un: flora // video // open to stars & moon // forward-dated to 10/27

[foxlore]

⟪ for just a moment, the anxious fear that comes with knowing everyone can see her and hear her right now overwrites the urgency of her task. it passes quickly enough – flora takes a deep breath, straightens her apron, and begins her explanation: ⟫

Uh, some of you might already know me. I'm Flora –– ⟪ wait, it says that as her name on this compass... thing, so it's not really necessary to start with that, is it? ⟫

Not so important right now, is it? ⟪ she straightens her apron again. ⟫

I know it is unwise to go out. But I also know many of you are setting out regardless, to fight these monsters and to escort those home who relied on the mirrors for safe and quick passage. I... I wanted to support those efforts.

⟪ now that she has reached the core of her reason to address everyone at once, she seems a little more at ease – tension is easing out from her shoulders, her voice sounds a little less nervous-high in pitch. ⟫

With the help of the natives, I am preparing bundles to ease survival. They contain a few rations of food, a spare cloak, for the winter can kill as swiftly as any beast, tinctures for healing, bandages –– nothing to fully replace a proper healer, but perhaps enough to carry someone over until one can be there. Oh, and a small container, so snow can be melted into water.

They're meant to lightweight, you see, and they're meant to save you time, so you really only need focus on your task, so you can move about your task swift and be back home –– or back in shelter – by nightfall.

⟪ she's offering a smile, but even she looks worried. ⟫

Some are packed already, and you're free to come pick them up at Court. And some of the natives will help me distribute them to anyone who won't be coming out to Court today –– but we need more distributors, and if others are staying back, I'd love their aid in packing the bundles.

⟪ she nods, having said her bit. ⟫

Thank you for listening. And please, everyone, stay safe.

---

⟪ ooc info: hullo everyone! i've talked about this on plurk a lil, and here it is, in... actual game canon! everyone's free to assume their character picked up or was insistently handed a survival package (or two, or three) to take on out to escort/fighting missions. as it says in the ic bit, fellow helpers and distributors are needed, and since flora's only in the court of stars right now, she'll icily be looking to have people haul quantities of them to neutral lands. bonus points if someone in moon stars a similar thing!

while this felt most sensible to do as a network announcement, i'd be happy to do some log threads surrounding the packing & distributing. c: so we can either have network threads turn into logs or you can pm me/pp me (nehelenia) and i'll write starters!! ⟫

Comments

[lie]

[ Division still rubs a little raw, all things considered. Natasha exhales, smiles a little. ]

Well. We'll figure it out. [ She sounds sure about it, at least, if edged with a little tiredness.

A small beat, then: ]

Can I ask you a personal question?

[foxlore]

⟪ figuring it out seems good enough for now. better than not to try, certainly. ⟫

Sure, go ahead.

[lie]

[ Another beat. It's longer than the first, and full of little visual tics -- Natasha's eyes sliding off screen and to the right, the crunch of snow underfoot. They return back front and center with a thoughtful look. ]

How are you holding up?

[ It's mostly just curious. And that it takes a lot, to organize and corral and work out networks of people, trusting in their intentions. ]

[foxlore]

All well enough in the Court, I think.

⟪ lots of resources, freely given and already intended for their gathered otherworldly saviours. plus, many of the helping natives know each other, have worked together before.

it should occur to her to... question some of the strangers offering their help. but it doesn't, which is a flaw in her plan big enough to steer a carriage through. ⟫

I'm worried about the neutral lands most. And every time there are news on this network, it's a piece more disturbing than the last.

⟪ christ, just what the stark man spoke of – ⟫

What of you?

[lie]

[ A noise. Low, filler, but understanding. ]

Well. [ Her mouth pulls to the left. A little wryly amused. ] I'm not the one organizing a relief effort. [ Just playing neutral lands courier. Flora wears her kindness on her sleeve. ]

[foxlore]

Don't mean you're in a good place.

⟪ besides, it's hard to tell who's out there trying to find those... things. ⟫

[lie]

I'll be alright.

[ Which is more honest admission than general deflection. It's also a sidestep of Flora's initial question, but there's an audience on the compasses. Permanence seems a bad habit for a spy.

Still. Time dulls almost everything. Natasha smiles again, more openly this time, and nods lightly. ]

Guess I better get to work. [ If she's going to travel, anyway. There'll be some passing caravan she can find. During the day, at least. ] I'll check in if I have an update.

[foxlore]

Yes, please do! ⟪ in fact, she is about to end the call, except there's one thing she hasn't asked yet –– ⟫ Is there anything you need? Anything I can bring for you?

[lie]

[ You know, Flora, one day someone is going to shake you by the shoulders and ask you what you want. ]

I could always do with a pair of gloves.

[ It's not like she can't find them here. But it's also not really about the gloves. ]

[foxlore]

Gloves you shall have.

⟪ ... and a scarf to match, but she doesn't say that. it's just going to be part of the personal bundle she'll hand natasha. this winter is harsh, harsher than any one flora's ever seen, and while that same thing can't possibly be said about most other people here, it's still the way she views it. best make sure everyone's warm. ⟫