He calls me up, calls me on the phone

[bypartisan]

One of the local urchins is telling me he has information on the Zeitgeist. High likelihood that it's a trap, but I might as well try to spring it and see what I can learn. And perhaps I'll get lucky and it won't be. I'll keep everyone appraised.

Comments

[timelessinventor]

I believe one of my colleagues from home would be yelling 'it's a trap' at you in a very strange voice right now.

But in all seriousness, do be careful, darling, and let us know if you need assistance.

[bypartisan]

Presumably it's a twentieth-century thing? In any case, I will and I shall.

[timelessinventor]

It's likely a reference to some film or another. I haven't caught up completely.

And good. We do not wish to lose any of our own on any side of this mess.

[Helena's chat with the robot has left its mark.]

[bypartisan]

I'm not nearly so conversant on ancient films either.

[A little later.]

He's a fast little bugger, I'll give you-- Damn!

[timelessinventor]

What's going on? Do you need assistance?

[Helena's mental voice is extremely worried.]

[bypartisan]

Masked man--think I recognize him--Joseons--that dinner--Yi's damn book!

[He falls silent after that. Further attempts to contact him in the next few hours will remain unsuccessful.]

[timelessinventor]

That makes no damn sense...

Bollocks.

[She starts broadcasting a bit louder.]

Can someone tell me who the hell Yi is, and where I can find him? Also, why would he have masked men setting traps?

[wantedittobeagame]

Hngh? Yi?

[Looks like someone's still drunk, considering Adachi's voice sounds like it's coming in over a bad television reception.]

'tha's Sooj. Soooji. Souji.

[Yeah, that last one.]

He's playin' around as Noot's. Naout's. Naoto's hus'ban 't be.

[timelessinventor]

Oh, for heaven's sake, Adachi, sober the hell up.

[There's a bit of a sharp tone in her voice. She's losing patience quickly.]

Why would he be setting traps, though? What would he want with Byerly? What is he like? Or, really, what is he like here?

[wantedittobeagame]

No.

[Amount of fucks given: 0.]

Dunno why'h'd set traps. Seems'ta be a bitofa dip 'n here.

[He paused a moment.]

...'less he's just tha' much done wi' Noot-noot.

[timelessinventor]

Noot-noot? Oh, dear.

[Helena falls silent for a moment, considering this.]

However, if he was done with her, how does that involve Byerly? I do not believe they have even spoken. Either your princess or that prince.

[leftbehindagain]

...Hold up, from what I've heard it's pretty unlikely Souji-san could be bothered to kidnap anyone. If he's as much of a drip as Naoto seems to think, anyway.

[wantedittobeagame]

Wha' he sad.

[timelessinventor]

Alright, so assuming for a moment that this Prince Yi or Souji, or whoever he is did not set the trap.

He would at least be a start to find this... masked man, would he not?

[leftbehindagain]

Possibly, if you can get him or someone in his employ to talk to you about it.

[unagreeable]

You need backup? Less likely to rip your intestines out if they think you've got one of their own with you.

[shantiprayer]

...Who are you calling an urchin? That's rude. You realize most of the children on the street are orphans, right?

[Double agent distractification technique, go!]

[brokers]

If it's not a trap, it is probably a scam.

Where are you?

[seventhbullet]

[Really, dude? Really?]

Let us know when you need a pickup.

[timelessinventor]

To be fair, darling, and I am not saying this to stir any problems, 'urchin' just a descriptor for someone's appearance. It is not meaning anything negative towards the child themselves.

I am certain that he simply meant that he was a slightly-scruffy looking child.

[laceandcarnage]

If it is a trap, then I should accompany you.

[bypartisan]

I'll let you know when I see where he's going. He's fast.

[bypartisan]

He's very scruffy and I doubt he's an orphan. I've seen him before, with a man I assume is his father.

... but I was rude and I apologize, Sera.

[He actually does feel bad. He's not an orphan himself, but being loudly disinherited renders oneself just as homeless for a time, even if he spent that period of his life aristocratically couch-surfing.]

[bypartisan]

Backstreets. He's moving fast. I'll let you know when he stops somewhere.

[bypartisan]

No, no. I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't think we will need carnage yet.