test drive 02

[thestewards]

I know dust grows even when there is a breeze
Can't move, can't grow When you've fallen on your knees

► All TDM threads may be considered canon provided both parties agree and are accepted into the game.

► Canon threads may be redeemed for influence and reputation depending on how you solve the issue at hand or how you engage with the prompt. They also count toward AC.

► Feel free to switch up your character's Jewel from thread to thread. Get a feel for how a Birthright Jewel may limit or enhance your character's abilities.

HOT UNDER THE COLLARD GREENS
The relationship between the Blood and the landens has never been easy anywhere, least of all Draega, and even less so now that the Strangers have arrived. Between Blood and landen, opinions on the Strangers vary wildly. Some Blood believe the Strangers were landen in their original worlds and thus cannot possibly have anything to offer, but some landens think this means that the Strangers will be more sympathetic to them—or that landens could gain the power of the Blood one day, too. Then there are the landens who think the Strangers have sold their souls to Queen Fayura to gain the Jewels and the Blood who think the Strangers have embraced what it truly means to be Blood. Whatever that means.

Tensions are high, and they're highest on the main street of the Old Town Bazaar, where two restaurants have an on-going feud. The Last Meal is owned by a Blood family, none of whom wear a Jewel darker than Yellow. Across the street from them stands the mockingly named Blood and Breakfast, owned by a landen family.

To say these two hate each other would be something of an understatement.

On this particular morning, Lord Harle, the Yellow Jeweled owner and chef at The Last Meal, comes storming out of his front door. "You've done it now, Laney Cook! Soured all my milk!"

Simultaneously, Laney Cook, who is the owner and chef at Blood and Breakfast, comes stomping out the front door of her establishment, brandishing a wooden spoon like a sword. "Aye, and you've replaced all my sugar with salt, you ripe old bastard!"

Without missing a beat, both turn to you and the Stranger at your side. Wrong place, wrong time, friend. The two chefs decide the two of you can be trusted to help them prove the other party guilty of sabotage because neither of you has a stake in this. And, well, if the Queen brought you here, you should be an independent party. Both Harle and Cook seem to think the Queen is pretty okay.

Truthfully, they're both equally guilty. Lord Harle and Ms Cook have been trying to ruin each other for years, but who knows what you'll find when you go searching for evidence. And even if you find evidence that decides one way or the other, perhaps you'll simply lie and manufacture a solution that suits you—or the Queen who brought you here.


TERRIBLE TWO(HUNDRED)S
You're not entirely sure how this happened, but you're starting to understand why Blood females constantly grumble about the caste of males they call Warlord Princes. Prince Loren has, somehow, managed to maneuver you to the place you're at now: the head of a classroom full of Blood children who all look like they're somewhere between the ages of eight and ten. It's hard to tell, and you're pretty sure one bossy little boy declared he was 203-years-old, so everyone else has to listen to him, thanks.

Regardless of how Loren managed to get you there, there you stand. Fifteen energetic elementary school children all wearing Jewels shriek and shout, using Craft to amplify already shrill voices. One girl floats near the ceiling, her face screwed up in concentration as she clutches a Rose Jewel. Two little boys are taking turns passing their hands through their desks, which strikes you as distinctly unsafe for eight-year-olds to be doing. (You're not wrong.)

At least there are two of you, and you only need to babysit these children for the morning. "They're here for Craft lessons. Surely, you can manage until Lady Sheera arrives," Loren had said before abandoning you to a battlefield full of powerful, pint-sized children.

There's a lesson plan on the teacher's desk, but maybe you should lead with the snacks.


REVENGE, SERVED STINKY
The air is crisp and cool; it's still winter, but it's not as chilly as it has been, and so you're out for a walk. You've made your way north through Old Town and now find yourself meandering down the roads in front of the landen Guild Halls. Even though they're all made of red brick, each building is entirely unique. The Hunter and Crafter Hall, the largest of all the buildings, has more in common with a hunting lodge than the university building it once was. The Elektriline Hall might be the smallest building, but it's covered in neon lights and impossible to ignore.

Equally impossible to ignore is Master Tinker Mari and her collection of landen young adults. They're clustered around a storm drain. When Mari sees you, she detaches herself from the group of landen students and bounds over to you. "Ahhah! Stranger! You have been brought here against your will and are surely sympathetic to our cause!" she exclaims.

