( 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

[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?

[hyanaimne]

Oh, of course. I will wrack my mind until I remember something worth telling.

[oversleeps]

That's all I ask, really.

[ he pauses, considering. ] What else is your world lacking in, then? Aside from basic things like extraplanar travel.

[hyanaimne]

[she shrugs a shoulder at the question]

How am I to know, when I do not know what you consider basic?

[oversleeps]

You could start with whatever else hasn't been proven. We've found two things that aren't myth already, haven't we?

[hyanaimne]

Do you know how long that list is? Hell, I've worked for and with some bloody morons who want to go about proving all that.

[she pauses]

This place has proven the existence of yetis, though.

[oversleeps]

Is there anything you don't have stories about back home? I'm beginning to think that somehow, you already managed to cover all your bases even before showing up here.

[hyanaimne]

[in the blandest tone possible:]

Technology.

[oversleeps]

None at all?

[ a beat. ] Don't tell me-- what, like, you don't even have sunrods? [ how can u live without magic flashlights, tempest ]

[hyanaimne]

None at all.

[she tilts her head, thinking for a moment, then shakes it] I do not think I've ever heard of those.

[oversleeps]

[ he clucks his tongue, disapproving. ]

No wonder everything interesting was myth to you. In a world that primitive, you don't exactly have much to work with.

[hyanaimne]

My world is not primitive. [she huffs] So what if I do not have much there?

[oversleeps]

Fine-- quaint, then. [ somehow, with his tone of voice, that hardly sounds any better. ] Just can't imagine living with so little. Run out of things to do, wouldn't you?

[hyanaimne]

No? I have never run out of things to do, anyway. [she shrugs a shoulder] There is always work.

[oversleeps]

Ah, but who has time for work? [ he laughs at that; god, he's funny. ] Sorry, but the more I hear, the gladder I am to be from my version of things.

[hyanaimne]

One must make a living somehow. Usually, people work for it.

[she rolls her eyes] And what do you do then, pray tell?