On the topic of it being a hoax; you probably haven’t considered the notion that it was only partially a hoax. Perhaps those people really were shot, but it was the NVR that was behind their deaths? I can easily see how this story getting out could be spun to paint anti-NVR patriots as Pure Evil™.

In any case, you need to be sure that you at least have some of the whole truth. That eyewitness might be hard to get ahold of. Do you know the identities of the deceased? Going to their families can be a good, unexpected angle you could work for making sure that those people really did die. If and/or when you do confirm fatalities, it should be safe to run the summary report (remember to keep all opinions neutral, and only say it how it is; that people claiming to be opposition shot these people dead), which should give you some breathing room to compose a follow-up.

>>856474
Do both. Address your concerns to your boss and underscore that you're going to investigate any potentiality of falsehoods via talking to this single witness. It might also be prudent to try and get the identities of all those involved and see if they were sent to any morgue. Also, as stated previously, try looking for the families survivors as well. Dead bodies and missing loved one's should help conform whether or not it is faked.

First, should you give hubby a call?

Are the rifles they used military or police issue? What about the backpacks or balaclavas?

And there's no sense in not investigating something this important.

Colina 2018/01/05(Fri)19:27 No. 856499 ID: fb6306
File 151520925134.png - (57.14KB , 600x600 , 1-13.png )

A false flag operation, huh? That's a pleasant thought. Hard to pitch without sounding like a conspiracy nut, and even harder to prove true. You do not want to insinuate that you think that the NVR would do something like that, but they definitely would do something like that. The city is currently short on a viable police force, so the Republic hasn't been able to enforce their policies very strongly. Or protect its citizens.

Tomorrow, you'll do some research on the alleged dead and talk to the solitary witness. You'll probably need to talk to your police informant to find information on the witness - he might be reluctant to give out this information, as well he should be, but you think he trusts you enough. Unfortunately, you can't think of a definitive piece of evidence that would tie the attack directly to the NVR. It doesn't help that an anti-Republic movement certainly exists in the Vilnoy.

You recall back to the video for any details that might hint at NVR affiliation. The rifles they used were military-issue, but not to the Tafarlan army. Vilnoy, the former capital of Táfarla, has since become a city state, leaving the country with no internationally recognized capital, so there isn't much of a military right now.

Colina 2018/01/05(Fri)19:27 No. 856500 ID: fb6306
File 151520926381.png - (95.20KB , 639x337 , 1-14.png )

No, those rifles were 66-Masko rifles, from Pachasavi. Surplus from the Pachasavi War for Independence from Lutania (which they lost) has been flooding into Táfarla for nearly a decade. The NVR used Pachasavi weaponry during the siege of Vilnoy, too, but... that's doesn't really prove anything. You can find street thugs with Pachasavi rifles.

Alright this has me even more confused. The NVR isn't a military coup? they're some kind of separatist movement that managed to decapitate Tafarlan military leadership and gain international recognition to call Vilnoy a separate state? Why do they even want to be separate from the rest of the country?

Colina 2018/01/05(Fri)22:43 No. 856548 ID: fb6306
File 151522101224.png - (60.99KB , 600x600 , 1-15.png )

The NVR would love to have you and everyone else believe that they heroically sacked the oppressive monarchy, subduing its military and freeing is beleaguered people. In reality it wasn't that simple. They were a low-level band of anti-establishment radicals who took advantage of Tafarla's involvement in the failed independence war in Pachasavi, along with some dodgy leadership that saw the purges of some of the kingdom's top generals.

After backing the losing country against a nation as powerful as Lutania and stringing up its military leadership... it was about time for someone even less competent to grab the reigns. Enter the New Vilnoy Republic. Their power over the country is so weak that it barely extends fifty miles out of the city, let alone to the national borders. A massive chunk of what little police force the city has goes to preventing citizens from getting past that point to defect.

You're hop-

Some people are hoping for Lutanian intervention in this before it gets much worse, but

well

Luta Nol isn't happy with Táfarla since it backed the losers, and it's been almost a decade of this shit. You've lost all hope in help from outside of Vilnoy.


Your cigarette is down to the filter now, and you're not quite so tired. You actually think you're past the point where you could go back to sleep. Actually a cup of coffee would be better than sex right now, so you head back inside and make yourself one. So what, are you going to stay at work? Go home? Or are you going to do something else?

At this point, it's clear that the current iteration of the NVR is doomed.

The real dread comes from whatever is waiting to reap the carcass for their own ends, be they NVR elitists or rival puppet masters. Either way, you'll never know why.

Now finish this stupid report, and don't worry about the quality because it's clear enough.

Is there some shitty curfew that'll give some asshole political officer an excuse to harass you in the street?

Otherwise, there's nothing you should do here without getting a few hours sleep first, so maybe you should go home.

