audio | username: raven master

[pulvisetumbra]

( Moaning, laughter, lewd innuendo — the fixtures of the House of Dew's channels. Until, a steeled voice cuts way: )

Tamaiu, if you please. Impress on your ladies the virtue of silence for the next hour.

( All too suddenly, betraying how often the mistress of the house listens in, the cacophony of sound dispels. He continues: )

Good afternoon. You’ve made rather a mess of things, haven’t you?

I made my first fortune in Sa-Hareth. Inevitably, through sales of salt. Now, this was before, when death was still a reliable constant, and trade margin weren’t unhelpfully eroded by the competition’s ability to deploy dead contingents that require no rest, no feeding, and minimal attendance while they operate the production line. I assure you, immortality is infertile ground for business.

( A moment, for amateurs to appreciate this economic downturn. )

At this time, I volunteer no name. You do not require it. Allocate me one as you please. I am a merchant, by trade. I am accustomed to a degree of discretion. But I have no guarantee that you would offer me the same courtesy in the event of your capture, and the ambitions of this enterprise frankly surpass you. It is of utmost importance that I survive.

It is of secondary relevance that you do the same. But my collaborators and I have allocated a not insubstantial volume of coin, sweat, blood and personal sacrifice to progress your escape and survival. The hope, the gain, and the only purpose of this operation is to remove you from Akhuras and direct you to pastures new. Any alternative allows for Unhalad, his siblings and their masters to utilise you in a war that has devastated our world.

( Another pause, measured. He is accustomed to the protocols of rhetoric. )

To be clear. You are not so naïve to assume our first efforts didn’t study the merits of your murder. We tested this on a batch. Regrettably, our enemies proved sufficiently apt to resurrect their captives and use them after.

We will therefore proceed with extraction. Some of the standing eastern portals still offer the possibility of transfer to other worlds. Although… most have not been tested in generations, and we may need to deepen our voyage east, if and when the beacons cannot accommodate us. The safety of portal transportation to your persons is candidly immaterial to us and remains your concern.

( Be that as it may. Another moment's hesitance: )

My part in this endeavour is to secure information on the portals and their location, along with facilitating transit, on occasion. You will contribute with coin, with labour, with discipline. Begin by assisting Haltham and Karsa as much as possible.

Now. If you attracted Unhalad’s attention, it is not unfair to assume you were all previously situated in a position of power. You are used to being heard, perhaps also heeded. Some of you may have commanded every room you stepped in.

Except for this one. I am master here. You are merchandise. I have no interest in hearing objections of stupidity, vulgarity or sentiment. Any other questions, proposals or comments may be submitted in an orderly manner.

( And perfectly civil once more: ) Tamaiu, if you please again. My thanks and regards to your ladies.

Comments

[pulvisetumbra]

Agreed. The intention is for you to assist with the rescue of any other otherworldly captives we are able to identify, with minimum risk to you. We cannot afford your death. Then, you become a liability we cannot recover.

*we were shhhhh just pretend it's right

[somebadnews]

[ THANK GOD. Breathing a little easier now, just to hear that lack of resistance. He's getting desperate. ]

I don't make that a habit of mine. [ Unlike his thrice-dead siblings. Still so calm: ] It'd be in your best interests if I were one of the first to know of any new arrivals.

no one saw anything

[pulvisetumbra]

And why would that, in particular, be the case?

I know who you are. I know the scope of your abilities. You must appreciate you are neither the most talented, nor the most exceptional, and hardly the most disciplined of your colleagues.

backspaces it from my mind

[somebadnews]

[ And if that doesn't sound just like Reginald. So much so that he's stunned into silence for a long stretch while he reminds himself more than once that it's not.

It's only a partial recovery when he finally responds. ]

The most motivated, at least. [ This is going to sound worse in context, but... if he really knows about him, he'll risk saying it to someone who actually might have a clue. ] I'm looking for my family.

[pulvisetumbra]

Yes. And you are not alone.

There will be opportunity for you to apply yourself. I trust you will rise to the occasion.

[somebadnews]

[ This isn't going exactly how he planned it. Too distracted to play his cards the way he intended, and now he's not sure how to get them back.

Unseen his hands glow blue for a moment, balled in fists, actually thinking about reversing time to start over. A stupid impulse that would backfire immediately. 58 years old and he's not disciplined enough to manage it. ]

We make our own opportunities. You should know, I'm not going to wait for them to come to me.

[pulvisetumbra]

I rather think you will choose not to make a fool of yourself.

[somebadnews]

[ Let him at least give the illusion of having options. That was the idea. -- Or he could stop talking before he makes himself sick. ]

I'd just ask that you remain open to my suggestions.

[pulvisetumbra]

I am open. When the time comes, you will be given the same consideration as your companions, and you will have the chance to prove yourself.

When a man contracts a supplier, he does not give them the privilege of his business until he has tasted a trial run. This is to test the quality, reliability and fidelity of the product.