Just a little bit. Barely noticeable.

XD

I don't think anybody will comment on it unless you point it out to them.

Certainly... but maybe a decent hat would be in order

Or maybe a . . . towering pillar of hats? https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/ima.....ar_of_Hats.png

Even better! Draws the eye XD

And also shows you have an inordinate amount of money just lying around that you need to get rid of. It serves many functions!

XD Very true!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdfnSzbEMJk

This is the 'mystery guy' you teased us with before.

...My first thought was an older Henry, but he doesn't have his double-chin.

Intriguing thought, but yeah, good catch ^^

Friend of Sam's, maybe?

I can’t confirm or deny it... mostly because I’m still undecided about the idea. XD I had been kicking it around and seeing if the storylines make sense, though

Hmmmm.... I am intrigued...

Yay! Thank you! ^^ As one might guess, the influence of the Unseen Realm hardly ends with Henry, Candle, and the others... there’s just too much mischief to be had

Acrathia: I hope for his sake he continues to treat our Daughter of Flame well. I would hate to have to... correct... any errant behavior from this fine looking young man...

Out of curiosity, why do refer to her as 'Daughter of Flame'? Art thou witness to a manifestation to which I beith not?

Acrathia: *Smirks* A play on her father's name. Candles are often the parent of flame, and I have often called Candle my little flame, thus she is the Daughter of Flame

Oh, silly me. I'm too used to the enigmatic to spot the obvious.

Martin: *lifting his hands* I’d ever hurt her, ma’am. Nora’s like a sister to me. If anything I want to protect her. *brow creasing* How I’m supposed to do that against magic, though, I have no idea...

Acrathia: *Gazes upon the boy, almost as though she is examining his soul. She smiles as though satisfied with her findings* Good love, very good. She and her family mean a great deal to me. I am glad to see that she appears to have a fine friend in you...

Martin: *anxious tension melting slightly* We aim to please... heh... I grew up with her family, so I’m very close to them as well. Though, I’ve only found out about their, uh, magical history, I guess, just recently

Acrathia: Ah so this is your first time seeing what The Daughter of Flame must endure.... and you do not flinch from the effects of the Art. I think I rather like you...Martin? Was it?

Martin: *grimaces* Yeah... I feel bad, I really had no idea. She hid it so well while we were growing up. But yeah, I’m Martin. *he extends a hand* Nice to meet you, uh...

Acrathia: *Shakes the offered hand* History has given me many names, dear boy. The one her family has known me by is Acrathia, that name shall do for our meeting..

Martin: Acrathia. Very cool. I don’t know much about any of this, *gestures vaguely* but I’m guessing it’s still not polite to ask a lady her age, magical or not, so I won’t pry.

Acrathia: *Laughs heartily* Such manners! You continue to impress me! I see no reason not to indulge your curiosity however, I am not often prone to vanity. I existed before even Time began it's slow and steady march. Thus calling me a bitter hag who is older than time would be more of a statement for me than an insult...

Martin: *jaw drops for a long moment before he regains himself* I... okay, that’s a lot to take in. Before time...

Acrathia: It sounds more amazing than it actually was. At that... would time be the appropriate word? Ugh! Describing these concepts in mortal words can be so limiting... anyway the same event would seem to happen both in a matter of seconds and take several millennia all at the same time. Difficult to describe let alone comprehend...

*snorts* Now who's dumping a Fateload into his lap?

Acrathia:True enough, though I felt no pressing against such boundaries in sharing my own personal experience. The boy was literally incapable of answering a relatively simple question. That alone should be an indicator to stop

Comes with the extended lifespan, doesn't it - the tendency to overthink, overcomplicate and drag things out.

*snorts again* Just look at me.

Martin: *scratching the back of his neck* Yeah... I think I felt my brain snap.

Acrathia: Its... best not to think on it too much. Magicks know I don't... though likely for different reasons. Enough about me though, tell me what you can about yourself. O wish to know this boy who has befriended the Daughter of Flame.

Martin: *shrugs* Not much to tell... well, I guess that’s not true. That’s what I would’ve said a couple of days ago. There’s a lot that I didn’t know before I met up with an old friend of mine. He told me about magic, about Nora’s parents, about a place called the sidhe... and then he gave me this. *he pulls a pocket watch from his pocket* I’m supposed to take a trip to Italy and give it to someone. I’m supposed to “know him when I see him”, whatever that means. *glances at Nora* She insisted on coming with me.

Nora: *shrugs uncomfortably * I wanted to see where my papa grew up.

