⛆ XENIAL ⛫ at ECHO SHORE ⛆

[SHIVERS]

.



 

    ink i  s c m  g thr




































G ve      m  time  o stabi  z 

































Lo    t th     olors!











































   ks like i      lidify ng.






















  n you hear me in there?"






.

[skinstealer]

hi? hello? am i dead?

[knux400]

Who? What? Hello?

Greetings, program?

The Matrix?

Uhhh... Ready player one?

[MarxzVulpez]

Yes, I can hear you, but you were breaking up a bit. seems like it might be coming through better now?

[Wilds]

W h a t  a m  I  ?

[SHIVERS]

You respond to the voice.


You can't make out what you said, exactly.
But you hope it came through.




"...WELL, I... 
I must say, it's incredible to actually speak with you!
Though, 
I'm sure it's hard to tell, 
but your ah... voices are overlapping.

Fairly difficult to understand,
but, 
there's no reason to be embarrassed about that.

If nothing else, 
it seems like you can hear me!"



"Give them time. 
These things take a while to learn."



"Right, of course.

Erm... let's see...



Out of what I could parse:

...Hello!
I am not a program, 
sorry to say,
but I can introduce myself soon!
You are definitely coming through better, overlap and er... volume, aside.
And you are most certainly not dead,
you're alive for the first time, if you can believe it!"



The other voice is firmer, but just as kind.

"You have a lot to adjust to,
but you should have some degree of knowledge when it comes to existing. 
You probably have a lot of questions, though.
Not everything will come easily.
You'll have people you can ask at most points during this experience."


"Exactly, the two of us will be here for anything you might need.
Well... as best we're able to, at least."





You try to look at who's speaking to you.



Your eye opens.

Blindingly bright light floods in.





"Careful, now!
Yes, I'm sure that would sting, 
taking in that much light all at once.
You are entirely an eyeball, after all; try to take it slow.

...No shame meant, of course!
Jimmie here spawned in as a tiny metal ball when he first showed up."

"You'll see for yourself that I didn't stay that way, though."
He sounds a little embarrassed, but just as amused.








You open your eye
 
slower, this time
 
and find yourself looking through two sets of glass.





One from a tube that you're currently floating in,
the other not far past it; a translucent wall of some durable material.



Through that, you can see who those voices belong to:

a kangaroo OBJ with a football helmet for a head is sitting directly in front,
one claw placed up at their snout in thought as the other holds some sort of thin device;
while a large, feline construct stands a few feet to the side, 
glancing away as if to give you a little privacy.



The walls are colorful, 
made of green and silver stone.

There's not much else that you can spot,
other than two round devices at the top corners of the room;
cameras, you assume.







"...It looks as though you have..."
The OBJs tiny glowing eyes shrink in a squint. 
"...a fully-formed cornea, lens, and I think I even spot a retina in the back.
Or at least approximations of such.
Fascinating..."



"Careful. 
It's easy to make a new catalyst feel self conscious, 
from experience."

That snaps them back to focus.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct.
Pardon me for staring!"





The OBJ pulls up their device, 
unfurling it into a screen of some fashion.

"Now, I'd very much love to talk with you at length,
but before we do that:
I'm sure being a floating eyeball with no way to locomote can't be all that comfortable.

Luckily for you, 
you do have the power to alter your body almost any way you'd like it to!
For now, at least. 
That will wear off rather quickly, I'm afraid!



Now, 
given you could technically make yourself into... anything,
even things that wouldn't be ideal given the environment outside of that cylinder you're in,
I thought I'd help you along with some species diagrams."





The OBJ holds up their screen to the glass,
allowing you to watch as a slideshow plays.
Each slide contains a named diagram of some species,
the slides very gradually cycling through.

It's a lot of information, 
but you do your best to take them in one at a time.


"You are welcome to make any changes,
but try not to be too ambitious with what you choose.
There isn't a lot of extra space in that tube, 
and you'll want to breathe oxygen or otherwise not need to breathe.

...I'm not sure if you can choose that yourself, actually."

The OBJ glances worryingly between you, the construct, and the wall.

"...Give it your best shot, I suppose!"









The OBJ looks down, 
claw to their snout again.

"...let's see...
Oh!"

They glance back up.

"Pronouns and a name, as well, if you'd like!
Unless you'd prefer to wait, of course."




Their helmet turns back towards the construct, 
whispering.
"...Jimmie am I forgetting anything you'd like to add? "

"...pick something that can fit through doors."

"Right!
That's fairly important!"

"Aside from that, follow your metaphorical heart. 
It's a serious decision, 
but whatever you pick, we have resources to help you acclimate to it."






You focus on the diagrams,
keeping mental note of all the species listed as they go by.

- Amerveille
- Barebones
- Batissons
- Beatfoxes
- Botleys
- Chorosy
- Combers
- Concepts
- Corvice
- Dopples
- Elementals
- Flexins
- Gesabotts
- Lukos
- Karacels
- Masques
- Mothlies
- OBJs
- Pinitelles
- Pockitts
- Replixes
- Ruffnecks
- Selected
- Shrouds
- Skippers
- Snuglins
- Tantamounts
- Trillvettes
- Volare
- Zwadeims



But you're sure there may be others you're forgetting.

Or, perhaps, you could shape your own look, disregarding species.
Or, maybe a hybrid-





It's a lot to think over.

[Wilds]

Chorosy/Gesabott hybrid LET'S GOOOOO. Something about the idea of basically being made of protective gear.... is good.

On the other hand... Just being an eye is good, too, and it's not a bad thing to be so far, light sensitivity aside. Maybe that can be incorporated into our new appearance somehow - a camera or screen or something for a face (though not necessarily for a head - either could work).

[Pichi2214]

BOAT! I desire to take the shape of a boat

arowana skipper is my first choice, though any boat shape would be cool
ESPECIALLY if we can combine it with volare, maybe we can use the volare shape to have like.... one big eye, I think that'd work pretty well if we want to keep the eye as a defining feature
I wish to become roboat....


For pronouns I am feeling it/its, maybe others too? Name no idea yet, I'd want to wait for our shape to manifest first

[knux400]

Definitely agree with Volare as a component in order to keep the eye motif! Not sure what would go well with it though, maybe a dragonfly neuroth? Whatever we pick, it would be neat to have the eye be floating close to the rest of our body rather than actually attached.

Before we do anything, though, can we see if we can get a glimpse at our reflection in the glass?

[Lilium Mortem]

Let me be a dragon! I wanna be a dragon! I can compromise ons dragon morphs of species but lemme be a dragon. Like a wise person once said: be yourself, unless you can be a dragon, then be a dragon. I can be myself *and* a dragon!

[King-Clod]

Hmm. Whatever we go with, I wanna make it count. Give ourselves some good wings, a prehensile tail, uh... what else could be useful... ooh a hook, like the tantamounts have. I'd rather have it than not have it when we need it.

[SHIVERS]

Before deciding on any potential improvements,
you try to get a look at yourself in the glass reflection.


You can only vaguely make yourself out at all,
but the OBJ's description of you proves accurate:
A dark, soccer ball-sized eye with a red and cyan pupil is about all you can make out.



You'd like to retain some of that, you think.
























Time to focus.




Your eye closes.




























The species demonstrated for you sift through your mind




























an internal sieve letting go of those that don't fit the vision of your new you


























while the rest meld.



























































Something new.





























































You pull colors and shapes familiar to you.
















Your mind imagines painting out the angles and smooth creases of the new body














like drops of dye in water.



































































Now to













































pull yourself in








































































anew.






















 

Cool air blows across you
















you feel it.



















Your claw twitches.


















Eye opens.







 

The capsule you're in is open in half now.







You think about cracked eggs,




as you shakily climb your way out,




glancing at the two figures through the window.











"Hmm...not a bad choice. 
I see you also lean towards a robotic look."

"Very... quite-
...tall...
Hm-"

The OBJ tilts their head,
looking you over.

"...Oh, I see!"

They put a claw to the glass,
tracing along it as they call out body parts.

"Spines along the brachia and shanks, likely from neuroths,
hull strakes along the underbelly from skippers,
a tauntamount hook, 
chorosy filter... and likely explains the tail, too,
volare anatomy all around,
and likely others I'm missing at first glance;
you've ended up quite the chimera!
Fascinating!"

The OBJ continues to marvel at your form, 
staring from behind the glass.



"You're able to identify all those different parts?"






The OBJ hardly hears him.



"...Hm?

Oh! 
Yes, yes, 
I've done some research on various species of Morbit specifically for this occasion.

For instance:
Did you know that karacels will coil their tails around other individuals as a gesture of affection?
It's quite interesting!
Typically, it's used for--"

"You're also staring pretty hard, you know. 
Could make them self-conscious, remember?"

