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

[valeas]

Ah. ( speaking of ominous. ) Both notes on their surface appear contradictory, except the reaction to the one Arabella showed us was more like something awakening in her indeed. ( something bottomless and painful. )

[bravelyrunsaway]

( a pause. )

Forgive me for not being familiar with the pastimes of children with dolls, but would you say there's nothing related? People aren't as biddable as dolls, not even well paid, unless you have them so entirely under your power. Waking up from a dream, being someone else's toy. Both asking for reactions?

( he sighs, disliking the whole of it. a headache and a half. )

Or run with the obvious, since I dislike riddles. A key to waking up. Flowers for the one playing house. Whatever you want to say, nothing about a dollhouse is real. It's all child's play, love, made up. She didn't handle being reminded of that well at all.

[valeas]

( emilia is skeptical enough to believe arabella a flawless performer, if not for wrath's ability to sense emotions. )

Whatever I want to say?

Her confusion and fear were very real, I assure you. She cannot be reminded of something she is unaware of.

[bravelyrunsaway]

I believe that much, having watched whatever that was. It doesn't make the dollhouse real. It makes it appear that to her, it all feels real, until something steals away that belief.

Whatever she was in those moments is not who she believes herself to be.

[valeas]

Maybe not real, maybe a figure of speech. I'd admittedly never seen a droid before. ( she wouldn't call them dolls, but they're made of parts, and willing possession seems to be a thing here. ) Regardless, there's not much to go on right now. I'll need to look into this further.

Will you tell me how things go with your key?

[bravelyrunsaway]

When there's anything to tell—