[video]

[bird_brain]

[Aubri speaks with an urgent clipped tone, though it's fairly obvious there's something distracting him: he looks to the side every now and again before his gaze flits back to the locket.]

Has anyone seen or heard from a woman named Ariadne? [There's a hint of desperation there; he's really like someone to answer him in the positive here.] She disappeared--

[And his distraction strikes again: Ariadne's bandersnatch cub is apparently doing something dumb off-screen.] Straton. [Aubri turns back to the locket.] She disappeared last night near the Station Ring. I fear--

--Straton, enough. [There's a bit of rustling off-screen and then Aubri hisses. Just before the broadcast ends, there's one more thing said -- and it's obviously not meant for the wider audience.] That is my tail. Thrice-blighted little--

[And the locket closes.]

Comments

[gordianknots]

She could, and I have no specific names that come to mind either.

[But there's bound to be ways to ask.]

I presume other people might chime in. The subject might be worth asking after. If they don't know, they may know someone who does

[bird_brain]

I hope so. I cannot begin to guess at what might have happened.

[He can think of terrible possibilities, though.]

[gordianknots]

[So can Waver. And he doesn't like it.]

Is your fuzzy friend in the background there managing?

[bird_brain]

Managing to make a bloody mess of my tail.

[gordianknots]

Maybe find a low hanging branch and attach some string and a ball to it? It might prove to be a better distraction than your tail.

[bird_brain]

I will try it. [But he's not really focusing on Straton - that is, until the cub attacks his tail again.]

If you hear anything of her...

[gordianknots]

I will come running. And please, please keep me updated.

[bird_brain]

I will. I hate to be the bearer of such news.

[gordianknots]

This is one of those times where bad news is preferable to no news at all.

[bird_brain]

I would rather hear good news.

[gordianknots]

Hopefully it'll be forthcoming.

[bird_brain]

And soon. I will be heading for the Station. I cannot stay in the open with Straton.

[gordianknots]

Please, travel safely. And could you let me know when you get there, so I know that nothing else awful's occurred?

[bird_brain]

I will contact you.