expiationnet | audio; un: spartan

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audio; un: spartan

[ It has been a couple of weeks now since the successful reset of the terminals. Now, the same voice that was heard trying to rally them all to that task, tired and thick with a Slavic accent, has come to speak over the network once again. ]

Greetings, my friends. Miller here. First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who assisted in our efforts to restore this place to its former self. If it was not for all your cooperation, I am certain things would have gone very differently. It is thanks to all of you that we are still alive.

[ He's proud, really. The change from when he first arrived in this place has been immense. ]

Which is why it is my hope that we can keep this spirit of camaraderie going. There has already been a lively discussion of the visions we encountered at the terminals. Now that it has become clear that there is truly no safe space to hide from the prying eyes of the "Council," I wish to propose a forum for us all to continue sharing information.

[ The creation of the Dark Web was an innovation, to say the least... but can one even really call that secure when the entire world they live in is simulated? Where he's concerned, it's time to be forthright. ]

Allow me to begin with this. I was summoned to the courtroom. Yes – the courtroom. I only recall the inside of the building, but I presume it's one and the same as the new structure in the city center. I have been part of this experiment for eight months now and it is my first time seeing this Jerry face to face. But I can't be the only one who, up until now, seemed to have forgotten that he even existed? So, please... I would like to hear all of your thoughts.

I don't know about all of you, but I didn't try to save that artificial intelligence because I wanted to go back to putting my head in the sand!

( ooc: so long as it's cool with both parties, feel free to threadjack to discuss amongst yourselves! )

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Same to you, Vash.

[ Although this returned sentiment is far less cheery on his part. The inflection is more that of resignment. Same old, huh? ]

They finally pulled the trigger on sentencing me to the "crime" I was accused of when I first arrived here! But the worst part is that they've finetuned it so that it's not even possible to raise an objection. All of this happened in what felt like a dream.

Wait, so they just ... said you're guilty? Just like that?

[ not that he's any familiar with a decent justice system, but even to vash, that sounds just unfair. ]

How do you mean, finetuned it?

Just like that.

I haven't experienced it before, but it was my understanding that in the past, people would be escorted to their sentencing by Jerry. That isn't the case anymore. It was as though I was there to witness it, but could only remember it upon waking up, and I had no control over what happened. Very convenient for those crooked arbiters. I suspect they want to leave no room for interference.

Oh ... How convenient, indeed.

So they can get us in our dreams, too. That sounds ... [ how can he put this in a non-panic driving way ]

... Concerning.

To say the least.

[ Is there a single place that's actually safe here? With what they know now, how can there be? ]

I haven't decided yet if it's worth the trouble of refusing to comply.

But wouldn't that be dangerous for you??

Inconvenient, sure, but dangerous... that is very much debatable. What are they going to do, sentence me to death? They want us here. They want us to keep participating in this experiment.

I don't think we could risk that ... Just in case!

What do you have to do?

In case of what? That's what I want to know.

[ But fine... Vash is not the first to try to convince him it's not worth it and the real energy behind his argument is already lost. ]

They want me to take up "peaceful hobbies." Whatever that means.

Isn't it better to prepare for any eventualities?
Especially since the changes recently, we don't know how they'd react to it ...

[ like making a public example of miller in the worst way possible. that's not good!!!!! ]

Peaceful hobbies? I can help!!! There are so many things that you could do!!!

What do you do normally in your spare time?

[ Maybe he's not really convinced, but it doesn't feel worth it to keep bashing his head against a wall. That being said, he shouldn't be surprised about Vash's enthusiasm and yet somehow he still is and manages to sound disgruntled about it. ]

Alright, alright, if you insist!

[ Uh... good question. ]

I work at the casino. You know that. Otherwise I'm at the Last Drop. Or making repairs on my equipment. But I admit that the library is a decent place to spend some free time.

I suppose it depends on what they mean by "hobbies" ...

[ do they want ... physical activity? go for a walk? a hike? pick some flowers? ]

Sounds like you need to do something nice and relaxing. The library is a good place to start! I've been going there a little these days, there's so many books on all sorts of topics! Oh, but maybe they want you to just enjoy some stories instead of learning anything ... Maybe I can recommend you some? Or we could read together? Have you been there lots of times before?

