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

[firethroat]

Not all of them. Some escaped, like many others, into other worlds. And while it is not wise, old worlds can once again be breached.

[Firethroat speaks softly, so her voice might not blow the young lady over. She holds no dislike for unicorns after all. There is a mutual respect between their kind.]

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The Great and Powerful Trixie must admit she is not one for poetry, though she is deign at times to make exceptions to that rule.

[ladyunicorn]

[She turns to peer up at the dragon, expression openly depressed. It's hard for her to hear of her kind potentially suffering or disappearing.]

I would like to find them. It has been too long since my path has crossed with one, Fire Breather.

[ladyunicorn]

Shall I explain its meaning to you?

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

There is no need, my enthusiastic admirer! Trixie has already deciphered the meaning!

[firethroat]

[The dragon stares back, neither hostile nor terribly comforting. It is hard to be comforting when you are renown for eating those who cross you. Yet this one has little to fear, for she has been respectful and Firethroat is in a fair mood.]

Are you from Earth, young one?

[reopen_the_door]

Why would somebody waste their time looking for unicorns?

[ladyunicorn]

Because they exist.

[ladyunicorn]

What do you think of it?

[reopen_the_door]

Lots of things exist. They're always more evil than the stories. It's probably better not to go looking for them if they're real, even if I do have experience dodging monsters.

[ladyunicorn]

[Oh she does respect this dragon. They are twins when it comes to their long lives - and Amalthea can see the grace and beauty of the dragon's form; she can also tell that this creature is wise. She will take her words to heart.]

From the forests, yes.

[ladyunicorn]

Unicorns are not monsters. Men are the monsters. They hunt without reserve and deplete the forest of creatures they cannot even understand.

[reopen_the_door]

Humans saved my mother when monsters tore her apart and left her in the snow to die. And in my krai of Siberia, there's not enough of us to deplete any of the forests of anything even if we actually wanted to. Which we don't, unless farming is a sin.

And everything can be a monster if you give it a little while to go insane. If they exist, I'm sure I'll find one ready to kill me somewhere down in the Tunnels.

[firethroat]

Then you may take heart, for as I have heard it, there is still one unicorn left within your world. The unicorns call him or her the 'Guardian of Memory.'

[ladyunicorn]

Where do they live? How might I find them?

[ladyunicorn]

You are wrong. While your experience of Men has been better than mine, there are still Men who do nothing but destroy animals and their habitats in the name of "sport". I have met some that are kind-hearted, but I have met just as many who would gladly carry me home as a trophy.

[She looks away.]

A unicorn would not harm you.

[reopen_the_door]

My whole town is part of the supply circuit. Everybody's jobs are farming or working on the roads keeping things clear so stuff like medicine and food can get through to other people. My father's a doctor - that's how he met my mother, he took her in and cared for her every day after she was found. Taught her his language. Gave her a home, a job, a roof over her head.

Yes, there are terrible, terrible people out there. I know that. But you can't lump all humans into that category. And if humans are bad and non-humans aren't, where do I stand? Half-bad, half-pure? What sense does that make?

...have you ever met a unicorn?

[ladyunicorn]

[She reaches out, wanting to comfort the young woman. Her world sounds hellish.]

I didn't mean to say that all Men are bad. I know that is a lie. [Even if a Man put her in her current form.] You are a young woman who wants to do her best in any situation. I admire your strength.

[Her cheeks pink with shame.]

I am one.

[reopen_the_door]

Thanks. I guess. It's a weird situation, what's going on back on my world. Or rather, what's going on in the Tunnels Between The Worlds. I'm holding up. I wouldn't say I'm holding strong.

That's not the first time I've heard someone say their body doesn't match their original form. Did your mun do it to you?

[firethroat]

Finding them would be difficult. The Guardian does not stay in one place but wanders far from Man, in order to avoid the Hunters. As for the other unicorns, they now live in a world called Luster. Finding it would be an even greater challenge.

However, both are achievable if you know what you are looking for.

[ladyunicorn]

I think you are stronger than you realize. [Surviving and being honest with herself and others...] Those who lie are weak.

No. A Wizard did this to me. He was...trying to save my life.

[ladyunicorn]

You sound as if you know what I should look for, Wise One. [She kneels down before the dragon.] In this form, I cannot move as freely, but I have not given up hope on finding the others.

[reopen_the_door]

To save your life? I don't think I understand.

[ladyunicorn]

There is a bull who has led all of the others away. He tried to lead me away too until Schmendrick turned me into...a woman.

[reopen_the_door]

Led all of the unicorns, mean? To where? Are they alright? [She reaches for the beautiful woman's shoulder, gently touching her, trying to be reassuring but also aware of the fact that, well, the Tunnels have left her coated in blood, ash, dirt and sweat. And that can't be pleasant to be around.] Can I help?