an alert | open

[hassaran]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Yseult
RECIPIENT: All members of Riftwatch
NOTES: Branching off of this scene. Note that despite the IC call for assistance we OOCly don't actually need to add any more people to that thread, the three of them will deal with the demon themselves before anybody else can get there. We just needed an excuse to make an all hands post asap.

Riftwatch, there is a demon in the Gallows masquerading as Benedict Artemaeus. He has been cornered in the fifth floor workroom. Assistance would be appreciated.

[ Yseult almost always sounds brisk on the crystals; today her speech is quicker and more clipped than ever. ]

Until we know more and can confirm there are no other imposters among the company, be on your guard. Report any unusual activity immediately.

Comments

[pathlit]

[ In the tone of a mild wince: ] Was it a... convincing masquerade?

[hassaran]

[ Until it wasn't. ] Enough no one reported suspicions.

[pathlit]

This is related to the attack, right? Is the other-- Is that person stable?

[ipseite]

He is, and as safe as any of us can claim under the circumstances.

( maybe safer, as riftwatch agent least likely to be a demonic doppelganger. )

[pathlit]

[ He exhales quietly. ]

Oh, thank goodness. All right. Okay.

[ipseite]

Of course.

( terse, where she ordinarily sounds most times serene, but that's hardly so strange considering the nature and topic of this conversation. )

[dissolving]

If it's a demon, it wants something base. Can you think of a reason it'd go after him?

[ipseite]

Besides to stir this chaos among us? I have been racking my mind on the matter,

( it doesn't sound like she's confidently come up with much, although at least a demon makes marginally more sense than when they thought artemaeus had just gone rogue. )

[dissolving]

Rutyer said it was rude, and it seemed to like me giving it some deference- Pride'd be obvious, but they wouldn't have got it down.

[ipseite]

( hm.

deference. benedict artemaeus. the rudeness. and julius is — well regarded, well positioned. consistently, for the past several years, occupying one position of (with respect to their sometimes laissez-faire hierarchal structure) middling authority or another. he had thrived in the circles, )

Perhaps Envy, ( she says, finally, ) perhaps it was not prideful, in appreciating your deference, but graspingly covetous.

1/2

[dissolving]

Shit.

2/2

[dissolving]

The new job -

[ personnel officer. it fits. she's got to be right. ]

I've never fought one. Keen or Orlov might've, but. [ a pause: ] If that's what it is, it's gonna like looking an expert.

[ipseite]

( there's a silence on her end where an echoed back shit probably ought to go. )

Then we must hope neither Keen nor Orlov are other than we have known them to be.

( dieu—

who does know them well enough to be sure? )

What do you know of them?

( envy demons. local templars. pick a card. )

-> private

[dissolving]

Got some friends in common. Know Orlov better,

[ but it's been a long time. but he was never close. but the probing way he looked at him could be anything, after so many years and getting shut of lyrium. but he knows even less of the woman down the hall. but,

they need a starting point.

(and he reckons better odds for killing something shaped like cedoux than a knight) ]

Last we talked, he seemed pleased with himself - having the Commander's trust, the work with the griffons. He's off lyrium, it'd have an easy time of things. Heard stories say Envy's a runner. It'll be looking for a way out.

-> private

[ipseite]

The Scoutmaster has called for a halt to movement—

( petrana is thinking ahead, and still doing so when her mind runs back the words cedric has privately spoken to her: friends in common. )

Forgive me. In what capacity have you known Mssr Orlov?

in perpetuity

[dissolving]

Inquisition - he split ways after they called the March -

[ for the best. but even now speaking the mage business aloud still feels like a betrayal ]

Folks still know him.

[ipseite]

( interesting, interesting. )

I've not known him to seem— desirous of much. But I cannot claim to have ever been in his intimacies. I've not crossed his path much, beyond to observe his sparring with Captain Rowntree.

[dissolving]

Hope you're right.

[ there's a second wheel that's been turning, about captain rowntree, and what other places he knows that name,

it's not the time. ]

When I said a way out - I mean, if it's taken one body, if it tried to take another, others might look to jump as well. Try and go back to ground. Don't be alone with anyone, if you can manage it.

I'm going for a sword. Let you know if I hear anything.

[ipseite]

—yes. I see. Thank you, Mssr Carsus. I am not presently alone.

[luaithre]

We're done here. I'll be there soon.