[IC] To Live ... [2]: Last Night I Went To Manderley Again

For all of your Play-By-Post games.
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

jmucchiello wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:41 pm "Oh, if you know where the other three people I awoke with Marcus, BIllie, and Genevieve were relocated, please indicate that on the map"
It promptly does so, indicating that Marcus is in one downside location, and the other two are in yet another. All the information about getting to and from the lower levels is made available to you as well.
jmucchiello wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:41 pm"9:00 then. I like to be early. I suppose I'll need a wake alarm of around 8:00 then as well."
"Done," replies the tablet.

Then Jaina settles in to read the papers. The first one was published about thirty years after her demise. It describes a technology not that much advanced beyond what she'd already learned or discovered for herself, but with certain assumptions challenged and some progress made. The same is true for the paper published in the mid 22nd century, a steady advance from what you already knew.

The paper published in the 23rd century tears down everything in the first two papers, and a fair amount of what you learned in college, and then builds it back up again in ways that are dizzying to contemplate. It's like reading about special relativity when your cutting edge science involved phlogiston.

Things get even worse in the 24th century, which is at least using some familiar terminology in novel ways. The paper from the 25th century is almost completely unintelligible, and that from the 26th is even worse. There aren't any papers from the 27th or 28th centuries, but once they start being published again, they're still completely beyond your understanding. The experiments that they describe don't seem unfeasible, but just what they managed to demonstrate doesn't make sense at all. (What does it mean for a keltriad to have a squittert that's trilaquiteral?)

Midway through all this, you take delivery of your first package. There's a rap on the door, and when you open it, you see a floating platform with a solid looking cube attached to it. The platform extends a limb from its side that reaches down to you and folds out to reveal yet another window for you to press your thumb against. Once you do so, the cord attaching the cube slowly extends so that the cube rests against the floor, and then is audibly severed, with the platform zipping away towards the still open elevator doors.

Opening the cube reveals that it contains the clothes you ordered. Just a few minutes after you close your front door, a second delivery arrives, exactly the same as the first, but with a cube that contains your bag. Just what you are supposed to do with these cubes, made out of some material much more sturdy than cardboard, is not clear.
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
jmucchiello
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by jmucchiello »

BINARY

Oh, thanks god, there's someone at the door.

Jaina accepts delivery of her clothing.

What's the matter?

What's the matter? Those papers are so far over your head you may as well forget about research. And they're giving me a headache.

Before she can move the box she accepts the second delivery. She carries the clothing into the bedroom.

I'm sure if I study some more I'll start to understand it.

Hey, new clothes. Try them on. Make sure they fit.

Subtle, Jacen. I'll stop reading papers tonight.

Oh, that's weird.

Now what?

Don't you feel that? I think you need to use the bathroom.

Oh, yeah, may as well do that while I'm up.

I hadn't thought about this. I really don't want to share this experience with you.

I'm not getting a catheter or something. Suck it up.

She enters the bathroom. There's an obvious receptacle but....

(Up to you if you want to go here. She'll need to understand the shower soon too.)
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

No.
Fortunately, everything works pretty much like it did in the 21st century, including an automatic flush, and the mirror above the bathroom sink indicates how you should clean your hands.
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

RainOnTheSun wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 12:34 am "Thank you, Mrs. Butler," Genevieve says. "You have a lovely house." Elisabeth already demonstrated how to to act around Mrs. Butler: be polite, be calm, and take any outbursts in stride.
Billie nods in silent agreement.

As that happens, a pair of young red-haired women garbed in black dresses with white aprons -- exactly identical -- push a pair of wheeled trays in through the doors at the end of the dining hall, both trays laden with food. "Mesdames et messieurs, dinner is served," declares the foremost. "For your dining pleasure this evening, we are pleased to offer sliced honey-glazed ham, bean salad from the vanished Mediterranean, white rice, and, by special arrangement with Mr. Harry Angell, vin au Vimary."

"Of course, what they mean is 'protein molecules arranged in the shape of ham', with no actual pig involved," says the aforementioned Harry Angell.

