Mingle Log #1: Landmarks of Xistentia

[spoofer]

Characters: All characters who opt in
Summary: A party to mark the first wave of incoming characters in Xistentia, punctuated with weird physics and an unexpected trip to the heart (or mind) of F.A.T.E.S.
Date(s): Late May 2017
Warnings/Notes: Sexual content and other potentially offensive or triggering material to be noted in headers.

Mix and Mingle

Landmarks of Xistentia

It starts with the daemons, because of course it does. At sunset, they begin to ring and beep and urge you to follow directions through the city. For those with animate daemons, be they animals or people, the programs are even more intrusive. Pushing and pawing and urging you to get up and go. The destination is not far from the first reclaimed parts of the city— a tall tower covered in overgrown moss and trees, located near the beach, the Westernmost edge of the city. Even with the chaos of vegetation growing over it, it's clear that the building is a miracle of technology and style.

"Connection is essential," the daemon tells you. "However, genital contact is not required."

You have reached the Central Citadel, and it's time to party!

EARLY BIRDS

But F.A.T.E.S. is as susceptible to peer pressure and trendy trends as anyone else! Early birds will find that the atrium lounge is a true mess at first. Birds nesting in the ceiling, thorn plants all across the floors, and the bottles and cups at the white bar are empty. As parties go, this sucks. However, within a few minutes of the first arrivals, changes begin to overcome the club area visibly. It is exactly the same as the way the city has begun to accommodate the visitors, but far more accelerated. Soon, the lights begin to power on, filling the room with ambient illumination. Plants recede, but do not disappear entirely. High above, the ceiling suddenly morphs to display the starry night sky. And most importantly of all, there's booze.


With any luck, someone around here knows how to bartend, because F.A.T.E.S sure does not. Various liquors from across the multiverse are available, along with drink umbrellas, speared olives, mixers and wedges of fruit. However, the cocktails that automatically fill the glasses vary in taste from acceptable to horrific. Luckily, the bar does not keep anyone out.

FASHIONABLY LATE

If you're more than thirty minutes late, the kinks have worked themselves out. The party is now in full swing. F.A.T.E.S. has surrendered drink mixing duty to various refugees^[1], resulting in much more palatable alcoholic beverages. Someone even found chicken fingers, which are making the rounds.

However, it appears that the invisible supercomputer is still trying to DJ. Predictably, the music ranges wildly based on the listeners-- one moment, you have 17th century lute music; the next, Trance. Blink 182 may even make a brief auditory appearance. It is not particularly easy to dance to this nightmarishly incoherent soundtrack, but it does provide a cross-section of multiversal experiences, for those of us who care about that kind of thing.

Alternatively, you can explore. The Central Citadel is filled with odd rooms. In the presence of only one or two explorers, the tidying effect doesn't happen nearly as quickly. Characters may find jungle-eaten conference spaces, computer laboratories, or even more sophisticated situation rooms thronged with vines and flowers. Somehow, the screens and monitors seem to work just fine with blossoms poking out of the harddrives. Rooms with beds are available as well, some of them already pre-carpeted with romantic roses. You might also find your way into a gym, where slightly rotted bokken and a dusty boxing ring nonetheless make for an interesting way to meet people who aren't into roses and laptops.

BONUS ADVENTURE: THE TEMPLE

Characters who meet new CR at the Citadel have a special experience. When the two (or more) individuals get to talking, their daemons both abruptly interrupt with a very important, not at all loaded question. "Do you want to see something cool?" If the daemon was too big to come inside, the question is posed via earpiece or whatever other device.

The correct answer is "Yes." And with that, the characters are abruptly transported to The Telexistence Temple, on the Easternmost edge of the city. The sudden quiet seems deafening; the darkness is almost blinding before one's eyes adjust to the lines of light running through the tall stone walls. It is much cooler here than it was at the Central Citadel, but it has its own eerie dignity.


"In the future, this is where you may access information about your worlds. Recovery information, save points, and both passive and active world entry points are located here." A beat. Possibly the daemon is watching you stumble around. "Most of the tools have been disabled in order to prevent damage from inebriated users."

However, two pieces of technology continue to cooperate. First, a huge slab of glossy black stone the height of a desk, emitting holographic Head Up Display upward, the Chronological Cartographer. Your character must touch the device. Immediately then, a bright flowing diagram of data begins to spin through the air, whirling with lines and circles and familiar names. It is a chart of the worlds your characters have lived in before and the people they have met in the past timeline. The splitting point to Xistentia is clearly marked, and your future here is a red line wavering in darkness. Toy with it a little, and you'll even be able to pull up significant dates, friendships, enemies. Moments of transformation. F.A.T.E.S. remembers it all, and it is only a quick teleport from the Citadel. (Fortunately, it is also a quick teleport back.)

