-⩤ Melocania ✧LOCUS✧ ⩥-

[SHIVERS]

Show ContentTRANSCRIPT:

ESCORT KNOX: Ten questions. Ready?
PATIENT NODS.

ESCORT KNOX: Easiest first.
ESCORT KNOX: What do you call yourself, and what pronouns do you use?
PATIENT: Midway, she/her.

ESCORT KNOX: What is your current species? I don't need every detail, simple is fine.
PATIENT: A gesabott; one of the 'classic' models meant to resemble older tech.
ESCORT KNOX: Yes, and without the extra-durable outer hide.
PATIENT: ...Shouldn't I have been put in a body with that? Wouldn't that help with this job?
ESCORT KNOX: This model is much easier to find, and far cheaper.
ESCORT KNOX: Not that gesabott bodies are cheap regardless.

ESCORT KNOX: Speaking of: As you should be aware, this isn't your original body.
ESCORT KNOX: How did you lose yours?
ESCORT KNOX: You should be able to remember, if the procedure's gone well. We want you to know why you're here, after all.
PATIENT: ...It was personal. I don't want to talk about it.
ESCORT KNOX: We need to make sure--
PATIENT: No, I meant what I said.
ESCORT KNOX: ...Do what you like, I suppose.

ESCORT KNOX: Speaking of, what were you before?
PATIENT: I can't remember.
ESCORT KNOX: You should be able to remember.
PATIENT: If I could, I would say so.
ESCORT KNOX: You're sure this isn't like with the last question?
PATIENT: Very Sure.
PATIENT: ...I don't remember my original body at all.
ESCORT KNOX: . . .
ESCORT KNOX: Just as well. Maybe you'll adjust easier, then.
PATIENT: Isn't... that a major problem?
ESCORT KNOX: Maybe it'll come back to you. I'm not worried about it.
PATIENT: I don't--

ESCORT KNOX: What are some traits you would use to describe yourself? Try to say three of them. ESCORT KNOX: Your best guess is fine.
PATIENT: Loyal, Articulate, Petty.
ESCORT KNOX: ...Petty?
PATIENT: Yes, and?
ESCORT KNOX: I've just never heard anyone describe Themself that way.
PATIENT: ...Better to be aware of what's wrong with me than Blissfully Ignorant.
PATIENT: Although, maybe you enjoy it.
ESCORT KNOX: ...Should've listed off Passive-Aggressive. I'll write it down for you.

ESCORT KNOX: The memory-blocking effects are temporary, but for now you'll be unable to remember certain things in their entirety. We need to double-check that they're working, though.
ESCORT KNOX: Can you describe an especially emotional, traumatic, or important memory? As best you can.
ESCORT KNOX: Keep in mind, the emotional component especially will be dulled, and you'll likely only remember scattered sensations from it.
PATIENT: ...One, stands out. I think.
PATIENT: The backroom of a library. The dusty smell from old books with dark purple covers.
PATIENT: I felt the rush of knowing I wasn't supposed to be there, but I don't remember what I was doing.

ESCORT KNOX: Do you believe you're qualified to handle this job? Why or why not?
PATIENT: Well, I sure fucking hope I am.
PATIENT: I already died once, and it seems like I'm just being lead to a job where I'm likely to die again.
ESCORT KNOX: Death isn't typically permanent in Melocania.
ESCORT KNOX: That said, do your best to avoid it.
ESCORT KNOX: It's a waste of time and resources, and it could cause issues with the memory-blocking.

ESCORT KNOX: Given the amount you're being paid, you'll likely have plenty left over afterwards.
What will you be spending it on?
PATIENT: I'm moving. I can't stand the region I'm living in.
ESCORT KNOX: Is your lease still on-going?
PATIENT: I-
PATIENT: ...don't know. You didn't bring me any of my things and wouldn't let me use the phone.
PATIENT: ...None of this can possibly be legal...
ESCORT KNOX: It is. You were placed in our care when your medical debt was purchased.
ESCORT KNOX: Seeing as your possessions may be sold to help pay your debt if you fail to complete the job, we don't have a legal obligation to return anything to you.
ESCORT KNOX: That, and you had no emergency contacts listed. Otherwise you would've been allowed to contact them and have them bring your things.
PATIENT: . . .
ESCORT KNOX: Just be glad you're alive and breathing today, and you can sort out the rest when the job is done.