Ignoring this, Elisabeth speaks up as the two young ladies approach the table to begin serving Mrs. Butler, pouring her a glass of the wine mentioned. "These are Amber and Jade, the cooking and custodial staff of the House. Ah, Amber is on the left, and Jade is on the right ... I think."

"Quite rightly," says the one on the left side, while the right remains silent and begins serving Gregory, who silently signals that he doesn't want any wine. (Meanwhile, Elisabeth is visibly relieved to have gotten this right.)

"You said that you were going back to school?" asks Cornelia. "I'm a student myself! I'd be happy to show you around campus." (She seems entirely sincere about this.)

"Be sure to actually show her the classrooms, dear niece, not just the dance clubs or those sing-song booths," Gregory advises.

"Dear uncle, must you make me sound like some sort of hedonist?" Cornelia asks, much more formally than she spoke to you.

"One hopes, dear niece, that your studies will soon allow you to distinguish between hedonism and the mindless pursuit of pleasure," Gregory answers.

"Dear uncle --" Cornelia starts to reply.

"And they can keep this routine up for hours and hours and hours," declares Harry Angell wearily.

Cornelia breaks off, glares at Harry Angell, and sticks out her tongue.

By now, the tray with the food has reached you, and Amber starts serving you portions as you indicate, as well as offering you wine.
Amber & Jade:
Image
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
EpicEclipse
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by EpicEclipse »

INQUISITOR (Victoria Riese)
1 :HP ο COND: Healthy

Victoria sees her neighbor off and closes the door and moves back into the apartment and looks around. I suppose I should try to figure out food... that fruit's only going to last so long.

Taking a piece of fruit from the basket, Vee moves into the kitchen area to examine the fridge and other appliances, frowning at the empty cupboards while she thoughtfully works her way through the fruit.

Maybe the tablet has an instruction guide? Moving back to the main room, Vee takes a seat and picks up the tablet. "Um...hello?"
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

The pear-shaped fruit you selected is quite tasty, if not exactly like anything you've ever eaten, and causes no obvious side effects. You feel no compulsion to obey anyone, for example.
EpicEclipse wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 6:51 amMaybe the tablet has an instruction guide? Moving back to the main room, Vee takes a seat and picks up the tablet. "Um...hello?"
"Hello," the tablet answers.
Anticipating just a bit:
The tablet explains, through a combination of spoken word and holographic display, how to use the "microwave" to synthesize just about any sort of food that can fit inside of it. (Which pretty much comes down to touching it and telling it what you'd like.) It warns against trying to synthesize any food item that's too large to fit inside the microwave, such as roast turkeys, but indicates that the device will simply fail to function if this is attempted. A more serious warning is that you have a limited amount of synthesizer "rations" included in your lifestyle, with additional usage beyond that being charged directly to your account. It's not really all that clear how much your daily ration includes.
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
RainOnTheSun
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by RainOnTheSun »

Peacekeeper

"I'm not positive where I'm going just yet," Genevieve says to Cornelia. She accepts some wine from Amber with a gracious smile. "I have an appointment tomorrow at the department of employment. I have a lot of catching up to do, though, and I'm told that students are paid by the city. I assume that's with a pledge to work here afterwards, or something?"

She studies Amber and Jade discreetly while she eats. The last thing she wants is to call one of them by the wrong name: she's in a strange land where she doesn't even speak the dominant language, if she's going to survive at all she needs to make as many friends as she can, and fast. Cornelia is a good start.
Flynnarrel
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Flynnarrel »

Freebird

Sorry for the wall of text. I may have gotten... over enthusiastic at times. Thank you for the opportunity to add to the world.

Marcus changed his appointment to three days out. He figured that might be enough time to at least get his feet under him.

Marcus's eyes widen to see names he recognized:

Captain Trevor Nowles was a leader who sacrificed himself and his squad in an action against the Authority. He was hailed as a hero and martyr. Marcus himself had met the man when he incorporated and installed a concealable sonic canon in the man's cybernetic arm. He'd said it saved his life in a few confrontations (when he came back to have it repaired).
To find out that he was now a teacher was awesome. The older man had always been an intelligent tactician and charismatic leader of men. Marcus would definitely have to see the man he thought lost to the world over a year before his own death.

