[001] Video

[biteouttagrimes]

[ 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.

Comments

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[coppelganger]

You think because someone's registered, they don't get it?

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[biteouttagrimes]

I think they're afraid. Of what it means to not swear allegiance.

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[aggressiveapathy]

Mm. You kinda missed the hipseter calling. By like two decades. Bro.

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[biteouttagrimes]

Excuse me?

[ What are you talking about. Bro. ]

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[worstever]

So, what, you're suggesting we rebel en masse?

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[biteouttagrimes]

Would they really be equipped to stop us if we did?

What do you wanna do? Just sit back and become a target? Like at the Swear In? That 'information leak' or whatever the hell that was?

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[bindsthedead]

This isn't our world, though. I registered as a gesture of goodwill, but if you or our hosts assume that signifies unquestioning compliance, both of you are mistaken.

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ It seems more people than not have done so. ]

I think it's a dangerous position to put yourself in, Sabriel. I think the consequences of fightin' against 'em while registered are gonna be worse than not -- if it comes down to it.

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[redplainsrider]

Howdy.

Glad to see the world ain't change ya none since the first day ya got here.

[If the monotone voice was no indication, her face should be enough to say what she really means: really, buckaroo, you're still acting like this?]

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ Oh. That's a familiar face. ]

What? Were you just expectin' me to roll over and submit to this place? If anything, what happened at the Swear In makes me even more sure they ain't to be trusted.

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[infomodder]

[That sure is a handsome man hitting all his buttons, hot damn.]

But you won't use us, manipulate us, or lie to us?

[It's more polite than his initial question.]

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ It's like looking in a mirror. ]

Ain't really a point for me to do any of those things.

[ It's a good thing Will excluded the killing part, though. Because Rick would totally kill all y'all if he had to. Especially to protect his son. ]

permatext

[deadtective]

Gee, running an entire world ooor free ice cream. Can't believe no one else has jumped on board with you yet.

permavoice!

[biteouttagrimes]

[ Oh god. Text. Rick stares at the screen for a minute before he decides he ain't got time for that. ]

Far as I know, the ice cream ain't free.

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[angelfire]

[ Bored but fascinated angel. Lucifer has his chin propped up, but the fact that he's replying at all is a demonstration of interest. Please go nuts and rebel against the government, he needs things to eat popcorn to. ]

You hardly have to be registered to know that humanity is going to tear themselves apart. That bit's obvious.

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ WELL. FINALLY. Someone who gets it! .....the worst someone to get it. But considering Rick's been through hell and back, he'll take it. ]

Try tellin' that to them, though. They'll argue. They'll fight. They'll throw fits. 'cause they don't see what's inside 'em.

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[flamels]

Maybe they figure the perks outweigh that. Besides, just because you sign up for something, doesn't mean you are unquestionably obedient. I signed up for the military when I was twelve and you don't want to know all the complaints and disobedience records in that file.

We can always later change our minds if we really wanted to. We have these powers, sure. They have bracelets and things that can nullify said powers if they want too.

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ The expression on his face is one of disbelief. ]

You sure? You real sure we can just take it back like that? Change our minds? 'Cause the way I see it, I don't think this world is gonna be that forgivin' if you suddenly decide you don't wanna be registered.

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[textualhealing]

[So much lounging. So much whiskey. Apparently all Jeff's problems can be solved with a bottle of whiskey. But oh God, this guy. This guy reminds Jeff of someone back home, if only for the anarchistic rants.]

Some of the greatest rebellions were fought from the inside. All you're doing by not registering is painting a big ol' target on your back.

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ A brow raises. Does Jeff expect him to care about that? ]

Maybe that's what someone needs to do. If that's what it'll take to protect the people who deserve protectin' -- 'm used to bein' a target.

text - tag is Sam Winchester

[hunter_returns]

Are you talking about fighting for control over the cities, or just getting control over our own lives back?

voice!

[biteouttagrimes]

[ Rick isn't really a man who's going to waste his time texting. So the reply comes as voice. ]

I'm talkin' 'bout gettin' our own control back. Don't care about owning cities. Don't care about havin' the whole world. But when they threaten to take away our power -- that's when I care.

voice

[glitchinthesystem]

Hey, some of us just want to enjoy the shit they've got here before they fuck it all up, man. No need to get all presumey and say we're all morons here.

voice

[biteouttagrimes]

Enjoy the shit they got here...

[ Rick repeats incredulously. ]

So you'd rather just hide from the truth and take from this world. That's the kinda person you are?

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[112ounces]

Dad, what are you doing?

[ While Dad is not wrong . . . Carl knows he is fighting a futile fight on the network. It makes Carl angry, to see his dad mocked on the network by others.

But who is he trying to convince? That's what he doesn't understand. These are strangers to Dad. Why would he care? ]

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ Carl's question earns a frustrated sigh. ]

Somethin' pretty pointless from the looks of it. Just like I thought -- these people're blind.

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[mousquetaire]

[ You know, he sympathises. To an extent.

No one wants to be here any less than I do. None of this is 'okay'.

That doesn't mean it's right to take it from them. What exactly is it that you're saying, that you want to make this world your own? That you want to unseat their Government, fight against them and take their power for your own?

