video; un: beaumains

[beaumains]

[ The video clicks on to what was probably by then a familiar face to some, a bright smile and warm expression on her face as always. She was out of her armor, but her lance was propped up against the wall just behind her. ]

Hey everyone! Some of you know me, but for anyone who doesn't...

I'm Sir Gareth of Orkney, Knight of the Round Table in Service of His Majesty Arthur, King of Britain!

[ Yeah she just... outright gave her whole-ass True Name because she's never had to keep it hidden before. That, and given she was still very certain this wasn't a Grail War of any sort, well, she had no obligation to follow those rules. So she wouldn't. It was easier for her to make friends with her actual name, after all. ]

Um, but not THAt Arthur. The one that rules here, I mean. And I'm not the same Gareth that was mentioned in the Archivist's books, either. It's complicated, ugh, so I'll just get right to the point...

[ She reaches behind her, pulling out one of the crystal-like shells that were loaded into her lance. At the moment, it was completely dark... ]

These are Mana Charges, uh, Merlin designed them to hold a charge of magic that I could activate with my lance back there, but when fighting off the raiders at the Silent Shore, I wound up burning them all out.

[ She tossed the shell back and forth in her hands, and tried to give it a little jolt of her own power, lighting flashing from her hands and into the shell. But the crystal only glowed briefly before burning out, like a dead lightbulb... ]

And, as you can see, my magic here isn't near strong enough yet to power them up myself.

So... anyone want to help me out here? I'll pay you in chocolate cupcakes!

Comments

[cleansingstrike]

To be an example unto others, so that they to would be inspired to walk the same path.

To provide succor where there is none.

And to not allow myself to be limited by reputation, or by title.

[beaumains]

[ This was all starting to sound... hauntingly familiar. ]

Please, tell me to shut up if this is too far for having just met you, but...

[ It was also obvious how much it weighed on Gareth, too. ]

If you choose without those limits, what does your chivalry serve? The crown? The kingdom?

Love, family, fealty... which is ultimately most important?

[cleansingstrike]

[There's a bit of... laughter, coming from Agrias. A chuckle, rather.]

Forgive me, Ser. I did not think you so forward. 'Tis clear to me now that I underestimated you.

[Lessons learned.]

Allow me to be selfish.

You ask me that which is most important.

I would seek to answer your question face-to-face.

[beaumains]

[ She hadn't meant to be. Really, it was just unfortunate, how keenly Agrias had hit that nerve of hers. It was embarrassing, really... But there was nowhere to go but forward. ]

That's fine! [ A small, nervous, not really fruitful laugh. ]

Um... I do have plenty of cupcakes to share.

[cleansingstrike]

A shame it would be, if I were to leave you with uneaten food.

[The two knights agree on a location, and meet shortly after. While there remains a... convenience in speaking to someone through the devices, an in-person encounter is much preferred for Agrias.]

Now then... You asked me what I hold most important. I would look you in the eye as I answer that.

Know this.

I am a knight. That much is certain, though you would find plenty in my kingdom that would be far quicker to label me a heretic. Truth be told, 'tis more likely that I've been stripped of the title, or even erased from the very pages of history.

[There was a calm to Agrias as she'd spoke. She'd made her peace with this long ago.]

It matters not to me.

I've little in the way of family.

And I would sooner put many a nobleman through my sword than to serve them.

What is most important to me... is simply the lady Ovelia.

[beaumains]

[ Gareth nodded along with the conversation, sipping from her tea, not really touching any of the cupcakes but instead giving Agrias the full attention her response deserved. All of it... it felt like Lancelot, to her. The ultimate decision he'd made... one that she still found herself struggling to understand, to accept.

Because, in the end... ]

Ser Agrias... is that what chivalry is, to you, then? Your devotion to the princess? Beyond your country, beyond your fellow fellow knights?

[ Agrias said she had no family to speak of... and really, by the point Lancelot had come to his decision, he had none left, either, his son having ascended with the Grail. He might have felt that... Guinevere was all he had left. ]

[cleansingstrike]

[She listened to the question, now having a better understanding of what the original intent was.]

Aye, 'tis clear to me now.

Our lives have been connected for so very long, and I would have it stay that way for as long as I draw breath.

And now that you know, I would ask you of your intent, Ser.

Such pursuit for a mere question is most unusual to me.

[beaumains]

Well... [ A small sigh, just sort of staring, again, at her cupcake, though hardly truly looking at it. ]

I saw an opportunity to get a perspective from a knight who wasn't from Camelot, someone who didn't know me, or our situation at all.

It's... weighed on me, quite a bit.

[cleansingstrike]

Did mine answers surprise you? Or give you the perspective you were searching for?

[Heavy must've been the thoughts that plagued her.]

[beaumains]

I really don't know what I ultimately seek as an answer to these questions. [ A sip of her drink. ]

But I do know I appreciate what you said, none the less. It's another thing for me to think about.