ESCORT KNOX: How do you feel about the job ahead of you?
PATIENT: Well.
PATIENT: Now that I know I'm at least Less likely to die...
PATIENT: ...I might be a little excited. I want to try new things.

ESCORT KNOX: Do you feel ready?
PATIENT: I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
PATIENT: I don't want to get hurt. I'm not all that used to this body. I hate that there's no feasible way to back out of this.
PATIENT: ...But it's better than nothing, and given I could... hopefully make enough money to make changes in my life...
PATIENT: ...this could end up working out. Could. Maybe.
PATIENT: Far too early to tell.
PATIENT: ...I just wish I had more time to get used to this body, and more time to rest. I'm exhausted.
ESCORT KNOX: That's normal for a body transfer.
THE VEHICLE STOPS.
A KNOCK COMES FROM THE OBSCURED FROM SEATS.

ESCORT KNOX: You'll wake up as you get moving.
ESCORT KNOX: If not, then you'll have time to rest once you're set up inside.
ESCORT KNOX: Now, this is very important:
ESCORT KNOX HANDS OVER TOKENS TO PATIENT.
ESCORT KNOX: These are your tokens. Each are different and will get you different things.
PATIENT: What d--
ESCORT KNOX: You don't need to know how to use them, just show them to the person at the front desk.
ESCORT KNOX: They'll tell you what you need to know, and show you where to use them.
ESCORT KNOX: You'll also receive a transcript of this conversation when you exit the vehicle.
ESCORT KNOX: Make sure you have it when you gain access to your inventory.
PATIENT: Inventory?
ESCORT KNOX: You'll find out.

ESCORT KNOX: Last thing: You'll have some time to get settled once you're set up inside.
ESCORT KNOX: Go through the initial process, follow along with instructions.
ESCORT KNOX: Once you make it to your tent, take any extra time to rest, eat, and meet your party.
ESCORT KNOX: You will eventually receive a document that will instruct you on the job.
PATIENT: I'm not. Entirely sure--
ESCORT KNOX: You'll figure things out.

ESCORT KNOX SLIDES OPEN THE SIDE DOOR CLOSEST TO PATIENT.
ESCORT KNOX: Unbuckle and exit the vehicle, please.
PATIENT: Now?
ESCORT KNOX: Yes.
PATIENT EXITS THE VEHICLE.
ESCORT KNOX: Wait for the transcript to print, then hurry inside.
ESCORT KNOX: Good luck.
ESCORT KNOX SHUTS THE DOOR.

ESCORT KNOX: End transcript. Print.

Everything feels blurry.

You barely remember walking inside.

The tiny waiting area is near-inconspicuous, looking nothing like what you've heard of Melocania.
Though, the oddly-sculpted concrete architecture stands out,
theming the waiting area to look vaguely like ruins.




You look over the tokens still clutched in your palm.
All different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns.



You're distracted by the palm itself, though.
Your palm.
The robotic hand still looks as alien as it has over the past week.
Just the same as every other part of this new body.
Your voice, too, and even the way your thoughts seemed to organize themselves now.

Nothing feels familiar.
You remember dreams that felt more real than this.
















 

▶ Labor of Love
Theodore Shapiro

"Name?"

You glance up.
A karacel receptionist speaks from the front desk, only their ears visible above the computer monitor.

"...Midway."
"Let me take a look at your tokens."



You walk over and place the strange little coins on the desk.
The receptionist takes them, looking over each.

They give you the occasional glance, making you feel self-conscious.

"You kinda look like you're about to keel over,
so I'll just give you the short version, OK?"
"O...kay."

I dont look That bad do I?
...shouldnt be surprised, I guess



"So, all these mean different things, but you don't need to know all the specifics, just the important stuff.

In a sec, you're gonna head to the door over there, OK?"
They point.

There is indeed a silver, heavy-looking door there.
One without a handle.

"OK."
"It's got a token slot on the front of it, and you're gonna put all these into it.
Just like you were buying a drink from a soda machine.
It'll read them automatically and do most of the rest for you.

