( 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 lack of annoyance he can definitely work with. marduk even offers him a smile, though his amusement definitely isn't reflected in his voice. ] Like hell she is.

[ that's all there is to say about that. what would you even know, anyway; all you did was sleep with her once ... his mouth tightens at the memory of that, smile getting a little grimmer. ] So which is the part that got you all pissed off? [ this is important to know. ]

[implying]

[ He quirks a brow, but — he won't argue that. It's true, after all, his contact with her has been decidedly limited. The question makes him sigh, though. ]

I would start with the question of murder, but if that was her, then most importantly is why? If someone found out, that's hardly cause to confess guilt to an entire network!

[oversleeps]

If you know of a better way to announce things publicly, I'm all ears. ( he even tilts his head to back up his statement. definitely listening, see?

but he doesn't stay like that; marduk lifts his hands with a placating gesture and a shrug. ) It was a bit rash. ( the closest he's willing to admit that it was a bad idea. ) A little late for regret now, hey?

[implying]

Yes, it was rash, and it's never too late for regret. [ That's with a glare, but it disappears with a roll of his eyes. ] But at the very least, you can refrain from doing anything else particularly suicidal.

[oversleeps]

Maybe. [ he gives vanadi his best effort at a winning smile. in truth, he doesn't think things will come to much; not that he won't take any precautions, just to be on the safe side, but hell if he's actually worried.

speaking of precautions, though. ] I really do need you to do something for me. [ remember: winning smile. ]

[implying]

[ you can't charm a charmer!! that winning smile just gets a suspicious and displeased slant to Vanadi's ears, and he regards him warily. ]

So you'd mentioned. What is it that I'm to hang on to for you, then?

[oversleeps]

[ can u not pls he's trying here ]

Hold out your hands. [ both of his settle at his waist while he waits for vanadi to comply. with a frown, he his fingers around the hilt of his sword protectively. ] If you don't mind.

[implying]

[ He looks puzzled for a moment, until his eyes flick down to catch the hand at Marduk's hilt. Suspicion shifts quickly into worry, but he obligingly holds out both hands, palms up. Hopefully he's just going to do something with that sword. That's it, he's sure. Right? ]

[oversleeps]

[ ah. marduk doesn't do anything for a long while, actually, just stares at vanadi's hands, chewing on the corner of his lip. he feels like he should say something meaninful here, but any sort of explanation would take the entire night.

it's only temporary, anyway. he removes his belt and lays the still-sheathed sword across vanadi's hands, scabbard and all-- and pauses there, not letting go. if anything, his grip on the sword tightens; it's obvious that this is something he's loathe to do. ]

[implying]

[ He watches the sword, waiting for it to be properly released — and looks up with even more concern when that doesn't happen. It's never a good sign when someone feels they have to give up something they're apparently that attached to. ]

Marduk, I'm not entirely certain I ought to be taking this...

[oversleeps]

[ he hisses, very grudgingly letting go. marduk shoves his hands in his pockets, scowling at the floor. ]

It's not like you have to use it. Just take it. [ it comes out more snappish than he intended, and when he glances up again he at least has the decency to look guilty about it. ] Please?

[implying]

[ He folds both hands carefully around it, feeling like he's carrying something more precious than just a sword, by Marduk's treatment of it. The hummingbird perched at the hilt and looking it over with avian interest goes ignored, as always. ]

Why, exactly?

[oversleeps]

It's valuable.

[ ... to put it mildly. he tries on a grin again, spreading his arms wide. ] If I'm going to get jumped for being a dipshit on the network, I'd rather not have it end up elsewhere.

[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. ]