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))

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[It does sound an awful like denial. But the level of determination in his voice, she knows it. And when she thinks about what Boone has trusted Niko with -- If it was her, she knows she'd be doing this exact thing.

So Elle's first reaction is just ready acceptance.] Okay. [She takes a deep breath.] Be careful.

[A pause.] You're not going alone, are you? [She doubts it, Boone should know better than that, and snipers always worked in pairs, but -- well. This is Niko. Again, if it was Elle, she might really have charged out there by herself.]

No. Got a couple other people coming in with me.

[He pauses.]

Don't have a guide, though. You're a guide.

[Elle could make it go a whole lot easier.]

[Elle is pretty sure that her reaction shouldn't involve the corners of her mouth twitching up. Not under the circumstances, not with how much Belloq's announcement shook her. But there's hope. Even if Boone's in denial -- His belief is enough to spark hope in her. And it's a relief.]

Where should I meet up with you?

Security station. Think you can figure out exactly where that temple is?

[If Niko knew where it was, maybe Elle can find out too.]

I think so. [In all honesty, Elle doesn't know how confident she is, but she doesn't want to show her uncertainty right now. But... It depends a lot on where the temple is.] Do you know which temple it was supposed to be? If it's somewhere I've been, then, definitely, but if not... [Well.] I'll at least know what to look for.

Not sure. All I know is it's in some jungle, on an island. Ever been somewhere like that?

[He hopes so, because the less time they have to spend wandering aimlessly the better.]

[Elle grimaces. A jungle on an island...]

No... I haven't. I'm sorry.

Damn.

[It's muttered more to himself than anything else. He sighs, but he sounds stubbornly determined again when he speaks.]

We'll find it. We've gotta. Not gonna leave Niko there.

[Dead or alive, Niko is coming out of that temple. Hopefully alive.]

Lying Liar

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