[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

[redlightgreenlight]

[Skulduggery, you are so lucky that they are in the hotel and that Anton likes you. Dante was the only one allowed to make dog jokes.]

Perfection takes effort, Skulduggery. [(ooc: Everyone but China Sorrows knows that.] [IC: There is a barely noticeable edge to her voice, more sad than angry]

[skeletonenigma]

If that effort's on behalf of a trainer, I don't want any part in it.

[For multiple reasons. But the comment itself isn't quite as pointed as his last one was. It's more of an independent observation, as if taking the conversation in a new direction could be an apology all on its own.

It's not, but it could be.]

[redlightgreenlight]

Conditioning is part of being alive. [she quipped. Changing direction wasn't good enough, so it was her turn to try a pointed comment.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[By this point Ravel is trying very hard to pretend as if he's no longer in attendance at this particular party. Eyebrows raised, he averts his gaze and tries to focus on something else.

Ah yes, that speck of dust on the table over there. That will do nicely.]

[skeletonenigma]

To an extent, yes. But don't discount the effect free will has. If we all went around saying we were conditioned into doing things, the world would become a very dark place indeed.

[He's ignoring Ravel right back.]