The OBJ takes a moment to process,
then backs up immediately, averting their eyes to stare at the wall instead.
"...Yes, you are absolutely right-
my stars-
I'm very sorry for the intrusion of privacy,
I hope I haven't caused any undue stress!"





They take a breath.





"...Well,
with you situated in your new body,
I'd like to prepare our side of the room for you to meet with us."

They tap a button on a small console you couldn't see before.

A stone table and a trio of matching, cushioned chairs raise up from the floor on their side of the room.

"If Jimmie gives the all clear,
I'll open the door between us.

...I hope it goes without saying,
however,
it does need to be said:
You may say anything you'd care to,
but please do not harm myself or Jimmie.
We - likewise - have no intent to harm you, of course!

But... some catalysts may - understandably - 
find themselves overstressed or overwhelmed with emotions,
given existence isn't exactly a walk-in-the-park,
even in our first moments of it.
Violence has broken out, on exceedingly rare occasions,
and given catalysts can find themselves in incredibly-capable forms-












...I am placing my utmost trust in you regardless.


I hope you will do the same."












The OBJ takes a moment to collect themself.










"Jimmie, would you say we have an 'all-clear'?"

"...yeah, I think we're good.
Something tells me we'll be getting a friendly one this time."

The OBJ nods,
tapping another button on the console.

They take a seat at the table as the door slides open.



Jimmie walks closely behind, 
but stands by his chair when he gets to it- clearly waiting for you to sit down first.





"By all means,
whenever you're ready."

[MarxzVulpez]

Take a second or two to examine what you're working with, then join them

[Lilium Mortem]

Flip a chair around, sit down on it with your elbows resting on the top of the backrest.

"Yo dad, gender neutral parental figure, whatcha drag me into existence for?"

[knux400]

Take a few moments to stretch and get adjusted to the new body.

..."Happy birthday?"

[Ignispark]

doing nonstandard actions inside the purview of 'going to sit in the chair' seems optimal. as does immediately going for questions.

...what were the other subjects like? is this current being aliveness going optimally? what's the optimal life plan? does this facility have wifi? how was you all's day?

[Wilds]

... what happens if we DO try to harm you? out of curiousity. you know. what's the protocol there.

(:

[King-Clod]

Is the chair built for our size? Is there spot for our tail to go through? I don't want to be uncomfortable for his entire conversation. Maybe we can just... actually if we turn it around our tail will be fine. Let's do that.

[SHIVERS]

You aren't totally ready.

You need a minute.



Time to give yourself a look.





You remember volare and their single eye-lenses.
Instead, you have, essentially,
a thin, floating static-filled screen,
capable of displaying whatever you like on it,
as you test things out by using the open capsule as a makeshift mirror.

It does seem instinctive, though,
not reacting exactly the way you want it to.

But you still enjoy it.




Your coiled-up chameleonic tail is also prehensile,
just what you were hoping for,
and the little fishhook on the end makes it perfect for grabbing things at a distance.





The scattered labels and logos along your body -
seemingly for no real products or brands, only the illusion of such things -
are from trillvettes, you realize.
You were thinking about boats, after all.



That thought strikes you.



Boats may be the first things you collectively realize you have an interest in.

...Maybe we can sail on one.

Someday.

Later.




















...What were we doing again?



Right.
Uhh.


Body.



You stretch out your weighty gesabott claws,
cocking your head as you examine them,
thinking of... something to say.





















































What words might appropriately mark this sort of occasion?








































































"...Happy birthday?"







Jimmie has to visibly keep himself from chuckling, it coming out as a little metallic snicker. 
"I mean, better first words than mine."


The OBJ looks to Jimmie.
"...What were your first words again?"

"I asked 'Mom?'"

They can't help but snicker,
losing their composure momentarily.

"I told you. 
Way worse."

"Y-Yes, well..."
They have to dial back their laughter, accidentally letting a few extra giggles out.


...You make a mental note not to ask anything like that.


The OBJ clears their throat.
"It's... very understandable to say silly things after coming into existence for the first time.
Why, I remember - not exactly an equivalent, mind you -
but,
I was told by a recovery room nurse that I had proposed marriage to him upon blearily waking up after a surgery.
We're all capable of that sort of cloudy-headed whimsy,
under the right conditions!"

"...was he cute, at least?"

"He-
...Well-"

The OBJ head casing somehow exhibits a slight change in color,
but it fades quickly.

"...At any rate, 
let's proceed, shall we?
If you're ready, of course!"









With a small handful of experimental steps,
you make your way through the opening into the same part of the room as the other two.

It dawns on you from this new angle just how much taller you are than the pair;
towering over them.

You see a bead of sweat form on the OBJ's brow as they pre-emptively take a seat,
staring up at you,
as if they hadn't noticed the sheer gulf in sizes between the two of you.













An errant thought occurs.




"...what happens if we DO try to harm you? 
Out of curiousity. 
You know. 
What's the protocol there?"

Large-font text flashes on your screen, displaying a sideways smiley face.



"I kick your ass. 
You don't want to try it." Jimmie just raises a brow, otherwise unphased.

"He means what he says.
I would not recommend that.
...As far as it pertains to me, well-
I can't exactly stop you.
Hence... placing trust in you,
that you won't decide on... that sort of path."

The OBJ looks as if every atom they're made of is trying to pull them out of the room to run,
but they are wedging themself here regardless,
too determined to leave.

There's also that same fascination and wonder on their face - buried, but still present -
tethering them here with you.






It was only a little joke.

You think.














You pick up one of the chairs,
examining it.

The OBJ scoots back slightly, on instinct.

You don't want to be uncomfortable for this entire... whatever this is.
And who knows how long it might take?
Better safe than sorry.



Upon inspection:
The chair proves to be sturdy enough and sized for you, as far as you can tell.
On top of that,
it does, 
in fact,
have a hole for your tail to fit through.

















But, that might be a hassle.

And it'd probably be more comfortable another way.







You spin it around backwards and flop into the seat,
placing your lower arms along the back of the chair, leaning your head on them.








"So what'd you drag me into existence for?" 
You ask as bluntly as possible.



"Well, we didn't.
Not exactly.

In actuality, we merely created the ideal conditions within that capsule for a catalyst to spawn.
We do so almost every year, 
for a period of a few weeks tending towards a month.

Sometimes a catalyst - such as yourself - spawns within the capsule.

Sometimes, it remains empty.

We simply watch,
and wait.
...This is my first year doing this, and-"

They put a claw against the side of their head,
watching you.

"I must say, I am overjoyed that you decided to emerge.

This has already been a hallmark experience in my life... seeing this process in person,
and having the opportunity to be a part of it in such a direct manner-

...I can't express how lucky I am,
to be where I am right this moment."



You can sort of... feel a smile radiating from them.

"You're in good hands yourself, too. 
There's resources here,
ones you wouldn't be getting anywhere else. 

I was the catalyst about...
...seven years ago, I think, 
and there's a lot of reasons why I stayed."
 
He shrugs.

"Though, after this initial process, 
you are welcome to leave - by all means!"










Your eye peers back and forth between them both.
"...What were the other subjects like?"

"I was...disoriented. 

As I said, I asked for my mother immediately- 
and as funny as it is in hindsight, 
I was legitimately very afraid and out of my element. 

It took a few days for me to stop trying to hide from people, 
considering after I realized there wasn't an actual parental figure anywhere, 

I was terrified out of my mind."



The helmeted OBJ notably presents a sustained look of concern in the construct's direction.
"...I do hope things are easier these days, Jimmie."

He taps the side of his head, 
making a little metal 'clunk'. 
"For me, yeah.
For some of the others, it's still hard. 
But we're working on it."

"Well,
I wish you luck."

They're quiet, appearing lost in thought, albeit briefly.







"...Yes, the-
From the records and recordings I've looked through in preparation,
disorientation, fear, anxiety;
these are all unfortunately-common responses.

Though, a wide range of reactions are possible.
You are all different individuals - ...and collectives! - after all.

I can only hope your experience isn't going terribly thus far!"
They let out a nervous chuckle, which echoes inside their plastic helmet.














Your brain is now positively buzzing with questions.



You sit up marginally, 
your segmented neck stretching.

"Is this current state of 'aliveness' going... optimally?"

"Well, by my estimations, you are alive!
So, I would say y-" "What's my optimal life plan?"
You ask another before they can finish, practically bouncing in your chair.



"That's up to you.  
Though...we would appreciate it if you considered helping u-" "Does th- Does this facility have wifi?"



The questions bubble upward.


The buzzing louder.


You lean forward.



Grip the back of your chair.


Hard.

Harder.






The OBJ gives Jimmie a nervous glance.
"Er-"

"Relax." 
Jimmie keeps his voice even. 
"Wifi's tricky here."

"Do... you have some need and means to connect to-" "How-"



Your screen fizzles.



"How ww-as-"



Buzzing. 
Droning. 
Louder. 
Louder.