Second, there is a monitor with another HUD. It displays a HUD with a single prompt: Amenities needed?^[2]

Starting the next day, the Temple will be accessible to all characters at all hours. Those granted access the night before will be able to find their way back with companions.

Footnotes

1. Some may be NPCs! Please avoid killing or maiming them without mod discussion first.
   
   
2. Go here and fill out the form, reply to that comment, if your character is going to take F.A.TE.S. up on the amenities request.

Comments

hanako 'rosalina' nurumi; oc (eudio crau); 1 closed + ota

[hasitsthorns]

I; Early Birds (Closed to Vanyel)

[ When Apollod starts beeping and booping her with her with his wet nose to go through the city, she admits she's curious. A little annoyed too because she'd been half-way to the bone zone with her boyfriend but there'll be plenty more time for that considering they're (tentatively) living together. Right now it's time for adventure! Apparently! Once she's dressed appropriately again, she allows Apollod and Zeymahd to guide the way to The Central Citadel. ]

Woah, dude, check it out, [ she says to Vanyel as she steps into the Atrium Lounge. A mess it might be though that actually makes it all the more interesting to Rose. From their additional presence, her sensitive ears pick up the sound of things all around beginning to hum to life. Let there be light, she guesses, as they start to flicker on. The bar begins to become supplied before her very eyes and she can't help the smile she's sporting at it all. ]

This is so cool.

IIA; Let's Get This Terrible Party Started (OTA)

[ On the fringes of the lounge, there is (1) very displeased woman. A stark contrast to anyone who'd seen her before, she looks positively cranky at the moment. By the umpteenth time the music changes not only genre but era, the reason for her sour mood becomes clear as she can't help but shout, ]

Oh my gods! I can't take it anymore. I'm going to find where the music is coming from and mix it right. [ Hell hath no fury like a DJ being forced to listen to subpar mixes, apparently. ]

IIB; Alright, This Party Sucks (OTA)

[ So while she'd been determined to right the musical wrongs... her plans may be altered slightly. As this is a new place and all, it doesn't take long before she gets hopelessly lost. Apollod is doing his best to lead her back to the main lounge but a daemon can only do so much when it's owner is distracted by every new neat room. They do say dogs take after their owners. Rose had always wondered where Golden got his lack of attention span but now it couldn't be clearer. Apollod rolls his camera eyes as he trots after Rose the third time now she says 'Hold on,' and heads into yet another unexplored space. ]

Woah, hey, you lost too?

[ she asks, wherever she crosses paths with someone. It's possible to come across Rose checking inspecting the boxing ring at the gym. Or perhaps have an awkward run-in at one of the rose petal-laden rooms. She was only glancing in, honest. No schemes in her head whatsoever. ]

IV; Wildcard

(( ooc; hit me up on plurk at puddingandpie to plot something else if you've got an idea! or just throw said idea me tbh I can roll with whatever ))

[hasitsthorns]

Axel!

[ The feeling is mutual. She's glad to see he made it to the city (hopefully) and headed out to the meet and gr- Er. Wait. They're not called that anymore, are they? Still kind of feels like one though...

At his comment of 'not that bad,' Rose's face scrunches up like she'd taken a bite of a lemon. ]

It's horrible. How can you have harp music then switch to Techno? It's not even mixed right! Just jumping around all willy nilly-! [ He found it. Axel found the thing Rosie is a bit irrational about. ]

[hasitsthorns]

[ ... No. ]

Okay, well. Yes. That's pretty funny.

[ Even she can acknowledge that. Funny, and a little sad. Those poor dancers deserve better with how hard they're trying. ]

I'm going to. If it'll let me, anyway. I'll even do it for free! That's how desperate this situation is!

ii.

[locoparentis]

[He sees (1) very displeased woman, and takes the opportunity to slide by where she can't quite see him; just at her peripheral vision, just in time to hear her bitch about the music.

He can't help it, he laughs, smiling, then. There's charm in his laugh and charm in his smile; he's a handsome man in that regard.]

Not your style, then?

[hasitsthorns]

[ At first, there's a twinge of annoyance at laughter on her behalf. Usually, she's the first one to laugh at her herself but music is no laughing matter and she's just about tell him as such, but-

Oh. Hello, there. He's very handsome in that regard indeed. ]

Definitely not, [ she answers instead, a shake of her head followed by an almost exasperated sigh. ] It makes me ashamed to be a DJ, honestly.

[locoparentis]

[He slips in next to her, tips his head as if he's evening out his hearing, and makes a considering face. Yes. Yes, okay. Let's discuss.]

Well, I'm pretty sure unless you mixed this electronica disaster, you have nothing to be ashamed about. You couldn't possibly like your music sounding like it was mixed in a fax machine that's also on fire at the same time.

[He considers it another moment.]

Well, unless that's what you do. In that case, godspeed for your experimentation.

