The Ninth Gambit

[alltheways]

[The Red Queen is not smiling. Her hands are folded in front of her, her expression serious, almost hard.]

My dear Real Things, I have a request.

[She raises a hand as though reaching out for the hand of another, appealing to anyone watching.]

It seems that my sister’s battle lust will not be satisfied without a fight. Despite my wishes otherwise, I must implore you to help me. However, I do not want to force you.

[And she could, one way or another, if she had to.]

I would like volunteers to assist me. But I must be honest: this time, I cannot guarantee your safety. This is not a challenge to take on lightly. As much as I abhor the idea, I may need you to fight for me.

[She folds her hands again, her expression saddened.]

I will do all that I can to protect you, whether you fight for me or not.

[Note: If you have volunteered your character, you can either respond here to ICly volunteer or handwave a conversation with the Red Queen about volunteering. Characters who were not OOCly volunteered within the allotted time frame can still respond to this post; just be aware that late volunteers will not be accepted.]

Comments

[uncoils]

Not really how I see it, but I don't usually think about things like if it's noble or not.

[alltheways]

That is part of why it's noble.

[uncoils]

I guess? Just don't tell people, it'll ruin my rep around here.

[That's a joke, she has no rep.]

Kidding uh, you've got more of a sense of humor than your sister, right? But this war thing uh, you said you can protect people, how does that work?

[alltheways]

I will do my best to protect people. But unfortunately, I can't guarantee anything this time around.

However, I have at my side the Vorpal Shield. It is an impenetrable barrier.

[uncoils]

That sounds pretty handy.

[She wishes she had something like that for...well pretty much every time she's gotten into a fight.]

...she doesn't have anything like that, does she?

[alltheways]

She has the Vorpal Sword, a blade that can cut anything.

[uncoils]

If yours blocks everything and hers cuts everything, who wins if they hit each other?

[alltheways]

They simply can't hit each other. I am not sure it is possible.

[The paradox would be too great.]

[uncoils]

[...huh.]

Well, that's awfully convenient, but I'm not going to complain if it means she can't kill us all while you're using that shield.

[alltheways]

I doubt she would try such a thing, but I am certain I could avert it, yes.

[uncoils]

Good to know.