That doesn't make you feel too great since, you know, you're aware that the Hunter Guild tried to kill all the Strangers maybe two or three weeks ago. They may have mellowed out, or they may just be biding their time. Thankfully, none of Mari's students bear the markings of a Hunter.

She pulls you to the group. Already, canisters have been lowered into the sewers. A handful of students have clambered down after the canisters. "The Blood wouldn't help us repair the damage in Old Town," she says, rubbing her hands together. "Our people's homes were unlivable. So we're going to make their workplace unbearable." She points at the canisters. "Stink bombs."

There's another Stranger in the group, and you make eye contact over the top of the storm drain. Are you of the same mind as each other? As Mari? The choice is yours: agree to Mari's plan and fill the buildings of the Ebon Council with untenable stench or try to convince them there's a better way.


AIR TIME
Whether you catch the news on a Far-caster in the city or you're spinning the dial on your own device, you'll hear…

etiquette with evandra and aren
[Evandra's voice is a little bit rough and a little bit husky, the kind of voice that gives bad ideas to young men and headaches to fathers.] Today we're talking about everyone's favorite subject.

[Aren's voice is chipper and bright. He sounds more like an eager boy than the full-grown man he is.] Food?

[A laugh from Evandra.] No, Lord Aren. Sex and flirting. Culturally, the Blood don't consider it rude to flirt quite blatantly with each other, even when one or both of the parties is married. Isn't that right?

[Aren:] That's exactly it, Evandra. Older males allow young witches to flirt because it's understood that the male isn't interested or available. He becomes a safe partner for her to practice on, and his approval lets her know what is and isn't acceptable.

[Evandra:] What does it mean if a married male or witch flirts with you?

[Aren:] Casual flirting means that witch or male thinks you're safe. It's their way of telling you they feel comfortable around you. Of course, it's always acceptable to ask them to step back! [He laughs.] As we all know, just because you can flirt with a Warlord Prince's lady doesn't mean you should!

[Evandra:] Let's take a look at casual flirtation between different Blood castes…

the weather
[A soft-spoken man's voice rumbles out of the Far-caster. He's pleasant to listen to, with a soothing cadence to his voice.] Warmer temperatures will see melting snow over the next week. Be careful around the Heartsblood River, as the heavy snows will result in flooding along the banks. Need flood insurance? The Transport Guild is looking to expand into…

the news
…amusing to hear that Grand Master Niall blames the Blood for the fires in Old Town. It is my understanding that members of the Blood, these so-called Strangers, went out of their way to rescue both Blood and landen during the fires set by the Grand Master's Hunter Guild. [The man speaking has a slow, clipped cadence to his voice. It's very posh and polished.]

[Another voice, presumably an interviewer:] The Council counts the Strangers as Blood, Lord Grejor?

[Grejor:] What else can they be? They wear the Jewels, therefore they are among our number. [He laughs, and the sound is cold.] The Council is pleased to welcome our new brothers and sisters.

Comments

diana | wonder woman

[embracers]

A; collard greens aka diana does her Best

[Diana is admittedly still green (haha gET it) when it comes to the intricacies between Blood and landen, but her help has been requested and hera help her she's here to do her best!! Which is why, after a brief moment of observation, Diana gives a single, decisive nod!!]

I understand. I know the best way to solve this.

[and with that reassuring remark, she starts uncoiling the brightly, glowing whip from around her waist.

HM!!!

She pays no heed to the sudden strange looks both store owners are giving her. Diana's the very picture of sincerity!! She's fashioning a lasso out of this whip for... educational purposes!! She adds as an aside, for her very hopefully helpful partner--]

Do not worry. Once I'm done, we shall know the truth.

[Diana sounds proud for having explained nothing!!! but it's fine... IT'S FINE]

B. the childrens

[Diana was curious to see what exactly Loren needed help with, but the sight of all these (chaotic) children in a single place doesn't fill her with what should be the natural reaction... fear.... Instead, she takes a single look around, mouth parted in surprise at seeing SO MANY KIDS!!! in ONE PLACE!!! and THEY CAN ALL DO THINGS?? that normal children shouldn't be able to do? life is grand. She's excited! She's never had to wrangle children of any ages before.

Her gaze settles on the two(hundred) year old who's still shouting, and an idea forms in her head]

You may be two hundred and three, but I am eight hundred years old. [PROUDLY!!!] If authority truly answers to age, then that should make me the rightful leader.

