eastbound | video | un: wooden sword

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. ]

Threaded | Flat

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.

Edited 2023-02-23 19:48 (UTC)

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.

[ 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. ]

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.

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.

The girl cannot be their victim.

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?

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

text; un: oil change

audio;

private video.... un: strange

un: mansbane

un: wei wuxian

un: absterge

voice; un: Black Prince

[video, un: long rope]