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[When the feed clicks on Maribelle is seated at a simple booth, her umbrella resting next to her on the booth, and her free hand holding a cup of steaming tea.]

Hello my fellow kidnap victims, I am Maribelle.

[She sip her tea rather daintily before sitting it down and looking directly into the device.]

I won't mince words, or lament my current situation because there isn't really much to discuss. I'm a noblewoman of Ylisse, and I intend to look into the current state of the justice system of our new home. With so many people brought here from so many different realms I expect there might be a constant state of anarchy if not for rather strict law enforcement. Since I didn't see brawling in the streets and this city seems to be in relatively good spirits, I have to assume someone is doing their job rather well. I'd like to help if I can, but I suppose I'll need a bit more information before a jump headlong into any promises I can't keep.

[She sighs, and places her tea cup down on its saucer.]

I've read these instructions I've been started with, and they were decently comprehensive. I'd like to extend my gratitude to miss Weiss if she's still here, and I would be willing to accept recommendations on which districts of this city have the finest accommodations. I may not have been started with much in the way of funds, but I suspect with my natural talents and well breeding it shan't take me long to recoup my losses. If there are any members of the shepherds here, or the Ylisstan courts, I'd ask that they please contact me as soon as possible.

[She seems to hesitate for a moment or two before raising her hand to cover her face, a slightly pained look coming over her.]

I suppose that I should also mention that if there are any who remember me as a ship Captain may also feel free to contact me, though in truth I think I'd rather put that part of my life behind me.

[With a touch, Maribelle turns off her device and leans back in her booth. Not actually slouching because a noblewoman of Ylisse never slouches! For those of you who might be at the Cat's Eye Cafe, you may run into Maribelle mulling her situation over in a booth in the back, pondering over what she plans to do with her new life here.]

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Now that is a very positive attitude indeed. Very impressive in one so young... but you're not quite as young as you look, are you?

[There was a mischievous little twinkle in Maribelle's eyes.]

Since we have established I shouldn't ask you about events that have not yet been established, why don't you tell me of your origins? Do you know who your parents are?

Asking a lady's age is rude, even for other ladies.

[ Two can play that game. She won't even quantify that she heard that from nobles far more often than the average girl Micaiah spoke to. ]

No... the closest person I could call a parent is an old woman who helped raise me in Daein.

[Maribelle couldn't help but be impressed by Miciah's response.]

You are quite correct, though I was more curious to help me pinpoint the exact point in your life you're currently living in.

[That was a blatant lie, but she hoped it was enough of an excuse for her to save face an move on. That is what Miciah wanted anyways.]

Then your origins are still rather unknown even to you. That makes you even more of an interesting enigma doesn't it?

To be honest, I'm not sure what's so special about me.

Don't get me wrong, what I feel I have done so far is important, and I feel proud of that. But I feel more like I had done it merely because I was at the right place at the right time. History would have been the same if I had switched places with someone like... the Queen of Crimea.

[ Though how the people would adjust to her being Branded if she were actually royalty? That would be the scandal of ages, and she dreaded the people's reaction to that. ]

On the contrary, I'd have to completely disagree with you on that. Queen Elencia is an excellent ruler, but she had the guidance of many who helped to shape her into the person that she became as Queen of Crimea. You are a diamond in the rough, you have a natural grit and determination that sees you through things many others would have buckled or fled under the weight of.

There are also legends that you possess certain gifts that Elencia does not have. Foresight and the ability to mend wounds without even the use of a staff, even rumors that you were the vessel of a goddess.

Can you truly say there's nothing special about you?

[ Gifts... there was a flash of intensity in Micaiah's eyes at first, though it was quick enough that Maribelle may not have noticed. She wondered if people would judge her for such gifts, but at the same time the way she described her, it seemed that these gifts had helped her pave the way through her trials. She supposed that history looked upon her if not favorably, at least understandingly. ]

Is that... so history seems to view me a little more fairly than those outside Daein. I suppose it doesn't matter, Daein is where my loyalty lies.

I suppose I'll accept being special if that's what people believe.

[Maribelle was a tirelessly perceptive woman, and she recognized the sensitivity Micaiah seemed to have about her gifts. Perhaps this had even more to do with her mysterious lineage, but Maribelle was prudent enough to keep such thoughts to herself.]

Again, I feel I must remind you that history finds you to be a confusing entity. While it's true you accomplish many great things, you also manage to accomplish many terrible things. It could well be that you do finally buckle under the pressure in the worst way imaginable. I told you that there were those who thought you were as mad as King Ashnard?

[Maribelle sipped her tea, carefully watching Micaiah with great interest.]

Perhaps you were doing what you did for the sake of Daein, but I feel I must ask what lengths would you go to for the sake of your country?

Hm.

[ This is no easier. Micaiah doesn't like it either, but she feels like Daein was stuck between a rock and a hard place. ]

I can't imagine history would look upon Ashnard favorably. Ashnard's wicked plans were executed without the will of the people, and Daein's reputation suffered as a result. The fact that I instilled his son, and the fact that there will certainly be strife from Daein's reputation, does not surprise me. We've even had assistance from Izuka, who I've heard many dark things about...

But Daein's people... I live for them. The Dawn Brigade has met all types, and we cherish them all. I do this to make Daein a strong country again.

[ She looks resolute, if a bit uncomfortable. ]

You are correct that history has not looked kindly on Ashanard, but you'd be surprised at how little of these details legends speak of.

[In the thousands of years or so between the events of the radiant hero and now, people like Izuka and Ashnard's son were all but forgotten. Was it her place to tell her this? Was it even right of her to question her motives like this? Still, her curiosity regarding a living legend like Miciah was too great for her to pass up entirely.]

It seems that in the end, you are the one who will decide Daein's fate for the better or for the worse. This is a fact that I think you should be prepared to face if you ever do find yourself returning home. Yet the words you have said give me confidence that you do indeed have what it takes to be a good ruler for your people if that is what is destined for you.

[She suspected that she likely could make Daein into an empire that would rival even Begnion if she remembered the details of what happened afterward correctly. Yet there was one thing that did still bother Maribelle.]

You speak rather highly about the people of Daein, but how do you feel about the citizens of your neighboring nations?

I don't know enough about them to cast fair judgment.

[ Micaiah felt happy that Maribelle confided in her, even though the future told her that she wouldn't have a smooth experience. Of course, Maribelle didn't hold back questioning her thoughts about others. ]

To wit, Crimea did what it had to do to free themselves from Ashnard, but then they promptly left the people to the mercy of Beginon. It makes me feel sick, but I can't blame them like I can blame the apparent, wicked nobles of Beginon before our liberation had been apparent.

When it comes down to it though, I side with Daein over all others.

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