Acrathia: *leaning in very interested* How fascinating. This old friend of yours. Do you feel like you are able to tell me whom it is? Or would that be going to far?

Martin: *looking slightly worried* I don’t think I should... I don’t know why that keeps happening. It’s like this weird sense that I’ll be breaking some kind of cosmic rule if I say certain things.

*A tall, bronze, well-muscled female figure stands not far from them with her arms crossed, entirely unnoticed by Martin. She inclines her head to Acrathia in acknowledgment*

Acrathia: *nods her head as much to The Bronze one as to Martin's refusal* I understand dear boy. It is wise to listen to these internal warnings when they arise, and I will push no further

*Looks to Nora* It is good of you to explore where you came from. It often helps you see more clearly where you are going. Just beware not to dwell too much in the past . Backtracking for too long is rarely a good thing, best to keep your eyes forward more than back.

The Bronze One: *smiles and strides away*

Martin: Y-yeah, you’re probably right.

Nora: *nods* That’s what Papa said, too. He didn’t want me to go, but said that he wouldn’t stand in my way. I just... I really wish I could find some answers about this. *gestures to her ears, which have lengthened only slightly over the course of the conversation *

Acrathia: Your reasoning seems sound, and I see no reason not to bless the endeavors of you two. I will urge caution when heading to Il Paese. The magicks of that Isle are wild, and strong enough to survive long after the Magicks left this realm, even my Aeiea could not survive that. *Looks to Martin* I would hate to see a curse befall you, *looks back to Nora* Or see yours worsen...

Martin: *grimaces* Yeah... I figured it wouldn’t be the safest place to go, given what my friend told me. Maybe it’s better we don’t go...

Nora: *goes silent for a moment in indecision before holding out her hand* Then give me the watch.

Martin: *frowning* You aren’t going alone. Don’t be ridiculous.

Acrathia: *Smirks* She seems intent on going, no matter what you decide, and there is a safety in numbers. My ward learned that when she met your parents years ago. My intent was not to dissuade you from your course, just to urge caution.

Martin: *now conflicted* I agree with the whole strength in numbers thing, but what if where we’re going —I’ll never pronounce it right— makes everything worse for Nora? *turning to Nora* For you? I don’t want you to get hurt.

Nora: You don’t know what it’s like, living this way! I always have to tiptoe. There is so much that I can’t experience. I have to try, Martin. Please.

Martin: *glances at Acrathia with a “what am I supposed to do here?” expression before sighing* Then... I’ve got your back.

Acrathia: *stiffles a laugh* It seems that you are both headed where you are both meant to go, for good or for ill. I do not know what Fate has in store for you once you go there. I do not know who this friend is, or what the watch is supposed to do, but I would say to trust in it. It may be the only rock you will have to cling to should a storm come in...

*mindspeaking* Better not tempt Fate by mentioning the Storm, not with your close connection to the Hand.

Martin: I’m starting to get the feeling that the storm will definitely be coming. I don’t like this.

Nora: If Lady Acrathia says we should go, we should go. She’s never steered me wrong before.

Martin: *blowing his hair out of his eyes and mutters to himself* She’s older than time, Martin. She knows a hell of a lot more than you do. *to Nora* Alright. Okay.

Acrathia: *Mindspeaking* Perhaps, fortunately mortals take these things as more metaphorically than what I truely mean

Acrathia: *Smiling at the two of them* I wish you both the best on this journey. Know I will be watching with great interest. I may not be able to interfere, but take what comfort you can in knowing you are not alone... *Vanishes into black and indigo mist*

Gods! I missed that! Thank you for indulging me with this. Many blessings to the health of you and your daughter.

Martin: Holy crap!

Nora: *unfazed* She does that.


I did, too! ^^ Thank you so much, my friend!

Like a sister... thine own sire wouldst not be one 'Henry', mayhap?

Martin: *concerned* I get the weirdest feeling that something bad would happen if I answered that question one way or another...

In other words, between the lines... you're afraid of what you may say being interepreted as the 'truth' or not.

*closes an eye and examines his aura...

Can it be that thou art afflicted in the same manner?

Martin: *raising a curious eyebrow* Afflicted?

Inherited a parental trait in a similar way, since you don't seem particularly phased by it here.

*to Nora...*

In need of some assistance? What was the trigger element this time?

Martin: Uh... that’s still going over my head. *smiles apologetically, embarrassed to be out of the loop* Sorry.

Nora: *distressed* I don’t know... it’s different. It usually happens so fast, but it’s taking hours this time.

Hm. Something innocuous, that you only had the briefest contact with?

Or the potential that her plight be lapsing over time.

