[001E - Audio/Video] - Arrival

[heartofarapier]

[It is admittedly, the strangest situation Eirika has found herself in. And she has been in a few strange situations. She was intent on going along her way, but greater powers had other plans for her. It was how she found herself at the door to what was being referred to as a 'dormitory' and shortly after, shown inside and offered a key.

It's audio feed first by the one who's helped her in and shown her about. Video feed afterward, leaving Eirika on her own. Her expression paints her transparent. She's... confused, disoriented, and unsure exactly how this even managed to happen. She's just gone from a world of an unnecessary war to a...

They called it a school.

Rapier still in hand, she moves to sheathe it and shows her back to the camera momentarily as she turns to investigate her shared room.]

I should have liked for them to be more hospitable, rather than rushed. Whoever this Miss Lyra may be, I hope she won't find this too much of an unpleasant surprise...

Comments

[superior_archer]

[ not that Innes is much better with this tech nonsense either. ]

Who else would it be?

[heartofarapier]

[She frowns. Prominently.]

I hear you, but I don't see you.

[superior_archer]

Turn around.

[ because somehow he'd gotten this video thinger to work. ]

[heartofarapier]

[She looks over her shoulder and pauses. Sure enough. Innes.

In a box. Leaning over, she reaches forward and with her right hand, taps at the screen.]

How did you even manage to fit in there? What is that? [Seriously, this is about to become twenty questions very quickly.]

[superior_archer]

Like I know. Some computer nonsense about electrical magic. It just works.

[heartofarapier]

[... He expects her to be happy with an explanation like that?]

So you aren't in danger?

[superior_archer]

[ he wasn't necessarily happy with the one he'd been given prior, either. ]


Nonsense, of course not.

[heartofarapier]

[Eirika really doesn't get it.]

Did you get lost in the sand, as well? There's no one else here? General Seth, Tana, Gerik? The... others?

[superior_archer]

Lost in the sand? Nonsense. Father sent me here. [ against his own will, of course. ]

[heartofarapier]

... [She's quiet for a few moments.]

I don't understand. We were on our way to Jehanna... And Grado... Queen Ismaire... [A frown.] You were with me. What do you mean King Hayden sent you?

[superior_archer]

What are you talking about? That was months ago. [ because avoiding the reasons he's here is totally a good idea. ]

[heartofarapier]

N-no. It wasn't.

[She hates that waver in her voice.] My brother is en route to Grado's capital with your Frelian knights. We met Saleh in Caer Pelyn. And--

[Eirika hesitates. It's still so weird to do this, but...] --Grandmother explained the story of the Demon King and the Great Dragon.

[superior_archer]

Yes, it was. That's already happened. How can you not remember?

[ well something fishy was going on alright. ] I'm well aware of all those stories.

[heartofarapier]

I don't know what you're talking about, Prince Innes. This is what I saw clear as day before my arrival here. We had settled in camp for the night and yes, it's true I left my station and I shoudn't have.

[She shakes her head, trying to put her words together, and finding herself not as calm as she'd like to be. Where is Seth when she needs him?]

This appears to be nothing short of cruel irony. Why is it that this is months prior to you? What is it that you recall?

[superior_archer]

How is this even possible?

[ his expression is rather incredulous. It's like talking to her in the past. Did none of this happen for her? Would she even remember his confession of his love for her? ]

What do I recall? The war is over. You and Ephraim returned to restore Renais, and somehow I ended up getting sent here.

[heartofarapier]

[Why is he asking her something she doesn't know? She gives something of an idle shrug. Or begins to, but not finding it very useful for the situation, she stops about midway through.]

I don't understand this at all. You aren't the same Prince Innes I was traveling with. It's clear, but I just don't understand how such a thing can be.

[With it comes the temptation to ask for her future, but it's a thought that remains in the background. Now isn't the time for self-indulgent questions.]

[superior_archer]

... Not the same? Don't be ridiculous. We traveled from Carcino through to the end. There is only one Prince Innes of Frelia. I'll have no imposters.

[heartofarapier]

That isn't what I meant. You're very clearly Prince Innes. You look like him, sound like him... Gods, your every facial expression of utter disdain is unmistakable.

In spite of that, however, you seem to know things I don't. You claim what I experienced a day prior, and a fortnight prior - undoubtedly - are all things that occurred... 'months' ago.

[Or she's just losing it.]

Who are you, really? Is this a ploy? [But she's heard nothing like that since her arrival...]

[superior_archer]

I would do nothing to fool you. We are allies; friends. I would never even think of it.

[ a pause. ]

How could you be in the past and I in the future? This makes even less sense than this place does. Then that would mean...

Damn. You wouldn't remember that either, because it technically never happened.

[heartofarapier]

[It's true. Frelia and Renais are long time allies. Innes would never do anything against her or her kingdom. And Eirika knows this.

But knowing he knows more than she does... makes her feel steps behind.]

I... only remember up to our beginning to Jehanna. I'm sorry. I would know more undoubtedly, but... It would seem I'm here instead. You said Ephraim and I were able to restore Renais?

[superior_archer]

That far back... [ well that was awhile ago and not exactly the most pleasant of memories. The siege, the death of the queen, the loss of the stone. Not so great. ]

In the process, yes, but this doesn't make sense. I never left your side. How is possible that you're here and not there?

[heartofarapier]

You didn't come with me when I left camp. I don't know what you were doing. Provisions, perhaps. Making sure we were prepared to carry onward the day after.

[He's probably tearing the camp up in a storm with her absence now.]

[superior_archer]

[ Great, failing at his duty, even though he didn't know he did.

He leans forward on his desk, drawing a hand to his face in frustration. ]

..... How could I not know you were missing..... Why do I not remember this?

[ no doubt. ]

[heartofarapier]

No, no... I mean.

[She cringes a little.] I didn't tell anyone I was going. I had thought it would only be a few moments to clear my head. I didn't anticipate...

[The sand trap. Never mind that it was a desert.]

It wasn't your fault, Prince Innes. I should have said something.

[superior_archer]

[ there was a lot wrong with that desert... ]

Well, now that we're both here, my promise still stands. I'll protect you no matter what.