the_isle | You're From The Isle If Anybody Asks

First Awareness

Those used to this by now probably knew what it meant when they felt their magic return for a moment. For the rest, suddenly their powers were back. Just for a few minutes, but a lot could be done in a few minutes. If the person even noticed their powers were back, that is.

Of course those on the shore might have seen the hazy indistinct shape through the barrier coming closer, might have seen the moment the hole in the barrier opened. Might have seen King Ben leading people down a gangplank through the barrier with crates of supplies....

Unions, Re And Otherwise

Once the supplies were unloaded, the barrier was sealed up again. King Ben seemed to be in charge during the unloading, Once the barrier was closed again, by the green magic streaming from the Queen's finger, it was Mal who seemed to be in charge.

"Alright, listen up. We have 2 hours and the clock is ticking. I'm not FG but we're keeping to a deadline anyway. If you want to come to Auradon or know someone you want us to bring back, you have 2 hours to convince us. You and everyone else, sharing the same 2 hours. Along with anyone who has a supply request for our next visit, or updates. Those of you bringing supplies to the school, time to get cracking. Two hours passes faster than midnight at the ball."

Those Who Left

(Please TL Here for boat and Auradon Shenanigans. TY)

Those What Remain

Once those going back to Auradon had left and the barrier was back in place, it was for those who remained on the Isle to sort the supplies and figure out how to get done everything that needed to be done with the people that remained.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yes if you have some sort of... magical storage space normally, that would likely be inaccessible here," he said. "Though if you'll pardon my saying so, that would seem to be the least of your concerns at the moment. The barrier isn't supposed to have such a drastic effect on humans so far as I'm aware."

"We're Blood, I guess... we never thought about how much we use Craft for every day," Cassidy said, trying to center herself. "But we brought stuff to help and can't access it now. And I was going to..." she trailed off and frowned a moment. Then carefully not looking at Grey, asked Gabriel "Do you have a knife?"

"Cassidy, NO!"

Cassidy took a deep breath. "If nothing else, I can at least try to help their crops."

"NO!" Grey said, standing, green eyes flashing.

Gabriel frowned. "Even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you under the circumstances," he said. "I'll admit that I don't know exactly what you intend to do, but given your husband's reaction, the implications are that it would involve using the knife on yourself, which I have to agree is an exceptionally bad idea, especially in a place like this."

He considered a moment. "Would it take long to... unload the things you have tucked away? If not, you could wait until the barrier was opened again when it was time to leave and do so then."

"Queens have a bond with the Land. In any realm, even a blasted one like this," Cassidy said with a shudder. "If I give my blood to the soil, it can help the plants the people here need to grow." She looked at her husband. "I would do it in a controlled way this time, I won't just give my energy to the ground again."

"No, you'll just bleed yourself out in a place where we can't do even basic healing craft," Grey snapped. "You are not doing this, Cassidy."

"These people need our help, Grey!" she snapped, though there was as much tremor in her voice as there was in his.

While Cassidy was looking at Grey, he mouthed 'this time?', not sure what to think other than being stunned that this was something that she'd done before, apparently without thinking of the potential consequences. "I appreciate that you want to help," he said diplomatically, "and there's no doubt that help is needed. But there are other ways to fortify poor soil, ones that are far more sustainable than blood ritual. Sharing your expertise would likely be just as valuable to the people here as sharing your blood." His lips quirked in a bit of a wry smile. "And far less likely to give your husband heart palpitations."

Grey nodded grimly at what he mouthed.

Cassidy shook her head. "It is ritual for a reason. I will do it carefully, I promise. But the help I can give these people... I can't be selfish and not do it for them."

"Whether you would be careful or not is something of a moot point," he said, "as you seemed to have missed the fact that I don't have a knife, or anything else that could be used for such a purpose. The sharpest thing I brought with me is a pen. And while I don't know if anyone else brought any cutting implements, I have a feeling they wouldn't be willing to let you borrow them knowing what you intend to do."

"I'll freely admit that I don't know how your powers work. But I do know that deliberately cutting oneself- especially in a place like this- is generally a bad idea. You'll have to find a different way to help."

"We'll be back on the boat soon enough, I can bind it until then. But I should... should find someone with a knife."

"No. You should not," Grey said bluntly. He was having trouble staying upright but there was no way he was letting Cassidy hurt herself now.

