video - un: starkov / dated 11/12

[sankta]

( the video opens on Alina looking winded. the focus is on her face, sweat trickling down her brow, strands of hair plastered to her cheeks. she's looking past the camera at something else. behind her is a dimly lit hallway, only the wall and light on the wall barely peeking out past her face. )

Be careful if you're invited to any parties these days. ( her eyes flick to the camera, then she lowers the camera to reveal her upper chest. just below her throat, across her collar bone, is a deep, angry slash that still drips past the neckline of her dress.

she raises the camera to her face again, her eyes darting around herself rather than watching the screen. ) That was meant to be my throat. Others weren't so lucky.

The Brotherhood left a message after the slaughter for the families seeking alliance with Macaluso and Taravast. ( her eyes flick back to the camera. ) Basically, don't do it; this is the only warning. ( she searches her memories a bit for the wording- ) "Never seek alliances that could imperil the Brotherhood's interests again."

( she sighs, closes her eyes and shakes her head before reaching up to wipe the strands of hair from her brow. ) I could use some help. I caught one. ( she flips the camera around to show the hallway behind her lined with the carnage of four undead envoys in pieces on the floor. ) But I still need help to clean up.

Comments

[sankta]

They let the other half of us survive. After they presented them their own heads on a platter with knives in them.

You should have time to get here.

[downswing]

...first, we bury the innocent.

[sankta]

I would like that.

( a pause, then pain slips into her voice. ) I knew something was wrong with the dinner. I should have acted sooner.

[downswing]

( Softened, staggered: ) You lived. You fight another day.

[sankta]

I'll live to make them pay for it.

[downswing]

Alina. Vengeance tears flesh, consumes marrow, breaks bone.

[sankta]

( there's a moment. then- ) As a friend once said to me- I am ruination. ( words to live by, Genya. )

[downswing]

...what want of enemies? With friends who bleed you first.

[sankta]

You shouldn't worry. This was what I was made for.

[downswing]

I thank the craftsman's work done.

[sankta]

You never know. In this place you may get the chance some day.

[downswing]

( Alina. )


I shall bring waters.

[sankta]

I'm not going anywhere.

[downswing]

Perhaps better you did.

[sankta]

When this is all taken care of first.

[downswing]

Your energies soured. ( If ever they were honest, restful and plain. ) You will rile spirits.

[sankta]

Is that a necromancer thing?

[downswing]

( Excuse you. )

A matter of purification.

[sankta]

( SHE DOESN'T KNOW )

I need to be purified?

[downswing]

( Perhaps. )

Spirits contain an excess of emotion. They cannot be contaminated with fear or anger.

[sankta]

So... I should go? ( ugh she's so glad she's not into spirit magic. this sounds complicated. )

[downswing]

You are agitated. Resentful.


( Go. )

[sankta]

Do you not think we've earned the right to be?

[downswing]

If this cripples the dead?

[sankta]

The living still need us, too.