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expiationnet2024-07-20 12:02 pm
opheliac) wrote in expiationnet2024-07-20 12:02 pm
013. 💥 VIDEO; ANONYMOUS ⏩ FAST-FOWARD TO A DAY AFTER THE EVENT
[ 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.
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.
no subject
If what I've heard is true, those who perished will simply rise again.
[Annoying.]
The question is whether that detail will convince the Council to show mercy? Or will they make our lives just a tad more unbearable to punish us for the grave sin of succumbing to an infection outside our control?
[There is a pause before he continues.]
I should point out that's not a rhetorical question. I'm asking.
Will the Council punish us for committing murder when we were not in our right minds?
no subject
no subject
[Fandaniel blows out a breathy sigh.]
It would seem that is all we are to them.
But every maze, no matter how labyrinthine, has an exit. And every rat has fangs. Individually we may amount to little in the eyes of the Council but as a swarm...
[He trails off as his racing mind slows down enough to notice the words passing his lips.]
My metaphor is escaping me. Pardon.
My point is that your movement, while off to a rough start, has an admirable motivation. A unity of purpose will be necessary to conquer our captors. And conquer them we must!
But aside from rallying speeches given from behind a mask, have you any actual plans to form this unity? Actions speak louder as they say.
no subject
Some may still be distressed by physical damage. My comrades and I are collecting all the medical supplies and honey fruits we can for donation or seek attention.
1/2
Assistance during times of great need is a fine way of garnering trust. Perhaps in time, the Chosen will learn they can lean on you when the Council seeks to wear them down.
2/2 => Private
But that begs the most important question of all!
Once unity is formed, how will you withstand the might of the Council? If you become a great enough threat, they will attempt to crush you.
Even if every Chosen were to come together as an army, that would only slightly increase our chances. The Council would have every advantage if this display of resistance ended in a bloody fallout.
What then Miss Jinx or Caitlyn or whichever of the last three Runeterrans you might be?
1/2
2/2
Who the hell are you, and how do you know me?
=>video; private
I don't, in truth.
I spoke to a compatriot of yours who said there were a number of people here from Runeterra and gave a list of names.
You, Vi, Ekko, Caitlyn and a mysterious fifth individual I do not know. As I've met Vi and Ekko that limited your identity to one of three.
As for your status as a Runeterran, I gleaned that much because I was told a Zaun existed in that realm.
Worry not, I won't tell anyone who you are.
Ha!
What I know is very little, anyway.
But, here, in a gesture of good faith...
[There is a lengthy pause as he switches over to video. He grins as he gestures toward his face, smiling beneath a hood.]
Fandaniel.
Scholar, mage, scientist of Etheirys. You and I now know equal amounts about each other, though I do hope we will learn more erelong. I am an ally, if you will have me as such.
=>video; private
Ugh. What a buncha babbler mouths. But whatever, you're in, Fanny. Having a mage will come in handy when things get super whacko.
=>video; private
Let us not overlook that quality.
I am a master of aetherochemistry and its more recent cousin Magitech. With the proper supplies, I am certain I can craft devices that might make life in this city more tolerable for our dear Chosen.
[And he can also use supplies to make deadly weapons, but he doesn't mention that. At least not yet.]
=>video; private
[ noticing that's coming off as a compliment, she quickly adds: ]
But I'm still waaaay better than that dork. Anyway, welcome aboard, Fanny! I'm Jinx, not C-name. I won't say it, 'cause every time I do, I get a rash.