VIDEO | USERNAME: HAWKEYE | FORWARD-DATED TO DEC 4TH

[futurologists]

[The username suggests it should be Riza's face appearing in front of you, but it isn't. It's Arthur's — you may have spoken to him, if you attended the Order meeting, but if you haven't, he still looks very familiar. He's been at the scene of nearly every shocking event, decidedly un-shocked. There's a reason for that.]

Hello. My name is Arthur, and I speak to you today representing the Order of the Chimera. I've tracked down one of your own who has graciously allowed me to contact you all.

You're likely aware that some of your people are being detained by the guard on charges of treason. This is due in no small part to the Order meeting they were present at. My people have been taken, too. I understand you may oppose the Order, but in this instance, I believe it would benefit us all to work together to free them.

[He pauses for a moment.]

If freeing your companions isn't motivation enough, my brother is in custody as well. Although I hear the guard has invented a barrier to absorb magic, I have no doubts he will eventually escape. However, the longer he is kept, the greater his retribution will become. [Gravely:] If you value the safety of the people of Chantes, or even your own, I suggest you join the cause.

There is little time. We infiltrate the prison tomorrow, regardless of the risks. I assure you the damage will be much greater should Michel grow even angrier.

[OOC NOTES: Feel free to comment around, threadjack, etc. This is meant for characters to be able to plan! Thank you, strictdiscipline, for helping us!]

Comments

[strictdiscipline]

[Someone get this man a box full of puppies. Except that wouldn't even do anything, scratch that thought.

He brings up a valid point though, one she can't fully disagree with. But:]

He doesn't seem like the type to so easily comply to our demands. Unless you're suggesting to convince him otherwise?

["Convince."]

[dailydouble]

[ He was magically compelled to obey a particular family for two thousand years, so choice is a bit of a touchy subject. All the puppies in the world will never solve these issues. ]

He wants something. It's always easier to convince someone to comply when there is something they desire.

[ Unless the rest of ALASTAIR provides their labor for free, that is. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[Given the paltry amount they'd been given at the start of this mission, they may as well be working for free. No labor quite like unpaid slave labor.]

I take it you speak from experience?

[dailydouble]

The experience of living in the world and interacting with humans? Yes, I suppose I do.

[strictdiscipline]

[Ah.]

Most aren't so disillusioned from simple interaction.

[dailydouble]

Most people did not spend two thousand years as a slave. [ it's stated matter of fact, with no emotion in it. whether it's a sign of careful control or simple familiarity with discussing the topic is open for interpretation. ]

We are all crafted by our experiences.

[strictdiscipline]

—Two thousand years?

[Whatever intent she might have had to redirect this matter back towards the topic at hand - Michel, the jailbreak - disappears amidst a flurry of shock, a sharp inhale following those words.]

[dailydouble]

[ It wasn't that he forgot that the humans here would not immediately identify him as a godling, but more that he's used to stating such things plainly and not shocking his audience. ]

It certainly left an impression.

[strictdiscipline]

[Two thousand years of that would leave an impression on anyone.]

I can only imagine. [Murmured quietly, and followed by a brief pause before:] Are you free of that now?

Barring ALASTAIR, of course.

[dailydouble]

ALASTAIR is an unpleasant reminder of captivity, but it is the gentlest of prisons in comparison. [ Not that his tone indicates anything close to approval of what ALASTAIR has done to them. ]

Beyond our current predicament, I am free.