001 | Video

[halfbloodhatchling]

Who: Kai Gracen and Open
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: The Marsiva
When: Now

I’m figuring that at some point I’m going to get an explanation, or one of my guns back, or something. Because I’m not really likely to die of boredom, no matter how long I’m left here.

[And while boredom is a lot better than most of the alternatives, Kai would still rather have some kind of weapon.]

And I can still bite, if it comes to that.

[Kai shows his teeth and it looks like in addition to having pointy ears and purple eyes, he also has fangs.

He lets out a half-sigh after that.]

Seriously though. What is it I’m supposed to be doing here? I can’t see much use for a Stalker.

Comments

[halfbloodhatchling]

Look, I'm absolutely the wrong person to talk to if you're feeling suicidal. But you should maybe get that checked out.

[metachrosis]

Did I say that?

I just don't want to dance for kidnappers and sadists.

[halfbloodhatchling]

Implied it.

What sadism have they shown?

[This is clearly of personal relevance. It's good to know what he's gotten into.]

[metachrosis]

Are you at all familiar with reality TV?

[halfbloodhatchling]

No, not at all.

[metachrosis]

For the audience, it's about watching people you don't know in situations you'd hate to be in, so you can watch them react. The more drama, the more entertainment. No part of your life is safe. You're in a relationship, they'll want to test it. You're scared of something, they'll throw it at you.

I've heard of stupid shit happening to. People turning into kids, for example.

[halfbloodhatchling]

I'm scared of getting into a relationship.

[Half a joke and half not one. It doesn't matter, anyway, it's not like admitting to a real weakness.]

What other stupid shit have you heard of?

[metachrosis]

That's the kind of thing you don't want to say. It's not tempting fate, but it is tempting the people who run this thing.

[He's pretty sure, anyway.]

I caught a mention of someone changing sex before, as well. I get the impression there's other stuff going on, but I actually haven't been here that long. Don't think much'd surprise me.

[halfbloodhatchling]

What are they going to do, throw pretty people at me until I'm tempted? I think I can manage that well enough.

[And if that is taken as a temptation, well, Kai wouldn't mind facing some of that sort of temptation.]

Sounds weird, sure, but I'm not quite sure I get the sadism you referred to.

[metachrosis]

They like to watch people suffer.

And haven't they already shown they can screw with your brain?

[halfbloodhatchling]

Not really. My physical location, sure, but this all seems pretty manageable.

[metachrosis]

They implanted knowledge into your brain without your permission. Pretty sure they can do other shit with it as well.

But hey, if you're fine with that...

[halfbloodhatchling]

You don't know me, so I'll give you a pass on that one.

[He's been through worse. This is more mild a kidnapping than he's ever expected.]

But knowledge, I'm okay with, generally speaking.

[metachrosis]

Please yourself.

At least it's better than where I just came from. There's actual food, for one thing. Decent living quarters, gym equipment, and so on. Not over the fact people are watching me sleep, though.

[halfbloodhatchling]

Sounds like there's a lot of things you're not over, but nothing you just listed is a complaint.

[metachrosis]

I just came from the end of the world. This is technically a step up from dead wasteland.

[halfbloodhatchling]

I think space generally has less life in it than wastelands. Speaking technically.

[metachrosis]

There are habitable planets to visit, too.

[halfbloodhatchling]

That's getting better. Does anyone ever stay behind on them?