A kind of supernatural, yes. Maybe just enough to allow for the existence of technology that shouldn't be possible yet in a place like this. I keep wondering, you know, what if my reality, my home, also allowed for a union between magic and technology? Would scientific developments speed up even more? Because comparing the beginning of the 19th century with the beginning of the 20th with the beginning of the 21st--
[It is at this point that Marco realises he's just been standing there rambling with the card in his hand.]
... Right. Let's, ah... Let's.
[He swipes the card as if the door had some sort of reader installed, and it opens to something that definitely isn't a bar. It's a seedy-looking arcade, filled with machines seen nowhere else in Ryslig.]
You know, an author I read mentioned something about that once. About advanced sciences being indistinguishable from magic. [He's no scientist, but he does consider himself a well-read individual.] I'm sure if you combined the two you could really get things done.
[Not like he minds rambling, when he's the kind of guy to give speeches just to hear himself talk. He follows Marco inside, glancing around at what is definitely not a normal place he expected to see in a s hady alley. Reminds him a lot like places he used to go as a teenager, before he and his best friend had parted ways the first time. It's oddly nostalgic.]
Bloody hell. [A pause while he looks around some more.] I wonder if they have Double Dragon.
Yeah? [Pinball, even. As much as he likes beating up tiny pixel dudes on a screen, pinball'd sucked up plenty a stolen coin from him as well. And it was always fun to have Mantis psychically manipulate the ball and freak everyone out.] Never expected to find nostalgia in a place like this.
[That's how they get you, probably.]
...He does? [At first he sort of wonders 'who's he?' but then he realizes who he's talking about. That's... unexpected, he supposes.] You know, I always figured the gods were playing games, but not quite like this.
[That comment gets a brief glare out of Marco, a judgemental glance.]
I understand you may have heard a lot of rumours about both gods, but I can assure you the Fourth God is nothing like the Fog God. He's... He really, really just wants to do something good for everyone.
Ah. Heh. [The laugh doesn't seem entirely heartfelt - or maybe that's just because of the stiff smile Marco shows with it. Still, he clearly isn't mad, because he proceeds just as he normally would.]
Now, if you'd like to join us - which you don't have to, no obligation - all you have to do is come in. Then you'll get your own card.
How simple, hm? Lure you in with nostalgia, keep you in with politeness.
[Another laugh to indicate the joke. No obligation. He could just back out, go home, go for a swim, and shake his fist at the world like usual. Really, it shouldn't be as tempting as it is, but the interest sparked earlier never waned.
Oh hell, why not. If things turn out bad, a little rebellion's always in order, isn't it? He's got this.]
[There was a point where Liquid would have probably tried to fight back over the little push, no matter how friendly it was. His anger knew no bounds, and he was never very fond of people touching him.
As it is now, he only sneers involuntarily for a moment, a fist clenching, but he calms himself pretty immediately. Nope, no punching today. This is supposed to be a good thing. Right?
Marco follows after him; although he doesn't close the door behind him, as he usually does when he comes to the arcade, he keeps his hand on the handle. He just doesn't want Liquid to feel trapped, that's all.]
[Liquid's almost expecting some sort of rejection or something; after all, he's been Mr. Denounce All Gods before. But no supernatural beings kick him out the door, nothing fries him where he stands, and he feels a little silly for expecting it.
He turns back towards Marco and offers a smile.]
Thanks. Feels bloody weird to be here, but in a good way, I suppose.
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[He should have guessed. He looks at the card, interested, an eyebrow raised. Magical access cards. Seems out of place, yet just right.]
Now that's handy, hm? Suppose I was expecting a more... usual sort of location, but then again, we are dealing with the supernatural.
[Yeah, yeah, it's cool, okay. He'll admit it.]
Well, let's see it.
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[It is at this point that Marco realises he's just been standing there rambling with the card in his hand.]
... Right. Let's, ah... Let's.
[He swipes the card as if the door had some sort of reader installed, and it opens to something that definitely isn't a bar. It's a seedy-looking arcade, filled with machines seen nowhere else in Ryslig.]
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[Not like he minds rambling, when he's the kind of guy to give speeches just to hear himself talk. He follows Marco inside, glancing around at what is definitely not a normal place he expected to see in a s hady alley. Reminds him a lot like places he used to go as a teenager, before he and his best friend had parted ways the first time. It's oddly nostalgic.]
Bloody hell. [A pause while he looks around some more.] I wonder if they have Double Dragon.
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There's pinball too, if you like that. [Marco smiles fondly.] He'll play with you sometimes.
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[That's how they get you, probably.]
...He does? [At first he sort of wonders 'who's he?' but then he realizes who he's talking about. That's... unexpected, he supposes.] You know, I always figured the gods were playing games, but not quite like this.
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I understand you may have heard a lot of rumours about both gods, but I can assure you the Fourth God is nothing like the Fog God. He's... He really, really just wants to do something good for everyone.
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Relax. Merely a joke about, ah... the perception of the god concept, hm? That's really quite the noble cause he's got there.
[Of course, Liquid can't just trust this wholeheartedly from the get-go, but he does plan to keep an open mind about all of this.]
It's just... unexpected, I suppose.
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Now, if you'd like to join us - which you don't have to, no obligation - all you have to do is come in. Then you'll get your own card.
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[Another laugh to indicate the joke. No obligation. He could just back out, go home, go for a swim, and shake his fist at the world like usual. Really, it shouldn't be as tempting as it is, but the interest sparked earlier never waned.
Oh hell, why not. If things turn out bad, a little rebellion's always in order, isn't it? He's got this.]
Fine. Fine, sign me up.
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So, all Marco does is give Liquid a soft little pat and a push forwards.]
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As it is now, he only sneers involuntarily for a moment, a fist clenching, but he calms himself pretty immediately. Nope, no punching today. This is supposed to be a good thing. Right?
Sure. Fighting back is important.
He glances back at Marco, nods, and he steps in.]
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Marco follows after him; although he doesn't close the door behind him, as he usually does when he comes to the arcade, he keeps his hand on the handle. He just doesn't want Liquid to feel trapped, that's all.]
Welcome aboard.
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He turns back towards Marco and offers a smile.]
Thanks. Feels bloody weird to be here, but in a good way, I suppose.
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[
And hopefully not quite in the same way Marco has.]no subject
[Hopefully, but as a guy with a history of some mental fuckery going on... well, one can only hope for the best.]