One name he was slightly surprised to see was Herbert "Lightbringer" Nasmeth. You hear about guys like Nasmeth, sorry "Lightbringer" as he preferred (though Marcus later learned that it was the name of his paladin character in a childhood MMORPG). These folk had the crazy theories about aliens infiltrating the government or shadowy organizations amassing the power of pyramids or something. The thing is... Herbert's theories were usually right. The man was a savant at taking information (usually gained through a well-honed hacking skill and dark web trolling) and piecing it together to get to the truth. He had personally broken whatever new Authority security firewalls 4 times, only managing to get snippets of data before being booted (or logging off to avoid their aggressive trace programs) but even a little data in the hands of this conspiracy theorist was enough for this Sherlock to work his magic of intuitive leaps. Marcus had never met the man in person, in fact, no one Marcus knew had. He suspected Herbert was a germaphobe or agoraphobe or both. Or maybe Herbert just lived in his mother's basement and was embarrassed to have people over. Honestly, no one Marcus had talked to knew how old Lightbringer was, or what he looked like. And after asking (in innocent, idle curiosity) Marcus received a text message asking why. He shared his harmless intentions and the two got to talking. Herbert even invited Marcus to join his web-hosted role-playing game. The musician tried it, but though his bard, Von Halen of Townshend, was cool, it wasn't really Marcus's scene. But he was glad to get to know Nasmeth better. He had still, to Marcus's knowledge, been alive when Marcus died so he didn't know what the man was like now or even how someone had gotten a soul stone implanted into the recluse.
Nasmeth apparently made his way with online journalism. Marcus asked Janet to 'bookmark' Lightbringer's online stuff for later perusal.

Marcus' heart sped up at reading the name Dr. Tate Merridon. Dr. Merridon was a post-op FtM and preferred the masculine pronouns. He was also the inventor of the Stealth Suit technology the Marcus's Awesome Suit incorporated. Marcus was eager to talk with this brilliant Materials Engineer and Pioneer in electro-chemical stimulation but his heart fell to read that the scientist was still in the hospital due to 'psychiatric' concerns. What could this contemporary of his have gone through after Marcus's demise, or maybe there was something in the reintegration procedure that created a mental schism? Was there an unforeseen psychic consequence to exposure to the stealth tech? He'd have to visit his old friend in the hospital to find out. Marcus wondered if maybe his 'clutchmate' psychics, Vee and/or Billie might be able able to help him sort this out.

The fact that he found a fourth person he personally knew didn't surprise him. He was from a time of turmoil and strife. If soulstones were put into 'heroes', the opportunity to rise to such were prevalent in the conditions of the world Marcus lived in. If heroes were forged and tempered then the Resistence was the fire and the Authority the Hammer and Anvil.
What DID suprise him was the name itself. Cynthia "Bastet" Brooks was a well-known figure. With a... erm... well-known figure. It was never clear to Marcus whether her Cat features (fur, cat eyes, tail, retractable claws) were a result of genetic manipulation, or a manifestation of a power, or if she was from a 'race' of catpeople (alien or otherwise), or.. if she'd maybe been bitten by a radioactive cat or something. What he did know if that her increased agility, close combat AND sniper prowess, natural stealth, perception and tracking skills, and overall attitude made the Resistance a safer and nicer place to be. (And maybe the fact that one of her photos was his desktop picture for many years had something to do with it).
With her grace it was no surprise she became a well-known dancer in this new world.
He wondered if she'd remember him. They didn't have many interactions (and he was always a bit tongue-tied around her when she was present). But he does recall an Authority raid on one of the early labs where he and Tate and several other scientists her to be escorted out. Cynthia was one of those assigned to the protection detail and he personally witnessed her fluid lethality as well as her forewarning of people approaching. When his own extended hearing and ability to differentiate even the smallest, minute sounds came to be known she seemed impressed (or maybe Marcus was projecting). In either case, she was instrumental in getting them to safety and promptly left for another assignment. Still, Marcus could hope.

He immediately texted Herbert, even sharing the video of him playing his stratocaster (hospital gown and all) and asking the guy how he'd been doing and what he thought about this new world.

He sent a message to Captain Nowles, asking if he'd even remembered Marcus as asking after the man's new life.

