Session Start: Mon Oct 01 13:00:47 2007 Session Ident: #VCB [19:15:54] * Vice City Blues, Day 2. [19:17:36] * The morning opens slowly, in stark contrast to the energy of the night preceding. [19:18:26] * And as the night before seemed vibrant, today seems... less. It's hard to pin down the feeling, aside from a general unease during the sleep in between, but the sight is clear as day. [19:19:06] * There's no color. No reds, blue, greens, only black and white and the shades in between. [19:20:41] * However, breakfast is already laid out for Carter; oddly, it's exactly what he would have ordered, had he thought to order something. [19:21:11] ( Carter -> Noah. ) [19:21:37] * ... and that's how the day opens. [19:21:39] * Start. 06[19:25:23] * Navi is still dormant in Tetsuko's head, having slept after the action last night. 06[19:26:30] * Noah stretches, yawning. He squirms a bit, trying to figure out what's 'off', and then realizes it's his clothes. Thankfully, the sheets are still covering him, pooling in his lap as he sits up and, blinking, looks around. "...something smells good," he mumbles. And then blushes just a bit, remembering how he got this way. [19:27:48] ...what's up with the colors? 06[19:28:01] * Navi regains consciousness, moving Tetsuko's limbs in a stretch and yawning, leaving Tetsuko's body right afterwards. "So, did you enjoy yourself?" She grins. 06[19:28:59] * Tetsuko lies in bed next to Noah. "Good morning." Some wires can be seen trailing from under her side of the sheets, plugged into some boxes near or under her bed. [19:29:42] Very much. ...thanks. Both of you. *looks down at the girls, appreciating the view* That was...incredible. 01[19:30:55] I am glad you enjoyed the simulation. 06[19:31:05] * Navi sits on Noah's chest, grinning. "I think it was all of our first times." She thinks. "Now, where did my blue glow go?" [19:31:05] Did-- did you enjoy it? 06[19:31:25] * Noah is sitting up, so his shoulder, lap, or head's a better choice of where to sit. 06[19:32:29] * Navi takes a seat on his shoulder then. "I see why you humans go all nuts over it." 01[19:32:41] Of course. Nothing pleases me more than serving humans... though Navi's tampering has effected some... changes. [19:33:36] Ah, you know you'll like it. o/` 06[19:33:54] * Noah idly reaches up and caresses Navi's side for a moment. "As for your blue glow... well, glad it's not a problem with my eyes, at least." 01[19:34:34] There were the obvious things yesterday, but... I'd like to have that switch turned off, please. Or have the ability to turn it on or off myself. 01[19:35:23] It's not that I didn't enjoy it, but... I think leaving it on for so long might have caused some damage that needs to be repaired. [19:35:52] Will you be okay? *genuinely worried* [19:36:29] Oh, fine, if you're gonna be a crybaby about it I'll change it back. 01[19:36:31] Probably... chromatic sensors seem to be malfunctioning... [19:36:48] Huh? No, that's not just you. [19:36:58] No, that's something wrong with the room, I think. *grins, looking a bit dreamilly down at Tetsuko* [19:37:01] I'm not seeing any color either. It's like I'm in some sort of crappy dating sim. 01[19:37:04] Other problems too. This morning's diagnostic turned up checksum errors, corrupted sectors... 01[19:37:16] ... that are somehow still accessable.. 01[19:37:52] Hm. If there's nothing wrong with my vision, I guess there aren't any practical problems yet. 06[19:38:18] * Navi looks confused. "Huh? Let me try running a self-check on myself then." She flickers for a few moments. [19:39:51] Well, let me just say, "Thank you," again. *grinning still, bends down and over Tetsuko, and kisses her, before pulling away, blushing dark grey but unabashed...until his stomach growls* [19:40:33] Man, that food smells good. Old-style TV or no, I'm eating it. You girls want any? 06[19:40:39] * Tetsuko accepts the kiss readily. 