resort_link | Lying Liar

[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))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

[Belloq sits at the bar, a never-ending series of drinks in front of him. Fortunately, he's a man who can hold his alcohol, so he doesn't worry too much about blurting something unfortunate in a drunken stupor.

He slumps in a picture of sadness and remorse. He did like Niko, is genuinely regretful that business demanded his removal, so it's easy to play the part of the grieving friend. The emotion isn't a lie, just the circumstances.]

[Wynter isn't looking for an emotion. He's looking for injuries. Emotions are difficult to track anyway, particularly if you don't know a person. But again, he's paralysed. Not having bits torn out of him is a sign of, at worst, a coward, which would certainly be an explanation that would cause Wynter's reaction and not go against Belloq's story.

What is he even doing here?

He shook his head, put down his glass and got up. He wasn't going to indulge this emotional dead end any longer.

Patting Belloq, hopefully sympathetically, on the shoulder, he made his way out.]