[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

[redlightgreenlight]

Something...ordered of them?

[Because Malicant's goal had been to invade their worlds, was his will still being imposed on his followers? Was Milyn still involved?]

And what do you mean, you've seen it?

[shroudofgray]

Yes.

I mean I have seen it. It was there and then gone.

[redlightgreenlight]

[She applied China's words to what Yorda was saying, and, suddenly, her ideas concerning how to approach the turtle problem shifted.]

You can see the past?

[shroudofgray]

I see many things. My light can lay bare all truths.

Though I am still learning to control it.

[What happened for her and China was a fluke. The same way memories in the castle revealing themselves to Ico was a fluke.]

[redlightgreenlight]

Control is important...yes.


[But if the girl could show her what had happened, if she didn't have to try to possess Tu Vishan a third time...]

Have you don't this before?

[shroudofgray]

[There's a small nod from Yorda.]

Yes.

[redlightgreenlight]

Could you do it again?

[shroudofgray]

Yes.

[redlightgreenlight]

Will you help me find out what happened to Tu Vishan?

[shroudofgray]

Yes.

Is there somewhere you'd like to look?

[redlightgreenlight]

There is. I'll take you there when I have a moment.

[shroudofgray]

When you are ready, so too will I be.

[inkulcation]

By their leader, presumably. 'He' -- the only referential term overheard, unfortunately -- is infinitely more likely to refer to that individual than anyone else.

[China shrugs.]

If you want reasons, regrettably you are out of luck for the time being.

And she means precisely that: seen. Apparently, some memory was retained in the place itself.

[A brief pause. Then, consideringly:]

My dear Valdis, might I suggest you visit me in the near future?

[redlightgreenlight]

[Her dislike of China aside...the fact that the woman was essentially inviting her over was highly intriguing.]

Why, when you ask so nicely, how can I refuse?

[inkulcation]

[China smiles.]

I have a new blend of tea I think you'll like.

[She has no such thing. Valdis should catch the double-speak, though, if she's as bright as China's been observing her to be.]

I'll look forward to what you think of it.

[Look how polite they're being to each other isn't it beautiful.]

[redlightgreenlight]

Oh, my dear China. I'm certain it will be lovely.

[These two getting along seems like a dangerous thing.]

Is there a time that works well for you?

[inkulcation]

Won't it?

[With the two of them in the same room, how couldn't it be?]

Perhaps tomorrow morning, before noon?

[redlightgreenlight]

Perfect.

[There is so much going on in this simple conversation that the majority of people probably wouldn't understand...]

I shall see you then.

->action?

[inkulcation]

Until then, my dear.

[China has the other responders to see to, after all. Tomorrow morning she'll be ready enough to receive Valdis, and even have the tea she half-promised ready.]

Re: ->action?

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis appears on China's doorstep at 11:59, perfectly prompt, and raises her hand to knock softly on the door.]

[inkulcation]

[China answers the door a full minute later, to be petty, fully aware of what Valdis is doing.]

[She smiles at the other woman, though.]

There you are, my dear. Won't you come in?

[She stands aside from the door, leads Valdis back into her sitting room. The tea, despite that it has already been made, is still perfectly hot in the teapot, thanks to China's use of sigilwork, though she did debate letting it get cold.]

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis matches China's smile. Despite their differences, she does hold some respect for the woman, in the way predators respect each other.]

Thank you, China, for the invitation.

[Valdis follows her inside to the sitting room, the place is exactly as she remembers it.]

I expect you wish to collect the price on the bargain we made so long ago?

[inkulcation]

Partially, perhaps.

[China pours tea, even going so far as to pour and offer a cup to Valdis first, perfectly mannered.]

Tell me what you know about Indin. If you can fill something in that I don't know, I'll count it as a question.

She's involved, of course.

[Which China is not informing the turtle at large.]

[redlightgreenlight]

[Valdis raises a brow, taking the offered tea with an...appreciative nod. She sips it, once, twice, three times and then puts it down on the rather lovely coffee table.]

Indin is the one who led me to those addresses that I asked you to look into. You know, the ones that led you to a spy ring?

[Her voice is perfectly pleasant, no sign of any malcontent regarding the matter.]

She also, indirectly led me to the clues that revealed Milyn as a former cultist. She works with Daseng, seems to adore him as much as Milyn does.

[inkulcation]

I do recall. It wasn't all that long ago, darling.

[China takes a sip of her tea, sets it down, and laces her fingers together in her lap.]

I'm more interested in her character. Things beside her deeds.

She seems to be having doubts, you see.