>>856548
....If the terrorists are able to casually rampage through the city, how have they NOT wiped out the government at this point? This is getting confusing.

Just go home to your husband and curl up on him.

>>856548
Time for home and sleep.

The event wasn't faked or instigated by NVR. If it was, then the police (which works for NVR) wouldn't had confiscated the tapes and they wouldn't deny the event happening. So without further evidence, there's no reason to bring this to your director.

Go home.

Go home. You could reasonably call in sick after transcribing that video.

>>856548
A weak government ruling by force for TEN YEARS? that is an incredible power vacuum, an unbalanced status quo. Lutania (or Táfarla, i guess) must be getting something out of the situation remaining as it is and are enforcing it to do so.

I very much doubt it was 100% fake, those guys were probably really shot. You can probably publish and follow up on your false flag suspicions after, there is no need to delay. probably.

If tensions are running this high, do you really want to be out on the streets at 3am?

Stay the course. It hasn't killed you yet.

>>856567

I'm guessing it was also the police who are the only ones claiming the Parliment received any tapes, and they only leaked that information to you guys. You're the only ones who know anything happened. If your inside contact has been found out, the cops might be making them think their cover hasn't been blown, in order to "leak" false evidence.

And don't think that the cops don't know exactly how to make fake murder seem convincing. The movies make it unrealistic on purpose, because who wants their movie to make people hurl?

So tell your director that without any sources other than the cops and anonymous (who could be the cops), this is probably a setup that would break your organization. Also tell him that you don't really have a story to report yet at all. Evidence of a coverup would be newsworthy, information about the group doing this, even a heartstring twanging piece interviewing the survivors and bereaved. But all you have is the transcript of some people nobody's ever heard of killing some people who you don't even know are dead.

Then give him the transcript, go home, and get some sleep. You might not have a newspaper to return to when you wake up, but this is the best chance you got.

Roaming the streets at 3 am doesn't sound like the best of ideas considering the people from that tape could be out there.

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)00:04 No. 856734 ID: fb6306
File 151531228988.png - (95.46KB , 600x600 , 1-16.png )

You just go home, hoping you don't get shot on the way. You always hope that, but today you hope extra hard. Your experience on the night train is typical: you pick one of the forty empty seats on the passenger car, a man walks in after you and chooses the one right next to you. He promptly falls asleep, snoring loudly.

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)00:05 No. 856735 ID: fb6306
File 151531230357.png - (39.95KB , 600x600 , 1-17.png )

You run up the dimly lit stairwell to your floor and find unit 403. The lights in the hallway are still flickering. You're pretty sure you recently celebrated the one year anniversary of your calling the landlord about that.

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)00:05 No. 856736 ID: fb6306
File 151531231313.png - (22.81KB , 600x600 , 1-18.png )

The lights are off inside, save for a street lamp shining directly outside the apartment's single, blinded window. You could head for the kitchen (which is out of food), take a shower, or go straight to bed.

>>856736
wash off the sin.

>>856736
Grab a knife from the kitchen because paranoia, then go take a shower.

Take the unsexiest shower possible.

>>856736
peek in kitchen, shower then bed

>>856736
Have a head-clearing shower

Is your shower broken. Because you're going to masturbate in there for the next two hours to help you forget.

It sounds like you should check to make sure the place is empty before you do anything else.

Bed.

>>856736
Look around to see if your husband is here, then shower.

Yes, attractive ladies should always take a knife with them into the shower.

>>856736
The hot water will help for the few minutes it lasts, because why wouldn't your water heater be a broken piece of shit?

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)16:15 No. 856877 ID: fb6306
File 151537055535.png - (49.28KB , 600x600 , 1-19.png )

Into the shower. A little bit of water sounds good, since you're just a ball of nerves right now. A writhing wad of stress worms.

Squeak











squeak

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)16:16 No. 856878 ID: fb6306
File 151537056503.png - (42.78KB , 600x600 , 1-20.png )

Yes, the shower is broken.

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)16:16 No. 856879 ID: fb6306
File 151537057715.png - (62.27KB , 600x600 , 1-21.png )

It's time for bed. Emile is asleep on the other side. Are you going to wake him up? You can think of a few things to ask him, including but not limited to why the fucking shower isn't working. Otherwise, you can let him sleep.

Wake him up and ask him if he's awake.

>>856879
you were out late again, far as the shower problems go you can probably call it eye for an eye there.

nudge him awake, give em a kiss

>>856879
Let him sleep.

>>856879
Go to sleep. Cuddle up to him maybe, but don't wake him.

>>856879
There's nothing you could discuss with him that couldn't possibly wait till morning. Let him sleep.

Not like you got some kind of lock on rough days.
Let him sleep. He needs it too.

>>856879
Just go to bed, we can deal with this in the morning. Maybe the terrorists blew up the water treatment plant or something, who knows. Or cares.

