[Voice]

[thenightmarebegins]

A chance to return...

[A pause, along with the sound of water rushing behind him. Vincent has been coming to the Battle Dome ever since that announcement to go to the simulation of the place he wants to truly return to.]

I cannot help but still wonder what price will be paid for such a chance... and whether it's worth the potential risk.

[Not to himself, of course, but to the people and worlds involved.]

I suppose only time will tell for certain.

Comments

[iratus]

Because I have the resources and [A pause as he thinks of the right word:] alliances necessary to traverse different galaxies and realities. The window of time is a narrow one, but it is not improbable some means could be managed to thwart their hold over me.

[thenightmarebegins]

[He's grown so cynical about people thinking they can make some difference in here, but... this is the first they'll have left. It almost seems plausible.]

Could this influence extend to the rest of the village, as well?

[iratus]

It would be a waste not to return to this place afterward, once sufficiently prepared. [Shifting sounds very useful. And he'd have a whole village of test subjects.]

[thenightmarebegins]

Prepared for what, exactly?

[iratus]

I believe it is best left unsaid, on an open network like this. However, I do not expect out captors would choose to send me back. So unfortunately this is all idle discussion.

[thenightmarebegins]

[Hm...] Very well.

The choice to return is apparently ours... but I wouldn't doubt they'd be capable of altering that if they wished.

[iratus]

From what I have learned so far, I see no reason to take them at their word.

[thenightmarebegins]

A wise decision. Nothing is ever entirely as it seems with them.

[iratus]

Indeed. I find it surprising that anyone has chosen to trust them so far.

[thenightmarebegins]

Captivity often takes its toll on even the strongest minds.

[Though he knows of some at least who are still remaining wary and distrustful, as they should.]

[iratus]

And how has it affected you?

[thenightmarebegins]

It hasn't... but I have my reasons for that.

[Change and Vincent don't tend to go too well together.]

[iratus]

I see.

[thenightmarebegins]

Remaining wary and keeping a distance have their benefits.