paradisalost

Entry tags:

galadriel

Imp

[Galadriel (or Artanis, as she now thinks of herself) suddenly found herself in a room that was totally unfamiliar to her. What’s even stranger is that she had no memory of how she got there. She finds the journal fairly quickly and flips through it, but it does little to assuage her fears.

When she dictates, it’s not the calm, practiced dictation of Galadriel (although there are hints of it in there), but rather the voice of a frightened young girl, trying to sound far more intimidating than she is capable of being.]

I know not who brought me here, nor why, but know that my father and my brothers will not stand for this. I am Artanis, daughter of the High King Finarfin. If you release me immediately, they may be persuaded to show you mercy.

[With that she tucks the journal under her arm and sets out to explore, first the room she arrived in, and then the castle. Unlike on her initial exploration, however, her movements are slightly hesitant, timid, and more obviously marked by fear. ]

[ooc: She will be running into Rin in their shared room, I believe, but after that will be roaming the castle. Feel free to encounter the mini-elf or to answer her over the journal.]

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[There is little Alleria wishes to do less than to scare a child, so she does her best to curb anything that may be perceived as a threat. As such, her expression is mostly blank; emotions don't come easily to undead things, after all, and a forced expression would look more terrifying than none at all, she reasons.

But this young one didn't flee screaming into the night, so she must be doing alright. This is promising.

Alleria takes a moment to look around, gaze sweeping the immediate area before addressing the young elf once more.]

Then you are new here. If you are new and not lost, you have an advantage over us all.

There is not much to learn, besides. This place does not give answers, and keeps its secrets close to its terrible heart.

[Artanis stares directly back, meeting her eyes with a look that is almost unnatural on a child. The purpose of this is twofold: first, it makes her appear less fearful than she is. Second, it tells her more than looking elsewhere. She's not about to intrude into the mind of someone potentially threatening while they are right in front of her, but she's observant and now she's watching with all her senses; she will not be deceived.]

Then I will take my answers by force, for I see much that others do not. [This is a terrible, terrible idea. Thankfully, Artanis doesn't know about the mirror or else she might seriously injure herself.]

[Alleria has very little interest in deceiving a child. Though her mannerisms are cold and probably a little unnatural -- being dead and all -- she is making no attempts to conceal anything, or to misdirect.

Her eyes narrow slightly at the child's words, as well as the way she is looking at her. Although she will have more patience for a young one, simply by virtue of innocence, undeath also lends itself to a certain ... sensitivity.]

And what do you see? You are looking at me quite intensely. Perhaps you have found something out that you wish to share with me?

Only that you mean me no harm. I have not intruded, nor delved as deeply as I may.

[Of course, she senses the state of undeath too, but it would probably be rude (and foolish) to say that it gives her the creeps.]

[A low, quiet growl escapes her throat, and she holds her gaze for a long moment before looking past the other elf, to gaze at the nothing behind her.]

Very well. But you will do well to remember to mind your speech. Not everyone in this place is as accepting and patient as I.

What is your name?

[She may flinch a little at the growl, but she quickly pulls herself up again. She won't apologize, for as far as she's concerned she's done nothing wrong.]

I am Artanis, daughter of the High King Finarfin. [A royal child. Explains a lot about the attitude, doesn't it?]

[It explains a bit, yes! The corners of Alleria's mouth curl a little, though that is the only change in her otherwise blank expression.]

I see. Well met, then, Artanis, daughter of the High King Finarfin. [And she will offer a little bow.]

I am Alleria Windrunner, servant of the Dark Lady and Ranger-Captain of the Undercity.

It is a pleasure. [The words sound rather rehearsed, though. What she really wants to ask is so incredibly rude that the words won't pass her lips; you just don't go around asking people- especially intimidating people- "what are you?" So, she goes with the next best thing.]

The Dark Lady?

[A wise decision.]

The savior of my kind. We were enslaved by a monster -- a madman -- and the Dark Lady roused us from our sleep. We, the Forsaken, are forever grateful to her and pledge to her the rest of our existence.

[It seems strange to her that a hero (and that's what she gathered from that story) would call themselves "Dark," mostly because she has been raised to associate light with goodness. But again, she doesn't voice that thought.]

She sounds a valiant leader. [And there is a little bit of genuine awe in her tone. There aren't a lot of female leaders in her world. Which brings us to her next question.] You are a warrior?

[Well ... it's complicated! Darkness can also be enemies of darkness, you know.

Alleria's otherwise expressionless face does this weird ... almost lighting-up thing, when Artanis speaks of the Dark Lady. The Dark Lady is cool, yo! She is the best. But she simply nods.]

I am. I was in life, and continue so in death.

[And she'll understand that better later! But right now? She still hasn't seen very much of the world. Case in point:]

I have never met a woman warrior. [she hesitates] I have convinced my father to train me in swordcraft and archery along with my brothers, but I believe it merely an attempt to humor me.

[She makes a low, thoughtful noise, which comes off rather like an echoed growl.]

Strange. Among my kind, gender has little difference. We are judged by our usefulness, not our sex.

[Goodness, woman. Even your thoughtful noises are kind of scary. She's getting used to it, though.]

It is said that hands which take life have difficulty preserving it and we are valued for our healing. [But she's not quite satisfied with this and it probably shows in her tone.]

[It's a talent!]

Preserving life is not something I have concerned myself with for quite some time. There may be some truth to those words, then.

I suppose you would not have. But I would hope you would not take it without just cause, either. [Her expression turns more serious and thoughtful.] It seems to me that one may use a sword to preserve life, even if it means taking it from others.

[Of course, she really doesn't yet understand just what taking a life means on a personal level. Not yet. But she does understand the concept of fighting to protect.]

[Another low, creepy noise as she mulls this over.] Those who are enemies to my kind are dealt with swiftly. It is not life I preserve, as we do not live, but any who wish to exterminate us will be shown no mercy.

[This is ... maybe not something she should be telling a child, but. What are you gonna do! Undead ladies, man. Not a lot of common sense.]

[Luckily, this...is not exactly a normal child. Seeing into the future/people's minds have made her a bit more used to this sort of information than you would expect.]

Exterminate? Who would seek to do such a thing? [Okay, creepy you may be, but genocide is still wrong.]

[Well, that's certainly ... a plus!

Alleria scoffs, the noise tapering off into a low growl.]

Those who think our continued existence is unnatural. We did not ask to be raised, but we only wish to secure our lands until our time is truly done.

[She has to think about this because "unnatural" is definitely a word she would use to describe what she's sensing...but really, this woman doesn't seem that different from other people she knows.]

Surely you have that right, unnatural or no. You say you do not live, but you have something akin to life and that must be respected, I think.

[As an adult, she would be a little less free with her opinions and wait until she had more information to make a judgement, but the ideals and motivations are the same.]

[Something like a smile flickers across her face, a slight curving of her mouth before it's gone again.]

It's good to hear you think that way. There are many who would argue with you on that point.

Let them. I have four elder brothers; I am skilled in arguing.

[The words sting, if only a little. Brothers ... something she had not thought about in a lifetime.]

Then you ought to be grateful for their lessons.

Oh, I am, as I hope they are grateful for mine. [And it's said with a cheeky little grin; this one gives as good as she gets.]

[She does not return the grin, only nods with some restrained curtness.]

I am sure they are. There is much we learn from our siblings, after all.

Imp

:3 i aim to please

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