06[19:41:12] * Navi nods. "Everything checks out okay, and yes, I'm starved." 06[19:41:38] * Navi flits down to the food and takes a little of each, consuming it. 01[19:42:32] Normally I would decline, but I feel... different today. Besides, I need to replenish my fluids and take in material to try to repair the electrical damage from yesterday. 01[19:43:17] The posessed machine managed to cause some minor damage in that fight. 06[19:43:17] * Noah climbs out of bed, and heads for the food cart, careful not to steal the sheets from Tetsuko, even though that leaves him quite bare. He does offer her his hand to help her up, if she wants. "Well, ladies first, then!" [19:43:54] If I can help at all, tell me. 06[19:44:13] * Navi clearly didn't wait. But she's done eating quickly - apparently she doesn't eat very much being a 10 cm tall fey. [19:44:38] You have *munch* something wrong *munch* with your systems? *munch munch* 06[19:45:33] * Tetsuko climbs out of bed. Her production mark is as visible as it was last night, and the wires still connect some open panels to the boxes and such. This is the most mechanical she's looked since you've seen her. [19:46:03] * With an almost audible -pop-, the color suddenly comes back. 01[19:46:10] Yes... but ocnfined entirely to my programming. 01[19:46:23] ... strange. 06[19:46:32] * Noah is still "affected" by the sight. And jumps at the color restoration. "Woah." [19:46:32] * And then the phone rings. 06[19:47:02] * Noah looks at Tetsuko, either to answer it or give permission for him to. It is her room, after all. 06[19:47:15] * Tetsuko goes to answer it. [19:47:18] How about I run a quick check, see what I can fix? 01[19:47:27] That would be appreciated. 06[19:48:14] * Navi giggles. "Okay, give me a moment." She flies over and lands on Tetsuko's head, glowing blue momentarily before mergeing into Tetsuko but not taking over any functions. [19:48:21] * "Hello! This is the front counter. Is this Tetsuko?" 01[19:48:33] "Yes..." [19:49:15] * "There's a package marked for you at the front counter. Feel free to pick it up when you come down." 06[19:49:15] * Noah idly starts eating, unable to wait any longer. He's still oggling the naked gynoid, grinning a bit sillilly. 01[19:49:58] "A package? Thank you..." [19:50:20] * The phone clicks. 06[19:51:06] * Tetsuko hangs up. 01[19:51:14] There is a package for me at th efront counter... [19:51:52] Best eat, shower, and get dressed before getting it. [19:52:08] What do we want to do today, anyway? 06[19:53:41] * Tetsuko nods, and goes to eat. Her cables give her a lot of reach. "I am unsure." 01[19:54:15] Noah, is it awkward for you, seeing me like this? 06[19:56:02] * Noah blushes, having been caught staring, and shifts a bit. "I suppose you could call it that, but, um, I kind of like the view. As long as you don't mind me looking." 06[19:56:40] * Tetsuko smiles. "That is fine." 06[19:59:19] * Tetsuko finishes eating. She's very efficient. [20:00:03] Well, let's see. We did skydiving and fighting robots and laser tag yesterday. I've got those piloting lessons this afternoon. There was that strange woman, too... And the guy who was photographing us while we skydived. But I doubt we'll run into them again. 01[20:00:57] Strange, yes... and the vision this morning. [20:01:32] The color thing? Or do you mean something else? 01[20:01:36] That. 06[20:02:04] * Navi appears out of Tetsuko's head in a small blue flash. "Diagnosis complete. It all looks okay, even if it's abnormal... I think you're just growing some personality." ^_^ 01[20:02:10] The damage to my programming as well. [20:02:13] Yeah... I wonder if it's related to how most of this place sometimes seems less than "real". Not like, "so cool it can't be true", but...ephemeral. 01[20:02:16] ... growing some personality? [20:02:34] What makes people people isn't how perfect they are, it's their imperfections. 