bakerstreet | Give me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

[Ted notices the worn-looking man. To him, Martin is wearing a strange uniform but on closer inspection Ted notices around the man's neck...why, is that a Roman collar? Wouldn't that mean Martin is also a priest? ]

Um, hello, Father! I don't believe I've seen you around here before!

["Father"? Martin understands the gist of Ted's meaning but offers a slightly confused look.]

"Overseer Martin" is fine. And I could say the same for you.

"Overseer"? [Ted is a bit perplexed by that title but chuckles a little to break the tension.] Yes, well, I suppose I don't get to the mainland as much as I'd like to, haven't heard all these new names they've got going around...

[He looks around, and suddenly becomes aware that where he's standing is hardly the place he thought it was. It is a bleak, Victorian-esque city, somewhat dirty and run-down. Sure, the mainland always was a bit 'old' looking, but never quite like this.]

Um...they've changed this place up quite a bit since I was last here...

[At the priest's comment, Martin frowns. "Changed" is an understatement.]

What did you expect? The Empress is murdered, the city overrun with rats, and the men in power--by the Void, don't get me started.

[Perhaps a bit more honest than Martin might have normally been with strangers, but he's feeling strangely blunt today.]

[Ted looks stunned. Empress? Murder? Void? What is this man going on about?]

Um, sorry... the Empress is...murdered? [He cocks his head a bit to the side.] I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about. Do...do they know who's murdered her? [Ted scans the landscape. No, this place is looking less and less familiar and more like he's taken a wrong turn somewhere to end up here.]

[Martin lets out a dry laugh. There's that need to be uncharacteristically open again.]

Of course they know. They would have us all believe it was her Lord Protector, but we suspect he was set up.

[He pauses. He hasn't said much, but by the Outsider! He couldn't go about speaking about the Loyalist conspiracy as if it was nothing! He shoots Ted a quick look of apprehension. Who, really, is this man he's just admitted these things to?]

...Forgive me, but I don't think I ever got your name.

[Lord Protector? There it is, yet another unfamiliar title. Ted stares back at Martin, a bit stunned. Wasn't he just in Ireland? This is most definitely seeming no longer like Ireland, so how did he get here?]

F-Father Ted Crilly. [Ted slowly extends his hand for Martin to shake.] S-So...this Lord Protector...he didn't do the crime, then? How do you know that?

Edited 2013-04-28 19:44 (UTC)

[Martin frowns.]

Well, Crilly, if you ask me, it's all too convenient that High Overseer Campbell and the Lord Regent just so happened to be witness to the crime. Cleaned up everything very neatly, actually. They even locked the Lord Protector away to rot in Coldridge prison so that no one might hear his side of the story-- he's not there anymore, mind you. We've al--

[The Overseer claps a gloved hand over his mouth. He was skeptical before, but now? Why, in all that was sacred, was he telling the stranger all this? There was no rational explanation that Martin could deduce, which left only the irrational.

He shoots Ted a very distrustful glare.]

How are you doing this?

[More names of people Ted's never heard of. Coldridge Prison? Where's that? The closest prison on the Mainland is... well, never mind, Martin is now glaring at Ted in a way that's making in uncomfortable.] D-Doing what...?

I'm sorry! I...I think I'm lost so I was just trying to...anyway, I didn't mean to ask you anything that might make you uncomfortable, um... [What was that title the man gave himself before? Oh, right.]- Overseer Martin.

"Overseer"...that's an odd title, isn't it? Does that mean you're someone very important, then? [He ponders a moment.]

Edited 2013-04-28 20:40 (UTC)

You're making me say things I have no interest in discussing with you. Coercing me.

[Martin is very blunt and very annoyed by this. Far be it from him to back down from a fight, albeit one of willpower.]

I took you for a different sort when I first laid eyes on you but now I'm not sure what to make of you. You're brazen, I'll give you that, but don't delude yourself into thinking that you've somehow gained dominion over me.

[He folds his arms.]

Important? No. I'm no different than any other man of the faith. The Abbey may have thrown me in the stocks, but they'll never succeed in getting rid of me. I have plans yet.

[His eyes narrow as realization dawns once again.]

OUTSIDER'S EYES! You don't know when to stop!

[...what is going on? Ted has no idea what Overseer Martin is talking about, all this "thinking that you've gained domination over me" this and "Outsider's Eyes" that. Is the man mad? Ted is beginning to feel very uneasy talking to a clearly irrational man, even if Martin is a member of the clergy. Then again, exactly what denomination of Christianity has the position of Overseer?]

S-Sorry, I-I-I didn't realize I was causing you any trouble. I-I guess if you can just tell me the way back to the docks, that'd be great. [Yes, maybe get away from this man before he gets further upset. But what is it he is so mad about? Wait, he mentioned something about the Abbey throwing him into the stocks- that sounds like rather barbaric practice for the church to still be carrying out in this day and age, but maybe that has something to do with the man's current poor mood? Perhaps all Martin needs is a bit of sympathy and he'll be much calmer.]

