f2020 | 02 🩸 video (international);

Entry tags:

02 🩸 video (international);

[the video flickers to light, an international broadcast. joseph kavinsky looks unwontedly solemn. at this point, anyone at the synod may have heard some issues.]

To the citizens of the world.

Earlier today, High Chancellor Stark was murdered in cold blood at the Synod. The physical evidence shows multiple powers were used, including electricity and technopathy. We have reason to believe the Resistance was responsible.

[if you're thinking, 'what reason?' you're not alone. kavinsky's face is pleasantly blank; no shit-eating grin, nothing.]

Unfortunately, upon his resurrection, Stark was of unsound mind and unfit for duty. But while our leader has fallen, the need for leadership is unchanged.

Rey Palpatine took it upon herself to convene the Parliament of the White Tower. [the moving portrait of a woman flashes into view beside him, dark-haired, lean, imperious, strikingly beautiful.] And in a just and legal vote, High Chancellor Palpatine won the majority. She now wields executive authority over the Tower and its territories. On behalf of the people, we are honored and grateful that we're in such capable hands.

Tune in next week for a livestream of the official induction ceremony. High Chancellor Palpatine UFO dolls will be available in stores near you starting Monday morning. Thank you.

[OOC Information: Everyone's welcome to tag this post! Express dissent or support of Rey, whodunnit theories, etc. You can express some suspicion that she was involved in Tony's death, but to escalate to investigation, please plot with Rey's and Tony's players. For player knowledge only (until otherwise plotted), Tony quantum-leaped during his resurrection; his current mental state is MoM!Tony.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ If you'd like your character to reach out to Rey directly, please drop them here. Also feel free to dm here or on plurk

colster if you'd like to plan something else out too! ]

Edited 2020-09-17 18:30 (UTC)

Chancellor Palpatine, it is with a heavy heart that I offer condolences for the cruel attack upon your husband, and congratulations upon your ascension. I also ask you pass on to Tony my hopes for a speedy recovery. While our paths led us down different courses, I have long respected and admired Tony's skills, and miss the friendship we once fostered when I was a member of the Tower.

May your leadership bring prosperity and peace to your people.

Chancellor Palpatine, I'm so sorry for your loss. Loss is unfortunately something mutants are well versed in. Especially the loss of someone who may be present in body but no longer in mind. I want you to know that if there's anything I or anyone of the Council can do to ease your burdens for you while we are still here, you need only ask.

My sympathies for your loss... Chancellor Palpatine.

[Stars, but it feels strange to say that to someone who isn't an old man that he calls 'Master.' Anyone who managed to breach this channel would probably think the Count sounds sombre, but Rey likely can hear the faint smile of satisfaction in his voice.]

You have my full confidence and support as we move forward into this new era. I will fulfill your commands precisely as you desire.

[ oh no. ohhhh no this is bad. this is very bad. his first thought is, of course, that they are well and truly fucked. the technopath line raises alarm, makes him think immediately to david. ]

Krakoa sends its condolences. I offer my services as a healer to both the past and present Chancellors. [ is what he says publicly. because that's what he should say. perhaps the widowed palpatine will be a better ruler, less driven by a compulsion for power and control.

his second thought is to kavinsky.

and so the tension between them aside... there's a message being sent his way through the old encoded way they'd always sent them. Are you okay? ]

Yeah I'm always okay.

Just another day at the White Tower. It's why you left, ain't it?

Other people might buy that but I don't.

[ at all. tony stark was a creep who had him kidnapped and tortured for a year, and by all rights he should be celebrating his death.

but his death means someone was able to get close enough to kill him. and it either means the tower's in-fighting has finally spilled over, or... the resistance well and truly is not fucking around anymore. ]

What happened?

There's no conclusive proof. Really. How can there be? ImPorts fuck with the fabric of reality.

[there's a twisting uncomfortable pause.]

And it'd be a shitty start to a new reign, casting doubt on the incoming leadership.

[kavinsky wouldn't blame him, if he celebrated tony's death. kavinsky's celebrated deaths before, himself.

but the thing about death is, that it doesn't stick. it's not supposed to. you come right back, a little worse for wear, more damaged in your mind and your soul, but just a little. you're not supposed to come back a different person. and that's the troubling part, a thing kavinsky's too white tower to call guilt.]

[ fuck.

shit, fuck, god fucking damn it. josh leans back on his bed and closes his eyes. his first thought is to krakoa. how they need to cover their asses here. not all imports come to this summit.

but his second, as always, is to kavinsky. there's the itch to provide his offer in a more genuine fashion. to ask to take a look at tony, to see what he can do to fix him... but its fleeting. that would only get him captured and tortured again.

so instead he asks: ]

Are you safe?