[hasitsthorns]

[ The blond can't help but give an amused snort of a laugh at that (in her opinion, very apt) description of what's currently playing. ]

Electronica Disaster would make a good band name, at least. So would Fax Machine Aflame. But as for actual music sounding like that? [ She gives a dismissive wave of her hand. ]

Thankfully, I do no such thing. My music mixing is a masterpiece. [ Perhaps one of the few things in life Rose is prideful in is her musical inclination. ]

[locoparentis]

You'll let me listen sometime, I hope.

[His smile turns a little softer, but no less charming.]

Since it looks like we're stuck here for the foreseeable future.

( iia. ) before she's treated to the murder squash song?

[aberth]

[ Adam doesn't profess to be an expert when it came to music. The kinds he was knowledgeable on ( classic rock and country ) came through indoctrination. Boyd always had a radio running in the garage but hated anything modern, so he's never picked up what's popular. Ronan prefers EDM, which is terrible and noisy and perfect, and sometimes he finds himself wanting to hear the bass through the BMW speakers more often than he should. So he doesn't exactly know what accounts for good, but he can definitely tell when something's bad.

Rosie's outburst makes him smile, a little. ]

Maybe the theme is going over our heads?

[ That's the point of playlists, right? ]

[hasitsthorns]

It's not even a theme! It's a mishmash of musical shame.

[ Someone has very strong feelings about this, it seems. Though she's trying to... calm down, maybe. Just a little. Breathe in, breathe out. Etc. ]

I mean, there's probably worse but... This is pretty bad.

[ Huff. ]

My name's Rose, by the way. Sorry you're having to meet me in such a sour state, dude.

[aberth]

Guilty pleasures? Could be a theme.

[ He doesn't get the concept of a guilty pleasure anyway. If you like something, you like it. Why be weird and hide it? But she's right, it's undeniably an awful, incoherent mix of weirdness. Even Adam, with only one hearing ear, feels like he would be better off fully deaf. ]

It's okay, I know some people who are weird about music.

[ Except, weird about weird music is more the case. ]

And I'm Adam.

[hasitsthorns]

Nah, dude, guilty pleasures are like... unironically liking Backstreet Boys or Wonderwall being your favorite tune ever. You might get judged a little for it but, hey, we all like different music!

This is just. Ugh.

[ It offends her. ]

Glad to know I'm not the only one weird about music though. And nice to meet you, Adam. [ A beat. ] You aren't from Eudio, are you?

[ She might not have met him there, but it's possible. There's a whole handful of them here, after all. ]

IIB

[astralera]

[ Era wouldn't exactly say that she's lost, even though she may have no earthly idea where she is. Worst case scenario she could cast a shield on herself and jump out a window. Or she could ask Emeraldd. But the window sounds like a better idea.

So to Rose's question Era simply gives a quick shake of her head, accompanied by a small shrug. She's pretty sure she's where she wants to be - which is exploring the strange building.

She hadn't expected to find any type of sword - wooden or otherwise - if she's being entirely honest. This place has so far been so technologically advanced she expected swords and bows to have fallen by the wayside for the most part, as they had in ancient Allag.

The bokken is in poor condition and she's quite certain one solid strike would break it. It's entirely different to what Era is accustomed to using - the closest to a wooden sword she's ever used has been a Macuahuitl. She falls into an easy fighting stance and gives the bokken an experimental swing. ]

Hn...

[ It's instantly apparent that it isn't meant for the style of swordsmanship a paladin uses, and more for Gosetsu's style of fighting. Perhaps she could try learning some of her ally's techniques? It isn't as though she is about to stop training while here. ]

Do you see a striking dummy, Mistress Rose?

[ Era really wants to see if she can shatter the bokken with one good hit. For curiosity's sake. ]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Ah. It's Era Ra, the quiet dragon woman from the forest the day they'd all arrived. She hadn't actually expected to see her here. For some reason, she didn't strike Rose as the party type... Though perhaps that's why they'd run into each other whilst exploring the perimeters instead of out on the dance floor. Which is just as better because Era is spared her sourness at the absolutely terrible music. ]

A striking dummy? Uh. [ The blond glance around, curls bouncing as she swivels her head. Hm. Hmmm. ]

You mean this thing?

[ said as she steps over to what is instead a striking dummy, hidden from immediate view a little ways behind the boxing ring. ]

oh man with the new /gpose options in SB i'll be able to get job action icons +u+

[astralera]

[ The grin on her face is likely all the answer Rose needs that it's exactly what she had been asking over. Era wanders over light on her feet and graceful in a way only a seasoned warrior can be, and twirls the half-rotted bokken in a hand. ]

My thanks.

[ She was right - all it takes is one solid strike to splinter the weapon into a good many pieces. Very satisfying.

