caughtinanetwork

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[Video]

[He's chosen the backdrop and everything about this strategically. Behind him is the wall of the bubble, the ocean beyond visible as schools of fish and perhaps some ominous larger shapes dart past behind him.

Dualscar himself is resplendent in his full armour, emblazoned with the Aquarius symbol across his chest in Royal purple and his laser rifle slung over his shoulder, as well as his sword belted at his waist. His cloak spreads out like a fan behind his head and his gold rings gleam. Overall, he's an impressive figure of a troll.]

People of Vvatheon.

I am Orphaner Dualscar, a military leader amongst the trolls, many a wwhom livve in this city. Wwhatevver wwe may feel about havvin' been brought here, or about the city itself, wwe do for noww call this place our home, and it's a fragile bubble a life wwith nothin' but fathoms a ocean all around it.

I'm recordin' this today because I understand that this bubble may be under threat from monsters that livve in the deeps. I don't knoww wwhen another monster wwill strike, but I wwant to do my part in makin' sure wwe're ready to fight back wwhen and if the threat appears.

I'vve already been wworkin' wwith the leaders a the existing militia. Minato an I have agreed that I'll put together and organize a group wwhose specific purpose is to defend the city from attack. I'm lookin' for those wwith fightin' experience - Calvalreapers, Archeradicators, an the like. Most important wwould be those wwho can survvivve outside the bubble, either alone or wwith the assistance a equipment. From them I'll put together a Ninjaquatic strike team, to be lead directly by me.

Contact me if you're interested.

[After the video ends, a few specific people get text messages]

Vvantas.
I need to talk to you.

Eridan, can I count on you? I might havve a leadership position for you if you provve yourself.
At least I knoww you havve gills.

Expatriot, a wword.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Both of his kids are in a relationship with the noisy little angry runt, and so is Dualscar's. So, clearly, for all the noise and height issues, he has something going for him.]

[But Darkleer doesn't say anything like that and just shrugs politely.]

I had assumed Eridan would have mentioned it to you. I suppose not.

Eridan's been pretty cagey about Vvantas. I think he's wworried I'm going to cull him.

[He chuckles and gives a shrug in return, then leans forward a bit.]

But I really don't wwant to talk about those rebellious mutants, do you?

[Rebellious mutants... Darkleer's grasp on his own hands tightens just a tad.]

No... I would prefer not to.

How have you been finding your stay in Vatheon so far, then?

Better than I expected at first, though I'd rather be home.

[He actually sounds a little surprised by this. He pauses as the server brings their meals, setting a large bowl in front of Dualscar. With a sigh of pleasure, he fishes out a mussel and cracks it open with his claws to fish out the meat inside]

It seems you'vve settled in vvery wwell, yourself.

Does it?

[Darkleer says it idly, in thought as he takes his own silverware and begins to carefully spear the non-meat parts of the salad. It's so utterly casual, it really is obvious he's had to navigate this trivial little difficulty before.]

[He supposes he has settled in well... There are others who trust him, rely on him, and he even has a quadrant filled once again. Things still aren't quite... right, but after everything that he has lost, he doubt they ever will be, but still...]

I suppose I've simply had less to lose.

[Dualscar frowns down at his plate, spoons up some broth and sips it, then eats a potato. A little bit of vegetable is fine for nutrition, but it's not his favourite thing. He's amazed by the sight of Darkleer carefully navigating around the meat on his own salad.]

I imagine life wwas lonely for you, after you wwere exiled. Here you havve a lot of people wwho wouldn't be put off by your past.

[Wow Dualscar, that is totally an excellent thing to talk about right now and not a subject Darkleer hates bringing up ever!]

[Oh wait.]

[His throat feels suddenly quite dry as that point digs into him, but despite it, Darkleer does his best to just focus on his food, forcing it down. He'd rather not say anything at all.]

Quite. It is more than I would have ever expected.

[Dualscar is so very unaware of things. He figures its possibly a bit of a sensitive subject, though. But he's hoping to express some kind of pity, though pity is a sort of a difficult thing for him to figure out how to express.]

It must be vvery nice for you, then. You only made one mistake, Darkleer. I wwouldn't say that I think you deservve to be alone, because of that.

[It's the fact that his exile is such a sore, sensitive topic that is really making any movement here. And the fact that he truly does despise loneliness, having dealt with far too much of it in the past...]

[It truly was the worst thing they could have done to him. Exile. That's a wound which cuts deeper than any physical torture.]

[Darkleer's fork is now simply a method to use as a distraction, faking busyness.]

...That is very generous of you to say.

It's just howw I feel. If I didn't, wwould I havve trusted you from the first day I wwas here?

[He pauses, uncomfortable]

I'm sure it's hard for you to trust me, givven my position and wwho I am. But I think wwe'vve gotten along, so far. Don't you?

