[Console] Video

[redlightgreenlight]

[Her emotions linger somewhere between worried and pissed off and this is clearly visible on her face. as the camera focuses on her. She takes a deep breath, trying to keep the red from bleeding into her eyes, but if one looks closely, they will be able to see that her normal emerald green eyes are slightly more brown in color as they are stuck somewhere between the two colors.]

It seems that not all of Malicant's influence is gone from Tu Vishan. [she takes a deep breath] I spoke with someone who claimed to be one of his worshipers. Now I know that claiming to be one and actually being one are two different things, but I spoke with this person after they attempted to steal a soul gem.

[She presses her fingers to her forehead and closes her eyes, as if trying to warn off a headache]

For those of you who remember the cultists, you know how dangerous they were. [she lowers her hand and opens her eyes, which have returned to their emerald state] This person claimed that 'her people' made a deal with 'someone in this very city'. She also warned that they 'haven't forgotten Malicant' and that we foreigners would 'pay for killing him.' Either the cultists are connected with the muggings, or someone wants us to believe that they are. Either way, someone is using Malicant's name to gather power.

[another breath]

This, paired with other recent events, leads me to believe that it is not the Chihuelans that are responsible for the muggings. Something else is going on here.

Comments

[redlightgreenlight]

I'm afraid I have no further information for you, my dear China.

[A smile lit up her eyes, but it was more mischievous than lovestruck.]

[inkulcation]

Ah, what a pity. So you decided vague, groundless threats were worth causing a general panic about.

My, I do admire your sense for chaos.

[She's absolutely clear on the fact that Valdis means she has more information, just not for China. Hence why she's ribbing.]

[redlightgreenlight]

[Her smile would broaden, if the woman only knew who she was addressing.]

Chaos and Order are simply two sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other.

[inkulcation]

Oh, spare me the fortune-cookie wisdom.

[She does not eyeroll, but her voice carries that kind of exasperation.]

Yes, yes, light does not exist without darkness, for every up there is a down, and so on. Do you have nothing more interesting to say?

[redlightgreenlight]

Oh, I have plenty more interesting things to say. Simply not to you, not without receiving something in return.

[She doesn't even bother to hide her amusement.]

[inkulcation]

Ah. So your strategy is to alarm the general populace, and then disseminate the useful information to only those you deem worthy.

[It's certainly one way to play that game.]

It would take some effort on my part to sow chaos more effectively.

[Unspoken: bravo! if that's what you were going for.]

[Ordinarily, China would make the point that she never said information for free; she knows how to deal evenly with people. When she has to. However, the situation and Valdis' attitude imply she's just being petty, which means it isn't worth bothering. China can dig the useful kernels out of this pile of dross via someone else.]

[redlightgreenlight]

To be fair, you only asked if I had more interesting things to say, not whether or not it was useful to this situation.

[This woman could be used at some point, of that, Valdis was certain. It was a dangerous game, but it would be so entertaining.]

[inkulcation]

And you responded with something laughably dull. Which I suppose rather answered my question.

[Never mind that anything interesting in this context would be useful. Why she's still talking to Valdis is a mystery.]

[redlightgreenlight]

And yet, you aren't laughing.

[Again, never a word about context within the question, the woman would have to be incredibly specific if she wanted answers. Of course, it seemed that the time for answers had passed.]

[inkulcation]

I'm not? How clever you are to notice.

[Practically tangible sarcasm.]

If that's all you have to share, my dear, we both have better things to do. Good day.

[redlightgreenlight]

Good day.

[All smiles and sarcasm]