Acrathia, what do you think?

Nora: M-maybe? I don’t know...

*to Martin...

Were you present with Nora when it began this time?

Martin: *cocking an eyebrow at Nora* She’s been hiding it for a while. I probably was there, but I don’t know when it started.

Nora: *embarrassed* It started in my fingers while we were walking together. I don’t remember touching anything, and I definitely didn’t eat or drink anything.

...And naturally you weren't expecting it to happen. Were you worried or thinking about it at all?

Nora: It has been on my mind lately... wishing it were gone somehow, wanting to be normal...

But you are 'normal'. As long as you stay within the boundaries, that is.

In truth, what doth pass for 'normal' in these times?

Eh... not really what I meant, but it's a fair comment.

*headturns back towards Martin...*

Dost thou believeth the lad to be responsible?

Unless something happened to 'awaken' within him at this exact time, it doesn't seem likely does it? We both know the Fates usually play more subtly than that. Bombast yes, but overt and obvious coincidence isn't really their trademark.

'Twere it also thus, it would like as not also gained our attention 'ere now.

Unless we're anticipating the wrong sort of thing. He could without knowing it be acting as a conduit for some other entity. That may also hide any power from us - mask a transmission's origin by routing it through multiple points.

Such wouldst also weaken the power.

...It would, wouldn't it? Hmmmm.

Martin, would you be willing to tell me who your parents are? Or your other friends, social circles, anything of that ilk? If it helps, I used to be human myself. The tricks about faerie 'deals' and power of names don't apply to me.

Neither wouldst we permit the wielding of same against an unknowning innocent in pursuit of the truth.

Martin: *uncomfortably* It’s not like I don’t want to... honestly, I don’t know why I shouldn’t. I just get this overwhelming feeling like I’d be breaking some cardinal rule if I did. No offense...

*A tall, bronze, well-muscled woman watches with crossed arms from a short distance away. Neither Martin nor Nora seem to notice her. She meets the unicorns’s eye with her glowing golden gaze and subtly shakes her head*

*time around me appears to freeze as my eyes open wide in recognition, mouth hanging agape...

Thou.

*hushed tone* The last one. What are you doing here, now? Martin is a Shard of yours? Is he your 'chosen one', rather than Sam? I thought, I KNEW Sam's fate had fallen upon him in error.

The Bronze One: Sam is not a warrior. This one *she points to Martin* is, though he does not yet know it, therefore he is mine.

*hoofstamps*

What do you mean, 'yours'? He's a living being - a fellow person! What gives -

Desist. Thou art letting the mindset of thine past world taint our judgement.

*slow exhale with eyes closed...*

Yes... yes I know. Force of habit. I can't help what I was any more than what I am now.

*To the Bronze Warrior...

If you're present and active now, you've been brought forth to counter the forces of Chaos. The 'confrontation' I've been forseeing, the situation must be dire indeed to play a direct hand at this precise moment.

*sighs*

I know this is a rhetorical question coming from the White One's Gambit, but... why is it always me? Why am I always present to witness these things if I'm not allowed to interfere?

The Bronze One: *evenly* I know he is a person. I do not presume to treat him as an object. I say he is mine as he is my responsibility. As for you, your purpose and path are obscured to me. You are not mine to know, and may prove a threat if I am complacent. I know that you were once my dark brother’s and then you fell under the protection of my other brother for a time. They often oppose me. That is why you have drawn my attention.

Everything cycles back to 'balance' again.

'Tis ever thus.

If there is one Guardian I don't wish to be a thorn in the side of, it's you. Not after what your brothers did to me. Though the White One was instrumental to my creation, I feel driven by your ethos of Justice now as much as I do hers of Good. I respect the Storm for bringing me to my senses, but the Vile One...

*scowls with lowered head...

...He had to go and make it personal. And I know his malign influence is maneouvring his pawns to make another major powerplay, and I suspect I know what it is. But I'm forbidden to prevent it.

*head raised with stern purpose...

But that doesn't mean I have to let it stand. You have my absention, I shall not interfere in whatever you have to do. But you cannot stop me from gathering my own like-minded allies to be as ready as possible to engage with and clean up the fallout from the confrontation, when the moment occurs. Look at my fate lines - putting an end to unnecessary suffering is what I do, one of the purposes that I am here for, and one of the reasons our paths had yet to cross before the others.

The Bronze One: *posture relaxing, but only slightly* Once my warrior’s work is finished, I foresee no reason that your strand and mine should not be woven in harmony in the tapestry. For now, do as you do to soothe the cursed girl, but know that Martin will be silenced by my hand where necessary. You have observed much of the tapestry; more than any mortal ought to, perhaps. You are so deeply woven into the tapestry that you may tear it if you reach too far.