[josh is so easy to read. kavinsky's mouth flattens slightly.

he manages not to snap, but maybe that makes it worse; that the question is quite and precise.]

What kind of question is that?

You know what kind of question it is.

[ kavinsky has been a frog lounging in a pot, surely noticing that the temperature has been rising but making no move to get out. now its boiling. his shield is apparently broken. ]

If it was her they're going to go after you next.

[but if you ask kavinsky, he is the pot. he's the iron. he might even be the fire.]

I'm loyal to the High Chancellor, no matter who he or she is. And she knows it.

[maybe? he didn't exactly see that coming.]

[ its infuriating.

josh is the last person who should pass judgement on people for who they trust. how they let that trust be abused. he feels he can see the writing on the wall here. how exactly this is going to play out. ]

i know you are

[ he hits enter too quickly. closing his eyes taking in a sharp breath. ]

but is she going to be loyal to you
or is she going to bump you off and replace you with someone whose always been loyal to her before him
i know youre smart and you worked hard for all of this and you LIKE the tower life so i'm not about to beg you to come with me again
but the whole game just changed
lions kill the cubs of the old lion when they take over a pride
just
be careful

Edited 2020-09-17 21:39 (UTC)

'beg me?'
you're referring to the passive-aggressive hints in side conversations while you proselytized at length about your vision for krakoa?
i don't want you to beg. i just don't need you to spin this to me, josh. i'm a politician who dies and comes back to life like a fucking video game character
i'm always careful.

[you can almost hear him biting down on his temper.]

i'll be careful.

i wanted you to come with us
i didnt want to leave you behind

[ he deletes those messages before they're sent.

dying isn't what he's worried about, he wants to say. there are so many worse things than death here.

the water is boiling. the lid of the pot is coming down to seal his fate. the frog has a choice. and the frog will probably stay, now cognizant of the danger but certain he can handle it. ]

i owe you for trying to find me
so if you need my help with anything you just need to ask

i know.

[the frog is of the opinion that no metaphor is sophisticated enough to explain this world. out of the pot would be into the fire. the only way out of the fire is through it. and the path to hell is paved with good intentions.]

i'll come visit you next time. post-synod.

[and all the old aphorisms about love are true, too.]

[ it's a terrible idea. the council are more up in arms than ever, more distrustful of the white tower. and a teleporter allied with them will only be seen as a threat.

but if they brought kaneki to their shores, there's space for kavinsky. ]

i still owe you surfing lessons
i was wondering when you were gonna try to make good on those

that'll be dope. i'm game to get in the water. it's been a minute since i went swimming in anything that wasn't chlorinated

[maybe he should be more afraid of the council. he isn't.]

try not to scream if a fish comes up to say hi
youve got your rep and all

Thank you to all for your sympathy and compassion during this difficult time. I am truly saddened that such a tragic and ruthless attack occurred during one of the few times our factions can come together and celebrate peace and unity.

To the citizens of the White Tower, I am honored for the opportunity to serve you despite the truly grievous circumstances that led to the special election. I am humbled that my fellow Parliamentarians have entrusted me with this duty. I regard this responsibility to serve you with the upmost respect and sincerity.

To all others, my priorities have been and will always be to maintaining the safety and security of all inhabitants of this planet, native and imPort alike, no matter which faction they may belong to. As we enter a new era for the White Tower, I hope that we can continue along a path of peaceful prosperity.

[ ooc: imPorts are free to react/discuss to this message but Rey is not likely to respond directly unless she is messaged privately here. ]

[ aw fuck. there's honestly too much to go aw, fuck about in this situation. there are very many bad components involved. but the one that catches her attention the most... ]

what do mean, unsound mind?
he's back, isn't he?
what's wrong with him?

yeah, he's back. his body is, anyway.
but something's wrong with his mind. like his memories are screwed up, possibly an amnestic state. i'm not sure if it's related to the murder or if there's another syndrome going around.

[that's more honesty than he should offer, but he can't help it; she sounds worried, even through just text.]

it could be...
if he could remember being killed, he'd know who was responsible, right?
whoever it is is still here.

[ she knows the other Ruka wouldn't get involved in the same way — she might have had the same analytical mind, the same need to solve puzzles and strategize, but it'd be nothing she'd ever admit to. that girl always kept her head down.

but... if his memories are different... ]

if what it is was something done to his memories
by someone

[ ... here goes nothing. god. she's so fucked. ]

maybe i can help.