"No, you should not," he said, echoing Grey. "Neither your husband nor I will allow it, and quite frankly you're in no state to try and force the issue at present. No one will be deliberately cutting themselves on this trip."

To Grey he said, "And while not quite as urgent, it would likely be a good idea for you to sit back down before your legs take the decision out of your hands."

Cassidy huffed a bit. "You don't serve me," she pointed out to Gabriel, as if that mattered.

"No, I don't," he agreed. "I can't say I really 'serve' anyone, in the way it sounds like you mean. Everyone in my world is forced to live under the rule of the Supreme, but there are relatively few who've sworn to serve him directly."

"Though quite frankly, I'm not sure why that's significant. Given that both you and Grey can barely stand at present, it wouldn't be especially difficult for someone to prevent either of you from doing something, whether or not they served you."

"Protocol gives a man certain rights over a woman he serves," she said, carefully. It was still alarming to her to b around people for whom Protocol wan't a lesson learned along with all the other childhood ones. "It can however draw a line in the sand." She took a breath, still weak and shaking, but Protocol was at least solid ground. And this particular lesson was one that her people, those she now served and ruled, had desperately needed. One they had been taught a twisted tormented version of. "A Queen may dismiss a male if she disagrees with him or feels he has stepped over a line he should not have in protecting her, but she cannot hurt him for disagreeing." A small line of Protocol that had been removed from the teachings in Terreille, one that once removed had left many males afraid to disobey the twisted Queens.

"But those rights do not apply to a male who does not serve," she added, coming back to her point. "Not in the same way. Clearly I am still not allowed to harm you for disagreeing with me, however," she was cut off.

"However," Grey said, talking over her with that word, "In the absence of a full Court any male who has not proven himself a danger to the Queen or been banished from her presence may step into the role of Escort to protect her when such protection is needed, so long as in doing so he does not break the laws of the Territory he is in, knowingly cause harm to a woman who is not actively causing harm to the Queen he is trying to protect, or disobeying a direct order from someone he already serves," Grey sad shaking as badly as she was, but voice lined with steel and determination.

Cassidy's eyes narrowed. "You are absolutely spending too much time with someone," she said grumpily.

"Are you going to curse at me?" he asked, glancing back, a hint of humor breaking his seriousness for a moment.

"I'm thinking about it," she said with a huff, then she shook her head and became serious again looking to Gabriel. "But they need help here. Help a Queen is born to provide. The people cannot heal if the Land itself is sick. A Queen's connection to the Land and her ability to bolster it... that is a big part of what makes a Queen a Queen, and it is far more important than any ability to rule. A Queen's first duty is to protect the Land and the people in it."

"And a male's firt duty is not to obey, but to protect," Grey returned just as firmly.

Gabriel frowned thoughtfully as he listened to Cassidy and Grey's explanation. "I understand," he said. "At least as much as possible from a brief explanation. And while I'm willing to respect your traditions as much as is reasonably possible, that does not extend to being willing to allow either of you to harm yourselves, whatever the reason. The same is true for anyone else here."

"Also, if I might be blunt, you're making a rather large assumption by deciding that the people here would even want you to help them in such a way. They may well have other plans to fertilize the soil that you don't know about, and could find the implication that they need your help to do so insulting, however well-intentioned the offer might be. It might be best to consult those who actually live here and find out their views on the matter, rather than simply assuming that you know what's best for them and their land."

Cassidy looked taken back by Gabriel's point. "I... was led to believe that there is no Queen in charge of the Isles save the Territory Queen Mal... of course I would not so offend my sisters if I knew one was here as to imply she could not give the same gift that I could. If you could tell me who the Queen is for this Isle, I will of corse speak with her and her Court about the matter at once."

He shook his head. "That's not quite what I meant," he said. "I don't think this Isle has any Queens other than Mal- at least not currently. There is a woman who claims the title of 'Lady', but according to Queen Mal and King Ben, she's not someone you'd want to associate with, to say the least, and I'm inclined to trust their judgement."

"I more meant to simply consult with the people who live here, or a representative of them, before you do anything rash. They may well have ways to fertilize the soil that don't require blood or magic at all. They may be unwilling to accept mor help than is absolutely necessary. At present, we don't know. And whether they have your inherent abilities or not, regardless of their title or their gender, their wishes should be respected. "