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[boundinblood]

[The camera first focuses on Katherine's rather unimpressed and exhausted face.]

How am I supposed to understand most of this when it doesn't even cover a single thing I recognize? Blood, I know, everyone knows what it is and that it keeps us alive and losing it is very bad, but-...

[She turns the device around, and the image resolves from the blur of sudden motion as it auto-finds a stack of three medical books, ranging in target readership from roughly ages eight to twenty.]

But all of these break blood down into these...cells and things. What are these cells supposed to be? And phlegm and bile come from entirely different places and-...

...why does none of this so much as mention effects on temperament?

[The feed goes dark as the device goes face-down on the table, and judging from the sounds of it, Katherine's rested her head beside it. Her voice is muffled, in this case by her arms.]

Am I poking about in the wrong direction? Should I be looking at magic instead?

Comments

[boundinblood]

[And Katherine is thinking along the same lines.]

You're talking about the fate of your world here, Kurloz. It's all right to need help. ...In fact, recognizing that you need it, and knowing when to ask for it is a sign of a wise and capable leader. Surely he wouldn't think otherwise, if he's looking for those traits in you.

[She pauses, debates on whether or not she should brag, herself.]

...I could come with you, if you're too nervous.

[thygospelevity]

[Part of him hisses that she does not understand. He is a Highblood. He cannot need help. He is supposed to be the help. He's supposed to prove that he's more the cull-troll he got made to. He's supposed to be... worth something...

But his head bows, because she's right. This is the fate of the world. Even if it does make him a failure, even if it makes him useless and unwanted, it's the right thing to do.

This is the right thing to do...

Just as he's reluctantly nodding to her words, she adds to it and his head shoots back up, eyes wide. ]

R-Really? Woudst thou truly preform such a miracle for the likes of me?

[boundinblood]

I've gone out of my way for my friends' sake for things that weren't of this magnitude. Of course I would. This device makes it possible.

[She taps the device with a warm smile, and for a moment wonders at how strange it all is. It was only a few years ago that she wouldn't go out of her way for anything that wouldn't benefit her unless it was her childhood friend asking.]

[thygospelevity]

[Since she cast aside the idea of his visiting upon her world, for fear he would look like a demon, he had presumed such a thing not to be. This inspires excitement. It summons joy. A little laugh bursts from him, that she should offer this thing, what might be small to her, but is huge to him.

Before he completely loses composure, he preforms a deep bow.]

Sister Katherine, it is an honor to claim thee a friend of mine. You are truly good.

[He straightens up, still barely containing himself. Even as he continues.]

I must endeavor to craft you a disguise. My ancestor shall except thine appearances, but other trolls may see to your cull. Upon such a happenstance, the coddling shall make it vastly difficult to commune with thee, as we shall most likely be separated.

[boundinblood]

[Katherine blinks, turning over the statement in her mind, trying to will it to make sense.

In the end, it doesn't. She can only offer a helpless:]

...I'm sorry, what do you mean?

[thygospelevity]

[He laughs, like it's an obvious thing and she must be playing a game.]

You must be made to appear a mother fuckin troll, of course! Sister Katherine, it we are to see my ancestor, you must first pass many a troll on the way there! If you are presumed an alien before we reach him, they will take you in and presume you in need of care. We shall never reach the Grand Highblood in such an instance.

[And, truth be told.]

I cannot wait! I shall craft thee the greatest of guises!

[boundinblood]

I'm afraid I don't understand.

[Katherine looks down at the troll boy in clear confusion, slightly disturbed. She really hopes "care" isn't some sort of euphemism for something horrible.]

Can't we just tell them we don't need any help?

[thygospelevity]

[His mouth opens, then closes, a look of uneasiness passing over. He loves his world. It's a nice world. But there are... certain... flaws.]

It is not so elementary as a mere request of removed guidance, sister Katherine. There is... an order which must be adhered to. Those of higher rank shall see you well and they shall not hurt you, per se, but, you see, it is not down to the culled to deem what is right and well of the culler's care. I have many freedoms, as I am of Highblood's kin. But even I must meet the standard check ins. Others may find themselves more restricted.

[Kankri had a lot more to say about it than him. In this moment, he wishes the other troll were here. He's not sure he's explaining this right at all.]

[boundinblood]

[Oh, Maker. More complicated caste politics...]

You mean a caste system. With the lowest being least free because...they can't live unassisted?