008 - Everything Carries Me To You - Accidental Video

[worldofourown]

[The video flicks on to show a tiny white room. Bare as a cell, except for a strange bed. Karl lies there. Flat on his back. Tightly restrained. His skin is shadowed with bruises and cuts. The orbit of one eye is purpling and puffy. He breathes in growls, in and out, like a saw.]

Someone's life is flashing before my eyes. And it's not mine.

[He jerks against his restraints. Resembling, in a disturbing way, an animal. One that conveys rage with its eyes alone. His injuries are quite raw. But Karl isn't a shrieking sufferer. Not with his history. His attention is on the network device.]

I know you're there, Solomon. Watching me, like a damned Argus.

[His eyes glow red. But even staring out of bruises, they're defiant and unblinking. Lucid. Ironic, that Karl should be his sanest, at a time like this. The very air around him seems different. Infused with a darker purpose.]

You said, earlier, that it was time we talked. Well? Talk. I can't tear your throat out, so you needn't fear death, brother. In this City, death's a cheap thing, anyway. Even for those who've given everything for it.

[Livid, he jerks again on the restraints. No luck. Fangs bared, he re-focuses on the device.]

Come out, Solomon. I'm waiting.


[OOC:  Back to square...negative one? Karl broke out, conducted a fail!kidnapping, fought a cursed Saya without the benefit of his healing powers, and got his bleeding ass dragged back to Solomon's labs. Fortunately, the ordeal seems to have dampened his mania. Somewhat. He's... sane for the moment? Or, as sane as Karl gets. Come annoy him, City! He's a real shiny happy fun ball B|b. Private filters are disabled!]

Comments

[shall_yield_us]

My, as ominous as they come and they go.

Video;

[worldofourown]

No comings or goings here, I'm afraid.

[Trapped Karl is trapped.]

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[shall_yield_us]

More for - well, someone's better.

video;

[dignity_misery]

Karl.

[ 8( ]

video;

[worldofourown]

[SOB SOB]

Ms. Carla.

[He swallows, licking bruised lips.]

We seem to speak during under the strangest circumstances.

video;

[dignity_misery]

You let them catch you again.

[forourqueen]

Did you fail?

video;

[worldofourown]

[He rouses, blinking, lifts his head for a moment from the bed-- then lets it drop as if it's too heavy.]

In every which way.

[Dx]

video;

[forourqueen]

A pity, Fei-Ong. You need to be more discreet.

[hornblower]

I would disagree.

[worldofourown]

With what?

[He sounds bored, like it's more effort than he can gather just to pronounce his words.]

[hornblower]

That while this world has no respect for it, life and death can be considered cheaply as if a commodity one can purchase on the market.

[valentineluke]

[Time to drop Sol a hint that he's been watching the 'show'.]

Hmm.

[worldofourown]

'Hmm', indeed.

[favoritetraitor]

[Noted.]

video;

[morphic]

[She appears worried for him, seeing him restrained like that, bruised and cut. She has to hold back the part of her that wants to smile with joy at such a sight, but she has enough control of herself that it's almost too easy to hide.]

Has anyone offered to help you?

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[worldofourown]

[He offers her a look of listless annoyance.]

What do you think?

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[morphic]

You poor thing. Maybe I could help you?

[Though she seems a bit unsure of her own ability.]

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[beyourarmy]

[So, this guy has been a little creepy in the past, but seeing this still really disturbs Setsuna on his behalf. He might even be shaking a little. Why the restraints?]

Hey...you look bad off there. You okay?

And do you know where you are?

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[worldofourown]

Never better.

[The sarcasm. Can you taste it?]

I'm in a personal toybox of my brother's. Perhaps he'll descend momentarily, cat-o-nine-tails in hand...?

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[beyourarmy]

[Setsuna's eyes widen. Yeah, really, really bothered and worried now. What is it with people and messed up brothers, also?]

No, seriously, where are you? I don't know what all I can do right now, but I can still try to help.

[Private]

[favoritetraitor]

Maybe the time for talk is over with, Karl. I'll be down for your network device shortly.

[Private]

[worldofourown]

Hm.

[Karl's volatility shades into something else: a quiet resentment that burns like acid.]

A visit from you? In person? And here I was afraid you'd forgotten the beast chained up in your cellar.

video;

[intheblanks]

I don't know what's meant to be going on here, but it doesn't look like Solomon-

[Chase pauses over the name, but there isn't much about this picture that hasn't given him pause already]

has the place set up for smalltalk.

video;

[worldofourown]

[Karl's eyes slide in the direction of the network device. The rest of him, motionless.]

Nothing happening at all, Dr. Chase.

[Just the usual imprisonment of a mad and dangerous vampire.]

The place may not be conducive to smalltalk. But I'll take my chances.