He Sent a message to the Hospital asking if Dr. Tate Merridon was allowed visitors and if so, what time. He posited that if a friendly might be helpful in Tates's condition he was willing to do anything that might help.

He... hesitated to send a message to Cynthia. She was so... He stopped his thinking by bringing knuckles to his forehead with a resounding 'thwap'. He told himself to stop being stupid and composed a simple message.

"To Cynthia Brooks. Hi! I don't know if you'll remember me or even want the reminder of that time in our lives but this is Marcus Siemmens. I worked with the Resistance, Tech Development, and I was just 'woken up' this morning and trying to connect with those I might know. I understand if you're busy. I imagine you get tons of fanmail, (or whatever the equivalent is). I suppose I just wanted to say 'Hi' and 'Yay, we won... ultimately'. Anyways, I hope things are going well for you. Feel free to write me back or call sometime tomorrow. Take care. Marcus."


Be cool Marcus. He told himself as he directed Janet to send it.

And just like that, it was done. He immediately thought of a hundred rephrasings, better word choices, or other things he could have said.
"Something pithy this way comes."
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

RainOnTheSun wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 8:59 am"I'm not positive where I'm going just yet," Genevieve says to Cornelia. She accepts some wine from Amber with a gracious smile. "I have an appointment tomorrow at the department of employment. I have a lot of catching up to do, though, and I'm told that students are paid by the city. I assume that's with a pledge to work here afterwards, or something?"
"Not that anyone's told me, and I've been going there for five years now," Cornelia answers.

"Five years of a three year program," notes Mrs. Butler without looking up.

"It's more like they're offering tuition for free, and paying you a bursary to cover your housing and transportation while you attend classes," Elisabeth explains. "As these things go, it's not very much, but more than enough to pay for someone's room and board here."

"And what of you M- um -- Blllie?" asks Gregory. "How do you plan to employ yourself?"

"Well, I doubt that there's much call for private investigators in this era," Billie replies, not acknowledging the older man's near slip.

"Actually, there are several agencies for just that purpose. The Department of Public Safety does not investigate crimes beyond offering the services of a medical examiner to determine cause of death," Gregory answers.

Billie jolts at this, but doesn't say anything other than, "I see."
RainOnTheSun wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 8:59 am Genevieve studies Amber and Jade discreetly while she eats. The last thing she wants is to call one of them by the wrong name: she's in a strange land where she doesn't even speak the dominant language, if she's going to survive at all she needs to make as many friends as she can, and fast. Cornelia is a good start.
Try as you might, you can't spot any way of distinguishing between the two of them.

"Honestly, nearly jobs here in town are a mug's game," says Harry Angell, swishing the contents of his wine glass as he speaks. "The real money is out there, in the undiscovered countries, where the feebs are scared to go."

Elisabeth noisily sets down her utensils. "Mister Angell," she says with quiet intensity. "I have repeatedly asked you to refrain from using that particular slur when talking about the uptimers. If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head, please refrain from inflicting your uncivil tongue on the rest of us."

Every eye in the room is on Elisabeth and Angell. Every eye but yours. You're not entirely sure why you chanced to be looking at Mrs. Butler when Harry Angell started speaking, but something held your gaze there. The lady was opening her mouth when he started talking about 'feebs', but Elisabeth beat her to the punch. Mrs. Butler's mouth closes ... and momentarily turns into a look that only be called pride as she watches Elisabeth dressing the man down. It snaps back into bored contempt the instant she realizes that you're watching her.

Meanwhile, Harry Angell lets out a sigh of annoyance. "I apologize for my ill-considered words," he says. "I'll try to do better."

"Sure you will," says Gregory with a shake of his head. "Three thousand people in Andrewsville and you're the one we brought with us."

Harry Angell only smirks and drinks his wine.
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

Flynnarrel wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:26 am And just like that, it was done. He immediately thought of a hundred rephrasings, better word choices, or other things he could have said.
While doing so, your tablet reports that you've gotten a text message in response, from Captain Nowles.

