Sigil: City of Doors

A response soon sent after the last column

Well, aren't we a self-righteous, pampered and prepped up berk? Here's a dark for you: you're clueless. And you're called it for a reason! Being in the cage for under a month don't make you an expert. You're still clueless, you damn addle-cove. Here you sit with your interviewer, who probably bleeds having to talk to you, day in, day out. I sure helped you didn't I? Ha! You know I'm actually glad I can tell you this: do yourself a favor and stitch your lips, or you're going to really make someone angry you don't want. You've a very fast track on the "make an enemy" path. Matter of fact, you're already there. Congrats ye addle-cove.

All you do is sit there and yark, yark, yark, and more yark. Here's a thought: quit with the yarkin before someone sues your arse for libel, and that'd be getting off light, believe me. You're just another sour, so you can take that opinion of yours and stick it in your mouth, seeing as it's your arse that's all you be talking out.

Signed with love from your "bickering little girl,"

~Chiriu of Twilight

P.S. Pike it

Another reply is made as well, this time by a completely different individual.

wrote: In regards to this farce of a news service. You so easily let the berk skirt around questions. The Fact is, if he wants to make a point, make it short and to the point. Now if he wants to call what he said about phantom fact, the readers should have a right to the proof of such. Stop obfuscating the point with your pointless bantering on matters that are completely unrelated to the question, it makes you sound like a pompous arse in all honesty. As for why I question you on these so called facts, here are a few excerpts. And I quote as follows.

wrote:He did, and I’ve heard him say it to several others. Phantom is possessed by a need to be recognized for his self-perceived greatness, and that’s his sole motivator in all that he does. Take his involvement in E NOW – I’ve been following it and have had opportunity to speak with several key players, and they all share a similar observation in Phantom. If one questions his ideas, his approach to issues, then he becomes combative and defensive. Several individuals are considering separating themselves from E NOW as a direct result of Phantom’s behavior.

I also direct attention to the following.

wrote:NU: My relationship varies. There is a group I described in an earlier interview that behaves like a bunch of twelve year old school girls – that group consists of Alista and Chiriu, among a few other periphery women. I regard them as being completely inconsequential. One of the periphery women, a winged one named Zilvai, is interesting, but is much too similar to Phantom in her quest to be seen for greatness. There are several others who are even worse than Zilvai and literally shove their self-aggrandizing opinions down one’s throat – Felicia and Kattarynne to name two.

And least of all, this in the latest segment.

wrote:Let me remind our readers that I’ve only said three things – which are how Phantom introduces himself. Fact. My opinion, which I stated as opinion, to his personality type. And Alista’s and Chiriu’s incessant hugging and poking. Also fact.

Really, if you want to deem something as fact, please for the love of berks everywhere, display your proof.

And as for what was mentioned about a certain reporter, she would be much better off illustrating her so called facts with unbiased evidence as well. If she wants to spew such, let her. And Nero really, really be careful in who you praise, especially Oerianna. The way her articles have been going, and judging by a thorough analysis of both her articles and events... seems your so called friend may not be as innocent as you believe. I will leave you in your arrogance to connect the dots yourself.

As for a message I would like to get out there to both Nero and Oerianna, be careful of what you say, what you report as fact. My eyes are on you both, and if it comes to the point that this circus triggers even more events that further suffering, I shall personally see to it that things are ended.

This is just a copy, the original letter shall be kept on me. If my words are twisted around for either of your own ends, I will know about it. Everybody lies and everybody has your secrets. Nero and Oerianna, I know you have your own secrets you would like to keep, so you better hope that I don't find this note twisted. If it doesn't make it into sigis, or is edited at all, or words get twisted so you can attempt to get the advantage, I would really recommend you both be more aware of your colleagues, acquaintances, surroundings... and remember, both of your careers are in the balance. It would be a shame if your lives wound up completely ruined.

~A Watcher in The Dark.

~PS: The same goes if you don't include the drawing as well in the publication.

At the bottom of the letter there would be a well done drawing of feet, legs, and a arse. A tophat is resting on top of the arse and a face is drawn on it, which happens to be wearing a monocle. It is encircled with a few words, the word 'Nero' up on top, the words 'Pompous Arsehat' underneath it.

The letter would be delivered to sigis in a scroll case made of the finest Twelve-trees bark jink could buy. There are no identifying features at all on the case. The deliverer doesn't identify himself at all, for he looks like an ordinary delivery person. If Questioned, the only thing he would say is that the individual who told him to deliver it went by the name of N.

In the meantime "N" is keeping a so called "eye" out.

