audio; un: alucard

[reposing]

[The video feed turns on, and Alucard can be seen combing out his hair thoughtfully, his brows knitted into a tight frown. He considers his words carefully, then he begins:]

I recognize that we've been successful, at least, in assisting in stopping the attack at the end of the festival. It seems we'd adequately identified that they were not related in any way to the Empress of the Crashing Wave.

However, I felt it important to mention to the rest of you that during combat, I did slay one of the masked warriors. It brings me no pleasure to inform you of this. At the time, it felt necessary. Looking back on it now, I regret my lack of restraint.

I hope that this does not reflect badly upon our mission. My apologies.

[Alucard bows his head.]

I shall end this message, though I welcome your questions and comments if you must.

Comments

audio■ un: virtuoso

[fourscores]

Certainly speaks of your character that you're willing to admit that.

[Adrain you fool, what kind of idiot admits to murder.]

voice; un: eraserhead

[eyedrop]

[ No, sir. He doesn't like it. ]

What happened, exactly?

[reposing]

She attacked another. I responded instinctively, and killed her without any suffering.

[He's careful with his words. He doesn't want to make Lucina feel responsible.]

[reposing]

I am certain it speaks volumes in many ways.

[the kind with MORALS, jhin!]

[eyedrop]

That's a little vague.

[reposing]

What sort of details do you desire?

[eyedrop]

From what I saw, they weren't explicitly targeting civilians. So what do you mean by 'attacked'?

[fourscores]

Indeed. Death was the only option?

[Ew morals. I bet it wasn't even an artful death. How tasteless.]

voice | un: lucina

[tolight]

... He is not speaking the whole truth. [ Her tone — even, measured, calm. Which is good, probably. ]

Adrian and I attempted to interrogate one of the masked warriors shortly after the attack. When she attempted escape, we gave chase. We had nearly cornered her when she ... attacked me. In a fit of desperation, I presume.

What he did was to protect me. While the situation was regretful, he is not the only one to be blamed. [ If the situation was reversed, she would have done the same. ]

voice; un: kyouken

[justbeingknife]

...That's fucked up.

[ and this was coming from an ex-yakuza ]

[reposing]

At the time. Perhaps there was another way, but it's difficult to say.

[reposing]

I did not say it was a civilian. It was a member of our own group.

[reposing]

I take no pleasure nor pride over it, though I also do not attempt to make any excuses for myself. What's done is done.

[reposing]

I... my lady.

[He sighs softly.] I do not aim to bear you any guilt. My reaction was instinctive. I wish I thought better of it, even in your defense.

[eyedrop]

[ HENCE. HIS COMMENT. ABOUT THE VAGUENESS. ]

That'd be a detail you want to include.

[ Lucina's spilled the rest of it, anyway; no point in grilling this guy any further.

He sighs. ]

Well, you made a stupid mistake. But I'm sure you already know that.

[eyedrop]

Were you in fear for your life?

[ She seemed pretty capable to him. But then, so did Alucard. He's been wrong before. ]

[reposing]

I don't see how it necessarily changes anything. The woman is still dead, regardless of who I was defending.

[He's not upset with Lucina for revealing herself, but he was hoping to keep her hands clean as possible.]

I am quite aware. I have no joy for the end result.

[eyedrop]

Either come clean or don't. If you go halfway, you're going to get questions. That's how it is.

[reposing]

I came clean about the death of a person. That is enough.

[eyedrop]

You made a public confession about something you obviously thought was wrong, and then you didn't expect questions? You look a little too experienced to be this naive.

[reposing]

I should think that I anticipated some questions, in accordance to my initial response. I did not indicate otherwise.

I refused to share more on behalf of another. I explained why I did not include her. You may accept that, or not.

[eyedrop]

You thought just making a simple statement was enough. It wasn't. Because this wasn't just about you.

[ He shakes his head. ]

Moot point, anyway. She stepped up.

[reposing]

Precisely. This debate is a waste of time.

Do you require anything else?

[eyedrop]

Mostly I'm just wondering what you expect to get out of this.

[reposing]

Nothing. I thought to be forthcoming with the information of a slain woman, should it impact us at all. It may make no difference, but I saw no point in keeping it a secret.