tushanshu | Radio: Private to Foreigners (Forward dated to the 14th)

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Radio: Private to Foreigners (Forward dated to the 14th)

The Justicar believes believes that we are beneath her, that we are inferior. She believes that we will submit to her will and will make no move against her or her people. She is, in part, correct. As a whole we should not do anything that openly opposes her.

[Her voice is cold, even and completely devoid of emotion.]

However, I will not stand by while these invaders dishonor their dead. These executions on our soil are bad enough without this blatant disregard for the sanctity of the soul. Something must be done. I am certain that some of you will agree with me, just as I am certain that some of you will try to dissuade me.

[A deep breath]

I plan to give these people a proper burial, because no matter what they did while they were alive, they still deserve that.

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[He was elsewhere, and didn't see this in time. So Anton catches Cain at some point afterward, in the Hotel.]

Thank you.

[ Cain isn't quite sure what he's being thanked for. Deducing it based on the timing isn't all that difficult, but to be found in person for it does bring up a few questions. ]

You're welcome. Just glad I seem to have gotten through.

It's more than has been managed in the past.

[Sometimes Valdis acts without thinking, or thinking of the wrong things.]

[ That gets a quick laugh, almost just a scoff, and he shrugs. ]

You know that from experience, or just observation?

Both.

[The word is both a little weary and wry.]

[ He recognizes that tone, even in the one word. It's family. That makes things come into context just a little bit more and his expression softens, understanding. ]

She'll be okay, I'm pretty sure. Don't blame her for getting het up over that show; the Justicar is trying to rile anyone who'll take it.

I know. So does Valdis. But she is ... younger than she seems. Even when she knows something may be unwise--she hasn't quite learned how to put it aside.

[Anton doesn't know whether Cain knows just how old Valdis is, but her age doesn't reflect her emotional state. Cain lived through all his years. Valdis ... didn't, in the same way.]

[ Her actual age is unknown to him, but Cain's guessed that something is off about her lifespan from the state of her clock. Not that he has enough context to figure out what, and he's more comfortable reacting to her rather than whatever years she may have accrued. ]

Maybe she's getting there. She did announce the intent and give us the chance to talk her down. What do you think?

[ Curiosity, and maybe a small prod for how well they know each other outside the emotional connection that he's inferred. ]

In the past, she has tried to handle things alone and failed--to the suffering of others as well as herself. That she still intended to take action, but asked for help ...

[He smiles a little, tilting his head toward Cain in acknowledgement for the question and the curiosity behind it.]

It's a vast improvement.

[Still some ways to go in some respect, but still. An improvement.]

Then I'm going to go ahead and say we're in a better position than most are going to think after they see what she wanted to do.

[ It's a good thing. Whatever influence they've all had on each other in their own groups, this instance remained peaceful thanks to a coming together. ]

She's right that it is a problem, just not one that can be handled with swift, decisive action like she called for.

We are.

I agree. Unfortunately, the Justicar is in a position of power. She represents a powerful empire, and if there is anything untoward about her presence here we don't know enough to be able to divine it.

Her position of power isn't just over us, either. She has the cooperation of the kedan and I'm not surprised no one is trying to resist her outright. With the split in even the families, there's nowhere safe and not enough power to stand up to even a small force when it's trained and combined like that.

Any ulterior motives have me concerned. Not in the least because she's not in a position to put anything into effect just yet, so we're likely sitting on a ticking time bomb.

The families have been more civil to one another now than I've experienced since our return, and even the in-fighting among the gangs has lessened.

[There are quite a number of gang members residing at the Hotel at any given time. It's relatively easy to hear them talk, once they're used to an individual's presence.]

The kedan don't want to fight. The Justicar is overestimating herself if she believes they won't. They're preparing for a battle; the only question is whether they can prompt it on their terms instead of hers.

[Or whether they can avoid it. Anton doesn't know. He's lying low, only asserting his authority within the Hotel, because the moment the Justicar finds out about Malcil Anton is expecting to have to fight. The longer he can put that off, the better.]

Of course, they aren't taking it lying down, but I doubt anyone would be willing to give themselves away or act out of turn. Everyone is trying to avoid reacting to her taunts while we bide our own time, we simply don't know what plans anyone else is coming up with.

Heojin of the Woodsmen did make an attempt to reach out. I wonder what inroads he might have made, which we can't see.

Right, which I should have taken advantage of. [ He'd been busy, however, and intends to go and build his own road at a later date if the chance ends up coming back. ] I wonder if he pulled anyone in while he reached out at the same time?

Many of us should have, I think.

[Most of them hadn't, for one reason or another.]

I'm unsure. It's possible meetings occurred off the screen. I suppose one might always ask ...

[He lifts his eyebrows at Cain.]

[ Cain lifts his brows back, head tilted and lips slowly lifting upward. ]

Oh, me? Why not. I could poke around, see if we missed anything. There has to be other things going on we aren't looking in the right places for, too, but the problem with that is we have no resources to really dig.

And yet we'll get nowhere if we don't begin. At least you're slightly less noticeable than Skulduggery.

Only slightly less than the skeleton. Not sure if that's a compliment to him or a comment on me.

[Anton chuckles.]

You've never seen him in frills, makeup and high-heels.

[ His mouth opens slightly, about to say something, then it closes and his head tilts. ]

I don't know if makeup on a skeleton would really be all that helpful.

It was a very compelling distraction for others to go unnoticed, at least.

[He's smiling slightly.]

Let me know if you need some help at all. I'm sure Skulduggery would be of aid as well.

I will, but it should be relatively easy to poke around into that considering where everyone else is focusing. Thank you for the offer.

Of course. Good luck.

[With that and a nod he turns to move away.]

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Radio: Private to Foreigners (Forward dated to the 14th)

action; after Cain's thread with Valdis

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