un: Aberration, video

[dangerousmind]

[The video opens up to Aelwyn and Mercy's shared apartment, and Aelwyn personally sits reclined on a chair, a smug and somewhat empty smile on her lips. She claps her hands together once, then twice, then a third time, all equally as sarcastic and biting.]

Seems I've missed some juicy gossip.

ADI was sponsored and being run by Avatars who live off fear like leeches live off blood, and all the fun activities they've been up to has been feeding right into that inner beast. Wow, color me so very shocked. I'm not going to dwell on saying 'I told you so', though for the record, I very much told you so, and also specifically told the boss so that's just twice as embarrassing for her.

Anyway. I wanted to announce my return, and say hi to everyone, though it seems we're a bit divided. I'm still not entirely caught up though, so if anyone wants to give me any updates, I'd be delighted to hear them.

[There's something the slightest bit different about her, but it's hard to pick up. Anyone who knows her particularly well would know how deeply she hates herself. There's none of that shame buried deep anymore. She's at peace in a way she's never been before.]

Comments

[lowficharm]

[Oh sorry that he has 15% of a concience, Aelwyn!! But this was the answer he was expecting, so...]

Maybe you should come over for tea then. We can catch up.

[And not have it recorded by the network and all that. Even if this is Cole's creation, he's still trying to keep some things off-record, especially now that the tape recorders aren't following him about anymore.]

[dangerousmind]

A tea party? Oh my, how very nostalgic.

[It's a bit obvious, but she doesn't think disguising a private conversation holds much value here.]

I'll be over in just a moment.

[And sure enough, it's only about a minute later that she's stood outside his door.]

[lowficharm]

[Martin is still, at this point, residing in the same apartment she would have been familiar with, and when he opens the door it all seems the same. He's still wearing some weird sweater, there's the usual decor around, but the place has a certain... emptiness to it. Loneliness, perhaps. A coldness that seems to make a space less lived in, despite having all the proper accoutremants of life.

Regardless, he finds it in himself to smile, and he still looks placid and calm. There's already a kettle on in the background, even.]

Hello Aelwyn. Come on in, the kettle's just warming up.

[dangerousmind]

[Tea. A go-to. She can almost smell the loneliness wafting off the perfectly good boiling liquid. Heat, cold. It takes many forms.

She steps inside, looking around and taking in this... well... frankly miserable setting. She remembers how it felt when her roommates left. How Mercy's apartment felt when Akechi and Monika disappeared.

But it's not like that for Martin, is it. In a lot of ways, by stealing his loved one away, whatever's happened is the cruelest possible punishment for him. Out of reach. Out of time.

She thinks about Adaine. About Mercy.

There's the slightest twang of empathy beneath her usual cruelty. Not quite compassion, not quite pity.]

Hello Martin. No sugar in mine, but plenty of milk.

[Unsweetened tea. It reminds her so much of Mother, in all her vicious cruelties.]

[lowficharm]

Whatever you like.

[He allows her in, gesturing to the little circular table just outside of the kitchen while he checks the kettle and begins preparing two mugs.]

So, er... how are you? After your trip.

[Still trying to keep up appearences of normalcy, but we'll see who breaks on that first.]