But it also makes her cringe a bit internally that a weapon was allowed to degrade to such a state in the first place. Era knows a fair amount of people who would take great offense to such a thing. The Carpenter's Guild in particular would likely pitch a fit. ]

heck yeeeaaaaa

[hasitsthorns]

[ Applause sounds at the bokken shattering. ]

Woah, cool! You're pretty good at this. Have you been doing it long? [ The warrior thing, she supposes. It's not often Rose meets actual adventurers. Seems like Era's led a pretty interesting life to be able to effortlessly do things things like that. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[He could wish his daemon was a little more like hers in that regard - Zeymahd had chosen to swoop on them to get their attention. If nothing else, he thought wryly, it had killed the mood pretty effectively.

Add to that how very insistent he and Apollo(d) had both been, and... well, why not follow where they led, really?

The lounge they're led to is a mess, not surprisingly; it lookes a little like one of the fancier venues in Eudio, if one of those places had been left to nature to reclaim for who even knew how many years. But then, as they watch, it starts to pick itself up, transforming slowly but surely.

And though he's heard the explanation, knows it to be very advanced technology, his immediate first thought is that it must be magic.] It is, isn't it? [He agrees, tone hushed and a little awed.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ They can claim it's advanced technology all they want, but Rose is inclined to believe there's at least a little something magical about it all. Even Eudio had its science and magic intertwined so it's plausible that this place does too. ]

It's... nice, actually. Feeling like I'm making a difference and, I'unno, helping out somehow. [ Since it's the end of the world(s) as they know it. To see her influence so obviously here just by her presence and things coming back to life instills a little bit of hope that maybe everything will be alright after all. Before she can get too into it though, a drink is slid across the bar towards her.

It's probably not a good idea to sip magical mystery drinks but the galactic one in Eudio had turned out to be a blessing in disguise, so. Hey. Why not? It unfortunately proves to be a bad call; she should have known from the smell but this is perhaps the worst drink she's had in her life. It's alcohol abuse to have a cocktail be so terrible. ] Eugh, [ she mutters, face scrunching up to show her distaste. ]

I guess it was probably too much to ask for a decent drink in this place, really...

[drehnifusbahi]

[There's a quote he ran across during his time in Eudio - something about how sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. That adage springs to mind now, as he watches the room apparently react to their very presence, repairing itself, if only somewhat, before their very eyes.]

It does seem like a good omen, doesn't it? [A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he looks around, watching the atrium revive and renew itself.] If just being here is enough to cause a change like this, then... [Then perhaps restoring their worlds won't be as nigh impossible as anticipated.

But the appearance of the alcohol neatly distracts him from voicing that thought; instead, he leans down to investigate the drinks on offer. The scent coming of it is enough to have him straightening back up and pushing the glass away - even as Rose drinks one of the others. At first, he thinks she might have gotten lucky, and it's actually decent... and then she pulls that face.]

No good? [He asks sympathetically, even as he slips behind the bar.] Well then, let's see if we can't find you a decent drink after all. [So saying, he examines the stock behind the bar to see what he has to work with.]

[hasitsthorns]

Then maybe we'll get you back home sooner than you think, [ she agrees. Things aren't ideal right now. In a lot of ways. Especially for him. Unlike her, he... has a lot at stake in his world. And she wants to help him however she can especially considering it might on day be her world, but. Perhaps she's getting ahead of herself there. That's why she says 'you' instead of 'us.'

It's probably something they should talk about, but. Drinks are definitely a nice distraction from that train of thought. ]

Terrible, [ she admits, shoving the glass of whatever the concoction is away. But she perks up at the mention of something possibly a bit better. Made by her boyfriend no less! Doesn't she feel special. She'll take a seat at the bar and bat her eyelashes. ]

What do you have on special, mister barman? I'm looking for something strong.

2a- i can numbers

[deathstouch]

[ It's almost comical to see Rosie so displeased. He had never seen her not looking happy and smiling and otherwise cheerful as anything he could imagine. He was sipping at his drink -- constantly getting refills and not quite ever getting just past the point of buzzed unfortunately. ]

I don't think anyone has had any luck in locating the source of the music. You might have to stomach this some more. [ Despite her displeasure, Aric looks amused by this for some reason. ]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Definitely an interesting dichotomy from the face she usually wears and now. Music is srs bsns, okay. Anyone that messes with its sanctity needs to take it directly to her because won't stand for it. She's coming for you, F.A.T.E.S. and your terrible taste in music. ]

Ugh, figures, [ she groans, a roll of her eyes before she realizes she recognizes that voice. Her gaze snaps to Aric, taking him in. Recognition obvious. ] Woah, dude, you made it too?

[ Please say he did because otherwise 1) awkward and 2) Kavinsky would probably be on a rampage somewhere if he wasn't the Aric from Eudio. ]