video — un: starburst.

[valeas]

( Hello, Eastbounders.

Once again, a dynamic and alarming duo greets you, with no better news than last time.

In fact, it doesn't seem to be an announcement at all.

The first thing the jostled communicator picks up is... a sound. Guttural, croaked, agonising. It belongs to Lady Arabella, throwing herself upon what becomes quite obviously Wrath's frame. Her mouth opens wider, and wider still, as though she might want to swallow him whole.

The sound becomes a scream, unending.

Wrath's golden gaze stares at Arabella like one might survey a mildly interesting change in the scenery — his own expression impassive as her grip tears the buttons from his shirt.

His companion, on the other hand, reacts a bit more angrily, Emilia's initial concern shifting into something more vicious. As Arabella attempts to latch on to Wrath however she can, Emilia strikes back at her, prepared for a fight. Except it never quite comes: no sooner Arabella is thrown off, she stops,

backpedaling into the communicator that turns the video black. )


NOTE: Again, the second link leads to Grudge-y things. The video is short and choppy and hectic, taking place not long after the assassination attempt on Arabella. Wrath and Emilia helped in the rescue efforts and were, uh, rewarded. For more details, feel free to read here.

Comments

un: headless ragdoll (audio)

[matermali]

[ Hello, what in the—

Vanessa is absolutely terrified for the first time since coming here. She's been unnerved before now, even worried and at times almost entertaining fear. But this triggers something so deep in her gut that she might be sick.

It's some time before she responds, and only after it's clear that the two of them are all right. She is so off kilter that her voice is practically a croak. ]

If the demon still wears her skin, then she cannot be trusted no matter how calm her demeanor. [ Shut up and look in a mirror, Vanessa. ] There was a trigger?

[valeas]

( Vanessa's user name piques Emilia's curiosity right away, as does the fact her first assumption is that it must be a demon. She doesn't sound all right, and who can blame her? So much about Serthica is disquieting, and they've only just arrived. )

I do not know if it is a demon, but I agree we cannot assume calmness is benign. The trigger was a phrase written down on a note, attached to a bouquet of lilies she received a week ago. She believed it connected to today's attempt.

( A pause. )

Headless ragdoll?

[matermali]

[ A long pause. Her tone hardens. ]

A cruel jest. I did not choose it. He who is behind these machinations will spare none of us his darkest of whims.

[ She had just been accepting that this wasn't a world created by the Devil to torment her, but now she's spiraling again. She can't trust her own judgments any longer. ]

Were the lilies yellow? No, it doesn't matter. [ It does, but only to a romantic. Who is more romantic than he, Vanessa? ] What was the phrase?

[valeas]

( He? The Merchant has nothing to do with their spelled devices, hrm. Her brows furrow in confusion, but before she can inquire, Vanessa asks a question about the issue at hand.

Emilia writes it, just to be on the safe side. )

'dolly, back in your dollhouse.'

The lilies were white, and the effect only took place once the words were spoken aloud.

[matermali]

[ Vanessa stares at the phrase, squinting until the words blur and tears sting. No longer trusting her voice, she's eager to follow Emilia's lead and continue the exchange in the written word. ]

Rebirth, then. The color is a form of poetry where I come from. I know not if they follow such a trend here, so make of it what you will.

The wording is abrupt, but still poetic. Like a spell. What was the intent, then? For her to spread her madness upon the entire city? They must know she would be stopped.

[valeas]

( Vanessa mentions demons and spells, so... )

I do not discount what the lilies represent, but I am less concerned by them, in truth. They were magically preserved by a charm, but the charm itself had no extensions or residue. It was merely to preserve the lilies, and was easily broken, at that.

The words themselves were the threat, and when paired with the assassination attempt ... the target was mainly Arabella, and in turn, her target became whoever read those words aloud.

I do wonder what would have happened if she'd been the one to speak them.

[matermali]

That would suggest that the influence does not apply only to her. If she were to utter them in front of others from the city, and they were affected? The implications are disastrous.

You say there was no magical residue on the charm... What of what of its memory? The note, especially. Pen to paper is an intimate gesture, requiring thought and intent. It has its own history. Perhaps I could read it, or even the charm.

[ This group is full of people who seem to know magic, and these two seem to be familiar enough with the concept of demons and spells. She probably doesn't need to offer herself; the very idea scares her. Angered by her fear, she offers anyway, but part of her hopes that this has already been attempted by someone else. ]

It may lead to nothing. Has anyone tried this, or would you permit me to make an attempt?

