013. 💥 VIDEO; ANONYMOUS ⏩ FAST-FOWARD TO A DAY AFTER THE EVENT

[opheliac]

[ the video is out of focus when it starts, and whoever is holding the phone from the other side is trying to adjust its settings. but in time, the feed sharpens, and it displays an ominous graffitied exclusive room. leaning on each side of a wall are two masked mysterious figures. one on the left in a male build and wearing a gas mask, and a female figure on the right wearing an interesting (familiar to no one but a very selective few) designed disguise. the female one, with her arms cross over her chest, turns her head to the camera when a voice from behind the webcam (robotic and disjointed) says: ]

It's ready for you, Boss.

[ she shoves herself off the wall and stalks closer to view, saying nothing even after her body stills in position. and like the camera person, whenever this mystery individual chooses to speak, her voice is also filtered in a mechanical pitch. ]


Chosen of Aldrip, we are the Inx.


In simple terms, we are just a small group of thieves from the docks. And I'm sure many of you think our thievery around this city is cruel. Wrong. And unethical. Some of you may even call us criminals.

[ the speaker stops briefly, cocking her head to one side to mimic a crow's curiosity. ]

But who are the real criminals of Aldrip? Is it us, or is it the ones who are stopping us from tearing down this corrupted city?

[ she paces steadily from one direction and back again, the cameraman following along carefully and doing a pretty good job at it for being an amateur with devices. ]

Time and time again, the Council have used us as lab rats for their entertainment, promising us freedom if we just did our time and our sentences.

We do good for them, and what do we get in return? Mazes where the dead and the past haunts us, pinning ourselves against the people we love and care for, warped memories, bringing deadly infections, heartache, loneliness, and death. Jerry told me once we must go through these trials to be better ourselves. To learn how to behave.

[ the spokeswoman halts to face the camera again and yet in spite of wearing a mask to shield her identity, the fury is raging and tensing on her shoulders — her hands balling tight into boulders. ]

But this is not improving our spirits...! It's breaking us down, and ripping our minds apart to their satisfaction, to be in their image! Tell me, Chosen, do you feel in charge of your own life? Do you feel... independent?

You might be asking me now, so what we do about it? How do we break free when fighting and starting a war is not an option? When we can't see our enemy? ... I....

[ she stops for a moment as she fishes out for her next robust words, but can only hang her head in defeat, and says the truth of their dire circumstances: ]

I can't... give you that answer.

[ the entire room goes eerily quiet after that, but the male figure who had been in the background during this whole speech steps forward. he approaches the small chest behind her, and then drums his fists in a rhythm flow.

the feed wavers slightly, too, the cameraperson stomping their foot to beat along with their comrade. this brings the spokeswoman out of her beaten stance, and her head shifts to the associate behind her and then to the camera. feeling powerful again, her spine straightens, and she raises her chin to help her speak in clear volume: ]

But what I, the Inx and the eye of Zaun, can give you is a nation, support, care, and loyalty. You may see us as thieves who rob from the Councils' system, but we are a family. And family sticks together.... even if families say things that they don't mean out of hurt, frustration, and make mistakes because they are scared of change, loss, or being abandoned.

[ ... ]

But together, we will power through every hardship that the Council will throw at us, because we don't swim, or sink, we float.

Be my Zaunite, be my people, and you'll be protected. We will be there through your hard times, hand in hand, and wipe away any tear that were caused by them. We will feed the hunger, heal the sick, and when you can move again, you'll be like an earthquake rumble. You will never ever fall alone, or stand alone. You'll break down walls, just like when the City Hall crumbled.

[ quietly, her comrades chant while continuously beating their fists and feet in rhythm: ]

City Hall, City Hall,
Walls come down.
City Hall, City Hall,
Walls come down.

Walls come down, like City Hall.
Walls come down, like City Hall.

[ she gives her people a moment to shine with their carol, then adds to her final statement: ]

You're stronger than you think, and what makes you different makes you strong. Don't let the Council's betrayal break you, but let it forge you into something greater. And if they want this to be our home, then let's make it our home. No longer Aldrip, but the Nation of Zaun.

Comments

voice.

[starringsecond]

See, you had me until you started talking about making your own country.

Who's to say that you wouldn't do the same thing the Council has been asking for? You talk a lot about changing things, but you ask for the servitude of the people in return.

You call yourself a leader of a nation? As far as I could tell, what you have is no different from a cult.

[opheliac]

Do you really want to continue to live in a city that's been named after them? The name that will remind you every waken day of the suffering you were forced to endure, whether you played by their rules or not?

You don't have to be on my side, if you don't want to, and that is the difference between me and them.

[starringsecond]

Sure. [Yuri scoffs.] And if someone just happens to be oh-so conveniently in your way, would you end making them suffer, too? How can I be sure the blood of innocents wouldn't be in your hands in your search for freedom?

[Even well-meaning men can be corrupted by power, he doesn't say.]

I don't like the way things are being run around here either, but you'd have to do more than a fancy speech to prove your conviction. Dreams and idealism aren't enough to run a country.

[opheliac]

If someone wishes to fight and stop me from healing the wounded, then yes, I will fight back. Wouldn't you do the same for your loved ones?

I take it that you are a newcomer, yes? I've done a few things behind the scenes and before your arrival. But you are right, now that I've made me and my people known to the public, you will see us more often.

un: boysavior | video

[howyouseit]

[You see this face, Jinx? This is the face of a bewildered individual who absolutely knows that mask anywhere, Ekko stricken with frustration and confusion all in the same breath as this masked moniker dawns his likeness in front of the masses of Aldrip to incite rebellion. He had to hand it to them it was a rousing speech, one that mirrored his own views if done correctly, even almost sounding like him as they impersonated his mannerisms. Was that their goal? To put on this elaborate act in hopes of pinning this coup against the Council on him?

