eighth scroll - backdated to before the ball [ video ; open with one lock ]

[girlworthfighting]

Greetings, all.

I trust by now everyone has heard of the resurrected...creatures that have been stalking around the outskirts of the city, and so for me to mention at one point I had among them a "double" of my own hopefully will come as not too much of a surprise.

I've heard by now that my particular double surfaced about two weeks past, and was dispatched. My apologies to anyone it may have threatened in the meantime. I sincerely hope none of you were too injured by it, if at all.

However... [She shifts uncomfortably, swallowing.] My body at the time of my death had a sword still in its possession. Well-cared for but probably visibly old to even a novice, with a plainly decorated scabbard. The sword did not turn up among my remains, and despite my best attempts to retrace the being's path I have yet to find it.

My hopeful conclusion is that it was dropped somewhere along the way and, unclaimed, someone out here found it. I am claiming it now. I will make no game about it: that sword is very important to me. If you have it, I will barter almost any favor or recompense for it's return. I would be most grateful if you contacted me immediately. Thank you.

[She hesitates.]

Oh -- and, in case any of you already among my acquaintances had somehow not yet heard, I suppose this accounts as my official notification of "I'm alive again".

My apologies for not doing this any sooner. There...didn't seem to be much to say.

[She's frowning uncomfortably to herself as she turns off the feed. After a minute of reflection she turns it back on again.]

[Private to Loki]

Well...if you were waiting for a chance to say "I told you so", I think I just gave you a big opening.

Comments

[Video]

[attention_wenches]

Why, have I told you something?

[That would imply she's listened to something he's said at some point. Doesn't seem likely.]

[Video - Private]

[girlworthfighting]

[Why you gotta be like that, Loki. Considering she made the first gesture, she has to swallow back on her irritation at his response. It's...mostly successful.]

What you said before, about not wanting, or not seeing the need to tell anyone you were back again after you died.

Pardon me if I don't remember the exact wording. But I think we both get the general idea.

[attention_wenches]

[Because he his a little shit.]

Ah, yes, that. It is a bit socially awkward, yes?

[girlworthfighting]

I have been near death before. I assumed afterward, one would feel the same way. I was wrong.

[A beat, because this is the hardest part to say.]

I'm sorry.

[attention_wenches]

We've both managed to die. Might as well call it even.

[He'll just assume she means the apology for that specific lecture only.]

[girlworthfighting]

I wasn't apologizing for the fact that I died.

[attention_wenches]

I didn't really think you were.

[girlworthfighting]

[Here we go again.]

So are you deliberately trying to talk your way around having an actual conversation, or am I once again misreading you?

[attention_wenches]

I'm absolutely pleased by the prospect of conversation. Are you enjoying the turn in the weather? Smote anything with your great warrior's prowess of late? Why does talking with you always veer directly into uncomfortable topics one really ought to keep to oneself, even if a lecture doesn't emerge?

[girlworthfighting]

You complained that I never went to any lengths to really get to know anything about you, and then you avoid any attempts to speak about anything of value. Do you not maybe see the contradiction in this?

[attention_wenches]

[...Alright, but only because he's not sure how else to answer that.]

I honestly wasn't intending to be snide that time. I died, so did you, we both understand the very disquieting process, so call it even?

[girlworthfighting]

That's better. [Use your words, Mulan.] ...I mean, it's more clear.

[...Yeah this is awkward.] Otherwise, how else have you been?

[attention_wenches]

My brother's away, so I've been catching up on a few experiments I've had in the back of my mind. Otherwise, school, work for Miss Potts... Rather dull, really.

[girlworthfighting]

Have you been sleeping well?

[attention_wenches]

I've... been... sleeping.

[While the fact that he doesn't sleep much and the hours are odd is normal for him, he suspects Mulan wouldn't think so.]

[girlworthfighting]

I have to say, that doesn't completely reassure me. [She sighs, because she doesn't want to end up right back where they started. Still she's a little resentful when she adds:] Try not to be too upset by my concern.

[attention_wenches]

I simply suspect you'd find my usual habits more worth remarking on than I'd find reasonable. I've never been a one for sleeping straight through the night.

[girlworthfighting]

Why?

[There, Loki. Tell her about yourself, for a change.]

[attention_wenches]

[That'll work well...]

There are other things to be doing, sometimes I'm distracted or don't want to put things down, sleeping is rather dull... Pick one. You can ask Thor. I've always been a cat-napper.

[girlworthfighting]

I don't think I've ever met someone who wouldn't sleep because they thought it was 'dull' before. That seems...highly impractical.

[attention_wenches]

Only so many hours in the day. What's the more useful thing to do with them?

[girlworthfighting]

But isn't it harder to actually do things, then, when you're always tired?

[attention_wenches]

Truthfully, I have no idea. There's obviously a tipping point of sorts, but I've never slept very much.

[girlworthfighting]

Maybe you should give it a try. For experimental purposes.

[attention_wenches]

Doesn't work. I just stare at the ceiling. Absolute waste of time.