Rest without waking up him; after everything today, you deserve a good one.

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)23:17 No. 856946 ID: fb6306
File 151539582795.png - (46.31KB , 600x600 , 1-22.png )

You don't sleep well since that video tape is still fresh on your mind. Not wanting to wake up Emile, you lie still for a while before giving up and getting out of bed. The sun is up anyway. You could probably use some

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)23:17 No. 856947 ID: fb6306
File 151539583935.png - (61.21KB , 600x600 , 1-23.png )

NO


You frantically turn the handle of the faucet in the kitchen. There's no water coming out of the sink, either.

Colina 2018/01/07(Sun)23:17 No. 856948 ID: fb6306
File 151539585181.png - (70.59KB , 600x600 , 1-24.png )

S H I T

NO WATER MEANS NO COFFEE

Coffee is an institution in Táfarla, where some of the very finest in the world is grown. More importantly, it lets you function in the morning. After a night like last night, you need it more than ever.

Well, at least your electricity is still working

(If it stops working the second you think this, you're moving to another town. Period.)

>>856948
Why is there no water? You paid your bill, right?

...you could get some water out of the toilet tank.

Demand answers from your husband. If you don't get to wake up, he doesn't get to sleep.

oh jeez what if that happens and then a comedic series of utility malfunction and shutoffs happen

Do you have a landlord to complain to, or are they just useless?

>>856948
Have some bottled water left?

>>856948
Okay.
So, either the bill ain't paid or something screwy is going on.
Do you have any bottled water? Do you have any neighbors who would be willing to give you some water?

Saliva is water. Just chew the beans or grounds.

Then go dip water out of the toilet cistern to fill your kettle. But if for some reason there's not enough water in there then you're gonna have to throw on some clothes (making absolutely sure you have your keys) and go out to get water. Preferably from a friendly neighbor or a friend elsewhere in the building. Failing that, a drinking fountain, garden faucet or public restroom sink somewhere in the building.

Just make sure you don't wake your hubby up 'cause then he'll want coffee too and you're not going to share. You're gonna need the whole goddamn pot to get through today.

So who's supposed to be in charge of paying the water bill? Though, the water utility usually don't turn the service off after one missed payment, do they? Or is the water included in your rent? Maybe the landlord has been failing to pay the water bill for the building. Or the service line to the building broke, or a water main broke farther upstream, or who knows what.

Visit your neighbors and ask for water.

>>856948
Wait... Coffee is that important around here?

OH GOD, THE TERRORISTS BLEW UP THE UTILITY PLANT TO SPARK A REVOLUTION!

>>856948
Bottled water? If not, I'm sorry but you will need to do the worst adult thing; put on pants. Landlord will know what's up.

>>856948
Go to the douche-y coffee shop near your place and pay for some of that black goodness and scone

>>856948
Kill your husband, drain the blood from his body, and use it to make coffee.

He'll understand.

Can't you just @#$% your husband and use the sexual fluids for water?

>>856948
No offence, but you're kind of a pussy. Throwing up because of a video, and now throwing a fit over coffee? Man up!

If you have any neighbors you're on good/okay terms with, I'd check with them and see if it isn't something going on with the whole building. Maybe get some water too.

>>857099
>Man up!
She can't! She's a woman!

Go outside and shout at the sky in frustration.

I think it's time to wake up Emile and ask whats up with the water?

>>857179
>>857099
The gender-neutral term is "fortify."

>>858313
The actual gender-neutral term is a non-literal understanding of figures of speech.

Make your blood boil at this reveal and use that for water instead.

>>858441
I'd hate to generalize, but we need our blood.

Colina 2018/01/17(Wed)21:31 No. 859281 ID: fb6306
File 151625349413.png - (63.92KB , 600x600 , 1-25.png )

You hear the bed creak. Emile walks out into the main room. Hm, he probably would understand if you had to use his blood to make coffee. He would have done the same.

You turn around slowly and say, "Why's there no water?"

Colina 2018/01/17(Wed)21:31 No. 859282 ID: fb6306
File 151625350708.png - (79.42KB , 600x600 , 1-26.png )

"It's government!" says Emile, throwing his arms up, "Utility officerman came up and down the block! He said there's only water three days a week now! No power either!"

"What?! Why?" you ask, setting the kettle on the stove top with a grating rattle.

"Resource ration?" he says, gesturing in frustration as he searches for every word, "I don't know! No one talk at me ever!"

Ask if you can use his blood to make coffee?

We have to join the government.

They have all the coffee.

So I take it he isn't from around here then by the way he talks. Ask him if he got the three days that the water would be on.

>>859282
It's time to topple the government.

Colina 2018/01/17(Wed)22:44 No. 859302 ID: fb6306
File 151625785957.png - (42.33KB , 600x600 , 1-27.png )

"Did you catch what days we would have water?" you ask.

