video | un: wooden sword

[vdovy]

BACKDATED TO FEBRUARY 13TH

[ As soon as she is dismissed by the king, Yelena hurries to find a hidden corner of the fortress from which to broadcast. When the video starts, she looks flushed and sounds slightly out of breath, as if she was just running. ]

First of all, I must thank whichever one of you tipped off the king about the anonymous message claiming he sold us to Rathakku. He accused me of plotting his assassination so that was fun.

[ She glares into her stopwatch communicator, unamused. ] Maybe loop me in next time, yes?

[ A dismissive wave of her hand before she moves on to the real reason for this video. ]

We had an interesting conversation. Of all of us, I have probably spent the most time around Deimar. I do not believe he has sold us to Rathakku. I can't get into the details but I am asking everyone to please trust my judgment. I am not easy to convince.

More importantly, whether or not we've been sold is the least of our worries. There is something in Alem that Rathakku is after. Something he wants even more than hell itself. We need to figure out what it is and keep it from him.

I am also worried for Cle-Florens. I don't think her safety is Alem's priority. [ That's her delicate way of saying the poor girl has shitty brothers. ] We need to find a way to keep her protected.

Okay, I think that's everything. Bye! [ Another wave of her hand, this one much friendlier, and then the video goes dark. ]

Comments

text; un: oil change

[nachocheese]

That all the info we have? Just "something in Alem?" Hard to keep it away from him if we don't even know where it is.

[vdovy]

He wasn't super forthcoming about it. From what I gathered:

- It's something that they "stumbled upon" recently (within the last year or so, since Deimar claims it's the true reason behind the siege)
- Deimar said it is something that can free Rathakku, so apparently he is not free now
- He also said "pandemonium at our feet" which suggests it's under the fortress

[nachocheese]

Weird. So if he's not free now, then what does he need to be free FROM?

[vdovy]

Another mystery. My immediate guess is his other brothers? I haven't heard of any other force that could match or even exceed Rathakku's power.

text — un: starburst.

[valeas]

Would it kill them to speak straightforwardly but once?

( raise your hand if you're absolutely sick of these riddles. )

audio;

[reparo]

Right. We are adding princess rescue or princess kidnapping to the list of things to do. Wei Wuxian and I have had some correspondence with her - she's convinced that if it's her brother's decision to sacrifice her, she must honour it.

Which is gross.

[vdovy]

Oh, I hate that for her. Meanwhile her brother seems to forget her existence altogether. [ Why is it always the brainwashed little sister... ]

Do you know any magic that would help?

[reparo]

[Can you hear the gnashing of teeth?]

I hate that about him. She's just twelve - and thinks that someone recognising her existence is a sign of a marriage proposal? Anyway - yes, I have some things up my sleeves - spells or potions. I don't have physical access to her, but you seem to be in the inner circle?

private video.... un: strange

[rehandle]

[ This— isn't really how he'd expected or wanted this to go down. But here they are. Steeling himself, with no small amount of effort Stephen also opts for video. He looks - sheepish. ]

...Sorry. I didn't realize you were his guard.

[ There's almost nobody else who would've got an apology from him for this particular oversight, but he owes her more than just that. ]

[vdovy]

[ Her eyebrows shoot up over widened eyes as she barks out an incredulous laugh. ]

Ha! Of course it was you.

Anyway, it worked out in the end. We know something we didn't before.

this got LOST feel free to ignore me

[rehandle]

[ Of course it was him... ]

For the record, I agree with you. Regarding Deimar.

un: mansbane

[bravelyrunsaway]

Are we meant to be surprised that the lovely Deimar would have better uses of his time than selling a few handfuls of people out to a death lord that's been chewing on his ankles this last year?

What hint of this something that creature wants? And can we destroy it? I'd like to destroy it. Or bury it deeper than hell. Never give something that powerful more power, it'll all go poorly.

[vdovy]

Whatever it is, Deimar claims it was the impetus for the siege, so it must have been discovered within the last year or so. He says it can free Rathakku which raises the question of who or what controls him now.

[bravelyrunsaway]

What controls any or all of these creatures? ( Rhetorical. ) Then we look for something here that shouldn't be. Or that smells like it's linked to him. Which will probably be the same thing.

un: wei wuxian

[weifinder]

Deimar wants us investigating what that is? Did he give you any other hints at the whole?

Also, the man should be kicked firmly in the backside for how neglected his sister is. His brother the same.

[vdovy]

No, I don't think he does. I suspect he knows more about it than he was willing to say, so he is keeping us in the dark.

He did say that Alem stumbled upon it accidentally and that it has the power to free Rathakku. It might be under the fortress, perhaps encountered during mining? Maybe that's a reach but he used the words "pandemonium at our feet."

A kick in the ass is the least of what they deserve. We're the only people who seem at all concerned for her.

[weifinder]

Which is why we're talking about abductions, isn't it.

( He sighs, not because he thinks they shouldn't at this point, but more because he knows they have no plan for after.

... Which is fairly consistent. )

One of her brothers needs to survive this mess. Whatever else happens.

( Because she's so utterly unprepared for the world, and her uncle has no more going for him than her brothers do, sadly. )

Then we need to turn eyes toward what changed, talk to the people who've been here longer. Speaking of, has Deimar mentioned at any point how long the seals have been sailing for Hell?

un: absterge

[downswing]

The girl cannot be their victim.

[vdovy]

Lan Wangji casts his vote for kidnapping! I am really rubbing off on you.

[downswing]

For liberation.

voice; un: Black Prince

[blackscales]

Something he wants even more than hell itself. Some source of power, I presume. Rathakku doesn't seem the kind to be going to all this effort for a work of art.

[ The amusement fades from his tone, though. ]

I presume you've come to no harm?

[vdovy]

Deimar claims Rathakku is after his freedom. From what, I don't know, but this thing is supposed to grant it to him.

[ She makes an "awww" sound. ]

The king is no threat to me. But it's so cute that you care!

[blackscales]

[ Ugh. Note to self: cease caring. It's never worth it. ]

I have no doubt you could take him in a fight, I was concerned he might have tried to outnumber you when making his accusation. He doesn't strike me as someone who would exclusively play fair.

[video, un: long rope]

[eyeofthavnair]

This thing that Rathakku desires...Deimar does not know what it is? He has requested that we find out?

[vdovy]

He definitely knows more about it than he was willing to share. And no, not exactly. I don't think he wants us near it. He seemed to think it was safest in his care.