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+--- Thread: ⛌ bluff ⛌ (/thread-933.html)
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - SHIVERS - 10-26-2024
▶ Forget-Me-Not
Nolan Brewer
Nolan Brewer
No one took your ticket, you realize.
No front desk, not even a turnstile or other automated system.
Perplexed, you fish in your pocket for the ticket.
It's gone.
You find the meal coupon for the bar,
but the ticket is nowhere to be found.
mustve
dropped it somewhere
You don't linger on the thought,
instead perplexed as the labeling of the floors.
Considering how far down you traveled,
Maybe it's only to prevent labeling every floor deep in the negatives.
That'd be pretty awkward, wouldn't it?
All labels of 'Floor -7', 'Floor -5', that kind of thing.
It's silly.
Somehow, this thought process makes you feel a tiny bit less anxious.
Imagining this building as something created with intention makes it feel more real.
There are reasons for what you've seen. People made decisions.
You use this to steady yourself.
A proper deep breath this time.
okay
im good
mostly good
feeling better with time
just like i thought
nothing to worry about
nothing Much
There's one more thing you want to investigate.
Finding answers to the lighting mystery.
That'd help you feel better, too, you imagine.
You check the bottom and top of the pillar, where it meets the floor and ceiling.
Surely there should be shadows there.
Nothing.
no dice
hmmmm
You slip off your windbreaker and wield with both paws.
With a grunt, you sit down on the floor.
You drape the jacket over your head and stretch it out flat with your paws, as if you were using it as a makeshift umbrella.
With that done, you bend your back to sink lower, looking for shadows on the floor.
It's still as brightly lit as ever.
how?
what
You do your best to shift even lower, struggling, but-
Wait.
THERE
You spot it.
The faintest hint of a shadow when you crane your neck downward and look back;
behind you, in the vague shape of the side of your torso.
so it must be
the pillar! its coming from the pillar itself
of COURSE thats what it is!
ive only been standing between the pillar and the stairs i came from
which are Very Dark
so i wouldnt spot my shadow behind me
god i got SO WORRIED over Nothing
stupid... oh well
You find yourself excited at the discovery.
Your neck hurts when you return it back to its natural position.
But it was worth it.
You slide your windbreaker back on,
and strain your aching knees as you stand back up.
just a really, Really weird place
but it makes sense! i can make sense of it
time to confirm the theory
You stretch first, feeling almost smug,
but relieved more than anything.
You wonder what material the pillar is made of as you begin to circle around it.
You turn your head to the side, looking at the walls,
looking for your-
You stop.
Your shadow isn't there.
No matter where you walk around the pillar,
how close or far you are to it,
your can't find your shadow.
hang on
no-
then what did i see before?
You walk to one of the outer walls, getting close to it.
You hold your arms and paws up, covering your face,
only looking through the thin gaps between your claws-
THERE IT IS!
With your limited vision in this position, you can see the shadows of your arms.
so it Is coming from the direction of the pillar?
then why did-
i can check if i just--
You swivel, keeping your arms up,
ready to see the-
The shadow of your arms
moves with you as you turn
as if there were a flashlight right behind them.
You stop moving.
With a shaky paw,
you pull the side of your jacket up
covering over half of your face with it
looking out only from your left eye
its vision partially obscured as well.
You observe
a large shadow
in the shape of the side of your jacket
covering most of the right side of the room that you can see.
You bring your paws up
lightly covering your face again
looking through your fingers.
Paw-shaped shadows appear along the walls
or floor
or ceiling
depending on where you turn.
As if
as if the light source
were coming from your own head.
Dread creeps in.
Your stomach hurts.
The room suddenly feels crushingly empty,
and far too large,
like a wide, open field.
Your neck is throbbing, feeling worse than when you got out of bed.
didnt help
did Not help
just pick one and Go already
i need out of this room
You hurriedly glance at the options.
No to weapons.
Out of film or computers-
You think of your laptop and speed-walk to the green ramp.
computers are interesting
fun
itll be fun ill feel better
You feel paranoid.
Your legs move faster
At the top of the ramp is a doorway.
You step through into a relatively small room.
It's briefly almost as bright as the previous one -
no visible source, once again -
but you watch it dim before your eyes, settling to something more 'comfortable'.
if Anything in this godforsaken place could be called that
You don't test the source of the light again.
You don't think about it.
This room is carpeted; thick, with a dark, almost brown green hue.
The walls and ceiling are a more forest-y tint of green, with visible texturing, splotchy texturing. It'd been painted.
The detail doesn't make you feel better at all.
Just as with the previous room, there seem to be three paths to take in cardinal directions,
each obscured with a floor-to-ceiling black curtain.
Each path has a simple silver placard on the wall, as one would see in an art gallery.
You walk around the room, reading each.
