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touchscreens2015-02-04 02:55 am
rekindlenpcs) wrote in touchscreens2015-02-04 02:55 am
Entry tags:
[video - visual distortion: 58%]
--is this some kind of game to you?
[A stronger-sounding Cyntia could be overheard, although the feed lacked any semblance of visual that wasn't filled with so much static that only vague silhouettes could be distinguished.]
What, and it isn't for you? [A male voice retorted, though anyone who heard it before could likely place it as her assistant, Burnie's.] You can't tell me it hasn't presented valuable data on our dear subjects. After all, weren't you the one who followed my old boss's philosophy of "everyone is an unknowing test subject"?
[After a long pause, he laughs.] Oh, don't tell me... you're actually growing soft?
We've lost a valuable colleague today... one who, until you provided clues as to someone tampering with one of the energy containment settings, held a perfectly spotless record.
[She takes a few steps, and as the conversation continues, the feed comes into better focus--almost as though someone were attempting to clean the image for viewing. Her gaze is almost as harsh as the rain outside the windows.]
Combined with the sudden disappearances of a handful of our coworkers and the public attempt at my life... am I to take that as mere coincidence, Burnie.
[Burnie seems to back up slightly, his grimace even more dark when the sound of clapping could be heard just as the feed clears up perfectly.]
Bravo, Cyntia... It seems as though you're finally seeing the light.
A-Arjuna!? [Burnie nearly jumps out of his skin at the blond man who seemed to materialize out of thin air in a cloud of black smoke.] How did you-- The seal--
As broken as your colleague's faith in you. [Zeloph waves it off.] Honestly, I should be thanking you... Your little attempts to mess with your... "subjects", was it?
[Zeloph spits out the word as though it sickened him, much to Burnie's anger. As if unphased, Cyntia turned slightly to face the newcomer.]
And what, dare I ask, is the occasion that brought you to conjure yourself into my office?
Isn't it obvious? [He motions to Burnie.] My own sister may not recall my face clearly--time is a fickled thing, after all--but that doesn't mean that I don't have a debt to repay...
[As though the motion and eye contact was all it took, black strands of magic seemed to wrap around Burnie's neck. Loosely, at first.. but as Zeloph's speaks, the bind seems to grow tighter.]
Now give me one good reason why the miasma shouldn't separate your head from your shoulders...
[Burnie moves to grasp the strings of miasma, but as his hands make contact with the substance, it seems to have a burning effect on his flesh. He screams, and Zeloph seems displeased.]
Ever the hypocrite. Using lives to profit your own, but the moment another sees the benefit of using your personal homunculus as a subject... [Zeloph laughs darkly as Cyntia watches on in shock.] You don't change, Burnie!
Bugger yourself, you soulless vermin!
[Burnie struggles, motioning with one hand as the metal that made up the wall of Cyntia's office jutted forth to stab Zeloph through the abdomen. Yet there is no blood, only miasma leaking from the wound before he disappears in the very same cloud. The strands release their prisoner, but not before a clawed hand juts out of the dark mist to slam Burnie into the window.]
The song hath been heard... Approach mine sister or kin once more, insufferable worm, and I shall remind thou of the reason they call me... "Thunderer".
[The feed ends with the cloud of miasma slipping away through the air vents, Cyntia staring after it in shock, and Burnie gasping for air with burn marks the shape of a dragon's foreclaw on his neck.]
[A stronger-sounding Cyntia could be overheard, although the feed lacked any semblance of visual that wasn't filled with so much static that only vague silhouettes could be distinguished.]
What, and it isn't for you? [A male voice retorted, though anyone who heard it before could likely place it as her assistant, Burnie's.] You can't tell me it hasn't presented valuable data on our dear subjects. After all, weren't you the one who followed my old boss's philosophy of "everyone is an unknowing test subject"?
[After a long pause, he laughs.] Oh, don't tell me... you're actually growing soft?
We've lost a valuable colleague today... one who, until you provided clues as to someone tampering with one of the energy containment settings, held a perfectly spotless record.
[She takes a few steps, and as the conversation continues, the feed comes into better focus--almost as though someone were attempting to clean the image for viewing. Her gaze is almost as harsh as the rain outside the windows.]
