50. the fall out starts.

[deepdowndark]

[Private to Sveta]

Svetlana.

Get me out of the light. Please, get me out of the light. Take me to zero, I'm sure it's what Narvin would want, please. Take me there.

Turn the lights off.

[pause. Massive pause.]

I need you to return the favour.

[Private to Narvin]

[space. Pause. space]

[Private to Elric]You must pay for what you did

Comments

Private to Ardent--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

[As soon as he gets word from Elric that Ardent is awake, Narvin writes a message.]

The axe, dwarf bread, metalworking tools, and Cube are all being confiscated. We agreed to clear, simple, reasonable conditions by which you would be allowed the weapons, and those conditions have clearly been violated.

I'm also pulling you off library work and restricting your library access. If you want books, you'll request them through me.

Re: Private to Ardent--Text

[deepdowndark]

I'd argue it wasn't breach of contract. You didn't die.

But as you wish, Narvin. I want the Cu... where did you get the Cube? It belongs in the possession of a Grag or the Low King.

Private to Ardent--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

[A bit later...after dying and after Buffy's post, in middle of death tolling...

On the contrary, was a breach of contract and your actions did result in my death, even if it wasn't immediate or direct. [Narvin will argue the fine print of the contract for as long as Ardent wants. Time Lords who engage in politics are almost Dwarf-like in their obsession with contracts, constitutions, and getting away with murder while still obeying the letter of the law.]

The Cube fell into my possession by pure chance. I didn't seek it out or steal it.

What is the meaning of the symbol you wrote? It's a mine sign, isn't it.

Re: Private to Ardent--Text

[deepdowndark]

If you died, it was by your own choice. I did not administer a fatal wound. [this could go on for days, if they can keep up with each other's bureaucratic nightmares.]

...Explain this chance, because I want to know how it got on board. Did the Admiral give it you? It should have been - should be - in nobody's possession but mine on board.

It was the sign of a man dying. [true, but so much left unsaid]

Private to Ardent--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

But the wound you caused necessitated me to make such a choice. Therefore you are liable. [At least the quarrel is currently being channelled into something non-violent.]

I'm not going to name my sources. Doing so would violate CIA procedure.

There's nothing notable or "bad-mojo magic" about it, then? Some of the wardens are concerned.

Re: Private to Ardent--Text

[deepdowndark]

It didn't. You were the one who couldn't tolerate the silence.

Then tell me. Did the Admiral give it to you?

'Bad mojo magic'? I'm afraid I don't understand. We don't do magic. Anything I drew was merely something I believed in. Not magic.

Private to Ardent--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

It wasn't a matter of not tolerating the silence, it was about my ability to do my job properly and efficiently.

No, the Admiral did not give it to me.

Another warden's words, not mine. I'm not yet entirely convinced that magic exists at all, or if it's all just other universe's ways of altering reality through principles that could be explained scientifically if the right studies were conducted.

But if you assure me that there was nothing unusual or untoward about the drawing, I'll pass your information along to the other wardens.

Re: Private to Ardent--Text

[deepdowndark]

You never intended to do your job 'properly', Narvin.

So you got it from somewhere or someone else.

Magic exists on the Disc, whether you want to believe it or not.

I cannot assure you of that.

Private--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

I never intended to play by the Admiral's rules, but that doesn't mean I don't take my job seriously.

Obviously, since I didn't get it from the Admiral.

I've yet to see anything that can't be explained by some scientific theory or another.

Then what is the symbol? What does it signify?

Re: Private--Text

[deepdowndark]

Where did it come from?

Tell me where the cube came from and I'll tell you what the sign means.

Private--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

[After a brief moment of thought...]

It came from an inmate. Now tell me what the sign means.

Re: Private--Text

[deepdowndark]

Not a full answer, Narvin.

Private--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

The inmate Parker. She was a master thief and not long ago tried to steal some of my equipment. At some point she broke into various persons' rooms and claimed objects that took her fancy. I assume she got the Cube from your room. [It's almost like the truth. Change the name and it's the truth. And Parker is conveniently no longer around to face possible retaliation.]

Now, the sign?

Re: Private--Text

[deepdowndark]

...my room? I didn't... I HAD THE CUBE?

It's the Summoning Dark. [yup, playing it back at you, this half info game.]

Private--Text

[timesbureaucrat]

That's what I assumed. Unless the Admiral got terribly confused and accidentally placed it in...say...Sexby's room because he, too, has a beard.

I thought you knew you had it and were hiding it. Are you saying you didn't?

What's the Summoning Dark? What's its purpose?

Re: Private--Text

[deepdowndark]

No. I wouldn't have been nearly as relaxed if I knew it was there. [yes, Narvin. That was Ardent relaxed all these months.]

Revenge.