Lying Liar

[archeologue]

[Belloq remains in the clothes he was wearing during the expedition of earlier, the pith helmet off his head, but the safari suit dirty and stained from a day crawling about the jungle. His head is bowed in remorse.]

I am sorry to report that Niko Bellic, wilderness guide, fell today in the course of his duty.

I will not distress with details, but only say that we were taken by surprise by a swarm of skeleton archers while exploring a temple. Niko fought bravely, and I owe my life to him. He is a credit to all who risk their lives leading us through the dangerous wilds. May the psychopomp guide him to peace.

I will be at Pugsy's tonight, raising a glass in remembrance, if any would like to join me there.

[And the lie is done. Even Belloq doesn't exactly know where that temple was. Niko, as guide, had that knowledge. There is little chance that someone will find Niko before he really is dead. And Belloq's done his duty to the Orion Syndicate, for which he'll be paid well.]


((OOC: Feel free to network reply or action spam at Pugsy's))

Comments

[domesheriff]

[she's quiet through his story, and at the end of it, she doesn't seem to know what to say again. after a moment, she repeats:] Thanks. [and then:] I'm glad you got out.

[folkscallmewander]

[The bartender stops by, and Wander orders a light beer and a bowl of water for his kitten. He pulls her back from wandering to close to the other patrons until the drinks arrive.]

To Niko, and to all the brave fellas we met an' ever will meet. [He raises his glass.]

[most_feared]

You looked like you were hell bent on going anyway. So I might as well make sure you weren't headin' in there alone or without some knowledge. Make sure that guy's story checks out-

For your sake, I hope it doesn't.

[But with Kay's luck, those stories usually do.]

[una_persson]

You shouldn't be paying for anyone's drinks, least of all your own.

[She's already going for her wallet and taking out her card.]

[voice]

[thumbsdown]

[He doesn't know what went on in that temple, so for all he knows Belloq is telling the truth. At least, the part about not being able to get to Niko. He still doesn't believe Niko is dead, though. Maybe that's just because he doesn't want to believe it, but he guesses he'll find out.]

Right.

[He sounds unhappy to think of Niko in that situation.]

Well... thanks. For telling us.

[thumbsdown]

Right.

[It does seem like Belloq was mostly telling the truth, and maybe Niko did die down there. He promised Niko he'd make sure, though. So that's what he's going to do.

He's looking down at his communicator and wondering who he could take with him when he bumps into someone.]

[domesheriff]

[Linda isn't really looking where she's going either, though this is more because she has too much on her mind than any normal excuse like looking at a communicator. she received Belloq's message too, and her eyes are red, though she's professional and stopped herself crying before she approached the security station]

Sorry! [she stops, backing up when she and Boone collide. thankfully, she wasn't walking quickly. but when she realizes who it is, she adds:] Boone, did you...hear? [she can't bring herself to say what she's referring to, but if he did hear she's sure he'll know]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone starts when he knocks into her, looking up from his communicator. He's about to apologise when he sees her eyes are red, and he looks concerned until she asks about Niko. He nods, looking back down at his communicator.]

I... yeah. I did.

[He glances back up again. He doesn't know how well Linda knew Niko, but the fact that she's upset means his death bothers her. She'd want to save him if she thought there was a chance, right?]

You busy right now?

[domesheriff]

[she doesn't say anything to his confirmation, knowing that if she tries to talk about it she's liable to start crying again. but at his question, she shakes her head, straightening and trying to look ready for work] No, I was just gonna check in. What's going on?

[thumbsdown]

[He lowers his voice, even though they're the only people around.]

Don't think Niko's dead. Gonna go get him. Problem is, I need help.

[He doesn't know about the traps, but he knows it's stupid to go in alone.]

[domesheriff]

You... [her eyes widen, and her answer is immediate:] I'll go. Do you know where he is? The man who was with him--he mentioned a temple.

[archeologue]

I was...lucky, in a sense.

The same dart trap that kept me from reaching Niko kept the monsters from reaching me.

[He sighs.]

Damned luck.

Pugsy's

[theugly]

[There's a heavy clunk as Tuco's boot connects with the nearest stool leg.]

Hey, [he grunts, rounding in on Belloq like he's trying for something intimate. Space neatly invaded, he jerks his thumb behind his shoulder.] I just got back. Big bastard over there, he say to me, "Bellic's dead". He says maybe you know a thing or two about it. [And... with that he waits, leaving the implicit question hanging.]

[archeologue]

Very unconventional.

[He's never had a woman buy him a drink before, although often the reverse.]

But thank you. Did you know him well?

[He rather hopes she didn't. That would make things easier.]

[una_persson]

[To the bartender:] I'll cover his tab. Yes, that's right. I'll have that whisky—that one—neat. Thank you.

[Back to Belloq, a little smirk at "unconventional."]

I didn't know him very well, I'm afraid. We talked a bit the last time I was here [so he told me], but we weren't that closely acquainted. [Sigh.] I rather liked him, though.

Pugsy's

[givessweetness]

[Wynter is deeply uncertain. And it's all down to this incident. He's anxious about trusting his instincts, because they'd gotten him killed.

And, frankly, his reaction, his suspicion that Belloq was lying, didn't have a solid basis. He didn't know him or the victim. The only reason he had for the suspicion was a gut one. A gut that had been betrayed by people who were as smooth with their language as Belloq was. And relying on your own traumatic transference to condemn a man who was merely eloquent was something he couldn't conscience.

So he was there, caught in indecision, playing with his glass, occasionally picking it up when a toast was called out but otherwise, frowning about his paranoia and the memories his struggle was bringing up.]

[voice]

[archeologue]

I only wish I could have done more.

[video]

[athousandcurses]

[She hangs her head, saddened by that news.]

Then we should return there and find his body. It would be wrong to just leave it.

[archeologue]

To Niko.

[And he knocks back his drink like it's water. Not the proper way to appreciate good alcohol at all.]

[video]

[archeologue]

I believe some people are going to look...but I don't have high hopes of their finding it. I do not know where the temple is exactly; Niko had that information. And the jungle is thick and dangerous. As much as it pains me to say it, it's not worth the risk to other people's lives to engage in a lengthy search.

Pugsy's

[archeologue]

[Close conversations in dodgy pubs is a familiar enough event for Belloq that he doesn't draw away.]

It's true. Both things that he said. Niko is dead and I saw it happen. It was an accident while we were exploring a temple.

[athousandcurses]

Perhaps I should volunteer, then. I would have a better time searching if I use my spirit form.

[thumbsdown]

Yeah, some temple in the jungle. We'll have to look for it, but I'm pretty sure we can find it.

[He starts walking again, expecting Linda to follow.]

[folkscallmewander]

[Wander sips as his drink, to distraught to feel hungry. His kitten doesn't seem to mind, as she gets water all over her face.]

Where ya at least able to say goodbye to him?

[corven]

[ That was troubling to say the least.]

Has his body been recovered?