001 [video]

[stalkedbyshadows]

 [The video is dark at first and there’s only a faint outline of a silhouette before a hand reaches out to turn the lamp on.]

Forgot about that. So – can I go home now? Not that this place isn’t cool and all, but it’s pretty much just like home, but it isn’t actually home, and I have important things to do back at my actual home. I’m sure everyone does. Kind of rude to just yank me out of there, messed up my sense of direction and everything. Where even am I.

[He flops back on the bed, curling up in his coat, and drags the netbook along with him.]

I mean, they told me, but it didn’t really answer my questions. Honestly? This is stupid. I’d like to be back in my own dimension now where the things I do actually matter. I don’t live here. I’m not entitled to help these people do whatever they’re doing. Rebel? They’re pretty damn tight-lipped about it if you ask me.

Anyway. [He waves his hand dismissively.] Anyone out there?

Comments

[stalkedbyshadows]

Tell me about it.

The Initiative - are they protecting us? I haven't heard much about the people outside of here. All I've found out so far is that they don't want us out there. Why would they threaten us? What did the initiative do?

[stonefaith]

Outside of this island, the world and its people all belong to the United Earth. The Initiative is the remains of a force that rebelled against the United Earth some hundred years ago. They failed and were exiled here, and now they are bringing us in to aid in a second revolution. And they do have cause, I suppose. I've been out there, where the United Earth rules. It's a far more unpleasant place than here.

But if the Initiative is protecting us, it's only because we are useful to them.

[stalkedbyshadows]

So would you say we're on the right side, then, if we were going to define sides? Even if the Initiative isn't exactly a smiling face...

[ private / voice ]

[stonefaith]

I wouldn't say right. I don't... agree with their methods, and they've done things to make us all suspect. As you've seen.

But as it stands, the Initiative is the lesser of two evils.

[private]

[stalkedbyshadows]

I could stick with them, for now. Unless there's some middleground? They can't actually make us fight for them, can they?

[stonefaith]

That seems to be the middleground that most people have adopted. It's not a bad one.

They will pull you into their missions. But they won't hold a blade to your back and force you to fight.

[stalkedbyshadows]

Alright. I can manage that.

[stonefaith]

Is it that you cannot fight, or that you do not want to?

[stalkedbyshadows]

I can fight, I just don't want to. I don't think hurting other people gets much done.

[stonefaith]

That's a refreshing attitude. You don't hear much of that, 'round here.

[stalkedbyshadows]

I didn't think so. What about you? You do much fighting?

[stonefaith]

Not much. Only out of necessity. There's people here who I try to protect.

[stalkedbyshadows]

[A sideways smile.]

You know, that's pretty refreshing for me too.

[stonefaith]

That's a shame. But I'm not surprised. Some things are constant across universes, it seems.