( 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]

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

[hyanaimne]

Then I shall be there in a few minutes.

action!! 8)

[oversleeps]

[ a few minutes, eh.

marduk still hasn't bothered to switch locations yet; he's returned to his windowsill, electing to passively wait and see if tempest truly shows. he hardly has any choice, there. it's hard not to be intrigued by someone who actually has some familiarity with the terms that you do, in a place like exsilium where nothing has ever made sense at all.

well, almost nothing. either way, he's stuck here for the time being. he tries to wait patiently, but he taps his nails against the face of the tablet in a way that betrays his apprehension at the moment. ]

[hyanaimne]

[Tempest makes good on her not-quite promise; a few minutes later Marduk will hear someone enter the building, albeit at a slow, wary pace. She may be dumb enough to come out here when a possible lynch mob is being formed, but who knows who may already be here. She isn't taking any chances.

When she comes across Marduk, though . . . that is a huff, and if she wasn't on guard her hands would be on her hips and she'd look for all the world a petulant child]

Drow indeed, you bloody liar.

[oversleeps]

I don't think I ever directly claimed to be one.

[ his head snaps up immediately, and he squints in tempest's direction, trying to take measure of her. half-elven, she'd said, but he was never the best at being able to tell all the common races apart-- short of demanding to see her ears (which is more than a little rude), he'll just have to take her word for it. ]

Maybe you shouldn't jump to conclusions, eh? More than elves can know about old hatreds.

[hyanaimne]

[Tempest just rolls her eyes and pulls her hood back—and well, inadvertently giving Marduk a view of her ears. Shorter than an elf's, but pointed like them. Aside from that, she could pass for either race]

Maybe you should not ask about them in a way that would make me jump to conclusions.

[oversleeps]

[ he shrugs. her conclusions aren't his problem, are they? ] I was only curious. We're-- neighbors to them, back home.

[ we, he says, as though he hasn't moved on from his homeland long ago. he shifts in his seat, but still remains seated. ] Are you disappointed?

[hyanaimne]

[she finds somewhere to lean against and cross her arms, wincing only a bit at some healing injuries]

I could care less, to be honest. [dryly, but she isn't serious] You are still an elf. I've still a reason not to like you.

[oversleeps]

Hardly. [ the idea of it is entertaining, at least. he chuckles. if only; life would be so much easier. ] You're jumping to conclusions again, you know?

[hyanaimne]

Then what are you, pray tell?

[she's running out of reasons here!!]

[oversleeps]

What would you do with the knowledge?

[ even face to face, it's hard not to be cagey. it's in his blood, or something. ] I'm not anything that would have any judgement for what you are, if it helps. [ he raises an eyebrow with that. is that what it is? ]

[hyanaimne]

[she heaves a sigh]

Absolutely nothing, except to stop coming to bloody conclusions. [though, she leaves out the judgement comment, because really, most things in her world did, save for dwarves, and he's a bit too big for one]

[oversleeps]

Githyanki. [ he offers no elaboration beyond that. it's wholly unnecessary. strange to say it aloud, though, especially to someone he hardly knows. ]

I'd figure you'd get along with elves, given the whole... [ the thing. he makes a circular motion around his ears. that thing. clearly that's not actually the case, but it's an easy path to quizzing her about her world. ]

[hyanaimne]

[given the expression she makes, maybe some elaboration isn't necessary.

But first she has to correct the elf thing. She really does] —no, elves hate us just as much as everyone else, they are just more subtle about it. I'm sorry, did you say you were . . .

Bloody hell.

[oversleeps]

[ he spreads his arms wide. what can he say? ] I'm hardly the expert in dealing with elves directly. I'd say my talents lie places other than diplomacy.

[ the rest of it, he doesn't respond to directly-- but he does grin wide, waiting to see where she goes from there. ]

[hyanaimne]

Yes, yes, I am sure.

[all these stories she read growing up need to stop being proven as true in this place, is her first thought. Her second is . . . no, that's the only thing she's thinking right now]

Well. I stand corrected.

[oversleeps]

You're still making assumptions. [ he says it blandly, no malice in his voice. tempest's response implies some level of recognition, for sure. it's kind of nice?

though... perhaps not, depending on what that recognition entails. ] I wouldn't be surprised to learn you're corrected often, really.

[hyanaimne]

[Tempest ignores that first part, because she's far more interested in other things right now]

I do not normally run into the stories of my youth, you know.

[oversleeps]

[ and naturally, he has to ask the obvious question. ] What kinds of stories?

[hyanaimne]

[she answers in the blandest tone she can manage]

Adventure stories, mythological types. Mostly they said that your kind were evil creatures of the astral plane . . . if I am remembering correctly. Which was also a story, as no one has been able to prove it exists.

[oversleeps]

[ evil? he snorts at that. evil ...

marduk sets his tablet to the side then leans back, crossing his arms. he keeps his gaze on tempest, steady and appraising. ] The Astral Sea-- it exists. At least for us. [ a tilt of the head. ] I'd call that proof enough.

[hyanaimne]

Yes, I would say so. Unless I have taken to hallucinating. Quite possible, really.

[she hopes she's joking for her own sake]

[oversleeps]

It's not that cold, here. Besides, I've never been much of an illusionist. [ he looks off to the side, faintly amused. ] Do I get to hear any of the stories?

[hyanaimne]

[she snorts, then shakes her head]

I do not remember any of them, save for a few details. Like I said, I read them in my youth.

[oversleeps]

[ ah, well. he sighs, only a little disappointed. ]

That's a shame. I would've liked to hear how much you all had wrong. [ no offense meant, of course. ] You'll have to tell me if you do remember, eh?