Session Start: Mon Oct 29 08:51:58 2007 Session Ident: #VCB [19:09:42] * Vice City Blues. [19:10:26] * It's shortly after the three of our heroes? Captives? Have effortlessly won the paintball obstacle course race, with massive cheating by several parties. [19:11:29] * The book, signed, by all three, was returned, and you were given something in exchange - a defunct armlet, previously worn by the Woman in Black. [19:12:19] * The celebrations have died down from winning the race, and wherever you go, there's a -real- man, in all green, that's following you at a fair distance, watching. [19:12:46] * The sun is out and bright, and the breeze is cool and pleasent. [19:12:48] * Start. [19:13:24] What is next on our agenda? We have Noah's robot competition... [19:14:07] I think that's up next. And I know I have that helicopter piloting lesson later on. I still owe you a movie, too. [19:16:11] * ManInGreen (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB [19:16:43] Very well. [19:16:51] * ManInGreen hasn't moved his arms, stance, he's been merely standing, other than to move to keep in distance. [19:17:11] Let's go then. ^_^ [19:18:31] * Tetsuko nods, and begins movnig along [19:22:54] * Noah lowers his voice. "Do we want to try to spring a trap on our shadow? He's kinda creeping me out." [19:23:50] * Tetsuko moves towards the subway. [19:23:55] * Navi keeps her voice low as she's in Noah's shirt. "He's not just going away because we're not believing? Damn!" [19:25:11] He isn't. *follows Tetsuko* [19:26:24] * The crowds are fairly thick, fallout from the crowds that were waiting around at the race. There's a bit of jostling and bumping as you get on. [19:26:29] He certainly isn't making any attempt to try to hide his following. [19:26:38] Perhaps we should come at him head-on [19:27:13] * ManInGreen , however, still stands out. Even as they get on the subway, he walks -through- the walls of the car, and takes up a spot at the end. [19:27:29] Is he still there? [19:27:48] Still there. [19:27:50] Yeah. Walking through walls and stuff, now, too. [19:29:24] Let me guess, he's itting behind us at the end of the train. [19:29:27] (sitting) [19:30:58] Yep. If this is a mystery game, they're being classicly stereotypical about it. [19:33:19] * A few minutes later, and you get off at the stop closest to the next competition of the day. [19:33:39] * ManInGreen does the same thing, walking through the walls and people like they're not there. [19:33:48] Hmph. [19:33:56] * Tetsuko checks the time for how long until the competition [19:35:40] So what shall we do? [19:35:40] * Navi keeps hiding in Noah's shirt. [19:37:40] Well, he can walk through walls, and he is doing that 'more real than real' trick. So...no trapping him in cages. Think confronting him would be useful? Or do we wait until we win the next round of the robot tournament? [19:38:25] You confront him and rip off his mask after a chase scene going through a haunted circus with bad music. [19:39:32] I'm not a college-aged hippy, and neither of you are ugly enough to be Scooby. [19:40:03] Hmmm, and we don't play in a band either. Or have a pet shark that can run on land. [19:40:24] * The trek to the preparation floor is much the same as the rest of the trip, though the area here is more secluded, appropriate for testing, building, and designing robots to fight with. Albeit the Green Man still watching, walking through walls, people, and anything else as he needs. [19:40:40] I am in favor of confrontation. Or seeing how he reacts when we approach. [19:40:49] Navi? [19:41:02] You only live once. ^_^ [19:41:07] Okay. [19:41:17] * There's a plethora of assorted gadgets, machinery, electronics and spare parts. [19:41:57] * Noah turns to the guy, now that we have something resembling privacy. "Excuse me, but shouldn't you be building your own robot rather than watching us build ours?" [19:43:01] * ManInGreen was already looking straight at Noah, so it's