melodiesofkupo | video; August 12, early evening

[ Ashelia is sitting in her room, straight-backed as ever. The edge of her deep red peasant blouse can be seen a couple inches below her collarbones. Thankfully, she's chosen to doff her frankly gigantic red mage hat, the tip of the feather barely visible in the frame behind her. ]

You're sure it is working? How is one supposed to - ah, I see.

[ Ahem. ]

Good evening, everyone. I hope this message finds you well.

You're not writing a letter, it's a video! Relax!

[ The moogle gets a sharp look that says, "don't interrupt me." It works. ]

Firstly, I owe several people an apology. I deceived you; my name is not Alma Beoulve. I am Queen Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca. I am newly come to Vaikuntha, but before being brought here I was one of a number of Heroes of Light on Crystallis.

[ She looks down for a moment, brows furrowing. This is clearly hard for her.

'Twas not my intention to lie. I simply felt...as though I could not continue on as myself. I was amongst the first group of Heroes to be brought to Crystallis, but was taken by the Calamity before seeing the conflict through to its end. As the founder of the Heroes' Guild, I failed my comrades. I was ashamed. I still am. However, there is work to be done, and thus I appear to you all in this manner.

[ Ashelia takes a sip of water before continuing. ]

I now see, as I learn to use this device, that the girl Ashelia has appeared to others. The true identity of the girl is Princess Sarah of Aqures Ixen, the kingdom the Heroes of Light first appeared in. She appeared to me in the garden the day I arrived here.

She...she is scared. She seemed scared. [ She shakes her head. That's not the point. ] She is being kept by someone. Who knows the danger she puts herself in when she visits us. [ Though, sneaking out against the wishes of others is very in character for the young girl. There's the beginning of a smile at the corners of Ashelia's lips and eyes before she continues on. ]

As for the identity of her captor, I couldn't say for sure, though I have my guesses. The Princess said her captor is a woman who has forgotten happiness. And wants everything to end. We...we must save her. If nothing else, she once again holds the answer to the riddle that is Vaikuntha. I promised her I would come for her. I intend to keep that promise.

[ There's a pause as she considers whether or not to say this last bit. ]

She also asked me to look after you all. I gave her my word that I would, and I do keep my word. Just...know that.

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[Perhaps Ashelia will recognize the face of one her fellow Heroes of Light as Selphie gives her a respectful nod before smiling warmly.]

We didn't fail Crystallis, Your Majesty.

I don't believe we spoke to each other while there but it's a pleasure to meet you.

[Selphie follows up with a simple question. It's not meant to come across as rude, but maybe could help out a fellow Hero.]

Did you need some help with your iMog?

[ By the surprised look on her face, Ashelia very much does recognize Selphie's face. ]

Perhaps you did not. I, however, made promises and assurances as a leader, and I was unable to see them through. It...it needs fixing.

All that aside, well met...ah...Sophie I believe it was? [ They may not have met directly, but Ashelia had Merlose keep sparse personnel files on as many Heroes as she could. Names and faces, nothing more. ]

...it would seem I do need some help. [ If there is one lesson she could learn from her brief time as Alma, it is that humility is a virtue. ]

[Selphie sees that surprised look before giggling a bit at the mistake. She's used to people doing that by now.]

Selphie! Selphie Tilmitt, to be exact. Takeshi, Reno, Johnny, Bonnie and Sparks are here as well.

There were others, like Chrom, who carried on your will after you turned to Crystal. It wasn't easy, and we lost a lot of people along the way, but we completed the mission.

I might be able to help over the mognet but uh... maybe the Curti Centre staff could help you better right now. Didn't your Moogle help you?

[ Ashelia knew about Takeshi, and she'd heard about Reno, but she had no idea the other three had been brought here as well. Sparks, specifically, gets a reaction. ]

Chrom... [ Ashelia hadn't known him all that well, but he had escorted her to the summit with the Emperor and performed more than admirably. ] ...that does gladden me to hear. [ But it doesn't change the fact that she'd lost to the Calamity. ]

My moogle is useless. I'm convinced he know just as much as I do about any of this. [ Ashelia does look like she could wring his furry little neck on a moment's notice. ] 'Tis a shame my Merlose couldn't have been brought here with me.

[Selphie can't help but grin sheepishly as she hears her own Moogle start ranting in the background about being respectful to one's partner. The brunette laughs lightly at the tirade.]

I could loan you Jaelyn for a couple of days? I guess not everyone could get the same Moogle that they had on Crystallis, huh?

[ That gets a sharp look from Ashelia. How were Selphie and her moogle partner reunited, yet Ashelia was saddled with an abject failure? ]

...as loathe as I am to separate the two of you, there is yet much I need to learn about Vaikuntha. I would be grateful for any help Jaelyn might provide.

[Selphie grins sheepishly at that sharp look. There's a very good chance that the brunette just so happens to have a touch of the devil's luck but she can't say for sure.]

Well, we've all been invited to the Empire, so I'll send Jaelyn over to you then.

[Her smiles warms significantly as Jaelyn pops into the frame and bows respectfully to Ashe.]

video; August 12, early evening

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