[Center][h2]Dakota Rhett[/h2]
[sub]November 29th? - Entertainment Hall[/sub]
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[/Center]

Though Dakota had felt like a clever weasel, it was more than obvious to the tall and menacing man that came along that the boy hadn't exactly had to go through something like this before. He'd maybe seen such a technique on T.V at some point in the past, though he wasn't about to respond with such a thing as the words he'd already received from Vincent were enough to set him into uncertainty. The deep-voiced man had been shady to begin with, given his talk of police before they all even ended up here. So with that in mind, maybe he knew what he was talking about. Not that he offered much that was constructive, rather just telling Dakota what he did wrong, but... Sometimes that was more than enough for a person. 

Simply keeping slunk into the shadows for a moment, he looked down towards the ground with a small frown. "Felt like they might catch up to me," He admitted, eyeing the Entertainment Hall close by while taking a breath. "Guess if they would've done as much as decide to run this way they would've just snatched us though, you're right." There wasn't time to be wasting though, right? He noticed the group had gotten a bit more split than he thought, though the only real familiar face missing was Jin. All he could hope was that dude, along with the others missing, were safe somewhere. 

That was enough thinking, though. They had to get somewhere safe, and that music must've been pretty loud for him to have been hearing it from where he'd been. Whatever was going on in there, they could hopefully lose whatever was left of Pondwater's grunts in there. He repeated as such to Vincent, but added a simple "Let's keep going." As standing around out here for much longer didn't sound like a good idea. His small form shuffled between pens and kept low, but was met with little resistance after his previous stunt. That didn't stop the whole prison from being loud about their escape, though. It was very clear someone would be coming their way eventually: So those on Dakota's route would need to make the quick decision to get to shelter.

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As he made his approach, the venue definitely got louder. Though he wasn't aware of it, he definitely wasn't the only one hearing it anymore. The boy took a moment to squat down and relax once he found a dark enclosed spot, sighing as he noted "At least we don't have to worry about those spotlights now."

Taking in the location, it was pretty modernized. The floors were light-gray marble tiles, a slightly lighter gray marking the walls' color with an assortment of framed posters and instruments lining the walls. A few of the posters Dakota could identify having, though his eyes fell more with the ticket booths leading into gates. "Hell, I don't got ticket money. What if they just call security?" He questioned aloud, skeptical of the situation. Though a quick observation marked the booths as empty, and the gates had three glowing green lights each expressing a letter: V, I, and P.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he decided to take the opportunity and stroll through. He hesitated ever so slightly as he passed, but it stayed green and seemed like it wouldn't give the others any issue. "I guess in all this crap we had to luck out somewhere," He remarked, managing a small smile. They could get lost in whatever event was going on, and maybe find a way to shuffle out the back later if things got too hectic. For now, Dakota simply decided to keep a somewhat brisk pace, following the sound. Colorful lights flashed down a hall, marking a few outlier seats as he walked in to see what kind of party was going on. The voice brought a smile to Dakota's face, making him comment "This guy must really be jammin' out, I gotta see this!"

The stage was surprisingly dark, aside from two green spotlights pointing directly down onto the stage, as a few others spun and flashed around the crowd. Which, if anyone observed, would provide the sight of black, formless blobs shifting, side to side, none of them in sync or perhaps even having the ability to synchronize, but the man on stage seemed to be getting a kick out of it if his enthusiasm was anything to go by. His clothes stood out immensely amongst the dark room, glowing in a way that even the spotlights seemed dim in comparison. His attire and those glasses were a bit too flashy for Dakota's taste, but he could still dig it.

[Center][i][sub]When the stars kiss the skies, I’d love to see them in your eyes~[/sub][/i][/Center]

"Oh hey, I know this song!" He exclaimed, seeming to take to the performance as a form of escapism. "This was a big hit back in 2009, especially overseas." Now was far from the time for music trivia, but really, it didn't seem like a fitting song to be singing in a prison-surrounded building like this. It was oddly convenient, too, as it'd been one of the first songs he'd ever done a cover for. There was some nostalgia there, but also a bit of pain. Thoughts of better days, ones he wasn't getting back. It left an odd conflict of emotions flowing through his mind, but it was still better than what he'd been going through outside or with Pondwater.

At least, that's how he felt before the lyrics suddenly stopped, the backing track still playing but now feeling incredibly empty without the voice going along with it. All that came through the mic was the shifting of chains as the figure seemingly scanned the crowd, the lights changing direction and shifting towards one general location. There wasn't time for Dakota to run before he was blinded by the multi-colored lights now revealing him, along with those close by, for the shadowy crowd and stage singer to see.