[valeas]

( her bone-deep skepticism has gone nowhere. she is slow to trust, if she trusts at all, but this world leaves her in a state of negotiation. negotiating her personal lines, the risks she'll take, her own anger. she's well aware of the talent within their hodgepodge group, much as this username is unfamiliar to her.

she forces it all aside, however, and decides this on pragmatism. )

No, no one has tried this in particular. If someone can glean something that Wrath and I have not, it is to our best interest. The bouquet is with me in Eidris, the note with Wrath in Minaras.

How would this work, exactly?

[matermali]

I am in Minaras, and so the note may be easier to find. I need to be able to touch it. It isn't always something that I can control, and so I may live through a poignant memory from whomever sent it. Or I may only know taste, or sound, or sight. I may experience nothing at all. I make no promises.

Too, I could attempt to read her, but she would need to be willing. I think the tools a safer attempt for now.

[ She wouldn't need to be willing, but Vanessa has no wish to assault this woman's agency any more than it already has been. Nobody deserves that. Let her have a little peace for the moment. ]

Forgive me, in my initial fright I did not introduce myself. I am Vanessa Ives. Not headless, nor a doll, I do so swear.

[ Perhaps not the time to be cracking a joke, Miss Ives. ]

[valeas]

We are in agreement.

( She'll let her and Wrath sort out the note business, frustratingly aware there isn't much she can do from Eidris.

The ghost of a smile touches her lips, grimly wry, not that Vanessa can see it. It is exactly the time to crack a joke. At least, her conversation partner seems receptive of it, fond of witty banter that she is. There's hardly been room for it, considering... everything. )

I am Emilia di Carlo.

A relief, to be sure. Best to get ahead of the issue and leave it to the Horsemen.

( A pause, before she adds: ) Were you among those in the Mouse House that helped secure our passage?

[matermali]

[ She would truly like to see the flowers, especially if they aren't native to the city. One matter at a time, though. Should the note not offer anything, then it may be best to try everything together. There's no perfect science to it. Even with training, she feels blind on the matter.

The teasing response makes Vanessa's lip pinch momentarily, and the tickle of amusement is all the more striking when following so closely behind terror. When emotions are so heightened, it's too easy for all of them to rush in at once, after all.

More seriously, though, as even the joke does make one think... ]

A beautiful name. Not fitting for a city where I fear the Horsemen have already attempted to raze.

[ The reminder of that strange little venture in the Mouse House scratches at the back of her mind. Nobody has really addressed it since they've left, but then everyone is quite about problem solving, and the problems up above sparkle all the brighter. ]

I was. A less grand entrance to the city than your own, I suppose, but I found it far less intimidating than the citadel proper. I almost miss it. Have you been below?

[valeas]

( The Horsemen, a Huntress, and more.

She would not find herself without armor for any of it. Any of them. There is no edge to her she will not whet against stone if it means another weapon for her arsenal, if it means she succeeds. Wily, wary, and flame-bright, Emilia shakes off the lingering vestiges of her unease.

And focuses.

Her amusement ebbs in tandem with Vanessa's, the quiet moment of respite having served its purpose. )

No, not yet. But as I understand, it stands separate from Serthica in more ways than one. It is not so impossible to tell the living from the dead. ( It stands forgotten and disdained, but not so unnatural. )

[matermali]

Yes, the air down there is different, and not just for the grit that rakes at the lungs. In the depths, where hope is overcast by shadows, it seems that death has no need to hide.

Can you normally sense such things? Spirits?

[inferus]

She is not a demon. ( Wrath can no longer tell the difference between the living and the dead. However, his other senses do not appear to be dampened in the same way. He was still able to sense magic in the fog during the attack. He was still able to sense the supernatural make of the companions within their group. ) I have doubts she is human, however.

And I certainly do not trust her calm demeanor. Reading the phrase appeared to have some effect, but the phrase and note were not magical. ( So the effect must be something else in nature. )

[matermali]

[ Oh right, there was also a man involved.

She's reluctant to blindly believe anyone's judgment, but it would be just as foolish to argue without cause. It only leaves her stumped and no less upset. She ponders for a moment, and also switching to the written word after learning of the phrase. ]

How do you know that the phrase was not magical in nature? You can sense such things?

