[Video]

[tempervale_npc]

[The video feed clicks on to reveal Temper's face, schooled into a faint shade of a smile. His eyes though, bright and ice blue as they are, are nearly dancing for once.

The setting behind him is nondescript, a windowed wall draped in soft filmy curtains that soften rather than block the light as it comes in.]

Things have changed here. Have you

Comments

[dawnlotus]

Interesting. Doesn't any town always change? As long as they have someone living in it, it will change.

[She raises her eyebrow] So that's your taste, a mess?

[tempervale_npc]

All living things change. But change is often slow. It's when it happens in leaps and bounds that it becomes significant. And exciting.

[He shakes his head just slightly.] No, Miss Vietnam. I am a creature of order.

[dawnlotus]

Considering the trials we just had to go through, then yes, I suppose change has to happen. And it is essential.

Is that so? [She gives his background another look] So what happened there?

[Video]

[tempervale_npc]

Life is a trial, I think.

[Temper smiles and bows his head just slightly.] The remnants of something that needed to be done.

[Video]

[unit_202]

"Well?" No, we are not "well." Have you not been paying attention? There's been murder left and right, people going missing at a truly staggering rate, and let's not forget we recently had to deal with the city being prowled by the physical embodiments of our worst nightmares.

[202 frowns at her video feed, but it's as much in confusion as in irritation. She's never encountered this person before, but the way he speaks implies that he's one of those who has a hand in the city's goings on--Which means that as much as she'd like to just shoot him for that reason alone, some prudence might be called for here.]

I'd say we're not "well" at all. So tell me, if you're so thrilled, why that is? Is there some good news to be had in all this? You don't seem like things are any better where you are, frankly.

[Video]

[tempervale_npc]

Left and right? [The faintest lift of an eyebrow.] Perhaps in the intervening chaos between the old and the new, a few things were momentarily out of hand.

[And now a smile, barely an expression at all.] Because necessary change has begun. We're creatures of solutions, my kin and I. And the solution here has been a long time in coming. [He casts a glance over his shoulder.] It is a mess, isn't it? But then, violence is often violent. I don't have much taste for it myself, but at times, it's necessary to get one's own hands dirty.

Tell me now, weren't there two of you?

[Video]

[unit_202]

[Her intended reply to his remark about getting one's hands dirty dies in her throat, the barest strangled whisper all that manages to make its way out. Anger, pain, and finally very deliberate calm flash over her face in the space of a moment, and she has to swallow to regain her composure before she speaks.]

...There were. Are you the one responsible for my use of the past tense?

[Video]

[tempervale_npc]

[A nerve then. There's only the faintest flash in his eyes that gives any indication he actually noticed. A shake of his head.]

I am not, no. I'm a bit against the separation of families to be honest. It's such an important unit. But somethings are necessity, even if they are distasteful.

[ergaleomancer]

And what have you put an end to this time?

[tempervale_npc]

[His eyes flash briefly.] An era, so to speak. But rest assured it was an act of compassion, putting a poor, suffering thing out of its misery.

And out of ours.

[ergaleomancer]

Which era would that be, then?

[[She's studying the room behind you, Temper, at least as much of it as she can see.]]

Did you have a fight with your compatriots?

[tempervale_npc]

[He shakes his head ever so slightly.] We don't speak ill of the dead. It's unseemly.

But my compatriots and I do not fight amongst ourselves. We are created of a singular purpose. Discord would undermine that. [...he may not like all his family members, but such is life.]

[video]

[variable_of_x]

[He isn't really sure what to say until he notices the disarray around you. He's frowning and his brow is knitted in concern.]

"...I...what happened back there? Are you alright?"

[video]

[tempervale_npc]

Hmm? Oh, of course. How kind of you to be concerned.

[He casts a brief glance over his shoulder.] This is just the remnants of an unfortunate sort of incident -- with very fortunate outcomes.

[video]

[variable_of_x]

[...That totally doesn't sound odd at all.]

"What kind of 'unfortunate sort of incident', if you don't mind my asking?"

[video]

[tempervale_npc]

[Temper regards him thoughtfully.] The kind that changes the very nature of the game. A revolutionary sort.

[Text]

[tsundullahan]

[[I wonder what you've occupying yourself with. Is everything well with you, Temper?]]

[Video]

[tempervale_npc]

[Temper's lips pull into a slight smile.] Ah, Celty.

Everything is very well, yes. Things are illuminated once again, that were too long in the dark.

[Text]

[tsundullahan]

[[You like speaking in riddles. You'll have to excuse me if I'm a little suspicious as to whether that might mean anything bad for us.]]

[Video[

[tempervale_npc]

[A shake of his head.] Your suspicion is excusable, of course. But in my opinion, this will be nothing but good for everyone.