[There's a brief silence as the children survey Diana for what seems to be a colossal lie, before they all erupt into a clamor of questions ranging from HOW ARE U SO OLD?? ARE U REALLY EIGHT HUNDRED!! to WHAT ABOUT THE PERSON WITH YOU!! HOW OLD ARE THEY?? and well, hm. that's a good question. Diana raises her eyes to her temporary partner, waiting expectantly]

[how old are U, friend]

wildcard;

[hit me with an empty toplevel and i'll write up a starter for u if U LIKE!!!]

a

[pebblestone]

[ What....is she dOING....

Frederick can't quite stop himself from raising a dubious eyebrow as his assigned partner for the day starts reaching for the weapon at her hip. She looks the picture of grace and justice, but the limits of his trust only reach so far, especially when it comes to strangers. ]

Surely we need not resort to violence so soon, milady?

[ Emmeryn might be dead and buried in the ground but he can still uphold her ideals!! .....As he stands around wearing a suit of full armor with a lance strapped to his back, it's fine. ]

[embracers]

[YEAH FRED EVEN DIANA'S NOT WEARING FULL ARMOR!! She's just wearing this armored bodysuit??? Who is the true purveyor of violence here. Diana looks confused at this actually sensible question for a moment, before comprehension dawns on her face. AH!! She sees how this must look to someone not intimately acquainted with Amazonian history, oh geez.]

That is not my intention. This is the Lasso of Hestia. A person bound within its ropes is compelled to tell the truth, and only the truth.

[she says, as reassuringly as possible now that she realizes the weirdo looks she's getting!! She gives Fred a grateful look like "thanks for calling me out on how sketchy this looks!!']

It may feel warm at first, but I promise that it will bring you no harm. [pauses] Though I cannot promise your safety if you choose to lie.

[these store owners STILL DON'T LOOK CONVINCED DIANA!!! uhhh]

Perhaps, if it may ease concerns... I could demonstrate its effects for you first?

[then... she turns to Fred, with hopeful and imploring eyes.... still with the suspicious whip in hand. let her wrap this around u... buddy]

[pebblestone]

[ is this the start to a very suspicious bdsm bondage scene

Fred, naturally, is always eager to keep the peace in whatever land Naga sees fit to send him to, and the explanation of Diana's magic lasso!!!! fills him with much curiousity and pique. And admittedly also some more concern because he's never been the type to simply let a stranger do as they wish to him, but he can't find any hint of malice or impishness in Diana's eyes that would prompt him to otherwise say no.

So!! He dips his head and takes a step forward. Fred volunteers as tribute!! ]

Need it touch any part of my skin for the effects to work?

[ He's gonna have to like....disrobe a little bit if that's the case. ]</small

[phykios]

[ STARTER ME!!!!! ]

[embracers]

[Diana is having a trying day.

A day filled with trying!!! She's trying to do her best for both Blood and landens -- though that's mostly just Diana helping out with whatever menial tasks people think they can pass off on her. She'd like to do more, but all of her careful questions of "so... about ares" aren't cutting to the heart of all of this as fast as she likes, so Diana contents herself with just helping for now. An older lady ends up asking Diana if she'd like to help advertise her business..... her soft-serve ice cream business

DIANA IS SOLD!!! though the most she does is hold a tray of soft-serve ice cream samples and harangue random strangers into tasting them while also dressed in like her giant black fur robe... and armored bodysuit... what kind of advertising is this]

You should try this! It is very good.

[Diana says, immediately holding out the tray to the next person she sees -- who just happens to be PERCY JACKSON!!! Diana's been mostly targeting random people without a sound strategy in mind, but Percy looks to be a young man.... in need of ice cream, obviously. Diana Knows this instinctively.]

It's quite sweet, but there are some that taste salty too. Which would you like?

[Diana holds up two samples and attempts to shove them into Percy's hands anyway, QUALITY ADVERTISING]

[phykios]

Whoa, okay.

[ he says, ac...cepting both samples he guesses?? IF HE DOESN'T, THEY'LL PROBABLY FALL TO THE GROUND AND NO ONE WANTS THAT!!! this is extremely aggressive advertising.... ]

Um, thanks. [ he?? guesses?? ] What flavors are these?

bee.

[unwieldy]

[ Things that should never mix: Haein and children.

Haein and children is a disaster waiting to happen. He has no idea how to handle people, and so what makes Loren think he can handle fifteen screaming not-entirely-developed baby children??

