video; un: stargirl

[bossily]

[At first, all that can be seen is an up-close view of a bowtie. It’s being adjusted by slender little fingers, and there’s a mischievous laugh, followed quickly by the Doctor distinctly admonishing, Not in front of company!]

What company? It’s just Alina.

[But she clearly knows exactly what company he’s talking about, and smirks as she pulls back and away. They have important things to discuss, after all.]

Right. So the Doctor and I, we recently met with Entr’i. And we know there’s been plenty of discussion on the upcoming war, but there’s more we felt needed to be addressed. Starting with that amulet.

[ There’s a pause and the video feed seems to shift, though the general colour of the imagery remains a sort of reddish hue reflecting Sedorum’s ever-crimson sky. ]

Hello! Yes! The amulet. [ Bowtie now in perfect order, the Doctor clears his throat and properly flaps Clara away. ] Now there’s cause to believe this amulet is a whole other sort of thing and not the thing we want, but the power Entr’i believes it has … well, it all fits together perfectly.

[ He means, of course, the reason they’re here in the first place: the orbs, the mission. ]

Of course Entr’i herself — she’s rather the determined type. Very much ‘get-things-done’ and never-you-mind all the obstacles that might stand in her way. She really believes she can use the power of this counterpart amulet to — ah, what did she say? ‘Bring the two realms together.’ Yes, I think she means to quite physically bring down the barriers that divide the realms and create a whole new sort of city for all souls, bringing them together.

Quite the ambition, eh? [ He looks thoughtful. ] Now! Now — what does this mean for the upcoming war bit? Right — well, I don’t plan on doing any warring, not me, not my area of expertise, but. We’ll need to — Clara? Clara, tell everyone what we’ll need to do.


[There’s a moment’s pause, just long enough for Clara to appreciate the fact he’s deferring to her for the important part.]

What we’ll need -

[Another pause, as her mind works quickly to not only remember the conversation they’re referencing, but to create something resembling a plan.]

What we’ll need is people who are able to stay behind with us. In a few days, we’re gonna be the only hope the people here have. It’s up to us to band together to help guide them to safety. And to keep them as secure as possible. Anyone in Taeum or Sedorum that’s able and willing to help, your orders come from -


Oh! [ The Doctor suddenly exclaims, recalling something else in between listening and thinking, and remembering very important conversations. ] Yes, Clara’s right of course. We’ll need to make sure that anyone in Taeum and Sedorum has means of protection in case things go sour, whether that’s a safe place to hide or someone to protect them. I’ll admit there really is only so much one can do with a sonic screwdriver when it comes to souls, but — ah, never mind that.

There was one other thing. Something about notes. What did Entr’i call them? Magic notes?

[ Alina, perched on the edge of the camera's view, snapping back to sudden attention. Her eyes jump from where they've centered onto the wall, looking indignant at Clara's elbow jabbing her in the ribs, before she seems to remember herself.

Right. Sheepishly, she clears her throat. ]

Sorry. Anyway, Entr'i thought she would have to use the amulet to bring Sedorum's army to Giva, but the magic notes the Doctor mentioned will help her transport them. Which means the amulet is free to merge Sedorum and Taeum together.

[ For a moment, she trails off, mouth opening and closing before she finds the words. ]

We can’t stop the war from breaking out in Giva, but Entr’i thinks we can use it to distract and trick Him and the Highest One. She wants to stall long enough for a chosen group of us to go in, get the other amulet from the Highest One, and get out. With all of our limbs intact, hopefully. Another group will need to go in and free the prisoners Taeum has locked up while we have the chance.

If you can fight, you should volunteer for one of the infiltration groups or head to Giva as soon as you can before things can get worse. Remember we’re fighting to stall them. If you’re just looking to destroy something, go beat up a straw puppet.

Entr’i and the rest of us — we’re not looking for more bloodshed. If you can’t trust her on that, I hope you can at least trust me.

That goes for Clara and the Doctor’s group, too. We just want everyone to be kept as safe as they can be. [ A beat ticks by as she glances at Clara. ] If she starts bossing you around, you should listen to her. Clara knows best. There’s no one I would trust more to protect these people with everything they have than her and the Doctor.

[ At this, the Doctor nods. Far be it from him to argue about that last bit, besides which, Alina is perfectly right.

