Voice Test

[ladyunicorn]

She soars pearly-white,
Safe upon wings of cloud.
A star flares magic upon her brow,
But her coat is dimmed;
Her horn is quenched.
Her wings fold away,
And she can no longer fly.

It's fitting, but it makes me sad. Is that what became of all unicorns? Do none exist in your world?

Look for them, Mundane. Keep your mind and your heart open. They will find you.

...if they exist.

Comments

[ladyunicorn]

I don't know. I thought I was close to discovering the truth when he stopped me.

[The touch is comforting. She doesn't mind a little dirt or blood. It's not like she can help it.]

If you see him - he is a large fiery, red bull - please let me know?

[reopen_the_door]

I will. But I'll also try and get the truth out of him.

[ladyunicorn]

I do not want you to endanger yourself for my sake!

[reopen_the_door]

I'm always in danger. And you need help. I've got a couple jolts left in my tazer and a knife that's more or less in tact. I'll get creative.

[ladyunicorn]

Your bravery is remarkable, but I'm not sure he speaks a language you can understand. [Still if he can be captured...] I believe they are alive. He is keeping them somewhere.

[reopen_the_door]

Still, better he gets knocked out and tied down instead of getting to run around here without anyone knowing what danger they're in.

Any idea where they are?

[ladyunicorn]

There is a King. His name is Haggard. The bull stays in his kingdom. [Or he seems to.] They must be there too.

[reopen_the_door]

The Tunnels Between The Worlds. They lead everywhere. There's probably one that leads to yours. If I could find a Door in there that does, and a safe way to get them back away from everything else in the Tunnels, I could rescue them.

But I've never pulled multiple people out. Just the one. It's a maze down there, and not a safe one... I'm gonna need to talk to people. Get reinforcements.

[ladyunicorn]

There are many. If he has gathered unicorns from other realms, they might be innumerable. [It frightens her to think that they are dead. She can't think that way. She can't be the last.] I do not want to be the last of my kind. Those in the forest need our protection.

[reopen_the_door]

...I can't get thousands of unicorns through there. One at a time, maybe, but that, uh, that might take a bit. So I'll get on it as soon as I can, I just need to rethink my plan.

[ladyunicorn]

Those you can save will be grateful. You needn't fear them.

[reopen_the_door]

If I can find a Door near theirs that leads somewhere peaceful, it might be best to transfer everybody over somewhere safe and then move them back to where they should be one by one. That way they'll still be somewhere together and safe.

[That. That is going to be a lot of work.]

I'm gonna need some water.

[ladyunicorn]

King Haggard's castle is located near the sea. Can you use that water?

[reopen_the_door]

I meant water to drink. I don't have to eat, but if I don't drink, I'll be dead before I can make all the runs I have to.

[ladyunicorn]

I will find you as much as you need.



How can you not eat?

[reopen_the_door]

I don't know how to explain it. My mother isn't human, like I said. She's part of a people called the Selen. Her people aren't like humans. She had six broken ribs, a missing eye, and frostbite from head to toe when she was found, in weather that should have caused brain damage. With some water and time she was as whole as I am in about a month.

Unfortunately, whatever... whatever the monsters did in the Tunnels Between The Worlds, it broke her. She's not quite right. So what I know about her people is just bits and pieces. But it's okay; I hauled her out of the Tunnels when they sucked her back in, and my father and I are going to take care of her. That's what a family does.

She and I just need water, and we'll always be strong. It's comforting, when you live in Siberia, and there's snow everywhere, like in my town. I always know I have what I need.

[ladyunicorn]

You are truly amazing indeed. [Amalthea has never encountered someone like them.] Water is easy to come by in my world. Should you find your way there, you will remain strong.

[reopen_the_door]

Strong physically. Strong in body. But seeing people I love get hurt, seeing them die - I can't keep on keeping on forever. I need to. I know that.

Someday, though, I'd like a break. From everything. A good night's sleep.

[ladyunicorn]

Mortality is both a blessing and a curse. I do believe you will see them again if that is of some comfort.

We can offer you that.

[reopen_the_door]

I'd like to think that, yeah. That they're in a better place.

That would be great. Don't offer me anything until I've helped some of your people, though. I'm not in this for anything but helping people. The water, the sleep, the food I don't need but tastes good - that all comes later.

I didn't give you my name. Sorry. I got sidetracked. My name is Ravna.

[ladyunicorn]

If you have need before then, I will offer you aid, Ravna. As for my name, I am called Amalthea. It isn't a name I am accustomed to, though I understand that Men like their names.

[reopen_the_door]

Thank you, Amalthea. And yeah, names can be important. Since my mother couldn't raise me with other Selen people, she gave me a Selen name. It helps keep a piece of them with me, or so I've been told.

[ladyunicorn]

I can understand her wanting to give you that connection; family and friends are irreplaceable. Did she tell you much of the Selen culture?

[reopen_the_door]

She did what she could. It's apparently a peaceful place where they live, sprawled across the Nordic countries where they landed after the Doors started sucking them out of their world. Honesty is the highest virtue. Everything is made of natural materials. Mothers are the head of the household and there's a lot of superstitions I don't understand. Names are always in honour of someone they lost.

There's a lot of little details that add up to a strange but good mental image.