video; un: eraserhead

[eyedrop]

[ Aizawa's lolling against some tree somewhere. Terrible, slumped posture; hair wild about his face. His expression is neutral, bordering on irritable, and his voice is an exhausted monotone. He sits with one leg folded over the other, idly tossing a cat figurine from hand to hand. ]

Hey. Myself and a few others did some looking around. Apparently, both the sea clan and the mountain clan have their allies--but they're not within easy reach. In the case of the sea clan, the empress's brother is married to some far-off queen. The mountain clan's allies aren't too nearby, either.

[ He shifts minutely. His eyes flutter briefly shut, and he sighs. ]

Point being, war between these two would be irrational. The old man we spoke with said no one really wants to start anything, but I don't know how true that is. I haven't tried to approach the nobles.

[ He really doesn't look or act the part, and he knows it. Nor does he have an escort. ]

If you've spoken to any of them, what's the mood? What do they want?

[ He cards a hand through his hair, frowning slightly. ]

They're the key to this, I think. Certainly the key to actually meeting that empress of theirs. So if you've got info, or if you've made any connections, spill it.

Comments

[rhinostagros]

No one's tried it, as far as I know.

[ He really doesn't think the idea would work... but who knows? Maybe something will surprise him? And what's the worst that could happen! ]

If you want to try it, then you should try it. The worst that they can do is turn you away.

[healstaffs]

Maybe....

[ She's doubting herself now anyway. ]

I really wish I had a better idea though. I don't want anyone else to get hurt.

[rhinostagros]

Yeah, I don't want anymore people to get hurt either...

[ He's going to keep trying to be reassuring. ]

It's okay if you don't have any other ideas right now. For now, you can continue to support everyone else.

[healstaffs]

I guess so. It has only been a few days.

[ There's plenty of time still, hopefully. ]

Have you heard anything important so far?

[rhinostagros]

Nothing that hasn't been mentioned so far.

[ And after hearing an idea from Inuyasha up there... ]

Since it's difficult to speak with her directly...

Actually, I was wondering if you can write a letter requesting an audience. I figured someone who's royalty would be able to best address the Empress.

[healstaffs]

[ ]

I can try. [ She sounds hesitant, but willing. ] But I'm not as good as my sister Emmeryn is, she's the one in our family who's really good with words.

What do you think we should say in it?

[rhinostagros]

Besides requesting a meeting, I'd let her know not to give into her people's demands, not while we don't know who our true target is. Allow us time to investigate some more.

And...

[ A beat. A sigh. THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF THINGS, but he's bad at this too. He'll poke around the post... ]

I'm not so good at this either. I'll ask around for ideas.

[healstaffs]

[ Time is good, they definitely need more time. (She definitely needs more time.) ]

I'll do that too! I'm sure between the both of us, we can get enough ideas that one of them has to be good.

[ —OH right. ]

I'm Lissa, by the way. I'm glad we can all work together on this.

[rhinostagros]

Thanks. I'm sure of it too! I'm Laphicet. Good to be working with you. Miss-

[ Lissa? Ms. Lissa? ]

Your highness. Or is it okay to call you Lissa?

[healstaffs]

[ Ew, 'Your Highness' sounds so formal. Plus it's not even like she's the Exalt yet or anything (and she hopes to never have to be). ]

Just Lissa is fine! Your Highness sounds like you're talking to my older sister. Though Emm is really cool, I guess it wouldn't hurt to be a little more like her.

[rhinostagros]

[ He lets out a small chuckle. Well, he's beginning to realize how many people on the team dislike when he uses formalities. ]

Lissa. Alright.

...And hey, sorry. Maybe I was wrong about your idea. Sounds like a lot of people are willing to volunteer and who knows, it might just work. Good job.

[healstaffs]

[ The apology, while nice, certainly isn't necessary. It does make her smile a little, all the same. ]

It could still not work, we won't know until we get there. But it sounds like we're coming up with a bunch of ideas [ good or otherwise ] so I'm sure we'll find some way to get the Empress's attention soon!

And if I can help in any way, just say the word.

[ Even if she'll probably just jam her foot in her mouth. ]

[rhinostagros]

[ He must acknowledge his mistakes. ]

Thanks, Lissa. Let me know if I can ever do the same for you.