( 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

[oversleeps]

Maybe, maybe not
I assume that this is the part where I ask for your perspective
And simply hope that it won't be a lecture on the basic rights of humans
Or whatever
Which is a poor response to anything you might call a publicity stunt, really
Of all the things I could've gotten
Debates of morality don't really interest me. [ ... except they totally do, but. ]

[miscreant]

Oh you don't need to do any of that. I am not one to lecture, let alone debate on morality. You may be thinking of another Death Knight.

[Her smile spreads just a bit. Oh if only Koltira weren't watching her so closely...]

Have you truly gotten nothing for it?

[oversleeps]

[ oh good, he was thinking right with that one. saves him the later question of "but why are you blue tho," too. ]

Nothing worth speaking about or sharing
For all that we seem to dislike killing here
Honestly, the responses are almost tame

[ almost not even worth it. ]

But maybe I'm just too used to a land with
Something it calls justice.

[miscreant]

Is that what you call it? Where I come from, we tend to call it retribution. Vengeance, depending on the motive.

[She tilts her head just a bit, though the smile doesn't move.]

You do not need to hide behind that text function. I'm not going to hurt you, dear.

[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?

[miscreant]

Yes.

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

[oversleeps]

[ u n s u r e ]

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

[miscreant]

And what if I don't?

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

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]

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

[miscreant]

[And there goes all amusement. There's a pause of consideration while two fingers cover her lips and surpress a small disappointed "hmm" sound.]

That is why you daringly killed an innocent, is it not? Because you are a "risk taker"?

[She's not buying it.]

[oversleeps]

If that's an answer that would satisfy you
You're welcome to take it
I'll even call it true, if you'd like.

[miscreant]

[Her voice deepens just enough to emphasize the echo.]

What would satisfy me, darling, would be speaking to a face and not words. But if I was not interested in your answer, then I would not have asked.

[Her hand falls away from her face.]

I did tell you I was not here to debate morality with you, did I not?

vi deo. tho.

[oversleeps]

[ he hates to admit he's any level of intimidated by this, but it's there. still, for all his bravado on the network, he's not particularly eager to test the limits of the newfound mortality he assumes he has-- when the feed comes back on, his eyes are narrowed, mouth pulled to the side in displeasure. fine. ]

You did say as much. [ he's not willing to go on from there, though. ]

[miscreant]

[And look at that! She grins again, this time with teeth. Wait that's not pleasant at all.]

There we are. Like two perfectly civil beings. Will you satisfy the lady's curiosity now, while you are at it?

[She adjusts the tablet just a bit.]

After all, you still have not answered my question.

[oversleeps]

[ at least it's the kind of smile he's familiar with. god, it's almost like being back home-- home proper. the kind of realization that makes things even worse. ]

I fail to see how anything prior to this didn't qualify as civil.

[ he pauses. her question ... ] Daring is hardly the word I'd use, and innocent is always a matter of debate-- didn't we just establish that wasn't what you were here for? [ that counts as an answer, right. he glances off to the side; even fake eye contact, done via the tablet, is a little much for him to maintain. ]

[miscreant]

It was established, yes.

[This back and forth obviousky delights her.]

But that wasnt what I was asking, precious. I simply asked the motivation, not whether it was right or wrong.

[Her soulless eyes follow his like a vulture waiting for an injured animal to die. The intimidation factor, even through these screens, is simply intoxicating.]

Don't be shy.

[oversleeps]

I think it was also established-- shyness has nothing to do with it.

[ he's on edge, for sure. his words come out with a snap, a growl from behind clenched teeth. marduk glares back into the camera, though it's sidelong and defensive, his face turned slightly away from the screen.

and with that, he remembers that this is still public-- and he's not too keen on leaving it that way. the feed switches to something a little more encrypted before he continues. ] Motivations are as irrelevant as the man who died.

[miscreant]

[There it is, the encryption. How charming. His little snap has her chuckling, unfazed. In fact, it seems to entice her to lean in a bit.]

That may be true...but that does not make me any less curious, you see. Unless you have something to hide, of course.

[She leans back and steeples rotting black fingers.]

But, I think if that were the case, you would not have made this so public.

[oversleeps]

[ where she leans in, he leans back. none of it changes the distance between them, but the appearance of things matters. ]

I suppose it's too much ask for some privacy. [ the last word comes as a hiss. everyone in exsilium attempts to pry too much. ] I have nothing to hide, but like fuck that means I want to spill every thought in my head to strangers.

[miscreant]

If you wanted privacy, then perhaps you should not have advertised your kill on this network.

[The chuckling stops.]

You are a dreadful liar.

[deadelfwalking]

[HEY LOOK DADDY IS BACK TO HIS SENSES.]

Seviilia.

[miscreant]

[her parents are dead you little shit.]

You're looking better.

[deadelfwalking]

[SO'S THIS ONE]

What are your intentions here.