He claps his hands together. ]

Right. That should do it, then —

[Clara holds up a hand, stopping both the Doctor and Alina from adding on anything more.]

You’re right. I do know best. And since I know best, let me remind all of you that war is coming. Whether we want it to or not. All we can do now is try to prepare and make the best out of the situation. Arguing isn’t gonna change that. So please, do whatever you can now to make yourself ready. We’ll be waiting till we’re called for action. I advise you to do the same.

[There’s a moment where she gives her best stern teacher look, followed by a curt nod of her head. The Doctor looks in her direction and then meets Alina’s glance, proud and absolutely not about to argue with what Clara’s said, before his expression changes and he opens his mouth to start a new story. You see, there was this noodle-vendor in the shopping district, and —

And then the video feed cuts off without anything further to be added.]

[ooc: Red is Clara, Blue is the 11th Doctor, Purple is Alina. These three are coming together to lead the charge for part 2!]

Comments

audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

You know I'm going to help. Although I hope it goes better than the last time we tried to steal an orb.

[Sabriel's not going to forget the fight against Cheruvia for a long time.]

And Clara, if you want some last minute lessons on blinding or shielding spells- I'm available.

audio; un: stargirl

[bossily]

I'm gonna go so far as to have faith that we'll be able to make things go better this time around.

[There's a pause, before she quickly adds on.]

And I'd love to, by the way. Squeeze in some practice.

audio / un: starkov

[peasant]

Cheri had someone she loved enough to be talked out of her plans. Honestly, nearly being crushed by a building is starting to look more appealing than the Highest One smiting us all.

[ well. no one ever claimed her coping mechanisms weren't morbid. a beat, and then: ]

I suppose that was a little too grim to count as a pep talk.

Voice. un:Kirigan

[cruelyethuman]

Fine.

[And after a slight pause, the hesitation lingering on the network as the line stays open.]

Be careful.

audio; un: stargirl

[bossily]

[She's almost shocked that he's being so agreeable. But then she glances over toward Alina and realizes it's likely for her sake and not anyone else's.]

You'll make sure to be careful too, won't you?

voice / un: starkov

[peasant]

[ worried about me? the childish opportunity to toss his own words back at him dangles in front of her, but something about his hesitation — like he almost hadn't wanted to hint at any concern for her, until he had given in to the urge — squashes that impulsive need for pettiness. gives her pause, before she answers with a solemn: ]

I will be.

[ it's her turn for a lingering silence, now, as though she can't quite bring herself to leave it at that. ]

I could say the same to you. If something happens, or goes wrong ... [ she trails off for a moment — a moment to remember the danger he had thrown himself into, to act as her unflinching shield on scorpion's bend. a moment to remember what dangers they're up against, this time. ] You know how to find me.

text ↪ un: 朱 (private to clara)

[blackfire]

I plan to remain in Taeum.

private;

[bossily]

If we're able to make it safely through, I'll come find you. Can I count on you to help guard the children and other innocent people that will be there?

video; un: stardust

[shadysided]

... I'll stay in Taeum to help. There are people here I owe.

[She gnaws her lip, frowning.]

I've been practicing my aim, but I'm really hoping it's not Scorpion's Bend all over again.

video; un: stargirl

[bossily]

Thing is, you don't have to have any aim at all in order to help. You can guide people without ever having to pick up a weapon at all.

[If she's not comfortable with it, Clara doesn't want her to feel obligated to do something that's out of her element.]

video — un: the.doctor ;

[lateness]

We'll need all the help we can get.

[ The Doctor gives a thumbs up into the viewscreen. ]

Of course, like Clara says, there's no need to pick up a weapon. In fact, this ought to be as peaceful and weaponless a protection squad as possible, I should think.

[nothing, but for posterity]

[groupiedrifter]

[ ✓ marked as read ]

obvs not here — ;

[lateness]

👀

audio; un: mccoy

[homeostatic]

I'll be staying in Taeum to keep an eye on folks and patch up anyone who needs it if, God forbid, the war follows anyone back here. I've been speaking with one of their healers, H'yawal-- she says she's got some safety measures in place to protect folks, but at the moment, I don't know what those'll look like. Once I do, I'll be sure to pass the word on.