The left placard:
LJ Attention C07 Radio-computer with Oscilloscope Display
Computer system used for engineering and especially telecommunications purposes. C07 model created to sweep and track
for radio signals, and display them when located. Additionally, as with all C-Line LJ Attention Radio-computers, can be utilized
to troubleshoot malfunctioning electronics.
Unit reportedly discovers and plays back radio signals unable to be detected by other equipment. Attempts to track these
radio signals allegedly resulted in various physical ailments, some of which resulted in hospitalization.
Located on a public beach along the southern Eva Sierra coastline.
The placard opposite the ramp:
TOLA-4 Personal Computer with Data Cassette Reader Attachment
Computer system previously used in businesses and as a home computer, though the model is now considered outdated.
Cassette Reader Attachment used to read and write cassettes, allowing easy loading and saving of computer data. Widely
used only for a small span of time before being superseded by "floppy" diskettes.
Instances of unit disappearing have been reported. Extensive search is always unable to locate the unit, only for it to return
to where it had been previously, hours, days, or even weeks after disappearance. Further investigations allegedly described
disappearances of individuals, memory alteration, and amnesia.
Acquired from repossession auction lot in Hoopla, Taverne.
The right placard:
Pentafield 225 Custom Analytic Computer
Computer system normally used in conjunction with medical and survey equipment. Custom modified with various
attachments, including an RF meter, Geiger counter, and video security recording device of unknown make and model; likely
custom built.
Reports indicate that video feed displays objects and phenomena unseen by the naked eye. Long exposure to video feed
allegedly causes hallucinations, anxiety, and other unwanted symptoms.
View video feed with caution.
Located in abandoned church in Elegy, Idyth.
You can't properly draw up much curiosity.
Your body is quickened, primed to bolt for the exit.
You're shaking.
You'd like to look at one or two and then leave.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - Lilium Mortem - 10-26-2024
Left, and if you have the time, right. Or you could just leave. No one is forcing you to look at displays in the magically lit underground museum.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - skinstealer - 10-26-2024
show me the cassette computer...i'm so curious!
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - palencorgi - 10-26-2024
I'd second left/right. Both seem to be good at tracking unseen things... that's always interesting .
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - knux400 - 10-26-2024
Take a quick peek at the TOLA-4 to see if it's even there at the moment, then check out the LJ Attention C07. It's... probably best to avoid the one that causes anxiety.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - Guest - 10-26-2024
Nah fuck it do all three.
You may never get a chance like this again.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - MarxzVulpez - 10-26-2024
C07 and TOLA 4 sound like the best to check out. You could also check out the third one if the TOLA has decided to take a hike for the time being...
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - SHIVERS - 10-28-2024
You can make this quick.
Check out the TOLA-4 - if it's there, if it even supposedly disappears -
then the C07. That one seems safest.
You don't really want to mess with the 225.
You walk to the center curtain and part it,
moving inside.
The room within is
relatively normal.
Still the same green walls and carpet,
still the same sourceless light;
but it's only the computer system, sitting on a desk across from the curtain.
You walk over to get a better look.
It's-
oh
i recognize this
i think
looks really similar to one of the first computers i ever used
didnt know it was called a TOLA
The computer itself is a dark grey box - about a foot and a half wide and maybe four or five inches tall, you estimate - with a keyboard protruding from the front of it.
The TOLA is currently connected to an old, but nicely kept CRT monitor; grey with dark brown wood paneling on the sides.
The monitor has two knobs and a speaker on its front, along with a few plastic dials underneath them.
Another cord leads next to the keyboard, where the aforementioned cassette reader has been placed, along with what looks to be an example cassette to test out.
You pull the nearby office chair over and seat yourself at the desk.
Curiously, you reach up and turn the power knob on the monitor.
It crackles to life,
eventually lighting up with static.
You hear the faintest electronic hum coming from the CRT.
Your shoulders relax against the tall back of the chair.
Feeling somewhat calmer,
you find the computer's power switch on the side of the box.
It kicks on.
▶ Logo Rhythmic IV
Reginald J. Lewis
Reginald J. Lewis
The black screen turns to dark green,
while a bright green square seems to drift around the screen in a spiral pattern, drawing a blocky line with various sparkly effects in a simplistic animation.
When it finishes, the letters for TOLA appear, one in each corner of the screen around the spiral.
It holds for a couple of seconds, then the entire screen fades to bright green.
Dark green text appears along with a blinking cursor.
TOLA4 . . . . . . . . OK.
INPUT . . . . . . . . OK.
DISPLAY . . . . . . . OK.
CST_RDR . . . . . . . OK.
ADDTL . . . . . . . NONE.
INSERT CASSETTE.
You reach over and pick up the cassette next to the reader.
It's white, with a blue label that's fairly worn.
