[VIDEO]

[demonicbeauty]

[The feed is shaking and not completely centered. Odds are, it's Airy. And, in fact, after a moment, she manages to almost frame her face.

She's in her Human form today. And looks a bit sheepish.]

I don't know how, but it completely slipped my mind. Yesterday was the anniversary of my birth. I think.

[If her math is correct, which it almost certainly is.]

I feel terrible. Were there any local rituals I was meant to observe? Did the gods expect some kind of sacrifice or fast? If so, I'll do that right away!

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

Ice isn't so bad. It's fun to slide on it.

[She shrugs.]

But I guess I'm getting away from the topic.

Maybe we should ask one of the healers if we're still growing.

[madcuriosity]

Should we ask the gods, do you think?

[demonicbeauty]

Maybe. But sometimes, I get the feeling they don't understand this place any more than we do.

[madcuriosity]

Aren't gods supposed to understand everything?

[demonicbeauty]

Some people think so.

But where I'm from, gods only completely understand their own...domains, I guess.

[madcuriosity]

Where are you from, Miss Airy?

[demonicbeauty]

The kingdom of Valeria.

[She shrugs, which makes the feed wobble.]

Don't worry if you haven't heard of it. No one has.

[madcuriosity]

Oh ah... no, I can't say that I have. But it seems plenty of people haven't heard of England.

[demonicbeauty]

England?

That's where you're from?

[madcuriosity]

Oxford, England to be precise.

[demonicbeauty]

I'm afraid I don't know it.

[A pause.]

Are there a great deal of oxen?

[madcuriosity]

Oh... no no... At least... well, if there were I've never seen that many! Perhaps there were but not anymore? That would make sense! Perhaps I can find someone who might know! I know that Oxford University, that's where I live, is one of the oldest universities in England.

[demonicbeauty]

A university?

I've never been to one. But I hear they're very interesting!

[madcuriosity]

Well, neither have I, to be honest. I live there because papa is the vice-chancellor there. But it's simply massive, you could get lost for days and days!

[demonicbeauty]

What's a vice-chancellor?

If you don't mind my asking.

[madcuriosity]

Oh, not at all, Miss Airy!

A vice-chancellor is someone who helps the chancellor sort of a... second in command, I suppose! The chancellor is in charge of all sorts of things at the university... I... don't know entirely what though, every time it's brought up I get a little lost.

Do you have universities in your kingdom, Miss Airy?

[demonicbeauty]

[She nods slightly.]

We do. Although there are more in some of the neighboring kingdoms.

Or...there were...

[madcuriosity]

Well, someone has to be in charge of the university, papa is someone who helps them!

Were, though? [Yeah, she heard that last part.]

[demonicbeauty]

[She doesn't want to frighten the girl. But somehow, even the skilled liar that she is, Ariadne finds that she just can't.]

Yes. They were all shut down by a very bad man.

[madcuriosity]

Oh... well, can you reopen them soon?

[demonicbeauty]

Not while the very bad man is still in control of the kingdoms.

[madcuriosity]

Oh, can someone stop the bad man?

[demonicbeauty]

I...like to think so.

[Often to mockery and abuse. But Ariadne can't help it.]

[madcuriosity]

Do other people want to stop him?

[demonicbeauty]

A great many. Including...well...me.