first petal.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

[ video ]

[A young woman appears in the mirror, as per the usual. She's new, but doesn't look particularly bewildered or frightened. Instead, she looks determined, if a little nervous.]

This is a message...from Princess Estellise Sidos Heurassein to the Queen of Hearts. I would like to o-open diplomatic talks between the Empire and the Gardens! I--

[Her shoulders droop.]

I'm sorry. That isn't right. Please...call me Estelle.

[She perks up a bit and offers a shaky smile.]

I'm a client of the guild Brave Vesperia, and I need to find a way back to them. I know it's not the same as a formal invitation to peace talks from a princess, but please, if you could, this is very important to me. I can't promise anything from the empire, because this is my quest, not theirs. But I'll do whatever I can to repay you, when the time comes. So...return me to Brave Vesperia!

[She turns away, not realizing the mirror is still recording her, lets out a breath, and crouches to pet a cat.]

Yuri, Karol, Judith...I'm trying my best, I promise! Even without you. I won't be away for long.

Comments

[video]

[quarkleader.livejournal.com]

Good luck trying to negotiate with the Queen of this place, Estelle. Believe me, there's a good chance that you'll need it.

[Still, Maria's interested in seeing how things go for this girl, given that she's asking to go home so directly...]

[video]

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

She isn't responding...did I do something wrong?

[video]

[quarkleader.livejournal.com]

No, she's the one who never bothers to answer our questions - not the important ones, anyway. The only time she's spoken with us so far is when she or one of what I'm assuming to be her subordinates makes an announcement - and none of those have been terribly informative.

[sheroic.livejournal.com]

Wait, so you're not a princess? [ Disappointed! ]

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

It's not...!

I shouldn't have mentioned it, really. This isn't about me being a princess.

[sheroic.livejournal.com]

But if you're a princess, I can save you! I'd save you anyway, but wouldn't it be cooler if you were a princess?

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

I don't think she wants diplomacy, child.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

But it's the duty of any ruler to listen to her people.

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

She's hardly a ruler. More a captor.

[gun-cata.livejournal.com]

A princess? We had someone looking for princesses not too long ago...

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

Yes, but...it doesn't matter right now.

[gun-cata.livejournal.com]

I don't think the Queen cares about that sorta thing, no.

[knight-king.livejournal.com]

...An interesting strategy. I want to say I doubt it will succeed, but to be honest I can't know that.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

You want to...?

[knight-king.livejournal.com]

Ah, no, that's not what I meant. It is merely my first inclination.

[VIDEO]

[protect-em-all.livejournal.com]

[VIDEO]

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

Um...!

[Backing away somewhat nervously...]

[VIDEO]

[protect-em-all.livejournal.com]

I've never met an actual, literal princess before!

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

I don't think the Queen actually recognizes any foreign governments, unfortunately. Some of us have tried similar legal language, and it's just ignored.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

Oh...

Then why does she call herself a queen?

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

Probably because she has an immense degree of magical creation ability and is on a power trip.

[ultimatedessert.livejournal.com]

... Great. Someone who actually thinks that such a request would work on interdimensional kidnappers.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

Inter...dimensional?

[hotshot-momma.livejournal.com]

Don't bother. She doesn't listen to reason - or possess it - or care about the ranks of her victims. If we're getting out, we need to break out, under our own power.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

Are you really sure? Violence should be a last resort.