( 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

[implying]

If I agree, will you tell me what this is about?

[oversleeps]

I guess
That'd be fair.

Can you be alone tonight
Preferably your house, but
Anywhere will do

[implying]

I can manage it, yes. Will you even still be around by then?

yoooo pretend i have human icons. ok. thank u

[oversleeps]

Please
You think I'd be run off so quickly?
Have a little faith.
I know it's asking a lot.

[ HOURS IN THE FUTURE, THO... many hours.

it is late at night by the time marduk sees fit to wander over to vanadi's neck of the woods, and once again, he pauses on his doorstep. he's at least done the courtesy of wearing the hologram emitter for once-- mostly because he wants to take care of this before anything properly awful occurs, and not any true desire to stay hidden-- but knocking on the door always makes him feel stupid. he's been here enough by now that he could teleport in blindly and not run the risk of crashing into something. just... that might be a bit rude.

he knocks.

marduk crosses his arms while he waits for vanadi to come to the door, staring off into the distance. he has no idea what he actually looks like with this damn thing on; hopefully he's recognizable enough. ]

speaking of asking a lot!!!!

[implying]

[ He's managed to shoo out his roommates, human and otherwise, so when he pulls open the door it's to an otherwise empty house. There's a second or two where he just blinks at Marduk, but — who else could it be? And he doesn't look that different.

So he reaches out, snags ahold of his wrist, and drags him inside. ]

:')

[oversleeps]

[ the dragging catches him off guard; there's no point in resisting it, though. he'd figured vanadi to be mad at him, yes, but this is... likely deserved. once they're inside proper, marduk doesn't bother trying to free his arm, instead just looking around to confirm the house was as empty as it had seemed from the outside. ]

Like what you've done with the place. [ it's kind of similar to saying thank you, isn't it? he does appreciate the alone time, after all. ] Could do with a better greeting, though.

[implying]

[ He purses his lips, but rather than answer, reaches down to twist off Marduk's holographic emitter. It's a familiar enough movement that he doesn't even need to shift his disapproving frown from Marduk's face for a second. He turns off his own next, then steps back to cross his arms over his chest. ]

I reserve the warmer welcomes for those not actively trying to get themselves killed. It seems a wiser investment.

[oversleeps]

[ ah. he can't say he's unhappy to be rid of the emitter's disguise, but he winces when vanadi turns it off all the same. he refuses to make eye contact today, opting instead to look down at his hands. at least they look familiar again. ]

You know, it's funny-- in Sharn, the undead aren't considered proper citizens. Apparently the right to be protected under any laws ends when you die, though you can fucking bet they're still going to hold you accountable for anything you do despite that. [ marduk shifts to one side, his hand finding the hilt of his sword and resting on it. his shoulders relax a little with that, though he still doesn't look up. ] I lived through ten years of that shit. By now, I'd like to think I'm pretty good at avoiding death.

[implying]

[ He listens with flattened ears, looking distinctly annoyed, but lets out a sigh toward the end. There's got to be some side of this he doesn't know yet, some very good reason. Right? He hopes, anyway. Vanadi leans up, setting a hand to either side of Marduk's face to drag him down into a quick kiss. And as he leans back again: ]

Forgive me for worrying, nonetheless. Will you explain this now?

[oversleeps]

[ now, the kiss is a bit more in line with what he expects out of vanadi. that's nice. definitely forgiven. ] Can you keep a secret?

[ not that it matters, actually. he doesn't bother to wait for an answer before continuing on. ] Apollo's the one who killed him. The post was just... [ he waves his other hand around. you know. whatever. for clarification, he adds: ] Someone found out.

[implying]

[ Ah. That does make some sense. He settles his hands to Marduk's sides and he doesn't look much happier, but at least any annoyance is gone. ]

Apollo? She's always struck me rather as... a woman who can well fend for herself.