06[20:03:31] * Noah scoots closer to where Tetsuko is sitting, and offers her a cinnamon roll. "Have any favorites of the food this morning?" 06[20:04:04] * Tetsuko eats. "I'ts all very new to me..." 01[20:04:41] I'm afraid I couldn't say quite yet... it's all fascinating. 06[20:05:04] * Navi giggles as their all still in the buff. "It could just be what you were sent here to discover." 01[20:05:54] A favorite food? 06[20:06:08] * Noah slips an arm over Tetsuko's shoulders, and picks up something else, giving his own opinions on stuff as he eats and offers her bits. He's smoothe. Totally subtle. Yep. It's rather clear that, right now, he finds her quite fascinating. "What's your favorite, Navi?" he asks at some point in the discussion. 06[20:08:32] * Tetsuko eats the offered stuff and leans into Noah a bit. [20:09:00] My favorite? Um... Yes? [20:09:27] It all tastes good compared to what I used to eat. 01[20:09:45] What did you used to eat? [20:11:17] In the world of computers I didn't eat anything. I subsisted on electricity. 06[20:11:37] * Tetsuko nods. [20:12:23] It's really bland. :( 01[20:12:39] I am much the same. The only reason I have to eat is to replenish fluids used in cooling, keeping up an appearance of being human-looking, and lubrication. 06[20:12:55] * Navi snickers at the mention of 'lubrication'. 06[20:13:19] * Tetsuko has pretty much assumed that at this point, she doesn't "get" humor. 06[20:13:54] * Noah blushes again when he realizes why Navi's snickering. But he doesn't stop snuggling with Tetsuko. :P Though he does finish eating, polishing off whatever the girls left of the cart, and downing a pitcher of orange juice by himself. 01[20:14:45] Solid food can be used, but not for much. A few compounds can be used to retain a human appearance, but most is just burned as a supplement to a direct electrical current. [20:16:08] Huh. Is it possible to eat enough to go without electrical input? [20:16:18] I'm pretty sure that synthetic skin isn't all for show. I'd know, having been in there. o/` [20:17:14] It, um, sure feels real. 01[20:17:30] Mm. How would you know? 01[20:18:25] It felt nice, but I don't know if I could call it real. I don't have the real thing to compare it with. [20:18:57] Trust me, having been in both places, it's real. 01[20:19:07] Ah... interesting. 01[20:20:07] I guess some solid food is used to maintain the artificial skin. [20:20:44] Probably. You're likely addapting subconciously. 01[20:21:18] I heard they went through a lot of compounds that would look and feel realistic, but still be able to communicate sensation. The final version only finally got worked out last year. 06[20:23:11] * Navi nodnods. [20:23:19] Maybe we should get you your package? 01[20:23:43] Ah, that would be a good idea. [20:24:20] I don't know about you girls, but I need a shower before I get dressed. And I know at least Tetsuko here *kisses her on the cheek* needs to get dressed, too, before she goes to get any packages. 06[20:26:16] * Tetsuko goes to get her clothes, reflexively cleaning up along the way. She gets dressed, and goes to get the package. [20:26:24] Fast, isn't she? [20:26:29] * The lobby isn't as busy as it was the previous day, when you arrived. There's no lines, and there's more walking space, less waiting, and more room to walk about without running into someone else. 06[20:26:59] * Tetsuko goes to the counter. "Hello. I am Tetsuko. I understand there is a package for me?" [20:26:59] * The woman at the counter looks at Tetsuko as she approaches. 06[20:27:02] * Navi is extremely clean. One of the nice things about being able to turn into electricity: cleaning is as easy as ionizing the air around you. [20:27:49] * "Ah, yes. Here you go." She pulls out a package wrapped in brown paper, and hands it over. 01[20:27:58] Thank you. 06[20:28:04] * Tetsuko goes back upstairs with the box. 06[20:28:04] * Noah actually had to shower like a normal person. Which he did relatively quickly. 