To make matters worse, his partner seems to be encouraging their rambunctious behavior and dear gods, now their attention is on him and this is probably what his personal hell is going to be like. ]

I'm... twenty-one.

[ It takes an enormous amount of effort just for that answer. It's plain to see on his face just how agonizing that had been. ]

beeautiful

[embracers]

[Loren probably secretly has it out for Haein lbr!!!

The amount of effort exuded for that answer does not escape Diana. She may have just recently met this young man, but that doesn't mean she isn't... IMPRESSED with how he's cooperating with her!! How friendly!! What a good human boy. Diana gives him an encouraging nod!! tHANK YOU HAEIN!!! except that two hundred year old boy who we'll call Bobby in this thread starts crowing over the fact that he's OLDER THAN HAEIN]

In Sparta, men become fully-fledged soldiers at the age of twenty.

[Diana says, fully believing that she is helping. bobby calls haein a baby. damn,]

The life he's led is different from yours. It would be foolish to assume otherwise. Now, be silent.

[bobby now calls haein a big baby boy. hm]

is you.

[unwieldy]

[ Of course this would get progressively worse. Haein actually feels a little bit intimidated by the children and just the sheer number of them. He would've been content to stand in the corner and stare at the clock until this was all over, but then things had to get personal.

He snaps his attention to this little jerk called Bobby and fixes him with a searing glare. No one calls him a big baby and gets away with it. Not even Diana's attempts at pacifying the situation works. ]

In my world, you would have died a long time ago.

[ Haein!! That's no way to speak to a child!! Great, now Diana has to deal with sixteen children. ]

the childrens (oh god)

[stickypete]

[Peter was pretty much rushed along into this despite very loud and slightly desperate protests. No kids! He doesn't know how to handle kids! Bad at it! Bad at kids!]

[But here he is, stuck with Diana, in one of his worst nightmares. He's magicked up ear muffs because of all the shrieking. Because they're running wild and some of them have taken over the teacher's desk and chair, he has nowhere to sit, so to get away from sticky fingers and constant bids for his attention, he's climbed halfway up a wall to escape. He sits perched there, back to the wall, feet planted against it to hold him up, arms crossed, shoulders hunched, soundly ignoring the children gaping at him from below and all their questions. "How are you doing that?" "Do you have glue on your feet?" "Are you a bug?" "How come you're wearing ear muffs, are you cold?"]

[(He's ignoring them because he doesn't want to deal, not because he can't hear. He can still hear through the ear muffs. They just makes it a little less loud.)]

[Then Diana looks up at him, and ugh, now he has to interact.]

[He's so bad at this. Miles was an absolute delight to deal with, but he was older. And an amazing kid. And they're all so small. And loud. And sticky. Why are so many of them sticky??]

Thirty-eight.

[That's all he says.]

[And then, hoping it encourages Diana to handle most of this, he adds, brightly:]

I'd help more but I really think you've got this. You're doing so well.

[He gives her a thumbs up.]

FLEX THOSE DAD MUSCLES PETER

[embracers]

Thank you.

[Diana doesn't know what the thumbs-up means, but she assumes that it's meant to confer approval. Which she likes, even if it is a thumbs-up from a man stuck half-way up the wall as if he's trying to physically eject himself from the room. Now that.... hm, her brow furrows. This is supposed to be a team effort, Peter!!!!

The children seem to like Peter where he is just fine though. They like it so much that one of them uses their Craft to try and climb up the wall too, though their little limbs tremble a little from the use. Enough that Diana reaches over to peel the child off the wall, holding the little girl in her hands shrieking "UP! UP! UP!". HM]

...If it is up you desire, then up you shall go!

[Diana adjusts her grip, then.... tosses the girl up lightly towards.... Peter...........

THERE SHE GOES!!! CATCH, PETEr]

[stickypete]

[His spider sense sometimes goes off if someone else is in danger but since Diana is there to catch the girl, it doesn't flare. So Peter is totally caught by surprise.]

[He lets out a yelp and catches the girl, holding her away from him like a dirty dishrag.]

[Then she smiles a smile that's all dimples and says: "You're like a bug!" and he is actually kind of slightly charmed.]

You're a lot more on the nose than you realize, kiddo.

[He holds her differently now, normally, the way any parent would hold their child, and finally climbs down, placing her gently on the ground. She then clings to his pant leg, looking up at him with the wide-eyed interest of a kid that thinks they have found the coolest person in the world. He doesn't shake her off.]

We need a battle plan.

