[CONSOLE] video; BACKDATED to 8 JUNE

[gistful]

[When Anton turns on the video he looks a little ruffled. His tie is gone, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, and there's blood on his vest, for the observant. His expression is flat but with an edge of exasperation, and behind him ... Behind him is Skulduggery and Erskine. They're bound together with a five-foot length of chain, Erskine with a manacle on his wrist and Skulduggery with a manacle around his neck-bones.

[Skulduggery is missing his hat, and his suit is tattered. Erskine's in obviously clean clothes, but he's missing a jacket, he's limping slightly, his arm is in a sling and he has a spray-bottle. And they're arguing. Loudly. Anton's voice is raised to be heard over them and, perhaps notably, he keeps his hands out of view of the camera.]

Let it be publicly known that these two reprobates are grounded.

[He jerks his head at them without looking around.]

If anyone sees them on the streets while Erskine, that's the ridiculously pretty one, is not wearing a dog-collar, please punch them both and return them to the Midnight Hotel. If anyone finds them not in the company of each other, please, again, punch them and return them to the Midnight Hotel.

Rest assured that the damages they caused will be repaired at their expense and any loss of revenue reimbursed. We'll be by in the next few days to arrange this.

[Pause.]

Ah. Yes. Skulduggery, that's the idiot who's forgotten his skin, has lost his hat privileges. No hats for Skulduggery. Thank you.

[This broadcast is also available as action, for those staying at the Midnight Hotel.]

Comments

[skeletonenigma]

You've never had a problem with my staring at you before. [Still exceedingly flat.] Should I expect an attack from you every time my back isn't fully turned?

[edgeoftheknife]

[For a moment Ravel looks like he's going to be sick. He cradles his left arm, the one in the sling, closer to his body and takes a limping half-step away--and comes up short, thanks to the manacle on his right wrist.

Screwing his face up in frustration, he squirts Skulduggery again.]

[skeletonenigma]

[He'd care a little more about this if he still had his hat, but Anton's made sure Skulduggery doesn't have access to any of them. Even so, the squirt makes something break, and Skulduggery's voice takes on a hard edge.]

And what did I do that time?

[Stupid question. He knows exactly what he did. So staring and talking are out; what's left?]

The fact that you don't need that bottle in order to defend yourself suggests you're trying to humiliate me. I'm impressed. Since I'm not feeling humiliated, I can only assume you're continuing this bizarre reaction to make yourself feel better. Is it working?

[edgeoftheknife]

A little. [Squirt]

Not as much as getting out of this bloody chain and far away from you would feel, but maybe I just haven't used it enough yet. [squirt squirt]

[skeletonenigma]

That makes two of us.

[His voice is back to its original flat tone, though the more Ravel squirts, the further down his head tilts.]

Please stop that. It's irritating.

[edgeoftheknife]

[In overly-dramatic faux surprise:]

No, is it? I can assure you that wasn't the intention.

[Although... maybe he's pressed Skulduggery enough for now given certain... revelations. He lowers the bottle, though there's still a scowl on his face.]

I can be infinitely more irritating than this, believe me.

[skeletonenigma]

I know. I remember.

[His head tilts. It almost looks like he's surprised by his own half-banter, flat though it is, until he speaks again and the cause of his surprise becomes clear.]

Do you have the console on, Anton?

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine blanches, turns toward Anton.]

What?