[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

[bird_brain]

I cannot leave Staton to his own devices.

[caditquaestio]

You have a charge?

[bird_brain]

I have someone else's pet.

[caditquaestio]

And it can't ride atop you?

[bird_brain]

Straton cannot keep still.

[caditquaestio]

I would ask him - her? Whatever it be, strapped atop you.

[bird_brain]

No one here has thumbs. We will have to make do.

[caditquaestio]

...apologies, friend. Were I beside you - but I am not. You have no one to call on?

[bird_brain]

Someone is coming to meet us. This is a difficulty, yes, but hardly insurmountable.