[Video] We interrupt this program to bring you a special message

[onecream_fivesugar]

[Robyn had just wanted to go spend some time with her aunt, they were going to get ice cream and have a grand old time. The last thing she expected or wanted to have was a group of mafia goons suddenly swarm her on the street and pull her into a black van that had just swerved up to the curb. The thugs had come, swept Robyn up and had disappeared just as fast as they come. She tried her best to fend them off but well... She was a sixteen year old girl with the power to summon rose petals randomly and run kind of fast. She wasn't prepared or capable or defending herself from something like this.

Over twenty four hours had passed since that happened. Of course, Robyn had no idea what time it was, she had completely lost track of time a few hours in. She hadn't even heard much from the thugs after they brought to god knows where. When they arrived they had sat her down in a chair, tied, gagged and blindfolded her only to back off and leave her without another or word or an explanation as to why they were doing this. She could hear them speaking in hushed tones, but none of them would answer her muffled cries.

So she did the only things she could: she squirmed and tried to break free to no avail, she screamed, she cried, she slept a little but not much. She was too terrified to do that for very long.

Eventually Someone did approach her. Told her that they'd let her go if she helped them deliver a message. ...Robyn agreed. They untied her hands, removed the gag and blindfold and shortly after they gave her a laptop. It didn't take her long after that to connect to the network.

[ As soon as he's sure that Robyn seems to have connected to the mystery numbers network, a man steps forward. Anyone who has ever Googled him should recognise him, since he's pretty distinctive-looking, but he's going to introduce himself for the benefit of people who haven't. What a lovely man. ]

Well, hello. Assuming my friend here is telling the truth and you can all see me - and she better be -

[ He places a hand on Robyn's head. It's an unmistakably threatening gesture. Robyn flinches at the touch, but she's not in a position to stop him. ]

- then I assume you all know who I am. Albero. Mr. Albero. And I have a proposal for your, ah... collective.

[ He grins, lowering his shades just enough to peer over the top of them. ]

Get out of my city. You're in the way. Pack your freak bags and get the hell out. You do that, and I won't come after you. The unpleasantness will stop. You stay here? Me and the family keep having our fun. And believe me, my unsavoury friends, we have been having a lot of fun with this. You're great entertainment! Bravo. But all good things must come to an end, huh?

[ He ruffles Robyn's hair, still grinning in an incredibly unpleasant manner. Fresh tears well up in her eyes. ]

To prove I can keep my promises, I'll be letting my new friend here go home by the end of the day. As long as nobody tries anything stupid, anyhow. Sounds good, right, princess?

[Robyn whimpers and looks away, her eyes fixed on the ground as tears stream down her cheeks.]

[ He crouches so that he's at Robyn's level, still smiling into the camera as he takes is hand from her head and instead grips her shoulder. Rather too hard, unfortunately - hopefully she doesn't bruise easily. ]

[Robyn bit her lip and shook her head frantically. She tried to stop herself from making a sound, but despite her efforts she let out a pained groan.]

I suggest you all consider my offer. [And to Robyn:] End it.

[Robyn's arms shook and she slowly raised trembling hands to the laptop again, her fingers fumbled on the keyboard but she didn't actually shut down her connection to the network. Albero stepped away from the computer to speak to a few of the men that had been holding Robyn over the last day, leaving her alone with the network open for now. Does anyone want to say hi?]

[OOC: Used red for Robyn bits!]

text;

[siesinddasessen]

If anyone tries to free Robyn, you will have crossed me.

Albero has reason to keep his promise right now, and he doesn't like people that cross his path, you should have realized that by now. Useless interference might not only cause her harm but kill her and harm all of us. Let Albero think that we're considering it. It will buy all of us time.

[Closed]

[arrowpoint]

Who: Liam & Ariel
What: Liam tries to fix things
When: September 1st, Evening
Where: Ariel's condo

( Insert angsty song lyrics here only not really. )

Voice

[ghostly_heiress]

[There's this girl again, with her far too young, but steady voice.]

Robyn is my friend. When the message first started, I wanted to run to save her.

Until Albero made the promise.

I'm not saying fear him. I'm not saying we take his deal to leave town. All I care about is Robyn right now, the rest will come later.

The one who has the best chance of getting Robyn out of there unscathed is Cure Phantom and anyone with his power set. However, it's also known that the mob knows the powers that would do it and if they have even an inkling of belief he will be sneaky, they likely have a back up plan for it.

But this is the thing: Albero is a business man. He's not just some psychopath off the street, he runs an organization, an effective organization. That requires intelligence and the ability to manipulate.

Robyn is meant to manipulate us, but it's to manipulate us to his advantage. If we rush in and get her killed, that is a hit to our morale. A 'look, you tried OH so hard, and what do you get? A dead girl.' I know that won't break some, but it will break others, and that means the numbers who would go against him are down.

If no one rushes in, Robyn will not be hurt. If he hurts Robyn once we listen to him, then he's the only one at fault. Anyone who cares about Robyn, to anyone who cares about innocents, to anyone who just hates people doing what he does, will be against him, and with a personal vendetta. He loses if he breaks his promise. All he has to gain in killing Robyn is one dead Numbered who doesn't even have the truly terrifying powers.

If Robyn is let go, then there is a chance people will believe him. People will leave without thinking this is some trap to weed us out, that they'll be safe if they're gone. He wants this because if even some take this deal, that still means numbers are down, and he's winning. There is also the possibility he could find out unknown Numbered because they'll sure to tend to her, so be careful when you do go visit Robyn.

In the game of manipulation, you need the other side to be confident to trust you to act a certain way. Which means keeping your word until you can pull off a decisive win. He can't right now, so he is telling the truth.

The best chance Robyn has to get out relatively okay is to wait. Not because of fear, but because it's what's best for HER, and because it puts us in the best position to deal with him AFTER she's safe.