[ beware, miller; vash is on a romance novel binge. ]

[ True, and working definitely doesn't count or he wouldn't be given such a sentencing... even if, from Miller's perspective, he's not exactly doing those things to make a living.

"Nice and relaxing" earns an intake of breath like he can't help but bristle at it, but he doesn't interrupt. He knows that, frankly, that's probably exactly what the Council has in mind.

There's a small pause, and then, ]

Yes... you see, books almost took on a value as currency in my home station. So much of history was lost to the uninhabitable surface. It was astonishing to me to see so many well-kept books in one place. I have scoured the place, but I don't think there is a single one detailing the past of Aldrip.

[ Which... now that they know it's a simulation, does make sense. ]

So, you think they'd be more satisfied with reading storybooks then? What do you recommend?

[ he knows as well as miller that "nice and relaxing" isn't in the other's nature ... but that is exactly what they have in mind, isn't it? to push them out of their comfort zones, so to speak? and really, it really could have been much worse. ]

Oh!!! That's how I feel as well! Having real paper books is quite a luxury, isn't it? You can't really get them where I'm from, and they are very expensive or ... well, just manuals.

[ which are definitely not for everyone ... after all, who wants to read about toma husbandry day after day? ]

Haha, don't take this the wrong way, but ... you don't seem much like a storybook guy, you know? So it's definitely something to consider!

[ Probably... That's a nice way of putting what he assumes the Council has in mind. But he has to admit that as irritating as the request is, yes, Toph is right that they kind of let him off easy.

Some of the edge also does seem to soften in his tone as he learns of their commonality. ]

I see... Most of your books were digital then?

[ Perhaps that means their preservation is more assured. Perhaps not. In any case. ]

You're correct. There isn't much value in reading something like that...but I suppose if it could be that simple, I would entertain it. Do you have any suggestions?

Haha, you could say that ... only in the big cities, though! If you're from a small town, you just kind of have to figure it out mostly somehow. I know there are travelling merchants who carry some, but ...

[ oh, he's rambling. ]

Oh, I'm rambling! Sorry!

[ he really should stop getting distracted like this ... he's here to help miller, you know??? ]

See, what you don't think has value might be so for someone else, it's all about perspective, no? So let's just pick something and try it!

I've been reading ... what're they called? Romantica? They are very fun!!!

It's fine, it's fine.

[ He says, sounding a little annoyed. Though it is unclear whether the feeling is provoked by Vash's rambling or by the fact that he feels the need to excuse himself for it. Miller is quick to dismiss it nonetheless. ]

Seriously? I thought that the only people who'd be interested in a story like that would be young women and the casanovas trying to use it to impress them.

[ Neither description seems to fit! Vash does have at least one good point though... ]

Fine. I don't even know where to start, so why don't you just accompany me to the library then?

C-casanovas??

[ at least he stops apologising for himself - but that's mostly because he's probably totally taken aback by that piece of opinion from miller; clearly it's not something he's ever considered before in his life. ] Ahaha, I'm not trying to impress anyone, I promise!

[ except for, maybe, the culprit who introduced him to the genre in the first place maybe ... but only so that they can talk about them! ]

I mean ... some of these stories are quite hard to believe ... [ after all, how many times can one be put in situations where only true love could save them? could they save each other from all the gaping holes of the plot instead? not that vash cares!!! ] ... But they are really good! I love happy endings, don't you?

[ he doesn't react in any more exuberant way at the other's offer, knowing instinctively that any overly enthusiastic reaction might actually backfire and miller may decide to ditch him and go to the library on his own, so!

stay cool, vash. ]

That sounds reasonable. [ is that cool enough? ] I could maybe pick out a few, and you could have a read and get the one you like the sound of the best?

[ It's true, he doesn't fit the bill. Clearly his impression of who is interested in romantica was not so accurate. Consider it some good, old-fashioned stereotyping. Granted, expanding that point of view doesn't much lead him to believe he would personally enjoy it... He may have more in common with Vash than your run of the mill ladies man, but not much.

He shakes his head, although unseen by his conversation partner. ]

I suppose if you're in the market for wish fulfillment. Sometimes, I would say the happy ending is the most difficult part of the story to believe.

[ Fortunately, Miller is not doubting of his collected demeanor. ]

Very well. Are you caught up with something now, or am I being too demanding of your time?

