First Target

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Alright, I'm only gonna say this once.

Kidnapping? Really not the best way to get on my good side. So here's how this is gonna go. You tell me where we are, who YOU are, and just what you hope to get out of this little circus act and I promise to go easy on you.

Consider this my official "take me to your leader," 'cause everybody knows the one who actually does the hands-on work is never the one in charge.

Comments

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I'm sure we would all be more than happy to take you to the ones in charge, if we could. But the only people that will probably answer you on this thing are other... kidnappees.

[What do you mean that's not a real word? Whatever.]

Welcome to the City.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

What, are they on the other side of the cage or something?

[Sarcastic. Cage. Right.]

Which one?

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[...right.]

This one. That's its name. The... things in charge of it don't really show themselves.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

It's called The City. Dude, you serious? What, was the creative team out to lunch when they named the place?

...If dozens of clones start wandering around, I'm out of here.

So. What's the deal.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

...

I wouldn't rule out that possibility.

The deal is that you've been taken to this place, I think by what they call deities? And I don't know what we're here for exactly but I think it has something to do with some kind of countdown. Meanwhile, the clock ticks in our heads and the City sees it fit to throw a number of curses at us every month.

It's terribly fun.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Depends on your definition of fun. Personally, any time I get told I'm stuck somewhere I tend to think of it as exactly the opposite of fun.

Two questions. Countdown to what, and what do you mean by "curses".

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I think there was something about the end of the world.

[Woop-de-doo?]

Curses can be anything. It can give you the urge to hug everyone you see, bury you in fluffy... round animals of some kind or it can turn people into cannibals.

[He shrugs, and waves a hand a little.]

I really don't think there are any limits.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Nothing like being melodramatic.

Something in the water?

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[He shakes his head.]

I think it would affect everyone then.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Not if you've got people off the main system.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Considering that, he pauses for a while, pressing his fingers to his lips, but...]

There's no pattern that would mesh with that theory, though. It's too random.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Then you're left with chemical or biological warfare. Contagion of some kind, spreads like a disease or just straight-up aerosol.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Something that disappears at the exact same time for everyone as soon as the day is over?

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Provided everybody gets dosed at the same time initially.

...Seems a little impractical, you're right.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Have a bit of a laugh at that.]

I don't think I could conclude it to be anything but magic.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

[A snort in return.]

Because that's clearly more reasonable.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Oh, but it is. So you're from a world that doesn't have it, then?

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Can't say we do, no. What, you do in yours?

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Yeah.

[As he tilts his head, his eyes briefly glow yellow and into the screen comes a floating pencil.]

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

...and you're sure nobody's on anything.

[Because that is...not normal. Not at all.]

How did you manage that?

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Always been able to, and that's only the beginning of it.

[He shrugs, belatedly realising that maybe he's getting a little too loose and relaxed about letting people know about it but he can't quite help it.]

Different worlds come with different rules.

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

[Eh. Guerrero won't use it against you, Merlin. ...not yet, anyway.]

Apparently.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[That's nice to know.]

Anything else you're wondering?

[Video]

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Think I'm good, but I'll let you know.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Okay then.

[friendshipistragic]

Is it still kidnapping if you're not a kid?

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

[Pony whut. Talking pony. What is this.]

Okay, well that's new. Must've slipped me the extra good stuff.

[friendshipistragic]

Extra good stuff? Like candy?

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Try psilocybin.

[friendshipistragic]

That sounds weird.

One time I had to many red hots and my tongue got all tingly.

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

I'm talking to a horse, and magic mushrooms sounds weird.

I'm really happy for you, dude. Is there a point you're going for here?

[friendshipistragic]

I'm not a dude, I'm Sunny! I just wanted to say hi.

This place is really strange! I'm not usually a pony. Just for today, I guess.

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

...Of course. So do people normally get turned into horses here?

[whatfriendshipcantbe]

It's not normal.

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

What's not normal?

[whatfriendshipcantbe]

Everyone looking like they're part of a circus pony show.

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Well I kind of assumed that part.

[captainfuckingmagic]

Yeah, you picked a pretty shitty day to turn up.

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

Assuming someone didn't slip me something? Figured that out already, dude.

[captainfuckingmagic]

I think most of the people here would either not slip you something because they're selfish, don't have anything to slip, or would have told you they did it by now because they're assholes. I mean, thankfully the second category's a little bigger, but still.

[worldofviolentlyinsane]

So how often am I gonna have to worry about this...pony situation?

[captainfuckingmagic]

Hopefully just however often you run into them between now and midnight.