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.

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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.

Seemed you wwere a little into the drink. Not to mention havvin' a hoofbeast posterior. [He's amused and his eyes flick to the wine cup on the table in front of Darkleer, significantly]

[Lamufao, strike him down right now. Please.]

[Throwing all his focus into his dinner, Darkleer just tries to twist this conversation around.]

I suppose I was a bit fond of the physical changes. It reminded me of my own lusus.

I wwish I could say the same thing. Your lusus wwas a hoofbeast type? Mine wwas fish-like, but it didn't make it wworth it.

[He's okay with changing the subject for now, but really Darkleer, you should drink more wine. Come on. He demonstrates by drinking a little more]

[He really shouldn't. Not that it really matters, considering he needs more than a little glass to get drunk, but...]

That's right. He was a good lusus. When I joined the Archeradicators, he made himself very useful.

[Fine. Fine. Just one more sip, then, even with how unsure he is.]

I left mine behind wwhen I signed up. [Dualscar shrugs faintly. It was a decent lusus, but confined to the water.] I alwways figured that a troll's got to groww up evventually.

[Darkleer thinks of his lusus- taller than he was and protecting him as they traveled through the plains back to the hive at the city, a reassuring and safe. Then, in later sweeps, staring down at rocks he had tumbled down onto an enemy camp from a cliffside in the mountain, tail swishing dismissively.]

[He thinks of Dural, both softly cooing into his ear as she preens his hair, and yet also cool vanity as green blood dries on her talons and a blinded troll lies dead on the floor.]

[Darkleer smiles, ever so subtly, into his drink.]

Of course. We would get nothing done if we remained children.

[And if his idea of growing up involves using lusii as assistants in battle, well...]

I have heard you are a skilled gunsman, Dualscar.

That's quite true.

[Dualscar smiles back, wondering what the other troll is thinking of. But he's distracted by the question.]

You'vve heard correctly. It's not immodest a me to say that I'm a pretty damn good sniper.

Hm. If it is not too impertinent of me, I would like to see you demonstrate such a skill. I suppose it is the archer in me.

Besides. I've always been able to make guns, but I've never found myself too interested in using them.

[Dualscar's fins spread just a bit, flattered by the request] I'd be happy to demonstrate, though wwith Ahab's powwer wwe'd better make sure it doesn't touch the bubble. I'd like to see you demonstrate your archery, too, wwhen it comes to that.

[That's a bit surprising, and Darkleer straightens a bit.]

Well, I suppose I am hardly one to refuse such a request. I do need to practice my skills a bit more vigorously. It isn't easy to find a good method of practicing that's truly satisfying in this place.

[Dualscar nods] One must nevver let one's skills get rusty. Wwe can havve a little target practice the next time wwe go out and spend some time together. Howw does that sound?

[...Oh dear. 'Next time'.]

Perhaps when our schedules next clear, then.

[This is such a bad idea. Darkleer wishes he had another option. Instead, he opts for finishing up his meal and his wine.]

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