first act. video.

[riseto]

[ The woman on the feed looks rather disgruntled. Probably because she was just taken from her city while a group of righteous oxmen rampage it as part of some holy crusade and she feels like she has a hangover. ]

If this is the Fade, then this is either a very vivid hallucination, or I've been tapping the red lyrium.

Alright, let's get this over with. I'm Hawke, I'm from Kirkwall, and I specialize in being everyone's bloody errand girl and killing things. Particularly killing things. I also don't possess easy, so whatever mouth-breathing demons are out there, don't think I'll make an easy target. You'll find more than you bargained for.

And such a welcome. Are the natives always this friendly, or do they just have a particular dislike for me? Not like they'd be the first. It's always, "Die, dog bitch!" and "Kill the Hawke!" and "I'll harvest your blood for my nefarious diabolical purposes and serve you up to demons!"

Honestly, if they don't want us here, they shouldn't drag us off in the first place. But no one ever accused kidnappers of having an overabundance of logic.

1st Battle ✙ [Video]

[cantbewalled]

[Prussia plops down in front of the computer and doesn’t look all that pleased, because really who could when you’ve been dragged into another world and no one is all that willing to give you the right answers on how to get out. He hasn’t bothered to put on clothes beyond what he was already wearing, which was…dressing like a huge bunny rabbit. He props the head of the costume onto the desk beside him, doesn't bother to smooth out his messy white hair and crosses his arms in what is almost a pout, red-purple eyes so not amused.]

So this is really it? Talk about taking a few steps back. I wouldn’t wish this kind of technology on Russia. Okay…maybe Russia. But really, what’s a guy to do to get a laptop around here? This thing is ancient. [It looks like it’s over ten years old, how obsolete. He leans back a bit more in the chair, propping fluffy paw-covered feet onto the desk. Hey, he was going for authenticity. Rabbits don’t wear steel-toed boots.] The natives aren’t all that willing to hand out information but dreamy world of the dead, yeah, yeah, I got that part. Sounds like that weirdo Brit would have had more fun here than I would. Now who’s going to tell me what this is really all about? If this is a prank, America you spent way too much money pulling it off for it to fail so easily! Maybe next time, you’ll get one over on me. Tell that Lucas guy to take a vacation or something.

And where’s the nearest pub because the lack of beer in my life right now is criminal. If I’m gonna get stuck here, the least they could have done was offer me a mug. Do I need to break down some stage walls and teach you a lesson? Really, this is just sad. It’s like the worst movie plot you’ve come up with in years.

VI. saying things against one behind one's back that are absolutely and entirely true

[epigrammatical]

[AUDIO. Backdated to April 14, the morning after everyone returns from landfall. Henry found one of Sabriel's books in Atam and he just tried to open it. It didn't go well. His voice is steady, but noticeably strained.]

If anyone can commend to me a doctor with skill in the treatment of burns, I should be very grateful.

---

[OPEN ACTION, anytime between April 13 and 17. Want to meet up with Lord Henry? Go for it. All takers welcome! He'll be personally seeking out the people in his delivery network. You may find him out and about in the Fire sector, or in Daowei's bookshop in the Wood sector. He will be handling things delicately due to the burns on his hands.]

---

[And finally, TEXT. Forward-dated to April 17. This message goes out not on the network, but is written on a plain piece of paper and delivered by a kedan messenger to Dorian Gray's suite. The poems quoted are from Gautier's "Sur le Carnaval de Venise" and "Contralto"—both of which are referenced in a particular book. Get out the popcorn.] ( Read more... )

video

[cravats]

[When the video turns on, Lyall is doing up one of his cuffs, his expression rather more sour than usual. He quickly drops his hand when he sees that the camera has turned on already.]

Is anyone keeping track of the places where our kedan friends have devolved into open hostilities? Are there any particularly risky neighbourhoods? I was just forced to ruin a nice set of clothes to escape a particularly rude group. I liked that waistcoat, and I don't suppose I'll be able to replace it any time soon with supplies being what they are. What a pity.

At least I saved my hat.

[Indeed, people who were in the Fire Sector earlier may have seen a small wolf (or possibly a large fox) running through the streets with a bowler hat in its mouth.]