video 💎 un: Tohsaka Rin

[defenceless]

[the video opens to display the... somewhat incriminating desk of one rin tohsaka. are those vials and knives? yes, those are vials and knives. a few of the vials contain weird-colored liquids but don’t think about it too much.

apparently this is no reason for a tiny cygnet not to be hopping all over everywhere, chirping happily and nibbling away at a slice of apple rin holds between chopsticks. the gray downy baby swan wears a black collar inlaid with beautiful amethysts and diamonds. lazily leaning her cheek onto her hand, she speaks.]

I’ve developed a means of repelling that godawful holiday plant and withering any sprigs of mistletoe in your immediate vicinity. Simply state clearly,

"Verkümmern, Mistel."

And they’ll die. The catalyst for the enchantment has been sprinkled all across Chantes, so the spell should work wherever you are. Just don’t say the words wrong; I can’t be held responsible for what might happen, in that case.

[r.i.p. thirst. anyway, rin reveals a strange object that those more modern-familiar in alastair will recognize as a bedazzler gun.]

Now, then.

[rin sets down the apple (much to baby swan's dismay!) and calls to the servant carrying a tea tray behind her.]

Archer.

[a tall man in black armor and a pink apron glances over his shoulder. only his back is visible.

she spins her finger, gesturing for him to turn around. he does so with a rather impressive line face. there's a sword bedazzled out of shiny silver rhinestones stuck right to the front of his apron, just at chest level. rin faces the network again.]

Can anyone tell me what this [she lifts up the bedazzler gun and frowns in disgust/confusion.] is? The designs it creates are awfully tacky.

((OOC: The mistletoe-deactivating spell words will actually work, per discussion with the mods! Feel free to do whatever you want with it. Archer may reply to some tags/threads in this post.))

Comments

video;

[digophelia]

[ Maybe that desk as well should be concerning, and yet, Alice is really too preoccupied with that fluffy ball of a bird. ]

One shouldn't expect any different with a baby animal. Poor dear, did she get lost?

video;

[defenceless]

Mmm, not quite.

[the baby swan appears fit to sleep as she just sort of dozes across rin's fingers, her long neck stretched out and her teeny black eyes blinking lazily.]

She was—a gift for me from ALASTAIR? I believe? I'm new, but I've heard of them giving gifts that were out of the ordinary to recruits.

video;

[digophelia]

[ By now, Alice is transfixed on the little bird, falling asleep in her hands. Between Riza and her puppy, Alice can't help but find herself a little jealous. ]

Indeed, they do, as means of rewards, I would assume. Sometimes useful, sometimes ridiculous. You're not the first person to receive a pet, there have been others, but I've never seen a baby animal before presented as a gift.

video;

[defenceless]

[just hope alastair gives you a pet, too, alice...]

So little Odette is a first. [that doesn't surprise her. the swan is quite temperamental for her size.] ALASTAIR has a weird idea of what counts as a reward.

video;

[digophelia]

Odette is a fitting name for her.

[ Alice adds wistfully, nearly losing herself in her thought of when she last read that story. Back to reality- ]

Certainly, yes, but that does not make her any less useful, in a matter of speaking. Animals are wonderful secret keepers and friends, sometimes more than people.

video;

[defenceless]

[rin offers the hint of a small smile. she understands. the story is why she'd chosen the name.]

Oh, I agree.

[plus, she might be good for ingredients for magic, or as a familiar. rin won't say this out loud.

she tugs on the collar around the swan's neck.]

She came with this collar, complete with amethysts and diamonds and all. I wonder if it means something.

video;

[digophelia]

Isn't she a bit small for a collar?

[ Actually, come to think of it- ]

It isn't too heavy for her, I hope? Either way, I'm certain she'll grow into it.

video;

[defenceless]

Um— [lifting up the cygnet closer to her jeweled ring, rin gently brushes aside feathers to give a better idea of the shape and size of the collar.

it does look, in fact, to be perfectly light and suited to the bird's tiny frame.]

I can't take it off.

video;

[digophelia]

Come to think of it, I never seen a bird with a collar. [ She says this more to herself than anything. But wait- ]

You can't? How strange. At least it doesn't seem to bother her; the cats I've owned weren't very fond of collars.

video;

[defenceless]

Yes, it doesn't bother her at all.

[she pulls back, resettling the swan in her lap, much to the small bird's relief. no more tugging. no more bothering her.]

This is ridiculous... [she almost breaks into a sly smile.] but I think maybe ALASTAIR included it so I would be sure to take her in. They know I like expensive gems, somehow.

video;

[digophelia]

Would you not have taken her in without it?