Your breathing quickens through your gasmask.

"-your-
You Are-
  yy yo-ur-"





The OBJ stands up,
more worried,
taking a step towards you.





Sensations.

Questions.

More.

Buzzing.







Full.








"-d-
-d-ddd-
-d... aY--"





Sparks shoot from your screen.



The back of the chair splinters in your claws.




















You lean back,




tilt your head back,





claws twitching at random intervals,



panting as you watch the light at the ceiling,




















It's diamond-shaped.













Glow-y.











White.






Tinted with a little green.







It's pretty.





Your shoulders still shake.

But the motions are slowing.











The soft glow.













Your breathing starts to steady.
























Sound fades back in.






"-re you alright?"


You feel their claw on your shoulder.

Gently.

Gentle.

"Breathe, 
if you can. 
You're safe.
Promise."
















You breathe.





Your shoulders relax.





The OBJ steps back, giving space,
and takes a seat.












You tilt your head forward once more.

"...Do... you need to stop?
We can continue, if you'd like,
but I don't want to push you, after-"

"No, let's do it."

"Are you... certa-" "Yep."

You swallow.




Questions aren't buzzing.
I'm 
all-A-OK-yes.








The OBJ hesitates.
"Al... right.
Well, don't be afraid to interject if you need a break."



"Yup."





Jimmie still has his eyes trained on you- 
they're serious, but not quite fierce. 
"We should probably keep things easy to process."

"I will certainly do my best.
...As Jimmie mentioned,
there is something we'd like your help with."











They inhale.

Somehow.












"In our community-
Which, to set the record,
is..."

They raise their hands,
instinctively trying to help get their point across with gestures.

"...somewhat-
You can think of it as a sort of hybrid between a small, educationally-focused community,
and a hub for certain branches of scientific research.

Within this place,
we aim to foster a curiosity and yearning for... exploration, inquiry, and investigation.
Which is exactly what we strive for, here at Echo Shore." 



The OBJ's helmet is practically glinting with pride.



"We inherited this from the god who created this place,
hundreds of years ago,
and we strive to further that knowledge as best we can.

Part of that involves... researching into the true unknown.
The final frontier of the 'extranatural' - as some are known to say -
Though there is nothing 'extra' about these places, they simply are natural -

...Oh, nevermind me, though!



Regardless,
our research often heavily involves pushing the envelope of understanding into such worlds,
and the beings that reside there.



That's what you have the opportunity to help us with.

We are soon to conduct... what we often refer to as the 'xenial' - the first of its kind!"


The OBJ's voice is tinged by emotion;
passion and conviction.


"A communion with the individuals of these external domains,
in a space that serves as a gathering place,

where all people, 

of all domains,

may come together...

...sharing knowledge,
enjoying our collective company,
and -link-by-link - 
come to understand one another.




To finally... 
bridge those gaps that keep us all at a inherent, relational, distance,
that have led to misunderstandings and... far worse.

...And given the sheer amount of successful, non-confrontational communication we have had...


I believe our work here speaks entirely for itself."










They finally allow themself to take a breath,
trying to re-center.








"However,
the xenial requires a catalyst,
such as yourself.

We would need your assistance and participation,
otherwise we cannot move forward,
and will have to wait until next year to see how events pan out then.

...Not to... put pressure, 
on you, 
of course!

It is... entirely your decision."








"...And, it's a decision you most certainly Do Not have to make yet.

We do have some time before we reach ideal conditions to start this process.

In the meantime,
I would love nothing more than to simply... get to know You."





They lean forward in their seat.





"If there is anything you'd care to tell us about yourself,
or any other questions you may have,
you are welcome to them." 

[knux400]

How much time do we have before I have to decide?

Also


um

whattheheckwasthatamiokay

[Lilium Mortem]

Time for a name, methinks.

"Hello, I'm Disco Machina"(pronounced like Deus ex machina)
Pronouns are any/all("I don't care about gender")

So there is a reason I came into existence, you want me to help with your science stuff. Sounds cool. I don't mind helping out a little, I think.

Though I kinda resent being a science experiment. Shouldn't I get parents? A family? Did I miss out on being a kid because I spawned in a test tube?

[King-Clod]

First of it's kind, eh?
Why me? You have other catalysts here, presumably. Does the catalyst need to be fresh?
...What would this process have me do, exactly?

As for my name, you may call me Omphalos. I'd prefer if you don't shorten it. ce/cir pronouns.

[Ignispark]

what's. actually doing the science like? what do you do in your day to day work other than like. uh. this. what's going on right now. with this conversation. are there cool looking crystals or spooky radios or anything.

regarding names....
if you inherited this place from a god...they arent here anymore does that mean they arent using their name anymore? can we steal their name?
also any/all are fun pronouns

[Wilds]

Whatever gender is, we're not a huge fan of it. It/its feel like more 'artificial' pronouns, traditionally reserved for objects and tools, and we dig that vibe - definitely no he/him, she/her, or they/them, but any other neopronouns (xe/xyr, ze/zem etc) would be fine.

As for names... A word relevant to the work being done here, and the people doing it, comes to mind: Conviction. But we do have an interest in boats that perhaps extends to other nautical fare - Rake or Halyard could work, too.

Do you really mean it when you say the choice to stay or not is completely ours to make? What would happen if we just... walked out? You've mentioned the effects on your work, sure, but what might our life look like outside of here if we go? It's easy enough to say "yeah you can leave" but I imagine we can't do that without... support.

Perhaps we're a little... suspicious. Paranoid, even, that things may not be as they seem.

[Pichi2214]

okay so hear me out: our first interest seems to be boats and sailing, i suck at finding good related names but if anyone else has cool suggestions please share them!!

currently the only one that i could find was maybe Starboard? the meaning of it isnt all that neat, but it sounds cool and volares make me think of stars

other suggestions include Vessel even if it may be a little existential? with Vess as a nickname potentially...
also thinking something like a variant of Helmsman if there's a cool potentially gender neutral variant that we could vibe with? cause like.. helmsman is the person steering the ship and we sure are doing that (I think)

Fathom also... on one hand because boat term, on the other hand "to fathom" or well, the more common saying being i cannot fathom which... both applies to us not knowing shit and being unknowable to others


i just think it'd be neat to have a boat related name :>


and for pronouns... seconding the it/its vibe and neopronouns, we are an Entity not perceivable by normal means

[SHIVERS]

"Regarding names:
You inherited this place from a god...
If they aren't here anymore, does that mean they arent using their name anymore? 
Can we steal their name?"

The OBJ's helmet is briefly still. 
They cross one arm over the other atop the table.

"Er... 
...no.
The god... disappeared some time ago - at great loss to this community -
but... this region is still habitable, so... they are doubtlessly alive, wherever it is they may be."

"I mean, 
nothing's really...stopping you. 
Short of manners."

"I'd--"

They stop themself.









"...maybe there are other names you'd prefer?"





You give yourself time to think.














"...Vessel could be fun.
Kind of existential, but-
I just think it'd be neat to have a boat related name."

Another smiley face appears on your screen.


"And 'Vess' works as a good nickname, too."

"That's nice.
Has a good ring to it. 
Technically, our collective's name is Model, 
but as we developed more...solidity, 
it became more practical to give different components distinct names. 

Didn't happen until a few years in, though, and every collective's different. 
So don't worry about that."

"Yes, absolutely.
Really, Jimmie and the rest of his collective would be the best individuals to ask about this sort of thing.
...Er, well... if he's-
if they're alright with, questions of that nature."

"Of course we are. 
There's plenty we could tell you about, 
and while our main job right here and now is security, 
we also want to make sure you have someone to talk to who gets it."

"Thank you, as always, Jimmie."

The OBJ's stance is upright, as if in a big, genuine smile.





"You could probably stand to introduce yourself too, yknow. 
I get you're excited about stuff, but you'd probably put them more at ease if you opened up a little."






"...OH."



They wave one of their claws.



"...heavens, I-
It slipped my mind entirely,
I apologize!

...I'm Murmur.
And I use they or she pronouns."

"I use he/him personally, 
they/them collectively, myself.

How about you?"










You put a claw to the bottom of your screen.

"Whatever 'gender' is, we're not a fan of it.

Don't like it, 
don't care about it.

As far as pronouns?

Definitely no he/him, she/her, or they/them, 
but neopronouns would be fine.
It/its - it's got that artificial vibe - or, 
really let's just say any neopronouns."

"Easy enough."

"Noted!"
























You think about how you felt earlier.





That jittery, electric feeling that made your breath run fast.







"Also?
What Was   That.
From before.

Am I dying?"

You touch a claw to your chest.

"Is that why it happened?
...Am I dead?"

You flick your own screen a few times,
in an attempt to test how real you are.



"Hello?"




