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.

[reparo]

Thank you.

[And she finds it, fills it with water (spell) and puts it on the fire so it boils.

As she does this, she says calmly:]

I don't like being belittled. I mean, I doubt anyone does, but - this is why I react so strongly to being called a child.

[inferus]

I am aware. ( Wrath's understanding of emotions and sins runs deep. He doesn't believe Wangji meant the term in a belittling way this time - more protective of the younger ones within the group, but that is for Wangji to clarify if he wishes. And Wrath's own comment had been more about Wangji, about mortals in general. He was made when his own world was made - age is a strange concept to him, but he would not have went on a mission with all of them if he viewed them in the belittling way implied here. )

You cannot let it rule you - your anger at the implication, your dislike for the term.

[reparo]

[She rolls her eyesand turns around to lean against the cupboard while the water boils, arms crossed. Defensive:]

Why not? What's so wrong about a little rage?

[inferus]

( Wrath's expression shifts to one of subtle amusement - that she should ask such a question to him (wrath incarnate), that even that attempt at a helpful statement from an ancient being might put her on the defensive so quickly. He places each of the tea cups on to their individual plates. )

Did I say it was wrong?

[reparo]

You were literally chiding me for being childish to feel angry. [There's a small pause while she scoops leaves into a teapot, for when the water is done boiling.]

Which is rich, coming from you, Sir Wrath.

[inferus]

That is not what I said, but you are free to see it as you wish - as you are free to see me as you wish. ( It has no effect on him regardless. Wrath is quite accustomed to mortals seeing him a variety of negative lights after all.

However, Wrath can see she is in no state to have an actual conversation about any of that so he shifts his focus. ) I've set out enough cups. You'll find anything else you need in the cabinet to your left.