Of that, I beith all too aware.

Then excuse my gruff and forthright demeanour, since we're both on the same thread now. Rest assured, keeping the tapestry safe and whole is also firmly in my sights - especially from him. I don't intend to fight the Vile One - what good would it do, throwing my existence away in a gloriously futile gesture? No, I'm going to employ my unique duality to annoy him. So what if it's only a pinprick - I've got at least three millenia to devote to it and it'll make me feel better. I've already started, allying with the Queen of Witches in a balance of our own, and undermining whatever lingering grasp the Vile One has over some of her fate lines. Light with a spot of dark, dark with a spot of light. Yin and yang.

I remaineth present to give guidance and council, keep the man on the intended path.

And trust me. I'm just getting STARTED.

The Bronze One: *a faint smile at hearing of the alliance forming against her brother* I believe you have gone up in my estimation, unicorn. My dark brother deserves all that comes to him from your hand... or hoof, as the case may be.

Well, good. Perhaps it's my condition or origins but it's a talent I seem to have acquired with beings who matter; disarm or persuade them with my human side, and buy time to analyse the situation. Time is precious to a mortal, and my natural sense of urgency has not been unfounded.

What should happen next? I expect it will be a long time before I encounter you again, if I'm performing my duties properly. May I be able to revert Nora's present change in its early stage, or is it part of her current 'journey'? Am I allowed to know what actually set it off this time?

The Bronze One: These are qualities not without merit. Intelligent tactics and decisive action are necessary in times such as these.

Speaking of time, you may by the cursed girl some, perhaps. I doubt you could halt the progression entirely, even with your unicorn gifts. The magic upon her is too Wild and far too strong to be fully controlled. Its cause is not for you to understand... at least not yet. This is a battle that she and my warrior must win by relying on each other.

*gravely* 'Buying her time'... that turn of phrase suggests that if this particular alteration is allowed to complete, Nora won't be changing back... ever.

Who is doing this? Who decided to rewrite the rule book on a whim and damn the consequences?

For certainty, we knoweth already.

Oh... and one other thing I need to have confirmed, and which as the Finger of Law, you would be the best one to answer.

Lady Azura... she's never going to catch Moth, is she? If she hasn't after so much time. However much iit goes against your own creed, it can't be allowed to happen because Moth is one of the primary Shards - or whatever term the Fates use. 'Shard' is just a word I came up with. Fate is likened to a tapestry - I see it more as a stained-glass window, an image of the 'ideal' balanced world as it ought to be. And then someone goes and throws a brick through it - shards and pieces of different sizes everywhere. One can gather as many fragments as they can to put it all back together but it will never be perfect or quite the same again.

But it's true, isn't it? One spur-of-the-moment action with disastrous consequences, she was pushed into that. And under the present imbalance, until Moth's own threads are reconnected, she's also off-limits. Right? You should be able to tell me, if only so I know more of the boundaries not to step over.

The Bronze One: I forget that I am speaking to one with mortal sensibilities. You are thinking in finalities when other routes of reality exist. The girl’s curse will take hold, as it must, but it has thus far been cyclical in nature. How long that cycle will last this time remains to be seen, unless the Wild Magicks alter it, or Heart Magick intervenes... the list goes on.

The Blue Lady may catch Moth but not end her, or never catch her at all, or any number of other ends to the tale. It is only for me to know, not to say.

I must see the world in stark black and white, as is my role, but even I know that much of the world falls on the spectrum in between. Resolution is often borne of compromise, even between the Fingers of the Hand.

Heart Magick... now that's an element I'm not so familiar with.

The reason beith self-evident.

Alright, I walked into that one.

The Bronze One: It is the one magic that all humans possess. Love, loyalty, honor, compassion, and even righteous anger, all of these qualities have value that can mold the world as any other magic does. It is Heart Magic that breaks a spell with a kiss or heals a wound with tears. But, as with any magic, there are two sides to it. I have described its benevolence, but the capacity for evil exists as well. Hatred, greed, fear, wrath, these also have power. Mortals seem to have a dim understanding of this, but most do not fully grasp the potential of what they wield.

*nods...

Riiiiiiiight, of course... and THAT is why the Fates have less of a hold over this modern world. Science and technology in its purest form, the force that propels this plane - the curiosity to discover, the urge to advance - isn't driven by other emotion. But like science, Heart Magic can be corrupted. So you seek out individuals with the greatest untapped quantity of it, to prevent it from happening.

