khuioduan | ☞ FIRST TESTIMONY ☜

[There is a slight jostling of the screen upon activation. A slightly diagonal and mostly upside-down view of the surrounding area, before the screen was pulled back, revealing an elderly woman with a furrowed brow and pursed lips. She appeared to be inspecting the hand-held device given to her, and while adapting to new technologies was not quite beyond her skill set...after a pause, she relaxed just enough to indicate paranoia as her motivator rather than confusion.]

Good. It seems to be working just as they said.

[A moment to clear her throat, before she puts on a "professional" air, her tone steady and her words spoken with conviction.]

If anyone can hear me, my name is Wendy Oldbag, and I'd like to report a kidnapping. Specifically, my own. [She paused just long enough to look around her, clearly dissatisfied by what she saw.] I recognize none of the landmarks, but if the names Aifaran and Quayside mean anything, that should alert the proper authorities to where they've taken me. Though not before attempting to silence me with a pitiful amount of cash and this hand-held "yimi" thingamajiggy.

[A scoff]

Their mistake. Nothing and no one can silence me! And you can be sure I'll have my darling Edgey-poo add bribery to the list of charges when he prosecutes these no-good kidnappers. Oh, the look on his face when he sees me again. I'm sure he's very worried about me. Which is why the local authorities need to hurry up. I need to be back at work trying to fix the Hotel's reputation after that awful murder case.

[She paused, and one last thought came to mind:]

...you know, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if that awful Engarde was behind this. I'm sure he wanted revenge for my invaluable assistance in getting him convinced.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Pepper did have a point. Heck, she wouldn't object to giving them a literal kick. She'd do it, too. Without hesitation or lack of ability.]

It's not about love. It's about dedication. Honor. Respect. For some of those studios, I would be the last line of defense. I shudder to think what they would have done with someone less committed to their duties.

[All of this was spoken with a deeply serious expression. Until she paused. The corners of her lips twitching upward in an almost mischievous smile as she leaned forward and added:]

Although I could not complain about all the handsome actors such a position has allowed me to meet over the years.

Oh, you work security at a studio? That's super cool. I think Dedication and respect can still all sort of get rolled up into love, though. I mean, if you don't really enjoy what you're doing, then it's probably about time to find something that you do enjoy.

[She returns the impishness. Oldbag may be, well, old, but Pepper can get on board with appreciating handsomeness.] Yeah, cute actors is definitely a good perk. Are there a lot of people that try to get into studios like yours? I guess they'd wanna see the cute actors, too.

I suppose you have a point, dear. Wise words for someone as young as yourself.

About love and the trespassing. [Pleased as she was by Pepper, a dark shadow momentary crossed her features as she thought of some of the less honorable parts of her profession.] Though I would hardly say they were there to admire the visual beauty of those beneath the mask.

More often than not, it was a couple snot-nosed brats who think they could outwit me into snapping a few photographs without permission.

☞ FIRST TESTIMONY ☜

video;

video;

video;