10 >> {video}

[malfattore]

{The recording starts with a loud... yawn, of all things, our dottore and his infamous, goggled visage looming into view as he settles in at his Arena work area, Forge propped up before him on the counter top. He appears lethargic, holding his head up with a hand sheathed in leather.}So many gone. So many come. Trapped, released. Trapped, released

Comments

[ Text ]

[knows_it_all]

Anatole isn't so bad, Malfatto.
Every place has its perks, its downfalls...I don't think the
perfect "home" actually exists anywhere, but the concept isn't
unpleasant. And Anatole itself isn't entirely unpleasant,
either. So, of course we're sad people have gone. They've all
helped to make this place as welcoming as it is, and each of
them have left their mark in some way. Hard not to miss those
that've done so much for us...
Think the girls in the brothel are alright? I hope they didn't
really shut down. They were nice there.
I'm gonna take a swing by and see what's going on. I'll be in
touch!

[voice]

[malfattore]

Anatole isn't so bad, no. But it isn't home. Not yours, mine, or anyone's, save for the Natives. Leading into the next topic here, you can dress up a whore, but you can't make her a lady.

Go ahead. I'm sure they're fine.

[ Text ]

[knows_it_all]

They're people the same as anyone else, just operating in
a different line of work. Ease up on them, okay? I mean, they
were always really nice to me, even if I was paying.

[voice]

[malfattore]

Is it really so hard to be nice to someone? Come now. You know how the prospect of payment effects people. They'll do anything to make off with profit. Tch.

[girl_unlocking]

Really? That's...

...thanks, Malfatto. You're not allergic to sugar too, are you? Well, either way I can bring a whole basket.

Biscotti! Berend's had them! I swear it's like you're looking for something sometimes, and there it is, just like someone knew. So I'll bring the cookies, the muffins, and um ...me...

...and then you can pick wherever lunch should be lunched.

People think a lot of stuff, but sometimes it's just ...well, they assume. And you know what they say about assuming.

[Is she safe? IS SHE REALLY? You hairsniffing creeper. :/]

[samianscar]

Gee, no, you're too kind. I'll bring the cider, then.

[girl_unlocking]

...Spike?

[samianscar]

Wot?

Voice

[i_love_squats]

Speak for yourself. I don't mind being here; I mind losing my friends.

I don't want to go back. I just want my special people around me as long as I can.

Voice

[malfattore]

I speak for no one but myself. Anything else is merely a personal musing.

Would you really pass up the chance to go home? Truly, the thought baffles me.

Voice

[i_love_squats]

Yes, I would. Not everyone here has something positive to return to, you know. And sometimes, you see people here that you shouldn't be able to again, and you get second chances that you shouldn't be able to have. [Thanks, Arthur, for reminding him.]

Besides, there's folks here that I... [He trails off, then starts again.] This place is home in it's own weird way.

Voice

[malfattore]

You've never questioned whether or not this place, this other world, is even real? Your home is real. What if these people here, these people you see who you shouldn't be able to... what if they're not even here? Granted, you could say the same for your own home, I suppose.

Hm? What was that?

[wellsuited]

They shut down the brothel?

[Hmm.]

Do you think it's for sale?

voice

[malfattore]

Mm, I'm not sure. Looks like it. I noticed it on my way to the Arena. Usually it's all lit up.

Elena. I'll be occupied for a few days, and will not be available to your fighters. {Because I'm avoiding Dismas like the plague, lololol} Please don't consider this a resignation, though it is hardly a request for... vacation... either. Merely time away.

{Fidgetfidget.}

voice

[wellsuited]

I hope that doesn't affect attendance...

Oh, no problem! I can take care of them until then. I know the basics, you know. [And boy, are they basic. The fighters are probably shuddering.] Sorry I can't offer any suggestions for your time away though.

Maybe you should take up meditation!

voice

[malfattore]

... the basics, eh. {Probably not much more than he knew when he started, but now? He sorta fears for the poor blokes.} Not a problem. I simply need time to catch up with the patients I see in my home, and some Natives I visit in theirs. Balancing act, you know how it is.

I do, my dear. In my own way.

[yetsleeping]

The brothel?

[Not that she normally cares much about prostitutes. But given her recent Dismas experience...]

Do you know why? I mean, do you know if something happened to them?

voice

[malfattore]

{A laugh, cool and edging carefully along being plainly patronizing.}

Does it matter? For all I know, they've become diseased beyond the tolerance of Dismas, and evicted. Good riddance.

voice

[yetsleeping]

Well... that's not very empathetic of you. Or sympathetic, even.

voice

[malfattore]

Admittedly, I'm not sure why that should be surprising. If they're gone, they're gone. Life continues.