[FILTERED TO REMNANTS]
Kadaj... he's back.

[His drawl gives a whole new meaning to unimpressed.]
[/FILTER]

[The water that can be heard in the background as the transmission begins is not a drip-drip, but rather... a lot of splashing. When Yazoo speaks, his tone is a thin layer away from snapping impatiently. The lazy drawl is still audble, of course.]

This... is beginning to get a little tireso--

[He pauses, the sloshing of water also coming to a stop. A moment of quiet passes, and then wet footsteps can be heard on concrete, as though someone were just climbing out of the fountain where they had woken up. Again.]

--Kadaj? Loz...? Wrath?

It seems that I'm the last one, this time. Brothers, where are you...?

[A brief splatter of water droplets close to the communicator microphone, like hair being wrung out, or water wiped off of leather. Then the footsteps continue. The transmission times out.]

Atra.

What... is this? I gave you your apology... You would still rob us of Mother?!

[Yazoo sighs as the post begins. One can imagine the impassive stare he's wearing, because it's the most common expression to grace his face.]

Missing clothing. Ash falling from the sky. Constant bleating from the annoying sheep.

Could the gods make today anymore interesting if they tried?

[The eye roll is audible, much as the sarcasm was. With a soft click, the post ends.]

Thankfully that is over.

Kadaj... we need to talk.

...I think I have lost my appetite.

With a gentle click the recording begins, though it appears that the device recording is lying poorly on its' side. The view of the church floor parallel is an obstructed one; a pair of little boots stand before the camera, and the owner's hands, cloth and unarmed for the moment, lift the device, which has likely fallen from its' resting place, into its' arms.

The camera catches a view of Sackazoo's scrunched little face, button eyes showing displeasure with having been made to do this grunt work.

Quite suddenly, however, it appears he's being offered help! With a flick of a tail just out of sight the sackdoll is flying through the air. It lands rather unceremoniously on a broken pew and drops the camera, which clatters and turns black for the moment.

Low wolfish growls can be heard and small gunshots. After several moments, seemingly victorious, Sackazoo rights the camera and aims the lens toward a pool near the altar where Yazoo is shaking his head and glaring at him. Sephiwolf can be seen stalking around the outer ledge of the pool... The direwolf's displeasure with the Remnant is obvious, but it appears as though Yazoo is going to remove something from the dark water, at last. For this reason, and this reason only, the wolf does not lunge while Yazoo's guns are tucked away.

Sackazoo parks his leather-clad butt down at the side of the camera as though watching something interesting unfold. Were he able to speak, he would tell you his was the best seat in the house. And that he would shoot the wolf later for batting it around that way! A son of Mother should not be manhandled - or wolfhandled - in such a way.

The black water pool is not very deep. As Yazoo slips in, it rises to his ribs. He does not look at the camera as he lowers himself a little more into the water, hands submerged and reaching. What they come upon is soon brought to the surface for all to see; cinnamon and sugar hair streaked with inky water, pale flesh hidden by red leather... closed eyes.

Yazoo seems unimpressed and drags the body from the water, dropping it carelessly to the floor. He takes a moment to draw his gun and aim it at Sephiwolf who has ventured nearer while Yazoo's back was turned. The wolf, proud and refusing to back away, parks its' rump right there as if to say I'm keeping my eyes on you.

The cough from Genesis' body, water spurting out of his mouth, dribbling down his cheeks, is enough to draw Yazoo's attention back to him, away from the wolf. He keeps Velvet Nightmare drawn as he kneels down at Genesis's side and slaps him once to see if he awakens. There is no retaliation as those green eyes open. This alone seems to make the Remnant smirk... satisfied.

"It's about time... Brother."

Sackazoo draws his gun and holds it to the side of his head, feigning shooting himself. Obviously he disapproves of the display. With a resounding whack he knocks the camera down as he jumps up, causing the device to shut off.

[As usual, it is reasonably quiet when the recording begins. The only background noise seems to be the quiet chatter of a petite mouse as it scurries about. When Yazoo speaks, it appears his concentration is diverted.]

Be careful little mouse... if Wrath finds you, he might hunt you down.

[The mouse squeaks almost saucily, and then there is a sound of sudden movement. The rodent keens in protest; it can be heard quite clearly now even as a gloved fingers pets the scruffy pelt, bringing the annoyance closer to the communicator.]

Hm...? What is the matter? Of course, you do not want to be held captive. I can relate. But do you know the difference... between you and I.....?

[A small cry from the rodent is heard... before there is a quiet thump, and the soft crunch of tiny bones under foot follows.]

The difference is that I can fight back.

[With a sigh, Yazoo kicks the defeated rodent body out of his way and trudges down the empty aisle of the church, pacing.]

Mother...

That thing is not Her. It cannot be. A shred, a scrap, only... but not the real thing. A cheap imitation! I... I will not settle. I cannot. I won't be one of the sheep pretending to hear Her voice! I... will not be some meager rat in Her midst.

Kadaj? Go ahead and keep It.

[An insufferably long silence follows, and then...]

I am going to find Mother.