hard to tell if he's paying more attention or not. [19:43:56] ...hello? Can we help you? Are you lost? *waves a hand at the guy to see if his eyes track* [19:45:48] * ManInGreen 's watching Noah. And his stance subtly changes as Noah asks that. [19:47:29] * ManInGreen talks, a deep, booming voice, that seems like if he shouted, buildings would shake. "You know of me." [19:50:22] We do. [19:51:09] * ManInGreen shifts one eye to Tetsuko, while keeping the other eye trained on Noah. [19:53:22] * ManInGreen ... smiles? The dual-focusing doesn't seem natural, and neither does the smile. He, however, does not move. [19:53:40] Okay, the eye thing's even creepier than the following us around thing. Who are you? [19:54:40] I have no name. [19:55:01] What is your purpose? [19:55:53] To serve the City. [19:56:05] What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? [19:57:28] What does serving the City entail? [19:57:51] Many things. [19:58:09] Please clarify. [19:58:22] No. [19:58:36] Okay, this guy's really creeping me out now. [19:59:39] * ManInGreen continues to wait, and watch. [20:00:36] Why're you following us? The city need our help for something? [20:01:09] I mean, he was before, but even moreso now. [20:01:20] No. [20:01:26] Are we a threat? [20:02:08] *pause* No. *there's a hint of mirth in that answer* [20:03:16] Are you a threat? [20:03:26] IF he was, would he tell us? [20:04:28] I serve the City. [20:05:42] * The screens in the room start displaying footage from one of the matches going on a floor below. [20:06:00] Our business is concluded for the time being. [20:06:49] Noah? [20:07:23] Let's get going Noah [20:08:45] Okay. Um, please just say "hi" or something next time? See ya. [20:08:53] Let's go win us some robot competitions. [20:10:11] Understood. [20:11:29] * ManInGreen pauses, then nods. [20:11:54] * Noah sets to work tweaking the robot design (within allowed parameters) to compensate for the weaknesses he noticed in the last round. [20:12:57] * Navi pokes Noah when they're a resonable distance from the green man. "Hey, can you pick up some extra parts? I wanna fix that doohickey you got when we get back to the room. Like... That, that, that, that that..." She starts pointing at various parts. [20:13:57] Sure. *does so, surreptitiuosly as he gaathers other parts* [20:14:10] * ManInGreen doesn't follow, this time. He suddenly turns, and walks through a wall, with some quickness, and apparent urgency. [20:14:29] You are familiar with building machines? [20:14:31] ... hm. [20:14:48] Perhaps we should have let him follow and act as if we could not see him. [20:15:06] No, not really; but the tutorial has some advice on balancing this thing. [20:15:28] And what good would that have done? It hasn't hurt anything, and he seemed...well, nice enough, if weird. [20:15:40] Creeeeeeeeeeepy. [20:15:57] Look, if you wanted help building a robot you could have just asked. [20:16:25] Oh, please do! I just thought I'd try my own hand a bit... *rubs the back of his head, embarassed* [20:19:26] * The match onscreen ends, with a spectacular win - the head of the losing robot flying off and impacting the screen in front of it's controllers. [20:19:49] * Tetsuko helps in any way she can. [20:20:21] * Four more matches go down, before Noah's team is called. [20:20:43] ( Pause a moment ) [20:20:45] * ManInGreen (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) Quit (Quit: ) Session Close: Mon Oct 29 20:20:47 2007 Session Start: Mon Oct 29 20:20:47 2007 Session Ident: #VCB [20:20:47] * Disconnected [20:21:52] * Attempting to rejoin channel #VCB [20:22:00] * Rejoined channel #VCB [20:23:37] * sbpr (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB [20:23:37] * ChanServ sets mode: +o sbpr [20:25:33] ( resume. ) [20:25:59] Alright, let's go! [20:26:12] Pity they wouldn't let us use the multibot remote in the competition. [20:26:28] Pfft, it's fine, it's fine. [20:26:36] * Navi finishes re-tooling