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

[pushtheboundaries]

I'm concerned.

[so. flat.]

[redlightgreenlight]

I appreciate your concern. What are you going to do?

[pushtheboundaries]

...what can she do?

[there's no sarcasm there. it's the probing of someone trying to understand a possible threat]

[redlightgreenlight]

As far as I can tell, she believes she is still our ally. She doesn't understand why I'm upset with her.

[pushtheboundaries]

...That's not what I asked.

[he almost - almost sounds regretful to push that point. but what is she capable of?]

[redlightgreenlight]

I'm afraid I can't answer that question, because I don't know.

[She sighs]

I think that the danger lies more with what the Cultists think she is capable of.

[pushtheboundaries]

[there's a stretch of silence. and then, after it;]

All this is giving me a headache, and it doesn't help I haven't eaten. Can I buy you a meal?

[I'd like to talk more about this, but I don't want to do it on these.]

[redlightgreenlight]

Are you asking me out, grandpa?

[She's teasing of course and she isn't opposed to more discussion on the matter, but she'd prefer to have more information first.]

[pushtheboundaries]

I'm too old to ask you out. Consider it an excuse to get drunk enough to try and forget some of this, and how it can all go wrong.

[redlightgreenlight]

[She's well aware that she doesn't look her age, but she's amused nonetheless. She laughs lightly.]

It can most certainly go wrong, most things can. Did you have a place in mind?

[pushtheboundaries]

I'll let you pick.

[redlightgreenlight]

How about the little pub near Yunxu's mansion? The...Prancing Kirin?

[pushtheboundaries]

Is that the one with the circle-booths?

[redlightgreenlight]

Yes, and it has the best seafood platters.

[pushtheboundaries]

Sold. I'll meet you there.

Action!

[redlightgreenlight]

[She beats him there and gets them one of the little round booths. She makes sure that she gets one near the window, so she can keep an eye on the front entry to the mansion and then she waits.]

[pushtheboundaries]

[he's there soon enough, looking around for her as he steps in. so long as she's not trying to hide from him, he should find her without much trouble.]

[redlightgreenlight]

Hey, Grandpa.

[She calls out the moment she sees him. She remembers having a conversation with him before, back when she had been missing her memories.]

[pushtheboundaries]

[and he remembers it as well - well enough to tell that she's different from then. but as long as she prefers to keep it in the past...well, there's only so much reason to bring it up.

but he chuckles self-depreciatingly, taking his seat]

You can call me Robert, you know.

[redlightgreenlight]

I know.

[She pauses as a kedan waiter comes over to deliver water and hand them both menus before moving on to the next table]

What did you want to know?

[pushtheboundaries]

[well, he may as well get down to the point. he accepts the water with a thanks, and waits until the kedan gets some distance between raising his eyes from his menu.]

If there was another...'Malicant'. Do you think she would...?

[redlightgreenlight]

No.

[The answer was confident, even if her tone was a bit harsh.]

Despite what she has done, I do not believe that Milyn would serve another 'Malicant'.

[pushtheboundaries]

[and with that, there's at least some of his concern dismissed. he sighs heavily, leaning back before pausing.]

...but if there was someone else she thought would serve her purpose?

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis tipped her head, a slight smile lighting her features.]

Her purpose has always been to help, that was never in question. I only meant to call into question her methods.

[pushtheboundaries]

[he almost says that it doesn't answer her question - and then he pauses, thinks about it, and then thinks it does. he exhales at that, shaking his head as he rubs his forehead]

Wonderful.