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

[video]

[athousandcurses]

Oh no... Niko...

[She didn't know him well or Belloq either, but Grainne looks upset and distraught over the news.]

Will there be a ceremony?

[video]

[archeologue]

I hope so, although we have no priest here. Perhaps a ship's captain would be willing to perform the rites.

Niko deserves a proper funeral, even if, to my shame, there is no body to bury.

[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.

[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.

[athousandcurses]

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

[archeologue]

Spirit form?

[This is not something Belloq was expecting.]

I don't understand. Do you mean a shamanistic trance?

[He's seen witch doctors claim to have spirit forms before, but in this place, he's seen enough to fear that she may really mean it.]

/cackles

[athousandcurses]

[Shaking her head at that.]

Oh, no. I can become invisible and intangible. It is my true form, in a way.

[archeologue]

[That's certainly unnerving, and could be trouble for him. So for now, he defers and hopes that he can find a solution.]

Much like a ghost, then. I am not involved in the retrieval efforts. I think security and guide divisions are organizing that.

[athousandcurses]

[Good luck with that, Belloq.]

Yes, that is the idea. I will have to go speak with them. Thank you for your kindness.