the 'bot. [20:27:09] * Noah heads down to the arena with the 'bot as soon as Navi gives the go-ahead. [20:30:34] * NPC1 (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB [20:30:41] * Navi gives the green light. [20:30:56] * NPC2 (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB [20:34:21] * The elevator takes Noah, Tetsuko, Navi, and their robot down. [20:35:13] * As soon as the door opens, there's a powerful feeling of apathy and doom, a pervading feeling that fills up the empty air... [20:35:46] Somethin's not right guys... [20:36:07] I wonder... [20:36:51] * Noah shivers. "Anyone else feel like someone just walked over their grave?" Session Close: Mon Oct 29 20:41:07 2007 Session Start: Mon Oct 29 20:41:07 2007 Session Ident: #VCB [20:41:07] * Disconnected [20:41:42] * Attempting to rejoin channel #VCB [20:41:52] * Rejoined channel #VCB [20:42:16] * Noah (Segev_Stor@67-43-246-250-cablemodem-roll.fidnet.com) Quit (Ping timeout) [20:42:44] I don't know, if I ever experince it I'll tell you. [20:43:14] ( THanks Zeg! ) [20:43:38] * NoahZark is now known as Noah [20:43:46] * Noah steps out, looking around cautiously. Are there any other participants, audience, etcetera around? [20:44:14] * HeWhoHuntsCats is now known as sbpr [20:44:43] * The floor looks the same as before, except subdued, and devoid of people or activity. There's splotches of empty space, like scratches on a paint-covered window pointed at the night.... [20:45:42] ...this feels like one of those disjointed moments. Why do they keep happening here? [20:46:24] ... what caused it? [20:46:47] * "He did." [20:46:57] * NPC1 is now known as WomanInBlack [20:47:10] Mr. Green? [20:47:44] * WomanInBlack is there? Not there? Stuck between overly real and less than real. [20:47:47] This happened last night, too... [20:49:59] What is happening? [20:51:10] I'm not sure. [20:52:25] The Enforcer has locked you here. [20:52:30] Petronella? Are you okay? [20:52:44] Mr. Green is the Enforcer? [20:52:51] He is as I. [20:53:04] DId he do this because we revealed ourselves to him? [20:53:09] I see. So he used a thingie to walk through walls and be creepy. [20:53:14] Yes. [20:54:00] He seemed out of it. Now, are you doing alright? You're less distinct than before. [20:54:05] * Zegon zips around to Noah's thingy. "Hold still, I'm gonna fix it." She starts zipping through Noah's pockets for parts as she starts fiddling around with it. It's actually kinda funny watching a little blue streak zip back and forth like that. [20:54:29] I ... am fine. I have no manipulation of the City to prevent the stateful shifts right now. [20:54:44] * Noah chuckles a touch nervously and holds his arms away from his body, hopefully out of Navi's way. [20:54:57] Is the City itself...like you and Mr. Green? [20:55:13] * WomanInBlack pauses, and shakes her head. [20:55:48] I can get you out of here, but if so, we will all be marked. [20:56:03] And I know not of a way to escape from the City. [20:56:18] Then don't; we don't need to get you in any more trouble. 'Sides, I think we're already marked, from talking to Mr. Green. [20:56:36] What is this City? [20:56:37] You are merely watched. [20:56:46] Is escaping really so hard? Just walk out; it's guarded, but I don't think even in this..."shifted state?" that we couldn't leave. [20:57:40] * Zegon is now known as Navi [20:57:46] (Oh dammit, I thought I was Navi. XD) [20:58:31] You cannot walk beyond the walls. [20:58:57] ...huh. Why not? [20:58:59] The walls are the City, the City is the walls. [20:59:10] The City only lets people in. [20:59:36] That would explain why they do that 'realer than real' thing. And people have to have gotten out; there'd be huge reports if nobody who ever came in ever came out. [20:59:40] Why does it let people in? [20:59:57] * WomanInBlack walks over, stabilizing into a 'normal' real state, as she walks. [21:00:06] Because it takes their names. [21:00:19] * Noah grins. "I see you got a