^The Lake of Healing^

[Six Billion of Spades]

Even I don't know that. That's why I'm looking for him. I want to meet him and learn who it is I'm supposed to be.

I fear that if I don't, I may continue on like this... playing out this...

... meaningless existence...

... for as long as I live.

Ugh... my head...

*more TV static obscures Ventril's image*

You say this is a lake of healing? Ergh... I may just need that.  

[Gryphon_King]

*gestures to lake* well if you want to try, just jump on in. I'd join you, but i need to stay dry right now...  

[Six Billion of Spades]

I'm not one for swimming... but I am a little thirsty...

You're not thirsty.

On second thought, I believe I'll just sit here and think...

Do not think.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!

Find me.

Ugh... I don't... oh God...

*puts his head in his hands, on the verge of tears*  

[Gryphon_King]

*tilts head on one side then walks forward, sits down right infront of Ventril and places one talon on his shoulder* maybe you should rest... it might help  

[Six Billion of Spades]

I'd like to, but... I have to find Geppetto. Otherwise...

... your life will cease to have meaning.

I don't know why... but it's not my place to ask. Geppetto rewards obedience, even if it means no questions.

All I know is that if I don't find him before I die, I'll be severely punished...  

[Gryphon_King]

ok, lets take this one step at a time. What do you know about this Gepetto person?  

[Six Billion of Spades]

What is there to know? He's blind and sits in a wheelchair all day. Of course, his entertainment sources are severely limited, so he resorts to creating his own entertainment. He derives some sick pleasure from creating these alter-ego-like images and placing them in stressful situations, rewarding the ones who find him and punishing the ones who don't.

It's like he's got his own astrally-projected broadcasting station.

*flickers with TV noise*

... So that must be where I came from...  

[Gryphon_King]

*tilts head to one side* so you arent human?  

[Six Billion of Spades]

I wouldn't know... I'd like to think that I'm at least partially human, but wishing doesn't make anything any more true than it is. Or isn't.

But Geppetto... he can't be human. Creating his little puppets out of nothing, only to amuse himself by torturing them... it's sick.

He even knows who's going to find him and who isn't before they're even brought into existence. That probably explains why he never shows himself: it's less entertaining for him to tell his puppets where his is. Even so, the inhumanity of it disgusts me.

And I'm not even human.  

[Gryphon_King]

so how exactly can i help?  

[Countess Pyrotika]

*appears by the trees*
*something has changed with her*
What's going on here?  

[Gryphon_King]

*sees Pyro* Pyro! Hi! ...Are you okay?  

[Countess Pyrotika]

Gryphon_King

*sees Pyro* Pyro! Hi! ...Are you okay?

Uh..*Her eyes glaze over for a second*
...What?  

[Gryphon_King]

you dont look so well, maybe you should go lie down or something  

[Countess Pyrotika]

Gryphon_King

you dont look so well, maybe you should go lie down or something

Um...*puts her hand to her face and then runs it through her hair*
...I don't feel well....I've been running for so long...
*she collaspes*