TIMESKIP POST

[reticence]

FAOLAN COURT Shardless; Seelie-sworn TITLE Seelie Marshall's Hound OCCUPATION Bodyguard, Assassin, Spy ABLE TO FAST-TRAVEL Teleportation between the gardens of Caer Glaem & Caer Scima Teleportation in Dorchadas at night Teleportation to Lancelot's side Cleg RESIDENCE IN 2,701 Caer Glaem RESIDENCE IN 2,702 Caer Glaem MAJOR EVENTS HIGHLIGHT Description [ ✖ ] HIGHLIGHT Description [ ✖ ] HIGHLIGHT Description [ ✖ ]

PLANS - Keeping an eye on Lancelot both in Caer Glaem/the White Citadel and on his travels. - His mission for Lancelot to connect with all of the agents stationed in the cities closest to Caer Glaem. - Becoming Spymaster under the direction of the Seelie Marshall should said mission be fulfilled. - Watching over Bridei when Lancelot is not around and making sure that he is safe. - Possibly spreading more positive sentiments towards the Seelie court (or at least positive sentiments towards Lancelot) in the form of ballads. - Upholding his oaths to the best of his ability. SUMMARY OF KNOWN DETAILS TBA TIMELINE OF EVENTS SPRING IN 2,701 (Mar, Apr, May) MARCH - Gwen is happy to see Faolan alive again. Faolan spends most of the month hiding from the cold under Lancelot's charmed blankets with Bridei, and feeling guilty he won't let him light a fire. APRIL - Faolan starts to hear harp-playing everywhere, both in and out of his dreams, and his emotions go off of the charts. He resents harps, and he resents what they mean to him. He would never destroy an instrument in or out of his dreams however so he will be affected the whole month. There are significant interactions with Lancelot and Guinevere during this event. MAY - Faolan accompanies Lancelot on the first of his many Public Relations trips, this time to Parrais. SUMMER IN 2,701 (Jun, Jul, Aug) JUNE - As of the month before, the lockets and the fairy rings do not work, and as such, communication with agents stationed out in cities has become a challenge. Lancelot assigns Faolan the task of traveling to them and communicating in person, since it is easier for him to travel around than most others these days, being shardless. He starts out with Treun, where he participates in the Melee competition of the Tourney and is bested by Connor early in the running. Lancelot is there to soothe his bruised ego. Also at the Tourney he speaks to Aragorn, Lucrezia, and Natasha. He also meets with the agent in Treun before continuing on his mission south to Leathann, where there is no agent stationed, but he spends a while investigating in their stead. JULY - From Leathann Faolan does a massive traveling loop back up to Parrais on his mission for Lancelot to meet with the agent stationed there. And from there he goes on to Doanna for the final stop in his journey, where he discovers that there is some unrest after the hangings that take place there. He speaks to Diarmuid and they exchange information, before he returns to Caer Glaem to share his findings with Lancelot. (All throughout the mission he has been checking in here and there, to let him know that he's alive, and because Bridei misses him.) AUGUST -Faolan accompanies Lancelot to Leathann for more Public Relations on behalf of the Seelie court, and tries desperately not to be in the way during the Festival of Lights. While he's there, he takes some time to investigate this new Oracle (and possibly work on establishing a new agent in the city?). FALL IN 2,701 (Sept, Oct, Nov) SEPTEMBER - Faolan returns with Lancelot to Parrais for more Public Relations touring. OCTOBER - On the 25th of October, the Drabwurld celebrates Samhain once more. Faolan attends, and reminisces about last year with Lancelot. He spends less time brooding than he did last year, and even accepts a few dances, including one with Gwen. NOVEMBER - Faolan spends much of the month on regular duties. When word of the escaped convicts from the prison colony in Leathann reaches Caer Glaem, it makes him uneasy - are any of these people a threat to Caer Glaem itself? WINTER IN 2,701/2,702 (Dec, Jan, Feb) DECEMBER - Having won the Hunt last year, Lancelot will apparently get it into his mind that he doesn't need to take it seriously this year, thereby ending up getting himself cursed into becoming an animal this go around. An otter, to be exact. Faolan must then watch over him, Lady, and Bridei the three of them for the next few days until Lancelot is himself once more. Any gifts he receives for Yule he struggles to return in kind, even if his own gifts by comparison are likely not as fancy or expensive as those that are given to him. JANUARY - Faolan accompanies Lancelot back to Treun once more for more Public Relations touring on behalf of the Seelie court. He checks in with the agent stationed there, and puts out feelers as to what might be going on with the Fortuna family, after the Governor was forced to abdicate his position. (The 26th marks Faolan's return from death, an event that is possibly worth celebrating?) FEBRUARY - Faolan travels with Lancelot back to Leathann again for another Public Relations visit on behalf of the Seelie court. (If he has established an agent in Leathann at this point he will check in with them.) Also during this month, on the 14th, Bridei turns one year old. SPRING IN 2,702 (Mar, Apr) MARCH - Faolan joins Lancelot and all others defending Caer Glaem by decapitating the skeletons of the risen dead, and is largely unsettled by their appearance. APRIL - Fairies start to go missing from Caer Glaem, leaving everyday tasks unfinished. Faolan knows how to make do without them, although it is an inconvenience in certain aspects. This too is concerning, however, and he wonders what it could mean going forward...