[ Frankly, he's not sure he will ever return to this idea if he's tasked with coming back around to making plans later. At that point, it will be as good as dead. ]

Hahaha ... you don't read that kind of stuff much, do you?

[ vash does have some unhinged wild ideas about people, yes, like believing in their inherent goodness yadda yadda ... but in this instance he might be right in guessing? try as hard as he might he really can't imagine miller sitting down with one of those books.

which is why his idea is perfect and foolproof. nobody is expecting him to ever pick up a book like that, which might be exactly what the judgement is all about! ]

I'm free now! You're not a bother at all, believe me!

[ miller's question might come across as abrupt to some others, but not vash - he's always happy to be obliging! and it's exciting, isn't it? they have yet to spend any time with each other outside of their shared work, this gotta be another step towards Friendship! ]

I can meet you outside the library if that's easiest, or anywhere else, really!

What gave it away?

[ The sarcasm is more dry than biting. Stories with idealistic happy endings no longer have the same meaning they used to, he must admit. It isn't that they're too good for him though. They're meant for children who can still conceive of the kind of reality where they might be possible.

Vash seems like the type of person who would tell those stories. After all, listen to him, so ready to drop everything and help him out. Even if it's for a task he doesn't particularly want to do, Miller has no room to complain about that. ]

Alright... thank you. Let's meet there, then.

[ honestly, miller won't be the only one who'd find vash's attitude odd - foolish, even - especially coming from worlds such as theirs that are determined to stamp out every little spark of something even resembling a happy ending. but vash is probably just as equally stubborn about it ... even though that may not necessarily be a very good thing.

in any case, he'd see a possibly familiar lanky figure in red waiting outside the steps of the library, as promised. vash has evidently been keeping an eye out in all directions for him, because he will visibly perk up and wave his hand wide above his head. ]

You made it!!! [ as though that's a surprise ... he did say so, after all? ]

I've been thinking about what books you could take a look at ... but I'll let you pick!

[ He's known people like that before — the ones who will try to take any bad situation and turn it on its head, never take no for an answer. Vash is a whole different breed though. Not only does he have optimism in spades, he keeps his attitude of friendliness up so aggressively it almost acts as a shield. The kind that prevents Miller from really ever knowing anything about him.

But the more they interact, the more curious he is to know what the story is behind it. Though somehow, he thinks maybe he won't ever find out.

At least it seems to be working to his advantage, in this particular instance. He heads directly to the library, though without any unnecessary rush to pace, and is quick to spot that Vash is already standing at the steps. Miller nods his head in greeting as he comes to meet him. ]

Hope you weren't waiting long. [ He starts heading up the steps, expecting Vash will follow. ] I told you, I really have no concept of where to begin on that... so I will take whatever suggestions you have.

[ and vash falls right into step beside him, bounding up the stairs with a flurry of his usual bright red coat trailing with the movement. ] Right!! But you must have some preference, right? Maybe?

[ that last word is tacked on - a little doubtfully, but still hopeful nonetheless - with a sidelong awkward tilt of his head; he seems to genuinely care about miller enjoying himself in all of this ... even though that in itself may not really be the point for this 'punishment' that the council has doled out to miller in the first place. ]

Oh, and we have to be careful and be quiet!!!!

[ as though miller was at all making any sort of noise that's half as loud as vash, but as they approach the entrance of the library the blond cowers his shoulders, hunching up as though trying to make the bulk of his body small enough to pass undetected by the stern librarians working at the front desk. ]

[ Well. The trouble with specifying a preference in a genre you have absolutely zero familiarity with is that there's no way to discern one except by guessing. Miller returns that doubtful optimism with a frown, but there is a detectable hint of reflection going on there, too. Like he's trying to open his mind to it just a little and is finding it incredibly difficult to do so.

But this thought at least temporarily falls by the wayside.

With Miller's own collected pace, Vash ends up in the lead, front and center for the way he looks at him like he's a crazy person as he exclaims his warning. ]

Who are you telling? Me or you?

[ Nevertheless, he follows dutifully behind, looking over his shoulders in both directions as soon as they enter the building. Unexpectedly, by someone's grace, no one occupying it seems to have really noticed them. As they move further inside, towards the aisles, he speaks up again in a hushed tone. ]

How about something realistic? What do they call that — historical fiction?

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