video

[snowslip]

[ Marianne appears in the video looking more anxious than usual, perhaps because this is her first time addressing so many people at once and she's never liked drawing attention to herself, but also because of the news she's about to share. ]

Um, I wanted to warn everyone that monsters around Aldrip have become more aggressive lately. They've also been roaming closer and closer to town. Even where I usually take the horses out to graze isn't safe. Please be cautious when walking about, and I would avoid the outskirts. Um, those that can fight, it might be good to band together to try and drive them away...

[ ... ]

There's something else...

[ After an agonizing pause, she rolls back the sleeves of her dress to reveal her arm, black marks marring her fair skin. Her expression turns pained. ]

These marks appeared on me shortly after encountering the monsters. Healing doesn't seem to have any effect on it. Something like this happened once before and I...I'm afraid it could make me not myself.

If anyone knows anything about it, please...

[ She trails off, unable to conclude her announcement on an eloquent note. ]

Comments

[shadowofpride]

Could what...? What about making a barricade? Maybe put something stinky out. I read animals don't like certain strong smells.

[snowslip]

I hadn't thought of that. We have lumber on the farm for construction. I don't know what I would use for the smell, though. I just think...if anyone should risk going out there, it should be me.

[shadowofpride]

By yourself? [Not that Pride cares if they get killed, but that seems like a waste of resource to do that.] But there's no way you can keep them all back! You should go see a doctor-- or someone to have a look at those strange markings. Maybe there's a way to make it go away.

[snowslip]

No, I know I couldn't fight them all off by myself, but I might be able to learn something... The monsters weren't like this before.

[ Something about this land was hurting. That is what the animals have been telling her. ]

[shadowofpride]

I guess. . .but what if you don't learn something in time?

[snowslip]

I won't be gone long. Just to see if there are any clues. Don't worry about me, really.

[ Marianne attempts to reassure him. The voice on the other end sounds young, so she doesn't want to scare him. Although the only one sounding scared is probably her. ]

[shadowofpride]

You'll at least say something if things get bad, right? [Though he doubts anyone would get to her in time.]

[snowslip]

Yes, I promise I will.

Though it's a little hypocritical coming from me...please take care of yourself too, alright?

[shadowofpride]

I'll stay away from danger and yell for help if I run into trouble! [He recited that like the way his mother would. Not that Pride would ever be so careless as this person.]

[snowslip]

[ She smiles a little at what she perceives to be innocence. ]

Good, I'm sure everything will be okay. What's your name?

[shadowofpride]

My name's Selim! It's nice to meet you, and I hope you'll be okay so we can talk face to face!

[snowslip]

It's nice to meet you, Selim. I'm Marianne. I hope next time we can meet under better circumstances.