Most of the label's fields aren't filled in, though someone's written on the two lines for 'Title'.
ARC-DRIVE RELAY
1183 1141 8514
huh.
maybe its a game?
i remember that one back in the day had a couple
the mansion one was pretty fun
Feeling a little excited for the first time you step foot in this place,
you open the cassette reader and pop it in.
The computer seems to detect the cassette;
a new line of text appears.
LOAD CASSETTE? Y/N
You tap the 'Y' key on the keyboard,
then hit 'ENTER.'
LOADING DATA . . .
Various buzzing noises emit from the monitor's speaker.
It's a little bit loud, but otherwise not a big deal.
You reach out for the volume knob to turn it down.
Your hand doesn't make it.
▶ Stretch Marks
Siarate
Siarate
Your head pounds.
Your vision tilts.
The screen suddenly seems far away.
You feel pins and needles along your ears
moving downwards.
Something
is Wrong
You scoot the chair away from the table.
It takes far too long to stand up.
Your body feels sluggish.
You use the desk for support.
You turn around, walking towards-
The curtain is gone.
You're standing in an open field, at night.
Trees border the field, though they're distant.
Wind sifts through the grass.
There is no other sound.
There is no moon in the sky.
You turn back around.
The TOLA is still there.
You barely manage to sit.
Around you, there are walls again,
but there is no curtain behind you.
You see through a window ahead of you - a few cubicles and computers.
You recognize this place.
There's no time to process.
You try to turn the TOLA off.
The switch does not move.
You grab and pull at its cords.
Your muscles don't respond as they should.
You try to stop the cassette reader.
To open it.
To break it.
Anything.
You can't muster up the strength.
You pull frantically at the computer.
Trying to throw it to the floor.
It doesn't budge.
Your fingers are numb.
You can't move your mouth.
Something red drips onto the desk.
You look down and reach up,
checking.
Blood runs from your muzzle.
It stains your hand.
A wheeze trails from your throat.
Your neck is bur ni n g.
But the rest of you feels
hardly there at all.
It's hard to see.
It's hard to think.
It doesn't feel like you're breathing anymore.
An idle thought drifts lazily to the murky surface
how you'd like to sleep.
A light suddenly shines from behind you.
You turn the chair with nearly-numb paws.
▶ Late Night TV
There's a television behind you, in the corner.
It looks towards you.
Playing some show or another.
You can't tell.
You can barely hear it.
You don't really feel here.
You know where you are.
This is your bedroom.
From a
long
time ago.
Your legs are made of lead
but you force yourself to stand
to take a few wavering steps towards the TV.
You focus, when you're close.
Trying to see what show is on
as if
maybe that could help you
somehow
you think.
Something
dark
and fuzzy
pushes forward into your vision.
It tips over in front of you
and THUMPS onto the floor in front of you.
The room looks a little brighter, now.
You look down, to see what fell.
▶ Facing Responsibility
Siarate
Siarate
Your own head lays on the floor between your feet.
Blood pools from its mouth
and the stump where its neck had been.
Your glasses rest a few inches nearby, bent from the fall.
There's still some motion left.
Its muzzle opens and closes a microscopic amount.
Its cheek twitches.
Its eyes are wide open
but you can tell just by looking
that it's dead.
The rest of your still-standing body
looks to be rotting.
You're missing some of your fingers.
You hadn't noticed.
It
all
feels
numb
The room rotates
vertically.
You realize only after
that you fell.
Your shoulder had banged into the desk,
tilting it.
Your view,
pointed up at the ceiling,
watches
as things begin to fall from the desk.
The reader
the cassette
the keyboard and computer itself-
You don't see where they fall.
The monitor slides to the edge.
You watch as it tilts.
It's still on.
It's still loading.
Its screen faces you.
You feel your train of thought recede,
washing out like a tide.
The monitor
slips
You stare in
as it plummets
onto
You can see again.
You don't remember opening your eyes, but you're awake now,
staring at the ceiling.
The room is dark, and it's spinning a little.
There's a dim blue light coming from
Somewhere - you aren't investigating again, you couldn't care less.
You feel
out-of-it.
Your memory's fuzzy, though that doesn't really surprise you.
You remember looking in on the TOLA,
messing around with the cassette reader.
After that,
nothing.
You must've
passed out?
Were you really that anxious?
You feel stupid.
At least your neck doesn't hurt anymore.
You sit up,
then stand.
You feel pretty heavy, especially your head.
Nothing quite moves right, and you're still feel dazed.
Even your vision's a little blurry.
makes sense if i passed out
REALLY hope no one saw me
oh well
i want out of here already
You find the black curtain in the dark and part it,
stepping through.
This room is different than the one you came through before.
You swear it is.
It's smaller, and there doesn't seem to be much in here at all:
Only a red door labeled 'EXIT',
and something rectangular hanging on the adjacent wall.