"A moment, before we return to our performance!" The singer called to the crowds, an audible booing being received, though if one listened close enough it was clear that the sound came not from the crowd itself, but rather speakers around the seating. Lifting the mic and the stand holding it off the stage, the singer did a mildly dramatic spin, the sound of moving chains being clearly audible again as he stopped facing in the group's direction to extent a hand out to point at the exposed individuals above. "Our esteemed V.I.P has arrived, and it seems he even used the guest passes! Why don't you bring your little friends down here, huh? It's a party!"

Dakota, stunned enough from the light, was taken aback by this sudden treatment. While enjoying the music was one thing, he didn't feel right with this development, and quickly began wanting an escape. "Uh..." He tried to think of something, quickly beginning to shake his head in refusal. "We're, uh, good! Really just enjoying the performance, so you, uh, keep doing your thing, dude!" Dakota tried to begin moving towards a row of seats, but the sound of a snap came through the singer's mic and brought the shadowy figures from the seating areas flowing towards the group's general location rapidly. They seemed to cobble together, streaking up both sides of the stairs, going behind them and sealing off the exit in a black, almost wet-looking wall of black. They left nothing but a hallway, straight down, for traversal. 

"Please," The singer spoke up, gesturing with one hand for them to come down. "[i]I insist.[/i]"

Not left with much choice, Dakota began to step down towards the stage. The wall formed behind them slowly pushing forward as if to shove them down the steps if they didn't decide to move themselves. The lights followed them, not that it was difficult with a lack of places to flee, until they reached the bottom of the stairs. The barrier blocking off the seats from the stage lowered into the ground, allowing easy access to the steps that'd allow them to make a short ascent to the location of their 'generous' singer.

"Yes!" He seemed ecstatic, the audible chains now easily visible as being ones that kept the singer's arms somewhat bound. Didn't stop him from pumping his fist due to joy, however. "I [i]knew[/i] you were close! I wasn't going to stop performing until you got here, even if it killed me!" One look at the figure now that they were close, it was easy to pick out some similar features to Dakota. The height, the hair, though those yellow piercing eyes were nothing close to the same. They made Dakota more uneasy, though, given Pondwater had the same look.

"You're a prisoner, too?" Dakota questioned, regarding his chains. While this situation was uneasy, that could perhaps be used to their advantage.

The singer nodded, brushing a hand through his hair. "Right. I'm more a [i]prisoner of passion,[/i] you could say. Stuck in a entertainment hall and singing? Not the most painful existence. If you don't mind being enclosed and unable to appeal to an audience, that is." The enthusiasm began to disappear, the singer somewhat somberly looking towards the ground. "I'm used to being locked away, though. Restrained from being the best I can be."

Dakota felt an all-too real relation to this individual, frowning at such saddening words. "Why were you locked away, though? It seems to me you have plenty of talent." He pointed out factually, assuming he was judged in a somewhat similar manner to them. 

"Some people can't appreciate talent," The singer stated in a more irritated tone. "I've been repressed, set aside and ignored because people are afraid of how much I'd overshadow them." He jabbed a finger Dakota's way, the boy backing away as a natural reaction. "Or because someone is too afraid to push forward, and would rather sulk and fade away into obscurity."

Dakota glared towards the singer, offended and feeling personally attacked. "What the hell are you going on about? Who even [i]are[/i] you?"

"Someone who's been put on the backburner, deserted by those he thought he could trust. Damned by fate and left behind by others because they were afraid of how much they'd be outshined. One who deserves everything, but got robbed and left with nothing but sniveling cowardice." The singer's hand shifted, no longer pointing at Dakota, but rather holding a hand out towards him. "I'm everything you [i]wish[/i] you could be, but refuse to become."

Dakota's glare shifted to a look of confusion, and perhaps even fear. "Excuse me?"

"A singer with a voice that'd win over fans worldwide. A face deserving to be in magazines, and beloved by all." The mic stand hit the stage with audible force. "Brave enough to push past his burdens to become the best he could be, and live life to the fullest! That's the [i]Dakota Rhett[/i] the world should remember, don't you think? Rather than what [i]we[/i] are like now? A worthless college student who's more known for sleeping through his classes than the actual talents he possesses."

Although the singer waited for a response, Dakota seemed to be incapable of giving one. He took another step back, silently staring at the figure in front of him. He could feel himself shaking, thrown off guard by this situation, especially by being struck with such sensitive topics. He wasn't sure how to respond, having tried to put things behind him with an acceptance it was just the hand he was dealt. But now he was being harassed by a flashy, arrogant individual using his own name against him. 

Just what the hell was this place, and why, of all things, did this have to be happening?