( 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]

[ 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.

[oversleeps]

[ he chuckles, but the amusement doesn't reach his eyes as he watches vanadi put the belt on. his hands twitch inside his pockets, and he leans back, looking away again. ]

Yeah, I'll let you know. [ the most blatant lie he's told yet! :') oh, but also: ] Are you even capable of fighting?

[implying]

[ He looks a little offended at the question. ]

My dear, why would I have been fitted with blades to my wrists if I didn't know how to use them? [ Sensitive topic, but he can still manage to be prickly on behalf of his skills. He huffs. ] I'm very capable of fighting. I only prefer not to.

i'm using the icon i'm doin iT YEAH

[oversleeps]

Could've been kitchen help. [ the part he doesn't add is that, well, just because you're armed doesn't mean you know how to do anything with it. not that he'd ever doubt vanadi, just ... ]

Thanks. [ to completely switch gears, here. he puts a hand on vanadi's head, leans forward and presses a kiss into his hair. ] I mean-- really. [ thanks. ]

wow aren't you glad you have an icon for the occasion??

[implying]

[ He waves that off impatiently... but can't help being at least a little placated by the kiss. It might be physically impossible for him not to be. ]

You still haven't told me why it seemed a good idea to do all of this publicly.

yes, too bad i will never use an icon again ever

[oversleeps]

Because it did exactly what I wanted it to. [ duh.

he knows what question is coming next, and decides to forestall any further interrogation by glancing off towards the door. ] It's getting late, hey? I'll see you around.

[implying]

[ aw hell naw you ain't gettin away that easy. Vanadi slides around quickly, placing himself between Marduk and the door with a frown. ]

It did exactly what you wanted it to, which was?

[oversleeps]

[ he does pause, at least. not that vanadi's presence can stop him here, but-- he's considering something else, now. ]

What do you think? [ just. curiosity, here. people have been assigning some fucking insane motivators to him all day, and he really wants to know what vanadi makes of it. ]

[implying]

[ Another question is the last thing he'd wanted as an answer, but he'll humor it. At least for a moment. ]

Well... I know you aren't stupid, and I hope you haven't gone mad. Do you think that a public confession will thoroughly redirect suspicion from her, is that it?

[oversleeps]

I don't think it will-- it did. [ mostly. not counting those he told otherwise directly, at least; though, thinking about it, there were far more of those than he'd wanted.

FROWN. ] ... That's all there really is to it.

[implying]

[ He looks skeptical, but less like he's about to physically stop Marduk from going anywhere if he doesn't answer. ]

That's a terrible plan, my dear.

[oversleeps]

Can you think of one better? [ because clearly, he couldn't. ] Not that it matters much now.

[ oh well! that's all the necessary questions, though-- marduk makes a shooing motion in vanadi's direction. let him out, then. ]

[implying]

I'm certain I could have... but as you say, it hardly matters now.

[ For a second it looks like he's just going to plant himself here and keep Marduk hostage, but he huffs out a breath and steps aside. ]

[oversleeps]

[ that earns him another smile. ] If you think of anything, let me know.

[ and bAM HE'S GOIN OUT THAT DOOR. be back soon tho ]