06[20:28:56] * Noah is just getting out of the shower when Tetsuko returns, so he's in his room (which still lacks any sort of "lived-in" quality) getting dressed. 06[20:30:47] * Tetsuko closes the door behind her. "Hello." 06[20:30:55] * Tetsuko places the box on the table and looks for any sender. [20:32:01] * It's not a box; it feels more like a book, or a tome. 06[20:32:04] * Noah knocks on the door between their rooms before entering. "Who's it from?" 06[20:32:34] * Tetsuko opens the door. [20:32:35] * It's wrapped in unmarked brown paper. 01[20:32:43] Unsure. 01[20:32:53] There are no identifying marks... 06[20:32:56] * Tetsuko starts opening it 06[20:33:48] * Noah moves over to watch, eyeing the cart of food disappointedly, since it hasn't spontaneously generated more. [20:33:53] * It opens easily, to reveal an old, faded looking book. 01[20:34:05] Strange. Why would anyone send this to me? [20:34:28] ...huh. It's one of those "real" things. Like that woman, or the walls. Or us. 01[20:34:52] ... "real" things? [20:35:19] Yeah... 01[20:35:46] What do you mean? [20:35:50] When we got here, I noticed the walls made everything seem... fake. Well, not fake, but...illusory? [20:35:57] Except you and me, Tetsuko. 01[20:36:34] The walls? [20:36:38] And then that woman, yesterday. The one who seemed like she wanted something from us, then wandered off? [20:36:44] The walls. Around the city. The big ones. [20:36:54] Sorry. Should have been more specific. 01[20:37:08] Odd. 01[20:37:11] What about the food? [20:37:29] Um, as real as the other things in this city that aren't the walls, or us? 06[20:38:20] * Noah hesitates a moment, then shivers. "But yeah, not 'real' real, like that book and the walls." 06[20:38:28] * Navi flies over to the book and looks at it carefully. "It seems more real, as you're putting it. Something's telling me this is more anchored in reality than even we are..." 06[20:38:44] * Tetsuko examines the book and opens it. [20:39:09] No... I don't think so. But then, with that masked thing... 01[20:39:38] It's strange, being told that I am more real than something else. 06[20:40:00] * Navi narrowly avoids a close encounter of the cover kind and flies over the book to read it. [20:40:56] * The first page reads, handwritten, "I am nameless, though I was not always." [20:41:40] * "I have saved the names I could find. Please, place yours here, so they will be safe." [20:42:30] * Then there's pages, and pages, and pages, of names, all handwritten in the same handwriting as the first page. 01[20:42:34] Strange... 01[20:43:26] Noah, what do you think? [20:43:29] * About 3/4's of the way through, the names stop, and there's a bent corner, marking the page, along with three 'X' marks, indicating a signature would go there. [20:43:46] Very. Suppose it's a game? *sounds doubtful* 06[20:44:38] * Tetsuko finds a pen and offers it to Noah. 06[20:45:07] * Navi looks at the other names, trying to note any of them that would have been of importance. 06[20:46:46] * Noah frowns dubiously as he takes the pen, and writes "Noah Zark" down. "Either of you want to sign up?" He sounds a bit nervous. 01[20:47:40] Navi, if you need to write with a pen that large, you may use my hand if you wish. 06[20:48:09] * Navi flies down to the book and inspects the pages carefully. "If you don't mind." [20:48:14] ...do you suppose this has anything to do with the color thing, and the world shattering with the shaking mask? 01[20:48:27] I don't recall any shattering or shaking mask.. [20:49:10] ...I forgot to tell you about that, didn't I. It happened...I think it was just before the robots. Remember when you asked me if something was wrong, and I said I'd talk about it later, yesterday? 06[20:49:11] * Navi motions, and Tetsuko's left hand moves to pick up the pen and write Navi's name down: 'Navi'. "Thank you." ^_^ 01[20:49:19] No problem. [20:52:00] Do you want to sign it, Tetsuko? 