( 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

[irritating]

Fuck, whatever.

[ there's a pause as she stares at his message on her tablet, tapping her fingers against the back of the device as she thinks ] Why're you doin' this? Why bother coverin' for me in the first place?

[oversleeps]

You know what I don't get?
Why everyone wants to know the reason of things
Accept it for what it is, Apollo.

[irritating]

Uh, maybe 'cause there's usually a fuckin' reason behind shit like confessin' to a murder you didn't even commit?

[oversleeps]

[ p a u s e. ]

Accept it for what it is.

[ maybe he'll tell you later. but for now, that's all you get. ]

[irritating]

Yeah, well what is it? Why're you so keen on protectin' me when I don't need protectin' in the first place?

[oversleeps]

[ another pause and boy is this one long. he has no good answer for her, or at least no good answer he's actually willing to give. ]

We have nothing else to talk about.

[irritating]

Yes we do, clearly you like me way more than I realized and you never fuckin' told me where you are. So where are you, why'd you leave home to make this stupid thing?

[oversleeps]

What the fuck makes you think I'd tell you where I am right now
Really

[irritating]

'cause you like me! Shit I think you're acceptin' my friendship, and c'mon alright friends watch out for friends and I can't do that if you're hidin' from me!

[oversleeps]

We aren't
Friends.

[irritating]

So what, you just take the murderous blame for every girl you meet?

[oversleeps]

Oh, yes
Doesn't that sound just like me?
Seeing as I'm such a chivalrous and kind person
Shut the fuck up, Apollo

[irritating]

No, which is why I'm concludin' that you think we're friends too after all!

[oversleeps]

Conclude whatever you want
There's nothing I can do to help that
No matter how wrong you are.

[irritating]

Sure whatever, friend.


[ PAUSE THAT GETS PROGRESSIVELY MORE AWKWARD..... ]



But, um. I didn't needya to do this, but you have and well, fuck, I dunno if I... even know anyone else who would've done this for me.

EMOTIONS!!!! before bed, just for u :*

[oversleeps]

[ jesus christ apollo you don't need to make this a Thing it definitely isn't a Thing ok this is a strict NO MOMENTS ALLOWED zone

...

fuck it if they're having a moment he's just gonna roll with it ]

Look
You're a fucking idiot
Just as much as I am for making this post
But

[ but ... after much internal struggle, he sends that as it is. clearly there are some things left unsaid there, and his second message doesn't do anything to help: ]

Don't ruin things for yourself
That's all I'm asking

kawaii

[irritating]

[ too bad she's made this a Thing, good thing she's bad at it though ]

Hey now, I dunno if I'm that fuckin' stupid.

[ a sigh ] Ugh whatever, I'll try I guess. Shit I dunno, this is fuckin' weird, I know I said not all pirates are cowards but you're right, a lot've 'em are so this ain't exactly somethin' I see everyday, y'know? [ she should probably say thank you, but that's a foreign concept to her so fuck it ] But you're, uh. Good company.

[oversleeps]

Good company.

[ wHAT IS THAT EVEN SUPPOSED TO MEAN ... ]

Whatever.

[irritating]

Means I can trust you. Means we're friends too, even though the f-word scares you shitless.

[oversleeps]

Fear has nothing to do with it
I don't use terms when they're not due.

[irritating]

Yeah, and what term areya puttin' on me right now anyway?

[oversleeps]

Nuisance.

[irritating]

Well that's just fuckin' rude.

[oversleeps]

You asked.

[irritating]

Yeah, and you gave me a shitty answer.

But don't worry 'bout it, you don't gotta say it out loud for me to know you're feelin' the friendship anyway!