eastbound | video | un: slothbaby - before the events of the colosseum

[Rare Kamala video! She is visibly anxiously as she addresses the pendent, chewing her nails up until the moment she begins to talk.] So some weird things have been happening lately and I think that we need to do something about it. Context: I'm basically like some junior newscaster here. They call it news shouter, but not the point. Honestly, I think I have the job because everything they ask me to say about sounds better coming from someone who looks twelve on a good day. Anyways, so I'm obviously not the only one sharing the news. Each of us have had some weird stuff go down recently. We usually go off submission boxes which is kind of cool actually. It's like mystery box news!

[Her good cheer quickly fades back into low grade anxiety.] Lately all these Senate officials have gotten super invested in what's in the box. They want to make we aren't spreading disinformation. Which okay? That sounds legit even if you have to wonder why they didn't care before. Kind of seems like an excuse to censor the news, but hey what do I know? I'm literally some kid from Jersey City.

But, now a bunch of the veteran news shouters are gone. They were pretty mad about what was going on and not at all shy about it sharing it since duh. We're not exactly a quiet group. Some people are saying they're getting special instructions which I guess is like training? Two of the apprentices think they're being imprisoned at the Senate House of Scribes.

In the interest of full disclosure? I'm totally going there to find out what happened to them. I still have a disguise from home so they won't know it's me.

But, I was really hoping I wouldn't have to go alone. Stealth isn't exactly my strong point. These are people I work with every day. They're innocent. I don't want them to get hurt because I didn't ask for help when I needed it. So if you're willing to help me break into somewhere to check on some people who might just be getting the most boring lecture of their lives? Awesome.

If you think I'm overreacting or we have bigger problems, I seriously don't care. Please don't even respond to this because right now this is my problem and I'm doing something about it. I just really hope one of you tags along since yeah I'm not subtle. I really need to work on that even if they won't know it's me.

[She ends the feed there presumably to stress out some more.]

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[ She saves herself from any criticism by apologizing for not asking him. Five was, in fact, doing important stuff. At least someone recognizes it. ]

It's not a bother to know when you're jumping into potentially dicey situations. [ Kamala at least thought to alert them. She does well to keep them informed, but he agrees with Allison that it's better that he's there in case something goes wrong. ] I can spare the time. This shouldn't take too long with that group.

[She points at the pendant.] Got it. If it looks dicey, interrupt your important thing. Save conversations about whether you've eaten or hydrated today for quiet moments.

[She tacks on just as quickly:] We should get something to eat after this is over! Stealth missions probably burn so many calories. Thanks for volunteering by the way.

[ He won't admit that she's part of the reason he's started to eat and drink like someone who doesn't have to ration like he's the last living thing in the apocalypse. Not enough by some human standards, but she's to blame for the effort. The rest has a lot to do with not carrying around cursed anguish everywhere he went.

Which is to say that he's firing on all cylinders lately. He's perfectly capable of multitasking. ]

No problem. [ It's Kamala, she gets babbling privileges right up until they actually need to be stealthy. ] Besides, you might actually be onto something. I wouldn't put it past them to try and control the narrative.

[Kamala looks appropriately concerned about being onto something. If Five sees it, in her mind, she might not be crazy to think this is exactly what's going on.] Yeah, I'm not great at the whole bigger-picture thing. I can't shake the thought that is what's happening here. If they control the people spreading the news, they kind of control everything. Everyone here really wants control.

[ Considering the way negotiations have been going, it seems to be working. ]

You're not wrong. There's more than one group fighting for control, so it makes sense that they'd use whatever means they could to shape public opinion.

Have they pushed any stories on you?

Edited 2023-10-22 02:30 (UTC)

Not really. I'm just an apprentice so they're not giving me the hard-hitting stuff the guys who went missing get. I mostly get the advertisements about wool.

[ Good. As much as he’d like to keep track of the headlines they’re pushing, if someone hassled her he might have to murder them. ]

Keep your guard up. If enough of them disappear they might offer you a promotion.

Oh yeah, that could be a thing. Can I get in trouble for turning it down?

[ He thinks for a minute. Very possibly, but he doesn't want to freak her out. ]

Don't turn it down. Tell them you'll say whatever they want, then contact me and I'll take care of it.

[Kamala is visibly uncomfortable with the advice. She is honest to a fault in most cases. Five is someone she trusts completely. Slowly, she nods.] If that's what you think is best... okay. That's what I'll do.

[ He sees that look. Even if she tells him what he wants to hear, there's clearly something about it that bothers her. ]

You're worried they'll be able to tell if you're lying?

[Kamala nods, impressed a little by how easy he got it.] Pretty much. It's not exactly my strength.

[ It's true he's noticed she's easier to read than most. Which he generally appreciates, since he often misses more subtle emotional cues, but he can see how it'd be a problem here.

He thinks for another moment, then offers a modified plan: ]

Then don't say anything. If they ask you a direct question, modify your answer so you're not lying.

Instead of saying no, say you understand. It's not the same as a yes, but they'll assume that's what you meant.

[Kamala thinks it over. Much like Wrath's advice, it clicks. She snaps her fingers.] Oh! I can actually do that one. Thanks, Five.

[ He's happy to know they're all on team 'keep Kamala safe' here. It's relative, considering nothing is safe, but it's one point they can all agree on. ]

Remind me to add that to our training. We'll practice it.

Okay, but as long as we agree this is just for emergency purposes with strangers. I'm pretty done with the whole lying to loved ones for their own good thing. It really does not end well.

[ That's... a concerning thing to say. He assumes it's about her powers, but there's probably more of a story behind it than he knows. Maybe she doesn't need the practice. ]

Deal. It's not really my preferred way of handling things anyway. [ He considers himself honest, when he's not scheming to take down his enemies. Most people don't have to guess where they stand with him. ] Once we find them, we'll decide on something more effective.

That's great because I'm so bad at telling when people are lying to me. I'd be so anxious all the time if you were like Kamala, the sky is red. I'd always been waiting for it to turn red because it's clearly blue!

[She rambles before giving Five a thumbs up.] But, okay plan! We have one! Things are going to be okay.

[ He stews on that for a few seconds, then paints on a smile. ]

They'll be fine. Eventually. [ Despite all the things he hasn't told her, which isn't the same as lying. ] I'll be there soon.

'Kay! See you soon. [She flashes the peace sign and goes on her way.]

video | un: slothbaby - before the events of the colosseum

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