black mirror

(Lucy Fry, unknown, she/her) Have you seen [Obsidian] around Faerune? They’re a [fae] who [is neutral] restoring the Unseelie Court. People have heard they’re [bubbly, carefree, loyal] but can also be [aggressive, short tempered, impetuous]. We’ll see where they fall when the revolution arrives, but until then they can be found working as a [returned run away princess].

[playlist]

geal had slipped away from dain and his wife with a peck to her cheek and a pat to his friend’s back before he headed towards the refreshments table, thirst itching at the back of his throat from being trapped in conversation for so long– the man able to feel that his social battery was starting to drain rather steadily, but he figured he would still be good for a couple hours– turning his wrist as he bends and reaches out to grip a flute of water, glancing down at his watch– a birthday gift from emmet– noting the time in the back of his mind before someone suddenly speaks up next to him, turning his head in slight surprise– the upper half hidden by his mask, and blue eyes covered with black mesh.

he straightens to his full height, a small smile on his lips as he takes a drink from the flute, finishing it easily– the glass almost comedically small and dainty in his large hands. he places the empty glass to the side, and then bows at the waist– offering obsidian a white gloved hand, the other tucking behind his back.

“i would be honoured, miss.” he murmurs in that low tone of his, his smile becoming just a bit teasing– twitching up in the corners. “if you are positive that i am not too tall a partner for you.”

The lights around them had her eyes twinkling as she smiled, watching him deal with the mortal’s dishes. It was much more entertainment then she would have thought. At his teasing, she rolled her eyes dramatically. She slid her hand into his, “I’ve never faceed a height I couldn’t climb.” Sid retorted with a laugh through her nose, “The question is are you as light on those feet as you are tall?”

The evening was going even worse than Dain could have anticipated.  He wished for nothing more than to slink off to his office, open a nice bottle of 1896 Tawny Port, and perhaps read.  But alas that was not in the cards tonight.  Still, he smiled as he spotted Obsidian amongst the crowd.  Moving towards her, his smile grew at the request.  “Of course.  Though your drink may spill if you take it with,” he notes with humor.

The sight of her father always put her in a better mood. The ease she felt of just being herself around him was refreshing. Sid felt normal for the time, not under intense scrutiny. A sly smile crossed her lips before she tipped the glass back, finishing it with a titter of a laugh. “Well that’s an easy fix! Now let’s show these mortals how it’s done?” 

Quietly sighing before she held her head high with her signature sly smile. It wasn’t the time to let the mask slip. Sid worked her way through the crowd, weaving through bodies, smiling at people in acknowledgment as she passed. Finally she found herself at the refreshment table. As her fingers wrapped around a glass, her muscles started to relax. She rolled her shoulders back and stood tall. The next most sensible move was next. Flashing a bright smile over at the other grabbing a drink, “come dance with me.” 

@faerunestarters​

“Coming from someone who likely makes their own rules?” her brow arched in question of her comment. “I’m afraid I prefer to make my own rules, but as of late, I am forced to adopt the rules of someone I do not trust.”

Edith sighed at Obsidian; she was fortunate enough in her breeding that she need not worry about persecution. “Rules I must follow are rules that constrict my freedoms. I do not like living in shackles, nor will I submit freely to those chains. If you must turn me over for my opinions, do it. I am not afraid of the consequences. If you must get me imprisoned, I ask only that you take care of my dog. She’s quite a needy pet.”

-

Both of the woman’s comments earned a bark of laughter from Obsidian, “You’re just learning not to trust people with power? You sweet summer child. The only consistent rule in this life is trust no one.”

“I like your spirit too much to crush it. You wouldn’t be useful behind bars. To me or your dog. All I’m saying is you should watch your mouth. The next one of us you pop off too might not be so...interested. Learn to play the game. You’ve got time to bide. Why aren’t you using it?”

“You can’t complain about me looking for people to sleep with and then say I’d rather work than play.” He chuckled. “I was covering for our parents and yourself while they had their little upstairs trip. I didn’t realise it would become a permanent thing. Now Zoela is running around the city acting like she’s one of them and father is actively trying to set me up with hybrids despite his own distaste for them and mother thinking they’re not real fae.”

He shook his head and folded his arms. “It’s been chaotic without you. I’m glad you’re home.”

