001 | Video (Forward dated to the 2nd)

[theonlypower]

[The video starts to record, but there's no one there. Nothing but the ceiling. Soon, the camera is covered by a hand, bearing a strange unreadable tattoo on its palm.

The voice is monotone as it speaks. And since there's no inflection, it's kind of hard to tell if he's asking a question or demanding an answer.]

What is this.

Comments

[video] threadjack, hi.

[cellwave]

Well, it was probably Deior or his staff, don't you think? It definitely wasn't any of the residents. As for which staff member it was, does it really matter?

[Because in the end, they were all working under Deior's orders and therefore equally guilty.]

[video]

[theonlypower]

[Vicious just stares blankly at Shalnark.]

What's the point?

[And for that matter where was he? Some rival syndicate or something?]

[video]

[cellwave]

Of the branding? As far as I can tell there isn't one, besides reminding us to use these journals.

[video]

[theonlypower]

[Vicious is skeptical. Unfortunately his skeptical face looks a lot like his default face.]

[video]

[cellwave]

[Oh yes, Shalnark sees that. He spends a lot of time around people like you back home. It's time for his 'I know what I'm talking about' face.]

They could be linked to the dampening of people's supernatural powers. And they could be linked to whatever it is that allegedly kills you upon escaping, or brings you back to life a few days later. But you can't remove the brand to prove the correlation, so it's easier to just link those effects to the powers of the one running the castle. The brand itself is secondary.

[Instead of worrying about the tattoo, worry about the one who put it there.]

Surely you're not so fickle that it's the tiny bit of ink in your skin really bothers you?

[Cue irritating smile.]

[video]

[theonlypower]

[Shalnark, you don't know what you're talking about. Brands like these are often linked to Syndicate activity where he comes from. But he's tucking away the information Shal's sharing away. At least he's more useful than that other guy.

And if Vicious is irritated, it's hard to tell. Still no change in his face or voice.]

Who are you?

[video]

[cellwave]

[According to his frame of reference he does! Unfortunately, he's yet to accept that his frame of reference isn't valid here. And it looks like Vicious hasn't, either.]

Shalnark. Nice to meet you.

[video]

[theonlypower]

[Is it, Shalnark? You don't know anything about him.]

Is it nice to greet a snake?

[video]

[cellwave]

[Well, we'll see, won't we?

He laughs a bit at Vicious's question.]

Snakes can be very interesting creatures.

[video]

[theonlypower]

[And dangerous. But he likes being compared to a snake, can you tell?]

Just beware the bite.

[video]

[cellwave]

[He laughs.]

How kind of you to warn me.