[Video]

[shroudofgray]

OOC:

• Grey - Yorda
  
• Blue - China

[The feed comes on and there is Yorda and China Sorrows. The former looks a bit apprehensive and the latter about as pleasantly inscrutable as ever.]

Hello. There is something important that we have to tell you.

We have seen what the cultists have done to the other kedan. They are able to make stones that contain their lives, and pushed them beyond Death and Dreaming. All doors open both ways and they have crossed into the places we came from.

This is something they have hoped to do, something ordered of them. We have seen this.

[She looks to China, hoping that this is correct. China inclines her head briefly, indulgent, and takes over.]

Suffice to say that while something seems to have gone awry with their experiments, the goal appears to have been moving kedan across planes. While it hasn't been done again, our information implies that those who have gone have not come back, and I doubt they plan to abandon their goal.

I shouldn't have to tell any of you that this is a problem. As much as it goes against my nature to suggest the free trade of information, it may be beneficial to pool knowledge and resources to see if there isn't something to be done about cultists toying with lives and planes as they please.

[Yorda gives a small nod of agreement.]

...For the Kedan whose friends have gone missing... I am sorry this has happened to you.

Comments

[inkulcation]

It's possible she does. I doubt any would help her if they were aware of her cult affiliations, but it's more than possible that some of them hide in plain sight.

[China does not have nearly as much information as she likes having, or she'd give him more than a place to start.]

I'm sure she's more dangerous than she looks, but of course you can handle that.

[drinkuntilidie]

Course I can, just be wonderin' how much to charge ya for hazard pay.

[Kevas grins slyly at her.]

I'll find her and drag her back in one piece.

[inkulcation]

[Accounting for the tusks, that might be slyness. Amused, China returns a small smile.]

One piece and living, darling, I'm aware those two things aren't mutually inclusive.

I'm sure you can bill me afterward.

[Still a pity she can't seem to charm him, but she's worked with worse handicaps.]

[drinkuntilidie]

Yeah yeah, I don't plan on killin' any mons.

[Kevas pauses for a moment after he says that.]

At least her anyway.

[As far as he's concerned the cultists are free game. Who's going to miss them anyway?]

[inkulcation]

I do appreciate it. It's much harder for people to explain themselves when they're dead.

[The others China doesn't care about. Have fun, Kevas.]

[drinkuntilidie]

Dis ain't be my first bounty. I be knowin' how it works. Just don't expect it to be too fast. Normally I be havin' a face to work with.

[But this just adds a little extra challenge. He's not about to back down from the first actual job he's been offered.]

[inkulcation]

As long as it happens.

Preferably before the cultists get up to anything else inventive, but we can hardly afford to be picky at this point.

[More's the pity. China enjoys being picky.]

[drinkuntilidie]

I be sure I can slow dem cultists down while I be lookin' for our friend.

[Kevas cracks his knuckles.]

If dey be too busy chasin' a boogeymon dey ain't gonna have time to get creative.

[inkulcation]

[China sighs quietly. It's a happy sound, pleased with having someone competent at her call and the promise of causing difficulties for the cultists.]

You do know what to say to a woman. Is there anything else you need, darling?

[drinkuntilidie]

I pride myself on just dat.

[As if to make a point Kevas offers her a gentlemanly bow.]

Only to settle on my compensation, den I'll be on my way.

[inkulcation]

Of course.

[China spares half a moment to wish she could smile at Kevas and have him forget the whole thing, and then the next half moment dismissing the idea. He's useful as-is.]

Juulan, or something else?

[Information, favours, all the other things she can provide.]

[drinkuntilidie]

Juulan.

[He pauses for a moment as he considers something.]

And I wanna be dere when ya decide to have your little chat with her.

[Sure he could try to get the information from China afterwards, but he much rather hear from the source.]

[inkulcation]

Of course. Information's just as valuable as juulan, darling. If not more.

[It's definitely not a no, but it is an implicit warning that asking that as part of his price will lower the juulan involved.]

[drinkuntilidie]

Which be exactly why I wanna be dere.

[He'll take a dock in pay to learn whatever secrets China's target holds.]

[inkulcation]

Very well, then.

[A smile.]

I believe we have an arrangement.

[drinkuntilidie]

Be soundin' fair to me.

[He tips his hat to her.]

I be thankin' ya my ladymon.

[inkulcation]

[China inclines her head.]

Until I see you next.

[drinkuntilidie]

Until den.

[And off he goes to blend into the crowd.]