-

She laughed along with him. “You’re the one throwing mixed signals, forgive me for making fun of how hard it is for you to commit.” Her smile turned devious at the comment then stumbled at his words on being set up. Her heart stopped for a moment but she caught her facial expression quickly. Smile barely faltering before returning. “Zoela doesn’t suprise me at all. But you’re going to have to give me at least a thousand more answers about the rest.”

Her hand flickered forward hitting Flint in the chest, “I’ve missed you too. Next time I leave I’ll write you little letters so you won’t have time to miss me just read about all of my amazing adventures you’re missing out on.” 

Dain held his eldest daughter close to him, relishing in the completeness of having her back in their realm.  While he didn’t doubt for a moment she could take care of herself, it was still a relief to know she was home and safe.  He chuckled as he moved from the hug.  “Sadly there is not much to talk about that is of interest.  I have been incredibly busy this past year in ensuring your mother’s transition be as smooth as possible.  The subjects here have frankly not made my job easy.”

The king lead Obsidian to sit in one of the lounge chairs in his office.  “Would you like some tea, elskede?  I cannot imagine how tired you must be after your travels.”

-

It was so easy to remember what home felt like in her father’s arms, so easy to remember why she came back. She straightened up and smoothed her hair down as she stepped back. A sigh escaped her, “I would never say I told you so, but I did warn you about that.” Sid bit her lip and made a face, “I called that way in advance.” 

Following him, she collapsed into one of the chairs, she was honestly exhausted. “Please, most of the tea I’ve had has been absolutely awful. I could definitely use a nap but gods it was worth it. I’ve never seen so much green in my life. The flowers? Incredible. I want to take you one day.” 

“You’re still young, Obsidian,” Opal said, shaking her head. “You don’t need to do anything.” She reached out to brush Obsidian’s hair behind her daughter’s shoulder. “You can travel outside the wall as much as you want, my dear. You have the freedom to do that. You can go anywhere without fear of being hunted or killed for what you are. The Feywild is beautiful, full of amazing creatures and people. Go. Explore it. I’m not going to tell you no.”

-

The small gesture was an appreciated one, it was the little things between the two that Sid loved most. Obsidian couldn’t help it at the young comment, a burst of giggles found it’s way out of her chest, “You should hear my brother wax on about how old we are compared to the baby faes in the court. Maybe it’s him getting in my head. Or maybe I’m just bored and I need something to do.” The memory of the feeling of the long grass of a meadow under her feet had the princess floating into a moment of day dreaming. “I do love exploring,” She sighed happily, “I just don’t love being aimless.”  

//

The Court was all gathered now, making everything feel very much like home. They were topside, yes, but that had its advantages despite the sun and heat. That was one of the many reasons Nevina liked to linger in the palace. But that also meant that when approached by one of the royal family, she needed to have the utmost deference. When she saw Obisidian, she promptly moved to give the proper reverence to the princess.

“Indeed I am, Your Highness,” she said, “I have been very impressed with the changes our Queen has brought about. Surely all of it reflects on the high status of the Court…and your family.”

-

Obsidian sighed at the response. This was part of the whole reason she had wanted to be anonymous topside. “Oh please stop the formalities. They don’t fit up here.” A polite smile found her lips, she didn’t want to come across as abrasive, “Oh yes. She’s the embodiment of veni vidi vici that’s for certain. We can only aspire to be that motivated.” 

Junior had just gotten off work, a bottle of water running down his gullet as he leaves the building. He chokes, when Sid’s voice is suddenly beside him, a hand flying up to hold his nose. “Princess Obsidian! Valorous day!” He smiles brightly. “I cameth above ground ‘round the same timeth as thee, but I hath kept myself enshielf prop'rly.” He gives her a low bow, as he walks. “Strange we haven’t seen much of each oth'r in this big city in the past two years. How art thee?”

-

A smile lit up her features and she rolled her eyes playfully. “No need to call me Princess,” Sid schooled her demeanor to her bubbly self, hiding the grimace she internalized, “Not too much of a surprise though. I’ve been out in the mortal realm for the last year. I haven’t been back long at all. I can’t complain, finally surrounded by my family again. It is quite weird to see you all out in the sunshine though. I don’t think I’ll get use to that! How have you been?” 

Cosmo blinked as he heard her say that she’d tried. Not once, but twice she said it. “So you knew?” he asked after a moment. How long had she known? Had she always known? “You know for a while I thought maybe it was not like my family said, that I was not an abomination or a freak of nature that would have been better put down than taint the family bloodline, but then your family reminded me that that is all I am. So no, no you do not know what this is like.” 

