[Orb Post, Day 8] By the pricking of my thumbs...

[schrien_die_raben]

[Rue is grim-faced and utterly serious, the only thing betraying her calm being the careful, overly formal way she speaks.]

Fakir and Duck, I need to speak to you both immediately. It's about Mytho.

As for the rest of you, I am asking that you keep an eye out for a white haired boy with red eyes, and report to me if you've seen him. It's imperative that he be kept away from young girls and contained in the castle. Thank you for your cooperation.

Comments

[ex_apaintingdarkly917]

A white-haired kid? I think I saw him yesterday. The one with short hair, right?

[schrien_die_raben]

Yes. Tell me where you saw him.

[ex_apaintingdarkly917]

Just in the halls. I forget where specifically.

[schrien_die_raben]

Hm. Well, if you see him again, be sure to inform me. He's not someone who needs to be wandering the halls untethered.

[ex_apaintingdarkly917]

And what, you're supposed to be his tether? Are you worried about the kid or just his overbearing mother?

[schrien_die_raben]

I'm his wife, and I'm worried because he's dangerous. If he's out for long then trouble is sure to follow.

[ex_apaintingdarkly917]

If he's so dangerous why'd you marry him?

[loyalbeyonddeath]

[Fakir is clearly repressing the urge to ask what she's done.] What?

[schrien_die_raben]

He's possessed by the Raven's blood again. I don't know how, or why, but he took off before I could stop him and I need your help making sure he doesn't do anything.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

[Panic briefly flashes over Fakir's face.] I don't know how much help I'll be, but we have to find him. [He scoops up the orb and walks off] When did this happen?

[schrien_die_raben]

Yesterday morning. He left before I woke up, and when I caught up to him he was... like that.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

Ugh. If he slipped away that long ago he could have done all sorts of awful things by now...Though I suppose he wouldn't have got too far. Did he say anything?

[schrien_die_raben]

[bitterly] Nothing but the usual insults. I don't think he remembers anything about this place, though.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

Well, at least I'll have that advantage over him. [He pauses to sigh and look about the courtyard.] I'm getting sick of seeing those red eyes.

[schrien_die_raben]

He doesn't have to be like this. I've seen him overcome it, I know he can. He just needs someone to give him what he needs.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

[Flatly] You've only had to see it once. [And he's moving again, quicker, with more purpose.]

[schrien_die_raben]

What do you mean? I'm the one one who lived with him when he was like that, I saw him much more than you.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

[For a long moment, there's no reply.] Rue, I've lived a different life than you know. A longer, stranger life than the person I'm sure you know me to be right now. It's not easy to explain.

[schrien_die_raben]

[Rue hesitates in speaking for a moment. She's never really heard him talk like this before.]

....At least tell me about when you saw him like that. It might help us.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

I doubt I learned more than you did. He's spiteful, tempestuous, manipulative, and needy. He knows how to hurt you with words, though if he doesn't remember this place he may not know how to hurt me anymore.

[schrien_die_raben]

That's good. I... I'm stronger too. I won't let him hurt me anymore, not when I know I can save him.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

And you aren't the only one with the ability to do so, so don't worry too much for the rest of us.

[schrien_die_raben]

We can't let him hurt Duck, though. I don't think he knows she's Tutu, but still, we can't risk it.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

She does a better job of taking care of herself than you'd expect. She may not have a lot of sense, but she's... resilient.

[schrien_die_raben]

Still... This is my fault, and my responsibility. I don't want her paying for my mistake.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

It is. [He says this as if conceding a point in an argument.] Whose fault it isn't something to be concerned with now, though. Can I trust you to keep an eye out at the castle while I search the town?

[schrien_die_raben]

Yes. I'll have the servants looking for him as well. He still vanishes when he wants to, so we'll have to trick him into staying put. You think you can do that?

[loyalbeyonddeath]

He finds me entertaining enough to linger a while. Don't worry.

[slasher]

[...she would remember if she cut someone, wouldn't she—she did talk to that white-haired boy (what color were his eyes?), although she never did meet him in person... so it's probably not Saika acting up.

Probably. That doesn't mean she's not worrying.]

Ah—I'll keep an eye out. Did he have long hair?

[schrien_die_raben]

No, he's younger than that boy. His hair is much shorter than that as well.

[l33t_magician]

Excuse me? Why should we be leery of this boy exactly?

Furthermore, who... are you?

[schrien_die_raben]

He's dangerous, especially if you're a girl. Take my word for it and nothing will happen to you.

I am Princess Rue. And you are?

[l33t_magician]

[It was hardly a detailed account, but she didn't press it any further]

I'm Brietta Sullivan. It's nice to meet you.

[flightless_faerie]

I haven't seen anyone like that myself.

[schrien_die_raben]

If you do, it's best to avoid him, and tell me or one of the castle's servants. No good will come of speaking with him.

[flightless_faerie]

[She nodded]

I understand. I will let you know if I see him.