06[20:52:26] * Tetsuko takes the pen, and takes it to the paper. She writes down something... very complicated with a fair number of numbers and letters. "This is my true name." 06[20:52:47] * Tetsuko pauses a moment, then appends "Tetsuko" in quotes at the end. [20:53:29] So serious and somber. [20:53:34] ...I suppose it requires your "true name" if it's more than just a game, doesn't it... May I borrow that pen again? 06[20:53:44] * Tetsuko blinks, then hands it over. 06[20:54:12] * Noah adds a "VII" to the end of it. "There. Hope it's not cross-checked too thoroughly." [20:54:48] Thanks. *hands the pen back* 06[20:55:18] * Tetsuko places it back in its neat little place. [20:56:34] So, yeah. Anyway... when I stumbled, it looked like the whole world just shattered and fell apart, and there was this...mask...in the dark, all chained up. It shrieked, shook, and ... everything was normal again. But if you girls didn't see it... well, I know I'm not nuts, but maybe yesterday was just a bit overexciting. 06[20:56:46] * Noah grins. "Let's see if we can't top it!" [20:58:02] I don't think your totally out of it. Then again, you're the only human among us. 06[20:58:20] * Navi grins. "Well, where do you want to go?" 01[20:58:24] A strange thing to see.. but yes, you are the only human. 01[20:58:35] Top it? What did you hvae in mind? [20:59:56] * There's a paintball obstacle race slated for a little later in the day. The blurb says that there will be no less than five vehicles used in the run. [21:04:22] Well, there's the next round of the robot fighting tournament today. And that piloting lesson... We never did actually -watch- that movie we queued up last night. [21:04:48] Good thing that we didn't, it was a total snooze-fest. 01[21:04:52] Whatever you would like to do is fine by me. [21:05:27] I can't participate in most of the events, though, so I'll just have fun mucking with other people. ^^ [21:07:18] Well, what -can- you do? I mean, that you could actuall participate in. ...I never did ask; why did you pick Tetsuko and me to reveal yourself to? 06[21:07:54] * Tetsuko disconnects herself from the boxes. She'd disconnected briefly earlier to get the package. "My energy reserves are full, and my back-ups are complete. I've made a special backup, too." [21:07:57] Because you're funny and she's a robot. Duh. ^^ [21:08:27] I'm funny? 06[21:08:44] * Navi giggles. "To me you are." [21:09:37] I shall endeavor to ever amuse, then. I may not have a green hat, but still not every boy has a fairy for a friend. [21:09:43] So, what's the special backup, Tetsuko? 01[21:09:57] I'm not the only robot in the city, though. Though I may be the most specialized... 01[21:10:05] ... ah? 01[21:10:41] The events of last night. They're not just for restoration. They can be played back and relived... 06[21:11:08] * Navi cracks up. "And Tetsuko makes her first porn video." 06[21:11:41] * Noah coughs. "Oh." 01[21:11:46] Not quite video... [21:12:01] VR experience. Porn's porn. 01[21:12:02] I don't think anyone but Navi and I could use it. And Navi is a special case. 01[21:14:16] I suppose you could call it that. In any case, which events would you like to participate in today, Noah? 06[21:16:10] * Navi starts humming a certain song from Avenue Q. [21:16:53] * In addition to being slated for flight lessons, and having an invitation to the second round of robot battling, there's the "Today only!" paintball obstacle race. [21:17:40] Hum. Think we stand any chance at gambling? If we're going to do physical stuff this afternoon, starting with something merely mentally intriguing could be fun. And what time's that paintball obstacle race? [21:17:57] Checking, checking... [21:17:57] * You remember from your trips around yesterday there was a boxing tournament, a motorcycle course, target ranges, a mini golf course, an -underground- full golf course... 