( Private to Rufus//Unhackable )

[Yazoo turns the communicator on, and at once his sigh is heard, traces of aggravation flickering in and out of his voice as he speaks.]

Kadaj... we've had a visitor in the night. No, not Mother... this one was, how you say..... rather unwelcome.

It looks as though we're going to need... to fortify the protection around Mother's abode. As for the trespasser... what do you suggest?

[There's a sound of metal lightly hitting leather. Like a gun being shouldered. And then Yazoo turns the communicator off.]

[As the communicator comes to life, broadcasting Yazoo's voice over the airwaves, it becomes clear the Remnant is more than a little displeased with something that he has discovered. His always calm voice bears the signs of impatience trickling at the edges...]

Is this... some kind of joke...? I really do not find it funny.

I am not a pet.

Cloud... our dear big brother... you had better hope I don't find out you were involved in this.

[After a moment of silence, a soft laugh is heard, more of a snicker than anything... followed by a raucous gunshot in the background. It's evident what he will do to the ones he finds responsible for the pet poster.]

[The screen blinks suddenly to life, static rolling across the video stream until, a moment later, the image settles, becoming focused. What is immediately visible is the old wooden floor of the church ridden with spilled water the color of ink; the basin in the church has been blown apart, or so it seems. Footsteps are then heard, soft and sloshing through the water, viciously kicking debris out of the way. The camera catches what looks to be a pair of leather boots, one rising, settling atop the chiseled remains of some of the scattered stone... before crushing it, sending dust sprawling upward. For a moment the screen is foggy... so when the communicator is tossed, the image is far less dizzying than it would normally have been.]

It has come to this, has it...?

[With a loud THUNK the communicator lands, tumbling a few feet, hitting an old pillar and finally stopping. The dust no longer clouds the screen. Yazoo is visible, if at an awkward angle, drawing his guns out from behind his back.]

You didn't even share, brother... you didn't even share.

If Mother is so important to you, why do you go ahead now... without your brother... and initiate new blood into our flock? You might as well be him, pretending you're more than what you really are....

And here... I thought you hated liars.

[A soft sigh is heard a mere heartbeat before a stream of bullets are fired, rattling the foundation of the church. The blinding glow from each blast leaves the screen shrouded in white and gold for several minutes. Again the communicator is tossed - a stray bullet seems to have caught its' edge, throwing it up into the air. When it lands, all that is visible is the pool of black water, dust skimming its' surface like silver tendrils. When Yazoo speaks again, his voice is once more eerily calm.]

...my dear brother... you're in trouble now.

[Static shoots across the screen, the image rolling a few times before, from lying amidst the water, it cuts out with a low moan.]

[The soft creaking of doors opening can be heard, and a pair of footsteps walking across an old wooden floor follow.]

...Kadaj.

[Yazoo does not sound at all pleased with the events that have transpired, though he doesn't sound very much of anything, for that matter. His voice is dreadfully monotone.]

Brother... we're back.

[Strange... Yazoo left alone, didn't he? A soft flutter in the background it the only hint to signify who he means. It almost sounds like... feathers. Then the sound cuts out, the connection terminated, the post ended.]

[Sounding more than a little bored, Yazoo begins to mutter softly into the microphone, just moments as it clicks, coming to life. As usual, it is quiet in the background. It seems as though he is alone for the moment.]

Brother... I'm going out for some fresh air, and maybe a little target practice.

[There is a momentary pause, and then Yazoo sighs. Soft footsteps can be heard, interchanging between the padding of flesh, and the quiet thunk of metal hitting old wood.]

Wrath... I thought you were with Kadaj and Mother.

[The footsteps wander closer. When Wrath speaks, his voice sounds relatively upbeat.]

"I wanted to give big brother some alone time, that's all!"

[Seeming to accept this, Yazoo makes a small noise of assent. There is the sound of rustling clothing as he stands, and hands brushing a bit of dust off his garments.]

Come with me, then... hm? We'll go exploring... and perhaps play a little game.

[Before Wrath's reply can be heard the communication cuts out.]

[A soft click signifies the start of the transmission. There is no background noise. Wherever Yazoo is, it appears to be quiet... When at last he speaks, there is a touch of pride in his voice.]

Brother... I have something for you. I just know you'll be excited.

Hmm... hurry up, Kadaj. I don't want to be waiting all evening...

[The transmission ends, a click similar to the one that sounded when it started now signifying the end of the electronic voice post.]

This is... not the Promised Land.

[Despite being calm, Yazoo's voice seems to be a little strained. Dying, and waking up again afterward will do that to you, though...]

Don't tell me... did we... fail Mother? But if that is the case... why am I alive? I remember... our treacherous brother. He had taken Kadaj away from us. We killed him, though... didn't we, Loz?

Loz...?

I wonder where he has disappeared to. Perhaps crying. Again. Not that it matters...

We have a second chance, perhaps... to please Mother. Another chance for Reunion. What does this mean, then... for us...?

Does it mean... we didn't fail? Ahh... of course.

[The contemplative tone turns smug, but remains soft...]

It means... we cannot fail.