tushanshu | Video Two// This threat produced by your local high school theater department

[Dante's been the closest things to diligent and vigilant as he can be since the other foreigners were attacked. Since he saw the initial reason for the meeting as a petty political squabble, he was sound asleep until it was too late to go help with the attack. It's not the worst news that could have come out of that meeting, but it still sucks to find out that a war you were supposed to be fighting turned hot, a bunch of innocents got hurt, and the enemy was nowhere to be found.

So here he was, speaking in front of the console and sitting on a flimsy wooden chair. The video is harshly lit with a black background. Dante wanted answers, but apparently circumstances aren't dire enough to scrimp on the dramatic flair. Things only get worse once he actually starts talking.]

You. Yes, you jerks hiding out in the castle right now.

[He makes an exaggerated pointing motion towards the screen.]

A few of the folks here have been waiting a good long time for a piece of you. You know how much it sucks to sit around waiting for an enemy that doesn't feel like showing it's ugly mug?

[He stands up and starts pacing around the flimsy chair and starts pacing around it, never straying out of the light. All the while, he keeps talking with an increasingly theatrical timbre.]

And then you finally decided to show yourselves! But apparently the people who actually want to kick your ass aren't worth your time. No, you wanted that good-for-nothing emperor, didn't you? That's why a bunch of cowards like you decided to charge into a building full of foreigners.

[He swings back onto the chair and crosses his legs in one fluid motion. Afterwards, his voice drops down to it's normal, casual tone of voice.]

Let me give you a bit of friendly advice. That guy's not the guy you want to worry about. Haven't you heard the news? I'll tell you what: why don't you come on over so I can kick your ass personally. There's a nice little bar not far from here you can try and ambush me at, and you'll have me outnumbered. I'll be waiting.

[And he waves before turning the video feed off.]

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[...huh]

[Several seconds passed in which she had no words. None at all. Maybe it wasn't the first time she'd ever seen something like this, but there was just something about it being broadcast so publicly. Especially given recent events.]

Subtle.

That's the idea. I figure those sons of bitches will actually go for it if I make enough of a scene.

[He knows that he has all of the subtlety of an airhorn, and he revels in it. This was his way of coping with recent events; he was taking any action he could, even if it was pointless, and acting out a bit in the process. Granted, he would do this more privately, but the cultists didn't exactly leave detailed contact information.]

And you decided to do this on your own, broadcasting for the entire Network to see, without backup?

[Just so we're clear.]

I couldn't find out who the guys were, so I didn't really see much of a choice. Half of the guys at the hotel are laid up, so the best idea right now is to take care of the small fry before they get to the other half.

[Dante hasn't been here long enough to realize he's in over his head. Being top dog in your own world for so long tends to give people like him a mild case of testosterone poisoning.]

[Meanwhile, Zatanna has been here long enough to realize that this guy is either painfully new, or else just an idiot.]

You couldn't wait?

[Both, actually. Dante is what happens when you have more power than sense.]

Wait for the enemy to regroup? I think not. Besides, I've been waiting for two months.

Waiting two months to stand outside and shout at somebody who might not even be able to hear you?

I take it back. You must be far more patient than I thought.

No, I did that my second day here. This time I actually have a good reason to try. Besides, they have to be listening in on these things. How else could you explain the fact that they knew where and when to strike?

[Because of course he did.]

[The sad thing was that his logic? Not entirely wrong. In terms of the somebody must be listening part. It was the execution that had her lightly rubbing at one temple.]

I'll give you that one. Either there's somebody among the ranks feeding them information, or else they've got spy cameras all around the city or something.

[Neither one were really a joke.]

Still...trust me when I say you're way in over your head here.

That little party last week was organized through things most people expected only the foreigners to use- Consoles, radio, and all of that. And that was right after someone said the consoles might not be safe to use.

[Despite the nonchalant tone, he's also serious.]

I think I have a good idea of what to expect. If they go after me, I should expect about fifteen of them- If they had any sense, they'll play it safer than last time, when they used about ten per door. They're probably kedan, so they'll enhance whatever they use at the time- probably knives and bows like last time. I'm a bit worried about that poison of theirs, though.

[He's an imbecile, but an observant imbecile.]

[Again, almost impressive. And more than a little unexpected.]

What if they don't go after you at all?

Or decide to wait until you've given up and attack later, when your guard is down, now that they know your face?

If they don't attack at all, then things are no different then they were before. And honestly, I'm getting bored and impatient enough to be okay with being caught off guard, even if they do end up being too much.

[In other words, he's run out of rationalizations.]

...so what you're telling me is that you've grown so bored that you're willing to get ambushed just to relieve said boredom?

Have to say, I'm not sure I've ever been that desperate.

[Ignore the fact that she was once so bored she did get ambushed. Those two were only just barely related, and Harm started it anyway.]

It's not just boredom. I'm actually pretty pissed off right now. There were kids and people I know in that little attempt at diplomacy, you know. The boredom is just another reason I want a piece of these guys.

[Except he looks and sounds pretty bubbly.]

[She noticed.]

You don't sound very pissed off.

I'm not going to go around screaming about every little thing just because I'm a bit peeved. That'd be bad form.

[...he's kidding, right? The guy was practically doing just that, if only in a more focused manner, and he's telling her with an actual straight face that it would be bad form?]

Right.

My mistake. I should have realized someone like you would have more composure than that.

[He's always kidding to some degree. That's what he meant by "bad form"; he doesn't like it when things get too somber.]

Video Two// This threat produced by your local high school theater department

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