-

The ice stayed under her skin, uncomfortable and brittle. She couldn’t meet his eyes at first, not quite knowing how to express herself without getting defensive. So Sid hesitated when he was done. Letting his words settle around her. It hurt, everything hurt. This wasn’t what she had wanted when she came top side. Finally she looked at him, “I didn’t know what she would do. I just knew she was up to something when my father came topside. I never wanted this for you. I told my father there were fae who didn’t need us, didn’t want us here.  He didn’t know what she was doing either. Which isn’t an excuse. I know what she’s capable of. I didn’t know what would happen. I didn’t even think about what could happen after because for the first time I had opportunities I never thought of. For the first time in 500 years I was free. So I ran. When I should have been here.” She cut off the words waterfalling from her mouth and pressed her fingertips against her lips. That’s not what she had intended to say and she wasn’t about to say more.

“And apparently it is the price of freedom.” Edith spoke dramatically, but cracked a smile, “So merely disagreement and dissatisfaction are grounds for treason? I have done nothing more than express my opinions and I think Faerune has always condoned free speech. Has that changed, or have you never been allowed to speak freely for yourself? It must be difficult being the princess after all that happened.” Edith looked down. She didn’t want the woman to see the saddened expression on her face.

-

Edith’s smile earned a return of one from Obsidian. This woman had ovary’d up and stuck with it. Sid was intrigued. “There’s no such thing as freedom. You learn that over the years. Cities are built on graveyards and kindoms are built on the back of those who can’t keep up. As for free speech,” Obsidian shrugged, “I don’t know. My family has never been the type to tell the whole truth. And I quite like it that way. Being a princess means nothing when there’s no lateral gain. You’ve got a million years to go. Learn how to play by the rules to get what you want.”  

“Oh that’s how it is, is it?” He replied before reaching up to mess up Obsidian’s hair. “Mother knows what she’s doing. I mean, the whole younger self thing worked. She stayed out of the council’s reach and now look. She has given the Fae back their lands. Though… I’m not sure how I feel about all these young fae joining the court. Surrounded by babies. How am I suppose to pick anyone up if they’re all 25.”

He nudged her. “I’ve only been here for six months. I was helping with the opening up between kingdoms.”

-

Rolling her eyes even more dramatically, Sid rolled her eyes as she smoothed down her hair. He had points and she knew that but she still hated that she had been topside for so long and so gods damn clueless. 

“Of course you’d be worried about who you can sleep with. Take it from me, it’s not worth it. They’re all a little dumb. So actually, if you wanna play games this is the perfect place. Young, dumb, and stupid.” Her mind wandered to outside of the walls and then back to those trapped inside, “There are better games to play though. We’ve had enough practice being cooped up. Although it was a lot easier before anyone knew who I am.” Laughing a little before she added, “Brown nose extraordinaire. Rather work than play.”

It wasn’t until she spoke again that he finally lifted his head from the page. “You have come back” It was the first thing out of his mouth, despite not being the answer to her question. He went back to the sketch as he continued to speak “Some of us can not even leave to come back.” the words aren’t angry, he knows she probably didn’t have anything to do with the new rules, but rather the words are sad and defeated. 

-

Cold chills ran up her arms, this was not the man she had remembered. She fought back all of the things she wanted to say and simply went with. “I know. And I know how heavy the chains are to keep you here.” Her sight was blurry so she glanced up at the ceiling to clear it. Weakness in public was the last thing she could deal with. But his tone hurt.  “I did try.” The words were soft. She gave no further context as she relived the conversation in her mind with her father when he first arrived about what would happen to the others. “I tried.”

Dain was prepared to snap at whoever dared knock on his door when he was knee-deep in paperwork, when the words stopped in his throat at seeing his daughter. “Obsidian,” he blinks in surprise. “Welcome home. Did you just get in?”

The king stands and moves to properly greet his daughter, pulling her into a warm hug. “It has been a very long year.”

-

Happy tears threatened her eyes, she had thought she knew how much she had missed him but she had been dead wrong. She finally felt like she was actually home. The mortal realm had been beautiful and full of good food but nothing held a candle to being with her family. 

“You’re the first person I’ve seen.” Sid beamed, almost crumpling into the hug, “I have so much to tell you about. But first tell me about all of this!” She gestured widely.