maskormenace | [001] Video

[001] Video

[ The video starts with Rick sitting there on the edge of his bed, staring at the camera with an uncertain intensity. His brows furrow, the corner of his lip turns downward, and after a minute or two he breaks his silence. ]

Don't know if this thing is recording. Supposed to put me in touch with everyone out there, ain't it?

[ He rubs at some unseen tension on his face. ]

'Cause I've been watchin' this network. Watchin' everyone talking. Making their posts. Goin' on like this ain't no big deal bein' in this world...

[ His eyes narrow. ]

You all act like you're friendly. You have your parties and celebrations. You pretend like things are okay... [ He thinks, for just a moment, of Verity. Verity in near tears at the Swear In after being bathed in so many untruths. ]

And you lie. Not just to the world, but to yourselves.

'Cause I've seen it. What it is you become. I seen it when you take away everything, the things you'll do just to survive.

And it ain't fancy parties or ice cream sundaes. It ain't even a whole bottle of whiskey.

[ Rick's jaw sets together for a moment. ]

But it don't have to be like that. We can fight it. This world -- they think they can control us. But we can take it from them. We can make it our own. We're the ones who got the power. They'll try to use us, manipulate us, lie to us. They'll even try to kill us. But they can't do none of that unless we let 'em. 'Cause if we don't fight, we die.

And I know I'm not the only one who sees it the way it is.

[ He holds up his wrist -- bearing the UNSETTLED tattoo. ]

Guess what I wanna know -- what 'm askin' is who else out there gets it? 'Cause so far all I seen are people who don't.

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Oh, you've seen what we all become? How observant. [Ah hope, look at it. Look at it right here. he loves seeing new imPorts shining like this, like they can actually do anything. And truth be told, Hisoka isn't the sort to roll over and lose. But this place isn't worth the struggle. Especially since he could just well-

port out of here suddenly.]

[Better to focus on having fun. But please, talk about how you can fight against The Man, by all means.]

But for the record, they won't 'try' to do anything. They will. [A sly smile.] Usually by force. Removing our abilities, controlling us. You have so much...nh... spirit, but are you usually so naive as well?

That's all right. [Grins.] I rather enjoy that.

[ Rick's face instantly grows cold. He's been pretty levelheaded with half of these people telling him his plan is pointless, but this breed of nonchalance Hisoka's showcasing? This is the type of thing you'd find in those bastards like Gareth who organized a whole cannibal camp. ]

I ain't here for your entertainment. If that's what your thinkin', you're gonna learn a lesson the hard way real quick.

It don't matter what they try to do. [ Still standing by TRY. ] Or what they even manage to do. Take away the powers. I fought with less an' I survived.

[Nonchalant is a good word for him, that's for sure. He's had his moments, he's been phased by this place, even changed by it here and there. But this world? It's issues? Nonchalance seems the best choice. He'll get fired up when he finds something to be fired up about.]

I'll be learning something? So then you'll be the one to teach me? Oh I really can't wait for that.

[Smirks.]

Your powers and access to anyone around you, what about use of your hands and feet, if they cut them off would you rag yourself to victory? [He sure hopes so. That bright, willful spirit is beautiful, even when it shines with futility.]

[ His eyes narrow. ]

You ain't the first one to say that with a smirk on your face. But I can assure you, none of them had anythin' to smile about when it came down to it.

[ Someone get Rick off the network so he can stop threatening people, please. But it's the sadism of the question that causes his blood to boil even more. ]

I won't give up. No matter what they try to do to me.

[Aww, look at that face... So endearing.]

I promise the smirk is permanent, don't take it so personal.

[No, stay, and continue. It's just giving him more reason to bother with him at all.]

What resolve. I imagine where you came from you were against the same odds, or worse?

[ Careful, Hisoka! He bites. ]

Every day was a struggle just to live. Just to survive. The things I went up against? This government'd be child's play compared to that.

[He sure seems like he might, he just wants to know how hard.]

Would you say all that's forced you to 'survive' has made you a stronger man, then?

[ Has it made him stronger? If murdering without hesitation means strength then.... ]

Stronger, yeah.

[ A thoughtful pause. ]

Colder, too.

[ And then he cants his head, studying Hisoka carefully. ]

You got some reason that you're askin'?

[ So defensive. Like he expects Hisoka to jump through the screen and attack him or something. ]

[Well, he might. Or he'll get him to attack instead.]

[He closes his eyes, setting his chin on a hand.]

I like talking to people about their worlds, about what they've done. Is that a good enough reason?

[ Only a matter of time before Rick breaks the communicator. ]

Seem more like you're tryin'a pry. What about your world? If you wanna talk about it, it's a two way street.

[Aw, but then they can't talk anymore. Also jokes on you, these things are indestructible.]

I don't mind, what about my world?

[ There's always in person. All the better to punch you in the face if needed, you beautifully bizarre creature you. ]

What's it like? Guessin' it ain't apocalyptic. Guessin' if it was, you wouldn't be talkin' to me the way you were talkin'.

[Do it, do it. Can he ask any more desperately? Though it's possible a meeting in person could make Hisoka uninterested completely, then hey, you don't have to deal with him anymore, so good, right?]

A guess it is.

No, it's not, quite hospitable, but with it's problems. Though we're only aware of a small part of the world, perhaps thew rest of it is something more your speed?

[ Such a fickle guy! ]

Then you probably fit right in to this place. Signed right up for the free government housing and aid, didn't you?

[Sure is.]

It took a little time, and a few months of rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation for what?

For not assimilating well of course. I was rather naughty when I first arrived.

[ Well, this sure sounds like the path Rick might be following....so a little less antagonistic than before: ]

What happened? What'd you do? And what was the punishment for it?

That's a little personal, we haven't even formally met.

[Aren't secrets fun?]

[Maybe Hisoka's just embarrassed by it, okay?]

[...PFFTTHAAAHAHAhA ha. Yeah. Embarrassed.]

[ What. An. Ass. ]

Bet I could find out if I looked hard enough. My son says you can look back on old stuff on this thing.

[ A gesture to the communicator. See. Rick knows about advanced technology.

...he totally won't be asking Carl how to do it later. ]

But you could go on now and confess. Save me the trouble.

[ Such a cop. ]

[That tends to be the general consensus, yes.]

I imagine you could, but you'd snoop to make friends? Do you normally bully people when you first meet them? How mean~

I'd snoop [ Finger quotes ] to find out what your deal is. An' if you're dangerous to me and my son.

...Your son?

-How lucky for you.

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[001] Video

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