tushanshu | [ VIDEO ]

Entry tags:

[ VIDEO ]

[ Mandorallen has opted for video for his first post, because while he’s figured out how to use the keyboard, the notion of using it still mystifies him somehow. ]

Greetings, fair people. I thought perhaps I could trouble thee with a question of mine own, as it hath scarcely been a full day since I found myself on this strange isle. I was garbed in mail on mine arrival, and, as I had feared, my time in the water hath set it to rusting. Doth any man know of a sturdy armorer or blacksmith who might thusly be capable of mending it? The damage doth run deep, I fear, and I must confess that I feel naked striking out without its cool weight upon my breast.

[ He smiles, a bit vacantly, into the video feed -- its' definitely a foreign concept to be speaking to...well, no one at all, and yet still have an audience -- and after a moment’s hesitation, bows his head. ]

If any soul could offer assistance in this matter, I thank thee kindly.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh my god. Oh my god. Steph is so close to actual just chinhands at all those words. It's adorable, how can she not want to help?]

You'd be best off trying the Metal Sector for a blacksmith, they should have someone familiar enough with mail.

[ Mandorallen's face visibly brightens, and he smiles. ]

Ah, many thanks, my lady! It seemed as though no one might possess such an answer for me, but thou hast been most helpful.

[h e l p]

Glad I could help. I don't think many of us have really had a reason to search out a blacksmith, which is probably why no one can be much help.

I'm Stephanie, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

[ Mandorallen smiles like a child -- bright, honest, and almost totally devoid of forethought. In fact, Mandorallen doesn't look much like a man burdened with an overabundance of thinking. ]

Stephanie! Thou hast a most delightful name, my lady. It doth ring like the sweet chime of a silver bell.

[ He smiles, and inclines his head just slightly. ]

I am Sir Mandorallen, Baron of Vo Mandor -- although I fear my title hath no meaning in such a place as this.

[Steph laughs, not meanly, she's just never had anyone wax poetical about her name]

Thank you, though I think the credit should go to my mom, since she's the one who picked it.

[That "sir" does not at all surprise her] Well, I don't know where Vo Mandor is, but 'Sir' and 'Baron' mean you're a pretty important person, right?

[ Something about the way she asks only makes him smile more -- her manner is somewhat endearing to him, and his expression is almost fond. ]

It is located in fair Arendia, the nation which I am proud to call my home. I am but a humble knight, however -- I have been charged with the care of the people who doth live on my land, and I serve the king when he hath cause to call on me, but it would be unseemly to consider myself important in a boastful or proud manner.

[Steph has Opinions about monarchies, but she doesn't think it would be very fair to dump it all on someone who probably doesn't even know there are other systems of government.]

I'd always thought knights we're supposed to be boastful; they always were in stories, but I'm glad to be proved wrong. Is Vo Mandor a nice place?

[She's imagining the rolling hills and thick forests like there are in fantasy novels.]

[ His smile goes a bit rueful. ]

There are quite a few boastful men in the ranks of Arendia, but I feel that such baseless pride is unseemly an serves, more often than not, to orchestrate a man's downfall rather than raise him up. But I must take pride in my homeland -- Vo Mandor is a fair place indeed, but all of Arendia doth possess an earthly beauty, methinks.

[he's so cute, Steph doesn't even know how to cope]

You're smarter than most people. I'm glad we got you instead of any of those knights. [Not that Steph doesn't have pride issues herself, but still.] I wish I could see it.

[ NO ONE EVER CALLS MANDORALLEN SMART that's a new one. Mandorallen swells a little at her compliment, beaming. ]

Thy flattery precedes me, Stephanie. Were returning to my world but a simple feat, trust that I would not hesitate to spirit thee away with me, if only to give thee a fleeting glimpse of fair Arendia.

[She is pretty sure that first bit means "thank you". She also wishes she'd paid more attention in class when they were learning Shakespeare] I've met too many people who let pride get the better of them.

[spirit thee away. how is he real?] I'll hold you to that if we ever find a way to travel between here and our home worlds.

[yes she just signed up for an adventure with a night. what of it?]

[ Mandorallen inclines his head in a nod, and he sounds TOTALLY SERIOUS. ]

Should it come within the realm of possibility, I will let thee know swiftly. Thou hast my word.

[She is torn between wanting to tease him and being awed by how sweet he is. She goes with the latter because it feels mean to want to tease someone so genuine]

Thank you, Sir Mandorallen. [for maybe the first time in her life she doesn't put snark behind a sir.] I'd offer to return the favour, but where I come from really isn't worth visiting.

[Gotham, man]

[ Mandorallen frowns, lips pursed slightly. ]

What dost thou mean? I implore thee to tell me, for I cannot imagine that any world that would bring forth a child so sweet as thee to be overly unpleasant.

I think you may be overestimating how sweet I am. [She is so very amused by that interpretation of herself]

But, uh, I grew up in a really poor area, it wasn't a very nice place. Lots of crime and violence and stuff like that. [she waves a hand vaguely at the screen, like it's all not a very big deal] Plus it just looked awful, poorly built houses, cracked streets, broken down schools. Everyone's better off not going there.