[They're all over the place.]

A way to corral them.

[Like they're cattle.]

a for adds to ur pile of tags

[ilves]

[There is something, uh, slightly? Concerning? About a fellow Stranger pulling out an apparently magical rope?? But while Lalli's eyes narrow, he's not about to discourage someone from wrapping this up (ha) as quickly as they possibly can; in fact, he's just going to take a quick step back and watch this scene from afar—oh, wait.]

...Aha. [See the woman he's pointing to? The one hurrying back to Blood and Breakfast??] She's running away.

[Lalli's not concerned with how Diana chooses to handle her business, but damn, girl, you'd better hurry it up...]

GENTLY EMBRACES

[embracers]

[Diana looks startled at this sudden turn of events because apparently she really didn't consider that one would RUN AWAY when faced with a stranger holding a rope, but

it's fine!!!

She gives a brisk nod at Lalli's heads-up and then just lassos the rope after the fleeing Laney Cook, effectively... corralling her. Laney Cook immediately starts shrieking, and while Diana doesn't actually yank her back towards them, she still reels her in like a fish...]

Choosing to flee will accomplish nothing, besides make you look suspicious.

[anyway Lord Harle seems to have similar ideas, because he immediately ducks behind Lalli... FOR SAFETY!!! while garbling something along the lines of "DON'T LET THIS CRAZY STRANGER GET ME

Diana looks offended??? UM??? WHAT IS SHE DOING WRONG HERE!!]

[ilves]

[...You know, a smart person would have seen that coming? Lassoing people, however, isn't really a skill they teach you in post-apocalyptic Finland; Lalli is honestly taken aback when Laney Cooke gets got, because hey, that's impressive...

Buuut then Lord Harle grabs his shoulders and, you know, ruins it all by ducking behind the human stick that is Lalli. This is not fine! This is, in fact, very, very bad, and the fact that he's SHOUTING in Lalli's ear makes it even WORSE. Don't let her get me, blah blah blah—]

Pssh! [He turns to shoot Lord Harle a Look to go along with that hiss, willing him to be quiet before he turns back to glare at this person who could break him in half.] Why didn't you run after her? Stupid.

[Because now he's officially Involved and he hates it!! Thanks!! Anyway, Lord Harle clearly thinks that Lalli is on HIS side here: "It was stupid," he mutters from behind his tiny savior. "Just tell her to take that Laney Cook away from here and be done with it!" Lalli huffs.]

Now you need more rope to tie him up.

[Lord Harle: UM! But he's too shocked—or scared?—to move, because surely this Stranger JESTS.]

a.

[fulminatum]

[ The lasso hums with power. Jason regards it without much fanfare — it's not something to be taken apart and understood, but to be accepted. He herds the other two towards her, curious and expectant. ]

[embracers]

[Harle and Laney Cook are having equally bad days, but Jason is too much of a Presence to even entertain the idea of escape, so they end up standing sullenly in place. Excellent. Diana gives Jason a nod of thanks. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she snaps the lasso around both of their arms, effectively pinning them together.]

Do not fear. The Lasso of Hestia will not harm you. It will only compel you to speak the truth. [pauses] Resisting its influence will cause you some discomfort, however.

[so don’t do that! Okay cool. Diana turns her gaze to Jason, even as Harle and Laney start frantically tugging on their restraints.]

They will have to answer any questions you ask. [Silence isn’t an option here!!!] You can question one, while I’ll question the other.

[She phrases it as more of a suggestion than a command here, as much as Diana has a very take-charge attitude (like preparing to lasso people without explaining anything beforehand) she’s learned how to cooperate with other Amazons. Which Jason isn’t, but he’s a fellow Stranger who’s been asked to solve a problem. That totally qualifies him as a comrade.]

[fulminatum]

[ Hard to argue with a guy over six feet tall, even if he is a teenager. He watches with interest, making sure no one intervenes or tries to bolt, as the lasso binds them and glows — and oh, what did she call it? Hestia, Vesta's Greek equivalent. They are comrades as strangers, but this is a gift from the gods, and not one given lightly. ]

[ Just as that suggestion is more of a command, if one turns and looks at it another way. ]

We won't take long, [ he promises them both, coming closer to make it a conversation instead of an interrogation. He nods to Diana. ] Left and right?

b

[yancat]

[ He side-eyes Diana not for rolling with the children, but in sheer curiosity. Eight hundred? Really? Is she a vampire? But ah, he should answer before his voice gets drowned out in the classroom. ]

I'm twenty-seven.

