1st craft. [video]

[cheir]

[ This is a very solemn-looking young lady!

... Well, before, it was just black and several noises, one of which sounded like a different application opening entirely and some sounds of hushed frustration because you know what, technology can't love all of us, it is a fickle mistress, etc. But it's okay!! Because the aforementioned young lady is here now and looking so serious that she can't have possibly been frazzled six seconds ago!

No one will ever know. ]

Hello. My name is Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia, and I have a request for those liste-- ah, watching. I've been here a few weeks, and...

[ A pause. The camera slowly tilts to reveal that Fiore's actually sitting in a wheelchair, and there's a certain tightness to her features for those observant enough. As though she's in pain, but happily determined to ignore it and carry on. ]

To phrase it simply, I believe I'll be requiring quite a bit of Chroma for certain purposes, and as such, I'd like to ask if anyone would be willing to... earn it with me. Hand-holding, specifically, as anything beyond that will be entirely determined by the content of your character and only after a lengthy discussion.

[ Okay, so she might not have dealt with hugs or kisses yet, either. Please help her. ]

I understand that this may seem like a lot to ask from someone most of you don't know, but if you'd be willing to discuss this further with me, I'm sure I can find something to offer in return.

Thank you for liste-- watching.

[ It actually takes her like an additional forty seconds to turn it off after she stops speaking, but she's trying. ]

Comments

[cheir]

I'm hardly a princess, Assassin.

[ And now she's already regretting, but oh is she determined not to mention it. ]

And I thought it might be simpler to address the city at large like this.

[ SHE'S REGRETTING. ]

[assyrian]

I am certain that your missive will achieve the desired effect. It is remarkably to the point.

What surprises me is that you've drawn the line at handholding.

[cheir]

I'd rather not kiss or do anything... beyond that with people I don't know. You can call that childish if you'd like.

[ BECAUSE SHE KNOWS!!! ]

[assyrian]

It is decidedly girlish, and not like a magus in the slightest.

Based on our last meeting, I gather that you haven’t forsaken the pursuit of magecraft.

[cheir]

[ How on earth does Semiramis actually know everything, it's always putting her on-guard... which means her shoulders do stiffen up a tad, but she pauses only to make sure she won't sound terse before she replies. ]

There are certain things beyond my control, at this point.

[ She'd made the decision not to, right before coming here, but right now, she's going to need her magecraft to get by. It's too dangerous to become a normal human and she lacks the means (and her brother) to carry on with the original plan. ]

[assyrian]

That’s understandable.

[ While Semiramis knows enough, she doesn’t know everything. She can only glean surface-level details built upon what intelligence was gathered on the Yggdmillennia clan, as well as about the other Masters of Red.

After her needling remarks, Assassin decides to say something that may actually be helpful. As a woman who has her own issues with intimacy— though her own are definitely different, and far more warped and distorted than Fiore’s, her tone takes on a more conversational quality. ]

Have you thought about seeking employment? With your talents, finding an appropriate job shouldn’t be too difficult.

[cheir]

[ ... Wow. That is actually helpful. ]

I did consider it, and I'd certainly like to pursue it... it's just been one step at a time.

[ One roll of the wheel at a time?? ]

But having more than one option at my disposal is never a bad thing.

[assyrian]

That’s right. There’s no need for you to rush things.

[ She acknowledges. From her standpoint, they had all the time in the world, until they didn’t. It was all beyond their control, which annoys Semiramis, but it is what it is. ]

Besides, after such a tedious war, I have found comfort in the rest and relaxation of this world.

[cheir]

It doesn't bother you, Assassin? Being away from it all?

[ From her faction? ]

[assyrian]

Of course not.

[ Her pride won’t allow her to admit otherwise. Arriving here had been something of a disappointment, but those feelings have long since faded. ]

I have shouldered far greater burdens. [ As has Fiore, she imagines. ] In comparison, living as a Servant without any hope for the Grail is a minor inconvenience.

[cheir]

In comparison... [ Well, yes. Compared to Darnic's lust for glory, Gordolf's own pride, Avicebron's betrayal, Jack the Ripper's everything, and the rest...

It's nothing she could hold up to the Assyrian queen and say that this made their struggles equal, but it's also true that Fiore's shouldered more than this. Does it make this easier? No. But-- ]

You're truly strong. But I believe I'd acknowledged that, even when we were enemies.

[assyrian]

I am also an exceedingly lucky woman.

[ She acknowledges in the form of a boast, but more importantly, she’s not ready to give all the credit to factors directly in her control. If life had turned out differently, Semiramis could have easily been nobody with no deeds to her name. ]

Are you prepared to deal with all the attention bestowed upon you by potential suitors?