*Reading over the letter regarding her, Oerianna doesn't even bother rolling her eyes.*

Musing to herself: "Does he or she really believe that this is the very first time I've been threatened over my writing?" *Sighing* "Everyone wants to have an editorial. I don't know if I should be flattered or annoyed."

i had been hesitant to address this situation, as there are actual problems in this city that need dealt with, but i cannot sit idly by any longer. let's take a look at the facts, shall we?

wrote:I suppose I donÂ’t. ThereÂ’s a certain type of people who are primarily driven by, well, a need to be recognized. ItÂ’s much like how I described belief to you in our last interview. These people believe in themselves and they desperately need others to believe the same. ItÂ’s an indication of an underlying lack of confidence, one that is typically veiled beneath monumental arrogance.

this, quite frankly, is the most hypocritical thing i've ever seen printed in this paper. remind me. who is the one conducting regular interviews in a gossip column, bragging to the public about details of their life? both public and private. truth be told, i've given you a single detail about me, which is more than most ever get. you, on the other hand, have an entire gossip column dedicated to yourself.

wrote:Phantom is possessed by a need to be recognized for his self-perceived greatness, and thatÂ’s his sole motivator in all that he does.

this is not only a bold faced lie, it's defamation of character. if i were a petty man who cared about such a thing, legal action would have resulted. this is not stated as an opinion. this is stated as a fact.

wrote:LetÂ’s just say that Calli knows better than anyone the difference between my harmless flirting and compliments, and what it actually means to be the focus of my attention

as you intruded on my respite in elysium with that lass, watching you peel your clothes off seemed quite a bit more than "harmless flirting" i'm not saying anything definitive, i'll let the readers decide for themselves.

wrote:Aspect of Shadow, and the Hand that Changes Fate.

the most important thing any investigator can do is ask questions. who, what, when, where, why. you bypassed all of these and drew your own conclusions. that's hardly the work you claim to do. perhaps a bit more investigation, and a bit less time asking women to dinner could help you see the truth as it actually is, instead of attempting to masquerade uninformed opinions as fact?

wrote:There is a group I described in an earlier interview that behaves like a bunch of twelve year old school girls – that group consists of Alista and Chiriu

once again, further opinion dictated as fact. and once more, further defamation of character. these two may wish to show you that actions have consequences, a lesson you seem to have never learned.
----------------

all this being said, i must admit, i'm quite shocked at your distaste for someone who helped you as you were beginning your career here. i'm guessing you've overlooked that case i paid you five thousand gold to do. it was not work. it was charity to the clueless, (which in almost all ways you still are, make no mistake about that.) you claimed to be an investigator new to the city. i gave you a chance to look into the character of a man who was interested in working with you. i also used that investigation of yours to conduct one of my own. it was a test nero, and you did not perform as nearly well as you were expected to based on your own advertisements. as a mater of fact, i even did some cross checking, and not a single person i interviewed had even spoke with you. these were not random people off of the street. these were people you yourself claimed to have spoken to during this assignment. it makes one wonder if you had even bothered to attempt to earn the gold at all, or simply spouted off what you believe i wished to hear. regardless of the truth of that matter, you can keep the gold. it was charity after all.

if you would be interested in actually trying to earn your title of investigator, there are those i am willing to introduce you to who can help you. if you are simply using the title to try to impress women, then it would be appreciated if you did not make yourself such a public spectacle. there are honest, hard working people who take that job upon themselves every single day. they are not gifted cheese factories. they are not gifted articles in the paper dedicated solely to them their reward is knowing that have done their jobs, and that the city can rest a little safer each night. they put themselves in tremendous personal danger, selflessly, and ask for no recognition in return. these people deserve to be honored. shameless self promotion without actually dealing with the responsibility of the job is nothing short than a slap in the face to each and every one of them.

words mean nothing, nero. actions dictate truth. and your actions are witnessed by all who read this paper, and all who attempt to speak to you in the bazaar. perhaps it's time you did a bit of investigation of yourself? it can be your first actual job in the city of doors.

-phantom

nero,

if you wish to apologize, that can be easily accepted. if you wish to offer a token apology laced with several insults, then i believe you to be quite insincere. so, let's begin by addressing your letter.

wrote:My comments were derogatory and unflattering

and i will respond to you, with an excerpt from this very paper

wrote:Allow me to edify you from excerpts in the FraternityÂ’s books:

Slander: oral defamation, in which someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another which untruth will harm the reputation of the person defamed.

Libel: defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.

as you can see, it clearly defines your actions as slander, and the printed words as libel. as my reputation has been damaged due to your words, and the paper's willingness to print them.

wrote:To specifically address Phantom – you and I need to stop as of this moment. What was a bit of poor-taste gossip has snowballed into something that is hindering us both.

true, and it will stop when you choose to refrain from publicly insulting me.

wrote:I have suffered harassment from you and yours

false. you have suffered the consequences of your own actions. adults accept them and learn from them. children throw tantrums and run away. attempting to sway public opinion against someone, then growing upset because the attempt backfired is hardly a mature approach.

wrote:The only facts within your letter are having witnessed me stripping away my clothes while accompanying a young woman to ElysiumÂ’s shores, and our earlier business arrangement of your hiring my investigative services.

true, as they were the only facts i presented. my thanks for confirming them publicly.

wrote:When you asked me whom I had questioned during said investigation, I responded by telling you that I do not ever disclose my sources, but I can tell you that I spoke to ten different individuals. I responded in the negative when you asked if Alista Jarino was among them. AlistaÂ’s was the only name mentioned, and so I find it fascinating that you were able to cross-reference my interviewees, and doubly fascinating that you remember my mentioning names.

