meritocracy | ♛First Decree: Video {not in kimlasca anymore..}

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♛First Decree: Video {not in kimlasca anymore..}

[Hello Luceti! You might hear some frustrated murmurs of a girl who may or may not sound familiar before the screen opens up. Behind her are trees. You might notice that first—OR! The first thing you might notice is the bright gold/white wings on her back, or maybe it’s the twig she failed to find out of her curly golden hair, or maybe it’s the fact that her cat-green eyes look absolutely furious. She pauses, before she begins to speak, posture ramrod straight, lips pursed.]

I find myself in need of assistance, if you please. While I am not familiar with this sort of fontech, I know enough. To those that have successfully taken me away from my kingdom, listen very carefully.

[her lip curls slightly, a bit of that anger in her eyes slowly spreading to her otherwise regal tone of voice ]

I demand to know where I am, immediately. To those of you who are not involved in this ..this indecency [her cheeks color. This is wrong on so many levels. ] I request all the information you can offer me. [she raises her hand to try and reach back and touch what she knows is clearly a hurt back, but her shoulder lances with pain. What did her captors do to her? Dropping it at her side, she looks back at the screen, raising her chin. ]

You will be rewarded, I can promise you that. As for those of you who had the audacity to pull off this joke, take heed: [her voice rises]

How dare you carry out such a despicable act!. Anyone who considers taking away Kimlasca-Lanvaldear’s Princess in broad daylight without her consent is considered from this point an enemy of both herself and His Majesty, King Ingobert the Sixth. You have taken me from my Castle and my people, and I cannot forgive such injustice.

Once I return to my Father’s side, and I will return, you will be found, you will be judged, and you will be punished according to your actions.

[with one more scathing glare, the Princess shuts off the feed]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You may simply call me "Captain" if you wish, Princess.

[He looks her over, vainly hoping that a ruby or two will be present.]

Right. I'll just bring you over to the welcome center then, shall I? Unless you'd prefer going for a bit of rum, first.

Captain it is. [ 8( Most of the rubies we have are at home, ok. ]

The..welcome center? And I'll decline the rum, thank you.

Why do princesses always decline the rum?

[Jack offers her an arm. He's not a complete troglodyte.]

But, very well--Welcome Center. You're not going to like it.

Because it's still the afternoon! Honestly, what time do you drink it? [ she looks amused, as she blinks at the offer, before..taking the arm? what a forward man!!! ]

And why is that?

[He stares determinedly ahead as he guides her toward the Center, keeping her arm loosely in his.]

For one? You live in a castle, what is filled with jewels and gold and silver. And the Welcome Center is far more...rustic. And public.

[ she can't help but laugh. ]

What do you take me for? I'm rarely in the Castle as much as I am in the city serving the people. I'm not sure what sort of Princess you're familiar with.

Not your sort, I suppose. [He is still grumpy but at least he does not have to endure a self-imposed guilt trip.] I met some king or other, once. "Serving the people" was not what he was interested in.

Then he has no right to be in that position. Royalty and the nobility should be meant to serve and aid the people with the power they've been given. I can't imagine how awful that King must have been.

It was his great horrid wig what bothered me most in the end. Either way, I didn't take the job he was offering.

Is that how you got your right to rule? Being kind and generous? Because those folk are typically trampled down in my experience.

I was chosen by the people. Without them, I wouldn't be alive. I owe them everything I can give.

[ You know, discovering you're not of royal blood, adopted dad sentencing you to death, whole city revolting against king to buy you an escape, then waiting for you to come back...it's a bit rough! ]

[He might be more sympathetic if he knew all of that.]

People don't as a rule choose their royalty like that! There's got to be bloodlines and all sorts of titles and pedigrees and whatnot!

It's a long story.

And we have a blessedly short walk.

[That was not meant to sound quite so rude. Jack snugs her arm tightly against his side for a moment before recanting after a fashion:]

Right. Forget I said that---tell me a not-so-long version of it, and I'll find you something nice at the bakery.