06[21:18:03] * Noah has never seen nor heard of Avenue Q, so doesn't recognize Navi's rendition of "The Internet is for Porn." 06[21:18:16] * Tetsuko doesn't really "get" culture or comedy. 06[21:18:27] * Navi finishes her song with a perfect Shrekie voice. "And why you think the 'net was born? PORN PORN PORN." 06[21:20:23] * Noah blanches. 06[21:20:54] * Tetsuko doesn't get it. [21:22:29] Um. Well, let's get the Robot fight out of the way early. And we'll figure out what to do from there. Sound good? 01[21:22:35] Sure. [21:23:30] FORWARD! *poses dramatically, and...pauses* ...well, after we put that book someplace safe. THEN forward! [21:23:45] Hey! [21:23:50] Yeah, seriously. 01[21:23:54] Hm.. 01[21:24:07] I wonder if there would be enough room in my panels. [21:24:41] I've memorized all the names. ^_^ 06[21:27:09] * Tetsuko starts taking off her shirt. 06[21:27:57] * Noah watches. 06[21:28:25] * Tetsuko removes her upper body clothing until it's totally bare. 06[21:30:16] * Tetsuko thinks for a bit. Responding to some invisible command, her chest pops open from the center. Inside, there's a clear storage compartment. Behind it, you can see her innards. They look expensive. 06[21:30:34] * Tetsuko places the book inside, and works on closing herself back up and putting her clothes back on. 06[21:30:37] * Navi whispers to Noah. "That's gotta be a real turn-off." 06[21:33:19] * Noah nods sardonically, and whispers back, "It definitely could spoil the mood. But it's useful, I'll bet." 02[21:33:43] * NPC2 (HeWhoHunts@68-118-61-214.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) Quit (Quit: ) 01[21:34:41] I hope that wasn't too distressing. 06[21:35:22] * Navi snickers. "Only if I somehow grew to your size and decided to go lesbo on you." [21:36:20] Not distressing at all. Just...unusual. Shall we? *holds the door open for the girls once Tetsuko is decent again* 01[21:36:28] Sure. 06[21:36:29] * Tetsuko goes 06[21:37:00] * Navi heads out for great justice! Only invisible. Invisible justice? [21:37:06] * At the lobby, Tetsuko is called from the front desk. 06[21:37:22] * Tetsuko goes to the front desk. With the others with her. "I'm Tetsuko." [21:37:33] * "Tetsuko? Oh, good. We have another item for you." [21:37:55] * The woman behind the counter hands over a sealed envelope, this time. It's unmarked on the outside. 06[21:38:10] * Tetsuko takes it. "Thanks. Ddid you see who gave me these items, by the way?" [21:38:42] * The woman starts to answer, then... frowns. [21:39:25] * "They..." There's another long pause, followed by a look of confusion. [21:40:28] * Then she blinks, and smiles brightly. "Hello. Tetsuko, was it? I trust you slept well." 01[21:41:52] Ah, yes. Thank you. 06[21:44:26] * Tetsuko seteps outside with the others and looks over the envelope [21:44:44] That was...odd. [21:44:54] * The envelope is plain, and light. 06[21:44:57] * Tetsuko opens it up [21:45:32] * Now that you're outside, the streets are less crowded than the day before, and parts of the street are visibly marked off, presumably for the race today. [21:46:38] * The envelope contains a peice of paper, written on it, in the same handwriting as the book, "I've signed you up for the race, all three of you. I'll meet you during it. Bring the book." 06[21:46:54] * Tetsuko nods. 06[21:47:13] * Tetsuko shows it to the others [21:47:30] ...okay, maybe it -is- just part of the game of this place. 01[21:49:37] Do we have time to go to the race and do the other things? 01[21:49:55] It should be possible [21:50:29] No, that's not the least bit forboding. [21:52:39] Not the least. Right. If we have time, let's do it. Keep it in the schedule, please, and remind us when it's time? 01[21:54:39] It's soon... [21:58:12] Oh, well, then I suppose we should do that first. 06[22:00:01] * Tetsuko nods, and starst heading to the spot. "I have the book, but I'm wondering if I need to take it out..." [22:03:02] * End. Session Close: Tue Oct 02 00:00:00 2007