[NPC] | [console] video;

[ironrule]

[Around about lunchtime on the first of January, every console in Keeliai beeps with a city-wide announcement. While the announcement initially plays without prompting, it can be replayed and re-accessed at any time, ensuring that not a single citizen or Foreigner misses it.

It's Tu Yunxu, broadcasting from inside his study at the Snakes' mansion. He looks as immaculate as ever, dressed in a silken suit with gold thread used liberally throughout.]

It's come to my attention that several people have managed to extract considerable quantities of salt from this oppressive fog. I'm offering a bounty to anyone who chooses to turn their salt over to the Snakes. Prices are negotiable. You will, of course, not be punished for choosing not to take me up on my offer - I am by no means instituting a salt tax. The salt doesn't appear to be dangerous, although I wouldn't recommend ingesting it.

This offer is open to Foreigners as well. I'm sure some of you have been... experimenting.

Thank you.

[And the announcement ends.]

Comments

[looksfine]

I am not concerned of a tax. And my reasoning is not personal.

[Well, not towards him.]

What you are asking..what you are suggesting...I would both deny aid and continue to dissuade the notion regardless of who made the suggestion. It is...unsettling to think of any one major source of such a substance, regardless of who is wielding it and how trustworthy they may or may not be.

[ironrule]

I'm relieved to hear you would treat anyone collecting the extracted salt as a potential enemy, I must say.

[Which is funny, because he doesn't really sound relieved.]

Is there anything else I can help you with?

[looksfine]

Disagreeing with what you are doing does not making you an enemy.

[Not automatically.]

However, unless you are willing to admit there is reason to cease in your attempts to collect larger amounts of salt than necessary for reasonable experiments and failsafe reserves...then, no, there is nothing else you can do to help me at this time.

[ironrule]

I'm absolutely willing to admit there's reason for me to leave the salt alone. If you're expecting that to change my mind, however, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you.

[looksfine]

...acknowledged.

[A willingness to admit reason was one step in the right direction. However, since he continued to insist...then she would simply have to live with that disappointment.]