[ He stares at her TOTALLY AGHAST oh my god he can't believe this!!!! ]

Thou art a serf? What of thy lord -- did he neglect the people under his charge, let their villages rust and rot while he turned a blind eye to thy poverty, fattening himself on the spoils of thy labor? Did he do nothing to attend to thy needs? Foul cur!

[Steph just slowly learns back in her chair, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Honestly, the fact he's been sweet so far is one of the few reasons she's doesn't straight up snap at him]

Not everyone lives in a monarchy. We don't have a "lord", we have elected officials, who couldn't care less about poor people unless they want to complain about welfare. I can take care of myself, I don't need ayone else to do it for me.

Look, I know you're trying your best here and you've been nice so far, which is why I'm not mad at you, but in the future you need to think about the fact that not everyone here lives in a world like yours, and assumning that they do could get you into trouble.

[a beat, then] And don't ever call me a serf again.

[ The vehemence of her words thoroughly startles him -- and his face totally falls, and he looks about as chastised and mournfully regretful as it's even possible to look. Of course the words "elected officials" go right over his head at the moment -- right now, he's more concerned and aghast at himself with how much he's managed to mortally offend her. When he speaks, his voice is a little choked. ]

My -- my greatest apologies, Stephanie. I meant no offense -- I swear it on mine honor. It seems as though I spoke too soon, and in my haste I failed to consider the differences between our worlds. If thou canst find it in thy heart, I implore thee to forgive me. Such callous words will not cross my lips again.

[ The promise is made in earnest, and god damn will he try, but let's face it. Mandorallen is a bit of a slow learner. ]

[Steph sighs, it's incredibly difficult to stay angry at someone who looks so crestfallen, especially when he's so apologetic as well.]

Thank you for saying sorry. [She wishes it hadn't been necessary in the first place, but at least he wasn't a jerk about it] You're probably going to run into this sort of thing a lot, so you really should be more careful about what you say.

I can help. I mean, if you ever need someone to help explain things, I can do my best.

Edited 2012-09-21 03:48 (UTC)

I swear to thee, dear Stephanie, never will I again err so gravely as to let such prejudices from mine own world, even though they hath been impressed upon me since I was but a child, cloud my judgment, nor my words.

[ There is absolutely nothing about this proclamation that doesn't sound fervently sincere. He means every word of it. Of course, that's no guarantee as to how we'll he'll keep his promise, but he's going to try. ]

If thou wouldst be so kind as to pass upon me thy wisdom, which must be far more vast than I could hope to imagine, I would be in thy debt, Stephanie. Mere words would fail to express my gratitude, which doth surge in my breast like a rising tide.

[If he didn't sound so damn sincere, she'd think that but about "impressed upon" would seem like sarcasm, but she's actually inclined to believe him.

And it makes her feel bad, because really, he's been thrown into the deep end here, and he's clearly distressed at having upset her. God how does she even deal with him?]

Okay, okay, you're forgiven. [he's so earnest it's almost painful to watch] I'll do what I can to help you make sure you don't say something wrong again. But it's - look, it's not the end of the world if you make mistakes. Just try your best, it's all any of us can do.

Nonetheless, Stephanie, I shall endeavor not to err in such a foolish way again. My heart could not bear it were I to disappoint thee so twice.

[ He give her a rueful smile, looking a little ashamed. ]

Thou must understand -- in the land whence I came, such matters are not given much depth of thought. I'm afraid I was similarly reared not to pay them much heed, lest I throw into chaos the delicate balance of our troubled society -- though it doth pain my tongue to say, that balance is often upset nonetheless.

I'm sure you won't. [Or if he does, she'll just be more gentle about it, because she really does feel bad to see him so upset.]

[She smiles in return, small but understanding] That tends to be the way in most places, honestly. Especially for the upper classes. [Don't actually question the situation, just throw more charity galas and maybe the problem will go away.] It looks like you'll be getting a chance to give it some thought, here.

Perhaps this, too, shall become my task. Previously I had sought only ways in which I might maintain my honor, for lack of anything here to lend it substance; I thought, perhaps, I might endeavor to defend the people here from harm, as I did for my people in my home. But it seemeth that my quest hath to it a philosophical portion as well, not to be taken lightly. I do fear that I have never given much thought to the truth of the predicament of poverty. I shall have to spend some time pondering the matter, for it is not one which I canst understand with merely a glance.

[ He seems so very...grave as he talks. This shit is serious business for Mandorallen. ]

[And with all that, he's officially impressed her.

Not only did he apologize, not only is he going to try to learn to do better, but he also understands how important this is, how he can't just read one book or talk to one poor person and suddenly get it]

You're a good man. [Better than most; her smile is small, but warm] I wish more people could see things the same way you do. I think, if you keep all this in mind, then you'll be successful in your task.

And I'll help, as much as I can.

video;

inshiningarmor - 2012-10-07 01:13 (UTC) - Expand

Re: video;

controlledvariable - 2012-10-21 11:19 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ VIDEO ]

→ video

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video; HELP THEY'RE SO CUTE I CAN'T HANDLE IT

video; she is going to keep him

video; well i hope so bc this is too fuckin adorable

video; :>

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

Re: video;