[ That's what it sounded like. All that little speech, that phrasing, that emotion. ]

That's no better than our being stuck here against our will. This isn't your world. You don't have the right to make it your own. None of us do.

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[biteouttagrimes]

Don't want their world.

[ Which Rick supposes it sounded like he did when he was going on about it. ]

Just want my freedom. My power. Don't want them controllin' me. It might be their world, but I ain't theirs.

[Video]

[enucleation]

You won't get far with this. [ says the registered person. But Kaneki isn't registered because he wants to. Nor because of the perks. ]

[Video]

[biteouttagrimes]

How come? 'cause you think they're gonna try to stop me? Or you think no one's gonna listen?

[ Because so far.....Rick is more banking on the latter. ]

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[nohalfway]

[ Ellie scrunches her face at this. All of this. Come on, survivor friend, don't throw yourself to the wolves so fucking soon. ]

God, you know, I want to agree with you?

But then you keep running your mouth on a public venue and insult a ton of people and I just...

[ She makes a noise. Something along the lines of "Eeeeehhhhhh" ]

Come on, Rick. If you're gonna call a ton of people pussies, at least be more passive.

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[biteouttagrimes]

I ain't gonna sugarcoat it. That ain't the type of guy I am, Ellie. Not no more.

If they don't wanna listen, that's on them.

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[debauchewy]

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.

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ 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.

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

All ready and rearing to criticize those craving a little normalcy in their lives, are we? My, my. Having a bad day?

voice;

[biteouttagrimes]

There ain't nothin' normal 'bout this world. An' these people're just blindin' themselves if they believe there is.

audio;

[akito]

[ he still hasn't registered - no. he's been debating drafting up his own contract agreement so he doesn't have to worry about what to do if he gets injured, since he knows the States are notoriously bad when it comes to that sort of thing...

his voice is quiet, feminine, cautiously cheerful, and sounds younger even than Rick's own son. it's something Akito has been using to his advantage, when he can. ]

I would say that just because people aren't broadcasting their thoughts over a monitored network doesn't mean that they're all rolling over and giving in. Defiance also isn't something that comes easily to everyone.

They haven't given me a reason to trust them and their charity yet, so I haven't registered. If you sign a contract with a military they always seek for you to fulfill it sooner or later. I would rather live on the streets than have the lingering worry of being forced to be a tool hanging over my head, ne?

audio;

[biteouttagrimes]

[ Ne? What is ne? Nay? Neigh? Is he talking to someone who's part horse? Rick's silent for a moment but this is actually the first person who is seeing things somewhat clearly. The first person that isn't his son or Ellie (both survivors). ]

That's what 'm tryin' to say here. But the people, they believe they ain't gonna be forced. That they can make up their minds and reap the benefits without havin' to pay up for it.

One day, they ain't gonna like the price the government's askin'.

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[youbastard]

I have to ask what you thought you'd accomplish by doing this publicly. A lot of people know that they're using us and manipulating us, but we also know they monitor this. They built it. So is it fellow imPorts you're trying to call out or are you trying to get the government's attention?

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ Like this came with any sort of real plan. ]

I was tryin' to talk to people. It's just what came out. But I don't regret sayin' it. Whether the government hears me or the imPorts. There's gotta be someone out there that'll agree. Someone who'll be on my side. An' that's who 'm tryin' to reach.

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[you_tried]

Sooo you're putting out an open call for rebellion on the network they set up for us. Why do people keep doing that?

permatext SORRY BOOSTER

[hypnotherapy]

It makes for good entertainment at least wwwww

[ Seriously, who even cares. Things will happen, he'll react when it does; no amount of talking will change the future, whatever it is. Whatever it happens to be.

He doesn't put much stock in these kinds of words. ]

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[grouchinleather]

[Here, Rick, someone who "gets it."]

Wow, you are an idiot.

[Then again, maybe not.]

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[biteouttagrimes]

You callin' me an idiot?

[ Like this is the most ludicrous thing in the world. Come here and say it to his face, Midnighter! >( ]

I'm tryin'a do somethin' here. What're you doin'? Sittin' around an' waitin'? Lettin' the government use you?

text

[rathercommon]

So...OK. We know that the locals can't stand up to us, but they'll definitely TRY to defend their homes. So you're all right with us just slaughtering hundreds of them? Thousands? Tens of thousands, maybe.

voice

[biteouttagrimes]

[ Rick ain't got time for no texting. ]

If that's what it takes. If they stand in my way.

[ Which sounds a little homocidal maniac. But really, it's just zombie apocalypse survivor mentality. ]

Look. I ain't goin' outta my way to kill nobody. That ain't what I'm saying here. I'm sayin' I ain't gonna sit around and be used by this government. I'm sayin' I ain't about to lay down and die in their war. I'm sayin' that I'm in control of myself, and I ain't about to be bound and tied down by their restrictions.

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[iamtetsuo]

I don't care about what happens to this world or whatever it is. I'll find my own way out.

There's no way in hell I'm fighting for America.

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[biteouttagrimes]

[ Well....that's somewhat the spirit! It's better than most of what Rick's been getting in response. ]

You gotta fight for yourself. America. Russia. Whoever -- will walk all over you if you don't.

But at least you get it. You know you gotta do what it takes. Everyone else is just blind.