( 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]

The justice system that no one can agree on.
That isn't capable of doing anything at all.
Your luck you can keep, in that case
Though I'm curious to know
What you consider enough to be deserving murder
Self-defense is a given.

[hyanaimne]

Yes, I am quite aware. I was at the mercy of it for two weeks.

What I consider deserving? I have killed to prevent mass murder, but on the flip side I have killed men for not understanding the words "piss off".

Though I am a bit bias, as I was sometimes hired to murder targeted individuals.

[oversleeps]

A mutineer and an assassin
I guess that would explain the interest
Hope you were paid better than I was back home
Not that the money would count for much here either way
Color me surprised that you're so willing to admit to it, though

[hyanaimne]

I see no point in hiding it. But I was paid rather good back home, yes.

[oversleeps]

Most of who I've met seem to take offense to killers
Paid or unpaid
The principle of the thing, I guess.
Perhaps you've been luckier than me.

[hyanaimne]

No one has taken offense to me yet, but then again I do not really care. They care more that I was part of the bloody mutiny.

[oversleeps]

Funny.
Was it even worth it?

[hyanaimne]

I would not have participated if I didn't think it was.

[oversleeps]

At the time, sure.
No one does anything they don't think worth it in the moment
For one reason or another
I'm asking about now.

[hyanaimne]

I still feel it was.

[oversleeps]

I guess
The logical question from here is why
Because aside from a whole lot of talk
It doesn't seem to have done anything worthwhile

[hyanaimne]

I would say that your post says otherwise.

[oversleeps]

In what way
Exactly

[hyanaimne]

You never did answer my first question.

[oversleeps]

That would depend entirely
On what your definition of deserving is
It's quite the loaded term.

[hyanaimne]

If he was a criminal himself, if he was threatening your life or another's, if he was a terribly wretched human. All good reasons.

[oversleeps]

None of those.
As far as I'm aware, anyway

And all of those descriptors are
Just as ambiguous as the initial one
One man's wretched is another's savior
Frankly, I don't see the point in bothering with so much classifcation

[hyanaimne]

And yet no one but children are entirely innocent. And even then, some of those aren't.

So you killed him for shits and giggles? I believe that is the modern way to say it.

[oversleeps]

No one is innocent.
At the end of the day
Either everyone is deserving of death
Or no one is.

[ pause. god, is that really how they call it here? ]

My actions weren't without purpose
If that's what you're implying

[hyanaimne]

My. You are the first of your kind I have ever heard speak like that. Or, well, type, anyway. Unless I am mistaking what you are.

Then what was your purpose?

[oversleeps]

[ PAUSE ... the response is definitely, extremely delayed. he almost has no idea how to respond to that. ]

And what do you believe I am, then

[hyanaimne]

Aside from a fool advertising for his own lynch mob?

An elf of some sort.

[oversleeps]

Did you have a particular sort in mind
Or is that just your best guess

[hyanaimne]

[what a strange question]

An elf is an elf, as far as I am concerned.

[oversleeps]

[ here's a test. ]

Even drow?