[Only because you will not cease aggravating the Helmsman and have no concept of keeping your hands to yourself, leaving me to intervene-]

We have. There is no denying that. And it is better for the individuals here to work together, after all.

[Come on, that didn't bother you, did it? It's only a piece of equipment]

I quite agree. Though it turns my stomach to wwork wwith some a the people here, I'm wwillin' to keep the peace.

[Well, excuse the guy who saw him, however briefly, before he was a piece of equipment!]

It is good that you know where priorities are right now, sir... Dualscar.

[It is much easier to talk about these sort of things instead of his banishment, and Darkleer feels himself slipping back into calm control.]

A course I do.

[Naturally he knows what the priorities are, Darkleer. HE DECIDES WHAT THEY ARE. Hmph.]

At least at the moment, wwe don't havve the powwer to do anything wwithout the support a the rebels as wwell. I can see you playin' both sides, as wwell, and that's fine and necessary.

[He smiles as if they're sharing a private joke, and returns to his meal, thinking. He's been poking around at Darkleer, but not quite getting what he's looking for. Maybe it's best to just ask]

You're so stiff an nervvous tonight, compared to at the ball. Is there anythin' I can do to put you at ease?

[What part of "I was under the influence of the curse" doesn't this man understand? At least Darkleer finds himself able to buy a bit of time, with his mouth full as it is. Just what is he supposed to say to that? Honestly, romantic troubles on top of political troubles, it's just...]

[...Ah ha.]

I've simply been put under some stress. There's been some issues with the Helmsman that I haven't been sure if I should address with you...

[If that was the problem, you should have said something sooner. He lifts an eyebrow.]

Wwhat issues?

Well, as I am his only engineer in Vatheon, I have administrative access to him. He generally must tell me any and all information I request of him, particularly regarding himself so that I can properly deal with him as my duties require me to.

[It's easy to look nervous and subservient; the former is genuine even if he isn't used to being so open with his emotions and the latter is an act he has perfected after sweeps of it.]

But recently, he refused to respond towards some of my inquiries and was acting quite unusual. The only person I knew of whose authority surpasses mine was you...

[Was. Past tense.]

[Dualscar's expression stiffens a bit. There's only one explanation, since he knows he personally didn't tell the Helmsman to keep any information from Darkleer.

He lifts his glass and takes a sip, considering what to say. Obviously Darkleer knows about the Condesce, but maybe he either isn't supposed to know, or doesn't know of Dualscar knows. Dualscar isn't supposed to tell anyone, and if he does confirm something, the Condesce could blame him.

It'd be better if she blames the Helmsman, of course. But how can he arrange that?]

I couldn't begin to tell you wwhat the problem is. I know I havven't givven it any commands that might cause that. Maybe its programmin is faulty, like I'vve suspected from the beginning. Consider wwho it livves with.

I doubt that. The glitches it is known to get from those are different than what it has been showing me.

Of course... [A small sip of wine.] I have not told anyone else of these issues besides yourself. It is Empire property, after all, and it would be detrimental if anyone else were to know. I suppose I will have to keep working on the Helmsman system. After all, it would be best if he were as operational as possible despite being cut off from the ship, just in case. I do want to make sure my superiors are happy after all.

But I doubt you want to hear much more of a dull topic such as engineering. [An incline of his head to Dualscar's meal.] Are you enjoying yourself, then?

[Dualscar scowls just slightly. He's not sure if he won that or lost, and he goes back to his own meal, unsure of what to do. Anything more would probably just force him into the position of admitting the Condesce is here.

Despite that, his answer is pretty sincere. He lifts his head and smiles.] I'm havvin' a pretty good evvening. Wwhat about you?

[The way Dualscar reacted was enough of an admission, and Darkleer knows very well not to push any further. Tonight, he is going to worry himself into a coma and overthink everything, but right now, he manages to keep a cool expression on.]

[At least until Dualscar asks his question, and he blinks behind his shades.]

Well... I suppose it is going better than I was expecting it to.

[That's a good answer, and Dualscar's smile shifts into a smirk - not the kind of malicious twist of the lips that he often wears, but a more comfortable, wry expression]

Wwell, I'm glad a that. I shudder to think wwhat you might a expected.

Well, not many are exactly permitted to be so... forceful with someone who ranks above them and have it end without a negative consequence.

[Another few bites of his salad. Alright. This could go alright... Hopefully Dualscar won't draw this out too much. Darkleer isn't quite sure what he'd do then.]

[Dualscar points his spoon at Darkleer, but he's still got that weird smirking expression on that's meant to be a smile]

That didn't seem to stop you durin' the ball.

[And he'd so been hoping they could have avoided that conversational topic in particular.]

[Coughing into his fist, Darkleer doesn't make eye contact. Not that it can exactly be seen with his shades there.]

Yes. Well. As we both know, I was a bit unlike myself during the ball.

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