RADIO | NPC | THE BITE OF A GUARD DOG

[ironrule]

[Yes, you read that right. An NPC has gotten hold of a radio handset, and is broadcasting a message to the Foreigners -- and hopefully only the Foreigners.

Specifically, for anyone in a position to recognise her voice, it's Meisheng, Yunxu's former right-hand who vanished after Milyn's death two months ago. She sounds harried and rushed, but otherwise confident and unafraid.]

Yunxu ordered the hit. Milyn poisoned Shudder. They've both done unconscionable things aside from that, and I've been -- well, keeping quiet for much too long.

[There's a pause.]

I can't for the life of me understand why anyone thought he was innocent.

[And another pause.]

I have twenty minutes. If you want to know more, I'll tell you all I can.

Comments

[redlightgreenlight]

[Loud, but lovely laughter comes over the radio. Valdis is highly amused.]

And why should we believe you?

[ironrule]

[There's a measure of annoyance mixed with the harried tone of voice now. Meisheng's never particularly liked Valdis.]

I don't care if you believe me. If you want to take Yunxu's word over mine, more the fool you.

[redlightgreenlight]

Twice the traitor Meisheng?

[All traces of amusement are gone]

[cherrywood]

Because she's telling the truth, dear.

[redlightgreenlight]

You poisoned...

[And she was trying so hard to trust you, Milyn]

[ruinsprofessor]

[Oh, apparently the quiet was too good to last.]

[Blunt, without preamble:]

Why?

[She knows some things. She wants to know what this one thinks.]

[ironrule]

Why what? Why order the hit? Why did Milyn poison Shudder? Explaining everything would take a lot longer than twenty minutes.

[ruinsprofessor]

[But she wants explanations for everything. :<]

Why the poisoning; why the hit; why you and why now. In your words and as you see it.

I have more questions, but those are the salient points.

[cherrywood]

Honestly, unconscionable is a bit much.

[ironrule]

No, Milyn. No, it's not.

[For a moment, Meisheng sounds utterly exhausted, as if this is an argument they've had many times before.]

He could have died. A lot of people have died. Your hand wasn't on the dagger, but that means nothing. If it does, Yunxu's never committed a crime in his life.

[cherrywood]

Don't be so dramatic, I do know what I'm doing. It might not bear much weight any longer, but I did earn the Cherrywood title.

[ She honestly sounds a little miffed at having to state that, even though this is hardly the time or place for it. ]

You see Yunxu and I as the same?

[omnivident]

[ Oooh man, and here Leo thought that the topic of Milyn's death had finally died down but it seems like that's not the case at all. ]

If you're trustworthy, then what else have you kept quiet from us?

[cherrywood]

Don't be too hard on her, dear.

[omnivident]

....Who is this?

[ tfw you didn't get to hear Milyn's voice before her """""death"""" ]

[ironrule]

I'm not. I'm not suggesting an alliance. I'm here to answer questions. If you don't want to believe me, no one's forcing you to.

[Maybe it's a Foreigner concern, or maybe it's Meisheng's family, but this idea that total trust is needed at all times confuses her.]

That's it. Yunxu ordered me to kill Milyn. I didn't. He's painting himself as the victim and no one's questioning that. It's sickening.

[omnivident]

I'm guessing that the order came after that person said the announcement about Milyn working for the other side, right? I just....look, I'm getting a ton of info at once, it's kind of hard to react.

[ There's a long pause as he tries to think of something else to ask. ] What's gonna happen to you now? Since I'm guessing that this will all come as a betrayal and stuff.

[purered]

This is... quite a bit to take in. [Though frankly, he's not surprised about Yunxu ordering the hit.]

I have two questions - the first being about your own safety. Are you secure for the foreseeable future?

The second is whether or not there is any assistance and protection we can offer you? I understand coming forward with this information puts you at a great deal of risk from a number of sides.

[ironrule]

[Why does everyone care about her safety this much? If Meisheng didn't know better, she'd think the majority of Foreigners actually cared.

