[NPC] CONSOLE | OPEN

[ironrule]

[The Foreigners have been privy to Snake announcements over the consoles before. The difference here is that those announcements have always been made by Meisheng, and have always been broadcast to the entire populace of Keeliai - kedan included. This particular announcement is also a public broadcast, but it's directed towards the Foreigners.

And when the announcement starts, viewers will be treated to Tu Yunxu himself, looking very grave.]

Good afternoon. One of my patrols found Jintou by the edge of Water Sector last night, just inside the city walls. He's alive.

[Always start with the good news, especially during a show of good faith. With any luck, not every Foreigner will believe Yunxu had anything to do with this.]

I must warn you, however - he is not himself. There is very little I or the hospital can do. Should anyone wish to take custody of him, please see Meisheng at her usual post in Central Sector.

[And the feed cuts off.]

[OOC: Characters are free to respond to this network post directly, although there's no guarantee Yunxu will indulge anyone for very long. Alternatively, action threads can be played out here as well if your character chooses to go to Meisheng about this. Please contact me either through Amaraq or by PMing this account if you have any questions!]

Comments

[ironrule]

[His brow raises.] Lady Valdis, I have never made Heojin out to be anything other than what he is. If I've occasionally used a title conferred on him by my people, well... [And now a short shrug.] I can't deny falling victim to the occasional bias.

[redlightgreenlight]

Occasional bias?

[It wasn't an outright lie, but it was enough of one to catch her attention, enough for her to push a bit harder.]

If it is merely a by-product of commonalty, then what prevents you from allowing your half-sister to see him?

[ironrule]

[A pause, but this one isn't long. It's more a pause of obvious startlement than danger.]

Where did you hear that?

[redlightgreenlight]

[It seemed she had managed to throw him off with that one, how divine. She managed to keep the sly smirk from her face when she replied, her features remaining passive.]

It is simply an inference based upon something I overheard, nothing more.

[ironrule]

[The pause replays. Yunxu shakes his head.]

Then I'm afraid it's the wrong inference. I've never told Meisheng anything of the sort. Perhaps you didn't hear what you thought you heard.

[redlightgreenlight]

You're an imposing man Yunxu, I suppose it's understandable that Meisheng is afraid of angering you.

[He hadn't bothered to deny her earlier quip, so he was at least a bastard in the literal sense if not in general.]

I'm certain that she would be relieved to hear that you aren't preventing her from seeing Heojin.

[ironrule]

I'm glad you're so certain. Is there anything else you want to confirm?

[redlightgreenlight]

[Well, since he was asking and had neglected to give her anything useful...]

Where exactly did your men find Jintou?

[ironrule]

As I said, by the edge of Water Sector.

[Yunxu goes on to give Valdis the exact location, describing the street corner at the end of the canal where Jintou had been found standing and staring up at the top of the city wall.]

I trust that satisfies you?

[redlightgreenlight]

[No, not by a long shot.]

Yes.

[She probably wasn't going to get anything else useful out of him.]

I'll be certain to let the other foreigners know how you helped bring Anton's attacker to justice.

[ironrule]

[Oh, Valdis. He's already told you who Shudder's attacker is. Or at least, he's told you who he thinks Shudders's attacker is. But there's a longer play here, and Yunxu won't say any more than he already has.

Well, apart from one thing.]

Thank you. I would be much obliged if you would also let me know whether anything comes from his blood samples.

[redlightgreenlight]

You'll be the first to know.

[She wanted to give him an outright 'no', this exchange had been far too one sided. But her pleasant, disarming smile returned her face as she decided to bait him.]

After Milyn of course.

[ironrule]

[For the first time during the conversation, Yunxu's easygoing countenance nearly slips.]

Of course.

[He smiles.]

I do enjoy our little chats.

[redlightgreenlight]

[The change in his demeanor was almost imperceptible, but she sensed it nonetheless. It seemed that now they were both playing with fire. The only difference being that she was immune to the flames.]

They are quite delightful.

[She stood and gave a small, genuinely respectful nod. The man was good at this game, but he'd mess up eventually. Just one more thing she was certain about.]

I'll see myself out, if you don't mind.

[ironrule]

Not at all. I hope you have a pleasant day, Lady Valdis.

[And, true to his word, Yunxu won't get up as Valdis leaves.]