"It was... by my account -
and keep in mind, I am not a medical professional or capable of licensed psychological evaluation -
...but it seemed to be a panic attack, 
likely caused by new emotions, or an overwhelming amount of physical sensation when you've had none before.
I have seen a few before, 
from other catalysts who spawn.

...Really, it could be anything that caused it to flare up.
It is important to pay attention to what triggered it, if you're able,
and to take care of yourself as needed.



...As I... said before:
If you require a break--" "Nope no break, I am /Excellent/, okay?"



She nods slowly.
"Alright."



"If the members of your collective have conflicting ideas, it can cause stress as well. 
Conflict is natural when you've got so many voices kicking around, 
especially under stressful situations- and honestly, having a good mental argument can be good for working things out. 
It's not good to suppress voices if you can help it; try to work with them instead. 

With time, you'll gain more cohesion in what you want to do and the direction you'll take, 
but in the early days where everybody's figuring stuff out, 
it can be a bit...wild."

"Quite untamed, unfortunately, yes.
Though, I'm sure you will all figure yourselves out!
I have faith that you will."











You nod.




"Sure, yeah."



Glancing away,
at the walls.









"Sssooo, 
this place is the 'first of it's kind', eh?
So there is a reason I came into existence; you want me to help with your science stuff.
 
Sounds cool. 

But why me? 
You have other catalysts here, presumably.
Like Jimmie.

Does the catalyst need to be fresh?"

"Well, yes.
A freshly-spawned catalyst is paramount for this process to proceed at all."






You lean back in the chair,
arms behind your neck.

"How much time do we have before I have to decide?"



"By my estimates-"
Murmur pulls a small device from their pocket.
"...approximately seventy-five minutes, though it could be as far out as three hours from now."
She puts the device back in her pocket.
"...It's weather-dependent, you see!"





"Hmmmmm."

A claw to your gasmask.

"I don't mind helping out a little, I think.
Though I kinda resent being a science experiment. 
Shouldn't I get parents? 
A family? 
Did I miss out on being a kid because I spawned in a test tube?"






"Technically, 
there's lots of species without biological parents." 

Jimmie reclines slightly,
a hard to read expression on his face as he counts off on his fingers. 

"TCPs, most constructs... flexins, uh...
I kind of... looked into this a lot. 
Like I said earlier, we formed with a lot of distress at not having parents, 
or any biological family at all... despite taking the form of a construct that wouldn't have that to worry about in the first place. 
Collective knowledge can be fussy like that.

So...I guess, 
yeah, 
you 'missed out' on being a kid, 
but so do a lot of species. 
Having a biological family and a standard life cycle isn't something everyone gets, 
is how I try to rationalize it to myself. 

You and I exist as collectives because someone - Echo Shore, specifically - 
deliberately brought us into the world, 
but trust me:
the xenial and everything else we study here is less of a science experiment and more..." 

He struggles to find a good way to put it.



"...a cross-dimensional communal gathering experience, 
to simplify it as much as possible.
Though I would veer towards other terminology, personally.

...And, to be technical:  
the labs at Echo Shore did not bring you here,
we simply created ideal conditions for catalysts such as yourselves, to exist.

...More simply:
We opened the door, and you walked inside."

"Yeah, that's a better way to put it..."

"At any rate,
I do not believe you should see...
a potential alternate path you might have lived in another existence, as a missed opportunity.

You are all who you are-"

Mumur leans in,
speaking softly.

"-and there is nothing wrong with that."












You lean your chair back, 
rocking it back and forth as you chew on all these new thoughts.








"What do you two do in your day-to-day work other than like-
uh- 
...This?

The whole catalyst thing."




"I lift things, mostly." 
Jimmie shrugs. 
"We knew we wanted to be a part of things around here after we got our bearings on things, 
so we started out doing manual labor and security details and never really stopped.

Some people would probably say it's a dull life, 
but the downtime in between helping with cargo and building things is plenty of opportunity to listen to music, and audiobooks. 

It's simple, a
nd it gives us time to think.

...this is the most excitement I've gotten in a good bit, though. 

Looking forward to it."



Murmur nearly cuts Jimmie off.

"-It is!

...Exciting, I mean.
This - apologies -
This has been... incredibly exciting for myself on a personal level.

I started out my time here at Echo Shore helping to set up lab equipment three years ago.
Then I eventually became an assistant,
then graduated to proper lab staff,
and-"

You feel she would be physically bouncing in the seat if she wasn't trying to stay polite.

"-I was allowed into this position at long last.
A little... rushed, actually.
I'm honestly not... entirely familiar with everything,
and typically there is someone who has helmed this process before to accompany in an advisory capacity.

However,
for this year,
it is only myself, with Jimmie here to act as security and additional assistance.
We're rather... short-staffed on this front, actually.



So... 

I am hopeful, but tremendously anxious,
to be absolutely truthful.
I think the only factor keeping me grounded is being such a direct part in this...
...for the First Time!



...But, 
I promise I will adhere to my responsibilities,
as best I know how.

And I am here for anything you may need, at any point."





"Same goes for me, 
though our expertise is probably just... collective stuff,
vs the nitty gritty science of it all."

"Still valuable all the same."


















"So you talked a lot about this 'process',
but what'll it have me
Do,
exactly?

Are there cool looking crystals or spooky radios or anything?"



You can practically hear Mumur perk up.








She takes a deep breath.



"I will attempt not to delve into an unnecessarily-copious amount of detail as I explain the process,
but,
yes, yes there are Absolutely, Positively 'cool-looking'-
Well-
stones, not crystals,
though it's similar to what you're wanting, I imagine!



Through an instance of very simple actions on your part,
you will be making physical contact with a fountain.

Upon performing this when we have reached ideal weather conditions,
should everything go according to plan,
you will spawn some number of stones with special properties;
one stone per each selected individual.

These stones can-
Well!
They can change shape,
color,
sheen,
or even physically relocate of their own accord!

At any time!



The stones are the, sort of... primary guides to the xenial, 
as it won't allow any individual in without one.

Those who have received a stone will continue on, 
into the xenial; 
that is, the physical location,
wherein this communal event will take place.

...But the stones will not spawn without your direct involvement,

and the xenial does not open without the stones,

which is why we require your help for this."



















They let out a breath, 
tapping the side of their helmet.





"Did I miss anything obvious, Jimmie?
Or, do you have anything you'd care to add?

...I think I covered the bases, 
but,
 two heads are better than one, so they say."



"That should be most of it, 
but... we should probably go into the xenial itself. 
Communal event doesn't really cover the..."

He thinks over his word choice again.

"Whole... scale of it all. 
We're doing important work here, 
and I'm sure that Vessel's interested in learning about fairies and the like."

"Yes, of course,
though... even with the amount of time we have,
I couldn't begin to cover it all.

...If I was to...
downplay it,
significantly,
a simplification that does not do it justice:
It is a non-standard, ever-changing internal space within which beings of All spatial strata can co-exist,
as it conforms to all of them to suit their needs as best it can.

And you meet -
as peers and individuals -
beings you may never have known were... possible.

From the neleval, 
to realmic beings,
to angels,
and there are even several reports - though I haven't been able to scour them myself -
detailing chance meetings with beings from The Vagary, 
and... even Memoirs, if you can believe it.

There is no telling who or what you may meet.



Though, there will be plenty of Morbitians there as well!
Some years can be quieter than others, too,
so you may have only one or two encounters before the xenial reopens.

It's... impossible, really,
to predict how the xenial may take place this year.
...Personally, I'd love to have some new findings this year,
but I would prefer something... fairly quiet, more than anything."



















Murmur taps her claws together on the desk,
looking downward.









"...Though,
I think that is only as a result of this being my first time.
I am sure I can handle it, if things end up being more... chaotic, this year.
...Though, statistically-peaking-!"

They raise a claw.

"-things have trended towards quiet, in the last... five, or six-
...Actually, I believe yours was the last year events were a little more..."

The OBJ twirls a finger as the look for the word they need.

 "...Surprising! "





"...I, 
uh, 
definitely caused a whole scene, 
with the...." 

He mimes clearing his throat,
more an embarrassed gesture than anything.

"Uh...you know.
P...proposal. And everything."





Murmur's little glowing eyes blink.



"The what now...?"





"....you know. 



Surely you heard about that."





The helmet glances at you, 
then back at Jimmie.











"...are you really going to make me explain it."





"I-

You do not...

Have,

to,

but I..."

She lowers her voice to a whisper,
glancing around as if someone other than the three of them might be listening.

"...I am nothing if not curious..."





He makes a soft groan and slumps back in his chair. 
"I... may have had a slight fling with one of the extranatural beings that approached me, 

and we nearly eloped. 



...It was more dramatic than it sounds. 

A lot of things happened.


...try not to go that hard. 

I was a lot more impulsive back then, when I was new."





Murmur leans in.

"...You... had a fling with-

What was it, precisely?



Did...

was...

How did it Go?



...If...
if that isn't too personal, of course!"





