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[bluescreenwhitedragon]

"This is Intensity. Leave a message."

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[sancrimony]

. . . In my direction there were many lights, so I could not see it very well from on stage. I admit it was difficult to concentrate on seeing where I was taken to due to the lights in that place as well. My apologies.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

No need to apologize.

I suppose we should be grateful that they didn't leave you behind back there.

[sancrimony]

My, would that have been possible? Though my appearance was changed, surely they would have been aware of my standing as an idol of this show.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Seeing as I saw a handful of my old unitmates and one of the transferred idols snuck in with the rest of us---

It's not completely unfeasible that someone could have got left behind.

Even someone as popular as you.

[sancrimony]

[ wait

wh ]

- someone snuck back in?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Yes. One of the paladins. Mars on Heart Soldier Senshi.

If you look them up, you'll see they have 9 members now.

[sancrimony]

. . . So, if that person was able to sneak back in - were there other cases of others trying? "Is it possible to recreate that, or otherwise do the reverse" - is that an endeavor worth looking into?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Long term, yes.

But that requires talking to Bel and his people, who only oversees the tech for this production. And also don't particularly give a shit about humans.

[sancrimony]

. . . I doubt we'd have anything to give them.

Then, it would have to be something only obtainable through one's graduation, wouldn't it? An ally in that field, that is.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

It'd have to be a clever ally.

There's no way Azzy wouldn't suspect something like that. Or maybe that works in his favor.

[A laugh]

Who knows.

[sancrimony]

Certainly - it would require a fair amount of patience.

[ with a pause ]

What of yourself? How did you fare, during that time?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Let's see.

I got thrown in jail.

Raided a production studio.

And then got zapped by a fallen angel and sold myself to our dear Lady Death.

The notes have all the relevant bits. I'll leave them on the table for you and yours.

[sancrimony]

[ wait what ]

In what manner -

[ sitting up straight, stiff ]

What did she take from you?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Nothing yet.

[Holds up his hand to show where the bone ring is on his index finger. He could take it off.

But it doesn't]

A future favor.

Though as I've told others, it will probably hurt all of you more than it will hurt me. If she wanted one person's suffering, she would have taken Hurricane as her prize.

1/2

[sancrimony]

. . . I see.

[sancrimony]

Very well.

If that favor becomes one that will bring mortal danger to the people here, I will not hesitate to kill you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I'm so glad I didn't even have to ask.

What a good Servant.

[sancrimony]

That is the ground upon which we made our contract. Even if it was not your will, it was and is my own.

Now, what is meant to be done moving forward?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I'm removing myself from field missions for the time being. And some of my information network is working on making sure sensitive information does not always flow through me.

We're trying to limit the blast radius for when Lady Death asks for her pound of flesh.

Otherwise---

Business as usual.

[sancrimony]

[ with a nod, then ]

Very well.

[ and, a pause ]

. . . Were you alone?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Why does that matter?

[sancrimony]

[ considering the question for a moment - then, as though he's finally remembered to do so, he sets down a cup of tea for him. ]

. . . I wondered why it was that my Master was treated in such a way and then killed. But, in the grand scheme of things, I'm sure the details don't matter.

Still, I want to know.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I never died.

[And he spreads his arms wide as if to prove a point]

Still Hell-infusion free. Which I cannot say for the rest of the party. Or you - for that matter.

Paladins - off to save an angel even though half had no memories and the rest had no idea where to look. But my rival was with them, you see. And two others I hold in high esteem.

And while I do not regret it -- I find my goodwill toward missions of that kind vastly depleted after all of this.

[sancrimony]

[ his eyebrows go up at the mention of paladins ]

. . . I see. So you struck a deal with the Lady.

I must ask, then. Of those in the field now, who amongst them are capable of preventing a matter like that from happening again? That is - are they capable of doing so? In light of what happened, I would imagine there must be some sort of shuffling, or at least some manner of training or preparation in the case of another event like this.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Of course. Some more of my... people-friendly staff are looking into counter measures right now.

The most important being trying to reduce this single point of failure that communication seems to constantly be an issue. It seems like the notes aren't nearly aggressive enough.