Then again, maybe Yunxu's influence is the only reason she believes they wouldn't.]

I am. I'll be fine. It... doesn't come with a great deal of risk from all sides.

[Translation: someone's very, very proud of Meisheng for doing this.]

Honestly, I'd rather you focus on the city. I can take care of myself. A lot of others can't. I want Yunxu -- [Dead.] -- gone. I don't care how.

[purered]

I am relieved to hear it. Though should you require aid at any time, please do not hesitate to ask.

There are a number of foreigners who have been suggesting a representative government put in place of Tu Yunxu. Is this something the Kedan would find agreeable?

public --> private

[highprofilerichkid]

[open broadcast]

Yeah, I never thought he was innocent. Actually, right now I'm working under the assumption that no one is innocent and everyone is lying through their teeth about at least five important things. [There's humor in his voice, but it's the thin, biting humor of someone who is this close to losing their patience.]

[cont. as private message, high encryption]

Why do you think Milyn is behind the soul gem thefts? [He's been listening in on the flurry of radio chatter for a few minutes - no point barging in and asking questions that have already been asked.] Who are you with right now? [He'd caught that voice in the background, too, though he hasn't interacted with Heojin enough to be able to identify him.]

[ironrule]

[open broadcast]

Good. I'm glad someone didn't fall for it.

[private message]

[It actually takes Meisheng a minute or so to answer. She didn't know there was a radio-to-radio function, and it takes a while for her to overcome her paranoia.]

Jintou used to be a Snake. There aren't many people he'd be more afraid of than Yunxu, and there aren't many people who can... kill him without killing him. [A short sigh.] And if it's true she was working with the cultists, who were definitely involved in the muggings, then she can't claim to know nothing about it.

[Pointedly not answering that last question, thank you.]

private;

[highprofilerichkid]

I'm amazed anyone did. [Why would anyone trust Yunxu about... well, anything?]

The muggings didn't start happening until after Malicant went down. How recently do you think Milyn was involved with the cultists?

[He notices that she doesn't answer his last question, but he's not sure if it was intentional or not. He wouldn't really care, except he wants to know if she's with someone who can protect her. The last thing they need is another assassination. If she doesn't address it in the next couple of responses, he'll pester her about it again.]

[lasergrenades]

[Welp. This is happening. Pepper listens to the chatter over the radio for a little while, absorbing the information before joining in.]

I know you said you don't need help, but if that changes we'll try to keep you safe. [The Witness Protection Program seems to be getting a quick start around here.]

Twenty minutes is totally not enough time to ask all the questions I want to ask, but since you're not exactly gungho on the Snakes any longer: would you be willing help us build something to replace them?

[Given that Meisheng is Yunxu's ex-right-hand, she's probably heard about what Pepper and her friends are trying to do. Padme had said they needed a champion; Meisheng might not be that person but she's got an inside look into their operation.

[ironrule]

That... depends on what kind of help you need. And what kind of help you think I can possibly provide.

[She sounds confused. She is. She's heard about the attempt at a new government, yes, but she didn't think it was anything approaching a realistic goal, let alone one she could contribute to. She's been a bit distracted these last couple of months.]

What are you planning?

private;

[lasergrenades]

[Meisheng's response wasn't a no at least, and Pepper is smiling to herself just a little. She takes a moment before answering to encrypt the channel using some advice Tony's given.]

We need a leader. A kedan leader - Foreigners aren't exactly suitable it comes to seriously long-term stability because we don't stick around.

Some of us are putting a group together to provide law enforcement - enforcement for laws that Keeliai as a whole creates, not just one gang here or there. I'd prefer to talk about it in private with you and Valdis rather than over the radio, if there's a way to make that possible. Or someone who represents you and can ask the questions you need to ask. I know that must sound like a totally terrible idea and you've got no reason to trust me, but... I'm asking anyway.

[The implication being that they can meet on Meisheng's terms, whatever they might be.]