[video:]

[expi]

[The video feed starts off as shaky. At first the camera is pointed at the sky before it spins around, focusing on the ground for a second before moving back up and revealing three unknown figures. These people appear to be human, despite having snake-eyes and scales scattered around their faces. The most observant Chosen might actually recognise them from the video post made by Viktor not too long ago.]

'Hey, hey! Is this thing on? Never seen a charm like this before.'

'I-Is.. Is this truly Aldrip? I can't believe it. Look at these buildings... They're so huge.'

'It's truly hard to believe this is the same as that old dump, huh?'

'Yes. I do not see them mining the jewels from the mountain any more.'

'The candy mountain you mean...'

'Jan. Vega. Please... Now that we are here we must find out what happened in the past and what all we've missed.'

'You are right. The fairies might be behind this cycle.'

'Hey, c'mon you two! We're finally free! Finally with the other Chosen, thanks to that purple man and his gang! Let's enjoy ourselves for a bit! So! There you have it Aldrip, my name is Vega. That's Jan and Kazue. And we are ---



Wait, who were we again?'

Comments

video; un: QUEENOFZAUN.

[opheliac]

Oooo... fresh meat. Fun!

[she grins which could be mistaken for excitement, mischievous, or a mixture of both. it's a little hard to distinguish.]

I'm good, how are you? Never better! — The name's Jinx. I'm the daughter of the guy who is in charge of this whole place. Enjoying the new digs, huh? Thanks!! We appreciate the compliment.

Need a place to stay, newbies? Need some dough to start you off? My Pops and I can lend you a hand, a courtesy welcome from us to you!

[expi]

Viktor has already provided more than enough for us.

'Daughter of the guy who runs this place.' Are you, too, then one of them?

[opheliac]

Ah... right, the Fortune Cookie. He's a swell bucket of metals, very "touchy" and really loves doing "hands on" projects.

[she smirks over her own little joke, cocking her head to one side with her hand relaxing on her palm.]

— Depends on what you mean, Slithers. If you mean on top of the food chain, then you betcha...!

[expi]

So, you are with the Council.

We will not have anything to do with you.

[opheliac]

Nnnnnooot exactly, but you're on the right track! I'm with the soon new and improve council. The fun type, the best type, the caring type!

[there was talk about making a council some weeks back, and whether she will play a role in it is left to be seen. but one thing she knows for sure, and that is silco will definitely be sitting on the throne of that. and time will only tell if he will have something plan for her. maybe it'll be similar to zaun and she gets her old job back. or take the part of sevika since they're lacking a lefty. she lost her left finger so that's a good enough substitute, right?]

Look, I get it. Jerry the Five Head is a dipshit, and the royal big wigs like to sit on their high horse all day and sniff each other's farts. But I'm waaaaaay different, you can play russian roulette with your buddies for all I care! I say, let the bullets fly! No timeouts.

[expi]

[She frowns at that.]

That does not make sense.

[opheliac]

And that's the beauty of it, kid! The best way of living is when things don't make sense.

The old Aldrag you knew and hate got blow out of the water. Now? We're heading towards independence, freedom, fat bellies, and cozy beds.

[still not making sense? probably not, but she'll get to the point.]

What I'm saying is, the Chosen are running this joint. Specifically my Pops and yours truly.

[expi]

You said that you were with the more 'caring' council. Yet you also say you do not care if bullets fly and people get hurt. That does not make any sense, child. How can we know if we can trust you?

[opheliac]

Listen, doll face. Freedom is everything. It's the trees, the ground, the rocks, the moon. It's the good and the bad. We'll supply it, but what you do with it, that's for you to decide. Not us.

[her voice dips in a composed tone with an odd melancholy ring.]

It sounds cruel sometimes, you know? They're minding their own business and then suddenly, it's lights out. But then... maybe that person deserved it, for hurting someone close to you. Wouldn't you want to have them feel the pain they gave you? Be heard? Or would you prefer to do nothing and just... get over it? If someone chases you down with a knife, have you cornered like a mouse... do you let them seal your fate? Or do you fight back to live?

People are tricky. Tricky, tricky, tricky. We say we won't do anything like that, until it happens to you. And then freedom steps in, and opens two doors for you right in front of your eyes, waaaaaaaiting for you decide on where you wanna take it. — I can't tell you what to do, you tell you what you're gonna do.

And that's the difference between us and the Council. They punish you for the choices that you make... even if it means saving your own skin.