[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

[video]

[gistful]

That is a pity. Sometimes it can be difficult, particularly if you've been told who you are is somehow wrong.

[video]

[unetrustworthy]

[Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.]

Why would you say that?

[video]

[gistful]

Most people who have few friends lack them because they've been told they're unworthy in some fashion. I was. My best friend was. Many of my other friends were.

[And her defensiveness suggests the same for her.]

[video]

[unetrustworthy]

...no. You're wrong.

[If anything, it had always been just the opposite; she used to think she wasn't worthy. Everyone else had tried to convince her otherwise.]

I don't have many because they all left me.

[video]

[gistful]

Ah? Left you how?

[video]

[unetrustworthy]

They went back home.

[She would have thought that much was obvious.]

At least, the people I knew here.

The ones back home just...left.

[video]

[gistful]

Before I arrived in Keeliai I hadn't spoken to most of my friends in over a decade. Time and distance do not, necessarily, mean a lack of friendship.

[video]

[unetrustworthy]

It does if they deliberately turn and walk away from you.

[Though, admittedly, that one had been all on her; every word he'd said had been true. When he'd pulled the trigger, it should have been her he hit, not the transmitter.]

Or if they're from a different world. Where you might never see them again, and if you do, they won't remember who you are.

[video]

[gistful]

[He hums a little.]

And yet--you remember. The friendship was there. It, presumably, has defined you. That is no small thing.

[video]

[unetrustworthy]

[That much, she knew.]

I try not to forget anything ever, if it's possible.

[Which it wasn't. No photographic memory, no genius level IQ. But she was clever enough to at least focus on the most important memories.]

[video]

[gistful]

Good. It saves you from willing denial.

[With a load of other potential issues, but even so. Someone calls Anton's name and he glances over his shoulder, and then turns back.]

I must attend the desk. Good day, Miss Une.

[video]

[unetrustworthy]

[Issues she was obviously either willing to deal with, or had simply grown used to by now.]

Of course.

Good day to you too. [And with that, she quietly hung up.]