The first thought I had just then was that Whatshisname would despise Heart Magic, but no, he would turn it into just another weapon.

*ponders...

I wonder if that's a factor in why I was chosen. I care, obviously, but I would have lacked sufficient personal Heart Magic to distract my logical mind from the bigger picture of combining the knowledge and strengths of two worlds, into unlocking fresh applications and patterns hitherto curtailed from either one.

The Bronze One: It may be. Your thread is mine to be aware of, but not to truly know, so I cannot say with certainty.

Nor I. I can only do the best I can. Time will tell.

Time doth always.

Martin's unquestioning acceptance of everything he's witnessed today... is that part of what makes him a 'warrior', under your jurisdiction? A role he was born to play?

The Bronze One: Ah, no. His eyes were very recently opened to the Unseen Realm by someone close to him. His warrior nature is not developed and realized as yet, but it will come when the time is right.

*sardonically* You know... just one of these days it would be good to convince SOMEBODY that the best way to make me stop prying is not to present me with yet MORE questions.

But the matter is now closed, I take it? Nothing more that you're prepared to say - I can do my small part once you leave, but everything is in hand one way or another and now it just has to play out?

Acrathia: *Sneers* In other words, he is pressing against the boundaries of Fate with that question. Ask ot not of him further...

You do realise what that implies, right? Virtually this whole plane is unaware of the machinations of Fate, and most humans remain unaffected by it unless touched personally themselves. Even Nico doesn't give it very much credit. I put it down to science and technology, you explain it by the Fates having better things to do.

Acrathia: Fate is more that capable of being both utterly beyond mortal keen, and having individual relations with them. There is no other being/entity/force that is its superior

On that last point, we agree to disagree.

We most assuredly doth not.

*shrugs withers* Suit yourself.

Acrathia: *Shrugs* Fare enough, I should have added to that last statement "that I am aware of" I am not so foolish to think that I am capable of knowing all things.

The very fact that the Fingers are capable of blindsiding each other means that are still other factors that can take them by surprise. That is why we're allies, after all, the better to determine what.

Acrathia: I hope you did not think I was referring to them. As powerful as they are, beyond even me and my siblings, there is a greater will behind them. After all your mind controls your hand, and even though your hand may be apart of you it is not the entire sum of your identity. I know of no greater force that that which moves the hand to act.

There is always something further up the metaphorical chain of command, yes.

Growing up with a curse like this, being able to share it must be a relief.

Definitely. It doesn’t hurt that there isn’t any judgement, either

Hmm. I'm going to take a stab in the dark that these two are "cousins" that is to say, that Nora is obviously Candle's daughter. I'm guessing Martin is the child of Henry and Charlotte. Hence why he's not surprised by the curse starting. And the fact he also has a ring very similar to the one that Henry wears in the comic.

Another intriguing thought. As per usual, I can neither confirm nor deny it, of course ^^

Of course. But I do have certain resources most people don't. And those sources are telling me I'm on the right track.

You and your sources ;) XD

They also tell me another week or two and the wee lass'll be ready. Though that's more speculation than the feeling, I think. And in large part wishful thinking.

Haha, hopefully much less on that front! ^^ If she hasn’t come by the weekend, the doctor is going to encourage her a bit

Oh my! I'll be praying things work out and she'll come without needing that nudge, then.

Thank you! ^^ We’ll definitely be needing them

You're going to do great and be great, Dearshul. :D

Aw, thanks ^^

This weekend? Oh my, how exciting! And Omni's certainly right, you're going to be amazing <3

Intriguing indeed! My biggest question with the bits we've seen of Nora...where is Candle?

>< curse opposing time zones -- if you're up for more RP at some point I'd love to dip my toes back into this world, but obviously there's already been a lot on this one and I don't want to presume. Hope you're doing well!

Oh, rest assured he’s alive and well. ^^ She’s older at this point in the timeline, so she’s already moved out.

I have some time today. Would you like to RP here or return to our other one? ^^

Haha ah yeah, that's right, don't remember seeing her childhood much. That makes sense!

Hmm I've been itching to get back to the other one, but no rush there. I'll be out doing Christmas decorating most of the day, gotta break out the ol' ladder--starting back to the other one or keeping it more contained here, either way would be great!

their very cute
in fact should be in style
you aint cool unless you have donkey ears

Nora, there are plenty of people who will see them as nothing but those elf ear cosplay pieces. I wouldn’t worry about it at all. Plus, Martin is there to help.

Best of luck with the upcoming date, Dearshul!