Accountability.

[explosivecombat]

There are all sorts of secrets to this place, really, ways to get from place to place reasonably unnoticed. Some of those ways involve the ability to shift one's appearance, some of them involve shadows and vessels and darkness; for those without those sorts of gifts, though, one has to rely on more conventional means. Panels and doorways, joins and seams that don't join up quite right; portions of the wall that will open up if you manipulate them properly. The Conductor himself tends to rely on the latter; he is, after all, entirely human. He's thin, as though he doesn't eat terribly much, but his clothes are immaculate and sharply-tailored, a suit and long coat all in white and shades of pale grey; his hair is long, trailing at least halfway down his back in a thin, tightly-tied ponytail, and his eyes are cold when he moves to stand at the thirtieth podium – it's not his, it never has been, but it's going to do for now. He doesn't seem anxious at all about being here; there's nothing nervous in his demeanor, and he's keeping his head up, perfectly willing to look everyone in the face. There's a definite arrogance about him, as is probably to be expected, though he'll certainly acknowledge everyone once he's there – when he bows it's enough to be respectful, but not nearly enough to expose the back of his neck. When he speaks, his voice is recognizable but it's quiet, far moreso than one would assume him to be based on the volume of the intercom alone; his tone is even, almost unsettlingly calm given the circumstances, though there's a hardness to it that never quite goes away. "It's a pleasure to speak to all of you in person; I'd say that it's almost a shame that the circumstances have to be what they are, but I'm not going to insult your intelligence like that." He straightens up then; the smile he's offering is understated, but it's not particularly nice. "I understand that we have a fair amount to discuss; shall we begin?" Your host for the evening, everyone; let's start.

Comments

[icysemblance]

That's why you needed the vessels?

[explosivecombat]

That depends on what vessels you're referring to.

[blazeit]

I dunno exactly what Weiss is thinking, but I sure still have one thing on my mind.

... What are the four of us capable of replacing?

[icysemblance]

[WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE, FRIEND.]

[blazeit]

[ Oh good because he's still all what the fuck over that..... ]

[explosivecombat]

That would be my colleague with the shadows; beings like that can take on new hosts if their current container takes too much damage.

[...well okay then]

[blazeit]

In a shocking twist, I'm super not game to become a shadow fucker and I don't know why you think any of us would be game for that.

... Unless you actually are going to offer us yet another shitty incentive.

[sunsong]

That's pretty much the shittiest job offer in the world, honestly.

[blazeit]

Seriously, it's basically like "become a vessel for a monster, also you die!" Where the hell is the upside there?!

[explosivecombat]

It wasn't going to be a request.

[blazeit]

So the personal discussion part was a total pretense. Fucking nice one, asshole.

[explosivecombat]

It's not as though it's possible now, anyway.

[sunsong]

You say that, but was the shadow-y thing itself killed, or just the vessel...? I somehow don't think you'd tell us if it was somethin' we had to worry about.

[blazeit]

Well hey, good news guys. Looks like we won't get fucking body hijacked by a shadow monster anytime soon. Thanks, ghosts, for making sure that we don't get body hijacked by shadow monsters!

[ That came out kind of sarcastically, so he pauses and. Backtracks. ]

No, actually, if you guys are listening... thanks.

[ Considering what happened the last time something tried to body hijack him


he appreciates not having to consider that it might happen again... ]

[sunsong]

I dunno, I mean - can we really trust this guy's word on that?

[blazeit]

I guess I'm willing to. I mean, it's not like he's ever lied to us before, he's just all "I won't tell you because I'm a smug asshole" whenever he wants to keep us in the dark.

Besides, why lie at this point?

[ninehundredlives]

Like if someone were to bash their head in with a warhammer?

[Logan, if you're listening, PROPS]

[explosivecombat]

Apparently.

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan chuckles quietly.] Long live the king.

...and the rest of you, of course. [Look she's just assuming this room is full of ghosts right now.]

[icysemblance]

[And this is where she's going to shake with anger, enough to where she has to forcibly tear her eyes away and get herself under control.]

We're not your dolls. We won't ever be.

[Deep breath.]

Sol, Jean, Katsuki and I all have things we want to do, people we want to become. Maybe we're the teenage asshole squadron now, maybe we're just stubborn, but we are not dolls to be played with.

[explosivecombat]

That's nice, and I don't recall saying you were.

You can make all the speeches you want at me in an attempt to be brave, it matters very little to me. Whatever makes you feel better.

[icysemblance]

The four of us. The ones with the mental and physical abilities. You needed us just in case something went wrong. You wanted a backup plan, and it didn't matter what we wanted, you were going to force us out to become God, then control us.

[explosivecombat]

[...uh]

...You know, I'm not sure if I'm flattered or baffled that you think I have nearly that much power.

[icysemblance]

[They don't have soul-replacing shit in Remnant, okay, SHE DOESN'T KNOW.]

Then why?

[explosivecombat]

[Well actually.]