new one. What's it need our names for?" [21:00:26] If you lose your name, the world forgets you. [21:00:47] And writing them in that book helps it steal it, or keeps it safe? [21:01:06] A warding, of sorts. [21:01:14] I see. [21:01:59] Guess it's a good thing I put my whole name in, then. So... are you also trying to escape, yourself? [21:03:43] * Tetsuko straightens up. "Primary Objective: Disarm or destroy the City. Secondary Objective: Restore "names"." [21:04:00] * WomanInBlack pauses, for a moment. "If you leave this..." Pause. "Cell. You will be marked, as I. They will come for you, and you will run, die, or be forgotten." [21:04:45] If you stay, you will lose your names, and be forgotten. [21:05:00] So we gotta leave. [21:05:01] Whoo. [21:05:34] * Navi finishes fixing the gadget. "So, what's this do? Does it make portals?" [21:05:42] My time is naught, you are the last who will see me, however this turns out. [21:06:56] That is the mark and tool of an Enforcer. [21:07:07] Petronella. You will come with us. Even if you're forgotten, we'll get you a new name, and a new life, outside the city. Don't lose hope. If we're to be marked, and you're already marked, then we'll work together. We will take the book with us; we'll spread the names of the forgotten, that they might be remembered. [21:07:18] It protects one from the city, and allows the user to manipulate it's power, and rise above it. [21:07:23] * Tetsuko nods... [21:07:36] * Noah straps it onto his wrist. "Well, then. Why does the City let its tools use them?" [21:09:18] * Navi snickers. "You're such a tool." [21:09:37] Because there are those who resisted. [21:10:04] There came those who were strong enough to resist the City, and fight the core. [21:10:12] Where is the core? [21:10:24] Thus the City made the Enforcers, and slaughtered them. [21:10:58] Where does the masked, chained man fit in? [21:10:59] * WomanInBlack frowns. "I do not know." [21:11:06] He is as I. [21:13:45] So... how do we begin? [21:14:31] Well... *eyes the armlet* I can get us out of here. This feels really cool, actually. Not sure how I know, but I know how to use it. Petronella, will you stay with us, now that we're all going to be marked for...well, deletion, I suppose? [21:14:57] Do you? [21:15:24] It's unpowered. [21:15:35] What is required to power it? [21:15:55] Your third companion. [21:16:41] I...can see the 'others', too. Mr. Green, the Chained Man, Petronella, and a Red guy we've not met. [21:16:52] * Noah squints, looking around. [21:16:55] Hmmm? Do you mean me? [21:17:06] * Navi points at herself questioningly. [21:17:23] * WomanInBlack nods. "The armlet needs a soul." [21:17:37] ... [21:17:41] It won't hurt her, will it? [21:17:50] They were made with lifeforce from the City, that it stole with the names. [21:17:56] I'd rather use my own than somebody else's, if it can hurt the--ew. [21:18:19] I do not have the power to take that. It requires a willing lifeforce to fully power itself. [21:18:43] I, uh... will I be able to get out? [21:18:56] I do not know. [21:19:58] Empowered, it is the only thing short of the City that can harm it's Enforcers. [21:20:45] And unempowered? [21:20:52] I think it does jack shit. [21:20:53] It is as you see. [21:21:28] Well, I think I can work it even now. I'm just hesitating until we have a plan, since when I drop our little cell, the 'others' will see me, and know what I've done. [21:21:57] * WomanInBlack frowns. She looks a little worried. [21:22:27] So. Petronella, do you have the book, still? [21:22:35] * WomanInBlack nods. [21:22:40] I can go instead... if we could connect the armlet to my body somehow, I may still be able to control it... [21:22:44] ... if I have a soul. [21:23:23] Maybe... [21:24:11] * Navi flies over to Tetsuko and 'merges' into her head, coming out a few minutes later. [21:24:24] Navi? [21:24:30] * WomanInBlack watches. [21:24:34] Alright. What's your plan to get out? [21:26:00] I put a backup