A-And sorry, by the way, about the stocks. I can't imagine you did anything to warrant being put in them, right? I suppose your fellow, um, "overseers" were just having a bit of a laugh?

Yes, I suppose you thought you were bringing me great joy with your incessant questioning. I can see how you might be confused.

[Martin sneers and lays his hand on the hilt of his sword. He has no intention of doing anything helpful for the priest at this point, so he makes no comment on the docks. Not that his loose tongue will let him do anything other than continue digging himself into a hole.]

Didn't do anything to warrant it? I engineered the escape of a convicted murderer. Given the act of treason, I'm actually quite fortunate that the furthest they got was sticking me in the stocks for a day and a half. If Corvo hadn't come along when he had, well, then I don't think we would be having this conversation.

[His grip on his sword tightens in frustration. Ted's feigned innocence in the wake of Martin's inability to keep from sharing his secrets infuriates the former Overseer.]

T-Treason?! [Ted's eyes go wide. He is still lost about who the various cast of Martin's tangled story are, but if what Martin's saying is true, Ted had no idea he's been talking to a criminal this whole time. That would explain the nervous, crazy, unexpected accusations and mood swings displayed by Martin, but at the same time, that knowledge only makes matters worse. Pensively, Ted starts backing up. He's no fighter, especially not against a man with a sword, which Ted now notes Martin has.]

N-Now calm down there, Overseer Martin...n-no need to over-react. I assure you I never meant to cross any lines. There's no reason for us to, you know, u-use that. I promise I won't tell anyone anything if you j-just let me be on my way. S-See...? I'm leaving! [He takes a few more nervous steps backwards.]

[Martin is not amused.]

And who exactly won't you tell? The Lord Regent? No, you're far too spineless to be one of his men. The Outsider, perhaps? He wouldn't need you to tell him anything. He's always watching, looking for a way into the minds of men.

[He draws his sword yet doesn't yet directly point it at Ted.]

Since it seems I've told you so much already, why don't you return the favor and tell me who you're working for?

[Ted sees the drawn blade and swallows hard. He stares at Martin, shaking ever so slightly from very thinly disguised fear.]

W-Who do I work for? [The question surprises Ted, as he assumes his distinct priest clothing make it very clear. But then again, Martin is a criminal and a crazy one at that.] I-I work for the Catholic church. I-I'm a priest.

[Ted takes another step or two backwards, eyes remaining on the sword.] Y-You're not really...going to use that on me, are you?

A priest?

[Martin does little to disguise is disbelief.]

Perhaps you're like to try that again, Boyo?

[At the question of the sword, the Overseer simply offers a wry smile.]

I may use it, yes. It all depends on whether or not you feel like talking.

N-no, I really am a priest! [Ted's eyes are huge and switching back and forth from staring at the sword to looking at Martin then back to the sword.] I-I can have other priests vouch for me! A-And there's really no need to use that sword, y-you can trust me! I promise not to tell a soul about anything you've said to me if you just let me on my way!

[He swallows hard.] B-Besides, y-you don't want to hurt me. It's already bad enough to be in trouble for treason, but I-I'm sure you could think of a way out of it. You don't want to add murder to your charges, do you?

[Martin chuckles and puts his free hand on his hip.]

I've murdered before; it wouldn't be so hard to do it again.

[Ah, damn. That's out in the open now too. His expression drops and he frowns.]

It's not something I'm proud of and I would have preferred you didn't know about it. But it seems I can't keep anything from you.

[His tone is bitter and he sheaths his sword after a moment's thought.]

No, I won't kill you. Not now, anyway.

[Seeing Martin put the sword away lets Ted relax a little, but only ever so slightly. After all, he just admitted to being a murderer and he clearly is not right in the head.]

Y-You won't kill me? Oh thank God! [Ted wipes the sweat off his brow, but then freezes.] Wait- w-what do you mean, "not now"? A-aren't you going to let me leave?

Only if you leave and never return.

[Martin's tone is casual but blunt.]

I'd go now, Crilly, while I'm feeling generous.

[Ted, on guard, starts nodding.]

Yes, well, don't worry there. If I can help it, y-you'll never see me again...

[Ted watches Martin for a moment, making sure the man in serious about letting him leave. When he sees no motion from the Overseer, he quickly spins around and starts running like the dickens.]

Give me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

The Abbey of the Everyman, the Catholic Church...we all get our clothes somewhere. :P

No masks in the Catholic church, though.

It's true. And no dishonored Royal Protectors to manipulate into doing the church's bidding

Which is a pity

Don't worry Teague, Ted'll have some good questions for you once he gets a bit more grounded.

No worries

Re: No worries

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Too bad Ted doesn't have the Heart, then he'd never have gotten himself into this mess...

I somehow doubt he'd enjoy carrying a sentient heart regardless of its aid

I don't know that Corvo enjoys it either, but hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

no subject

no subject