"...I mean, it's a little personal, yeah. 
I don't want to just... give up their details and all that. 
We were close in a very short period of time, 
did stupid things to try and close the inherent gaps between us and... our... worlds..." 

He grimaces as he trails off. 



"...it was a bad idea.
I caused a lot of problems.



If you're going to try and kiss something, 
have a better gameplan."





Murmur nods her head more than a few times.

"...well-
That is... certainly good advice for us all!"









She looks down at the table,
lost in thought.






























You've been thinking as well.





Over... all of this,
everything you've heard and discussed.















"So,
everybody here is going through all this effort, 
putting this all together...
 
...Do you really mean it when you say the choice to stay or not is completely ours to make? 
What would happen if we just... walked out?

You've mentioned the effects on your work, sure, 
but what might our life look like outside of here if we go? 
It's easy enough to say
              'yeah, you can leave'
but I imagine we can't do that without... support."







Murmur cocks their head.

"Well...I have to say,
I'm not entirely sure what you mean when you say 'support.'



We... certainly have programs to support you here, 
within our community, and those nearby - regardless as to whether or not you decide to help us with the xenial.

Which,
that would include resources such as-"

They count off on their claws.

"-housing,
educational programs,
food - if you happen to eat,
medical facilities,
of course psychological assistance and support,
and... really, anything else you may require to exist comfortably.

We cannot promise you a mansion,
nothing of the sort,
but... at least within our small communities we have here, 
we could more than likely help you with necessary resources as you need them.

Our community does come with its drawbacks,
one of the largest being that it is very, very remote, 
and leaving can be a little more difficult a trek than simply driving a car or catching a plane out.







...We do have internet access!





...Though it can be slow and finicky at times.




As far as further support once you decide to leave,
well,
you would be outside of our reach, for the most part,
and though we can provide you with some supplies for the journey out and a small amount of cash,
it... really would be your decision where to go and what to do, beyond that point.

Catalysts who want to leave often stay long enough to secure an education,
then look for work online that they can take with them,
and leave when they've secured funds to set up properly elsewhere.

And that is absolutely an option for you,
should you want to take it.





...I will have to say,
that is about the extent of my knowledge on the subject,
though I would be happy to help you speak with someone more involved in support programs you have in mind.

And... Jimmie, may have some insight, 
I imagine,
being a catalyst."








"...am I allowed to give my honest opinion here?"



"Er... of course."



The OBJ nervously taps her claws.
"I hope I did not, 
say anything out of line-" "No, you're fine.

 
Basically, just..."

He presses the tips of his fingers together, 
peering over them.

"You can leave any time you want, 
but it's not the strategic move. 
The system isn't built to keep you in or anything like that if that's what you're worried about, 
it's just... the reality of it. 

You're a new collective and you don't know jack about how this works. 
That would have been true no matter where you formed, 
you just happened to show up here. 
And here, you get the opportunity to learn about what's going on with yourselves. 



I looked into other options after my first xenial, 
considering I was... broken up about the whole eloping thing not working out.
I found some places that offered collective-based support, 
and they seemed fine enough- 

but I realized that even with everything, 
this place has goals and ideas that make more sense to me. 

Even if my connection to something extraplanar didn't shake out the way I thought it would, 
I realized it still mattered to me to be here and help, 
because the work people are doing here... maybe it'll make things easier for people like me 
who fell in love with somebody way out there. 



It's good work. 

Whether you want to support that work is up to you, 
but frankly, 
I'd suggest sticking around at least through the xenial to see how you're feeling 
and take some time to brush up on our knowledgebase before heading out. 

Even with everything, 
with all the chaos of our own xenial- 



it was worth it, 

and we don't regret it."










"Well I...

...very much appreciate hearing your perspective on this, Jimmie,
thank you for that.







...From my point of view,
well...



...I can't possibly imagine how strange this must be for you all,
and I know you have no reason to trust myself, or Jimmie, or... anyone, really,
but... I do hope you feel that I mean what I'm telling you,
and that I believe in this work.

There is..."

They cross their legs.

"There is a part of me that... wants you to say  'No.'

Because as much as I know that I want to take part in this,
as much as I'm aware that this is exactly where I've wanted to be for years,
...I cannot shake being terrified,
wondering if this is going to work out,
or if...

...if I am going to make it a disaster somehow.

So it, instead,
simply fizzling out,
before it even gets off the ground,
well...







...that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.













...But at the same time...




I know, that only I can do this,
right now.
Only I can make this happen.

I know how... incredibly rare what we've built is,
I know that this Could be a once in a lifetime experience,
for... All of us.
I know that what we learn here,
this year, could help someone else years from now,
even if it only adds to our knowledge, it... could be used to save lives.





So,
I have to try.
Because I want to,
as afraid as I am.





You do not have to share my philosophy,
and the last thing I want to do is make you feel More pressured to go through with this,
believe me, I know-



I swear to you that I Know-



That...
...this isn't exactly fair of us to ask of you.



But you are the only one who can do this,

not because you were Chosen for it,

but because you are Here,

right in this moment,

and... 





it only happens with You. "








































Mumur lets it hang on that for a little while,



taking her time in figuring out what to say next.

























"So,

you still have time to think it over.

In fact, we still have-"







She pulls out the device from before,





only for her sentence to go unfinished,

squinting at it.







"...well...
I'm--"



Murmur stands up carefully, 

staring at the little device.



"...something wrong?"



"The weather readings.

It's all the same as last I checked a few minutes ago.
Could be things are particularly still, or there's a malfunction with the equipment..."

She trails off,
looking anxious.

"Apologies.
I'm sure this is nothing.

If... you have any other questions,
please feel free to ask Jimmie, if Jimmie agrees.

Otherwise, simply take the moment as a break, if you'd like.
I need to... call and check in just in case.
I'll be just a moment."


















The OBJ walks to a nearby wall,
a low chime sounding as it opens in front of them,

Mumur disappearing behind it as it shuts,

leaving you and Jimmie alone together.















"...If you stick around, we could probably help you out. 
Not- 
I mean, Murmur too probably, 
but I'm not about to volunteer her without asking.
I'm talking about our collective, Model."

"Help us out how?"

"Just...getting used to collective stuff, I guess."

"...Have you gotten used to it?"



"When you put it like that..." 
He can't help but laugh. 
"...I guess it's a process."



"...Hm.
Did you have any specific problems that've gotten better?
Ooorr is everything still the same?"



"When things start out, it can be a bit... well, messy. 
Everybody's testing the waters, 
seeing what directions they want to move in. 
Gauging the situations, figuring out what reactions would work best.
That got better. 

There's still a lot of distinct perspectives going on in here, 
to the point where we've given them names- 
like myself, Jimmie- 
but it took a good few years for it to get to the point where we could point at ourselves and go 
'OK, that's a cluster of thoughts that's solidified enough to warrant a name.' 

But... even if it took a while, that helped a lot. 
My best advice is to have internal discussion when you can, 
and not to just... rush into your immediate impulses."



"Why's that matter?
I mean, 
we're eight feet tall and partially indestructible, I think.

No offense, but I think we've got this.

...If we do something and get into trouble,
it's not like anything can hurt us,
right?"

"Maybe not as much physically, 
but there's more ways to get hurt than just your physical form."

"Like what?
Like that 'fling' thing?

...I think we can handle things like that."

The corner of his mouth twitches.

"Best not to underestimate what the extranatural planes have to offer, 
as much as I recommend the experience."











"Fairies can't be that bad, right?"









"...I reiterate: 
best not to underestimate."











"...What d'you mean by that?

What's the worst th--"









The door opens abruptly.







Murmur hurries in,

out of breath.


"I-
gods, I'm so-

I'm very sorry,
my sincerest apologies, the-



The weather-


Our equipment was damaged by a LARGE rainstorm, 
which-

Is approaching Now, 
or is already Here,
w-we have-

considering the ideal point at which we need t-

We NEED to start immediately 
or this isn't going to happen at all! "





"You serious?" "-DEATHLY SO--"

Jimmie immediately stands up and pushes his seat to the side, 
his voice slipping into another tone. 

"The fuck are we supposed to-"

Jimmie - 
no, it's distinctly different enough that you assume this is a different voice of Model's - 
tries to gather their nerves, 
turning to you. 

"Sorry, champ. 
Looks like you gotta make a choice, 
and make it now."









The OBJ does a quick double-take over at Model,
before turning back to you, 
stepping close.















"I hate to ask all this of you Now,
but we-

...I need you to decide immediately.

If you decide to say Yes, then we need to Move, 
and we still may not have time to pull it off.



And if you say No, then...    I- 





   well-



        ...that is your decision."





Murmur takes the delay to catch her breath,

leaning on the table,

ready to run again at a moment's notice.

