smk_network | [Video, shaking done]

[There's a bit of shuffling, some fiddling around, and finally, the camera is set up and there she is, Shadow Weaver, expressionless due to the mask but somehow staring out witheringly at you].

I have made a earlier post regarding my disposition. Please disregard all of it except my inquiry about the garden. Actually, disregard that as well, I will find it on my own.

So. How are you newcomers adjusting to this place? Hmm? Having fun? Making friends, discovering new things about yourselves? I envy you.

In the past few days, I have been abducted against my will, my magic stripped from me, my mere appearance earning consternation and fear, the very utterance of my name has the power to stop polite conversation. Imagine that.

But it gets better, it seems. I earn a roommate who informs me it is entirely possible to have someone attempt to cause me injury for just being where I was supposed to be. Yes, this is a thing that can happen. This was, of course, after, upon seeing me, I was introduced to new words concerning our situation with hard consonants which I have now learned are called "curses." That means something entirely different in my world, but I digress.

Oh, but the good news continues. Now there is the added bonus, upon learning my class, that I transform against my will for several days, and feel severely weakened on others, based on natural phenomena. No say in the matter, just transformation. Lovely.

So please, you will forgive me if I find the idea that after all this one of my tasks to appease the general populace of my very presence to be a bit laughable. I now have to devote myself to this world's magic, its failures as if I am a novice, and then, I imagine, I will be told that I need to also work on my social skills. Clearly this is all evidence I need to be more affable.

Yes, this is indeed a paradise, who would ask for anything more? Free room and board, after all. Grateful indeed.

My apologies, introductions are in order. Shadow Weaver, former sorceress, scourge of the imagination, kicker of puppies in some circles.

They DO have puppies in this world, don't they? If not, disregard that last part.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

creepyoldguy

Nice to see someone else who "gets it".

Wanna punch a baby? Might make you feel better.

From:

weaver_of_lies

If you are not teeming with positivity and looking precious upon arrival, you have no choice but to get it.

Remember, scourge. All the babies are being kept away the moment I take a breath of fresh air in the streets.

From:

creepyoldguy

I mean, I can't help but appreciate being depowered, myself. I've long thought, gosh if only I could lose all the skills I've worked centuries on! And lookit! It happened.

That's probably where all the puppies are too.

From:

weaver_of_lies

Centuries. My condolences. It did not take me that long to learn my craft. It did take some other things, but at least I seemed to have learned in what seemed like an acceptable amount of time.

Drat. What am I to kick then?

From:

creepyoldguy

You could always just try to trip people as they walk past. That's usually a fun way to pass an afternoon.

From:

weaver_of_lies

I feel as if you may not have seen what I look like.

That would be fairly impossible, even as a joke.

From:

creepyoldguy

Well, with that attitude!

From:

weaver_of_lies

My dear man, I wear a mask and am very much clad in RED.

I wasn't exaggerating about people reeling when they see me. I don't offer at a glance reassurance and comfort. I am, by all textbook definitions, a "scary looking person."

From:

From:

creepyoldguy - Date: 2020-05-14 07:01 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

strangeandunusual

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, Shadow Weaver. For what it's worth, I don't think any of the Apprentices here would try to hurt you. And if they do, they can answer to both of us.

I'm Lydia, by the way. I'd be happy to help you figure the magic out, if you want some help. And I can show you where the garden is.

From:

weaver_of_lies

One would hope that would be avoidable.

[Because Shadow Weaver, while amicable, could hold a GRUDGE and you didn't want that].

I did say that I would find the garden myself, but I would prefer to find it over blinding looking for it. From what I've heard, there are places here that are quite dangerous.

Are you also in the monster class?

From:

strangeandunusual

It's just off to the east of the castle, near the Mission Board. If you follow Main Street toward where you can see the jungle in the distance, you'll eventually get right to it. [that way she could find plenty of other things on her way, like the Emporium and the restaurants that gave out free food ... albeit grudgingly, these days]

No, I'm a Princess, but a few of my friends are Monsters. One of them likes to hide while he's changed, so he doesn't hurt anyone.... another one just goes out in the jungle and hunts, and then sleeps through the whole next day. But he's narcoleptic, so ... he sleeps a lot, anyway. Monsters' magic usually has to do with elements.

[oh, lightbulb. she's grouchy in a similar way to Missy. they'd probably get along]

My friend Missy has mercury for an element, she does all kinds of creepy, neat things with it. I bet she could explain it for you better than I could.

From:

weaver_of_lies

I'll be sure to do that. With the unpleasantness that's happened lately, I could use a place that is somewhat free of this...nonsense. Of everything.

