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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]

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.

[15unknowns]

Then you carry around a picture of Silvia for what?

[superstylishsquid]

[That? That brings a violet blush to the tips of his ears.]

It's a memento of an interesting day, that's all.

[15unknowns]

What about your little comment on the view, when you first met Joe?

[superstylishsquid]

I said I wasn't enjoying it! Who would want to see an ugly excuse for a novice hero ruining an otherwise beautiful kick?

[15unknowns]

And you took it awfully easy on Dante when he neglected you. Perhaps you have a thing for red morons?

[superstylishsquid]

Get real! I 'took it easy on him' because it wasn't worth the effort of hurting him on my way out when I knew he'd never even notice if I left quietly!

[15unknowns]

But you wanted him to notice, didn't you? For him to know how well you can do on your own.

[superstylishsquid]

And? Maybe it'll sting, realizing he could have had someone like me as an ally if he hadn't made an enemy of me instead.

[15unknowns]

An ally. Yes, it's clear that's what you wanted.

You're lonely, Alastor.

[superstylishsquid]

You're delusional. Demons don't get lonely, all I need is a worthy rival to test myself against as a warrior. Friendship is a mortal thing.

[15unknowns]

Alastor, the black winged demon who was removed from power and reduced to a mere devil arm. Once led armies, now does nothing more than serve idiots. How does that make you feel? Does anyone truly appreciate you?

[superstylishsquid]

I serve myself. Jadow is just a means to an end, and I definitely don't take orders from any of those self-aggrandizing morons.

[Sprocket is insufferable...but she's at least smart. She earns her victories in their battles of wits and wills.]

[15unknowns]

And where do those means get you? How much pride do you have to lose before it's enough?

[superstylishsquid]

They've gotten me the rival I was after. Honestly, at this point, Jadow can burn for all I care. I'm done with them.

[15unknowns]

And your rival? Shall he burn for your pride as well?

Where, I wonder, shall it end...

[superstylishsquid]

More like fry. Burning is Leo's thing...Joe, I need to take down personally. Otherwise, I'm back to square one without settling anything.

[15unknowns]

And thus your cycle of futility and solitude continues.

In the end? That's all it is for you, whether you wish to admit it or not, whether you defeat your rival or not. I...pity you.

[superstylishsquid]

You that sure someone else will beat me to it? I don't see him losing to anyone else first.