( McCoy pulls in a deep breath like he wants to say something else, thinks better of it, and lets the feed drop. )

audio — un: the.doctor ;

[lateness]

Good! Good to know that there will be others doing the same in Taeum.

Rather curious about those safety measures and if it's something we might be able to imitate here. Keep us updated, good sir!

voice; un: stargirl

[bossily]

[He can't see it, but he earns a little nod of her head and a grateful smile.]

I can always count on you, Leonard. If we manage to make our way into Taeum safely, I'll be sure to check in with you right away. All we can do at this point is hope that whoever decides to head to Giva decides to act as a helper instead of a fighter.

audio; un: zewu.jun

[calmness]

Given current circumstances, I will be able to best assist by remaining in Sedorum and protecting those wishing to cross to the other side. [if he sounds a bit torn on remaining behind, he is.]

For those wishing to join Entr'i and go after the Highest One, I can offer talismans which will assist in stealth.

[Audio; Private]

[singlelogbridge]

What kind of talismans are you offering them?

video; un: kovacs

[kovach]

[ it's three very familiar faces there on the feed, three faces that he hasn't seen in well over a month now and some he's actually come to miss having around — as much as he wouldn't necessarily vocalize it.

the face he shows isn't the usual one they're typically used to, but at least, by now, they've all learned the identity of who's wearing it. ]

Got the experience for infiltration. If I can get there, I could help you out with taking that amulet.

video — un: the.doctor ;

[lateness]

[ There's a nice and helpful thumbs up on video from the Doctor for this.

And then: ]

Brilliant, hello! [ He's still got a good face, even if it's different. The Doctor Gets it. ] Now you might want to speak with @yennefer about that one, if those Chaotic Portals of theirs seem to allow travel between Taeum and Sedorum and vice versa.

audio; un: megatron

[flickerandfade]

I plan to remain in Sedorum. Do stay safe, all of you heading into Taeum.

[bossily]

You'll stay safe too, won't you?

audio; un: yennefer

[choicely]

I've been in Taeum since the start of the mission, so it seems fitting to stay and assist in that regard. My Chaos has the capability to create portals through which others can travel between the two realms, so that we can help Entr'i evacuate Sedorum more quickly.

audio — un: the.doctor ;

[lateness]

[ Usefully: ]

Ooh — well, that's interesting.

audio | un: m.cabrera

[naloxone]

I'll be here in Sedorum with the Doctor and Clara. I still have some medical supplies left over, in case anyone gets hurt trying to cross.

audio — un: the.doctor ;

[lateness]

Ah, and there you are! Always a wonderful help — thank you, Marta.

[ 🙏 ]

video; @qinghe

[eschewings]

[ among all the useful responses of people offering to help with various things, there is nie huaisang, fan fluttering in his hand as he asks, ]

What was it about that noodle-vendor? So unfair to cut off there and leave us all wondering!

video — un: the.doctor ;

[lateness]

[ !!!

You are quite possibly his favourite now, Huaisang. Actually, there's no 'quite possibly' about it. Hello, new best friend. ]

Yes! Ah — that wasn't me, I assure you. I was just telling Clara and Alina about this booth in the shopping district. Strangest sort of soup base I've ever had but oh. Delicious.

Have you ever had a broth that glows?

Audio | UN: Wei Wuxian

[singlelogbridge]

I'll be staying behind to help. Do our battlefield healers have protection?

audio; un: stargirl

[bossily]

I'm not sure how many battlefield healers we even have, much less how many are going to offer to protect them. Are you able to be a healer, then? Or are you more of the protective sort?

audio | un: silent

[callada]

Can't say I know where I'll wind up after all this. Gotta get out of this cell first. But no matter what, it sounds like you'll have those people in good hands.

audio; un: stargirl

[bossily]

I'm sure there'll be a plan to get you out soon, Rosi.

[She knows he doesn't necessarily care for the nickname. But she's very fond of him, he's her friend, and she's worried about him. so he gets the nickname.]

And if not? Well, I'll come drag the lot of you out myself.

voice; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

I'll be staying in Taeum to help ensure people are safe. If things take a turn for the worst, I can offer medical aid in case anyone gets injured.

[bossily]

Hopefully I'll see you in Taeum, once we're able to make it there.