CONSOLE [video/action] Guess who's back, back, back from the - wait.

[skeletonenigma]

[Skulduggery's at the Hotel console, looking exactly the same as he did when he went missing a month ago. He's impeccably dressed in a suit, hat, scarf, and coat - and also happens to be a living skeleton, for those new to the turtle. 'Back from the dead' has new and interesting connotations where he's concerned.

It's April 1st. It's a little past dinnertime. Skulduggery takes a moment or two, once the video turns on, before he speaks. He sounds the same as ever, too - Irish, his voice as smooth as velvet.]

I promise, I don't do this on purpose.

[That's directed at... a lot of people, actually. Pepper. Solomon. Cain. Raine. Anton. Erskine. Honestly, anyone who's not so much relieved at his return than annoyed.]

It looks like I missed quite a bit. Someone died, someone didn't die, everyone's blaming everyone else, and now we have a person or persons unknown trying to assassinate every prominent kedan in the city. On top of that, I heard something about an earthquake and power outages. Does anyone know more than the barest details about any of this? And if they do, would they be willing to share it?

[He reaches out to end the feed, then pauses.]

Oh, and why is all the furniture on the ceiling?

[OOC: Feel free to approach Skulduggery in person at the console if you're in the Hotel!]

Comments

[edgeoftheknife]

[She's not laughing. That's not a good sign. Some of the good humor leaks out of Erskine's expression.]

Oh. Well. I mean, as long as it has nothing to do with his ego, I suppose that's alright then. We don't need it, uh....

[Yep, he's lost the thread of that joke, whatever it was.]

Ah... carry on, I suppose.

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper likes Erskine, so hopefully he doesn't take her aggravation too personally. At least she seems to have derailed the humor train, and now she looks not so much angry as sad. Her voice has a little bit of a waver to it when she speaks.]

Sure, yeah, whatever. I'll keep that in mind next time one of my friends goes missing.

[She's trying really hard not to cry right now and she may not be succeeding.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[Wow, way to turn the Dead Man into a huge pile of goo, Pepper. All traces of the smile are gone, and his brow furrows in concern.]

Pepper, I-- Are you okay?

[Say what you will--Erskine is a huge softie.]

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper looks away from the console, taking in and letting out a careful, slow breath. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, thumbing away tears at the corner of her eye.]

I'm- I'll be fine. Just... sometimes things need to be serious, okay?

[And this conversation with Skul was about her, not about anyone else. It's selfish and probably a little childish, but the situation seemed to call for it. Not everything could be made better with quips and sarcasm.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[Unfortunately, it's a fact of life Erskine knows all too well. That doesn't preclude him from trying to lighten the mood anyway, most of the time... but maybe he's just rusty. A lot's happened since he was his old charming self.]

Right. You're right. Forgive me.

[He starts to back away from the console, then pauses.]

If you need anything let me know, alright?

[lasergrenades]

[Ironic how Erskine's apology is so similar to Solomon's. He gets it, and that's what matters. She turns back to face him before he can leave.]

Thanks. I'll... yeah. I will.