Radio | March 14th

[redlightgreenlight]

I have something to tell you all, and some of you might not believe me.

[Valdis' voice is hesitant, halting and uncertain]

There are very few of us left, it seems, who remember Malicant's reign or the atrocities committed by his followers. The death, the taint, the drugs and the suffering inflicted upon foreigner and Kedan alike is unknown to all of our newcomers. But this isn't just about that.

[A long pause, followed by an audible breath]

I have recently discovered that Milyn, the Cherrywood Healer, was involved with the Cultists. She reported directly to Daseng and created the drug known as Dust, as well as the base for Lucid.

[Another pause and then a low growl.]

She was our only ally among the Kedan when we first returned from the Dreaming, she aided us in defeating Malicant...but she also helped him wreak his havoc in the first place.

[Another growl]

I don't know about all of you, but I can't trust her anymore.

Comments

[redlightgreenlight]

Can you take me to one of these places?

[More curious when she probably should be concerned, Valdis found this information interesting]

[shroudofgray]

I can.

[Yorda certainly doesn't notice the discrepancy. She'd be curious as well.]

Where should I find you?

[redlightgreenlight]

In the lobby of the Midnight Hotel would probably be best.

[shroudofgray]

I am going there now.

[And there she will be, sitting in one of the armchairs and quite comfortably slouched.]

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis is able to pinpoint the girl easily and heads right over to her.]

I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself before, despite having seen you around. My name is Valdis.

[shroudofgray]

[Yorda beamed as the woman approached, and stood a bit straighter.]

Hello Valdis. I am Yorda.

[And that was about it for introductions. Yorda pointed to the door, and gave a small nod.]

Follow. I know the way.

[redlightgreenlight]

[Yorda. There was something...offputting about the girl, but Valdis looked to where the girl was pointing.]

Lead the way.

[shroudofgray]

[Yorda took the lead. She had quickly familiarized herself with the city - more than that, she had familiarized herself with places more... off the beaten path. She cut through winding side-streets and down narrow alleys. The erratic path took them up the fire escape of a building, along the rail of a balcony, onto the roof and one perilous leap through an open window of an otherwise completely boarded up warehouse.]

[It was dusty inside, and gray beams of sun filtered in through the gaps between boards. Yorda wasn't particularly athletic, but she was tenacious and she seemed at home clambering around ruins.]

It is in here. Only an echo now, but if you wait, you can feel it pulling.

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis followed, easily keeping pace. The location was indeed well off the beaten path, and a sense of dread slowly grews stronger as they approached the building. She slipped through the window after Yorda, feeling a slight tug before the girl even spoke. Her irises shifted as she felt the Void uncoiling, happily curious by the darkness now calling to it.]

How did you find this place?

[Her voice was even, but lower than normal]

[shroudofgray]

[Yorda wandered down some steps, and hopped down onto the floor.]

[She was very quiet for a moment. She wasn't entirely sure she could explain it.]

I listened. And felt it.

[She turned, looking up to Valdis.]

It is what you are looking for, yes?

[redlightgreenlight]

Yes.

[A part of her was delighted to have found this place, but the other knew that she shouldn't linger. The darkness was weaker than during Malicant's reign, but the place was still tainted by his influence.]

We shouldn't stay for long.

[shroudofgray]

[She inclined her head, puzzled.]

It troubles you...?

[And then she pressed on into the gloom. This place must have been abandoned for years now, considering all the dust. It was odd though - there were no webs. Even spiders avoided the place.]

[redlightgreenlight]

[The girl barely even paused before continuing into the darkness. Valdis held back a moment, remembering the last time she had been under Malicant's influence...this was not like that time. Malicant was dead, there was no more danger from him. So she followed.]

What's back here?

[The growing darkness might have been intoxicating if she hadn't been aware of it, but, at least for now, she felt she could hold it off]

[shroudofgray]

[Yorda didn't seem perturbed by the darkness. She had lived her life among shadows and wraiths and the malice of the queen. If her mother couldn't take her over, these echoes would hold little sway.]

It is stronger here. I do not know why.

[she looked back to Valdis, frowning.]

You can see it, yes?

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis could feel the darkness grow stronger as they went deeper into the warehouse and the hair on her neck prickled.]

What I am I supposed to be seeing?

[She wasn't entirely certain what she should look for, much less if she should use her soul-sight.]

[shroudofgray]

The whispers. The way they reach for what you try to bury.

[Yorda spoke as if seeing these things were as plain as seeing the nose on a person's face. Either she din't know she had unique abilities, or she didn't know how much they differed from others.]

[redlightgreenlight]

[The whispers?. She quieted, closing her eyes and focusing on what she heard. The darkness reached out, she could hear the low slither of the Void creature as it contemplated reaching back. It liked the feeling, the lingering power Malicant had left behind.]

No.

[It was uttered aloud, but she wasn't speaking to Yorda.]