You walk towards the exit,
turning your head to check the other-
It's
a mirror.
Inside it stands
something unfamiliar.
You see
your jacket, your jeans, your sneakers
on-
You take a step closer.
-being worn by
someone wearing an old CRT for a head, with a bright blue screen.
The monitor's grey.
Wood paneling on the sides. Knobs on the front.
why would-
The memories of the cassette loading rush back to you.
You feel woozy.
You look down.
You see curved, grey, segmented claws of hard plastic,
moving and stretching as you will them to.
You reach your
plastic claw
up.
The plastic claws knock against the screen.
It hurts a little.
Your screen.
Your head.
You run your claws against the sides of the monitor
You can feel them
running across your head.
You
grasp the sides of the monitor,
in a desperate attempt,
trying to pull it off.
It hurts when you try.
You let go.
You stare
into the mirror.
You spot text on your screen.
DATA LOADED.
TRANSFER COMPLETE.
DRIVE "ARC:" INITIALIZED.
ARC:\
There's a blinking cursor at the end of the text.
You'll
wake up, soon.
You're sure you will.
You have to.
You walk as briskly as you can to the exit.
All your movement feels wrong.
Nothing is quite weighted in the right way anymore.
The dizziness hasn't worn off, either, but you fight through it.
You're soon through the door into a white hallway.
There's another exit door at the far end,
this one with a push bar instead of a door knob.
You hurry towards it.
Your pace is slow and off-kilter, but you're nearly there.
An open elevator shaft to your left catches your eye.
You can see the cables.
It's only blocked by a padlocked gate.
As you realize the cables are moving,
the elevator itself raises up into view - open on the inside.
A short, raspberry-colored rabbit - a pockitt, you think -
is on the other side.
You spot a plastic keychain in the shape of an '8' hanging out of their pocket.
They yelp and jump upon seeing you,
startling you in turn.
You back up to the wall,
feeling vulnerable being seen like this.
You don't know why.
"...the...
fuck... is--?"
You don't hear the rest of the sentence as the elevator rises beyond this floor.
You don't want to think about what just happened.
That someone might've seen you like This.
This all feels real,
you feel Awake,
and you don't want to think about That, either.
You rush to the exit
and push your way through,
stumbling-
You manage to catch yourself on something.
It's the fountain.
You look down into the water
at the TOLA-4's monitor
staring back at you.
You stand up.
You're outside.
The museum is behind you,
looking exactly the same as when you went in before.
You should be
much more scared than you are.
You feel like you should.
You're still scared.
Anxious.
But there's a certain haze over it.
Your emotions feel a little bit distant.
Maybe you don't have a brain anymore, you think.
The distance is almost
comforting.
You take a deep br-
You
can't breathe.
You don't breathe anymore.
But that feels
normal, somehow.
Options.
You should probably do something about this.
It looks like the bar is still open, for the moment.
You remember one of the only phones is in there, and there's likely people, too.
Maybe you could get some help.
Though,
don't bars out in the country usually have a gun behind the counter?
Someone could - understandably - think you're... Something... and shoot you.
Or is that only saloons that have those?
Maybe you've seen too many westerns.
The pool building is just next to you.
You heard voices in it before, though you don't hear anything at all inside now.
You also aren't really sure what happens if you get wet, now.
You scoot away from the fountain, just in case.
Hopefully it doesn't rain.
The parking lot is nearby.
You could just go get your car keys from your cabin,
drive off, and never look back.
Could you even drive well like this, though?
Things don't exactly feel 'calibrated' well, at the moment.
You aren't used to this body. You're still kind of dizzy, too.
There's an orange light out by the cabins.
It's probably the campfire.
If it's lit, there might be someone over there.
Good to know, no matter what you decide to do.
You did also see someone with the key for the #8 cabin.
You could go check their cabin, see if they're home.
Maybe you could explain yourself. Maybe you could ask them questions;
they Are the ONLY person you know of who you know has been into the museum.
If that was real.
And if they're already out of the museum.
They could also: Run or Attack you on sight.
But so could anyone, when you look like this.
With any luck,
you'll wake up in a little while.
Even if it feels real.
You'll wake up.
And everything will be normal.
![[Image: 30_22_10_24_11_13_56.png]](https://homebrewdeviants.com/forum/gallery/30_22_10_24_11_13_56.png)
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - ಠ_ಠ - 10-29-2024
Go to the bar and call someone you know.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - Lilium Mortem - 10-29-2024
You've just been through something deeply traumatic. Call a therapist. I mean I know it's night but there's gotta be a hotline or something for mental health crisis stuff, right?
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - knux400 - 10-29-2024
Head to the bar and ask for help, but take it slow. Give yourself some time to get adjusted to the new body.
