wants_the_phd | Court inbox

[There doesn't appear to be anyone here!]

[There's something different about the space, though: there's now a massive rose bush at the foot of the willow tree that wasn't here when he last visited around 24 hours ago. It's blooming profusely with clusters of little pink wild roses and bristling with extra-large thorns. It's easily big enough to hide a large animal inside.]

[ Oh he is instantly reminded of Roccia - and her habit of hiding inside Pero's box whenever she gets nervous. He will move toward those roses, but won't try to push past them ]

May I talk to you? You don't have to come outside if you don't want to.

[The reply comes telepathically, so it's impossible to tell which direction the voice is coming from. It may as well be the willow speaking.]

Did I hurt you, too?

[ he doesn't seem to mind that she's speaking directly in his head, and he will once more just sit down, looking out at the lake as he responds to her ]

You needn't worry about that. I'm hale and whole, and you have not laid a finger on me. I didn't even see the battle.

But you heard about it.

I only heard that there was a fight, and that you've got some very impressive spells. I try to give my crew some space when things like these happen, but talking about it is important, and I'm worried about you.

Do you want to tell me about it?

[what on earth spells were those]

...

...I was told my den got flooded with that mist and I lost my mind. Apparently I... hurt several people, but I don't remember any of it.

From my perspective, I went to bed as normal, had vivid and intense nightmares, and woke up in the courtyard, covered in blood. I don't know who got hurt, or who's mad at me, or how I stop that from happening again.

[ He's quiet for a moment as he thinks about what to say. It's easy for him to say "no one is mad at you" - he knows Lyle isn't, and he also isn't, obviously - but he wasn't involved. It's not up to him to say it. ]

If you were affected by that mist, then what happened is hardly your fault. [ a sigh there ] But I understand that's not going to cut it. If you wish to, we can try and find an answer to all of those questions together.

Maybe after I've gotten more rest. I'm not at my best right now.

That's fine. You don't have to go out if you don't want to. I'll be with you when you want me to be.

...Can I ask you a favor?

[ he nods, even if they're not speaking face to face so he isn't sure if she can see him ]

Of course you can. What is it?

Could you please bring me something to eat?

I've been too weak to catch anything except a few frogs.

Very well then. Do you want me to cook a proper meal, or should I just buy something for you?

Edited 2025-06-06 16:51 (UTC)

No, neither. If you can just bring me any kind of animal -- it doesn't matter what. Rabbit, fish, boar, deer... There's even something called "canned chicken" in the pantry.

About five kilos would be ideal, but I could use any amount. Please?

[ he nods again, gets up and dusts off his clothes ]

I'll get them. Do you want me to stay once I've brought them back, or should I leave you alone? Staying here and looking out at the lake is hardly troublesome.

If it's you, I don't mind. But please don't bring anyone else here.

[ he'll give her a bow!! ]

You have my word, friend. Well then, I shall be quick on my feet. Please wait for me.

Thank you, Brant.

[ He will leave to go and get her food - and though it does take him a bit, to his credit, it's clear he tried to get back as soon as possible. He did get her CANNED CHICKEN, and just whatever variety of animals he could find at the kitchen. He will also totally have spent silver if he couldn't just find whole animals beside the canned chicken, and will leave it all right outside the bushes.

She said at least 5 kilos but it is clearly more ]

[Brant is so powerful..!]

[Once she's had a chance to confirm he came alone, the canes of the rose bush part as if drawn back by invisible hands. Despite the size of the bush, it's mostly just layers upon layers of humungous thorns, with a tiny little chamber inside where she's been curled up in a tight little ball.]

[Still partially transformed, she crawls out cautiously. She's completely naked, so he'll be able to see that, despite everything, she has no injuries at all. She's missing some scales here and there, but the skin beneath is smooth and unblemished.]

[She looks between him and the food, both exhaustion and relief plain on her face. She speaks with her voice this time, which is soft and a little wispy.]

Thank you.

[She crouches by the pile, reaching one of the fresh, uncanned items.]

Did you buy these?

I'll pay you back when I can.

[ He's not the type to get embarrassed by nudity, even taking aside the fact he's already seen her naked, so he doesn't seem bothered by her state. But he does very clearly make it a point to stare at her, checking for any eventual injuries or damage. ]

You needn't worry about that. Simply give me your biggest applause and cheer when I perform for you, and that shall be enough. Whatever I spent can be easily made up again like that.

And it's more fun besides.

Edited 2025-06-06 17:51 (UTC)

Gladly.

[She doesn't care about being seen naked at all and is busy sniffing at the offerings. She's beyond ravenous, but not enough to forgo a normal level of caution.]

[She glances up at him, though.]

...Are you staying?

[ he nods ]

I'll leave if you want me to, but I was planning on keeping you company for a little while longer.

Edited 2025-06-06 18:13 (UTC)

As I said, I don't mind if it's you.

[She gathers up whatever she can hold and carries it over to the shore. Now that she's had a smell, her stomach is growling audibly.]

Let's sit by the water.

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30

Re: Sometime morning of day 30