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

[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?

[valeas]

The realm of spirits is not my forte, ( is a deft attempt to not get too deeply into what is ) but I would recommend a member of our group called Wei Wuxian should you seek a greater understanding of their function in this world. He is well-versed in the subject, and has been here for well over a year. ( since this all started, really, and when in doubt, delegate. )

[matermali]

[ An elegant dodge. Vanessa can respect it enough to leave it, for now. ]

I am not accustomed to other spiritualists, but it seems we have no shortage. We may have spoken, if he was the one to alert us to the strangeness of the citadel's dead...and living.

Have you suffered just as long of a journey as he?

[valeas]

( The question gives her pause. It stings, to do the math. To know her best efforts haven't gotten her any closer to a working beacon. Nowhere close to returning home to her vengeance. She has not lost her resolve, has not lost focus. But she's been made to face the ways in which this world gets the best of her. )

It has been many moons. Not as long as he, but close to a year, I should think.

( Keeping track can be difficult in this place. )

[matermali]

[ Vanessa has also been denied vengeance. It's important for her not to let the need for it soften, should she be forced to spend just as much time here. Her memory is long, fortunately. Unfortunately? ]

That does not bode well for my future here, but at least we may take comfort in each other during such a stretch of imprisonment. How much worse it could be were we truly alone in this.