The TOLA was the one that disappears from time to time, and it comes back loaded up with memories and experiences. It's done this bodyswapping thing before, presumably, and returned to the desk intact each time. Hopefully that means it's just a temporary thing and it'll wear off eventually?
Examine yourself closely. Is there a physical keyboard on your body somewhere you can use to type commands? It may also be a mental input thing. If you had this thing when you were younger, you might remember some simple commands you could try. Or at the very least, how to access a help directory.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - MarxzVulpez - 10-29-2024
it's kind of late but maybe we should try and find the on who checked us in: she said she's the closest thing to Medical Help for miles, maybe she could help or has answers. Reception IS closed though so maybe we could find someone who knows where she is, or if not someone else who could help so maybe the Bar is the best bet
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - SHIVERS - 10-29-2024
You think over the details you can remember about the TOLA,
trying to reassure yourself.
The placard said the computer itself would disappear,
and mentioned disappearances of people, too.
So, maybe it's done this before?
And returned every time.
This could be temporary, then.
You don't remember it saying anything about the people returning, though.
You don't want to think about what happens to you
if it decides to return to its desk
with you still inside it.
Hopefully you aren't on a time limit, here.
You shake that thought away.
Maybe
there's a way to actually Use the computer while it's
You?
You could check for a keyboard.
You reach towards your tors- No. You stop yourself.
No, you REALLY do not want to feel what 'your body' is, right now.
Everything has felt
Wrong,
physically,
since you left the museum.
Besides, you wouldn't be able to see much without removing your clothes.
And you are Not doing that out here.
You can give yourself a full examination when you're back in your cabin,
not standing outside in the middle of nowhere.
You briefly consider trying to figure out potential commands,
but remember that
whatever you consider Yourself is in here.
You don't want to screw up and delete yourself from existence.
And that sounds like something You, of all people,
would find a way to do by accident.
No Thank You.
Maybe you can try later when you're
'calmer',
whatever that might look like now.
You decide on the bar.
You can ask for help, or call for help.
You make your way over to it, slowing your pace.
You nearly fell, before;
your head might be even more fragile than before, right now.
You'd rather not find out what happens if any part of this body cracks.
Some adjustment time could help right now, anyway.
So, you take it slow.
You reach the double-doors at the front of the bar.
There's music coming from inside.
You place your plastic claw on the handle,
and proceed to
hesitate.
You're worried about being attacked,
but, also
even just having people be
Afraid of you,
or thinking you look Strange or Off-putting like this,
or just
Staring
sounds mortifying.
No choice.
You probably don't even look like this, anyway.
It probably isn't happening.
You push your way inside.
▶ Future People
Alabama Shakes
Alabama Shakes
A set of small bells ring quietly above the door.
Some radio station plays faintly from speakers throughout the building.
Before you manage to locate another person,
a gruff voice speaks up from behind the bar.
You freeze stiff at the sound, your back arching in a way that feels particularly alien.
"Got about 20 minutes til we close.
You want food or drink, lemme know."
The voice's owner is a rather large, orange beatfox far to the left,
wiping down the back of the bar with a rag.
They aren't really looking at you.
It's likely they only heard the door open.
You take the moment to survey the bar itself.
It's a lot bigger on the inside than you pictured.
The bar is at the far left, stretching around the corner of the restaurant.
You can see an open window into the kitchen behind it.
The restaurant takes up most of the building,
with many, many tables spanning the giant, open room.
There's a few booths in the corner opposite the bar, too.
They look comfy, and semi-private.
On the right side, tucked away,
there are a few pool tables, a dart board,
and a couple of slot machines with chairs.
The shining lights from the slots catch your attention,
so you deliberately avoid looking at them.
There's a clock ticking on the center wall of the room.
It reads 11:37 PM.
A phone hangs on the wall
between the restaurant's tables and the games to the right side.
You debate going up to the bar and asking for help,
but,
they
haven't seen you yet.
And you feel anxious thinking about them doing so.
Your monitor head tucks slightly down against your shoulders;
an annoyingly-unconscious motion you can't seem to stop.
The phone.
You want to try the phone first.
They're bound to see you, when you use it,
but hopefully you won't look menacing making a phone call.
Surely you won't.
You step over to it, debating who to call.
You don't know very many people.
And you don't really want to bother any of them.
For all you know, this probably isn't actually happening.
You had a panic attack in a museum because you were alone,
and scared
and
something just
broke
in your brain.
Or maybe the TOLA really does cause hallucinations;
from radiation, or something like that.
Either way,
you could try calling your therapist.
Try to get your head on strai-
. . .
Try to sort out your brain.
That sounds like a better idea.
You lift the receiver
and immediately remember that:
You don't have any phone numbers memorized.
You check your pockets.
You don't have your phone.