of my programming in Tetsuko's head. Everything's there. [21:27:30] If... if I can't get out, at least you can use that instead. All of my knowledge is there. So, let's try this? [21:27:33] * Navi smiles. [21:27:42] I might be able to do this if it's possible to modify the armlet... [21:27:55] There would be no practical difference, aside from my inability to remove it. [21:28:18] Navi, how about you don't. [21:28:32] If I can use it without you risking yourself, I will. So...let's not be too hasty. [21:28:36] At worst, I try, and nothing happens. [21:28:53] We would have to empower it eventually. [21:29:07] Let's call that "Plan Z." [21:33:45] * Navi looks to Tetsuko. "I can modify the electronics so you can operate it, even remotely. But... there's a spiritual and magical aspect. Somebody has to be willing to go in to power it, and I'm really the only thing that can." [21:34:08] I see... [21:34:35] Alright. When I get us out of here, we'll be seen by the 'others'. Do we just make a run for it? [21:35:04] If, if this thing is fully powered, will we still be marked? [21:36:18] I've hid and ran these past three weeks, hiding in this world, darting between the barriers to run. [21:37:11] Good. We'll need your expertise at it, then, Petronella. [21:37:26] * Noah keeps -deliberately- using her name, since names seem to have such importance. Even if it's not hers, it might help. [21:37:37] Hide in this world, for they can see as us. [21:37:51] .... for as long as it lasts. [21:38:12] As long as what lasts? This world is going to change? [21:38:21] This world is here for you. [21:39:18] Gotcha. Well, then. Navi, if we 'fully empower' it, I think the 'others' will see me and I won't be able to hide. So if we use Plan Z, it's really a last resort, if we absolutely must fight rather than flee. [21:39:41] It may dissapear if the City does not keep it here, it exists to make you more comfortable, that it may distract and drain you while you whittle away on your vices. [21:39:51] I think, if I just get us out of here, we can disappear into the crowd. ...though I guess I'm not going to get those pilot lessons. [21:40:09] Wow. A real 'Pleasure Island.' No wonder it's all free. [21:40:22] Ah ha... [21:41:10] I don't know if there's anything we can do while it isn't empowered. [21:41:27] Find a way out. [21:42:23] Well, let's not stay here any longer. Are we ready to get back to the city we thought we'd been staying in? [21:42:41] I suppose so. [21:42:50] Maybe find our rooms and take what we can. [21:43:08] Alright. Here goes nothing. [21:44:16] * Noah sort of waves his hand, the one with the armlet on its wrist, and the world...resolves back into apparent normalcy. [21:45:06] * The noise of the crowd, the cheers, all come back, and the eerie atmosphere vanishes. [21:45:33] Let us move quickly. [21:45:45] * Navi nods, looking uneasy. [21:46:41] Right. Come on, Petronella. *heads for the exit, keeping a worried eye on the woman in black to make sure she keeps up* [21:46:58] They're coming. We'd best get lost by the time Mr. Green gets here. [21:47:19] * WomanInBlack nods. "Lets." [21:48:24] As of now, you are all aware of the City, and it shall play no more games for you. [21:48:40] * Tetsuko follows. Quickly. [21:48:58] That's a pity; it plays such fun ones. *seemingly enjoying himself as he walks. Quickly, but walking* [21:50:09] Mr. Green and the others are being methodical, so we have time, but 'not being where they are' will work better than hiding. [21:50:48] Definetly. [21:51:21] Noah... you may need a weapon. MOre than the bracelet. [21:52:19] I'm not sure any weapon we could get would be effective against those who are the real threat. [21:52:36] I suppose so [21:53:18] * Noah heads, by a little bit of a circuitous route, for the hotel. "We need a bit of time to plan, and we should get our stuff. Then we should try to get out with Petronella and the book. Once we're safely out, we can figure out