All you need to know is that you're getting a Class, a Pippet,
a Weapon, two pieces of Equipment, some clothes,
and three Party Members, on top of all the usual supplies."
"Sorry, 'Pippet'? What is that?"
"They're like these little floating dice things that you make rolls with. Some of 'em aren't dice.
Oh, yours won't be alive, by the way."
"Some of them are alive?" "Mhm.

Anyway,
all you gotta know about the rest is that some of those things I mentioned you'll get to pick,
some you'll have to roll to see what you get, and some are gonna be picked for you.
Especially with your party members, you only get to pick one of those."
"Why?"
"Tokens.
You only have one that lets you pick.
Looks like the others'll be..." They squint.
"...a random resurrection from the infirmary, and one picked for you to balance out your party."

You do your best not to think about the 'resurrection' part.







"Got all that?"
"Sure."
"Aaaalright then, here you go."

The tokens end up back in your claws.



"Got anything in your pockets, before you go?"
You check your pocket, looking for the transcript.

Hell

did I drop it?





The transcript is suddenly in your hand.

Your simulated eyes stare blankly at it.



"Yep, that's your inventory.
Stuff you try to put in your pocket will end up there, same for taking things out.
Easy.

Notes and documents like that don't take up space in it, by the way.
You'll also get a stat guide in there for up ahead."






You slowly move the paper down towards your pocket.

It disappears.



The receptionist drums on the desk.

"Sooo, that's pretty much it!
Head on in,
happy adventuring."
"...Thank you."

















Wanting to get this over with, you step over to the door and slide in all of your tokens.

The door chimes


and raises up to reveal an opening.











You can't see anything inside.

After a cursory glance back at reception,
you step through anyway.























 

▶ A Western Surface
Disasterpeace

Inside is an empty, black void.
Strangely, you're still lit clearly enough to see all of yourself,
as if there were a spotlight on you.





The door shuts behind you and disappears.










A simple, RPG-styled menu pops up in front of you,
startling you.
















HERE ARE YOUR CURRENT STATS:















PLEASE SELECT A CLASS:



[ MANTID ]
Proficiencies: FORCE / PRECISION / COMPOSURE
Stat Changes: FORCE +3, PRECISION +2, COMPOSURE +3, MECHANIZATION +1, SENSE -3, EXTRUSION -3

[ ORCA ]
Proficiencies: PRECISION / INFERENCE / DRAMA
Stat Changes: PRECISION +3, INFERENCE +2, DRAMA +3, VIRTUALITY +1, PACE -3, SENSE -2, EXTRUSION -1

[ ELAPID ]
Proficiencies: PACE / ABSENCE / BIOGENY
Stat Changes: PACE +2, ABSENCE +3, SENSE +1, BIOGENY +3, PRECISION -3, COMPOSURE -2, VIRTUALITY -1

[ OPOSSUM ]
Proficiencies: ABSENCE / SENSE / VIRTUALITY
Stat Changes: ABSENCE +3, SENSE +3, VIRTUALITY +3, PACE -3, DRAMA -3

[ PRONGHORN ]
Proficiencies: PRECISION / PACE / ABSENCE
Stat Changes: PRECISION +3, PACE +3, ABSENCE +3, FORCE -1, SENSE -1, DRAMA -1, MECHANIZATION -3

[ LOCOMOTIVE ]
Proficiencies: FORCE / COMPOSURE / MECHANIZATION
Stat Changes: FORCE +3, COMPOSURE +3, MECHANIZATION +3, ABSENCE -3, VIRTUALITY -3

[ COLONY ]
Proficiencies: COMPOSURE / SENSE / BIOGENY
Stat Changes: COMPOSURE +3, SENSE +3, BIOGENY +3, PRECISION -3, PACE -3

[ USER ]
Proficiencies: INFERENCE / DRAMA / VIRTUALITY
Stat Changes: INFERENCE +3, DRAMA +3, VIRTUALITY +3, ABSENCE -3, BIOGENY -3

[ REFRACTOR ]
Proficiencies: PACE / INFERENCE / EXTRUSION
Stat Changes: PACE +3, INFERENCE +3, EXTRUSION +3, COMPOSURE -3, BIOGENY -3

[ CERBERUS ]
Proficiencies: MECHANIZATION / VIRTUALITY / EXTRUSION
Stat Changes: MECHANIZATION +3, VIRTUALITY +3, EXTRUSION +3, ABSENCE -2, SENSE -2, BIOGENY -2



(EACH CLASS AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDES 3 SKILLS, WHICH WILL NOT BE DISPLAYED CURRENTLY.)