[Shadow Weaver chuckled at that pronouncement. She sounded a bit too dramatic there, but she could not believe how everything seemed at such a downturn in such a quick amount of time.

After all, things in Etheria were certainly not in a good place to begin with].

Thank you, that is good information to know. Since Monster is my class, I'm assuming that's who needs to train me.

Missy. Where can she be found?

From:

strangeandunusual

It is nice to have your own place to get away from things, not just ... a single room or something. [she liked having a kitchenette mostly to herself, being able to experiment with things without listening to her stepmother nattering on about raw food and trendy cooking or telling her to go do something else]

She's on the same floor as I am - you'll see everyone's names on the door. It's really handy when you need to go talk to someone.

From:

weaver_of_lies

I would have preferred my own room, if only to escape the annoyance of being asked questions about myself and my proclivities. For now, if I need a place to store research, I can always just find another place. Living with people is simply something I'll have to be accustomed to.

[Other than their rocky start, Shadow Weaver found that living with Eddie was more of an exercise of understanding. Additionally, it helped they both had almost died, specifically that Eddie HAD. Shadow Weaver saw no reason to add to his woes there].

I see. I'll remember to do that. Us monsters ought to stick together. Probably.

From:

From:

weaver_of_lies - Date: 2020-07-13 01:43 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

paradoxical_personality

[Hel was torn on this message. On the one hand it mirrored her own sentiments that she had expressed upon her arrival months prior. Being the Goddess of the Underworld didn't really endear her to others when they heard the title either- at least not the locals... but still there was something a little offputting about this that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Maybe it was the whining.

Or the part about kicking puppies]

If you even attempted to kick Garm or Fenrir..... [Well- they would likely rip off said limb. Still- Hel was protective of her canine guardians as they were of her. Not that they were here.]

The power drain is the most senseless part of it. [That much she agreed easily with] They want our help but then do nothing to help us preserve what would best benefit the cause.

From:

weaver_of_lies

I do not know those people are, although I am assuming you are referring to your own pets. That was simply a joke about how I am looked at by an outsider. I do not literally kick animals.

[Not that there were animals normally kept in the Horde, to be kicked or otherwise].

It makes no sense, especially when one is already versed in magic. What is more, there is no way to protect oneself from whatever is in this world, making even less sense.

From:

paradoxical_personality

[The answer that she received was enough for her to metaphorically retract her claws.] They aren't pets. [What a ridiculous way to refer to helhounds. ~~They are totally pets to a degree~~. It just wasn't respectful enough for the positions they held and how important they are for guarding her realm in her absence]

It really doesn't- but something about this land must have an adverse effect on magic from other universes so that wizard and his kind seek out those with another kind of strength. [Ie. Like the strength of will to survive in any situation] It's really irritating either way...

From:

weaver_of_lies

Enlighten me?

Yes, I thought as much. It doesn't make this any easier, but I've dealt with worse. I was not expecting thing to be compounded, however.

From:

paradoxical_personality

Both are powerful beasts that guard over the gates of Helheim, threatening to slaughter anyone that means the realm ill-will. [Not so much as batting an eyelash to how cruel that may or may not sound. Also leaving out the portions that would diminish that impression anyway- like how Garm likes to dress up for Halloween and go trick-or-treating.] They are also fiercely loyal to me as their master. [Now for the long overdue introduction] I'm Queen Hel, Goddess of the Underworld.

No it doesn't- but it also doesn't make sense to spend so much time lamenting it if you're already this aware of the situation.

From:

weaver_of_lies

Ah. So you're royalty.

[Because what on earth did you reply to being told that they somehow dragged a GODDESS into the world]?

I did it because people here need to realize it is harder for some to swallow all of this "save the world" business when the first few days here bring nothing but misfortune.

Complaining is the small respite I have. Otherwise, I have no choice but to make due. As always.

From:

paradoxical_personality

Putting it so simply...

[As if that somehow diminished what that role and her duties entailed. ~~Hel was reading too much into it~~]

I'm responsible for ensuring the protection and safety of those who dwell in my realm, which are many and ever expanding. Those who have already lived their lives deserve a peaceful respite but there are always forces at work to prevent this. I'll do whatever I must to see to my responsibilities even if it's dealing with all the nonsense here to ensure that it doesn't bleed into my realm.

For the most part- I think the people most likely to hear this already get it. [For what it's worth] Fair.

So, you say that you were a sorceress? What class are you now?

From:

weaver_of_lies

There is more to it, I can tell, I am just simplifying it. Clearly it is more than that.

It is likely more for me than them. The alternative would be to throw things and scream in private, but as I mentioned, I have a roommate now. Bad manners and all.

Yes, much accomplished, despite the road to get there. I am now in the class of monster.