[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

[inkulcation]

[Reliable again? China thinks she might have to be insulted. She is always reliable. One can always rely on China Sorrows to do what's in her best interests.]

Neither thing fits with the rest of what's come to me, that's all.

[She's not just offloading every bit of random information on him, really.]

It may be worth looking at the building in the night.

[skeletonenigma]

[The rest of what's come to her. Of course. Why wouldn't China be implementing herself as the premiere information broker in the city? There isn't any reason for her to reveal everything.

Fortunately, she's not the only information broker Skulduggery relies upon - back home or in Keeliai.]

It might. Would you like to know if I discover anything?

[inkulcation]

[Other information brokers. For shame, Skulduggery.]

Of course. Presuming, of course, I don't go myself.

[Though why would she expend the extra effort, when she can get him to do it instead? She just wants to establish she doesn't need him for that information.]

I won't be particularly surprised if there is a Dust link.

[skeletonenigma]

[She won't go herself. China was never prone to getting her hands dirty.]

Dust, or any one of the myriad of other things plaguing the city.

[He doesn't elaborate on what the 'myriad of other things' are, or how he knows there's more than the Dust or the muggings. There's a good chance even Skulduggery doesn't know how he knows, or wouldn't even have known he knew if it hadn't slipped out just then.

Try saying that ten times fast.]

Is there anything else, China?

[inkulcation]

[Only if absolutely necessary.]

There are always other things. Nothing especially relevant, though.

[He'll be the first to know. ...Probably.]

By all means, return to your crowdsourcing.

[skeletonenigma]

Thank you. [Flatly.

And if there's nothing else, he's going to turn back to the console and let China make her own way out.]