Or your wallet, for that matter.
You left both in your cabin.
The only thing in your pocket is the meal ticket.
You hang the receiver up,
gently bonking your head against the wall,
resting it there for a few seconds in annoyance at yourself.
Well.
New options.
You could steel yourself and ask the person manning the bar for help.
Or, at least, check if this is actually happening with another person.
You should work up a proper approach if you decide to do this, you think.
If you do talk to them,
and somehow this DOES seem to be happening,
you wonder if you should ask about the person who checked you in:
She mentioned having some medical training.
Maybe she could
help, somehow? Or check things out, at least?
You don't know.
You're grasping at straws, here.
You could also still use the phone, and call the emergency line.
But, is that a good option when you aren't Entirely Sure this is happening?
What if it isn't, and a emergency services come all the way out here for nothing?
What would you even say?
'My head is a computer.
Help?
Thanks.'
Still, it IS the only number you know off-hand.
You could also go anywhere else.
The previous options are still open to you.
The pool, the lit campfire,
checking on the person in cabin #8,
or returning to your own cabin.
Even the museum
is
still technically open.
You really don't want to go back there.
But,
you could.
There are probably more options you're forgetting, too.
Time to decide.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - knux400 - 10-29-2024
Let's... ask about the receptionist, I think. All things considered, we don't look too different from some kind of construct species, so assuming none of these people are prejudiced against mechanical beings, your appearance shouldn't be too offputting. Just don't make any sudden moves or mention destroying organic life or anything like that.
If the receptionist isn't here, our next stop should be our room to get our contact list and get familiar with our new robot body. I don't think being in the bar is a good idea considering our anxiety level and lack of familiarity with ourselves, so we shouldn't stay here any longer than we have to.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - Lilium Mortem - 10-29-2024
(10-29-2024, 10:31 PM)knux400 Wrote: Let's... ask about the receptionist, I think. All things considered, we don't look too different from some kind of construct species, so assuming none of these people are prejudiced against mechanical beings, your appearance shouldn't be too offputting. Just don't make any sudden moves or mention destroying organic life or anything like that.
If the receptionist isn't here, our next stop should be our room to get our contact list and get familiar with our new robot body. I don't think being in the bar is a good idea considering our anxiety level and lack of familiarity with ourselves, so we shouldn't stay here any longer than we have to.
Seconded
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - skinstealer - 10-30-2024
thirding...though we should consider tracking down cabin 8's resident, i want to see what the hell they were doing down there too
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - SHIVERS - 10-30-2024
Well.
Either you don't actually look like this and you're hallucinating.
In which case this should go
okay?
Or, you do look like this,
and hopefully you don't look too offputting.
It should be fine.
You wind through the tables towards the bar.
"EXCU--"
You
didn't speak.
Not out loud, anyway.
Though, a faint buzzing noise came out with every character you 'spoke.'
There's something fuzzy in your vision.
It takes a little while to focus on it.
You can see
your screen
displayed alongside your normal sight;
almost like an overlay, but something more
instinctive.
It reads:
DATA LOADED.
TRANSFER COMPLETE.
DRIVE "ARC:" INITIALIZED.
ARC:\SPEECH "EXCU--"
ARC:\
There's a blinking cursor at the end of the text.
ARC:\TR_TH *FUCK*
You stop dead in your tracks.
The buzzing noise is fainter this time,
but even keeping a train of thought seems to project it onto your screen.
ARC:\TR_TH *OH GOD WHAT DO I-*
ARC:\TR_TH *SHUT UP SHUTUP SHHH DONT THINK SO MUCH*
All composure is lost.
"Come again?"
Your back arches on its own, standing at attention.
ARC:\SPEECH "SORRY!"
ARC:\SPEECH "VERY SORRY ABOUT THAT."
ARC:\SPEECH "I AM STILL GETTING USED TO THIS."
ARC:\SPEECH "HAHA HA."
ARC:\SPEECH "ANYWAY, I AM-"
ARC:\SPEECH "NEW, HERE. COULD I ASK YOU SOME THINGS."
"Shoot."
You realize that
the bartender still isn't looking up at you.
ARC:\TR_TH *WAIT*
ARC:\TR_TH *CAN THEY HEAR ME?*
ARC:\TR_TH *CAN THEY HEAR /THIS/?*
ARC:\TR_TH *TESTING. TESTING. HAVING VOICE PROBLEMS. CAN YOU HEAR ME?*
The beatfox quietly wipes down another portion of the bar.
ARC:\SPEECH "UH."
ARC:\SPEECH "QUESTIONS. SORRY, KIND OF RATTLED RIGHT NOW."
"You're good, just ask."
