01. TEXT

[quickquotes]

( It has taken Rita most of the time she's spent in Lunatia thus far to understand enough of this 'technology' to send out a broadcast. She's not the type to let such a little hurdle as unfamiliarity get in the way of reporting the news, and she is glad to announce her success with her very first article! )

UNDEAD YET DEADLY
The inhabitants of Lunatia might seem an uncouth lot, with their scales and their horns and other extraneous appendages. However, the natives of this world appear positively genteel when compared to who, or should I say, what walks amongst us, attempting to blend quietly into the shadows. Fortunately, I, Rita Skeeter, freelance journalist-for-hire, am here to shed light on the situation.

The Moonblessed by the name of ‘Ambrosine’, is a self-confessed practitioner of the Dark Arts. She is also known to post on this network under the alias of ‘undyingsoul’, which should tell you everything you need to know already. If you still require an explanation, know this: every magical child from the youngest of ages is taught that death is permanent. Any individual who attempts to meddle with mortality is faced with a fate worse than death: the eternal corruption of the soul.

Why does this matter, you might ask?


Those of you from my own world might know of the evilest Dark Wizard of our time, a man so evil that even after his defeat we still refuse to speak his name, only referring to him as He Who Must Not Be Named. In the name of ideological superiority and in search for the secrets of immortality, this Dark Wizard murdered thousands of people, witches, wizards and Muggles alike.

To use a more local frame of reference: as many of you will know, the city is still recovering from the aftermath of the rampages of another Dark Wizard, Asmodeus, who used his powers to control the minds of many innocent bystanders. Could Lunatia withstand another attack so soon?

While Ambrosine has not shown any untoward predilections to violence yet in her time here, evidence suggests she has so far murdered one innocent person in her quest for immortality thus far, as well as a unicorn (a most sacred magical animal).

How many more deaths will she cause? Can this type of individual truly be allowed to walk around our society unchecked? My recommendation would be to lock her up and throw away the key before she can cause any more harm to befall others.

After all, there’s enough to get used to in this new society without wondering about murderers in our midst. As so succinctly put by local resident, the charming thirty-six-year-old Mr. Valmont: it’s positively exhausting!

( After the main text in the article, smaller lettering reads: if you have leads which require any further investigation, or any information you would like me to know, please contact me here.

The name, again, is Rita Skeeter. )

Comments

voice; greenbean1

[wildsorcery]

How do you know all of this?

[necroyalty]

I can tell you right now that one of the glyphs of warding I set up in my home had been set off.

I'm not terribly trusting of the Moon Knights, but if she doesn't think that I'm not strongly considering filing a report, she has another thing coming.

[wildsorcery]

That's... very rude.

[necroyalty]

Does this woman seem like the rational sort to you, Confidence?

[wildsorcery]

Not quite.

voice;

[quickquotes]

I don't plan on divulging my sources.

[wildsorcery]

Then, um... how do we know it's even true? I mean, anyone can say anything about another person without proof. It's just hearsay, then.

[ The fact that Ambro admitted to it aside. ]

...and it's not very kind to call the people of this planet we are on 'uncouth' because of their differences. We are the oddities here.

[ You know, 'we'. All humans here, not at all horned green demon-looking young men. At least Connie is trying to live up to his name for once.]

Voice

[necroyalty]

I'm just going to call her as she is, Connie.

Racist.

[So. much venom in that voice of hers. ]

[wildsorcery]

Maybe... or she's just not used to other worlds.

[ Please do not defend such people, Connie. ]

I... I mean, I used to think I was a monster. I know... um... I know better, now. Maybe she will, too.

[ Because conditioned self-hatred is the same as fantasy racism, apparently. ]

Private

[necroyalty]

I'm not going to compare your circumstances, Connie, but I've seen people here from worlds without magic or non-human races who have managed to adjust without calling their neighbors a step above animals.

Even those who mistrust the people or authorities here manage to do so without having to resort to such incivilities.

I'd decline her offer to meet in person if I were you.

She's only going to drag you through the mud for what you are even more.

Private

[wildsorcery]

I just... yeah. I'm not going to meet up with her. That might make Molly and Kairon look bad,

Re: Private

[necroyalty]

You deserve better.

Private

[wildsorcery]

I... guess? Anyway, thank you.

[quickquotes]

Need I remind you that we are the ones who have been brought here against our will?

( A beat. )

I'd be willing to discuss more in person.

[wildsorcery]

At no fault of the people here... or... or how they look.

[ How is he still managing to talk? Why did he open his mouth, again?? ]

...why do you want to meet me in person?

[quickquotes]

Privacy, darling.

And that's what they say. But who knows if they're telling the truth.

( And the way they look is what makes them even more suspicious! But she's smart enough to keep that part to herself right now. )

[wildsorcery]

Why do you need privacy if you're 'uncovering' the truth?

[ He's... confused. ]

I don't think you want to meet me. I'm also 'uncouth'.

[quickquotes]

Have you seen some of her comments on my article? It's for my own protection.

( She makes an inquisitive noise at the last statement, asking: )

Whatever do you mean?

[necroyalty]

[Not replying but oh it's cute that you think that's gonna protect you

from a CR 23 or 24 lich]

[wildsorcery]

Then why did you even write this if you cannot be fully truthful with every detail? It seems like an unnecessary danger in order to just share half of a story?

[ There's a pause, and he's really not sure how he's still talking without exploding or something. ]

I'm also not human and I look 'strange' compared to one.

[quickquotes]

Don't you worry yourself about me.

( She likewise pauses before asking: )

What are you, then?

[wildsorcery]

I'm not... worried as much as confused.

[ He's not sure what to say any more, that anxiety creeping in a bit. ]

I'm a tiefling. I means I have horns and a tail.

[ ...and, you know, demon blood. ]

[quickquotes]

What remains to be confused about?

( A pause as she parses the new information. )

Horns... and a tail.

( She sounds suitably unimpressed. )

Have you hooves as well?

[wildsorcery]

Everything I mentioned before?

[ He feels like he should put this down now and leave, but her voice irks him. ]

Some of us do.

[quickquotes]

Only some?

What do the others have?