awakening

[deceptura]

wake up.

When you wake, you'll find yourself laying on a cold, hard sidewalk. The gentle sound of rain fills your senses, and you can feel your clothes, damp, clinging to your skin. The sky is still a little bright, but it won't be for much longer. The sun is setting. You rise, and pull the hood of your top over your head to shield you from the rain. The clothes you're in will keep you safe and warm from the cool, rainy weather.

You survey your surroundings. You only vaguely remember where you were before this, and not much else. Though you also remember the gentle voice in your head that offered you an opportunity you didn't want to pass up: The chance to remember who you are.

And perhaps that starts here and now, in this strange futuristic city you've found yourself in.

Not long after you get onto your feet, a screen -- a hologram, for those who would be able to recognize that -- pops up in front of you. A soothing, calming voice speaks to you:

Greetings, [name], and welcome to Harmonia. My name is Abby and I will be your personal assistant. We will be making our way to the DICE building at the heart of the city. I have connected you to your other associates in the instance where you must communicate with them. Please listen and watch carefully as I will be providing you with directions to the location.

Suddenly, the screen changes to a navigational system of sorts. Those who aren't familiar with technology may be at a total loss, bu Abby is here to help.

Directions may be as follows:

Head 40 feet north and make a right onto Cygnus Bridge. After the end of bridge, turn left.

And for anyone who defies Abby, they'll be met with something cryptic. Something worrying.

Something dangerous.

You will follow these instructions if you value your life.

Comments

[yuanqi]

[ oh! it's a person!

the sound of hurried footsteps probably announces wei wuxian's presence ahead of time, but eventually he appears, holding his hood so it doesn't slip back. he's already stuffed in inordinate amount of hair in there as it is, running in a light breeze is just pushing it. ]

Hello! Are you following the— [ he blanks for a second, which is a very new feeling because he's not usually lacking for words, but he's tripping over the scale of this place still. ] —..ah! Directions! Do you know Abby?

[ she said she was his personal assistant though, after all, so maybe this is a foolish question. ]

[nyansensical]

[Oh!! They're not alone. They blink at him, before nodding slowly.]

Yes... She told me to go to the DICE building.

[In the heart of the city, apparently, but the city is so big and so staggering that they can't quite piece together what the heart could possibly look like.]

You must be one of the other associates, then...

[yuanqi]

Yes! It sounds all very official, doesn't it? Connected with no idea why... or how!

[ is it sorcery? it might as well be sorcery.

...

a type he's never seen before. ]

Maybe it's destiny? Something's brought you — a very capable looking person — and I together..

[ he gives them his best, most endearing expression. how could anyone say no to this face? ]

... because you must be my hero, here to lead the way!

[ how hopeful! what a strategy! surely no one would object to a clueless hanger-on when they're so willing to engage in cheap flattery. ]

[nyansensical]

[Sir are you okay.

They do not think he is okay.]

Destiny, huh. I think the thing that brought us together is the fact we're going to the same place.

[Which... Could be destiny, they guess? It's weird, though.]

If the hero is the leader I think that makes Abby your hero.

it's been 84 years..............

[yuanqi]

[ he's really doing his best. ]

Well, naturally! All the circumstances of our lives have led up to this moment. As for Abby, well—..

[ where does he even begin with that? they might be able to understand each other just fine here but there's definitely not even words in his language for a lot of things in this place. ]

She and I, we're.. complicated.

[ which is the best way he can think of putting it. he's definitely not going to admit he's justifiably intimidated by the all-seeing, potentially omnipotent presence ordering them around. ]

[nyansensical]

I don't even remember what brought me here.

[Which... There was that voice offering the chance to remember just that, but. Still. No thoughts, head empty.]

Are you another person who doesn't know what an AI is?

[Because, really, how can you not?]