network | video | open

[lowficharm]

Who: Martin Blackwood and maybe you!
Username: [mkblackwood]
Warnings: Nothing past current game events!

[The feed opens to Martin, looking... well, more than a bit haggard. He's not in the ADI building, and those who know him will know it's a desk at his bedroom in the house he's renting with Rogers, Winter, and Yelena. He looks like he's at least trying to be put together, and takes a big breath before he starts.]

Okay, so... so listen. I just, I, I know it's been-- a lot, lately, everything's been a lot for a long time and we all want answers. But-- with the whole, er. The whole Dogtown thing. And the fence. Have we all just... thought about maybe not going in there?

[He puts his hands up defensively as if he's expecting to be yelled at.]

And I know, I know, I-- I want to save our friends too, but... it wouldn't be drawing us in if it didn't want us there. And if it wants us there, it has a plan, and-- I just, I just think this whole thing is a really really bad idea. And maybe we should consider taking a step back, and thinking about what happens, and not-- not just doing this because it's the next thing to do.

[Martin looks more resolute as the broadcast goes on, trying to straighten his back and be, well, big about the whole thing. But still, he exhales more than he likely should at the end, and then just hastily nods.]

So... please?

Comments

un: mercyme; video

[graveyounglady]

[Mercy is in her room at the Flophouse when she responds. She looks tired, as well, but her shoulders are straight and her gaze is set with a steely resolve.]

You're right. We should think about it and have a reason past it being the next thing. Which is why I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past few months. It's the place we need to go. Mr. Elias and I found the fence in the woods together not so long ago, and me, Hob, and Rue found a safe path curving along beside it even further in.

It's drawing us in, sure enough. But there's no saying we gotta walk like helpless mice into that trap. We got weapons and powers of our own to call on.

So... I've thought about it. And I can't just not go in. If the Web or the Spiral or whatever else is in there is looking for a fight, then I say we take it to them.

[lowficharm]

[As soon as Mercy says 'Elias', Martin's face looks like he's trying not to scream at the top of his lungs. At least he's polite enough-- or at least likes Mercy enough-- to not cut her off that way.]

Okay, so-- so number one, don't-- d-don't trust anything Elias says. He's terrible and awful and will just, just do terrible things, so. Note that one.

[How dare he talk to Mercy. Gosh.]

But, it, to the point, I-- I feel like we kind of are, though. These things, they-- they control all of this power we think we have. It's just not... I don't see how we're going to win this. I don't see how we ever win this.

[graveyounglady]

I know he's an avatar. He told me.

[Her expression tightened.]

We tried getting more information while we was in there with him scaring me. I asked him to do it, mind you. 'Fore you get worried about that. He didn't bring it up. I did. Didn't work, but I think he wants what we want: A way home.

Even the worst folk can be worked with if you got a common goal. And we win by having more of us than them. By thinking clever and sacrificing where we have to.

[lowficharm]

[Martin looks like there is so much he wants to say, and he's actually, for once, close to saying it.]

Mercy, you-- you have to believe me, you can't trust anything he says. He's never going to be on your side, it--

[He sighs, and it feels like a heavier weight than this conversation could ever be.]

You're really going to go in there, aren't you. Everyone is. You-- you don't understand.

[rainestorms]

Not going there means risking people with unsavoury goals getting there first and taking advantage of what's in the house.

[There's definitely an edge to what Raine is saying. An edge that isn't normally there.]

Do you want that to happen? Instead of one of us destroying it? Or containing it?

[lowficharm]

[Okay, he expected responses like this, it's fine. Martin takes a breath, reminding himself not to get intimidated by a simple statement.]

That assumes there's anything in there to use. And who-- what does unsavory types mean? Who would that even be?? You're-- you're assuming a lot about what's behind that fence and what we can do about it.

[rainestorms]

I'm not assuming. I know there's something in there, even if I don't know exactly what. It's not just from the pull.

[Raine paused, and decided they'd remain vague. This is a public place, still. But they've done this dance before. They've dealt with the fear of the unknown and the fear of everyone around them and wishing they could hide from what will kill them if they don't do something about it. Running wasn't an option.]

But don't pretend you don't have a clue who I may be talking about. Or be ignorant to the fact that other offworlders- even people you and I consider friends- may want to take advantage of whatever's in the house.

[There's a twinge of sympathy, though. They do feel bad that he's scared.]

I understand you're afraid of this. But I'd rather be able to have some sway in how things turn out for this world. Hiding never worked at home. It won't work here.

[lowficharm]

The "pull" is the problem!

[Oh, he has done this dance so many times. The one where people speak in half-truths and pretend to still be human. He's done it himself.]

They're just telling you what to do and you're running in because you want to know. And I-- I know, okay, I know how that is, but it doesn't help. Knowing more never helps.

[This hurts his heart, feeling like he's grasping at water that flows away. Haha. "Raine". Appropriate.]

You're going to find something worse than death in there. And there won't be any going back if you do.

voice; un: caoirigh

[apocalypsehownpcs]

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? Perhaps Buried in the Dark unknown ahead of you? Is separated and Alone better than united and Hunting?

Just curious if you can trust where your own hesitations come from.

[lowficharm]

Don't-- don't you carefully choose Entity names at me!

[He can hear those capital letters buddy. He knows them!! Even if he isn't certain who this is.]

My hesitations come from experience of being messed up by things exactly like this. I've made my mistakes, I-- I don't want anyone else to make them, too.

[apocalypsehownpcs]

So you're presuming they'll make your mistakes! My how our ego does grow, doesn't it?