( codes by whambam )

Comments

[merelychewed]

Ah.

[ It doesn't take more than a few seconds for what's wrong to dawn on Draco, though during those
seconds he does raise his eyebrows at not being recognized, but of course, of course. He's only been encountered as a dragon, not as a human. ]

I was forgetting about that part. I would change into what you are more used to, but I fear it might get rather crowded in here if I did. [ He lifts the bag off the ground and shoulders it first, then gives the man a more definite answer. ] I am Draco. You might remember me from your very ill-advised flight to the Station.

[reticence]

[Faolan's eyebrows remain raised. Not that he does not have experience with shapeshifting dragons - he has just left one behind in Lancelot's chambers, after all. But he had not known that Draco had had such capacities. He had thought... Well, that it had been a talent unique only to native dragons. Apparently he had been wrong.]

Draco. [Faolan repeats.] You. Will forgive me for not recognizing you. [He believes he is who he says, whoever. Not many outside of Lancelot and Draco himself know of that flight, after all. Faolan has worked hard to make certain of that. It was not one of his finer moments.] I was told that you had something for me? [Or perhaps not him specifically, perhaps for Lancelot, but he's not going to get into semantics right now.]

[knightscode]

"Don't worry about that," Lancelot murmurs, eyes dropping to Bridei a moment as he cradles him. He's starting to doze again. Exhaustion, Lancelot suspects, from the stress and fear of unexpected transformation. "We can sort things out tomorrow."

He hasn't moved, at least, to follow Faolan in -- he's safe for the moment, his only spectators the fairies bringing him water to top up the tub further.

(That, and Lady, who pads toward the washroom after a moment to check Faolan is well. Is he? He seems stressed. She could help, perhaps!)

[pontificus]

"My family," she turned then to look at him, a wrinkle in her forehead. Lucrezia was wholly brought up on the ideal of family. It was mostly a powerful way for her father to get them to do as he wished, for his own sake of power. Still family was not something to be spoke of outside it.

What did he wish for her to tell her? "How does it involve you?" She seemed slightly more wary of him now. So he had come for a reason, and so far she did not like it.

[merelychewed]

Already done.

[ One can't expect to be recognized when you change your shape so dramatically, even Draco knows that.

As for what he has brought, he steps forward to cross what distance there might be between the two of them, now that any surprise is out of the way, and pulls the bag back down off his shoulder to open it. To anyone else, it might only look like a pile of junk, but there's certainly some treasure in there alongside it. Random pits and pieces of golden trinkets and gems and other objects, all sharing a certain level of shininess. ]

I do! A Yule gift, for the lad. [ He won't mention Bridei by name, expecting Faolan to figure out who he means. ] Well, gifts, but it all goes together.

[ Kind of. Look, it's a dragon thing, okay? ]

[reticence]

From the stress and fear of the unexpected transformation, and the fact that it is late, and Bridei is still but a baby, a fact made all the more apparent by his present form. Faolan sends one more glance over his shoulder, at Lancelot and Bridei, the tiny form of him cradled against the other man's chest, before he ducks into the washroom completely. He knows now, even if Lancelot isn't going for the bag, with Bridei dozing against him like that, he's not about to make any sudden movements and wake him again. He has a few moments to spare at least, if Lancelot is going to plan on following him in at all.

