OPEN ♔ I WISH I COULD SAY IN JUST ONE SWEEP WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME

[socialgraces]

♬ Silent Shout - The Knife

WHO || Anyone and everyone! [OPEN]
WHAT || Francesca's birthday party
WHERE || One of the big parlor rooms on the castle's second floor.
WHEN || [Backdated] July 11, Evening
HOW || Actionspam

 

[Earlier in the week all DRAKENET devices received a message announcing Francesca's birthday party, courtesy of Sir Bancroft, to be held the evening of July 11. No RSVP needed. It's especially good timing now that many mission groups have returned to the castle, at least for the time being.

As the guests make their way in, it's clear the party's been well stocked with food and drink. There's plenty of room for mingling and some music in the background. Gifts are completely optional, but welcome. Come in and get comfortable.]

(OOC: Feel free to make your own threads/threadjack, etc.)

Comments

[rationalizes]

You and I both. There isn't a day that goes by in which I regret my decision to leave Oxford and come here.

[witchwoman]

I've never thought to ask about your life before the Knights. [More like she just assumed that all the full Knights who came before her had always been here. Or at least, she couldn't imagine them anywhere else.]

[rationalizes]

Mine is hardly one of the more exciting stories, I assure you. I hardly even left England until I joined them.

[witchwoman]

This whole world still seems exciting. What did you do? How did you end up here?

[rationalizes]

Well, I was born and raised right here near London. I wouldn't call anything about my childhood particularly remarkable - I lived with my mother and father, an only child, attended boarding school, enjoyed riding and reading greatly, and then fulfilled what I considered at the time my greatest dream by being accepted to Oxford University.

I'd already begun nursing an interest in the scientific nature of magic before I ever applied to the undergraduate program there, and I was all too happy to throw myself into researching it further since I now had so many resources at my disposal. I wrote a paper shortly into my career there, concerning a theory that I had been bandying back and forth with a fellow scholar, about what I termed a "Shadow Gate" - as I've discussed with you before, a... a portal to force our way into the Shadow World. Somehow, which was baffling to me at the time, but less so now that I understand the resources of the Knights, Wynn heard of my work, and contacted me personally.

He urged me to come work with the Knights, explained what was done here, and the ends to which they were working and... I found it awakened something in me that had laid dormant for far too long. Even the idea of finishing my degree and letting a scant few years slip by in the interim seemed too much. I couldn't go back once my eyes were opened, so I took the opportunity immediately and transferred to work here at the "Karthur Institute".

[witchwoman]

[Wow, Gar. That was a lot of words. Myri is totally interested in this story, though. It's so... normal. She had a family and went to school. She lived in one place her whole life. In reality, Gar lived the sort of life Myri dreamed of.]

That's wonderful. We're lucky that he recognized you and your work.

[rationalizes]

To this day I find it a bit difficult to imagine that he plucked me out of so many aspiring students in this world... Perhaps that's one reason I want so dearly to prove his faith was not misplaced.

[witchwoman]

He saw something in you, much like he saw something in all of us. All we can hope is to live up to that potential.

[But she gets that feeling. She's been feeling like a big disappointment lately.]

If it helps at all, I think you're brilliant.

[rationalizes]

[ gar flushes deeply ] Oh! I, er, brilliant seems a very strong word. [ but she flashes her a grateful, embarrassed smile ] I just consider myself very fortunate to have the chance to work with those who are truly brilliant, and brave, and dedicated to the greatest ideal of them all. All I can do is strive to be my very best.

[witchwoman]

[Your very best, Gar? Like no one ever was?]

Strong words for strong women never seem out of place. [Myri counters with a smile.] You must remember that for all the things you see in those who have been here before you, that is what I see in you.

And one day... perhaps someone will see them in me.

[rationalizes]

I've no doubt you'll leave a legacy that will inspire.

[witchwoman]

I never thought I'd leave a legacy at all. Sometimes I am still astounded that I came to be in such a place.

[rationalizes]

It's certainly a better fate than befalls some of those who wind up displaced in this world. I always feel like those of you who are Shadowkind understand far better than the rest of us ever could what we're fighting for here.