I am the master of my fate

Well, then, shall we finally have us a war?



( Private to Envy//viewable to Carmen//unhackable )

( Private to Madara//viewable to Carmen//unhackable )

( Private to Carmen//unhackable )

[The feed clicks on to the sounds of shuffling, furniture being shifted, and after a moment, the crackling of a new fire. When Saul speaks, his voice is just a little bit ragged - just enough so that he doesn't sound quite like his usual smooth self]

It's been longer than I suppose, hasn't it? What is the date?

Blast... I'm so tired.


( Private to Carmen//hard to hack )

( Private to Alphonse//viewable by Kakashi and Carmen, hard to hack )

[The PCD switches on, showing Saul seated at his work table inside his house, a red sunset shining through the window at his back and illuminating him in strange light and shadow. He looks somewhat pale and drawn, as though he'd seen hard times, but hardly cowed; he isn't quite smiling, but there's a disturbing happiness in his face. On the table before him are his hook and wire, and a simple two-vessel water clock, not running. He speaks directly into the camera.]

Good evening, domi a domani of the city. I trust you've enjoyed your respite - I hope that this was proof, to all of you, that I'm able to keep my peace unless I am provoked. What's done is done, though... I hold no ill will towards you, dome Tieria, nor your friends. They'd gotten what they came for. All's fair in love and war, mm?

I shall be honest: I live for the fight, but there's much here to fight without disrupting all your lives... if I were to get my own. There are things I won't let go of - not this easily. And you all hold your peace very dear, I've seen. So we might as well have this on the table.

I want the boy Near. Alive, dead, I don't care much - just so long as he is out of my way. Killing him myself would've been simple enough, I suppose, but we all want to break such a cycle, don't we? So there is your choice.

[He pauses, and tips one of the vessels - the water starts pouring out, in a thin delicate trickle.]

Two hours, as the water flows. Bring him to me, in whatever state, and win your peace - or I will destroy one of the clinics. And then I shall fill the vessel again. There are plenty of houses here, and plenty of water in the river. Decide how much is too much for you on your own. I will wait.

Two hours. All of you know where I am.

[The feed clicks off.]