He drops a hand to brush against Lady's head, between her ears, before he works on stripping himself of the rest of his clothes, glancing at them with a quiet sigh for a long moment before setting them aside for the fairies to launder. He picks up a clean cloth and sets it over the edge of the tub, although as he sinks into the water and the warmth of it begins to seep into tired and abused muscles and joints, washing up is not the first thing on his list at the moment. Faolan leans back against the edge of the tub, sinking deep into the water, releasing a deep breath that is nearly a hiss, for all it is a sound of relief. He shuts his eyes against the feeling of it, suddenly drowsy, for all that he cannot stop his mind from its circles. Is Lancelot going to follow him into the room? Can he hear him from there?

"Forgive me," Faolan murmurs, his voice quiet, as hushed as the gentle sound of the water sloshing around him in the tub. "I've forgotten where I left off..."

[knightscode]

"You told me about Treun," he ventures, and there's the sound of fabric shifting as he pushes to his feet -- quietly moves to pick up a chair with one hand and carries it through to set down the other side of the washroom. He sits down slowly, trying not to jostle Bridei, more focused on making sure he stays dozing than Faolan particularly. He doesn't want to wake up Bridei, but neither does it seem sensible to stay in the other room and make Faolan shout to be heard.

"Tell me about the others, then, if you think you can regain some focus."

Lancelot looks up finally, offers Faolan a small smile as he adjusts Bridei in his arms and smooths his hair.

[reticence]

Faolan opens his eyes to watch Lancelot approach, watch him set the chair across the washroom from him and then settle down in it, settling Bridei in his lap and arms as he does. Watches him as he runs his hand through the child's hair and he takes a deep breath, wondering if he will ever get tired of watching him with Bridei as he is now, before quirking something of a smile back to him. If he can regain some focus indeed. "I can certainly try," he offers, before taking a deep breath, and attempting to do just that.

"From Treun I traveled to... Parrais, I believe it was." He shakes his head, remembering how uncomfortable he was in that city, this time not as Lancelot's bodyguard but as his own person, attempting to 'blend in'. "I spoke to Anne, but I'll admit, Dorian and your contact were more helpful as far as the goings-on within the city itself were concerned. Shaya." He repeats her name, trying to recall their interactions. It had been long enough by now, the details were getting fuzzy. He remembers how uncomfortable she made him, however. And he remembers everything that she told him. "There are assassinations being done in the city. Vampires hiring agents to take out those they believe responsible for the deaths of their kin in the area. Rumor says that a lot of them were artists, and in their absence, the local elves are strengthening their monopolies in the trade." He shrugs slightly, sloshing the water as he does, as if to say he does not know more than what he was told. "They say a number of them moved there after the Prince vanished."

[knightscode]

Assassinations. Lancelot lets out a sigh at that, shakes his head and frowns down at Bridei. The steam warms the room and helps him stay settled, Lancelot dropping his eyes to the child every so often between studying Faolan. His voice stays soft, not wanting to disturbing the child now it's gone quiet.

"Dorian has made plenty of friends in the city, I do not doubt he was a good source of information. Yet assassinations... I knew that the tensions were bad, but still. It's troubling to thing it has spread so far. I had hoped to speak to their new leader after Thranduil left, but... he has been busy, there has no been time. We will see. Perhaps something can still be done."

Somehow, to speak of such things while holding a child makes the weight heavier still. The thought that assassins could be sent against Bridei, still so young and defenceless, fills him with dread.

[reticence]

Faolan nods slightly. "He does seem to be, if somewhat biased. Some of the information given to me conflicted with that of Shaya's, at least. Regardless of which one of them had the correct information, it is enough of a tell to demonstrate that the tensions between the elves and the vampires are anything but steady in the city. For now most of it seems to be centered around this conflict and the art trade, but I do not doubt that such a tension will spread, if given the chance."

Faolan is quiet for a moment, hesitant, watching Lancelot sitting there with Bridei. The fact that they are speaking of such matters in front of the child does not escape him either. At least he is sleeping, and if they are lucky, would not understand such concepts at such an early age even if he weren't. "I would suggest that you do pursue relations with this new leader of theirs," he advises, "if you do not want the conflict to advance. I am not familiar with either group, but I would hazard a guess that allowing it to escalate further would cause troubles for more than just Parrais."