Whatever the case may be he was certainly unamused to say the least, grumbling as his brows knit tightly into a somber expression with his arms crossing over his chest. He would make no mention of the mask for it would only bring further attention to himself if things went astray but instead merely prod to get more information from this masked crusader whom he already had a sneaking suspicion of their identity given everything provided.]

One hell of a speech. That's a sure fire way to inspire the masses to incite chaos I guess...You seem very familiar.

[opheliac]

[ he can't tell, but she is smiling behind this mask, and she takes control of the device now — politely dismissing the camera person to do whatever. ]

I won't oppose to chaos if it means we all can be free in the end. In some circumstances, peace can't be a choice.

[howyouseit]

[Sighing with a shake of his head the leader of the Firelights cannot condone this course of action despite his own desires to rise up against their captors. Ekko wouldn't put the populace of the Chosen at risk of being persecuted unjustly by this "mysterious" figures course of actions.]

Peace is always a choice. This world doesn't need more unnecessary bloodshed or suffering to our fellow Chosen who are already subjected to the whims of this oppressive Council. I want change here as much as you do but that is not the way to bring it about with more violence.

[opheliac]

Who said I'm bringing violence? It was you who brought up the possibility of chaos, my friend. Killing is fruitless in this realm, nothing here stays dead for long. My purpose here is for all of us to unite as one, to band together, to help and be strong together.

Maybe in growth, in time, we can overtake the council somehow.

Voice; Private

[conflictresolution]

[Of course Silco is watching this moving speech. It reminded him of the types Vander would give when they were young, appealing to those left behind and those ready to stir shit up against their oppressors.

He was pleased and proud of her, but he was also a realist when it came to the people of Aldrip. They were not Zaunites. They never would be. They were nothing compared to their people. However, rallying after this recent murder spree was good timing.]

You had vest be prepared for push back. Let them have their dissent. They will be the ones to work on in future. You want more than sheep; you want grit.

Good speech. It reminds me of my youth.

Voice; Private

[opheliac]

[ oh, she knows that voice anywhere! and with him locking their conversation to private, her father can hear the faint hiss of her removing ekko's mask, then exclaims out an exaggerating sigh. ]

Aaaaah! — Thanks! Talking all serious and junk is so exhausting. And this mask is making my face melt, ugh!!

Voice; Private

[conflictresolution]

Hmm, that isn't surprising. Masks were never my prerogative, but they are useful. And if there is a riot, do you have a plan on what to target?

[This was nice. These conversations where nothing was weighed between them.]

Voice; Private

[opheliac]

If they riot with me? Well, City Hall is a dud, that's for sure. So, we got to go to the next best thing.

[ she pauses to think for a second, chewing her on her lower lip. ]

If we wreak havoc and cause a lot of noise at Town Square, maybe that'll be a way to lure Jerry out somehow. Who knows! Maybe once he knows it's me leading this, he'll show his stupid mug.

voice; (anonymous)

[endcaller]

[Zaun? He's heard of Zaun... Ekko mentioned it to him.]

Zaun you say?

From all I hear 'tis not a place worth emulating. Nor is most of the world it lays in.

Why not fashion your resistance movement after something more uplifting?

[opheliac]

[ uuugh, of course, someone from her realm blabbed on about how "bad" zaun was doing. typical. ]

Whoever you spoke with about Zaun and put my city in a negative light has a skewed mind. The city was thriving before me coming here, for several years, in fact.

[endcaller]

[His voice lilts into a purr.]

Ye~esss, I'm sure that is true!

But it does seem to be a divisive place. Most cities and nations are.

Why not think of a new name that lacks all of that unnecessary baggage? An entirely new name for an entirely new nation!

It would certainly resonate more with the Chosen. I think it is worth considering if your aim is to bring them all to heel and look to you as their great savior.

[opheliac]

[ or what if, no? that is what she wants to say, but if she is going to fulfill her destiny of being a sovereign, she should attempt to try to behave like one. ]

Hmm. If someone can provide me with a better name than my own country, then I'll take it into consideration.

[traumaticus]

[Well, well. If this isn't interesting for various reasons. Also, he could swear he's head the Nation of Zaun mentioned by someone else.]

Tempting people to fight the corruption with corruption. Interesting message, yet naive.

[opheliac]

Offering care, love, and support is considered naive? Guess I didn't get the memo.

[traumaticus]

[bruh, why do you have to type...]

You claim to offer everyone a safe haven, yes. But have not provided proof that you or your group of bandits have the power, resources or even willingness to follow through such promise. Instead you are asking us to take up on your word and trust you, a masked thief, instead of our captors who have, despite everything else, gifted us freedom in this barless cage of theirs. Expecting people to buy the promise and follow you into the depths of darkness without having anything to base your claims on is nothing but naive and foolish.

[murderingjustice]

[. . .]

do you take constructive criticism?

[opheliac]

[ but you suck, tho. ]

I do, I am willing to listen.

[murderingjustice]

while I do appreciate a classic rally advocating for dismantling the power structures I do think you are being a little too short sighted with your target, Inx.

[c'mon girl, at least try coming up with better code name]

we already know aiming at the council won't do as much as cause a ripple in the bigger picture. you might want to target the power behind the council.

text, private

[grappler]

[Vi's eyebrows furrow at the feed...]

that's Ekko's mask. but he wouldn't be calling it the Inx.

text, private

[opheliac]

[ seeing this is through text, private, and her sister, she can drop the political speech. ]

it is yes, and nope! he definitely wouldnt.

[grappler]

then what are you doing, Jinx? why're you getting involved in this sort of shit?

[her sister was no leader... that she knew of. but she could be wrong. she wants to ask if Silco's behind this, but... alas.]