maskormenace | one ( voice )

So we've weathered our first publicly broadcast display of violence. In this world, that is.

[ A woman is speaking. She sounds pleasant enough at first blush, soft and modulated and distinctly feminine, but beneath that there's the unmistakable tone of someone who very much enjoys listening to the sound of her own voice. ]

Honestly -- I knew our communal memory was short, but this kind of nostalgia has never been worth repeating. I'm sure you all think you're terribly special, subjected to this indignity and being called "hero" on top of it. That must be such an insult. It had better be, for you to react like such children.

You're not the first, you know, and what happened this week won't be the last incident of its kind. That's the tragedy of random selection, right? There's no telling what kind of people will come out. In the last place, let's see... there was the old military commander who unleashed vampires on the City and almost detonated a bomb in this country's capital. There was the scientist who experimented on children and made her own army of feral monsters. The psychiatrist who caused mass hallucinations at a parade. The one who summoned an immense baby to wreak havoc on New Year's Eve.

[ There's no trace of humor in her voice, even at that last one. ImPorts, man. They've seen some shit. ]

I could go on, if you'd like, but I think you understand by now. Do you know what those people all had in common? Not one is still here today. Some of them were killed [ one by her personally, whoops ] and some were imprisoned -- others lingered on to vanish into thin air, like so many before them. But none of them managed to see their work borne out in a lasting way. That was all under Lachesis, who had much less interest vested in making sure we cooperated than our current monitors. Her greatest concerns were always for herself. After all, with the power she had to command, we could all of us be replaced, and our lives renewed at her discretion. Her entertainment was a much more fragile matter. Whether that still holds true, I couldn't say -- as far as I know, none of us can, as none of us have died. But the heroes made up for her apathy, just as they'll do now. That's just how it goes, and this time around the deck is stacked in heroism's favor.

Don't misunderstand what I'm trying to say -- if you're going to make a spectacle of yourselves, I don't particularly care what happens to you. But every action has a consequence, no matter how untouchable you'd like to believe yourself. If you have any questions, of course, I'd be happy to answer. The only trait less attractive than ignorance is hubris. Let's not mix the two any further.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In general, I try not to.

[ Look at it, she means! Basically her knowledge is something something blue period, something something soup cans. ]

Perhaps you're not wrong. If someone chose to interpret this broadcast as a cake recipe, they'd certainly be creative about it, but I wouldn't be any more likely to endorse the final product.

Yeah, you try not to. Exactly.

[because it sucks and everyone is in agreement on that. not that... he knows about art. let's just end that conversation there.]

And I don't think anyone would want that final product. We're talking a cake made of giant babies and hallucinogens. People would definitely be reacting. [uh. well, to be fair--] Actually, maybe I shouldn't say anyone. There'd be some sicko out there that would be all about that kind of cake. That's the thing about people, they're always finding ways to surprise you with disappointment.

So I guess--don't be surprised when no one listens to your warning.

You're kind, to let me know when to lower my expectations. So far the response hasn't been particularly negative, at least. I was expecting more childish indignance than anything else.

But then, if I'm thinking in your terms, it's probably the ones who won't respond that I should be concerned about. Right?

Well, you know what they say. It's always the quiet ones. I don't think that's any less true, even when we're dealing with giant babies and feral children.

By that reasoning, my little speech isn't the only thing that's futile.

Hey, at least you've made the effort, putting the idea out there. That's a service to your community--keep it up and maybe they'll give you the keys to the city.

I wouldn't dare to dream of such an honor. Isn't heroism meant to be thankless?

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