( 01 ) video.

[oversleeps]

[ when the feed clicks on, marduk is in what appears to be a ruined building near the edge of town. there's snow on the floor and holes in the walls, but he's not wearing a single scrap of winter clothing. more importantly, he doesn't look especially pleased to be doing this. ]

Recently, one of the locals here went missing. Don't ask me what his name was, I'm not the one who gives a shit. I'm just here to solve the mystery.

He's missing because he's dead, and he's dead because I killed him.

[ he pauses here. it looks like it's for dramatic effect, but really he's just trying to figure out how to end the announcement. ]

Most of you would call that murder, wouldn't you? Can't remember if you all figured out what to do about that, but-- if you want retribution, you can come and get it.

[ good enough. the video ends there. ]

Comments

[inflorence]

Addressing a network of people with elements known to have violent reactions toward people acting outside of what they consider right?

( He snorts, more of a half seen motion than a sound echoing across the area. )

Less than 24 hours after having a middle aged man and a teen boy ask after the legal owner to the property you were squatting in? Doesn't rate as much of a well considered plan.

[oversleeps]

Well
Far be it from me to deprive you of your speculation
But I am curious
What do you think this could possibly be covering for
Are you another one of those conspiracy theorists
Who thinks it's something with the UE as well?
Or should I be giving you a little more credit than that.

[individualist]

Regardless of whether or not the United Earth still have the means to vanquish this place, that's highly unlikely.

But as I said I know nothing about you, so I can't really guess anything beyond what I've said already.

i thought i sent this tag before but i didn't. im sorry. i suck

[oversleeps]

I ended up with the pleasure of your company, didn't I? Besides-- if everyone here was a good judge of character, I'd be shit out of luck.

hdu!!!!!!!!11

[hyanaimne]

I think you would be, yes. Amusing, isn't it? How bad the people here are at that.

WEH

[oversleeps]

It makes sense, in a way. How else would they expect us all to work together?

[ here he glances off to the side, out one of the windows. ] Not that anyone's done a good job of that.

[totallytrustworthy]

no

just watch your back from here on out m8

[boughtabookstore]

None taken. You might want to think about it, though, for the sake of having a defense to mount.

And possibly think about a lawyer.

I suppose you wouldn't be inclined to tell me where you are.

[oversleeps]

How much more would you even need to know?
I wouldn't say a lack of knowledge is stopping anyone else
From making all these snap judgements
On a single video transmission.

[oversleeps]

Can't say I've befriended many lawyers here
Nor do I want to
It's a bit of a tough sell anyway, isn't it?
What with the confession and all
And
I've been tried for murders before.
If we could skip that bit this time around
Save everyone the time
I'd actually appreciate it

How about this.
If it's been two weeks
You haven't found me
And I haven't gotten myself killed
I'll let you know.

[hyanaimne]

Ah, very true. They do an admittedly terrible job, at times.

[oversleeps]

[ what the hell is a m8 ]

Right.

[boughtabookstore]

Skip the trying? What part of the process would you care to skip forward to?

Are you entirely serious about that?

[oversleeps]

Well, you tell me
What generally comes next?
We can pick things up there.

And please
It's not like this is even public
I don't have anything to gain by lying to you.
Do I?

[individualist]

I'm not everyone else.

I mean many reasons come to mind - if your victim wronged you in some way and this was revenge, it's perfectly acceptable, so long as you're willing to accept the fact others may strike you down for it as well. It's simply how nature works.

That motive could be as likely as any other. People kill for many reasons.

[oversleeps]

You certainly aren't.

Why revenge, though
Of all the things you could name first.

[individualist]

It's the most common reason you'll hear. Justice and revenge are interchangeable terms, I think you'll find.

But, judging from your reaction, will I assume that wasn't the case?

[oversleeps]

I don't know if I'd call them
Interchangeable
While they have a lot of similarities
Especially in terms of pettiness
I'd think the motives are different enough to give them distinction
Usually.

[oversleeps]

[ okat-- he gets it. he really does. (kind of.) he has little answer for bruce at first, save an irritated noise or two; nothing with words. he never been good with plans. what he's good at is doing things regardless, for better or worse.

mostly worse. ]

How long are you going to keep up this pretense? Or maybe-- [ a better question: ] What kind of old man manages to track down someone based off of a couple of minutes of video that quickly, huh? I'm not buying it.

[inflorence]

You know what they say about the eldery. Get into all sorts of hobbies to fill in the spare time after retirement.

( ... he hadn't meant for that jest to be accurate. Oh well. He didn't sound particularly amused, outside of a general, grumbly sort of tone. )

Where are you going from here, with your appropriated crime and confession? You haven't planned this far. I'd be surprised if you'd even thought toward the future.