionally how often he ends up in the middle of things.]

Comments

[colur]

I do not know much about Earth, I'm afraid. But I have lots of stories about Prydain! I can tell them to you, if you'd like.

My name is Eilonwy. [ And then in a more bossy tone: ] You may call me Eilonwy.

[astion]

Prydain? Of course I'd love to hear your stories, Eilonwy!

[Estelle either misses the bossy tone or ignores it, more curious about the stories and glad to meet another potential new friend.]

[colur]

I'm not a bard, of course. But everyone has stories, haven't they? A person without stories would be like a— like a cup that couldn't hold water.

[ She thinks. It wouldn't do to give her best stories away first. ]

Well, it starts with a pig. Not just any pig, of course. But Hen Wen the oracular pig! It's very important that such a pig be watched, and so when she ran into the Forbidden Forest, what was the heroic Pig-Keeper meant to do but chase after her?

But if you ask me, the assistant pig keeper was more stupid than heroic, charging into the Forbidden Forest with no plan and no map! And soon, of course, he was captured by deathless warriors and brought to the dungeons of Spiral Castle, the home of the evil enchanter-Queen, Achren!

Lucky for our Pig-Keeper, though, I was there.

[astion]

I suppose. Everyone has stories their parents and family pass down to their children at the very least.

You were there in the dungeon?

[colur]

No, no. I was in the castle! I just thought to visit the dungeon, because that's always where the interesting people are.

[astion]

I suppose I can't deny that. It's where Yuri was initially before he was escaping and I found him.

[colur]

[ Sorry this is late I got caught up in holiday stuff/travels. ]

Yuri? The swordsman with the longish hair?

it happens, no worries. esp for this time of year.

[astion]

Yes! That's him. You know him then? It's so wonderful to hear he has been making friends here.

[colur]

We were both kidnapped. It's easy to make friends when you're locked up together, because there's so much to complain about.

[astion]

Kidnapped? What happened? You're both okay now?

[Or, Yuri seemed to be. Then again she wouldn't put it past him to be hiding many things he got himself into in her absence.]

[colur]

The enemy caught up to us with foul enchantments. I was not myself bewitched, but was captured by those who were.

It was some months ago, though, and bruises heal.

[astion]

Enchantments....I see. I appreciate you telling me. I'm just glad things seem okay now. For the most part, I mean. Do you know why they were kidnapping people?

[colur]

It is war.

[astion]

I realize that but...what were they hoping to gain by kidnapping you and Yuri? Negotiating for some of the Initiative's weapons or supplies? Something to do with these 'weapons'?

[colur]

I think it was because I am an enchantress. But that was very foolish of them, for I haven't got magic powers any more.

[astion]

Oh, so you know some spells? Or, you did back home I mean? I gather not everyone's home had magic. What about your 'weapon' here?

[colur]

No. I am Eilonwy, Daughter of Angharad, Daughter of— it's such a bother going through all the names. But the women in my family are great enchantresses. I was meant to be, too, but Achren never taught me, and then… [ She doesn't finish. ]

[ And then, quickly— ] Here, I've just got my bauble. I couldn't let anyone else have it, you see.

[astion]

I think some probably consider my full name a mouthful too. I know what you mean. Why didn't you get taught?

A bauble?

[colur]

Because Achren is quite evil. I doubt if she's my aunt at all.

[ Eilonwy holds up her bauble— a glowing ball, not bigger than a fist. ]

[astion]

Oh. So you think she might teach you the wrong things if she did? I can see that might be an issue. Didn't you find anyone else to help you? What about here?

[And oh yes that is kind of pretty. Almost reminding Estelle of a blastia core but not quite.]

How does that work with your magic?

[colur]

Achren tried to use my powers for her own cruel purposes. I think she must've kidnapped me when I was a baby, really, plotting to use me so all along. A very awful plan, because babies aren't much use to anyone, and I did destroy her silly castle…

[ Ahem. ]

It's a bauble. I've always had it. It can give off more light, if I ask it to.

[astion]

That's terrible. But you...destroyed her castle?

[With magic maybe? Wow that is. Impressive.]

It can? I've never seen one of those before. I guess our blastia cores seem kind of similar though.

[colur]

I did! I didn't really mean to, but I was helping them out of the dungeon, you see, and there were these tunnels that went deeper and deeper, and, well, I wasn't quite lost but I didn't know where I was going! And then we came upon the barrow of the king who built the castle. He was quite dead, of course, but his hands were clutching a sword— the sword Dyrnwyn, of deepest enchantment, though I did not know that at the time.

In any case, I thought that being dead he had no great need of it, and being quite alive and embarking on a great adventure I ought to arm myself. So I took it! And when I did, the castle fell in upon itself. It's lucky we got out of the tunnels in time. I knew Achren would blame me for it, as she's always blaming me for things, so I decided I should take the credit.

[ A pause. ]

Now you ought to tell me about these blastia cores.

[astion]

Oh, so it was like a special, magic sword? I think I get the idea. But that isn't very fair if she blames you for that. You didn't know what might happen if you took the sword from him. In any case, I'm glad you are all right and weren't hurt.

As for the blastia....oh, Rita would be a lot better at explaining than me. But we used blastia back home for a number of things, to help with water fountains, to help us fight....all sorts of uses, really. But back home we are looking to stop using them last I recall.

[colur]

Why is that? Are they cursed? For a curse you usually need salt, but sometimes that isn't enough.