caughtinanetwork | α // video

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[The SFC screen flickers for a moment before revealing a silver-haired, bespectacled individual, who is examining the screen quite intently and presumably also taking a look at all the buttons around it. He appears rather enchanted by all the various functions that the little machine appears to have, but his facial expression snaps to irascible almost instantly, as though he remembers why he turned on this weird thing to begin with.]

There is only one person who would even be able to come up with such an elaborate hoax and pull it over my eyes - you know who you are. And I demand that this person remove this prank right now!

[He is visibly irritated, although more from the fact that he cannot leave this ridiculous made-up world and return to his idea of sanity. The fact that he has to even ask to be released is taking a lot out of his pride, but he's already tried everything. A slight mark on his forehead remains as a trace of such attempts...

Because this place is insane, isn't it? Who is supposed to believe that there exists some city under the sea and in some different dimension? Where is the scientific basis?]

No, I do not buy your silly welcome brochure at all, and the local people wave their hands around the subject just like you do. And I'm playing along with your little game right now so that you can stop this! I expect to wake up back at the lab, in my chair, and respectably dry!

[Because, in case the viewer has not yet noticed, the man is noticeably drenched. His hair is sticking to the sides of his face, and his rather flamboyant outfit's petal-like frills around his collar are flopping around like wilted flowers. His delivery of the last phrase suggests that he rather dislikes his current state with a passion - not only is he wet, but his clothes! Ruined!]

Just you wait! This is definitely going into my revenge journal!

[So, many a dropped hint to a certain individual. Vatheon, perhaps some of you know of whom this poor man speaks of?]

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There whereabouts are unknown. An abandoned laboratory was found on the island above, but other than clues about the nature of our confinement that were found there, there were no people. The locals know nothing.

... a laboratory, you say?

[Well, that's a start. Despite it being abandoned, they probably just didn't understand everything there. Perhaps he could decipher something new!]

Hmph. Very well! I will just have to see this for myself, then!

If you wish, I can show you where it is on the island.

[Well, this is an... unexpectedly generous offer. Perhaps this strange-looking individual does understand the virtue of science after all. And it's not like he has to be friends - perish the thought - but stores of information are meant to be used, are they not?]

If you so insist, I will allow you to do so.

[Gale doesn't underestimate science, but mostly he's offering because showing someone around is easier than giving them directions.]

You are still in the Plaza, are you not? I will be there shortly.

[He'll bring a few towels with him, while he's at it. This guy still looks completely soaked.]

You better arrive quickly! I don't like being kept waiting!

[It's at this point that Dist is reminded of his rather sopping state when a large droplet falls onto the camera of the SFC...]

[Gale doesn't respond beyond a nod. Instead, he turns off the SFC and makes his way to the Plaza. It doesn't take long, but still, it's probably more time than Dist would like. Maybe Gale will make up for it with the towel he's offering.]

I did not ask your name, previously. I am Gale.

[It actually only just occurred to Dist that they hadn't made introductions all that while... although it was probably because he was too angry to consider that. Well, there's that.]

You stand in the presence of the fontech genius, Dist the Rose! You would do well to show some respect.

[Well, this... Gale figure isn't doing so bad right now. He gives the other person a look-over, immediately noting his strange form of dress. It lacked his own outfit's refinement, but Dist can say that at least it's not plain.]

And? Where is this laboratory?

[He suddenly notes the towel in Gale's hand. Immediately, he snatches it and carefully dries his hair; he tries to make sure not to tousle it too much, seeing as he doesn't have a comb right now...]

[Gale just nods. In his opinion, he's been respectful enough so far, and he doesn't know what fontech is to be impressed by Dist's genius in it.

He waits until Dist is finished drying and fixing his hair, then gestures.]

It is up on the Island. We will have to go to the elevator to get there.

[The island, he does vaguely remember reading about in the brochure. Oh, how he hates having to admit that he's actually trapped in a place like this...

... but at least he hasn't had to explicitly say so yet. That would be torture, indeed.]

Well, take me there! Now!

[Instead, he focuses his efforts on making Gale do his bidding. The other person is sometimes very strangely compliant, although Dist certainly doesn't mind if he can use that to his advantage.]

[Well, this guy is pushy, isn't he. But Gale does nothing but nod, for the moment, and start to lead the way to the elevator. He won't let Dist push him around, but he's not going to argue the point when it would be so counterproductive.]

