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]

I believe so. I can confirm this: her confusion and fear were very real. As was her apology.

( some of their powers have been dampened in this world, but this one of wrath's remains intact: he would have been able to sense if arabella was lying. the situation reminds her of vannozza in some ways. not quite the same, either, but there are enough parallels that make this that much more insidious.

with a sigh, she offers him a small and tight smile. frustration pinches it at the corners, though it's clear she isn't aiming her wrath at him. )

It seems so. If this is what we can expect on our first day ... ( truly only going to get more maddening from hereon out. )

[weifinder]

Not in control of what happened, or how that response was evoked. Unpleasant, but admittedly fascinating. Was it an activation of something carried on the card, or already on her?

( he pauses, rubbing his face and tiredly smiling in return. )

In different circumstances, I could try to feel if she's been emptied enough to be a vessel... not that it's necessary, depending. As it is, we'll need to hear on any logics behind her targeting from those who question those caught. Then prepare for whatever the following days generate.

Less assassination attempts, one might hope. I didn't miss that about Taravast, nor the fox weddings of Ke-Waihu.

[valeas]

My suspicion is that it is both.

( an activation tied to something already inside of Arabella. )

There was no magic to the note itself that we could glean, nor the lilies beyond the charm to preserve them, so the words themselves were the activation. Something tied to her that left me unaffected.

( assassination attempts, dark waters, mirrors, possessions. variations on a theme. she's not a fan, either.

with a sigh, she looks to him. )

Should I find anything else of note, I will let you know.

[weifinder]

Likewise, Emilia. May your path be clear, and the answers you find informative.