[consider kavinsky's interest: instantly piqued.

simultaneously: his paranoia.]

we'd have to submit a request to parliament, and the odds aren't high. he's dangerous and we have an obligation to protect you.

what are you thinking?

[ here goes...... SOMETHING. ]

one of my powers is reversal
light to dark, cold to hot
that kind of thing
if someone's powers made him forget
then maybe i can reverse it to make him remember?
i've never done it this long after before, but it's better than nothing, right?

[ it is, more accurately, never a power she's used at all — it's unique to the Ruka of this world, like entering hearts is unique to the Ruka of the other world. will it actually work? no fucking clue.

but it might be the easiest way to see what's really happened to Stark — if he's suddenly in the same boat she's been in all week. ]

it's less risky than trying to get someone else to do it
even if he doesn't remember being *our* high chancellor
whatever he might do to people of the other factions would still be on us
if something goes wrong...
there's less fallout.

[kavinsky sits in silence, contemplating the screen for a long moment.

so many hands to hide. so many to risk tipping.]

what's your range on this ability?

it's relative
bigger target, bigger range
smaller target, smaller range
i don't think i would need to touch him
but same room, for sure.

i'll run it up the chain and get back to you.

[there's literally one link up the chain. a couple more, if he really wants to walk it through parliament, but he's not sure he does.]

think you could demonstrate?

[ not sure if that's promising or not but at least..... she's probably not dead............ yet ]

yes
i just need a power to react to.

i'm going to arrange for a volunteer. nightmare induction should work, and i'll be able to vouch for you.

can you meet me in my hotel suite?

yeah

just tell me when.

[she gets the call soon enough.]

[Wen Ning doesn't know any of these people, and while he feels bad for them he's also been on the side of the Resistance by default since his arrival, given his connections. He doesn't want to pry into that subject.

He will, however, ask the more nagging question on his mind:]

... What's a UFO doll?

[oh god.

kavinsky's been in the business of selling imports far too long! #whitetowerlyfe. nothing interrupts his grieving process like a good ol' fashioned product query.]

It's an extremely popular sort of toy. Great for promoting ImPort brands. Let me show you a few works-in-progress, but keep intellectual property rights in mind thank you...

[pictures immediately upload.

]

'UFO' is basically shorthand for the big head-to-body ratio of the toys. Are you interested in branding opportunities?

I'm not sure what that means. [Branding is painful, sir. He'd rather not.]

Those are all very cute! [Better likenesses than some of the drawings he's seen of famous people in his world, at least.] Is it popular to make big-headed toys? The exaggerated features must make them more appealing to children.

Promotion of your unique ImPort image and persona. You know, your powers, personality, and how you can help people. Advertisement.

[his smile is audible.]

It's pretty popular, yeah. Kids do love 'em. But ImPorts have a lot of adult fans, too. High Chancellor Palpatine polls very highly across the native population, but especially well with girls and women from teens to twenties. She's the face of our empowerment movement.

You should think about the demographics of your own fanbase. What's your name?

[The video isn't on, but if it was he'd be able to see Wen Ning visibly tilting his head at all of this.]

It's... Wen Ning. Courtesy name Wen Qionglin.

[He considers not giving it out, but it would be easy enough to look up. He feels as though he's stepping into something he's not prepared for.]

I don't... think I need anything like a "fanbase", young master.

You might not think you need one now, but there are huge benefits to both you and the people.

[it's sort of comforting, actually! falling back into this old rhetoric when everything else is...

...what it is.]

Think of all the Chinese Americans, or even the Chinese people in China who need someone to look up to. Think of your values, how empowering it would be to the natives who share them.

... Hah?

[The who, the what, and the where now?]

I don't think it would be all that empowering for anyone to have a doll of me, young master. You overestimate my value in the public eye.

I don't know about that. You're an ImPort. The things you can do would inspire the kids. The adults. Whoever.

You didn't have a hero when you were growing up?

... I did.

I don't think she'd want a doll made of her either.

Reluctant heroes. That's a good brand.

But that's beside the point, man. Would you have liked something to remember her by? A token, a reminder. A symbol. While you was growing up.

I had her.

There was no need to sell trinkets with images of my sister just so I could remember her.

Well, shit. An Import who gets along with his family? You're rarer than a dog that can walk on its hind legs.

[To be fair, he didn't get along with all of his clan, but they'd had their own little portion of it that stuck together.]

I wouldn't think it would be that uncommon...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

02 🩸 video (international);

Private Messages to Rey

Recorded Audio Only

audio.

voice;

no subject

private network;

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Open Recorded Message

text; private message

private text;

private text;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

→ dun dun dun;

voice

voice;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject