expiationnet | 04. Video; Now Presenting...

[The video opens with Silco standing in front of an new establishment in the entertainment district. There is the sound of renovations coming from within, a pile of old debris and broken items off the side that will be repurposed. Still, the sign is lit up announcing the place.

Silco gestured with a hand at the new establishment, the corner of his mouth twitching in what might be his version of a smile.]

This is The Last Drop, a bar from my home in The Lanes. I have been blessed to have it brought here for all of you to enjoy with me. A little taste of my home called Zaun, and it is as rough as it is eclectic.

[He turned to look at the place as the sounds of hammering and saws continued inside. He didn't even seem annoyed at all.]

Apologies on the noise, but it's not in the state I previously left it due to a ruffian having a fight inside before it arrived here. It's unfortunate, but not unexpected given where it came from. Some people can't handle their liquor and emotions at the same time.

Anyway, The Last Drop will be open to serve the community of Aldrip in one week's time. I invite all of you to attend the grand opening. It will be quite the party.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Indeed, already there have been slips. It is important to determine what benefit this place and whoever runs it receives from us being here. We may need to play into that so they become lax. Oh yes, I understand what you mean. We must be available to take advantage of their systems.

[ ... ]

Do you have any theories yet as to what whoever runs it is getting from us being here?

[ Ange has already assumed it's just amusement, going by her own world's standards for this sort of thing-- But that's exactly why she's asking Silco. He comes from a different place than her. He might have some fresh new ideas when it comes to that, just because he's got a different perspective.

Besides, she trusts him to not tell her some utter nonsense. He seems smart enough. ]

I have several based on what little we know: 1) They are gathering evidence about behaviour, like rodents in puzzle game. 2) They are enjoying watching us struggle in this world, especially those that are not so used to having limitations set on them. 3) They are repurposing us for some larger scheme/world event/just because. 4) They have power and they are using it.

You could even split that last one into multiple categories, right? After all, I don't think it's a wrong one. Some people really do just want to use the power they have.

But it could mean they're the regular power-hungry type, or maybe they're some sort of beings that don't understand their own power. Kind of like a kid figuring out what it can do for the first time, you know? I'd say that the latter scenario is preferable, because then we might actually stand a chance of changing their minds. Trying to change someone who's just power-hungry is impossible. We'd have to get rid of them entirely then as the only possible solution.

It is clear this isn't their first attempt at this kind of social experiment, but we should consider how far we can push them before they eliminate us and start again. They haven't given the impression of power hungry for the sake of it, so I am focused more on seeing how far we can push them and hope that their bungle information. This place isn't nearly as polished as it once was, and the adaption speaks of their willingness to change the environment with this power. Potentially to see if we will behave ourselves.

[ ... Well, if this exchange is private anyway, Ange figures she can share some information. Maybe Silco already has it, considering how inquisitive he seems, but it can't hurt to bring it up. ]

I tried looking into the previous iterations of what we're going through.

A lot of the data is corrupted. It's likely that some entity might have messed with it on purpose, but I won't rule out the possibility that maybe it's corrupted even to them. Maybe that's the source of all the messing up they're doing this time around.

[He assumes that all correspondence is being monitored, especially when it came to the network. It was easier to not stress about it.]

That doesn't surprise me in the least. This place has the appearance that it has not been this way for long. Technology can go wrong, but if it is attempting to learn from us, who knows how corrupting our influence is as well.

[He had heard plenty about Hextech, which was the most technological equipment he had seen. They didn't have computers or the like, though Jinx has been stuck explaining it to him since he arrived here. He had a gist at least.]

I mean, have you seen the other people who were dragged here alongside us?

About 80% of them are terrible influences on it. If this place is learning from us, then we're absolutely doomed already at this point. There's no saving the technology anymore from this sort of idiocy.

[ Is this a little cynical? Sure. But Ange truly does believe what she's writing here. ]

I've made myself fully aware of the types this place seems to bring in on a trial basis. I expect we all have our unique failings when it comes to life in the perception of this place. Though, I am confident that this lot have an extra set of village idiots among them.

[Ange, he's hating you less and less each conversation they have. Practically an ally soon enough.]

They're seriously annoying. I'm pretty sure it's this place's way of torturing the more intellectually inclined among us.[ There's a slight pause, and then the next message: ]

I'll check out your establishment sometime. Maybe the drinks there are enough to get some people a little more loose-lipped. Who knows.

Of that, I have no doubt. Every day I have to endure the network full of worthless topics and questions and celebratory announcements. You should, yes. If you would like to have a quieter atmosphere, I would suggest late afternoon before activities are in full swing. Bars can be like brothels, secrets are always spilled.

I'll gladly listen to your suggestion.

[ Silco has more experience with this than she does, after all, considering he's running the place. If he's telling her that's the best time, then she's willing to believe it. ]

Thanks for it. And for what you're trying to do. Anything that attempts to cut out the legs from underneath those beings keeping us here is fine in my book.

There will be less bothers at the time, but the trade off is less tongue wagging. Agreed. We will only take control of this if we work together, unfortunately. We will talk again soon with updates no doubt.

04. Video; Now Presenting...

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