[Console] video;

[skeletonenigma]

[Video;]

[The magical disguise Skulduggery uses generates different features every time he uses it, with the result that no one will recognise his face when he turns the console on. The skin's a little waxy and he doesn't seem to blink, but apart from those minor details, he looks normal. Only his voice, smooth and Irish, is the same as it usually is. A little jarring for those who know him best as a living skeleton.

Because of that, a brief introduction seems appropriate.]

My name is Skulduggery Pleasant. I'm a freelance detective.

[The 'freelance' part is important, since the whole point of using video is to make it clear he doesn't work for the Snakes - or anyone else.]

I'd appreciate any information anyone might have on attempted thefts of the soul jewelry. This is a request extended to everyone in the city; I don't think the kedan are organising an attack on Foreigners any more than I think Foreigners are organising an attack on them, and I don't much care about whether a witness can shapeshift or not. Or a victim, for that matter.

[There's always the possibility kedan have been mugged in the same strange conflicting style, but are too scared to come forward.]

The network isn't secure, so if you'd be more comfortable talking face to face, I'm happy to arrange that. You can leave a message for me with Anton Shudder at the Midnight Hotel - he'll make sure I'm the only one who hears it.

Thank you for your help.

[And the feed clicks off. Most, if not all, of his responses to this post will be audio, and will be made from consoles in cafes around the city - leaving the Hotel console free for anyone else to use.]

~~


[Audio;]

[Sent directly to Midii's inbox.]

Anton's now running an informal census at the Hotel. I can't guarantee it'll find everyone, but it should give us a much better idea of how many Foreigners we have, and hopefully how spread out we are.



[Sent directly to Wan's inbox.]

Some of the students at the university are talking about water levels being higher than they'd expect. Have you noticed anything like that?

Comments

[skeletonenigma]

I usually try to avoid doing that. Granted, it's difficult in Keeliai. Did you know there's a law forbidding kedan from washing their dishes if it's raining? I'm usually fairly tolerant, but I won't enforce that.

[irishthor]

So, you don't align yourself with any power. Must make it difficult to excise your jurisdiction.

[skeletonenigma]

Not very.

[He's a skeleton, after all. That tends to give most people at least a little pause.]

Do you remember the last time we spoke, and I mentioned you might not want to know how old I am?

[irishthor]

Since then I've met someone who is six centuries old, encountered magic users and spend my nights in a building that is designed to travel as easily as a man walks the streets. I still hold my sanity.

[Try him.]

[skeletonenigma]

[Amused.]

Well, I can't say I'm six centuries old. Just over four hundred. I'm a sorcerer.

[irishthor]

Oh, yes, because that is a lot better. Really. Sets me mind at perfect ease.

[Hear that, Skul? That's sarcasm. And sarcasm in an Irish accent is beautiful.]

[skeletonenigma]

[[An audible shrug.] You're the one who claimed you could hold your sanity.

I'm also, by the very strictest definition of the word, dead.

[irishthor]

[A snort.]

Yes, and two centuries is neither here nor there.

[Almost audiable eye-roll.]

Aye, I've heard about the magic of this place stealing people from death.

[skeletonenigma]

[Amused. So, so amused.]

It wasn't the magic of this place which stole me from death. It was the magic of another sorcerer.

[He may or may not just wait and see how many hints it takes for the penny to drop.]

[irishthor]

So you're talkin' re-animation?

[The Father of Understanding grants many insights... and access to a large amount of texts and books. Shay may not be the best reader, but he's still read up on magic and sorcery, somewhat.

Especially with the Pieces of Eden being what they are.]

[skeletonenigma]

Of dead flesh? No. But you're on the right track.

[The only true type of re-animation Skulduggery's world has are zombies. They're capable of being intellectual, but only through further magic, and usually after a very long time spent dead. Skulduggery's the exception.

He realises belatedly that 'on the right track' might not be a phrase this man knows.]

Heading in the right direction, rather.

[irishthor]

[Slightly annoyed.]

Look, let's drop the cloak and dagger, shall we? In my experience, people find it hard to trust people who dance around the issue.

[skeletonenigma]

[Still amused.] And you were so close to the right answer. I'm a living skeleton.

[The last is said casually, like he's mentioning his name or remarking on the weather.]

[irishthor]

Yes, thank you. I'm so glad to hear that I was close.

[Sigh.]

I take it bein' dead you need to extract amusement from whatever you can.

[skeletonenigma]

Usually, yes.

[Would it surprise you to hear that he sounds amused?]

To answer your original question, I don't usually come across issues of jurisdiction because people don't usually think ignoring me is the best course of action to take.

[irishthor]

I can't imagine ignoring a man made of bones, no.

[He'll give you that, Skul.]

I take it you can make yourself seem... more whole, yes?

[skeletonenigma]

Yes. It's a magical disguise I can wear for half an hour each day. Quite clever, isn't it?

[irishthor]

Clever, aye, but a short window of time to get things done.

[skeletonenigma]

I usually manage. Most of the people I deal with are either already aware I'm a skeleton, or otherwise accustomed to far stranger.

[irishthor]

Well, I suppose that makes things easier.

[Moving on a bit...]

These spats of thievery... I don't have any information, but I'm willing to help.

[skeletonenigma]

Thank you. If you see anything, or hear anything, or even happen to taste anything, would you let me know?

[irishthor]

...Taste anything?

[skeletonenigma]

I like to cover my bases.

[And that's another expression Shay wouldn't have heard before.]

You never know. Maybe the clue that breaks the case wide open is a peculiar taste. I like to keep my options open.

[irishthor]

Alright. I see the reason for that.

I shall let you know, Master Pleasant, should I come across anything.

[skeletonenigma]

I'm glad you do. Thank you.

[And the feed cuts off.]