[knightscode]

"To what end?" he prompts, eyes lifting finally -- studying Faolan curiously. "Should the Seelie court involve itself in such affairs, I wonder? Would we be welcome to? If there is some... cause, some crime to be solved which has generated such disquiet in the first place then that we could help with... yet, would we in a position to? The cult of the fox thrives as it does because the natives feel they have no voice, they are not heard. If we are to step into the affairs of them further than we must tread softly, not be seen to be taking vengeance from them or meddling in things that we do not understand."

[wolvering]

"Fair enough, and he's in good hands. Lady is a good lass. She's friendly and I'm certain she'll show him what he needs to know to be around humans."

Pod for her part, thinks nothing of having wild animals around humans. True, most she knows are brothers-in-fur, but with all the magic here, she's certain this lovely wolf pup will be in good hands and learn what manners he needs to.

[reticence]

"Perhaps not involve itself," Faolan acquiesces. "It is as you say. The cult thrives off of the general disdain that the natives have for shardbearers interfering in business that they have no business to have their hands in. But it is clear, from the information I've been told, that this feud between the elves and the vampires is a no new disagreement. If you should want Parrais to lean towards the Seelie side, then you must decide whether that means to let the conflict continue as it will, or whether it would be within the Seelie court's better interests to take some sort of stand, neutral or otherwise."

"At least," Faolan continues, glancing across at the other man, before lowering his gaze, and sinking further into the water surrounding him. "That would be my advice on the matter. As far as Parrais is concerned." Speaking of the cult, he supposes he should mention Daonna next. What with the lockets down, Faolan wonders whether Lancelot has heard of the hangings and the upset there, or not.

[knightscode]

Lancelot sighs, drops his eyes back to Bridei and gently smooths the child's curls.

Child. It's a strange thing, to think he suddenly has the care of a human child to think of -- not only a dragon.

"Parrais is already our sister-city. She is loyal to begin with, hardly marked by anti-shardbearer sentiment. Our concern is not if it will lean towards our side, but if we risk unbalancing an existing alliance with either inaction or action. We do not want to damage a friendship by treading upon their toes when they already have their council, their own investigators, yet... the Elves were given their land by High King Ridire, in a trade to Elven King Thranduil who united the clans. The Elves have been united under a Seelie banner. If we take a side it should be theres, although better of course that the conflict end peacefully."

He gestures vaguely with a hand.

"Something worth thinking on, but a debate for another time when you are less tired. Tell me what else you found."

[reticence]

'When we are both less tired,' Faolan wants to comment, but he doesn't. It's late, he'd probably be falling asleep in the water if it weren't for the conversation, and while it's better that they get this out of the way sooner rather than later, they both need their rest.

Turning his head to watch the other man run his hand over the child's dark curls, he steels himself for a moment, before speaking up again. "You heard of the hangings in Daonna," he says, both a question and a statement at the same time, keeping his voice quiet as though trying to keep it from Bridei. Which is ridiculous, really. He's too young to understand most of what they're talking about beyond the emotion behind it, and besides that, he seems to have fallen fast asleep against the other man's chest, the excitement of the change having taken a lot out of him. But something about the idea of speaking of these things in front of the child keeps Faolan's voice quiet anyway.

"I was there when they happened. The city was... Unsettled. More so than usual, if you can believe so." Lancelot had been there in Daonna to investigate the sorcerers before, after all, he has some basic understanding of what the city is like. He waits to see if Lancelot has any input on the matter, before he should continue.

[knightscode]

"I can believe so because you tell me it is so. You found Kay easily enough, I hope? And the hangings, what did you find on those?"

As unsettled as the city may be, and as good at blending in as Kay may be, the man is certainly large and recognisable. Lancelot remembers idly wondering if he would even break a sweat snapping him in half.

He cradles Bridei protectively as he imagines the atmosphere. Daonna was a dark, tense enough place before, Now he dreads to think what it would be like to walk through, what it must have been like to know people had been hung that way. It is not a thought enjoys dwelling on, but Lancelot has a responsibility now -- with Daonna so close they must understand it.

