[Video]
[The video, when it activates, isn't pointing at the speaker, but is trained steadily on a monster in the distance. It appears vaguely doglike, if a dog had burning eyes and tentacles. Lots of tentacles. As the video flickers on, the creature turns, and spotting the intruder, growls low in its chest.]
[Despite the imminent threat, there's no waver ( Read more... )
[Despite the imminent threat, there's no waver ( Read more... )
[She's so intent on running in his direction that she drops the communicator and has to jump back to snatch it back up.]
[She gives it a few thumps, just in case something got knocked loose like that'll fix anything]
Hang on Sir! I'll be right there!
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My business here is done. Meet me in a green zone. [ Because he obviously isn't in one right now. ]
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Uh...yeah, um...[pant]
WeDon'tHaveAnyGreenZones -- I mean--
[Stops to take a breath]
...The Green Zones have been disappearing lately. There's almost none left!
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Where would be a secure location? [ Security isn't his speciality, after all. ]
What do you know of the magister who has taken over the Cathedral?
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It must have been the Fire guy. The Ice guy's probably too meek for that. Bastard. I didn't even know they were still alive.
Um, the church has always been safe so far, even during the worst events we've had. But I think it's near the Cathedral...?
Sir, if worst comes to worst, the Cathedral will probably be safe. It's just that the Fire Magister might demand something in return for letting you stay there.
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He also had rather pointy ears. Would that be the correct magister?
[ And his smirk is almost audible ] So the Cathedral would be safe? Just as well that I was already planning a little visit there.
[ Lightly, sounding vaguely amused as he fires at something in the distance ] Although I should probably get out of the red zones first.
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[Each and every single bullet that comes out of his shotgun represents a failure in her duty, and it's all she can do to keep herself from panicking. Tseng would have her guts for garters if she didn't get to his position a.s.a.p]
I've got your ping now, Sir. I'm -- [*grunt* stupid door!] -- on my way.
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[ The video helpfully flashes back on as Rufus turns it on his immediate surroundings, all the better to find him with. Fringe of a red zone, but leaving fast. ]
Take your time. It's not as though I'm falling off a building.
[ He pauses to take his bearings, and then sets off down a street, still talking. ]
He does appear to be in control. Now the question is - is he as dangerous as he pretends to be?
[ There was a time when he would never deign to ask for advice or opinions, not even from the Turks. The two years since Meteorfall have changed a lot of things. ]
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[She's completely baffled by the building comment - anything that wasn't directly after Meteor is hearsay to her, and nobody's specifically mentioned the President's little jump.]
I...believe that he bluffs Sir. If he wanted to kill us he wouldn't bother with pleasantries and half-truths. The Magisters have been shown again and again to be impotent during a crisis so if they've got power, they're hiding it well.
[Oh wow he's asking her for her informed analysis of the situation? dontfuckitup Elena, dontfuckitup]
Then again, we can't rule out the possibility they've been toying with us the entire time. Please be careful Sir. Your safety is imperative.
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Interesting. I'm inclined to agree, from what I've seen so far - empty vessels do make the most noise. Unless, of course, the crisis is of their making and their objective is not to kill us outright...
[ He wanders well into a yellow zone and stays put with his back to a wall, scanning the area as he speaks ]
How long have you been here? And what have they attempted in the meantime?
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Sir, do you remember anything about a hotel by any chance? One with several murders, and you couldn't leave?
As for the Magisters, they haven't really done anything of note that I'm aware of. They like making us do their dirty work for them.
[She pauses to strain her ears - not necessary for his response, but for any background noise that might indicate the President might be in immediate danger]
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A hotel? Snatches. I had ... attributed it to too much cognac one night, really. Or an inventive potion of Reno's. I take it it wasn't either of those.
You mentioned two magisters. How many more are there?
[ And maybe there's something in the background. It could be echoes, just the wind through the alleys and the towers of the city, or perhaps even other involuntary inhabitants like themselves, wandering around. Or maybe there are things in the dark that are attracted to blood and the sound of gunshots... ]
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There's at least four magisters, as far as I know, plus a priestess, a king, and one other guy that's always grumpy. The Fire Magister was the one who made the most effort to talk to us, although the Ice Magister did sometimes try as well. The Earth Magister used to show up a lot, but the rest of them were rather secretive.
The Fire Magister is the only one who's made an appearance ever since this place imploded. The others may be dead, or just hiding.
Please excuse me for a second...
[She shoves her communicator in pocket and runs.]
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[ There's nothing to do but wait. He scans the area again casually, running over the information that his Turk has given to him.
...There appears to be no sense in the way they've been gathered here and held. A year is a long time to set up a trap. The magisters don't even appear to want anything from them ( ... )
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[It doesn't sound human, which is somewhat of a relief, but she curses all the same. Skidding to a stop she scans the area, and the rush of anxiety combined with her recent exertions leaves her dizzy.]
Sir? Sir, where are you? [Her voice is hoarse at first, but slowly gains strength.] Sir?!
[The rational part of her brain knows that the President probably won't be stupid enough to pop out into the open if it isn't safe. It also knows she's making enough noise to attract just about every creature in a 2-click radius ( ... )
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I trust you have a plan? [ Not as smooth as his wont. The situation is rather tense, after all. ]
[ Whatever the plan is, it doesn't sound particularly promising. And of course, of course the whole bunch leap at once. ]
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