Tell me, how long have you been trapped here? How much do you know of the forest and what's in it?

video | un: ceasetherain

[wewillwewill]

[ Elidibus is going to chime in. Hello again Martin. He doesn't look judgmental in the slightest though. But he rarely ever gives the impression that he's not willing to listen. ]

Before I respond to your concerns, I would like to hear more details in favor of your argument. Is there information you have which would change the merits of seeking to learn more of the warning we've been given?

[ Emotions may be high in Martin's plea, but that doesn't mean there wouldn't be merit to the suggestion that should be considered. ]

[lowficharm]

[Okay, at least someone's trying to listen. That's more than he expected, considering the circumstances and how much sway the Entities have over a vast majority of them right now.]

We figured out, pretty much exactly, that running in and getting into things because we were told to was drawing ADI-- and us-- towards the Hunt. Every time we've simply rushed into something it's only served to bring us more towards the Entities and risk us all getting consumed, or, or worse. Dogtown has been a place that's been really messed up for a long time, and this-- this just seems like a terribly awful idea considering everything we've seen happen so far when we rush into places like this.

[wewillwewill]

I understand your concern. Though it is my understanding the Hunt's influence has long held the ADI in its thrall; well before our arrival to this star. I can certainly agree that regardless of this fact, our presence may have served to accelerate it.

[ All impressions of the man's words and expression seem to indicate a level and rational sort of thought behind the response. Elidibus isn't trying to invalidate Martin's rationale. Rather, bring voice to more issues surrounding it. ]

It was not surprising to learn some Entity held sway within ADI Headquarters. Given the conditions of what they call supernatural and how our summons are bound with laws that strictly cause us to arrive upon its property, there was a focus which would rarely be possible without at least one will governing it. How free we have ever been to move outside of the plans of the Fears remains a question. Just as I have oft wondered why we do not, at least in the majority find ourselves dependent on the Hunt for our existence here.

[ Some in more ways than one. ]

Though this may simply be a matter of other Entities taking advantage of what one opened to bring their own pieces into play.

Regardless, forgive me for straying from the topic. While I am not one to be accused of simply rushing in, I hold the belief that doing nothing and remaining away will leave us ill prepared for what happens should we remain idle. It would ordinarily be wise to survey the situation. And in such cases, knowing there is likely a trap or ambush waiting for our arrival leaves one prepared to counter it.

[ At least, when it comes to remaining aware of the possibility. ]

What are your thoughts on investigating and assessing what lies within Dogtown as this warning portends to?

text UN Soldier

[worthallthis]

i think there are multiple entities here and they are against each other

the hunt wants us to hunt there if stupid shepard is any example. some other entity is in charge of the fence (not stranger i would know). the web gave me a key to the gate to bypass the other two.

[He has not used it yet, because he hasn't gotten to the gate yet, but he will once he goes back with Rogers.]

they are fighting each other here and i dont know if that means we should not fight them but maybe we can do a rescue mission at least

also i want to blow the house up not use anything there. i have plenty of grenades

text; un: mkblackwood

[lowficharm]

[He'll swap back to text to reply to Winter, especially since reading some of these sentences almost gave him a hernia.]

Okay hearing the Web gave you a key makes me want to go even less and should make you want to go less also. That's pure proof they want us in there! They're inviting us! Doesn't that sound like something we shouldn't be doing for them?

[worthallthis]

but theres another one that does not want us in that is keeping me from finding the gate

if they are fighting amongst themselves isnt that a good time to rescue the people stuck in there?

[Look he's trying hard to focus on the positives. The bits that aren't all violence and blowing things up. Even if he does want to blow things up.]

un: Aberration

[dangerousmind]

[It's not that she doesn't understand where he's coming from. Truly, she does. She remembers being paralyzed by fear. She remembers giving in to an evil so massive that it felt impossible to beat. And even now she is conscious of all the ways in which she's not free.

But still, it's with some relief that the fire within her doesn't flicker in the face of total annihilation. Maybe they'll doom the world afterall. Maybe they'll all die horribly. But she's sick of losing people. It's with a deep profound roaring hunger that she resolves herself to take these fear Gods and devour them.]

If it's so hopeless, why would running away help?

In my vast experience of being an utter selfish cunt [Adaine's words, she dimly remembers with a touch of lingering fondness] and an awful coward, running away rarely helps anything.

[lowficharm]

I'm-- it's not about being a coward. It's about staying alive and staying a person.

[He has never seen anyone best an Entity, short of Jon. And even then... his own selfishness is what ended that. A choice he would still make, if Jon was still here, but then he would go in hand and hand with him.]

We need a plan. Any kind of plan, or-- or we're all going to lose. This whole world is going to lose.

video | un: sgr

[punched_hitler]

I do agree. I think it wants us there. I don't think that should be the reason we go, but -

I don't know if we should just not go, either.

Doing nothing is worse than doing something and failing, I've always thought.

[lowficharm]

[At least Rogers sees the logic in what he's doing, at minimum. Not so far gone that he can't be reasoned with.]

It's-- it's not really about not doing something and more about just being able to say no. To, to say that you won't do what they want because you know they want you to, to take some agency. Do-- do you know what I mean?

[punched_hitler]

[He nods.]

I think I do.

And if you don't want to go -

Honestly, I think it would be a good idea to have people on the outside, too. If we all go - Well. We all know something's likely to go wrong.

text; un: architect

[unnecessaryflourishes]

And if it should prove worse for us to have not gone? What then?

text;

[lowficharm]

[He switches to text as well, for convenience.]

How could I possibly know that? How could anyone possibly know that? I don't see the future or anything, and even if I did, it would probably just be what I wanted to hear.

text;

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Knowing the entities present here, it most likely would.