[ The alleged 203-year-old bursts into laughter and points at Jumin. "Haha! You're a baby!" The rest of the class follows suit.

Jumin remains calm. ]

Yes. I suppose I am... a baby. [ the things these kids make him say ] However, my colleague and I do have all the snacks, so—

[ "What's a colleague?" ]

A colleague is someone you work with. Now, as I was saying—

[ "How can you work if you're a baby?" ]

I'm a very capable baby. I drove a car when I was seven.

[ "What's a car?"

ok i actually don't know if they would know that but the questions keep coming and Diana please help ]

im sdlkfsjd dying

[embracers]

[if Jumin is intrigued that Diana is 800 years old and a vampire, Diana is similarly INTRIGUED by Jumin apparently knowing how to drive at the age of SEVEN???]

There, see? Only twenty-seven and yet he has already accomplished something so impressive. Even I do not know how to drive a car.

[and I’M eight hundred, is implied in her tone, what can the rest of YOU GUYS do!!!]

Now, settle down. If you all behave, then perhaps my comrade will be willing to teach all of us later.

[as one, everyone in that class, Diana included, turns expectant eyes towards Jumin, the holder of snacks and the only knowledgeable driver in this room.]

A: (also known as 'Please wind up hurting him good b/c he has a mouth')

[withbite]

[Damon had been watching the dark haired woman get inundated by the two bickering villagers, and he'd been quietly smirking to himself. But then she'd started uncoiling a rope, and well...

That was kind of sexy and he was kind of a pervert.]

Are you seriously suggesting coercion by S&M? Because I'm game for that too, by the way. Maybe I did all the bad things and need to be punished.

I didn't, but I could have. It's something I'd do.

DAMON... THANKS

[embracers]

[Diana actually Pauses for a moment there, her still steady but now slightly confused gaze turning to her companion??? with an expression like "I'm not sure what S&M means and I'd like to give you the benefit of the doubt but the rest of that statement was suspect DAMON"]

Punishment is not my intention.

[JUST MAKING THAT CLEAR!!! then, because Damon has also given her this idea,]

But, I would be happy to show them how it will be done, if you are still willing to be made an example of.

[for some reason diana is open to this scenario. granted, her thoughts are less fifty shades of grey and more damon pulling his weight by offering his help but STILL. no punching to be had here!!!]

( a )

[kastellano]

I'm not worried. ( a perfectly reasonable response to a perfectly unreasonable action. someone asks for a hand, you whip it out. uh. he frowns momentarily, subtle, more at his own train of thought than whatever it is she's doing. somewhere in the midst of it, his arms have crossed. oddly at ease, when he should be making a grab for a weapon of his own. he doesn't know her, he has zero reason to trust her and she hasn't been very forthcoming with her plan. sometimes, letting the intriguing ( potentially terrifying ) woman do her thing is the best course of action.

not because he's scared or particularly concerned for the two chefs but because she's remarkably attractive; ergo she can do whatever the hell she wants. it's not like he wants to deal with the situation. ) Oh. Would you two relax? If she wanted to beat it out of you, she wouldn't be uncoiling it that slowly.

( he's making a logic-based assumption, being that fights ( one-sided brawls included ) don't play out in slow motion. ...usually. )

How's that going to solve anything?

[embracers]

[See, Luke has the right idea about all of this!!! Not that Diana knows his inner train of thought -- all she sees is an upstanding young man who trusts that she'll get the job done! Which, she will definitely do, even as Laney and Harle look maybe about 25% convinced.]

He is right. I'm not here to fight -- neither of us are here to harm either of you.

[Diana says, speaking for Luke with the confidence of someone who just... assumes things all the time!!! But look, Luke has his arms crossed! He's not pointing anything sharp in anyone's general direction!! That means he's here for Peace(???).

The light from the whip pulses brighter as Diana wields it effortlessly overhead, snapping the rope neatly around Harle and Cook -- effectively tying them together before they can so much as scream. Which they do, a moment later. LIKE LUKE SAID, RELAX Y'ALL!!]

The Lasso of Hestia will compel you to answer truthfully to our questions. Please do not resist. [physical resistance is a moot point now, but still] Once we know the truth, then we will know who is truly to blame.

[harle whimpers, laney ekes out a paltry "but that's not fair!!" and the both of them still look to Luke as if they expect him to do!! something!! about this!!]