( 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

[payback]

Whether you're a maniac sadist or a vigilante I guess

[oversleeps]

What constitutes lawful is easily manipulated
There's nothing inherently unlawful about execution, is there.

I'll be sure to send the broadcast to only you
Just to prove it was intriguing, next time

[hyanaimne]

Now, you would be asking the wrong person about that. I am nothing near lawful.

What a dear you are.

[lucency]

Clearly.

Why are you telling us this?

[oversleeps]

Semantics all
The act we're describing stays the same
Regardless of the word you assign it.

[ dear isn't the most pleasing thing to hear out of her mouth. he can hardly tolerate it from vanadi; and from seviilia, it sounds entirely too threatening for a word intended to be so sweet. ]

I wouldn't call it hiding
Was I ever meant to fear you hurting me?
Should I even take that sentence at face value
And put whatever apprehension I have to the side immediately?

[oversleeps]

I wouldn't call myself the former
But I'm definitely not the latter
Back home it was always thieving murderer
Or murdering thief
Whichever you'd prefer.

[oversleeps]

World renowned for my kindness.
But I'm sure you were able to tell from the post.

[miscreant]

Yes.

[Yes to fear her, or yes to put the apprehension aside? She isn't telling.]

[hyanaimne]

Yes, quite kind.

Has anyone actually done anything, though? Out of curiosity.

[oversleeps]

Well
I suppose it's true that I don't have much to gain
But why not, really?
I think it's been established that I have little shame in the matter

[oversleeps]

[ u n s u r e ]

You'll forgive me if I pass
Won't you

[oversleeps]

So far?
No.
But the law always does have a way of sneaking up on you
Doesn't it

[hyanaimne]

My, but I bet I can get there before they do.

[oversleeps]

And if you did
What then

[hyanaimne]

Keep you company and watch the coming show.

[miscreant]

And what if I don't?

[The smile fades just a bit here. But considering how curled it was a second ago...]

[oversleeps]

Well
You're certainly welcome to watch the show
If one ever happens.

[hyanaimne]

Then I shall be there in a few minutes.

[lucency]

You - you talk about retribution. Do you want someone to come after you?

should he be scared or turned on. he doesn't know

[oversleeps]

Are you implying I'll risk your wrath
Simply for making an efficient use of technology
Instead of wasting time with recordings.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4vde5Hkcf1r5jtugo1_500.gif

[miscreant]

The question of the evening, isn't it.

[She is staring right at the lens. Right through it. She's waiting, princess.]

[oversleeps]

I can't say that I'd mind it
It gives one something better to do than killing the innocent, right?
Don't suppose you're the one offering it
No offense meant, but you hardly seem the type

[payback]

Just some random person?

[oversleeps]

Well
Unfortunately
I'm what people usually tend to call a risk-taker
And I don't feel particularly keen on speaking right now

[lucency]

No. I'm not. [ an eye for an eye leads to blindness and all that. ]

I don't understand how you can be so callous about it.