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

[healstaffs]

[ She listens quietly, head nodding along as she listens. ]

That sounds like what Emm would say. She's my older sister. I bet she would have liked you a lot too.

[ Her smile falters, then steadies again, voice growing falsely chipper as she continues. ]

Even if we can't do what you said, I hope we can still figure out a way to make both Empresses happy that doesn't involve a war of some kind.

[reposing]

[For a moment, he wonders. Does she simply miss her sister, or did something else happen? It is possible either way, but he does not ask. They are still barely more than strangers.

Not today.]

Thank you, my lady.

I agree. I hope that they will listen to reason. But I suppose it remains to be seen.

[healstaffs]

[ She'd be content to leave the conversation there except for one thing. ]

Ugh, you don't have to call me that. Just Lissa is fine. 'My lady' sounds so stuffy and formal and not what friends call each other.

[ Yes, they're friends now, deal with it. ]

[reposing]

...I see.

I apologize for not realizing we were friends sooner.

[when did this happen]

[healstaffs]

[ When they first met, obviously. Her expression falters a little, her voice muting. ]

Well, I guess we don't have to be friends. If you don't want to be.

[reposing]

No. It's not that.

Forgive me, Lissa. I haven't had friends-- actual friends in sometime. I would welcome you as one.

[healstaffs]

Really? [ Her nose scrunches in confusion. ] Why not, you're so nice.

[reposing]

Matters are a bit complicated in my homeland. [to put lightly]

But thank you. You are also very kind. I would be honored to have you as a friend, truly.