What is the purpose of a revenge journal?

[To Dist, it seems rather obvious by the name, but Gale appears to enjoy questioning even the simplest of things. It irritates the genius that he has to listen to such questions, but given the topic, he does feel compelled to answer.]

One day, when my genius is recognized throughout the world for what it is, those who have wronged me will receive their due pay!

[Especially Jade. Oh, and Peony, too.]

I do not comprehend. If they have wronged you, do you not already know their transgressions? Have there been so many attacks against you that you truly need to write them all down?

[He's familiar enough with revenge, but the kind of revenge he was seeking... he can't imagine needing to write the details of it, as burned into his memory as they are.]

I want to capture it in every detail, so I can return their ungratefulness in full!

[Really, Dist is just extremely theatrical. Though when the majority of the worst things one has gone through are coming from one's 'best friends', one really has to admit that one's life... sucks.

And he's rather determined to make the lives of others go down with his.]

And yes, I have been wronged that many times. No one understands me!

[If anything, that's the statement he holds to the most. That... everything can be traced back to one thing, after all.]

Their ungratefulness? [That doesn't sound much like a strong reason to push for revenge... then again, what does he know about it, compared to this person who is, apparently, constantly vengeful.]

What is the greatest wrong that has been done to you?

[In the meantime, they're drawing up on the Elevator to the surface.]

[Oh, that's an easy question to answer.]

Complete betrayal of all that I knew at that time! How would you feel if someone you considered your closest friend turned around and left everything that you had worked on together?

[Not to mention complete invalidation of purpose and relationship... but he's not about to share that with a complete stranger!

Dist walks up to the elevator and gives it a once-over.]

And this - is this taking us to this laboratory?

Yes. It is above Vatheon, on the island.

[Gale answers that question first, taking his time to think over the other one before responding.]

You felt anger and betrayal. Yet, if you are still noting down ungratefulness, does that mean you have not yet sought out vengeance for that wrong?

[Urk. Well, it's not like he hasn't tried, but he's not about to admit failure to this stranger he hardly knows!]

I'm just not in a position where I can exact the full vengeance I seek! Patience will let me claim my reward.

[Although he absolutely hates waiting...]

And the island, how did they find this place?

It seems you have had ample time to plan for it. In the case where you cannot seek vengeance, I would suggest setting it aside. There is more to living than that.

I do not know. By the time I was brought here, the elevator to the island was already established.

[Gale steps inside first, and waits for Dist to follow.]

And what would you know about living? Don't go around telling me how to live my life.

[If it weren't for the fact that he's being led to the mysterious lab by this other person, he would have left a long time ago. Well, once he gets led there, he can just ignore this Gale for the rest of his time here... however long that is. Ugh, he doesn't want to think of that.

With a frown, he follows the strange person into the elevator. The contraption looks fairly sturdy and well-built, which also raises another question in Dist's head as to who actually constructed it.]

It was a suggestion, not a command. I cannot make you take it, though I think it would be wise, even if I do not have as much experience with living as most.

[Five years in existence, and much less than that spent doing what he would actually consider living. And very little of it happy.

Still, he'll remain silent until they reach the island up top, unless Dist deigns to start the conversation up again.]

[Normally, Dist would continue arguing, but he can't think of a snappish remark and has no robots to sic on Gale, so he stands in the elevator, quietly fuming until it stops after the rise.

When the doors open, he's greeted with the unexpected sight of open land and sky. Could this be a route of escape? In any case, he's more eager to search for this mysterious laboratory, so he steps out and turns to Gale.]

And? Which way from here?

[Yes, he's very eager to get rid of the guy.]

[Dist is welcome to try, though he'll get to have fun with the barrier when he does.]

This way.

[Gale points out the direction, then starts moving. He hasn't been to the lab much, since there was little point after they gathered all the information they could from it.]

[Dist follows in silence, since he has to remember this path, and he doesn't really want to waste time arguing with Gale. They just have a fundamentally different viewpoint on a lot of things, it would seem.

They travel through the forested areas, and Dist can't help but wonder just how long it'll take them to get to this place. It doesn't seem like Gale is leading him on some sort of wild goose chase, at least...]

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[action] apologies for the lateness ;;

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