what to do about the city itself." [21:53:33] * Noah is eyeing the armlet, specifically how it fastens on, as he walks. [21:55:21] * Navi keeps hiding. [21:57:49] Right... [21:58:26] I know of a safe spot to sleep, provided we don't attract undue attention. [21:58:31] Okay. [21:58:38] Where is that? [22:00:16] * WomanInBlack points over thataway. "One of the subway tunnels. It's below the surface, part of the cities original construction." [22:00:45] * Tetsuko nods. [22:00:54] HOw old is the City? [22:01:44] 43 years since it's founding. [22:02:15] If we can figure out why chained-guy just sort of leapt out at me the other day, and what made the city the way it is, maybe we can fix it. But I'd rather get Petronella out and then come back; she seems like she's on her last legs. No offense, Petronella. [22:02:47] They were chasing me, and they passed you. [22:03:50] Must have been. [22:05:04] What about the photographer in the Walls? [22:05:07] If the core is what holds it together, I don't know if we can escape a conventional way [22:05:34] Well, when we skydived, we could have angled to land outside the city. that's when I saw the photographer. [22:05:45] Yeah, I remember that. [22:06:06] * WomanInBlack pauses, and pulls out a pair of binoculars. "That was when I first saw of you." [22:06:45] Why us? [22:06:51] You're real. [22:07:00] What about the other guests? [22:07:22] * WomanInBlack blinks, as if she doesn't understand the question [22:07:45] The other people in the city. Are they all fake? Is it just the three of us in all the city, and you, and the 'others'? [22:08:46] * WomanInBlack nods, and says, "There have been many, before, but never many at once. They have all been forgotten." [22:09:52] We came in a group, didn't we? [22:09:52] A shame. [22:10:18] The largest group was eight. [22:10:44] Even 43 years ago? [22:11:19] So all the others on the bus were fake too? [22:11:47] * WomanInBlack frowns. "That far back I do not know. The Enforcers were not yet."\ [22:11:58] When were the Enforcers formed? [22:12:46] ( retcon Tetsu's bus line. ) [22:13:06] * WomanInBlack frowns, and pauses. "I'm.... not sure." [22:13:27] We weren't here in the beginning, and we are now. [22:13:52] Maybe you'll remember once we properly restore the names. [22:14:04] Does this mean I'm going to become one, if I lose, or is my 'start' different than yours? *holds up the armband* [22:14:32] You have been marked. You will die or flee. [22:17:12] Well then. Let's flee. We'll let them chase us into their own endzone. We'll get you out, Petronella. I promise. *turns down the street towards the hotel, double-checking to make sure the 'others' are still not converging there* [22:17:32] The best way to flee might be to destroy the core. [22:17:39] Mmmm... [22:17:54] * The hotels looms ahead, the first building near the walls that define the city. The wall seems to pulse, as you draw closer to it, intead of the stoic, monolithic nature they had before. [22:18:03] If you can locate it.... [22:18:22] It can be hurt. [22:18:39] Can it be disabled. And if so, will we be okay? [22:18:49] But it does not stay. [22:19:27] * Tetsuko speaks in a colder, more mechanical tone. "The enemy must be routed." [22:20:31] I doubt you can route it, they seem very calculating. [22:22:50] What do you know of the core? [22:23:28] It can be hurt. It's ... very powerful. [22:24:16] This City, these walls, they're here because of it. It knows what you're thinking, even if you yourself do not. [22:24:22] It eats your name. [22:25:11] If it knew what I was thinking, the 'others' would already be here. [22:27:36] In any case, let us go in. The less we tarry the better. [22:27:58] Right [22:28:03] Right. *heads into the hotel, holding the doors for the ladies who aren't in his shirt* [22:28:06] Mmmm. [22:28:06] * WomanInBlack heads into the hotel. Since that's where people are going, seemingly. [22:28:12] * End. Session Close: Mon Oct 29 22:46:37 2007