4TH WALL: [Console] video announcement;

[ironrule]

[This is an announcement which will play across the screen of every console in Keeliai, regardless of whether anyone is logged in. Once it ends, it can be viewed on any console at any time.

Some of the Foreigners more interested in the politics of Keeliai will recognise Meisheng, Tu Yunxu's second-in-command, though only barely - she's shifted her appearance as far as is possible without looking like someone entirely different. She looks sharper, older, and not quite human, but it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what about her appearance isn't human. Maybe it's the way her brow is a little thicker, or the way the pupils of her eyes have grown a little narrower.

Her smile is the same double-edged cheerful smile it always has been.]

Thanks to the assistance of the Foreigners, we've managed to apprehend two of the perpetrators responsible for the widespread muggings. Their names are Malcil and Berruz. Anyone with further information on these two individuals - or, of course, on any others involved in the muggings - are encouraged to speak to myself or Yunxu. Any of the Huŏ-si patrolling the city will be able to tell you where to find us.

We've also become aware of a new substance being sold to non-kedan which grants shapeshifting abilities. I would like to remind our guests that substances of this kind are not only illegal, they're dangerous. Please inform us if you know where any is being sold, or have reason to suspect any is being used.

[She pauses, brow furrowing slightly. That was the extent of what she was asked to say - now she's only debating whether to add her own thoughts. A moment later, she does, her smile softening.]

And I would like to personally extend a warm welcome to those who are here because of the festival. Your situation isn't ideal, but fortunately, many of you aren't alone. I'm sure if a way to return you to your homes is discovered, it will be made publicly available.



[OOC Note: Except under very special circumstances, Meisheng won't respond to any replies made on this post. Feel free to respond to each other, though - fourth wall characters in particular!]

Comments

[backwordscompatible]

[She wasn't going to bother pretending to smile this time around.]

So what are the chances we can talk directly to either of them?

I have a few questions I'd like to ask.

[akito]

They aren't the ones responsible for my mugging, Meisheng-san! It was someone else's fault!

[ HE TOLD YOU GUYS TO LAY LOW, oh mY GOD. ]

[redlightgreenlight]

It wouldn't be the first time the Snakes have offered up a sacrificial lamb in order to further their own ends.

[windbreak]

It isn't? Seriously? [Hello, clueless latecomer barging in. After seeing the video broadcast and thinking about it for a second, Yosuke finds he can believe it, but the thought does nothing to alleviate the sour taste in his mouth.] And that's who we're supposed to work with? That's so messed up...

[redlightgreenlight]

It is indeed.

[windbreak]

But... you're okay with it? [He sounds a shade more frustrated than he looks.] Is everyone here like that...?

[redlightgreenlight]

It doesn't matter if we are okay with it or not, it has already happened.

[windbreak]

What? Like hell! [Aw yeah, who needs to clarify exactly what they're talking about or ask for the background he's missing when he can just lose his temper for real? He didn't mean to raise his voice, though, and hastily reins himself back in.] I mean, not like... like, that makes it sound like everything's already over! They're saying they caught two guys, but what about all the others? Aren't there way too many trees in this forest for this!?

[redlightgreenlight]

Just because it's already happened, doesn't mean that it is over. This is only the beginning...

[wolfstrike]

Sooo... what's going to be done with these Malcil and Berruz guys?

[Call him cynical, but Yuri doesn't really trust the Kedan to bestow justice on their own who have harmed foreigners. Plus he finds it a little odd that they actually gave their names. If these were even the guys that were responsible.]

[ruinsprofessor]

[That's curious. Meisheng's post in general is worth noting, of course, and with the influx it's not exactly unusual to have people she doesn't recognize wandering around, but this isn't the line of questioning Raine would ordinarily have expected.]

What's your concern in the matter?

[wolfstrike]

Maybe I'm just curious.

[Cryptic Yuri is cryptic?]

[ruinsprofessor]

[Helpful, Yuri.]

Most people would be more concerned about what they'd done, rather than the accused themselves.

[wolfstrike]

Yeah well, I guess I'm not most people.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Very flatly.]

I'd reached that conclusion myself, yes.

[wolfstrike]

[Just as flatly.]

Do you always ask these kinds of questions before introducing yourself?

audio;

[inkulcation]

To clarify, is that substance a particular derivative of Dust, or something entirely new?

[China's not really expecting an answer, but it would be nice to know if the information she's acquired lines up with Meisheng's sources. And if it isn't the same thing, why she hasn't heard of the other.]

And explaining the risks and consequences might do better to warn people away, if you're unfamiliar with human nature.

['Don't do it' is a straight line for 'yes do the thing.' Honestly.]

Re: audio;

[denyamenti]

If you think Yunxu isn't aware of that, you're asking to be made a fool of.

audio;

[inkulcation]

[Oh, this one again. As a bare gesture of courtesy, China does not activate the video feed, recalling his reaction the last time they met.]

Goodness. It's almost as though you think Tu Yunxu doesn't care over much for the well-being of we Foreigners.

[That's faux-shock, which she isn't making much of an effort to disguise. Sarcasm is the best sense of humor.]

Re: audio;

[denyamenti]

[ dryly: ] Very nearly.

Wouldn't it be faster for you to just see Tu Yunxu in person and ask nicely?

audio;

[inkulcation]

I'm sure it would be, but I'd rather not ask too many favors. It would strain his courtesy at best.

[Read: she'd rather not ask him nicely for anything else right now at the risk that he realizes exactly how charming she is.]

I had hoped to catch Meisheng before she left her console, but apparently you're all I have to show for my efforts.

[How disappointing.]

Re: audio;

[denyamenti]

Wearing out your welcome so soon?

Aa, just me.

audio;

[inkulcation]

Hardly.

[Absolutely.]

Simply exercising moderation.

[Now what does she do with him. Since the camera's off, China gives the console a moderately irritated look that will be completely pointless.]

And do you have anything useful you'd like to offer?

[cursedchosen]

[Zelos had been around the block enough times to know that, given the circumstances, it was very unlikely that these two were the only ones responsible for the muggings, if they were responsible at all.]

[But, he had bigger things to worry about for the moment, so he'll let that slide.]

Yeah, about the whole soul gem mugging thing, is there something we should do, say, if ours got damaged?

[The chip missing in his gem was disconcerting, if nothing else. And given how he felt without his soul gem for a few days, he didn't want to think about what would happen if it was missing completely.]

video;

[venivicivetinari]

[People, Havelock knows, are quite willing to beat a dead horse if it happens to kick in the right place. Those here are apparently no exception. So he allows them to beat, in favour of another approach. With a smile which rather mirrors the one the lady is wearing.]

Why, thank you very much, my dear lady. Quite a delight, your beautiful city.

[It's cleaner, for one thing. He's taking note of that, and why it's so. It still isn't, of course, Ankh-Morpork.]