mandalus :: the city of fates.

[Snow is stood in front of an entire army, ready to give the order to march. She hasn't felt this furious in a long time, at least it seems that way, but she's keeping a startling cool demeanor about it all.]

The Cult have had their way for far too long, and Mandalus will not stand for it any longer. Today, we are going to strike back. I have already sent batallions to the Underground, in order to flush out those who remain beneath the city, and to the Residential and Central Districts to begin both defense of those who live here and to attack the Cultists that remain around the Central Building.

[She takes a deep breath and her gaze only softens for a moment.] I am aware that not all of us are ready for war, but it is here and we can't sit and let this happen any longer. We are not able to fight them at night, so we have to do it now, this day, this moment! [Snow glances back over her shoulder to her silent wall of soldiers behind her.]

I would ask any who have agreed to lend me their sword, shield, or power to bring the fight to the Cult now. The soldiers behind me will be your aid, and they are going to help take back their city.

[With that, Mary Margaret raises her hand and the soldiers begin to march, strategic in how they avoid her.] I'll be out there, fighting with them, both as a Queen and as a warrior. Stand with us in the resistance, if you have any hope of going home.

[She cuts the feed there.]


[Private to Tony Stark.]

[Her smile is more open now and Snow gives a warm look.] Mr. Stark? I saw your announcement about what you could do with the bangles. If we could talk, I'd appreciate that.

[She flashes a bright grin and cuts the call.]


((OOC: Snow can be reached at any time, but the army will be fighting, on mass, with Cultists. Feel free to have your character dive into the fight and thread hopping is WELCOMED.))

[The video flickers on to show Mary Margaret dressed ready for battle. Her expression is somewhat stony compared to the one she shows everyone. This isn't Mary Margaret the school teacher, this is Snow White, the Queen, and her posture says as much. With her bow over her shoulders and a sword in her hand, she paces along in front of the lines of soldiers waiting for her to begin.]

As of today, I am your Queen. You will not serve me, but you will follow me, under my banner, and you will heed the words of my husband, Prince David, as an extension of myself. [She thumbs at the sword, her gaze flicking down to it.] We are going to lead Mandalus into war. As of this day, we will lay siege on those who have killed our loved ones, killed us, and we will bring them crumbling to their knees.

[She isn't fond of nameless killing but, in the end, this is war and this is what must be done. She turns her gaze towards the phone recording everything to the network.]

I am not Elizabeth Tudor, neither would I claim to be. But I am Snow White, and I do not fear these people who would snatch us up and display us as gruesome victories. I don't even pity them, but I am wise enough not to underestimate them. [She glances at her army again, then towards her husband and daughter, but she doesn't address any of them.]

I would ask that anyone who fought under Queen Elizabeth's banner swear to follow me as you followed her. Whatever you believe you know of... of fairytales is not what I am and, fairest of them all, or not, I am not a foolish girl, I know I can help lead Mandalus to victory.

[She licks her lips, just briefly, and the urge to shrink back into Mary Margaret is so very present, but she refuses to let herself do that.] Please, anyone that worked with Elizabeth, contact me. I would like to see where her plans had you and where we can go from there. I am here to serve you, Mandalus, as a Queen and a warrior.

[Snow nods and the video cuts.]


( Private video to Khan Noonien Singh. )

[When the footage starts up, Snow's phone is beside her, being held by one of the priests as she comes round. Her dark eyelashes flutter against her pale skin and, for a moment, it looks like it'll be a peaceful revival. Everyone is at ease, her breathing is steady and soft... until it isn't. A sharp gasp cuts through the air and Mary Margaret screams, thrashing as she wakes, her eyes opened wide when she sits up, scrambling away from them all until she has her back against a tree. She can't quite stand yet so she huddles there, her knees pulled up to her chest, the black leather robes swamped around her.

Another priestess comes over to her, reaching out, and Snow flinches away, her hand grasping around the ground for anything to defend herself with, a rock gripped in her hand tightly.]

No, no, don't touch me! [She whimpers a little, pushing up her sleeves to show burns up her arms and over the backs of her hands. Snow lets go of her sleeves and drops her head back against the tree, tears welling in her eyes. Every time she closes her eyes, all she can see is the Burning Room and her heart is pounding so hard she can't stop her hands from shaking.]

If someone would like to come and collect Ms. Blanchard, she seems to be in some distress.

[The source of the voice moves the phone closer to Mary Margaret and she takes it - snatches it, if anything - keeping it close to her as she shuts off the video.]

[The feed flickers on as a little blue bird bounces across the table in front of the screen. It's soft cheeping can be heard, but so can a distinct song being hummed. A delicate finger strokes along the spine of the bird and the little animal hops up onto her finger.

Mary Margaret keeps humming as she lifts the bird up by her face, turning the phone to look at her and the bird gets a little kiss on the head before she takes it to the window to let it out, instead of trying to beat it to death. The wonders of what true love does for her disposition.]

I didn't expect a house guest while I was cleaning. I thought some of you might like to see how brightly coloured the bird was. It reminds me of the bluebirds I used to see at home.

[She chuckles softly, then shakes her head a bit.] It seems like the winter must be finally over, if the birds are back. It does make you wonder where they go for the winter, in Mandalus.

[She shrugs a little bit and turns off the phone.]

[Snow has set her phone up on a chimney stack, beside her, while she continues firing arrows from the roof she's got herself onto. The ground can be seen from where she has set the phone at an angle, and ever arrow she fires hits it's mark. Dressed to fight, she glances over at the phone.]

It looks like things are getting a little bit better, and the snow is starting to thaw out. [She turns swiftly, firing off another arrow and readying the next one.] I've got to head back to get more arrows soon, so if anyone needs me to make a supply run, I can.

[She fires off the last two arrows she has and pulls her bow over her head.]

Charming, where are you? Red? [She grabs the phone, and starts to get down off the roof on the opposite side.] Mr. Gold, are you and Belle okay?

Can anyone give me an update on anything?