Video

[tergiversant]

[The video feed this morning has multiple purposes. Initially it was a simple test, to see if the illusion he'd cast broadcast to the network. It failed, instead, showing a young looking man sitting in the Observation Deck on the moon, face half obscured by his fan. But mostly, this is for information. His tone is arrogant and movements slow and measured.]

I wish to pose two queries to thee.

Firstly, I wish to know what of the enemy thou hast unearthed below. I hath read accounts of war and organization, accounts of those of less human appearance treated within the tenants of fear. Leaving aside such debates upon the validity and consequence of tampering with what hath passed in the mires of one's regret and defeat, tis a great number of conversations upon the future and past, but a dearth of those of the present. I assume such, that thine situation remains bleak, and that the project vile and untoward may have continued... But little of the new face of our enemy.

This world, which hath changed so wild and bitterly from the squalor and civilization it had boasted... do we still have a capable enemy who still strikes at our worlds afar? What sayeth the people below?

Tis true, to attack boldly is suicide. Tis true, spying without knowledge as a guard is suicide. However tis true, to jab wildly at the past at an enemy we dost not understand ... tis foolishness and absurdity. Tis possible we may not have a war that concerns us.

Corrections of this, these assumptions, art most welcome.

[He pauses, folding his fan to tap it at his chin.]

Secondly, tis thus: I desire to speak with one most practiced in the art or pedagogy of science. I hath researched soundly the foundational elements and request to employ an expert in 'chemistry' and 'genetics.'


(OOC NOTE: Rufus Barma is a ridiculous creature who speaks in deliberately archaic mannerisms! BUT, if OOCLY you'd like a plain English version, just mention it in the subject line!)

Comments

[senseandcecilbility]

[It is not a question, so Kevin does not bother to answer it. He lets out a small sigh, as if loosing one's hold on an insistent thought, and then looks Barma straight in his eye.]

I am rather aware of such danger, sir. That is why I have made our communication available to those who might be able to act, if need be.

[And he trusts them to. Even the demon, though he would rather have his feathers plucked than admit it.]

1/2

[tergiversant]

Is that so?

[Rather than protest, or demand to know who, there's something of a smile that ghosts across his face.]

[tergiversant]

Very well. I accept thine service and avail mineself to thee in return.

For now, thou shouldst concentrate on establishing thineself within the native population. Until such time, I wish to hear what comes of interest upon the ground where the network doth not broadcast.

Mood. Opinion. Common thought. Trifles, I'm sure.

[senseandcecilbility]

[[ What his grace is asking of him is not much, and he has already been at it out of habit. Back then, he had called it Christmas shopping.]

That can be accomplished fast enough, your grace. I have lived in Britain for many years and should be able to mingle with the locals without much trouble.

[tergiversant]

Tis all I ask of now.

Time should give ourselves a better understanding of our standing, and information lights the road ahead.

[senseandcecilbility]

[It seems his grace is as cautious as he is, which suits Kevin well. He will do as he is told and hopefully save everyone else a lot of misery by just being a good servant and keeping his eyes and ears open.

Hopefully.]

Very well, sir. Should I assume you will be joining us at the museum?

[tergiversant]

T'would be to some convenience; however, hardly a certainty. I shall inform thee well in advance shouldst I make travel arrangements.

[senseandcecilbility]

[You are totally coming to the museum, aren't you?]

Yes, sir. I will be waiting for your word.

[tergiversant]

[He is why no one has nice things, yes.]

Again, ye show thy competence.

Has it seen completion?

[senseandcecilbility]

[Is that why Mister Break was scolding me?]

We are almost there, sir. Though the local fauna has been more persistent than we first anticipated...

[tergiversant]

[That might have been more hitting critical comparison levels.]

Rats, and the like?

[senseandcecilbility]

[Good Lord.

He tries to convey the information as naturally as possible, so he will not scare the poor aristocrat away. Living on the moon, after all, can be rather inconvenient after a while.]

Penguins, your grace.

[tergiversant]

[The view of Kevin obscures for a moment as Barma pulls up an informational page with some practiced experience. Flightless birds, known for particular fearlessness with people.... Remarkably like the dodo's ridiculous, stunted cousin.]

Ah.

I see little problem.

[senseandcecilbility]

...

[He feels a little timid about contradicting authority, but it is for his own safety.]

Evolved penguins, your grace.

[tergiversant]

And thus, particularly dangerous.

Quite an interesting locale for them, wouldn't one think?

[senseandcecilbility]

They are Antarctic, aren't they?

[Maybe they are the final refugees of a long gone zoo.]

[tergiversant]

Far southerly from here, by a map's accounting, nearly the world away.

A powerful immigration to follow a change in temperament. Of course, there remains the questions of the other animals found below... some thought to be extinct.

AUDIO: PRIVATE

[maddeninghatter]

[ Hissing: ]

What are you doing?

Re: AUDIO: PRIVATE

[senseandcecilbility]

[He was expecting this.]

I am attempting to help. There is going to be a mission sooner or later, isn't it so? Either in the past or the present. It is better if we are prepared.

[maddeninghatter]

Inviting Lord [ Moron ] Barma to live here isn't helping in any sense of the word!

[senseandcecilbility]

...

...

Aren't we on the same side?

[You've just said you agreed with him.]

[maddeninghatter]

You can be on somebody's side without having to run into them at breakfast! Trust me, he's insufferable. You'll have to have the patience of a saint to....

[ ...

goddammit. ]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Break can't see it, but he can hear the complete innocence in Kevin's voice.]

You were saying...?

[maddeninghatter]

[ This is, Break decides, one of the terribly unfair coincidences he has to put up with, in his life. That is to say, the people patient enough to suffer him, are also patient enough to put up with Lord Barma. ]

Nothing! Never mind!

[ HANGING UP NOW!!!! ]

[senseandcecilbility]

...

[Wh-What have I done?]