PLEASE SELECT A PIPPET:

[ Twenty ]
Standard twenty-sided die.

[ Glitched Six ]
Six-sided die. No normal criticals.
Has a very small chance to produce a random result between 100 and -79.

[ Exploding Hands ]
Rock, paper, scissors.
Result is calculated based on a hierarchy, where Scissors produces the highest/lowest results and Rock produces results close to 10.
Every tie adds or subtracts 10 from the final result,
based on whether the final outcome is positive or negative.












PLEASE SELECT A PARTY MEMBER:

[ RED ROGUE ]
Proficiencies: PRECISION / DRAMA / BLOOD
Physicality Stats: FORCE -4, PRECISION +3, PACE 0, ABSENCE +1
Mentality Stats: COMPOSURE -2, SENSE +2, INFERENCE 0, DRAMA +2
Magic Stats: BLOOD +3, SCIFI 0, COSMOS -3, SUMMONING +1

[ CLAIRVOYANT ]
Proficiencies: COMPOSURE / SENSE / PSYCHIC
Physicality Stats: FORCE +1, PRECISION -1, PACE 0, ABSENCE 0
Mentality Stats: COMPOSURE +5, SENSE +2, INFERENCE +1, DRAMA -5
Magic Stats: GRAVE 0, TRICKS -3, PSYCHIC +4, CURSE 0

[ SHADE ]
Proficiences: ABSENCE / GRAVE / CURSE
Physicality Stats: FORCE -1, PRECISION 0, PACE -3, ABSENCE +4
Mentality Stats: COMPOSURE -2, SENSE -2, INFERENCE +1, DRAMA -1
Magic Stats: GRAVE +3, TRICKS 0, PSYCHIC 0, CURSE +3

Show ContentCURRENT STAT GUIDE:

FORCE: Physical strength.
How hard you hit, how much weight you can lift, etc.
Affects large, heavy weapons.

PRECISION: Physical precision.
Accurate timing, positioning, balance, etc.
Affects precise weapons, such as rapiers and firearms.

PACE: Physical speed.
How quickly you run, and how fast your reflexes work.
Affects quick weapons, such as dual-wielded weapons, small blades, and rapid-fire projectiles.

ABSENCE: Physical stealth.
How well you can keep your presence to a mininum by hiding, moving silently, blending in, etc.
Affects concealed weapons.



COMPOSURE: Mental composure.
Keep calm despite stressful circumstances. Tolerate more pain.
Won't make you less stressed, and won't heal your wounds, but will allow you to keep going despite these things.
Hide your distress and pain from others.

SENSE: Sensory processing.
Attempt to gain information using your sight, hearing, and potentially other sense. Sense rolls tend to happen automatically.
A high Sense stat can lead to sensory overload when too much is happening at once.

INFERENCE: Mental inference.
Follow logical threads to a conclusion. Put pieces together and intuit solutions based on the information you have.
Will help you theorize better even if you can't put together a solution.
A high Inference stat can lead to distracting over-analysis.

DRAMA: Emotions and acting.
Detect the emotional cues and lies of others better. Fake emotions more convincingly, lie better.
It may be difficult to stop faking it if your Drama stat is too high.



MECHANIZATION: An infinite, boundless machine toils away, more sprawling than you could ever hope to imagine.
Listen to the rhythmic pulses of planetary mechanisms.
Let them beat in time with your heart. For what is your living form, if not a machine at work?

BIOGENY: Ecosystems exist in all places, and all things.
Evolution produces flora and fauna far stranger than your dull mind can grasp.
Past all your worries, find understanding in instinct instead.
Feel the wind. Find strength in bared fangs. Teem with life beyond your own.

VIRTUALITY: Spaces and programs once full of purpose and simulated life, now left abandoned.
All data left to rot in nonexistent graveyards. Is there not value in that which has outlived its usefulness?
Salvage the digital landscapes and summon burnt-out pixels.
Find new light in old worlds.

EXTRUSION: Extruding the many layers of body, mind, and self.
What lies beneath it all? What ties you together?
What may fill the gaps between all of you? Dig into every part of yourself.
Grab, and pull. Examine, display.