[ Open Video ] (Individual threads may have warnings. I will clearly mark them in the subject line.)

[kore_npc]

[ In the wake of the first tremors, Maria looks harried. Her hair is a mess and the video is shaking. ]

Listen to me very carefully. We need to get out of here! Whatever they have waiting for us out there is nothing on this.

[ She takes a deep breath, muttering more to herself than the video. ]

We're all going to die in here. They said I'd be safe.

[ It cuts out. ]

Comments

[reluctantsword]

That's not a very good reason.

[He shakes his head.]

I think the bigger issue is that you clearly seem to know something the rest of us don't.

[kore_npc]

I know a lot of things you don't. Do you want me to lead you out of here or not?

[reluctantsword]

Of course. I'd still like to know the source of that knowledge, especially since you seem to know more about our captors than you've been letting on.

[kore_npc]

I'm one of them, or I was. Isn't that obvious? Stop wasting time. We have to get out of here before they deem the entire place too risky and kill us all.

[reluctantsword]

You're a mole.

[It's more a stunned statement than a real question.]

We tried getting out. You have a better plan?

[kore_npc]

[ She hums. ]

It's a little better.

[reluctantsword]

Forgive me if I'm not completely on board with a reassurance like that.

[kore_npc]

Would you prefer I lied?

[reluctantsword]

No. But I'd rather know what I was agreeing to and why before I risk my life for you.

[He grins.]

Nothing personal.

[kore_npc]

You're agreeing to an all-out assault on an exit. You're doing this for yourself. It will help me, but it will help you, too.