[inferus]

I can. I could sense the fog used in the attack was magical in nature and many within the Remembrance group had magical ability. While this place my stifle the ability to determine living from the dead, it does not appear to affect the ability to sense magic.

( This world does have a habit of stifling many of his powers, but that generally hasn't been the case with his ability to sense magic thankfully. Magic is in abundance within this world even if it isn't quite the same shade as the one found within his own. )

[matermali]

[ Vanessa wasn't the only one to sense the fog, then. She's impressed with how many in the party have supernatural skills. It does take the pressure off, though it leaves her wondering how she can help. ]

But if not magical in nature, then... A type of hypnotism? I've read about it, but not quite like this. It would not explain her physical change, either. There was nothing human about her nature.

Whatever the case, you both handled yourself with efficiency. Forgive me. In the shock, I've forgotten to express my relief that both you and the lady are unharmed.

[inferus]

This city has much more technology than I am accustomed to. I can only imagine it may extend to what occurred in that room, and we have a great deal to learn about this city still, but I agree that human is not how I would refer to her behavior nor the way she appeared.

It's unclear what she meant to do to me as her jaw unhinged to such a level.

There is no forgiveness required. I appreciate your words and expression of relief, but I assure you that we are both perfectly fine.

[matermali]

[ Vanessa had a tendency to bite people, or try, when she had been possessed. It's difficult for her to consider these cases entirely unrelated, but if no demons have been sensed, then she'll have to consider complete ignorance on the subject.

If what he says is to be trusted, at any rate. ]

What a shame that she cannot seem to recall anything of use. Where is she now?

[inferus]

In her quarters. I intend to check on her at a later date to see if there have been any changes or if she can recall anything further about receiving the flowers to begin with.

You wanted to examine the note?

( he saw the conversation she was having with emilia, and he is more than happy to allow anyone else to have a look at it if it might mean they're given any answers at all. the spectacle was exactly that, but they're left with more questions than before, which he dislikes. )

[matermali]

I hope she finds some peace in the wake of such confusion, at least until progress finds our favor.

[ It helps, really, that they're able to follow both conversations. She's always glad for efficiency. ]

Ah, yes. If it isn't too much trouble.

Would you be willing to come to my residence? It is best where I can find privacy in order to focus, as the mechanical man can busy himself in the kitchen after you arrive. You need only call upon Vanessa Ives, and I can find an excuse to send it away. Mr...?

[ She'll wait to jot down the directions, in case he's strongly against that. It would be harder to shake her mechanical companion while away from home, but she can still try to find a way if he demands a different meeting place. She only knows that she won't be able to focus with it watching her. ]

[inferus]

( There is little that his role in Minaras grants him in terms of resources to solve this crime and prevent further from breaking out. From what he's seen, being a detective only allows him some minor authority, but he assumes it would be enough for a droid to allow for some amount of privacy. Regardless with how everything is being watched at the moment, he doubts it won't be noticed, but Arabella did hand him the flowers and note to look into.

He's doing his job by having others take a look at it. )

It isn't any trouble. My role in Minaras is one of a detective so that should be sufficient enough reason as well for your droid to be sent into the kitchen without too much further question.

Wrath.

[matermali]

[ She had already known that someone was called 'Wrath', but to hear it offered like that as an actual name is indeed something else. It sounds nothing more than an alias, but who is she to judge such a thing? If it's intended to strike one's memory, then it is most effective. ]

I should think it would have no protest against such authority. You will be most welcome, then, at your next convenience.

[ The address is jotted down here, since she doesn't really care if others in the group see it. If a demon tries to enter, or even someone with dark magic or evil intent, they'll find themselves stuck beyond the doorway no matter the written invitation. ]

I'll be certain to let the metal man know to expect a Mr. Wrath in the near future.

[inferus]

( Wrath is nothing if not efficient. He doesn't know if the note or flowers will lead to anything at all. However, he does know that if another attack occurs, the consequences will be on him - a ridiculous ask when they cannot give him proper resources to handle the problem, but he does intend to see through every angle.

It's polite to announce a specific time, however, and so he does: )

I will arrive tomorrow at noon.

( ooc: do you want to action here or we can do a closed log too if you're down for that ! )

[matermali]

Well enough. I will see you then.

[ ooc; Closed log is okiedokie with me, so we don't flood poor Vi's inbox. ]