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

[refashioned]

Last I checked, about fifty percent of us are new to this, myself included. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself.

[rhinostagros]

Still, I really wish there was something useful I could do now.

[refashioned]

Listen and read what everyone has to say here. For instance, the Celestial Mountain's Empress was appointed, not born into her role. How she acts her may determine whether anyone cares to actually follow her.

[rhinostagros]

It's a whole lot to take in, but I'm trying. I... also overheard the royal guards while I was in the noble's district. Nothing that hasn't already been said here, [ so he thought it wasn't worth sharing ] unless that reaffirms what kind of Empress she is.

[refashioned]

It means that people have a lot of expectations. If she's retreating like someone suggested, it might be too much pressure.

[rhinostagros]

Retreating, by not making an instant decision? If I were appointed into a role like that, I'd feel the same way. I can't blame her...

[refashioned]

Retreating from her advisers because they won't stop nagging her. Which, to be fair to them, that's probably their jobs ...

I wonder, however, if this is her first real challenge as an Empress. It may even be an insurmountable one, considering the circumstances.

[rhinostagros]

With them swarming her, I imagine it must be difficult for her to fully retreat...

It's a lot of speculation, not enough information. Miss... Lodge? [ ??? Guessing from her username. He might have come across the name while skimming the files. ] Is our "Plan A" assembling royalty to meet with the nobles? I don't know how much I can help with that, but I want to accompany everyone. To learn as much as I can.

[refashioned]

Once get get in through the door, I imagine you can poke around. You'll have the free reign that none of us do.

[A beat.]

Assuming, of course, that you can guarantee your lack of visibility.

[rhinostagros]

I guarantee it. Only a few people on our team have interacted with me in person. I've been through all the districts, too. As far as the natives go, no one has been able to detect me.

Please, I want to go too.

[ Not like he has to ask permission, but it's polite to. ]

god i keep putting in weird word replacements in my tags, i'm sorry

[refashioned]

I'll make sure you're on the team.

[Surely Aizawa can see the rationale behind this.]

it's okay!! i do that sometimes too..

[rhinostagros]

Thank you, Miss Lodge. I won't cause any trouble for the team.