"Dr. Siemmens," it begins. He always referred to you that way, even though you hadn't formally acquired a doctorate degree. "I am very pleased to hear that you've been reinstantiated in the current era, and would be quite happy to meet you for coffee at your earliest convenience. While I've studied the progress of the Second American Civil War after my own demise, it is always a pleasure and privilege to discuss these events with one who was actually present for them. I hope that my experiences of the four years that I've spent in this era will also be somewhat helpful to you in navigating its complexities, and that the company of a broken-down warhorse such as myself would be agreeable, regardless. Best wishes, Trevor Nowles."

As you are considering this, another communication comes through -- this one a live, audio-video communication from Emiri Masuto, your former doctor. Assuming you answer it, she regards you calmly. "Marcus," she says, lips not quite matching her voice. "I hope that matters are well with you. You recently contacted the hospital concerning Dr. Tate Merridon, correct?"
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
RainOnTheSun
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by RainOnTheSun »

Peacekeeper

Genevieve eats quietly while the others talk. At a pause in the conversation, she says: "So, if someone too poor to afford a detective agency gets robbed, or worse, that's basically it for them." It's not really that different from the justice system she knew, but she's still surprised by how blatant it is.
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Flynnarrel »

Davies wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:33 pm "Marcus," she says, lips not quite matching her voice. "I hope that matters are well with you. You recently contacted the hospital concerning Dr. Tate Merridon, correct?"
"Good to see you again. Yes, Dr. Merridon, how can I help?" He says in earnest.
"Something pithy this way comes."
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

Flynnarrel wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:13 am "Good to see you again. Yes, Dr. Merridon, how can I help?" He says in earnest.
"I would more than welcome your visit to Dr. Merridon, but I should caution you that he has received visitors in the past without showing any signs of awakening from his negativism." She pauses, considering. "Normally, I would not discuss the circumstances of my patients, but as it is pertinent to your concerns and you would be able to discover most of it from publicly-available journals, I suppose that it's warranted in this instance.

"Dr. Merridon was awakened eleven months ago, and showed no signs of any problems during his debriefing or in the two weeks that followed. But at the end of that period, without warning or explanation, he passed through the safety cordon at the edge of the upper city's platform and jumped off the side. Despite efforts from Public Safety to rescue him, he fell all the way to the ground. Death was instantaneous upon impact.

"However, he was able to afford a second resuscitation procedure, and one was promptly conducted. On awakening this time, however, he displayed no reaction to stimula, and other symptoms of catatonia. He has remained in the hospital's care ever since," she concludes, looking very unhappy. "Visiting hours are from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM."
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
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Davies
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Davies »

RainOnTheSun wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:10 am Genevieve eats quietly while the others talk. At a pause in the conversation, she says: "So, if someone too poor to afford a detective agency gets robbed, or worse, that's basically it for them." It's not really that different from the justice system she knew, but she's still surprised by how blatant it is.
"Well, that's a bit harsher than I'd put it," replies Gregory. "It's more like, if Public Security can't immediately identify the perpetrator of a crime, they leave the investigation to the victim -- at which point, yes, it's a matter of what the victim can afford. But on the other hand, Public Security is very good at making those identifications. We had some break-ins at the factory that I manage a few months ago, and despite the best efforts of the burglars -- they used disguise and stealth technology I can't even describe -- the Security agents were able to resolve an image from our surveillance footage and immediately apprehend them."
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
Flynnarrel
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Re: [IC] To Live ... [1]: The Sun, The Rain, And The Appleseed

Post by Flynnarrel »

Davies wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:33 am "Dr. Merridon was awakened eleven months ago, and showed no signs of any problems during his debriefing or in the two weeks that followed. But at the end of that period, without warning or explanation, he passed through the safety cordon at the edge of the upper city's platform and jumped off the side. Despite efforts from Public Safety to rescue him, he fell all the way to the ground. Death was instantaneous upon impact.

"However, he was able to afford a second resuscitation procedure, and one was promptly conducted. On awakening this time, however, he displayed no reaction to stimula, and other symptoms of catatonia. He has remained in the hospital's care ever since," she concludes, looking very unhappy. "Visiting hours are from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM."
"I... understand if this is indelicate, but the body that he was resuscitated in , did it have the same modifications as his original?" Marcus asks.
"Something pithy this way comes."
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