inbox

[cwene]

You have reached Her Most Royal Majesty Nima, by the Grace of the gods, of Eros and the Sea of Samorrah and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Defender of the Faith.

It is common knowledge that the queen enjoys casual correspondence by mail and will answer most letters of substance that come across her desk.

Specify your means of contact in your header!

Comments

[cwene]

Two centuries, I think. I can't remember their exact age, but about that.

No, they're not. The more magically gifted you are, the longer you live. No one really minds age gaps. You can't, not here.

Well, if you think of her as a mother, perhaps it's not so smart?

[angelicreation]

No, nononononononononononononono, there is no maternal angle there at all. Oh god, the idea just made my skin crawl. So not my thing.

I usually forget she's that much older than me. At least until I do something that's a reflection of my own age and she gives me this exasperated look.

[cwene]

Then where's the trouble? If she makes you happy, no one here will look askance.

[angelicreation]

I guess not, other than our own cultural upbringings.

Thank you, Regina. I don't exactly have anyone else I can go 'So, there's this really hot forty-something blonde that makes me feel all tingly. Is that weird?' to.

[cwene]

True, you'll have to overcome the stigmas and conceptions of your own cultures, but here? No one will mind, I assure you.

Of course. I'm here to help. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to adjust to a world like this one, so I'm happy to explain.

[angelicreation]

I appreciate it. It's a messy process, and I'm a bit of a mess now as it is. You know, I turn eighteen on the First and I still have no idea what gods to dedicate myself to. Other than Feella.

But that's something I need to deal with on my own. I feel better now. Sorry for being whatever I've been.

[cwene]

You also haven't had eighteen years to decide who is appropriate. Or parents to help guide you.

You needn't apologize. We all have our struggles, my darling.

[angelicreation]

Perdita pretty much said the same thing to me when I talked to her about the gods. And I learned it's a social faux pas to ask someone who they're dedicated to, like asking a woman how much she weighs. I won't be making that mistake again.

Anyways, I'll let you get back to sleep and go see Olivier. I think she wants to teach me how to use a gun. If you need me for anything, you know how to find me.

[depicted]

I would never be so gormless.

[uhhhhh]

Tell you later?

[losthersheep]

Thirteen... [ Her voice lets out her surprise easily, she had no idea that someone could live so long. Even though she hasn't really been aging too much as far as she can tell over these last few years, she never thought she'd ever last that long in her fight against Witches.

She's still uncomfortable though, her body language speaking volumes in how she sits, how she seems to cover herself with her arms, shrinking down in her seat. ]

It's my fault... my best friend and the most important person to me... she died fighting a Witch who was my second student ever. I told her I was a fraud, and she became a Witch. I.. loved both of them, and they died fighting each other. It's my fault. [ Mami is overflowing now, and she doesn't know how to stop it. There's so much guilt inside of her and she hates it but she suddenly finds herself covering her mouth, taking in a deep breath. ]

[cwene]

Gormless?

[She hears that mental "uhh," Dorian, don't you try to sneak one by on her.]

It had better be nothing more than a way to circumvent the Maeve listening to our conversations.

[She doesn't consider the "only people you'd trust with your soul" caveat when making that statement. How nice of her, giving him an out.]

[cwene]

Mami.

[She reaches out, touching Mami's shoulder lightly again.]

You cannot take responsibility for another person's actions or emotions. If we all did that, we would all be disasters. Empathy is good. It's what makes us human. But taking on the burden of someone else's actions? You cannot do that, my darling, it will destroy you. It is destroying you.

[Her fingers sweep gently down the other girl's arm, a slow, kind caress.]

There's no easy way to let go of that, but you must understand: it was not your fault.

[losthersheep]

Yes? [ The way Regina speaks her name has her looking up finally, the tears welling up and nearly ready to roll down her face. ]

I guess you're right..

[ The caress helps, but Mami's acceptance of Regina's advice isn't taken fully. Because she made her own mistakes. She was a fraud from the very beginning and she lied to people she cared about. Let them think she was someone else. Then couldn't handle the pain of losing two girls she cared so much about and ended it herself.

That kind of thing isn't so easily given up, or gotten over. For now though, she tries to stop letting out so much, taking in deep breaths. She doesn't want to drag Regina any further in than she has to, to open herself up more than she had to, in order to explain why she did what she did. ]

I'm sorry, Miss Regina. For bringing you into any of this.

[cwene]

You needn't apologize. It's what I'm here for: to listen and to help.

[Really, Regina? Is it? That's an odd thing to say, considering your father sold you to Evelyn Maeve to be collateral.

Except she knows that's not true because her father died 22 years ago, when she was two.

Regina leans back, curling into her chair again, and yawns against her shoulder.] Mmm, what time is it? [Not late enough to be so tired. But she is, and she rubs her eyes with the heels of her hands.] Forgive me, I'm... very tired. Winter is coming swiftly, and I... [Another yawn.] The land sleeps. I want to as well.

