[VIDEO]; UN: [USERNAME NOT SET]

[demonicbeauty]

[The time away from Deerington has definitely not improved Ariadne's skill with a camera. The feed immediately pops on too close to her face, more or less framing nothing but her gray eye. She quickly realizes her error and pulls it back, the feed shaking and rattling until she manages to steady it.

And there she is. The face of an idol. Or possibly someone familiar.]

Just to be clear, I'm not Padmé Amidala and I'm not Jane Foster.

[Her voice is light and airy, like a little, trilling bird. She offers the feed a sympathetic look, as if apologetic that she's neither of these women. She's heard so much about them. They seem pretty great.

Ariadne is...not as great.

But she clears her throat and continues.]

It's me, Ariadne. I...well. I'm sure everyone is confused. I know I am. And if you need to talk about it, I'm happy to listen.

But, uh, what I really wanted to say is that somehow, my orchard is here. All of my trees. And some of them even have fruit. So if you need something fresh to eat or...just something familiar, you're welcome to come spend some time with my trees.

I think I might start a garden. One that everyone could use. Someplace to think. I don't know...

[And she's lost in thought for a moment. Ariadne knows nothing about starting a business or anything. But how hard could it be?

After a moment, she shakes her head.]

I hope everyone is all right.

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Video: UN - Runeseeker

[onerthes]

Ariadne. It is good to see that you're intact.

[Vira-lorr was seated in a small room that looked like a simply furnished living room. There was a crackling fire and she was relaxed for the moment, sipping tea. It was helping to keep her nerves calm. She wasn't entirely nervous but this whole process was ... a lot.]

You know, I never met either of those people. I imagine they look like you?

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne grins, her eyes gleaming like coins in a fountain.]

My lady sorceress.

[She bows her head politely.]

Yes, I've been told I bear a striking resemblance to them.

[onerthes]

Sorceress no longer. [She smiled.] Though it seems the gift of a seeress has returned to me, even if the power to wield the elements has fled. So magic ever flows in my veins.

Heh. Such is the strange way of things, is it not? One wonders if there are duplicates of us all. Have you seen any pretty three eyed sorts running around besides me?

[demonicbeauty]

I can't say that I have, my--

[A pause.]

What should I call you now? "My lady seer?"

[onerthes]

If you must insist on a title [She giggled as she said it. It amused her more than anything.] My lady seer will work, though you do realize that you can call me Vira-Lorr anytime you wish, yes? It is not too familiar to use my name.

Are you settling in well enough?

[demonicbeauty]

Vira-Lorr. I can...try.

[She'll just never get used to a magic user treating her so much like an equal. It's nice, though.]

And yes, well enough I suppose. Although it's still so strange.

[onerthes]

mmm, it's fine either way. [She knew that it was a habit of Ariadne to refer to her that way, so she wasn't too worried.]

The world is a touch surreal, yes. I suppose that was somewhat to be expected. Our sense of normalcy is slowly shifting.

[demonicbeauty]

Well, "normal" has always been externally defined, anyway.

[At least in her world.]

I don't mind the change so much. I think the harder part is the sense that...I don't know. The sense that somehow, my life in Valeria is over this time.

[onerthes]

Hmmm... is this because of a memory of your homeland, or a feeling that you are not going to return for some reason? If it is the latter...

I might have similar thoughts.

[demonicbeauty]

[She nods.]

Definitely the latter.

[onerthes]

I feel... oddly at peace with the idea that I might stay. I've been wondering if something was done to me. I can't bring myself to dislike it even if I am cautious about the nature of this world for now.

Maybe I just want to finally settle down and plant roots.

[demonicbeauty]

Plant roots.

[Ariadne can't help but smile, even if it's a little wry.]

I understand the feeling.

[onerthes]

I've been denied... a lot of things in my life. And I think there's this little selfish part of me that's demanding them now. And if it has to be here instead of home, I'll do it here.

We could probably really make something of this place, you know.

[demonicbeauty]

I've always wanted my own garden...

[She shakes her head.]

But I just...don't know.

[onerthes]

I say grow one. Even if you do leave, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to grow one. One of the locals said mushrooms are popular for some odd reason. Not sure why they'd call that a garden though...

[demonicbeauty]

Mushrooms are many things. A garden isn't one.

[Still, that's good information to squirrel away.]

But I think...I think I just might.

[onerthes]

That's generally my thought. I'm confused why they would think so, but time will tell I suppose?

[Give her a month. She'd be on board. They'd be all over the place.]

Wonderful. When you do, I want to see what you grow.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh, I want to make it open to the public. So everyone can see!

Who doesn't love a garden?

[onerthes]

Mmmm. I think I know at least one grass knight who would love seeing gardens growing around here. I certainly join him in that desire. It's a good starting goal.

[demonicbeauty]

Not to mention the fresh fruit.

You can only eat so many mushrooms.

[Says the girl who will try pretty much any food once.]

[onerthes]

Oh, they're not that bad. But it doesn't hurt to sautee them in some oil to bring out the flavor, and some are better than others. But yes, fresh fruit is even better.

[demonicbeauty]

...what does "sautee" mean?

[onerthes]

It's a style of cooking. You fry in a very light bit of oil. It's quite good. Have you never had something sauteed?

[demonicbeauty]

Oh, I may have.

[Small, nervous laugh.]

I just don't know anything about cooking. I was banished from the castle kitchen when I was eleven.

[onerthes]

mmm, I'm not really that good myself, but I've had to learn my way around the kitchen here. Give a girl a few years and "TV Dinners" just aren't good enough. Who does most of your cooking?