"'Go home cat'! What week day is this?" says Emile, "That is the favorite day for V-town. Water will be in on 'go home cat' until 'fuck you'."

"He wouldn't tell you?" you search the cupboards for something to at least eat for breakfast. They are empty save for some of a bag of flower and a small bag of whole peppercorns. "That's his job."

"I keep tell you!" he says, walking back into the bedroom to get dressed, but continuing to talk, "no one talks at a Pachasavi. Not here! Government men are allergic to cat!"

You look into the bedroom and see a shirt fly across the room, past the door and toward the bed.

"I can't visit nokhovai. Note. Too much work!" says Emile between the clatter of dresser drawers opening and closing. Sometimes he says 'note' when he means 'no'.

Nokhovai, you gather, translates roughly to enclave, but sometimes is used to mean ghetto. It's the swath of Vilnoy populated by Pachasavi refugees. It's the last day of the work week at least, and you suppose you could offer to go there with Emile this weekend. You had plans already to see a show with some friends, so you'd have to cancel that. It's up to you!

For now, you should get to work. You're thirsty and unshowered and uncaffeinated and not in the best of moods.

No, riot instead.

Ask him if he knows what three days you'll have water.

Also, who is in charge of your utilities?

>>859282
Wow... you married someone who doesn't share the same language as you so well.

Did he learn the language for you or was he still speaking like this when you first started dating?

A show sounds like a place terrorists would target and that you should avoid. At the same time, a refugee enclave sounds like something a dictatorship would like to target.

I recommend hiding under the sink forever.

cry alittle and hug him then have him help you start a revolution

Seduce him.

Yeah, a short vacation might be in order. You'll be stripped for cash for a few years, but it's better than losing your mind over a few cups of coffee and getting yourself gunned down by authorities on the street.

Call Dárala and ask her if she has water and electricity and if she does, ask if you and Emile can stay at her place for a while.

Or alternatively just ask her if you can shower and get a cup of coffee and some breakfast.

they can't just shut off water without warning! people need that to live! what do they expect, no running water so people would just hold their thirst in for a few days? this is insane. this is revolution-inducingly insane. you work in a newspaper. it might be time to rile the people up.

Scratch plans for the show. It might be a good idea to head over into the Pachasavi refugee quarters- they're people who had to scratch out a living back in their homeland, I'm sure they'd be much more resourceful than the average Tafarlan.

Besides, black markets that cater to tafarlans (you're going to need food, and maybe water if the ration gets reduced further) will jack up prices accordingly, but to ones that sell to the Pachasavi refugees might charge lower prices (after all, it has to be realistically affordable).

A show doesn't fix the problem of looming shortages and perhaps even a food crisis. Better start prepping early.

Don't cancel your plans with friends, you're going to need time to blow off steam. Some steam would be nice right now, to condense for a cup of coffee. Oh well, back to the place you just left.

Kiss your husband, keep your plans, you live at work now

>>859302
Fuck this shit, go out, grab a rifle and start shooting.

IT'S TIME TO FIX THIS TOWN, ONE DEAD DICTATOR AT A TIME.

>>859506
START THE REVOLUTION!

>>859448
This one.

Let's be good. Pretty sure being denied coffee is marginally better than being shot in the face.

>>859302
Hug him. Collapse onto him in frustrated no-water no-coffee no-useful-officials no-helpful-talking solidarity. Note!

I mean you sort of need something to hold you up in place of coffee anyways.

DONT LISTEN TO THE REVOLUTION-STARTERS THEY'RE JUST NVR FEDS OUT TO GET YOU

>>859539
This.

i don't understand, this is so dumb.
in a crisis a government can either jack up water prices, drop water pressure so you can't really use it for much more than drink or ration water (say 3 liters a day per person).
you do not cut off water for days at a time. that's a pretty good way to kill the weak: infants, the sick and the old. the hit to their economy from all those people dying would hurt more than any water frugality can possibly help.

also, if you know any infants, old or sick people you may want to either help them somehow or say goodbye, because their odds are not great if this thing lasts for more than a week.

Vent some frustrations via a hug.

You should probably at least put on some fresh clothes or something. Pray there's coffee at work.

>>859302
mondays amirite

>>859859
It's probably on alternating days, as opposed to three days with water/4 days without.

It's still absurd though.

>>859859
Which leads to an important question:

Do they still WANT to be a government, or are they planning something big that does not require the consent, popularity, or lives of Vilnoy?

Keep in mind, something as ridiculous as Amestris has a low probability of occurring... but then, the minds of mere common workers cannot fathom the levels of complexity needed to separate the survival of the government leaders from their nation. And they are prevented from fathoming the simplicity of the motives of a king slaughtering his cattle.