Combined with the sudden disappearances of a handful of our coworkers and the public attempt at my life... am I to take that as mere coincidence, Burnie.
[Burnie seems to back up slightly, his grimace even more dark when the sound of clapping could be heard just as the feed clears up perfectly.]
Bravo, Cyntia... It seems as though you're finally seeing the light.
A-Arjuna!? [Burnie nearly jumps out of his skin at the blond man who seemed to materialize out of thin air in a cloud of black smoke.] How did you-- The seal--
As broken as your colleague's faith in you. [Zeloph waves it off.] Honestly, I should be thanking you... Your little attempts to mess with your... "subjects", was it?
[Zeloph spits out the word as though it sickened him, much to Burnie's anger. As if unphased, Cyntia turned slightly to face the newcomer.]
And what, dare I ask, is the occasion that brought you to conjure yourself into my office?
Isn't it obvious? [He motions to Burnie.] My own sister may not recall my face clearly--time is a fickled thing, after all--but that doesn't mean that I don't have a debt to repay...
[As though the motion and eye contact was all it took, black strands of magic seemed to wrap around Burnie's neck. Loosely, at first.. but as Zeloph's speaks, the bind seems to grow tighter.]
Now give me one good reason why the miasma shouldn't separate your head from your shoulders...
[Burnie moves to grasp the strings of miasma, but as his hands make contact with the substance, it seems to have a burning effect on his flesh. He screams, and Zeloph seems displeased.]
Ever the hypocrite. Using lives to profit your own, but the moment another sees the benefit of using your personal homunculus as a subject... [Zeloph laughs darkly as Cyntia watches on in shock.] You don't change, Burnie!
Bugger yourself, you soulless vermin!
[Burnie struggles, motioning with one hand as the metal that made up the wall of Cyntia's office jutted forth to stab Zeloph through the abdomen. Yet there is no blood, only miasma leaking from the wound before he disappears in the very same cloud. The strands release their prisoner, but not before a clawed hand juts out of the dark mist to slam Burnie into the window.]
The song hath been heard... Approach mine sister or kin once more, insufferable worm, and I shall remind thou of the reason they call me... "Thunderer".
[The feed ends with the cloud of miasma slipping away through the air vents, Cyntia staring after it in shock, and Burnie gasping for air with burn marks the shape of a dragon's foreclaw on his neck.]
[action]
He's as silent as ever when he enters, but these days his appearance is a little more... friendly? He doesn't look like he just came off the street the way he used to.
His voice is low; if the priestess hasn't noticed his presence already, he isn't looking to startle her.]
Rhea.
[action]
...Just in time to see Rhea sitting on her legs in the middle of a strange glyph.]
Hello, James.
no subject
Might as well ask. He puts his hands in his pockets and gestures at the glyph with his head.]
What's that?
no subject
[A pause.]
It's the least I can do until the seventh district opens.
no subject
What happens when the district opens? [Hopefully it'll mean she'll be more secure somehow, though he isn't sure how.]
no subject
But that isn't why you're here, is it?
no subject
At her question, he steps forward and joins her on the floor.]
I came to see how you were. [Even aside from the headache, seeing her brother again seemed to have been a shock.]
no subject
It's difficult to say. Ever since you and the others arrived... I've been recalling bits and pieces, and these headaches keep getting worse.
no subject
Bits and pieces of what?
[Bucky has a few guesses, but he won't say what.]
no subject
[It makes her dizzy just thinking about it, so she tries to shake it off.]
no subject
It's not like he enjoys the idea of locking away someone's memories, but... Rhea hasn't exactly been in a good place for stability. If what the other woman said is really true...]
Have you seen Cyntia since you got back?
no subject
no subject
Let her know your guard's willing to help with it. [Cyntia should know where his loyalties lie. If she can't trust the guards from the city, maybe she can trust one from outside.
He turns to look at Rhea again, curiosity in his eyes.]
What do you mean by Song.
no subject
[She smiles a little despite herself.]
The Dragon Song. It's an ancient hymn that once called upon the protective force of the dragonkin long before this city was founded. Only those with a personal relationship whether by blood or romantic could hear it, let alone know it. That it's been sung now...
no subject
Is it like evoking?
[Dragons and all that are still kind of... unknown to him, but he's getting the hang of this magic thing, at least a little.]