[Lilium Mortem]

part of me wants to go against this, go off the tracks... but that's impulsive and short sighted. I don't know who we are yet, and I'm not sure who I am... but I know who I want to be. I want to be a person that helps people. I vote we go.

But I'm gonna hold uh... Model, to what Jimmie promised in regards to talking about collectives later. my personal existential crises can't stay bottled up forever.

[Ignispark]

So, considering everything, I think it's probably be prudent to make haste in discussing/considering this. This seems like a rare opportunity to experience something? And also there's not a lot of time. So, maybe we should say yes or at least, go along to look at it and think along the way. Not really like they could STOP calling things off at the last moment if things seem quite...dangerous. Honestly on one hand the whole, 'best not to underestimate' is very bad sounding...Any other thoughts?

(...Maybe really insisting on like, a quick run through of dangers if they want this to happen could be good actually? Like...what's the worst that HAS happened? is this potentially super duper lethal????????????? um.)

[knux400]

Hggghhhh I want to discuss this like Jimmie said, but this seems like kind of a snap decision thing, so just go for it. We're not going to get this chance again and it's the right thing to do to help someone out.

[knux400]

(...Maybe really insisting on like, a quick run through of dangers if they want this to happen could be good actually? Like...what's the worst that HAS happened? is this potentially super duper lethal????????????? um.)

How fast are we going to be running here, could this discussion happen on the way?

[King-Clod]

We just need to be there to spawn the stones, right? We don't necessarily have to go in. I'd say we go, spawn the stones, and spend the time getting there deciding if we want to follow.

[Wilds]

LET'S FUCKIN' GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[SHIVERS]

"Well, part of me wants to go off the rails,"



You begin listing off on your claws.



"Part of me wants to say 'let's FUCKIN GO!',
part of me reaaally wants to discuss it first, 
but this is a spur of the moment decision,
part of me also-"

Murmur is fidgeting on her feet, 
switching between looking through the open door and you, as you talk.

"-thinks that this is a rare opportunity, so--"

"Vess." 
Model clamps a giant hand on your arm.
"Decide, now. 
Please."





You look at the ceiling as you do some math.








"That PROBABLY averages into a Yes. 
I think-" "Fantastic, wonderful- we HAVE to go now,
I'm sorry!"

The OBJ takes off running through the open door.



You hesitate for barely a moment.



"Off we go, then!" 
Model starts pulling you along. 
"Cmon, champ! 
We've gotta make good time on this!"





You go with the flow,

and take off sprinting past Model in an instant,
catching up with Murmur in mere moments.

You slide up next to them as they run,
keeping pace without much difficulty, thanks to your elongated legs.
"BUT-!"
"W-
VESS, I AM BEGGING YOU-"
"I've got to insist we discuss it on the way!"

"W-what do you want to discuss?!" 

Model manages to catch back up, 
her expression scrunched up a little. 

"I'll field it! 
Whatever!"























The three of you pass a casual area of sorts;
couch, TV and a small cafeteria just beyond it;
empty entirely safe for one person in the kitchen who looks out from the cafeteria window as you pass.











"I- I suppose I Can if it will alleviate-" "Cool! 
One sec, though."

You turn to Model.

"Okay you first then:

I'm holding you all to what Jimmie promised.
Are you going to be good for that?
My personal crises can't stay bottled-up forever."



Murmur rounds a corner,
the rest of you following.



"Jimmie's a man of his word, 
I'm a gal of mine!" 

Model gives you a big thumbs up- 
as big as she can while running, anyway. 

"You c-can call me Jenkins, 
I'm just as game!"



"Cool.

Good.

So, Murm-" 

The OBJ skids on tile as you all take a second turn.
 
"...ur,
I need to talk over some things."

"Please, please be brief is at all possible-"












































You all hit a lab section labeled '[WEATHER CENTER]' 
and speed through its halls.

The halls are mostly cleared out,
though a masque peeks out from a door.

"Estimating a little under three minutes, Murmur!" 

"THANK YOU ZOE-" 
she calls back as you pass.













"So:

How dangerous is this going to be?
Is this potentially super lethal?
What's the worst that HAS happened?
Could I have a basic run-down of all potential dangers we might experience in-"

"Nobody's died, 
if that's what you're scared of! 
We've only got our year we did to go off of, 
but even with, yknow, some magic bullshit going down thanks to Jimmie, 
nobody actually got hurt in the end. 

Disoriented, yes. 
Hurt, no."



"Yes, the-"

Murmur is beginning to pant from running,
interrupting their speech at points.

"Typically, no injuries--of any kind occur.
Mild injuries - 
bruises, 
small cuts, 
that sort of-
-those are... uncommon, 
but they have occurred, on average--"



Murmur misses a turn,

trying to correct last-minute only to skid and slam into a nearby door.



She recovers rather quickly, but looks sore.

"-ON-

ON AVERAGE-

...W-

ONCE--EVERY...
F-FOUR TO SIX... YEARS."











The next hallway is short,

the three of you having to make a turn within only about twenty feet,
Murmur hardly slowing down before taking it.



"More severe injuries are VERY rare. 
Occurrence-
...hh-f-" 

She looks light-headed, 
but picks back up.

"-ten to twelve years, 
on average occurrence,
and at worst are--typically broken arms, or legs, 

--fffrom... 
provocation and fights between individuals within--the xenial."




























This new hallway catches your attention.

The section name reads '[AQUA CENTER]'.
Various fish tanks and other tubes of water, displaying various creatures - all colors and shapes - 
in recreated natural habitats.



Apparently,
word had not yet reached this part of the labs,
as you have to dodge around the occasional lab employee,
several narrowly missing you,
or having to duck back into doorways to let you through.











By now,
Murmur looks ready to collapse,
heaving as she tries to finish answering your questions.



"Th-hH--w... Worst that has happened--

is--

is whe--

is when Timber, 

our--the... 

god of--the god who built, 

all--hH--TH... THIS, 

dis--

disap-ppeared a-ab--out... 

hf--

eight--een years... 

ago."







"But...that's not gonna happen again." 

Jenkins seems to be having a much easier time keeping up, 
likely due to her construct body. 

"No way in hell."

"Got it."

























One last section sign hanging in front of a wall:

'[FOUNTAIN LOW CHAMBER]
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT! '





Murmur pulls out a keycard you didn't even realize they had and slams it against the nearby card reader,

a little chime sounds and the wall opens before your eyes,

leading to a set of stairs going down.





The OBJ practically flies down the stairs,

only to slip near the bottom,
managing to catch the railing but still fall on her ass,

groaning as they pull themself up and keep moving.









At the bottom of the steps,

you can hear water flowing.





The black walls around you are fairly short, 
but you have enough room to maneuver.



It doesn't take you long to realize that all the walls are actually windows,
housing relatively dark water.

Your eyes are adjusting, though, allowing you to see the greens, blues, 

and... a deep violet at points,

all comprising the water.



It's all lighter towards the top, as well.







There's a fairly large chamber at the middle,
with two smaller ones at the sides,
all of them circular, 
and arranged together in a half circle of sorts.







Murmur motions for Jenkins to move into the smaller chamber on the left.

She tries to speak,

but is panting too heavily.









Jenkins gives her a thumbs up before darting over.











The helmeted OBJ hastens you along into the central chamber,


pointing Up.




















There,

a few feet above you in the chamber,

is... water.



Not... through any sort of window,
simply within the chamber you're already in,

hanging - defying gravity -
with swaying motions above you,

within reach.



A horizontal surface of that glistening water,
the light from above shining through.



You can see the upper surface of the water, too,
though it's too blurry to see through; 

obscured by raindrops falling across it in scattering ripples.











Murmur makes sure to speak this next sentence Emphatically, and Without Pause.



"When I say Go,

place your hand up into the water,

and do not remove it until the process is over.

Understood?"



You nod.



She nods back as she exhaustedly jogs around to her chamber,
making her way up onto a small platform as Jenkins does the same.















































It's all quiet.

















































Gentle sloshing of the fountain water around and above you.

Filling space in the otherwise-soundless air








































Murmur is looking straight up.





Watching for something.






































You look up, too.


























You spot, what looks like 

tiny, white and black sparks of electricity,

jolting through the water in random patterns.














Murmur yells -

the first time you've heard them do so.

"GO!"

[Ignispark]

Considering everything, it's probably best to follow procedure and just. Do it. Place hand into water. And try as hard as possible to not. remove the hand from the water until told it's over. as, they never actually mentioned what it being over is. so they'll probably mention when its done?

[knux400]

Put our hand in the water, we can figure out details later.

[MarxzVulpez]

Go for it!

[Lilium Mortem]

Punch the water "on a scale of 'candle flickering at a seance' to 'the moon exploding and raining down in hellfire' how dramatic is this gonna be?"

[King-Clod]

Well, let's do as she says I guess.
I'd rather not see what happens if we mess this up.