You're so rude! [ she glares at him slightly, before she sobers ]

I'm not--..I was replaced with the real Princess Natalia at birth. She was a stillborn, and my aunt replaced us. Up until this year, I had no idea..until I was told by a corrupt advisor of Father's that I was a 'fake princess'. At this point our countries were on the brink of war. Despite the rumor, I went to my Father. He said that...with my death, he would have a reason to go to war with Malkuth. I was sent to my room with a cup of poison, an act of 'mercy.'

My companions broke me out of the upper layer of Baticul. Half the soldiers were loyal to me. The people rebelled against the guards sent to kill me themselves, buying me time. I told them not to lay down their lives for me..I was an imposter.

[she always gets her smile back ]
They said they didn't care about that. That I was the one who took care of them, made them hospitals and lived life with them. They helped me escape, and fought for me against my Father.

[There is a significant silence after this story is spilled. Hadn't Blackbeard just shown him what evils a father was capable of perpetrating against his daughter? And why does this crime...an act of 'mercy'...why does it make his gut suddenly twist and ache? Finally, he manages to speak:]

A father should never treat his daughter that way.

[ her smile is sad, as she looks down at her feet ]

He must have been grieving the lost of ..his real daughter. The one by blood. It hurt not being the Princess..but what hurt so much more, was not being his daughter.

His men did not pursue me. It took time...and I hesitated --but I couldn't let more lives be lost, especially not when I still had influence. So we returned to Baticul.

No guards moved to take me, each silently watched in what they assumed was me walking to my death.

Which you never reached, because you're alive.

[For all he knows, this might not be true. But he is willing it so, God, and his stomach is hurting more than ever.]

I did reach. Someone dear to me said, it was the memories that made me is daughter. I spoke from my whole heart..and I finally reached him.

[ her smile softened ]
The war never happened. And he told me...that he could never forget the time shared together. It was my fault to begin with for leaving his side and allowing him to stray on that path.

I cannot fully resent him for what he did out of hesitation.

[The pirate releases her and stumbles backward. The reaction to this story, so deep in his gut, startles him, but he cannot help it. Luckily when he finally hits his knees, it is by a handy evergreen tree. She won't have to watch him vomit.]

Captain? [ lakfjlwekajlfkwej!!Natalia stumbles backwards, a little stunned, tentatively walking towards that tree. SIR WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. ]

A..Are you alright?

[Captain Jack Sparrow so despises getting ill. The last time this happened, it was when he nearly drank himself to death on the Joanna Joyce, and Archie Kennedy had had to witness it.

For now, he is not sure what is causing it. He can't remember the dreams that drive him to so horrifically identify himself with Natalia's father. Paprika did her work too well.

An act of mercy.

The pirate's black wings twitch once at the sound of her voice. When he speaks, his own is hoarse and a trifle shaky.]

Fine. 'M fine. Just. A moment.

[ Oh Jack let's hope you don't ever find out that Natalia kills her real Father in a fight to the death. 8"(

She kneels beside him, looking pretty concerned. ]

For some reason my healing artes won't work here...perhaps the one who needs to go to the Welcome Center is you..--

I think I just need a drink, actually. [He drags the coat sleeve across his mouth before turning to face her.] Just need a bit of rum. Come on, I'll get you there safe---safe, savvy?--and have done with it. No use listening to stories in the woods, is there?

[He begins to get to his feet, trying to push her story away and gaining a bit of strength as he does so.]

..Savvy? [ she watches, waiting for him to stand as she prepares to follow. she imagines it's not an easy story but still...such a reaction makes her concerned. ]

You can get clothing there, too, likely. Possibly something for your wings--I'm sure they're probably aching. I'll fetch you along your biscuits from the bakery. Or cream puffs? Do you prefer those? I enjoy those. Or scones. They've got everything, really."

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