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

[cosplayqueen]

[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.]

Comments

un: absterge | did this instantly cure his hangover, ofc it did

[downswing]

Kamala. You cannot tread alone.

audio. un: a civil serpent

[inferus]

( Wrath is unaccustomed to the earnestness of this mortal - so unlike the majority of his current experiences within his own realm. she named the puppy. his wife cares a great deal about her, and in truth, Wrath admires the way she has decided to take action with such simple but true intentions despite her quite obvious fear. Wrath has stayed neutral in the senate so far, focusing his political power on following through with his role, and so he is not so involved in what is happening there at present. )

You do not have to go alone.

I have political connection which could be used as reason for our entry and more than enough coin to bribe whoever may be there. If necessary, there are ways to subdue and to utilize the shadow. ( that would certainly help with whatever stealth was required. )

[cosplayqueen]

[She immediately looks both relieved and grateful. The anxiety melts from her small frame and she smiles.] Thank you so much, Wrath. I wasn't sure anyone would take me seriously because it could be nothing. It's just not a chance I want to take.

I'm totally willing to follow your lead on this. Like I said, I'm not the best at stealthy stuff. I'm more of a boss battle kind of girl. Whatever you think is best to get the info, I'm totally down to do.

[cosplayqueen]

[Kamala crosses her arms defensively. He's only echoing what she thinks. It still upsets her once again she isn't as cool as her idol. Captain Marvel could make this go away. She's too powerful to say no to. Kamala Khan not so much.] Trust me, I know! This isn't something I'm good at. I'll probably make it worse.

What choice do I have if no one wants to help me? Leaving it alone could end really badly for them. It's not their fault they're just trying to tell the truth when no one wants to hear it.

[inferus]

You're welcome, Kamala. ( Also, this mortal is incredibly polite - so few mortals are these days. He greatly appreciates good manners. ...also, wow did he make a random mortal less afraid? Yes, he watches the anxiety wipe from her expression. There is a first time for everything. )

It doesn't sound like nothing. You should trust your instincts. Even if it was nothing, you are right that it is worth looking into.

Do you know anything about the House of Scribes? Specifically, if it's guarded or if it isn't - if they are keeping prisoners there, I imagine there must be some on watch.

[cosplayqueen]

[She looks even more pleased at the validation.] That's such good advice.

[Kamala praises earnestly. She shakes her head to refocus on the problem at hand.] But, okay! I did check the outside after I talked to those guys. There are guards on duty. Not like a super big amount from what I could tell. I could probably beat them, but then what? If they weren't in trouble before, they definitely would be after someone beats up guards and breaks them out.

I also don't know anything about the inside which is my second problem. I don't know where they are being held or talked to if nothing is wrong.

[inferus]

( Hm. Time to set aside the strangeness of having such a positive effect on a mortal who is not his wife (and she is only part mortal) - he rarely interacts with ones so young, but he finds the earnestness and honesty refreshing in a sense. Even if he understands the dangerous ways it could be used by an individual with ill intent. )

The first step toward a more stealthy approach is to learn all you can about a location ahead of time as you've attempted to do here. It would be better if we had a map, but that is unlikely. If you recognize one of the guards, we may be able to find them outside of the building, and then offer them money for information about the inside and about the movement of the guards.

The best plan following that is to approach under a guise as you surmised to learn all we can about the inside before we strike. I believe my position could give us reason to be allowed in - I am responsible for deciding where the bankers should invest their money, and you can act as my assistant.

If our guise is seen through or if we find they are being imprisoned which I imagine is true, we will have to fall back to a more straightforward method. I want you to be prepared for that.

[downswing]

You do not walk alone.

[cosplayqueen]

If they had a map, America might have it or at least get access to it. She's been working on making new maps. I've been helping her draw some things out. That's how I know I could totally recognize one of the guards. Art is kind of my thing. I'm good at remembering faces and epic scenes.

[Would they really get that lucky to get the hook up with America?? Kamala decides to latch onto the rest.] But, okay. I like the idea of going in with you as an assistant. It's not even weird that I'd be moonlighting. My generation is all about the side gigs. I'm always down for a fight. I just want to try things the smart way before I go Kamala Smash! They're the ones who have to live here after this is over. It's not cool for me to leave them in legal trouble while I run off to the next place.

[cosplayqueen]

I know that. [Yeah even she doesn't believe her.] Kind of. This is different from me asking for you guys to pay attention to me or let me have some snacks. You could get into trouble. I can't just expect people to go along with it. This is serious.

[starlingroad]

[It isn't just Kamala's problem. If people she works with are disappearing? She could be next. That matters a whole lot to America.]

I'm going with you!

[cosplayqueen]

America! I'm so glad you responded. This is totally up your alley. I really need you, but I didn't want you to feel like you had to do it because we're friends. That would be so uncool of me.

[starlingroad]

I want to do it.

But I'm going because we're friends. If you're worried about people, then we should do something about it. I also don't want anything happening to you.

@taken for granite | voice

[rumorate]

[Allison isn't sure she can get away or she would go herself, and honestly she may just cause too much attention, but she's not letting Kamala (or Kamala and America) go alone.]

Take Five with you.

[Five knows the rules, whoever hurts Kamala must die be dealt with.]

[cosplayqueen]

You're so awesome, America. Thank you! [She gives her an airhug. What? They're a thing!] This is really serious, but I'm so excited we're having our first team-up on a side note!

[cosplayqueen]

Are you sure? He seems like he's doing important stuff for us. I didn't want to distract him.

[inferus]

Check with America, and we'll hunt down a guard for any additional information before we head inside.

( If they can get a map ahead of time, they will have more than enough information that they need to pull this off. ...but also how is this young woman more understanding of the potential consequences of their actions here than most? It's the reason Wrath has not made any particular political push - he will not exist in the city afterwards. ) You speak with wisdom - we have to be careful of our choices here. However, if they are imprisoned, we will be doing them a favor by breaking them free regardless of how messily, and we could use some of my coin to see them freed further - enough to get them out of the city if necessary.

[downswing]

Yes.

( The... blithest... )

voice; un: man's greatest treasure

[reparo]

I'll join you. I can cast a non-detection spell over us both - not as useful as a cloak of invisiblity would be, but it's handy in a pinch. Besides which, we can say you are my peanut saleswoman assistant.

[ And if they have to disappear quickly, there is Apparition. ]

[cosplayqueen]

On it! She's totally in to help by the way. Allison volunteered Five too. We also have Herimone in on this. She has magic which seems really useful in most situations.

[She rambles before circling back to the rest as she's prone to do.] That's pretty wise too by the way. I'm starting to feel really good about this. Seriously, thank you. I think we can actually pull this off.

[cosplayqueen]

Yeah with all that said a weird amount of people still want to help. I guess I was freaked out over nothing.

[cosplayqueen]

Thank you, Hermione! We actually have a bit of crew going. Do you think that you could cast that over like- [She starts counting off on her fingers.] four other people? Wrath, America, and I are in. Allison said Five has to go too.

1/2

[reparo]

In theory, yes, but it's uncertain how well the spell would take given the magic here obeys its own annoying rules...

[reparo]

Wrath is going? Isn't he high ranking in this city?

[downswing]

Anticipated differently?