Passing out after a cool finishing move is, like, about as rad as it gets, right? Like, that and walking away with your back turned to an explosion. But they're cool in different ways. The latter is cool because it shows one's indifference. Like 'Yeah, that's just what I do, no big deal' kinda thing. It's a great show of strength, and leaves viewers excited to see what they do next, because it implies there's plenty they're capable of, that they just didn't show. It's great. The former, however, is cool because of the opposite thing. It shows that their passion was overflowing the limitations of their bodies, that they were operating at maximum power, overcoming all adversity until the deed was done, and not a moment before. It shows tenacity and an indomitable will, and sheer hidden potential. It leaves a viewer looking forward to how this experience changes them, how it causes them to grow, and the consequences of giving 110%. It's great.

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think, for an improv performance, I did pretty well. Capitalizing on the surprise and shock factor was ultimately what carried me, though. The script could've used some work, nothing's perfect. I'll work out the kinks later.

Regardless, when given the opportunity to do something cool like that, many people, y'know with all that adrenaline and stuff, will make an impulsive decision and let themselves go nuts. It seems like a good idea at the time, until you wake up in an unfamiliar place with most of your bones broken and in terrible pain.

Or, at least, that's what I thought would happen, but, nope, just the first thing. I'm lying down on a couch or something, I think, in a real fancy room, pristine red carpet, fancy furniture, the windows are beyond clean, it's a very fancy-pants area. This room just has a moderately sized table and 2 couches in it. Maybe a waiting room of some kind? My memories are a little fuzzy, but I think we were on our way to the duke's place. I'd wager this is it. Seems big, and nice.

Anyways, I don't feel much pain coming from my arm or my leg, despite the fact they were broken just... some time ago. How long was I out? Eh, whatever. I try wiggling my formerly injured limbs about, to test the waters. It hurts a bit when I do that, especially when I move them awkwardly. Alright, doesn't seem like any bones are broken anymore, in fact, there's little visible damage at all, but they're still a little sore. Perhaps that's because my brain still thinks they're injured, 'cus it's not used to magic and stuff? Oh yeah, I wager that magic is the cause of my speedy recovery. I haven't seen healing magic before, but Desk guy mentioned 'The dukes personal healers' earlier, so healing magic seems like a logical conclusion.

So... now what. I'm awake, I'm fine, mostly, but, like, what am I supposed to do? Just waltz on out and look for someone? Or do I sit here like an idiot until someone stumbles upon me? Either way, I'm sure there's a possibility of an awkward encounter, and maybe even the chance that I piss off somebody important. Okay, maybe it'd be safest to just pretend I'm still out of it until someone comes to check on me? That could work. I'm actually quite good sitting my myself, nearly motionless, just thinking about stuff for extended periods of time. What can I say? I have a lot of experience. Alright, we'll just go with that. I lie back down and close my eyes. Now, what to think about... Girls? Nah, I don't- 

"Gooooood morning sleepyhead!" I hear a familiar voice coming from... The table, I think. 

I sit up and look down at the table. Sure enough, the table is squeaky clean, and, somehow, giving off a reflection, and DYN2 is residing within it. 

I take a look out the window. It's not morning. It's, like, around 3, at least. "You mean afternoon?" I ask.

"I mean, I guess, but what was I supposed to say, 'Goooooooooood afternoon!'? it just doesn't have the same ring to it." DYN2 reasons.

"Have you tried holding the 'a' in 'afternoon' instead of the 'o' in 'good morning?' That might work." 

He thinks about it for a moment, then lets out a quiet "Aaaaaafternoon. Ooh, that's good." They then nodded, saying. "Noted. Thank you for your help." as they did.

 "Y-yeah. Any time." 

DYN2 claps their hands together. "Anyways, nice moves back there, friend. Good show!"

I agree, I did take special care to make it look cool, after all, but the way they said it kind of irritated me. "Thanks, I guess."

They then smiled creepily. "That being said, I look forward to seeing you incorporate your other tools. You feel the same, right?" 

"I suppose..." I said, weakly. There's always the temptation to go nuts, but all the unknown variables are a little off-putting.

DYN2 simply chuckled. "Well, regardless, I wish you luck. I'll be off!" they began to disappear, but just before their head became obscured, they said "Oh, just one more thing. It's not just gonna sit still for long, so make sure to pay attention, yeah?" 

"Wha-" I begin, but before I finish, they disappear completely, in a puff of smoke. Man, they really love giving me cryptic, vaguely threatening messages, don't they? Whatever. I'll just keep that in the back of my head, for now. In the mean time, I'll just lay back down and wait for, well, anything.

Unfortunately, before I'm able to lay back down and get comfortable, the door to this room begins to open. Man, I'm just noticing this now, but that door is awkwardly large. Like, not comically oversized, but just a little bigger than I feel like it should be. Strange. Anyways, the door opens, and a familiar face hops through the door, and looks over at me.