I AM SORRY FOR THIS BEING SO LATE work happened then i accidentally marked my entire inbox as read

[reticence]

'My family'. Faolan doesn't miss the way that she phrases that, though he nods slightly. If that's how she sees them, then yes. "It does not involve me directly, per se," he admits. "But you know just as well as I do that any conflict that might arise from this will fall onto the heads of the rest of us as well. I cannot speak for our enemies, but the Seelie court I know has a great investment in the city of Treun, and would come to their aid, if an alliance were forged there. I am merely seeking to keep abreast of such matters, should such an alliance come to pass."

I AM SO SORRY FOR HOW LATE THIS IS work is terrible and then i accidentally cleared my inbox :(

[reticence]

[Faolan raises his eyebrows at the trinkets inside. Well, they're all certainly very shiny. It makes Faolan wonder whether the tales of dragons and their hoards are true, having never encountered one before now. It also makes Faolan wonder whether Bridei will be developing his own taste for the shiny, in days to come.]

[He straightens, glancing across at him, eyebrows still raised. He's trying to understand dragons, Draco, he's really trying. Having Bridei around certainly does help.] It's certainly a generous present for one so small as he. Though I wonder if I'm going to be able to carry the bag up to the rooms, in the end.

[Faolan is a small man, and while athletic, not terribly strong. Even he can admit to the obvious.]

[reticence]

Faolan nods in response to that. He understands that a wolf is a wolf, and despite how they raise him, there will still be a general wariness of humans to the creature. But he's hoping that he will at least accept those who intend to do him good, with Lady's guidance. She's a gentle and patient dog, one of the best, as far as he's concerned, though he might be biased on the matter.

"She's a good dog," he says aloud. "I'm lucky that Lancelot does not mind sharing her, in the end. But come." He shakes his head. "Where are you headed? I am no doubt keeping you from your own travels."

[reticence]

Faolan shakes his head. "Nothing good. They were shardbearers, of course. There were apparently whispers going around suggesting that they deserved it. For how they had taken to treating natives in the area. Although whether that is true or not remains to be seen." He sighs softly, sitting back further in the water. "They say that the Cult is to blame, and that, at least, I can believe to be true."

He turns his head again to watch Lancelot and Bridei, puzzling over the matter carefully. "Have you heard of a man named Martin Maskmaker?" Faolan asks. Trying to gauge how much is new information and how much he learned simply because he had not known it before.

<3

[pontificus]

"And that concerns you," she arched an eyebrow, wondering what his angle was now. She knew he worked closely with Lancelot, and given Lancelot's position in the Seelie court, it wouldn't be surprising to know that he had a hand in everything. But she still felt cautious.

"As far as I know I am still a Seelie shardbearer. I'm aware of my position here in the city, and what it could mean for all involved." If she so chose to foster an idea, something that had been waning since the arrival of her brother.

[wolvering]

"Not surprising; he seems a very good man, from what little chance I've had to talk with him."

To the question she looks up the road. "Toward Treun. I could arrive more quickly, but I'm taking the road so that I may look around for more healing plants that might be growing. Well, not quite the road, though I am not straying far, in case I wander lost."

[merelychewed]

Then I shall carry it up for you!

[ He announces that with gusto, slinging the bag back around onto his shoulder while saying so. The concept of giving gifts and actually being able to do so, well, he might be a little over-jovial about it all. ]

It is no problem, surely.

The Tourney

[reticence]

Faolan fights in the tourney, in the melee round, against a mysterious man who knocks him out within the first round. Needless to say he's upset about this.

He also encounters Sua and her dog, His Majesty, and proceeds to have a conversation about Lady Brave and silly dog names.

He bumps into Alice again, who is buying toys for the orphaned children that she has taken in. He offers to pay for something for her, so long as she doesn't kick him again.

Faolan meets Aragorn, who he had seen in the joust, and tells him he looks like a horseman, which amuses him.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

[reticence]

Faolan accompanies Gwen and Lance to the Festival of Lights in Leathann as their uncomfortable +1 to make this "not a date". Ostensibly he's also there to watch over Bridei, although Lancelot does a lot of cooing over Bridei himself. Faolan does a lot of glowering from the background.