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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.
Voice; Private
— Say, how about you and me relax somewhere, huh? All the killing I've done recently has got me super pooped.
Voice; Private
What do you suggest? I have to reopen the businesses again after the fireworks.
Voice; Private
Voice; Private
Voice; Private
[ and she sounds super sour over it, too. ]
Not that I'll ever get into a fight with her again, but if I have to, looks like physical combat will be the way to go.
Voice; Private
[She had been out and about during the gnosia invasion after all.]
I've heard she had been practicing an arcane talent. No point trying to eliminate her; she will simply return.
Voice; Private
[ she certainly does get injured, but she isn't going to rain on her own parade of that. ]
And yeah, I know, but it was super fun while it lasted. Got a chance to let it all out, y'know? Guess I'll be get a message from Jerry soon. I've been a really bad girl.
Voice; Private
[He would have to check her over if they did see each other.]
Doubtful. Large scale incidences like that don't allow the Council the grounds penalize everyone. They lost control of the prison. Unless they force everyone to apologize.
Voice; Private
[ there's a small pause of her bidding her comrades farewell, then returning to speak clearly to her phone. ]
Guess I should stop by on my café, see if that place is still standing.
Voice; Private
[He wouldn't expect it to be any other way. She was the spirit of Zaun after all, and that kind of chaos could not be easily contained in this mundane place.]
That would be wise, yes.
Voice; Private
Voice; Private
Voice; Private
Voice; Private