"Evil eyes! You're up!" She said, excitedly. 

"Y-yo... child." I respond, waving a little. It's the kid from a few days ago. The incredibly difficult little girl with golden hair who almost got mugged and was screaming something or other about a rod or something. I certainly didn't expect to see her here. But, now that I know she's here, the pieces are starting to fall together, and I'm think I'm seeing the bigger picture. 

"Yaaay! Oh oh, stay here, I have to go tell daddy!" She said before running off. 

Alright, I have a few moments before things go down, probably. So, here's what I've gathered. We're probably here because we saved this girl from a thug, and brought her back to safety against all odds. That probably stirred a reaction from her father, who I'd wager is the duke. So, all that remains are 2 questions. 

What was the reaction? Did she say something weird, and now we're in trouble with the duke? Or did she give us a rave review, making the duke so elated that they waned to thank us personally? Or is it some weird third option?

And 2nd, the one that's been on my mind since I woke up, where's S? I hope he hasn't been captured or something... Though, knowing him, I'm sure he'd be fine, even if this place turned out to be a trap or something. Still, I hope I didn't put him in danger or something. 

Oh crap, there's one more thing I didn't consider. This girl knows about my hole thingy. Did she squeal about that? Anything's possible. Crap, if she did, so many people could know about it. Wait, didn't I just use it very obviously before I passed out? Now even Desk guy knows about it! And that loathsome purple guy! 

Well, it's not that interesting, anyway, I doubt anyone would really care... Yeah, I'm sure it's fine. I'm worrying over nothing, surely. Yeah, for sure. 

Anyways, I just sit there on that couch awkwardly for a little while longer. Eventually, I start playing with my dark vines. Just a little bit, and subtly, just between my legs. Yikes, that sounded bad. Whatever. I just twirl them around my fingers for a bit, trying to get a better feel for them, to see if I could figure out anything important. They're so strange, so foreign... Yet they just feel so right. And it's weird again. Wonderful. 

It's not long before the door opens again. It's a tall woman in a long black and white dress/robe/uniform thingy. They're probably a housekeeper, or something like that, I wager. Their uniform seems very practical, if a little drab. But who am I to decide that, y'know?

 "The duke will see you now. Right this way, please." She said, softly and professionally. 

"Uh, o-okay." I say, getting up. She silently lead me through the halls of the dukes mansion. Everything from the way she walked, to the way she placed her hands screamed professionalism and experience. This is certainly A+ work. Combined with the absurdly long hallway complete with the incredibly fine furniture, a multitude of paintings, and certainly far too many rooms, it really creates a perfect 'rich guys mysterious house' vibe. Overall, a lovely experience, would come again. 

Such a good experience, that I completely forgot to ask any important questions that I probably should have asked ages ago, like "why did the duke want me here?" or "who fixed me up?" or "why were we attacked, and who was that guy?". I just sat there and soaked in the experience. The whole thing sort of reminded me of a museum. Well, what I imagine a museum is like. I've only been to one once, on a school trip when I was real little. It wasn't a good experience. See, it started off great, as I was actually pretty interested in some of the stuff that was on display, y'know, dinosaurs and ancient life and all that, and I generally got lost in thought while looking at the exhibits. Which meant I was just standing there. Which, ordinarily, wouldn't have been a problem, y'know, that's normal for a kid, after all, so it should have been fine, if the trip hadn't been mostly chaperoned by parent volunteers, none of which really knew about the whole thing with my face.

So, to them, it looked like I was just standing around all alone, zoned out and bored out of my mind. I guess they wanted to try to get me engaged or something, (even though, in truth, I already was) because I was frequently interrupted by adults forcefully showing me other exhibits. At the time, I was still rather self conscious about my face, so I didn't really explain to anyone that they were wasting their time. In the end, my experience in the free roaming part was an infinite loop of awkwardness and wasted time by all. Then came the part where we were to get lectured by the employees about various dinosaurs and old stuff or something. They all started off enthusiastic (or, at least, faux enthusiastic), but, because I guess the school didn't think to explain my situation, in all the lectures, the employee eventually looked over to me, and, assuming I wasn't paying attention, awkwardly stared at me in an attempt to bring me back in. Ultimately, they found out it was a futile effort, and either got huffy and annoyed or discouraged. In the end, my presence ultimately made everything worse. I didn't really understand what was going on at the time, 'cus I was just a little kid, so just I dipped out partway through the 3rd lecture and cried in the bathroom for a while.

So yeah, don't exactly have great museum experiences. This place is good, though. I can think about stuff all I want in here, because these halls are practically empty, say the odd housekeeper or something here and there, none of which are paying any attention to me. It's like the school trip I've always dreamt of.

Eventually, however, I wake up from that dream.

"Through here. Duke Goldynrun awaits." The housekeeper said, slowly opening a comically large and particularly ornate door. For effect, I'd assume. Wonderful. 

This is it, then. The duke. Neat.