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[strangerpeople]

WELCOME ABOARD


[The first sensation you feel is a headache. It's brief, slicing, sharp. It passes soon after you wake up, but it is there nevertheless, and the pain is not easily forgotten. Perhaps your eyes also blur as if roused from a deep sleep; perhaps your tongue also feels off, like you swallowed a bug. It's not pleasant.

More unpleasant, though, is the second sensation that dawns on you all-this is not your bed. This, in fact, is unrecognizable. It is not anywhere you recall coming to, willingly or otherwise. It's a room with a bunk, and there is a strange smell in the air that is hard to ignore.

No, you are no longer home. Any possessions you may have had on you are gone, save your clothing and a strange watch you can't get off, no matter how hard you try. And when you run into the hallway, well-you might find yourself running into others who might be just as confused and scared as you are as the area around you slowly sways, up and down, left and right.

What is this place? Why are you here? Who are all these other people?


What is going on?]

Comments

[superstylishsquid]

[He shrugs.]

Yeah, sure. I know how this thing goes, bud. Only the top of the totem pole really gets to know what's going on, everyone else just bluffs about it.

[15unknowns]

You misunderstand my situation. But that's no surprise.

[superstylishsquid]

Not like you're giving much to go off of. But take it from a career villain who thought he was in the boss' confidence: they don't tip their hands until you've done what they want you to.

[15unknowns]

The difference between you and I is I know my place.

[superstylishsquid]

Tch...you know, that's usually just a fancy way of saying 'accepts being beneath someone else'.

[15unknowns]

And what will you do if Dante figures out you're out of place? Aren't you to serve him?

[superstylishsquid]

[Well...his entire body goes tense.]

How... [He growls and his eyes flare with a harsh light.] I served him because I wanted to. Notice how once he lost my respect, I took things into my own hands

[15unknowns]

And yet, if he were to find you, he could force you back in an instant.

How does it feel to be so powerless?

[superstylishsquid]

Says the coward hiding behind a TV screen and a kill switch!

[15unknowns]

Now who's the one with no actual answers?

[superstylishsquid]

[His fists clench, his tail lashes the air like a whip.]

...I at least know one thing now: we weren't victims of convenience. You must've gone to a lot of effort to dig up information that obscure.

[15unknowns]

That's among the reasons I know about your past, yes.

[superstylishsquid]

Among, huh...and I take it the other reasons are for you to know, and me to fail to find out, huh?

[15unknowns]

I was not the one to say you would fail.

That was your prediction.

How's your self confidence, Alastor?

[superstylishsquid]

No, that was my prediction of what you're hoping for. Or are you gonna tell me you aren't going to go out of your way to keep me from figuring it out?

[15unknowns]

Why would I possibly do that?

[superstylishsquid]

Because the less we know, the easier we are to control? Because it might tip us off about your boss' master plan? Because watching us run around confused is funny? I can think of plenty of reasons.

[15unknowns]

These ideas only say things about you, not me.

[superstylishsquid]

Are you trying to insult me by pointing out I think like a villain? Or just trying to claim you don't?

[15unknowns]

If I've ever been a villain, it's only by necessity. Circumstances, and She, asked, and I answered.

[superstylishsquid]

One of those sorts, huh? Quit deluding yourself, circumstances can't make a villain out of someone who isn't willing to be one. Someone who's determined not to be the bad guy will find a way to get what they need without resorting to doing something blatantly evil.

[15unknowns]

Who said I wasn't willing to be one?

Worried about how we might inspire you to murder, yet?

[superstylishsquid]

If you aren't claiming you don't want to be a villain, you don't get to hide behind 'doing what has to be done', let alone talk down to me for thinking like one.

[He makes a big show out of shrugging.]

And I'm sure you already know I'm a demon. I'm no stranger to killing...if it's what I want. So I'm not worried, just not inclined to play along with this little game you're trying to bully us into.

[15unknowns]

It's funny how you mention bullying.

We're going to make sure it's what you want. Even if it takes a little... motivation.

Think well of your loved ones tonight, won't you?

[superstylishsquid]

[He scoffs, but without his visor, he can't hide the way his eyes flicker.]

Again, demon. I don't care about anyone unless they get me what I want, so good luck with that.