video. un: a_civil_serpent. [set before the Colosseum-attacks]

[inferus]

( Wrath has the device pointed toward himself, but over his shoulder, the rest of the crew who went after the news shouters are clearly in view. It is possibly an amusing village with Wrath being so entirely tall and broad, and the rest being much shorter, smaller: Kamala, America, Hermione, and Five walk behind him. Together, they enter Wrath's current residence (it's quite fancy, because the devil likes fancy things) to review what they have learned and make sure the coast is clear after breaking the shouters out from where they had been taken.

It's only when the door has closed on his magically warded residence that Wrath speaks: )

Kamala was right to worry about the veteran news shouters. We found them being held captive in the House of Scribes. According to these shouters, they had been beaten as a part of... conversations they were made to have over their 'poor civic spirit' - a direct quotation.

They were apparently detained for refusing to spread fearmongering about the supposed imminent resurrection and upcoming apocalypse of the Chained God. Their orders to do so were signed by Caius Justus himself. It is their belief that Caius Justus weaponizes this fear to stir the public in a particular direction - usually toward violence, bloodshed, fighting.

The shouters did appear to admire Messalina. They consider her message to be of one of... peace and liberation of the dead. As with all things, take that final particular information not as fact necessarily, but as their opinions to take into consideration.

( ooc: threadjack away, feel free to address any of the crew/threadjack, and also, replies could come from any of the crew )

Comments

audio input except for co-revolutionaries

[reparo]

For all it's worth, I'm glad we managed to free them even if we don't agree with their beliefs. Nobody deserves to be held prisoners and beaten for not agreeing with politicians.

[Soapbox moment over, she is heard shuffling around something - a kitchen, from the clinking of pots.]

Wrath, where's your - oh, my god, you have so much tea!

spoken in person but caught by the audio/video.

[inferus]

I do not believe we know nearly enough to either agree nor disagree, but I do like to be careful when conveying opinion versus fact. ( It's really the only reason he thought to specify - objectivity is important in making sound decisions ) They did need to be freed.

( There is no disagreement there. )

As for the tea, you can blame Allison for introducing me to it in Taravast. You're free to take and make what you wish.

And so on it goes

[reparo]

[Spoken while she's opening tins to check the tea, sniff the leaves.]

Yes, yes, agreement all around - oh, Merlin, this is black tea - I'm putting a kettle on!

[She's assuming there's a kettle here.]

[inferus]

( Demon politeness wins out in the end, and Wrath heads into the kitchen a moment later, leaving the pendant near on audio. He starts to place appropriate cups on to the table for the pouring - one for each of them. )

It's in the cabinet to your right.

un: absterge

[downswing]

Gratitude for guarding the children.






And Five.

[reparo]

[ExCUSE - children? Children?

She knows the message is for Wrath, but she's going to be pedantic.]

It's the least I could do.

[downswing]

( i g n o r i n g that )


Your faces were seen?

[reparo]

Not if the spell I cast over us worked - but if it didn't, it didn't.

[inferus]

You are all equal of age in my eyes, but you are welcome.

1/2

[downswing]

[downswing]

You believe their distrust of Caius Justus was true?

[reparo]

Hopefully you know the difference between children and the young ladies (and Five) who worked with you today.

un: ut malum pluvia

[somebadnews]

[ He appreciates all the 'and Five' asides, really. He sees you. ]

I hate to be the one to say it, but this apocalypse feels like a sham.

[inferus]

There appears to be little evidence of it despite two of our own group having visions of the chained god - those visions appeared to refer to the past.

[somebadnews]

And could have been planted as way to manipulate us. The question is why he's so intent on building up his army. There's real threats out there, why make up one that doesn't exist?

[reparo]

It does begin to sound like a conspiracy theory.

[somebadnews]

What we heard today suggests that. They're being aggressive, but it's working to some extent.

audio | un: slothbaby

[cosplayqueen]

I appreciate being right, but why is it always about bad things? Can't I ever be right about us getting more puppies? We would be so much happier if we had a lot of puppies.

[She's just saying!!] I am not going to pretend to get all this political stuff. I'm not Nakia. I hope this helps you guys work out how to handle this craziness. I'm going to stick to shouting the news and hoping no one decides to have a conversation with me about it.

action; and also audio left on

[reparo]

[She comes back into the room on that note, and deposits a cup of tea in front of Kamala, taking a seat next to her.]

You were brilliant, bringing this up - and we know more now thanks to you! But if it is all the same, I'd like you to have something that you can use to alert us if you're in trouble.

[From Hermione's bag, she brings out a generic looking coin, not marked for Ephes at all, but looking more at home in Hogwarts. She holds it out.] It's enchanted. I gave this to Wrath in Alem, I'm sure it still works. You hold it if you're in trouble, and my coin glows red and hot so I know you need us. But if you prefer, I can give my end to Allison?

[cosplayqueen]

Thank you. [Kamala thanks earnestly as she goes to enjoy the drink. Good tea is hard to come by! The rest has her quickly blushing. She's not used to being validated like this. It's... nice. Really nice. It makes her feel more confident.

That rush is quickly subdued by what Kamala considers a big gesture. She sets aside her tea to take it. She's visibly taken back.] This is... wow. I seriously can't thank you enough for all of this.

[She chews on her bottom lip and asks,] Would it offend you if it went to her? It's totally dumb, but when I think about a rescue party, I still see her there first.

in person.

[inferus]

( Wrath will wait for a moment after Kamala has had her tea but before the group of them disband. They are all free to say how ever long they would like. )

Remain on your guard when you do return. They will likely be looking for the news shouters we freed. ( Which means their colleagues are the most likely to be asked about their whereabouts )

[cosplayqueen]

[Kamala nods. She imagined there would be consequences. As usual, she has zero regrets about trying to do the right thing. She doesn't appear to be really worried about it overall.] Good thing I have no clue where they are. I suck at lying.

[That should be concerning. Kamala is unbothered still. She does want to stress one point while they're still together. She smiles softly and tells Wrath as earnestly as ever:] I really can't thank you enough for believing me. I know we don't exactly know each other well, but it means a lot to be heard. So thanks.

un: headless ragdoll | audio

[matermali]

I am impressed by their fortitude. I admit that I would not expect many to hold fast when faced with threats and beatings.

Have their injuries been seen to?

[inferus]

They were provided with gold as well as items to aid their healing.

It did not seem wise to linger long enough to heal them in full when they need to escape the city before they can be captured again, but they were more than capable of walking and mostly bruised and battered. Nothing magical had been done to them.

[matermali]

Is there any way in which Caius Justus could follow this rescue back to you?

[ Her tone is curious rather than accusatory. She only knows how difficult it is to keep hold of any situation for long, especially here. ]