LUNAR INTERLUDE 3: VIDEO | Backdated to the end of the event on the 20th

[journalkeeper]

(( cw: Discussion of character death. ))

[ Lucretia looks tired, and sad. Her cameras focused on her face he can't really see very much about going on behind her, but if you pay attention you can definitely hear other people around and there is a glimpse of a cop nearby.

And the other, pervasive, inescapable sound is Magnus Burnsides wailing his heartbroken heart out.

This whole scenario was exactly what she was afraid of, but she's in no mood to say "I told you so". And, considering it was caused by one of the Grand Relics, has no right to. ]

I have... news.

The plant infection of Maurtia Falls is over. We've managed to stop it from spreading, and hopefully things will get back to normal soon. I'm sorry for all the trouble and grief it caused, but please rest assured the worst is over.

[ She sighs, and then straightens her self as if steeling herself to say what she has to next. ]

I'm sorry to say that we did not come out of this unscathed. Archie... [ She lets out a breath. ] Archie is dead.

From what I understand, there is a high chance the nanites may bring him back in a matter of days, but that does not mean this is not a tragedy. If he doesn't… if he is truly gone then you have my condolences and I hope that you can all take the time you need to grieve.

[ Magnus’s wailing voice is still heard and is joined by Merle, "OH HOW WE MISS HIM!! THAT--" There’s a pause. "ARCH DUKE FERDINAND".

Lucretia's shuts her eyes tight for a second before she moves to shut off the communicator as she simultaneously turns. ]

Merle that’s not his --

Comments

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[continuousgroaning]

[Well, this is a hell of a thing for Tina to see on the network on her way home. She just stares at the post with a completely gobsmacked expression before shutting the video function off.

Any replies will be text-based.]

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[journalkeeper]

Tina, I'm... I'm so sorry.

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[fehus]

[have a very somber/pissed looking teen]

How did it happen?

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[journalkeeper]

[ Lucretia is equally somber, and sympathetic. ]

There... there was a fight. Archie was killed in action.

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[bindsthedead]

As far as I know, plants weren't part of Archie's powers. Can you explain exactly how this happened?

[journalkeeper]

[ She was purposefully downplaying exactly how Archie was involved, and she's reluctant to advertise the existence of the Philosopher's Stone on the Network, at least immediately. ]

No, this was quite outside his capabilities. Were you a friend of his?

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[drivesadesk]

Do you know what happened to him? Why did he go...all...

I ran into him. He wasn't himself.

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[journalkeeper]

You saw him?

[ That... changes things. She switches from trying to downplay his involvement to clearing a little matter up. ]

He... he wasn't. What happened?

[Video]

[centelha]

I don't - I - [He takes a deep breath, then another, trying to compose himself.] When, um, when will we know if he's permanent gone, or if he's back? He was really kind to me when I first got here. I'd like to know that he'll be okay.

[journalkeeper]

I... I'm not sure. I know it's what the nanites are supposed to do if they work properly, and from what I understand cases where they don't are... rare.

[ She's not sure which one of them she's trying to convince more of that. ]

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[marriedmedium]

No! Not dear Archibald!

[journalkeeper]

I'm sorry to have to break the news. Were you a friend of his?

[Video]

[caduceusvalkyrie]

[It takes time before she can respond to this. She's clearly been crying over the news.]

How?

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[journalkeeper]

[ Lucretia's heart breaks for her, and she keeps her tone gentle. ]

There was a fight. He... he didn't make it. I'm sorry.

[cassassin]

[cass winces. she was out of the city for work--League and dayjob both--and hadn't realized what was--

she hadn't known Archie, but she can't help the twinge of irrational guilt at not having been there. that was her city, while she was here.]

I'm in De Chima, but--do you need anything?

[journalkeeper]

No, no, it's... it's fine, thank you. I... I appreciate it. I'm glad you weren't here for this.

voice;

[andtherevolution]

...I'm sorry it went that far, but... do you know why he was doing all that crap? When I ran into him he was going on some rant about "the natural balance".

[Utena responds a couple days late - it's kind of hard to use the network when you're still part rosebush]

voice;

[journalkeeper]

[ By this time she's mostly run out of excuses and is a bit more immediately open than she would be.. ]

We do. He was effected by a power beyond his control that was working through him.

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[the_caped_crusader]

Why would you need to be sorry for what happened.

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[journalkeeper]

[ Who is this strange masked man and what's his fucking problem. She keeps her tone polite. ]

I... I meant sorry both in the, uh, sympathetic sense and... that this was a tragedy that could have been prevented.

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[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Jacob looks rough in the video. Almost as though he's been fighting Plant Armageddon for days and dealing with it being caused by one of his friends.]

So that's the way it went down, huh.

[He heaves a sigh, from deep within his chest.]

I guess there was just no other way, was there. The man I saw in there... I didn't recognize him.

[journalkeeper]

No, it wasn't... it wasn't really him. If he comes back, don't be too hard on him.

[Video]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Guess who’s still annoyed? Yep. This guy. Riza’s fluffy tail can just be seen in the video feed, as she’s sitting curled up in Adachi’s lap, and he looks like he’s trying very hard to let her comfort him, but it’s just not working this time. ]

Well, really nice of you to decide to take responsibility for him.

[ If he’s dead and doesn’t come back... Adachi clenched his teeth, looking like he was just shy of snapping his communicator in half. ]

Since you’re doing that, I don’t suppose you mind shedding any light on what happened? Since Archie is an idiot, but not a psychotic idiot? And you know, the whole sudden plant powers were kind of a thing too.

[journalkeeper]

No, he's not psychotic. But if I had done my job properly, what happened wouldn't have happened. So... yes. I do take responsibility.

[ Like so many things, she believes she can take this on the brunt of her shoulders alone. ]

private. video.

[functusofficio]

[ Her voice is very gentle when she speaks, because she's read or listened to some of the public threads and she heard Magnus in the background and while she has no idea of the details she can grasp some of what has happened. ]

Lucretia. Are you yourself all right? It seems this was a very difficult thing for you and your friends.

private. video.

[journalkeeper]

I'm... unharmed.

[ Which is as neutral an answer as she can give. ]

I'm so sorry for what has happened to your city so soon after the election, Ambassador.