[losthersheep]

[ That isn't what she thought Regina was here for at all, but who is Mami to say otherwise at this moment? She's just happy to have someone to talk to at all, she's never half as much of this to anyone else.

Mami watches quietly though as Regina yawns, surprised again, and trying not to question it. She must have had a late visitor, from the shirt she is wearing, and there's no doubt that Regina would be tired, like anyone else would be. Surely there's nothing strange? ]

If there's anything I can do, or get for you, please let me know. [ Maybe later she would ask about the land sleeping, or how Regina would even know that, but she is't the type to come between someone and sleep they deserve. ]

[cwene]

[Regina perks up slightly.]

Get? Food. [And then she sinks back into the chair. Maggie bustles out of Regina's bedroom, holding a thick bathrobe. She drapes it over her lady's shoulders and tells Mami to leave the food to her.

Regina rouses again, slightly, forcing herself to her feet.] I'll... I'll show you out? [She gestures Mami to follow while Maggie frowns at Regina's back, tutting softly. When they reach the door, Regina leans heavily on the wall. There's no noise from the bedroom and, indeed, from this angle it's clear her bed is empty if mussed.] Thank you for... for coming to talk to me about things. [Her fingers brush lightly over Mami's cheek, and she turns her head toward her shoulder to hide a yawn.]

I'll let you know. I promise. [She opens the door for Mami, a faint, tired smile on her face.]

[losthersheep]

[ With a request like that Mami is more than okay with fulfilling it as soon as possible. Only she's effectively cook-blocked by Regina's maid, who seems to appear without even needing to be asked. Little does she know apparently just how much Mami loves to cook for other people. If she were any less personable though, she might have even given the maid a rude glare, but Mami being Mami she only looks sad that she can't have the opportunity to do something nice to Regina after coming here to dare her to do something completely awful.

There's worry on her face too though. Regina looks abnormally tired, and things don't quite seem to line up in her head about her friend. But she's also not the type to say anything at all about it. So she keeps it to herself, nodding as she stands in front of the door, to bow to the other girl. ]

Hopefully we can see each other again soon under better pretenses. [ Now she gives her usual fake smile, saying goodnight to Regina as she leaves. ]

A special coded message for Nima

[vaticandog]

Begin report:
[ The message starts with the Roman Numeral III. ]

I have information for you. I have been hacking the Maeve sisters for a while. I am sending you two files. Please do not read or listen to them until you are in private or with your personal guards. Do not allow the others who are not your guard or you see this. I believe you might have traded one prison for another.

[ The first file will be some coded emails between Rachel and Evelyn that would not have made sense before, but now very clearly are about the announcement that Nima is alive and well. These messages name Rafael Barba and Lucille herself as being involved in Nima being restored, but make no mention of the group after the grimoire - Evelyn assumes that Barba deadended and gave up when she punished him. She does however tell Rachel to keep sharp eyes on the SOLDIERs because they haven't exactly been subtle in their loyalty.

the second message is an audio recording. It is of Lucille. ]

end report,
HC-IIIX.

Private Text - 12/3 (Totally unaware of Tres)

[ninjainviolet]

Nima. Please be careful; I think your life is in even more jeopardy. I overheard Lucille's half of a conversation, and she mentioned turning you over for favors.

[ And she gives a summary of what she overheard ]

Please keep your guards safe.

~Sheena

a letter;

[cwene]

[A very unhappy fire elemental brings a letter back to Tres, looking for all the world like it would rather be out in a rainstorm than doing this.]

Tres,

Thank you for thinking of me. Your news was quite interesting, and I am sorry to hear that all is not well. This isn't the first time such things have happened, and it likely won't be the last.

Perhaps you should find Sarah, as Lucille suggested. Do make the right choice. It won't go well for anyone if you choose the wrong sister. I remember her bites, but not her face.

Fondly, and wishing you the best,
N——

[As soon as he's read the message, the fire elemental consumes the paper and then flees. It's not sticking around.]

text;

[cwene]

Believe me when I say I'm safe. Sarah was the sister closest to the spirits. It's one of the reasons I like her so much.

text; (That was supposed to be "keep your guards close" whoops. *blush*)

[ninjainviolet]

I do.

[ Considering Sheena also told Sephiroth about this... *cough* ]

I've never met Sarah, but that's what Lucille said. Would the Spirits be able to hide her in some way? To keep her safe?

[ She may not know Sarah, but her disappearance certainly concerns her. ]

[cwene]

Who can say? I've no way to know what she's doing or even if she's in danger.

[cwene]

People in her wing would be weary, drained of strength, if she were.

[ninjainviolet]

But they aren't, so she has to be somewhere.

[ There's a moment's silence before she texts again. ]

Nima, do you know if there's a spell for invisibility and hiding your presence from others?