02/Video

[flightlessbird]

[ WELL HEY, this is a face that hasn't popped up in a while! Artika's looking a little dirty, ragged, and generally unkempt, and not terribly pleased. ]

They need to stop— they all need to be quiet. [ uh. okay, Artika, if you say so. she darts a glare over to the side. ] I said to leave!

[ When she's satisfied that... whatever is over there got the message, she looks down into the camera again. ]

Killing them does not work. I tried. I hate them.

Comments

Voice

[checksum]

Killing who doesn't work?

permavideo

[flightlessbird]

Them! In black, and with masks, they do not stand and fight me!

Voice

[checksum]

[Well, now. Osprey hasn't had a chance to examine the mysterious Masked. This could be informative.]

Can you point the camera at them? I haven't had a chance to see these Masked.

[flightlessbird]

[ With a sound of annoyance, she spins the netbook from its place on the ground to face out at what looks like the edges of the city — out at... absolutely nothing beyond the ordinary. which isn't what Artika seems to be shouting at. ]

Stay there, or I will kill you again!

Voice/Action

[checksum]

[Osprey's image-recognition software kicks in with the view of the city, and he's on his way, pausing only to grab his sniper rifle. The lack of Masked in the picture is odd, though.]

Are they hiding themselves from sight somehow? How can you locate them?

[video]

[stonefaith]

Artika? Where have you-- what-- where are you?

[ INWARDLY: FREAKING OUT ]

permavideo

[flightlessbird]

[ oh. hey. a familiar face gets a pause, and she peers a little closer into the screen. ]

Bariyan? I'm here. [ wow thanks for that helpful answer ] But they will not leave me alone.

[stonefaith]

[ Staring back. He doesn't... see or hear anything else from the feed.... ]

What... who's there, Artika? Do you need me to come over?

[flightlessbird]

No, but you can come if you want to. [ a beat, a sharp, suspicious glance around, and then she adds: ] It is the men in black again.

[stonefaith]

[ No, still not seeing... or hearing anything.... but that's good, right? Yes. That's good. Don't question that. ]

Okay. Tell me how to get to you.

permavoice; private

[boughtabookstore]

[ remembering the communication problems. ]

Artika?

It's been a while.

permavideo; private too SURE WHY NOT

[flightlessbird]

Ro— [ aaaannd mid-word she jerks away from the screen and disappears off to the side, though there's still a tensely crouched leg in the frame. ] I said go! I can kill you!

she's not sticking her voice out there okay

[boughtabookstore]

[ .. uhhh. ]

What's going on over there? Do you need help?

[flightlessbird]

No! [ that's to the netbook, but it's a little hard to tell. ] They are too afraid to touch me, because they are still cowards.

[boughtabookstore]

Who, specifically?

voice

[theguideless]

Ar--[ar-something. man, remember names, kid. a swallow.] Do you need help? Killing...Who're you killing?

permavideo

[flightlessbird]

The men! The men wearing black. Can you kill men?

[theguideless]

Oh, th– [shut up, let her finish.

beat.

...


.] Oh. I don't know. I haven't before, I...

[flightlessbird]

Then stay there, I will take care of them.

[theguideless]

[a cut-off sound.

beat.]

But if you need help...

video;

[doctorly]

[this isn't the first case.. this is getting worrying. but to play safe--]

Artika, you alright? Is anyone harming you?

video;

[flightlessbird]

No, not yet, because I will kill them if they come close.

video;

[doctorly]

And who is them? ..The Masked Men? [he assumed they had left]

[flightlessbird]

Yes, them! They will not leave me, they only run around near me.

[doctorly]

So they haven't touched you then. [sorta.. strange behavior, if they're only running around nearby] Have they said anything to you?