0011000100110110 (Video)

[want_a_vacation]

*The phone clicks on to show a groggy looking Allen, seemingly having just woken up from falling asleep at his desk. It also catches him in the middle of taking a drink of coffee, but he sets it down before he speaks.*

Did anyone else just have an odd dream? About two people in some place called the Velvet Ro-

*He's abruptly cut off as the scene shifts, changing to something entirely different.*

A young man, obviously Allen despite being several years too young, is sitting by a lake. The grass is well kept and there's a clear path leading to the lake with multiple benches, but Allen is sitting in the grass, leaning back in a rare moment of relaxation. The moment is short-lived, however, as footsteps on the path herald the arrival of an older man. The new arrival has Allen's brown hair, but neater and starting to go gray. The family resemblance is obvious, but the older man's severe expression makes him hard to compare with his gentle relative.

Allen scowls when he sees his visitor and sits forward, pointedly not looking at him while he gives a curt greeting, “What do you want now?”

His scowl is returned with more than a hint of indignation and the other man responds, “That's no way to speak to your father.”

Allen ignores the chiding, prompting his father to step off the path and stand behind his son.

“You've been slacking.”

Allen tenses, glaring out over the water, and shoots back, “Only as far as you're concerned.”

“Your brothers-”

“I don't want to hear it.” Allen cut his father off, standing up to look him in the eye. “I know they're doing better than me in this stupid race, but I don't care. I don't want to take over the business when you retire, and I especially don't want to help you cheat honest people out of their money. Let them fight between themselves over it, I don't want anything to do with it.”

For the entire tirade, Allen's father could only stare in shock. But when the angry rant stops, his expression hardens into an angry glare.

“You ungrateful little-do you really plan on abandoning your family after what I've done for you?”

“What you've done for me? What you've done is make sure that I have to constantly worry that someone might figure out that I'm enhanced and make sure everyone knows that I'm a Life Recycling Variant! Don't try to pretend you had anyone but yourself in mind when you had it done.”

A loud 'crack' echoes as the man slaps his son, nearly knocking him off balance. It's another several seconds before he can calm down enough to speak.

“Get out of my sight.”

Allen covers his now bright red cheek with his hand, managing to glare defiantly through the wince and retorting with an angry, “Gladly.”

*The scene leaves Allen wide eyed, before he stands up shouting.*

What the hell was that?!

*The scene shifts again, this time more high tech room. When it cuts back, Allen still looks shaken but less shocked.*

This must be what they meant by-

*And once again he's cut off, in favor of the darkest scene yet. When it fades, Allen has gone from shaken to pale and leaning over his desk, arms out to support his weight.*

I...I think I need to sit down.

*And just like that, he ends the feed.*

(Warning: those last two videos have some graphic electrocutions in them.)

Comments

[video]

[papermache]

To answer your question, yes, but what.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

Whatever it is, it's pretty obvious it's related to the events.

[Text]

[papermache]

No kidding. I had the same dream. I mean, with the old guy and the elevator music.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

He seemed to want to help us...but why this?

[Text]

[papermache]

The trial of personal fulfillment via horrific trauma reenactment. I don't know. Nobody said magical mystery men couldn't be senile.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

That second option sounds more likely if you ask me.

[Text]

[unknownrival]

I am sorry. I think I'll be careful about my communications from now on.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

What are you apologizing for? Just yeah, be careful talking to people until this is over.

[Text]

[unknownrival]

I shouldn't have seen something that personal.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

I'm not going to pretend I'm not bothered by people seeing this, but you don't have anything to apologize for. It's not like you checked your phone expecting to see my memories displayed like that.

[Text]

[unknownrival]

Certainly not. I'm already considering keeping it off until this subsides.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

Let's hope people can only see other people's memories over the phones, then.

[Text]

[namedforcat]

[Gaignun is more concerned about the Allen now then the Allen then.]

Are you alright?

[Text] Strikes=deleted.

[want_a_vacation]

I'm I'll be fine. I'm just shaken up by the whole thing and angry about that first scene getting broadcast.

[Text] Poor Allen

[namedforcat]

I didn't ask if you were going to be fine. Do you want some fresh coffee from the lounge?

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

I'd appreciate that, yeah.

[Action

[namedforcat]

[Coffee is the best excuse to go check in on Allen in person, so over he'll come with a fresh cup of the stuff, doctored the way he remembered Allen taking it.

and knocking on the door.]

Allen? Open up.

[Action]

[want_a_vacation]

*It takes him a few moments to get to the door and he's still pale and shaking slightly when he opens it.*

Thanks.

Video

[needsteaplz]

I saw the dream as well but that can wait.

Are you alright?

Text

[want_a_vacation]

I'll be fine, I just need some time to calm down.

[Text]

[puppet_show]

She's lucky to have someone like you, you know.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

Thanks. I just wish I'd been able to keep it from coming to that in the first place.

[Text]

[puppet_show]

I don't blame you.
Still, you were very brave then.
At least take pride in that.

[Text]

[want_a_vacation]

What else could I have done? I couldn't just stand back and watch her let him use her like that.

[Text]

[puppet_show]

That's why you were brave.
You were so set on helping her, you ignored the danger posed to yourself.