ARC:\TR_TH *OKAY I'M*
ARC:\TR_TH *PROPERLY AUDIBLE WHEN I TALK, BUT NOT WHEN THINKING.*
ARC:\TR_TH *VERY VERY GOOD TO KNOW.*
ARC:\TR_TH *MAYBE THAT MEANS I DON'T ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE THIS?*
ARC:\TR_TH *I SHOULD ASK ABOUT THAT. WHAT I LOOK LIKE*
ARC:\TR_TH *WHAT'S A WAY TO DO THAT COVERTLY...?*
ARC:\SPEECH "...WOULD YOU SAY THAT I LOOK LIKE A POCKITT?"
ARC:\SPEECH "I'M NOT ONE, BUT I HAD SOMEONE EARLIER TODAY CONFUSE ME FOR ONE."
ARC:\SPEECH "PERSONALLY, I CAN'T SEE IT, BUT I'D LIKE A SECOND OPINION."
ARC:\SPEECH "I'VE JUST BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT."
ARC:\SPEECH "I KNOW SOME OF THEM ARE KANGAROOS, TOO, BUT..."
ARC:\SPEECH "SURELY THE RESEMBLANCE ISN'T THAT STRONG."
ARC:\SPEECH "WE'RE PRETTY DIFFERENT SPECIES, I'D SAY."
The beatfox glances up at you for the first time,
studying you.
Your body feels restless, filled with energy.
Practically electric.
Likely some odd form of mechanical anxiety.
You don't like it.
"...Kinda.
There's some resemblance, but your eyes are different-"
ARC:\TR_TH *I STILL HAVE EYES!!*
"-and you're taller than a lot of pockitts I've seen.
Different shapes, too.
...Plus, there's that thing around your neck."
ARC:\TR_TH *I'M NORMAL! I LOOK NOR-*
ARC:\TR_TH *WHAT*
ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "
ARC:\SPEECH "...WHAT'S IT LOOK LIKE?"
"Tattoo, maybe. Dunno."
You didn't have that before.
ARC:\SPEECH "IS IT, LIKE-"
ARC:\SPEECH "DOES IT LOOK--"
"Buddy, what is this?
You just fishin' for compliments?"
You wave your plastic claws.
ARC:\SPEECH "SORRY! SORRY."
ARC:\SPEECH "HAVING... A WEIRD NIGHT, IS ALL."
ARC:\TR_TH *HOW DO I PUT THIS*
ARC:\SPEECH "I THINK I... HIT MY HEAD, A LITTLE BIT AGO."
ARC:\SPEECH "WHEN I CHECKED IN EARLIER TODAY, THE PERSON WHO CHECKED ME IN-"
"Olive."
ARC:\SPEECH "IS THAT HER NAME?"
"You're at the cabins?"
You nod.
"Then yeah, would've been her."
ARC:\SPEECH "WELL.
ARC:\SPEECH "OLIVE MENTIONED... SOMETHING ABOUT BEING THE CLOSEST THING TO A DOCTOR NEARBY."
ARC:\SPEECH "...I THINK I HIT MY HEAD PRETTY BAD."
"Don't look it, but I'll take your word for it."
ARC:\SPEECH "EITHER WAY, I'D LIKE TO CHECK IN WITH HER."
"Is it an emergency?"
ARC:\SPEECH "UH"
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T"
ARC:\SPEECH "THINK SO?"
They raise an eyebrow.
"Then you can wait 'til she opens the front desk in the morning.
...How'd you hit your head?"
ARC:\TR_TH *UH*
ARC:\SPEECH "FELL."
ARC:\SPEECH "...C... COMING OUT OF THE MUSEUM."
ARC:\SPEECH "HIT MY HEAD ON THE FOUNTAIN, I THINK. MUST HAVE."
"Must have?"
ARC:\SPEECH "JUST. YOU KNOW, SYMPTOMS. AND I DID FALL."
ARC:\SPEECH "...I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT ELSE COULD'VE HAPPENED."
"What symptoms?"
ARC:\SPEECH "I-"
ARC:\SPEECH "THEY'RE-"
ARC:\SPEECH "I'M NOT REALLY... SURE HOW TO DESCRIBE THEM. WELL."
The bartender looks you up and down.
That restlessness hits you hard.
Your claws are twitching.
ARC:\TR_TH *I NEED TO. LEAVE*
ARC:\TR_TH *I WANT TO LEAVE I WANT TO LEAVE*
You brace yourself on one of the barstools, feeling heat in your chest.
"...Tell you what:
I'm gonna stay in here another... half an hour.
If you change your mind and wanna call an ambulance--"
ARC:\SPEECH "NO! NO, I MEAN-"
ARC:\SPEECH "SORRY. I'M FINE! IS WHAT I-"
ARC:\SPEECH "LIKE, IT-"
ARC:\SPEECH "THERE- THE-"
"-Your facial expression hasn't changed since you came in,
and you're talkin' funny. Kinda monotone."
