VIDEO | USERNAME: BELOVED

[futurologists]

[There's a face you'd hoped to never see again. The last time Arthur showed up on the network, half of ALASTAIR was in jail. He never shows up unless something terrible has happened. Arthur sighs, exasperated, as if someone off-camera is being particularly grumpy at him.]

I fear I must ask for your assistance again.

Last time we spoke, I begged for my brother's life. I believed he could change. That he hadn't yet passed the point of no return. I want you all to know that Michel wasn't always like this. Once, he might have used his magic for good. All magicians have goblin blood, though, and it became something he was expected to hide. Anger is a powerful emotion. He let it fester, and...

I don't have time to give you our entire life story, I'm afraid. Your people handed Michel over to me. He had stopped fighting me, I truly thought he was no longer a threat. It seems that was the calm before the storm.

He disappeared in the thick of night, but not without leaving a letter. He went to the castle. It's time for someone new on the throne, he said.

[Arthur pauses, looking conflicted. He takes a breath and closes his eyes.]

Kill him. [He opens his eyes and lets out a sigh, like a large burden has been lifted from his shoulders.] He is past the point of no return. I found plans for runes with his things. I don't know where they are, but they must be somewhere within the city. What they do, I cannot say, but I know he would not waste his time with them unless they were important.

Destroy them. Kill him, because if it's left up to me, I fear I will be too weak to do it.

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Comments

PRIVATE. AUDIO. FOR AHAD.

[selfimage]

After all of that he's giving up.

[ the words come out harsh and hot, but no more harsh than he means. ]

[dailydouble]

[ It takes a bit for him to return the message. He plans to let Arthur speak for as long as he wants. ]

Is that how you see it?

[selfimage]

When kill him is involved.

[ these words come out less strained and a little easier, Loki breaks the tension and rubs the back of his neck, thoughtful. ]

[dailydouble]

What do you suggest? I doubt killing him is the only option, but there are enough that will try it.

[selfimage]

Then I'll have to be extra devious and sneaky.

[ a pause, then his inflection changes. ]

Michel is easy to deal with, all he needs to do is have a little unfortunatetrip through the inter-dimensional fabric.

[ he'd go further, but someone may be listening. ]

[dailydouble]

[ Ahad sounds amused. ]

I do hope you're devious and sneaky enough. Michel is unlikely to trip willingly.

[selfimage]

No, he does seem sound on his feet, doesn't he? But even the steadiest of steps can stagger.

[ when pushed, probably. ]

[dailydouble]

There's something about this I don't like.

[ Beyond the murder. Ahad isn't that bothered by it. ]

[selfimage]

It feels like our foot is hovering over a rather large trap for a beast of significantly larger size, wouldn't you say?

[dailydouble]

Must you speak in metaphor?

[ He's fairly certain that the answer is no, but that Loki enjoys it too much to stop. ]

[selfimage]

Tired of my wordplay already? There's more than one way to shut me up, you know.

[dailydouble]

Yes, I suppose I could stop replying to you.

[ He's not taking the bait. Not to mention that he has an audience. ]

[selfimage]

[ whatever; it's Arthur, no one cares about that guy. ]

Will you?

[dailydouble]

I doubt it would work for long.

[ Either option, really. ]

[selfimage]

No, I doubt it would, either.

[dailydouble]

Was there anything else, besides more terrible innuendo?

[selfimage]

When you've finished there, let me know what you're getting from him.

[ may as well make use of your powers, there, love god. ]

[dailydouble]

[ It's not as if he can avoid his nature and what it tells him. He returns the request right away, not entirely caring what Arthur thinks. ]

Nothing that makes me suspicious.

[selfimage]

Ah, then ... it would be as I suspect.

[ guilt, possibly. fraternal love. ]

[dailydouble]

The situation is not what he would wish.

[ As a brother or otherwise. ]