i never said that specific names were given, another mistaken opinion presented as fact on your part. you did, however, mention that you spoke to the group of friends that spend time at the wall at khazeets, of which whom i personally questioned.

wrote:Phantom, I will not continue this game with you.

as was stated in my previous response. words mean nothing. actions dictate truth. you continue this game yourself, through your own actions. and you attempt to get the final word in, laced with insults and untruths. if the truth makes you look foolish, perhaps it isn't the truth's fault?

wrote:ItÂ’s true that I harshly spoke of you during my discussions with Miss Bright, but now you have resorted to blatant fabrications.

in my line of work, impeccable honesty is of paramount importance. so this, once again falls into the "defamation of character" category, which, as was previously show, is considered libel as it was printed in this paper.

wrote:I will not address the insult of a man hiring another to investigate himself, the sheer audacity of presuming that youÂ’re in a position to test me, or the arrogance of believing that any investigation into you is worth my time

i asked you to gauge public opinion of me just before the e-now project began. as public opinion was a rather important factor in such an undertaking. the sheer arrogance of a clueless to believe their time not worth a job to help them get started in this city is simply insulting to the people of the cage.

wrote:I’ll also not address your weak grasp of the term “Detective,” as you seem to have confused it with the word “Spy.”

yet another insult in your so called apology. detectives are asked to investigate matters. they are not asked for their opinions of situation. they are asked to look into things, and seek the truth. they are expected to deal solely in facts, and leave any theories, opinions or guesses out until they're confirmed.

wrote:IÂ’m done with this, because despite my deliberate effort to never interrupt and interfere with your personal life,

your behavior has done nothing but disrupt my personal and private life, pulling into the public's eye. a deliberate attempt you personally have admitted to. as you stated your personal mission to remind me that i'm just a man. there were not claims to the contrary by myself. if assumptions were made, then perhaps they need to stop.

wrote:So I call an end to hostilities between you, yours, and myself. I retract and apologize for my offensive statements directed at Phantom, Alista, Chiriu, Zilvai, Felicia, and Katarynne. Additionally IÂ’ll avoid from making such defamatory remarks in the future. I trust this will satisfy all concerned parties.

this was all your letter needed to say. adding more only added fuel to the fire. i may not wish to have anything to do with you, but likewise i will not let you publicly attack my integrity, reputation, and intelligence. this city survived perfectly before either of us entered into it. i, however, can comprehend that it does not need me forcing my views, opinions, and beliefs on it to continue to survive. i also realize that this city will live on after i have left it. perhaps it would be wise if you were to accept these truths as well?

N would deliver yet another response, geared towards the letter from Nero that got posted in S.I.G.I.S.

wrote:Veiled insults in the form of an apology. Too little in the way of sincerity and honesty. If you didn't want the accusations we all have made, perhaps you should have used proven fact instead of the swill you say is fact. I have given pointing them out to you. You are too bleedin arrogant to even listen to a shred of wisdom, so why bother? You have no Idea what half of the people you insulted have actually done and are doing for the multiverse.

You have already started the fire, and I intend to make sure it burns away all your lies, as well as everything else S.I.G.I.S. has twisted and used to harm others in the past. You and S.I.G.I.S. asked for war, so it begins.

~N

At the very bottom of the letter taking up what remains of the empty space, would be an illustration depicting the Torus that is sigil as the balance part of the scale. The symbols for the Triad of Law on one side, the symbols for the triad of chaos on the other. Beneath all of that would the word EquilibruS. ((Yes the s is capitalized))

As per his last response, he goes through the same routine of delivery to keep his identity hidden.

to "N"

while i appreciate your support in this matter, i ask that you do not incite people to violence. as i said to nero, words mean nothing, actions dictate truth. if you persuade people to form an angry mob, complete with torches and pitchforks, you are creating a detrimental action over a few meaningless words. do not fall into that trap. there are better ways to achieve your desired goals, legal ways. i implore you to explore those.

violence creates victims and martyrs. litigation creates results.

-phantom

A simple letter is written in.

If you are not a 'petty man' and disagree with those words, do not follow it up with several pages of response that makes you sound petty. You are the one spending your time and effort picking apart his every word to defend your scorned ego. That is petty.

Just saying.

-L

For the next several days a sealed letter is handed to anyone whom delivers a parcel addressed to Lana Bright, Nero Urbane, or the gossip column. The letter reads:

wrote:Dearest Readers,

While I appreciate and am flattered by the sheer magnitude of your attention, recent communiqués have become somewhat caustic. Unfortunately this publication isn’t accepting any more material on this topic for an undefined period of time, as the allegations have clearly become personal in nature. Please settle your differences with each other and Mr. Urbane in your own methods and leave S.I.G.I.S. to continue its work. Please, also be aware and understand that all subsequent responses to this topic will not be published, as we’re not a forum for arguing personal grievances. This applies to everyone, including Mr. Urbane.

Thank you,
Lana Bright