[Pichi2214]

oh my gosh water!! of course we as the boat and water fan that we are will stick our hands into it, there is no other choice (maybe wiggle your fingers a bit?? unless like. some weird magic fuckery happens that prevents us doing anything in which case, that's cool too ...or unless there are other instructions, those are also more important i suppose)

[Wilds]

Shut up and put your hand in. Experience the thrill of Doing Something Important for the first time. Live. Laugh. Love. And also LOOK HOW PRETTY THIS WEIRD WATER IS. You want to swim in it. You Will Never Do This.

[SHIVERS]

You ball your fist and go for it,
plunging your hand up into the water.

Water splashes onto your screen from the impact.

You shake it off.





It feels nice, though.

You wiggle your claws within it.









Thunder rumbles 
from Within the fountain.





At least four dozen hands dip through the water's surface above you,
coming into view.

All different shapes, sizes, species,

waiting.







Murmur and Model do the same from below,
reaching up to place their hands in.











Your head tilts as you address the OBJ,
still watching the black lightning overhead.

"On a scale of 'candle flickering at a seance' 
to 
'the moon exploding and raining down in hellfire,' 
how dramatic is this gonna be?"



She calls back to you from her own chamber, her voice muffled.
"Every year the fountain produces a variety of effects,
but this has typically yielded only marvelous lightshows, such as the dark sparks overhead.



...Although, 
the catalyst always experiences the events differently,
and I have no method of predicting the sort of sensations that will happen to you.



...You may wish to brace yourself."



 

You widen your stance,
taking a breath.





i still have this.






i can take on the World if i have to



















You watch the lightning.






















It grows.














It pulls closer.













Your hand shakes.




But you do your best to stay firm.
















It jumps towards You















A stray arc lashا�☒☒☒ ☒

☒☒☒☒☒☒☒  ☒☒














 
 
 
 


                                                                            

╔╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╤╗
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀‡ ¶перезагрузите your wrist потенциальный ‡▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀‡ возникла проблема. your wrist Системная ‡▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀╢
╟██████████████████████‡‡‡ Пожалуйста, your hand На вашем ½ПК ‡‡‡‡██████████████████████╢
╟██████████████████████‡‡‡‡‡ устранить pulled систему, чтобы ‡‡‡‡‡██████████████████████╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡ автоматически Coiled ущерб. ‡‡‡‡‡▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄‡‡‡‡‡‡ операционную let Go ошибка! ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╟▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█████▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄╢
╚╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╧╝

it pulls.








































You are

































Elsewhere










drifting in the space

between
moons
and
worlds
and
daydreams
and
a   l    l















slipping down to places betwixt







a Moving Surface below you



















pulled Towards it



























pulled
Down























pulled       
      deeper

































You      CLEAVE       Through the surface

















rupturing space

















sending



Iridescent Tinctures 
















unto your soon-splitting vision
























there is no   s p a c e   held here







No Room























yet











a Presence emerges from the Hole you tore
















it Latches to your hand








your instinct tells you to shake it loose








to pull away


































but it Soothes you

































weaving a lullaby through your veins






























you Breathe








































the colors fade






the water returns










































Overhead,
clear spheres burst forth









and float upwards

placing themselves in hands, here and there

leaving some empty.





































You don't bother watching.






















You close your eye.

























Your body sways listlessly.




























Branches in breeze.



















Back.





























Forth.





























































Transfixed.

A voice snaps you back.

"Vess...?




You may pull your hand out now!

...Are you awake?"



You open your eye.
































At long last,
you gently loose your claw from the water,
finding a small, red, dimly-glowing stone held within it; big enough to fill your entire palm.





Murmur collapses in the next chamber over,
falling to a sitting position on the floor,
clasping their stone in their lap.
























Model approaches slowly, 
holding a coal-like stone in their massive hand. 

"Wild show, ain't it?" 

From the sound of her voice, you can tell it's Jenkins still.

"Bigger crowd than the year we were in your shoes, too."













You'd been watching the stone in your hand.

The strange power radiating from it could be felt,
and it mainly serves to unnerve you, but is intriguing all the same.

"Huh?
...Yeah.
...Wild."





"Did you happen to get a count, Jenkins?" 

Murmur is still on the floor, 
speaking while sitting in her chamber, 
head pointed upward.

"Any... rough estimation...?
...I don't believe I had a decent look."

"Had to have been over two dozen. 
Maybe even three."

"...oh, stars..." Their reply comes quietly,
the OBJ nestling their face against one of their claws.















The downward angle of the motion lets them see their stone, though;
shaped like an hourglass,
with twin colors of green and lavender meshing in the middle.





She smiles.
You think so, at least.



"...but what a Wonder to behold..."

They hold it aloft, 
looking it over in the light.

"Have you ever seen Anything so peculiar...?"





"They're one of a kind, that's for sure.
...Before, our stone was pretty dull looking-"

Jenkins holds up her stone with a wide smile, 
the round chunk surprisingly iridescent in the light. 

"Now it's shiny! 
That's good, right?"

"Typically, 
they change color, 
shape, 
and... 
well, 
all manner of properties to fit the user.

I'm not sure the result can be broken down to a simple binary 'Good' and 'Bad';
all it says for certain is that you are different, 
than you were before."






















You hold up your stone,
squinting at it.

It doesn't glint in the light.

It's spherical, 
boasting the same tint of vermilion you've got yourself, and-





You suddenly drop it, 

grasping to catch it.





You miss,

but, to your surprise,

it bounces back up,

allowing you to catch it once again.





It's soft, 
and rubber-y.











...A bouncy ball.

















An unamused ':|' displays on your screen.








"Lookit that! 
You can do trickshots with yours."

"Can we trade?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Have you tried?" 
Murmur pipes up.
"To trade?"

"...I mean, 
no, 
but-" 

Jenkins thinks to herself for a moment.





"I guess if you promise to give it back."

You snatch it from Jenkins' hand,
popping the bouncy ball up for her to catch.
"Thanks."

Jenkins fumbles, 
doing her best to catch it. 
"H-hey!"

Murmur leans back against the side of their chamber,
observing.














You hold the iridescent stone up to the light,
watching to see for yourself-





A strange VWIP! sounds through the air.



The red rubber ball is back in your hand.



Jenkins is holding the iridescent stone.









"You cannot trade them,
or lose them.
If you leave them behind, they will follow you."

She holds hers up to get another good look,
watching the sand-like particles flit about on the inside.

"Rather insistent little minerals, aren't they?"



":|"


"Huh... 
we just figured we shouldn't let go of ours the first time around. 
Kinda became a comfort object."

"No reason it cannot be that for you again, Jenkins.

...And there is no reason to be so disappointed, Vessel.
Yours is certainly unique, 
and quite... playful, it would seem!"

"...I guess."






















"At any rate,
Jenkins, would you mind, er-
Helping Vess here pick out some clothes?

...We don't have a perfect selection, and they are all arranged into all-in-one outfits;
no customization, I'm afraid.
It is all donated, after all.
But, you may find something you like."


"Sure thing- 
you're in luck, I'm the most fashionable of the bunch."

Jenkins does a proud little pose, 
showing off her work jacket and jumpsuit. 

"I picked out the colors here and everything."









You look Jenkins up and down,
though you have no opinion on her outfit.

You hardly see it,
still preoccupied by the toy you're holding.





"I can pick it."

"Sure, that works too! 
But lemme lead you on over, at least."






















You turn to follow, your posture pouting.

Murmur is still on the floor.

You give her a glance.











"...Oh, don't worry!
I merely... need to rest, before we start.
The two of you will have time to confer with one another on the way."


"You sure, Murmur? 
I could carry you."

"That... will not be necessary, thank you!"

"Vess and Jenkins time, then!" 





















You follow along as Jenkins gets moving again, 
raising a huge paw victoriously.



You watch.



You blink.



You mimic the gesture.
"Hell, yeah...?"



"Yeah!!! 
YEAH, that's what I'm talking about!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Hanging out with another collective!
This never happens for us! 
Usually everybody else rattling around in here is too shy to say hi to any of the other catalysts, 
believe it or not."

"Why?"

"Eh, 
I think they get worried people are gonna judge us or something. 
Jimmie and I finally teamed up to handle stuff this year, got over it."

"Teamed up?"

"Yeah, 
stopped being weenies and decided to step up and be present for this."

"...I think I'm present for this, too.
I'm pretty sure I'm present and here and not a weenie.
I'm pretty sure I'm pretty good at it, actually."

"That's the attitude I like to hear!"

":)"

























"So...Vess.
Got anything particularly interesting rattling around in that head of yours?"





While you walk,
you reach your claw up,
and tap your head.



The gesabott claws clink against metal.



"...Metal."

"Nice! 
Same here, yknow. 
Just... under the soft part."

Jenkins smiles wide,
though there's a weird look in her eyes. 



