☾ 01 | video

[psychup]

[The video feed turns on with Athena's face right in the camera. She taps the screen a few times with a gloved hand, glaring, before she pulls away from the camera. The necklace around her neck is glowing bright red.]

Is anyone there?

I have a little more to say to whoever's going around abducting people into your sinister conspiracy. You can't just kidnap people and give them tattoos and tell them to work for you without asking first! What if I had left the stove on?

And another thing! Research librarian? Does this look like a librarian's -

[At this point, punctuating her words, she pokes her lapel where a badge is pinned, but apparently manages to poke herself hard enough to knock herself off balance and drop the communicator.

It's about five minutes later when it turns back on, and she seems to have completely changed her attitude, or at least is no longer glaring into the camera, nor does she seem at all embarrassed about what just happened.]

Right, so, as I was saying! It's really inconsiderate. Anyway...

[She flashes a grin at the camera.]

Who's actually at the other end of this thing? I have to admit, I'm pretty curious. We should meet up and compare notes, and maybe someone could show me around? I've never been in this part of the country before. I also have a few questions about this incredibly ominous situation, but first things first! Those can probably wait until I get settled.

And it's Athena Cykes, by the way. Nice to meet you!

Comments

[psychup]

Hehe. Might as well!

[No, she pretty much means it.]

[selfimage]

Easy peasy, is it? There was a song written about such an event.

It's called Breaking the Law.

[psychup]

Oh! So you're a musician, then? Are you famous?

[selfimage]

I'm quite famous, but unfortunately it's not for my ability to produce flawless dubstep at beck and call.

[psychup]

So...you're a country singer?

[selfimage]

[what.

well.

he can work with that. clears his throat and tries to carry a tune.]

I once had myself some dawgs ...

[no, it's bad.]

[psychup]

...No. I guess not.

What are you famous for, then? I give up.

[selfimage]

Oh, many things ... a little of this, a little of that ... some lying and some cheating ... you know, the usual.

[psychup]

How do you get famous over something like that?

[selfimage]

You pull it off well. Very well.

[psychup]

Hmm.

So basically, you like to brag!

[selfimage]

Showing rather than telling! Bragging is ... well, I suppose it has its place, but you have to have something to back it up occasionally, or it really just starts to defeat the purpose of lying.

[psychup]

...I still think a famous country singer would be more impressive.

[selfimage]

At least try to be a little more imaginative.

[psychup]

Hey! I'm plenty imaginative!

But if you're really a famous liar, how do I know you're not lying now?

[selfimage]

Simple logic. If I weren't a famous liar, then I would be a liar by simple reasoning. Then that must be the truth, but it wouldn't be—so the opposite must be.

Thus, I'm telling the truth about lying.

[psychup]

Not necessarily! You could just be a regular liar who is lying to seem like a more impressive liar!

[selfimage]

I am not that ostentatious, but I am flattered.