[oversleeps]

[ the lack of annoyance he can definitely work with. marduk even offers him a smile, though his amusement definitely isn't reflected in his voice. ] Like hell she is.

[ that's all there is to say about that. what would you even know, anyway; all you did was sleep with her once ... his mouth tightens at the memory of that, smile getting a little grimmer. ] So which is the part that got you all pissed off? [ this is important to know. ]

[implying]

[ He quirks a brow, but — he won't argue that. It's true, after all, his contact with her has been decidedly limited. The question makes him sigh, though. ]

I would start with the question of murder, but if that was her, then most importantly is why? If someone found out, that's hardly cause to confess guilt to an entire network!

[oversleeps]

If you know of a better way to announce things publicly, I'm all ears. ( he even tilts his head to back up his statement. definitely listening, see?

but he doesn't stay like that; marduk lifts his hands with a placating gesture and a shrug. ) It was a bit rash. ( the closest he's willing to admit that it was a bad idea. ) A little late for regret now, hey?

[implying]

Yes, it was rash, and it's never too late for regret. [ That's with a glare, but it disappears with a roll of his eyes. ] But at the very least, you can refrain from doing anything else particularly suicidal.

[oversleeps]

Maybe. [ he gives vanadi his best effort at a winning smile. in truth, he doesn't think things will come to much; not that he won't take any precautions, just to be on the safe side, but hell if he's actually worried.

speaking of precautions, though. ] I really do need you to do something for me. [ remember: winning smile. ]

[implying]

[ you can't charm a charmer!! that winning smile just gets a suspicious and displeased slant to Vanadi's ears, and he regards him warily. ]

So you'd mentioned. What is it that I'm to hang on to for you, then?

[oversleeps]

[ can u not pls he's trying here ]

Hold out your hands. [ both of his settle at his waist while he waits for vanadi to comply. with a frown, he his fingers around the hilt of his sword protectively. ] If you don't mind.

[implying]

[ He looks puzzled for a moment, until his eyes flick down to catch the hand at Marduk's hilt. Suspicion shifts quickly into worry, but he obligingly holds out both hands, palms up. Hopefully he's just going to do something with that sword. That's it, he's sure. Right? ]

[oversleeps]

[ ah. marduk doesn't do anything for a long while, actually, just stares at vanadi's hands, chewing on the corner of his lip. he feels like he should say something meaninful here, but any sort of explanation would take the entire night.

it's only temporary, anyway. he removes his belt and lays the still-sheathed sword across vanadi's hands, scabbard and all-- and pauses there, not letting go. if anything, his grip on the sword tightens; it's obvious that this is something he's loathe to do. ]

[implying]

[ He watches the sword, waiting for it to be properly released — and looks up with even more concern when that doesn't happen. It's never a good sign when someone feels they have to give up something they're apparently that attached to. ]

Marduk, I'm not entirely certain I ought to be taking this...

[oversleeps]

[ he hisses, very grudgingly letting go. marduk shoves his hands in his pockets, scowling at the floor. ]

It's not like you have to use it. Just take it. [ it comes out more snappish than he intended, and when he glances up again he at least has the decency to look guilty about it. ] Please?

[implying]

[ He folds both hands carefully around it, feeling like he's carrying something more precious than just a sword, by Marduk's treatment of it. The hummingbird perched at the hilt and looking it over with avian interest goes ignored, as always. ]

Why, exactly?

[oversleeps]

It's valuable.

[ ... to put it mildly. he tries on a grin again, spreading his arms wide. ] If I'm going to get jumped for being a dipshit on the network, I'd rather not have it end up elsewhere.

[implying]

[ He sighs, but shoos away Aleva with a quick wave of his hand and buckles the belt around his waist. It's been a long time since he's worn a sword, but the weight of it it still feels familiar. ]

I'll keep it safe. [ Not that he sounds happy about it. ] But do call me if you need any help, won't you? I'd much rather be dragged into some ridiculous fight than see harm come to you.