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

[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?

[archeologue]

...in a way. I don't think he heard, however.

[Oh, Niko heard all right. He just didn't take it well.]

[folkscallmewander]

[The kitten's gotten bored and curls up next to Wander's hand, who takes this as an offer to pet it.]

You know, this lil' baby was a present from Niko. Said that she needed a home. [He scratches it behind the ears.] That was the last time we ever talked to each other.

[He takes a sip from his glass and stares at the kitten a while long, then turns to Belloq.]

Ya know, I never really could stick to one name for her, but now I decided! In memory of our honored friend, I'll be namin' her Niko.

[The kitten stands up and mewls.] See? She likes it already!

[archeologue]

"Nikolina." That's the feminine form.

[He holds his drink with one hand while he stretches out the other to let the kitten sniff his fingers.]

[folkscallmewander]

That's how it works? [Belloq's from the same planet as Niko, so he guesses he'll know more about these sort of things.]

Then Nikolina it is! I'll call 'er Niko for short.

[Nikolina, in the meantime, sniffs at Belloq's fingers and presses her nose against them.]

[archeologue]

That's how it works in Niko's homeland. Every language is different.

[He scratches Niko-the-cat under her chin.]

[folkscallmewander]

[Niko the Cat enjoys the scratching very much.]

Guess I never really thought of that. So then Niko short for somethin' or is that his whole name?

[archeologue]

Short for Nikola, most likely. From the Greek Nikolaus. "Victory of the people."

[folkscallmewander]

Huh. Names sure are interestin'. Makes sense that a brave guy like Niko would be named that, right?

[Now he's kind of sad about that realization.]