[ Well, jewels are pretty, she supposes, but not as important as animals. As the swan settles, Alice goes back to watching the little bird. She's wonderful at paying attention, clearly. ]

video;

[defenceless]

[rin unintentionally flusters at the question. yes, even when she brought up the topic in the first place.]

Of course not. I'm not some—cruelhearted person, abandoning a baby swan in the winter months. I could never. She'd die without someone there, this young.

video;

[digophelia]

Oh, I knew that you couldn't be.

[ Despite the fact that it was a weird question, even with Alice's social fallacies. Alice can be a bit odd. ]

I'm glad for that; those feathers on her little body can't possibly be warm enough for the winter.

video; sorry this took so long hakshd i had more tags than i thought

[defenceless]

[if she's odd, then they're all odd here.]

I'm praying some of the lakes are still defrosted and not completely frigid, personally. Are you familiar with the woods?

it's okay!

[digophelia]

Would that be suitible for her little feet?

[ It should be, her feet are webbed and she does recall ducks walking across the water when she was a child. Her motherly concern would be to keep the duckling indoors until it was warmer. ]

I wouldn't feel confident saying that I'm familiar with the woods. I've been in there, a few times. My friend his friend have been forced to stay in there, recently.

[ She doesn't approve of this, of course. ]

But no, I'm not. It'd be easier to familiarize one's self with the woods with mroe light.

[defenceless]

Isn't that the truth. There are ALASTAIR recruits living in the woods? I can't believe it.

[given how much she likes ran, she better believe it.]

I think... taking her out to a lake too soon would be a mistake. But she's an active little bird, and that would be her natural habitat. Oh, well. At the very least, we could stick her in a bathtub.

[digophelia]

There are, indeed. After the third breach at the jailhouse, they're fugitives, they cannot come back to the human side.

[ Alice isn't too thrilled with this. Her friend is still out there, he needs a warm place to stay and deserves to have good food. She cried when the both of them were turned away from the goblin inn and remembering that he's still out there where it's cold upsets her too much. Talking about a duckling is something she seizes on happily. ]

That is one way to keep her entertained, isn't it. I'm certain all baby animals need play as much as children do, lest they get bored.

[defenceless]

[rin's brow furrows in concern when she hears alice's news. it would be hard to have no reaction. not only are they dealing with chantes and its people, they're dealing with alastair membership and the unavoidable consequences of that.]

Everything is just more reason to work for the sun, work for peace, and make it out of this mess. I'll tell you what. If you ever want to come see Odette, or even take care of her, you can be my guest. It's obvious I can trust you.

[digophelia]

Yes. We have a long ways to go, I feel. The conditions of the Chantes is terrible enough as it is.

[ Alice does little to hide the look of surprise on her face. ]

Really?

[ She hides her excitement well. ]

I mean, if you like, I won't force you to do anything with your baby bird.

[defenceless]

You're an... animal person, aren't you? [her expression brightens into a soft smile.]

It's fine. She can't enjoy being cooped up in the room all day when I have to practice my magecraft. Archer doesn't like her much, either.

[digophelia]

I am, I suppose? I mean, I like animals more than I like people.

[ Is that a bad thing to admit to in a conversation like this? ]

I would be happy to, really, I'm honored that you would trust me.

[defenceless]

[not necessarily.]

That is what I would consider the definition of an animal person, yes.

Not that I can blame you for being wary around humans.

[they suck.]

And I'm pleased to hear it. That settles that. Though, perhaps I should ask for your name first.

[rin laughs a little at herself, realizing she'd forgotten.]

I'm Rin. An ALASTAIR recruit who just started in December.

[digophelia]

In that case, my name is Alice. Alice Liddell. I've been here since October, I believe.

[ Introductions are still strange across the network and Alice is still trying to adjust to friendly faces. She doesn't smile, she inclines her head, gently. ]

Pleased to meet you.

[defenceless]

[it's fine— like she said before, it's natural to be wary around humans. if alice doesn't smile, rin only thinks she hasn't earned it.]

It's nice to meet you, too, Alice. You're... Alice Liddell, hm? Like in the books?

[digophelia]

[ This again. She's gotten this from Gilgamesh, who barely gave her a run down of it. Somehow, Alice missed the memo that her father's good friend Charles Dodgson felt the need to write about her and her stories. Alice makes a face. ]

... I beg your pardon?

[ After what she's gone through, she feels a need to be protective of Wonderland. ]

I'm afraid I don't follow.