ARC:\TR_TH *I AM?! OH GOD*
"You could have a concussion.
So maybe take a sec and think about--"
ARC:\SPEECH "DIDN'T REALIZE! SORRY ABOUT THAT."
You start backing up towards the door.
ARC:\SPEECH "I THINK I'M JUST"
ARC:\SPEECH "VERY VERY TIRED. HAHA."
ARC:\SPEECH "I THINK AFTER SOME SLEEP I'LL SEE HOW I FEEL AND IF IT'S BAD I'LL TALK TO..."
ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "
"...Olive."
ARC:\SPEECH "OLIVE! I'LL TALK TO HER."
ARC:\SPEECH "THANK YOU SOMUCH 4YOURHELP AND SORRY FOR THE TROUBLE-"
"Hey--"
ARC:\SPEECH "HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!"
You accidentally slam your hip into the door as you hastily push through it,
ending up outside.
Your claws reach up
holding the sides of your monitor head.
ARC:\TR_TH *IT ISNT REAL*
ARC:\TR_TH *IT ISNT REAL*
ARC:\TR_TH *GET A FUCKING GRIP ALREADY*
You smack the side of the monitor,
hearing the CLUNK every time.
It hurts.
And it all still feels real.
ARC:\TR_TH *WHY DO I STILL FEEL IT*
ARC:\TR_TH *WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME*
Nothing you try makes it go away.
A thorough look at yourself will probably help.
You can probably find a way to prove to yourself that it isn't real.
Then, it'll
hopefully go away?
If not, you can check in with the person in cabin #8.
If they were there, maybe they stumbled into what you did, too.
Maybe you were drugged?
That could be it.
You'd like to check regardless.
You walk back across the street,
not checking for cars this time.
The campfire catches your eye.
You spot someone sitting on a log next to it.
ARC:\TR_TH *NO WAY IN HELL IM TRYING UNNECESSARY SOCIAL CONTACT AGAIN*
ARC:\TR_TH *APPARENTLY MY FACE IS BARELY MOVING ANYMORE AND MY VOICE IS WEIRD*
ARC:\TR_TH *WEIRD/ER/ THAN BEFORE, AT LEAST*
ARC:\TR_TH *THE LESS I OPEN MY MOUTH THE BETTER*
You deliberately walk far to the south,
looping around the back of your cabin to make it to the front.
It looks like the person at the campfire is still there,
though you can only really see their silhouette.
ARC:\TR_TH *GOOD*
ARC:\TR_TH *ALMOST INSIDE*
You fish your key out of your pocket and jam it into the lock.
It's dark.
You miss, and drop your keys.
ARC:\TR_TH *AUGH*
You reach down to get them,
forgetting how large your head is now; it bangs into your door.
You end up sitting on your butt on the steps outside your door,
rubbing your somehow-sore monitor.
ARC:\TR_TH *FIGURES*
ARC:\TR_TH *KILL ME*
You scoop up your keys.
"Hoooooly shit.
Look at You."
ARC:\SPEECH "WHU H"
Your head swivels upward,
meeting the eyes of a corvice - some sort of insect morph - standing over you.
"Is that really Real?"
They reach out and tap your screen,
causing you to pull your head back.
"Oh my GOD, it is."
ARC:\SPEECH "YOU CAN SEE TH-"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHA T"
"You're like
buzzing.
You bust your head when you bumped it?
I'd fix you but I'm nnnot good with computers."
They lean in and squint at your screen.
ARC:\TR_TH *DONT LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT*
ARC:\TR_TH *THERES NO WAY THEYRE SEEING IT*
ARC:\TR_TH *IT ISNT REAL*
ARC:\TR_TH *IT ISNT REAL*
Their face lights up.
"THAT'S how you talk now?
That's so Fucked."
The bug laughs -
a little too loudly -
and slumps down roughly onto the steps next to you.
They pull a bottle of cheap-looking alcohol from their pocket
and take a swig.
"Definitely
real, just between us.
You're lucky that's all you got."
They flop onto their back, laying across the steps.
"Welp!
Wasn't just me; thank fuck, honestly.
And hey
not just You! Either!
You got-"
They gesture to themself.
"-me!
This asshole!
Who's currently veeery, very drunk."
The bug laughs.
"Sorry 'bout that.
Not much else to do!
We're pretty screwed, so it's like..." They tip the bottle up. "-might as well."
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - knux400 - 10-30-2024
"Wait, back up. You've been in the museum, too? What exhibit did you look at? What happened to you?"
If we can get some more information out of this person, go for it- but if they're too weird and creepy, just head back into your room.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - skinstealer - 10-30-2024
ask if...they are usually a bug.
RE: ⛌ bluff ⛌ - skinstealer - 10-30-2024
also check their neck