"We don't gotta talk if you're not up for it, either.
You're new and all, 
and I don't imagine everything's settled in yet."

"Settled?
...I'm not unsettling."

"Nah, nah, I mean- 
you're new to this whole collective thing, 
I imagine things are still getting figured out, yknow? 
And that's chill."

"I don't know, Jenkins,
I'm pretty sure I'm doing very good at this.
I did that whole thing earlier with all the colors by myself."

"You did do that, 
and it all went without a hitch. 
You have every right to be proud of that."

"Cool."

"The coolest."






























Jenkins doesn't speak too much for the rest of your walk together.



Not that you were paying attention.

You step with your head held high,
soaking in all the attention you've been getting.





i MUST be important
look at all this stuff i did
and how hard they tried to get ME for this!!!







You couldn't be more proud of yourself,
barely noticing as you reach the end of your journey,
back at the more 'casual' area you'd vaguely seen before.










"Alrighty, 
step this way, champ.
 
Let's get you dressed up."



You follow Jenkins through a door.



The light blinks on in this new room,
showing numerous metal shelves lined with plastic boxes,
all labeled.



"Gimme a second."

"Uh-huh."
You lean against the wall,
trying to look as cool as you can while your screen glows brighter with confidence.



You don't pay too much mind to Model,
as they look back and forth between you and the shelves,
finding a specific one and pulling some boxes aside.












They stack each box in front of you,
ending with five total.





"Changing room's in the corner, 
you can pick whatever box you want. 
Don't stress too much about it, kay?"

"I don't stress," you lie.




























You look over the boxes.



Each is labeled with an outfit 'name',
as well as some unspecific descriptions of the contents.



{ BANDANA }
crop top, bandana, sweatpants

{ OFFICE }
dress shirt, tie, khaki pants

{ SKIRT }
jean jacket, striped top, skirt

{ RAINCOAT }
raincoat, ripped jeans, rain boots

{ UNIFORM }
extra maintenance jumpsuit







You tilt your head, 
thinking over the choices.

"Don't feel a need to stay quiet if anything crosses your mind, either. 
I'm a real talker when you get me going, but I try to keep the conversation good."

[knux400]

"...Wait, so you can't lose these things? They just... shloop back into your hand?"

Pause for a moment, and throw the stone as hard as you can down the hallway.

Oh, and {BANDANA}. Perfect hybrid of comfort and arcade cabinet fighting game character.

[Pichi2214]

Bandana or skirt seems cool!

[MarxzVulpez]

Hmmm, these are all pretty good.

Uhh, ratings out of five?
Bandana 5 out of 5, great look, only question is which way to wear the Bandana: pirate style or kerchief style...(leaning towards the latter)

Office 4 out of 5 looks slick, maybe a little too fancy for day to day? Not a huge fan of khakis, but they can be nice... thank goodness I somehow inherently know how to tie a tie. not sure how I know I just know I know

Skirt 5 out of 5 Also a great look, and the skirt shouldn't need adjusting for our leg spikes...

Raincoat 3.8 out of 5. Incredibly cute, not very practical for day to day

Uniform 4.5 out of 5, seems a bit, idk, work focused for day to day? Otherwise sounds neat and simple

So overall: Bandana = Skirt > Uniform ~ Office > Raincoat

Also: not that we're having Any trouble with it so far nope, great 0 stress first day of existing so far but
Any pointers on like Collective Stuff? Like idk for instance communicating better and such

[Ignispark]

raincoats are always practical. long live the raincoat

skirt seems like an optimal choice. it has a jacket and jackets are the lifeblood of fashion. (probably.)

after something's selected itd probably also be a good idea to ask a bit more about the whole, xenial thing. and/or what happens at the facility outside of the whole, xenial. thing.

[Lilium Mortem]

you know it's weird, never noticed I'm naked, now that I do I feel like I should care. I don't, maybe because I'm so robotic and I don't have stuff to be worried about?

Bandana

Is this a good time to ask about collective stuff? like am I one person with a million thoughts or a million people? if a voice goes away does a person inside me die? what about the me talking right now? who is that? who am I? when I stop talking will I fall back in with the voices? I don't know what to feel or who's feeling it and it's.. it's a lot. it's scary.

[SHIVERS]

The skirt combination Does sound nice...
...but ultimately you grab the 'Bandana' box.

With it in your claws, you head off to the changing room.



You rip open the box,
finding:
- An off-white crop-top with some logo on it you don't recognize
- A dark purple bandana
- Grey-purple sweatpants

It's easy enough to slip everything on,
though you have a bit of trouble with the sweatpants.
The spines on the back of your legs could easily rip them apart, but you take it slow and manage the task.

Checking the mirror,
you try a few different positions for the bandana before settling on keeping it around the base of your elongated neck,
letting it droop down onto the crop top.

You think it's a pretty good look.
Not that you have much to compare it to.





All finished up,
you step out of the changing room,
glancing over at Model in your new outfit.



Model glances over, 
their face lighting right up. 

"Now that's a getup! 
Kinda sporty, don't you think?"

From the sound of her voice, it's still Jenkins.



You look yourself over.
"Sporty?"

"Yeah! 
You look like you're ready to go!"

Your head tilts.
"...Maybe?
Probably.
I think I'm always ready for anything."







You glance back up at her.
"Is now a good time to talk over collective stuff?"


"Well, we gotta start heading back soon...
but what the hell, 
I can spare some time, said I would. 

What's eatin' you about it?"



"So..."

You take a seat on top of one of the shorter shelves. 

"...I'm not having trouble?
Not with that, or anything.
At all.
Existing is easy and there is No stress.



But also:

Am I one person with a million thoughts or a million people? 

What about the me talking right now? 

Who is that? 

Who is me?"

Your voice fills with static as it speeds up.
You grip the edges of the shelf and it creaks in strain.

"When I stop talking, do I fallbackin with theothervoices?
The other Me's?
The otherThems?
I don't know whattofeel or who'sFeeling it and-and-
If avoicegoesawaydoesapersonins--"

"Heyheyheyheyhey-" 
Jenkins raises her hands, 
making calming, deep breathing sounds. 

"Relax. 
All of this, 
is like... you figure it out. 
Slowly. 
Well, sometimes quickly, but over time. 

You don't have to have all the answers right away."





You do your best to breathe deep,
going overboard,
getting lightheaded.




"What about-
...communication-

How do we do that?
...Better?"

The words aren't quite coming out as you want them to.

Your head feels scrambled.


"From the look of it, 
y'all are just saying whatever comes to mind without... 
yknow, 
talking about it.

So... it just bursts out in a big explosion! 
And that can be really overwhelming, especially when you're so new. 

Try taking it slow and talking things over 
before you put the thoughts out there into the world. 

You'd be surprised at how much better you'll be able to get things done."



"...but it's Faster to do things on our own.

If we just say what we think about things when we think them then we don't have to Discuss it or Disagree.
And it all combines together, 
kind of.

That's... fine, right?"



Jenkins shakes her head. 

"Nope.
 
You're gonna end up making dangerous, impulsive decisions that way!
...or have a panic attack, 
like just now.

You won't have your individual voices go away just because you're talking to each other."







You lean your head down as thoughts swirl.

The bandana feels too tight.
You grasp at it.
Both claws.

Some intangible motor cranks up in your head.

You squeeze inward upon yourself.

It all--





There's an audible pop - you think you hear it, at least.
A shock runs through your system.



"What panic attack?
I just needed some advice."

You hop up from the shelf, stretching your arms.

"Ready to go?
I have more questions but talking can be done on the way."



"Yep."
Jenkins doesn't miss a beat, 
unperturbed as she stands back up. 
"Lay it on me."
















































You follow Jenkins out of the room and down the hall.



"Can you tell me more about this whole xenial thing?
Wanna know what else you do here, too."


"So...
a bunch of people get stones, right? 
They're allowed into the xenial, and that's where shit goes down. 

Whole meeting of worlds sort of thing, 
you see shit like nobody's ever seen before, 
get to meet some weird creatures, go on some little adventures even...
though every year, it's a little different.

As for what we do outside of heavy lifting, 
depends on who in the collective you're talking to. 
Me, I work out.

No real need to, 
yknow, no muscles in a robot body, 
but I like it. 
Feels nice to stretch and exert some power."







"What else takes place here at the labs?"



"Bunch of research stuff, mostly. 
You'd be better off asking Jill about that, 
it's a real bookworm." 

She taps the side of her head. 
"Just another Model."





"...Why do all your names start with the same sound?"

"Not all of 'em do, 
but we just think it's cute and funny for a bunch to."

"Huh."













You idly bounce the ball while making your way through various hallways,
not really paying attention to where Jenkins is leading you.







You mull over what Murmur said . . .



"You don't gotta worry about names for a while, though. 
Honestly, sometimes we miss the just... blendiness of it all. 

Wouldn't trade how we are now, 
and honestly, living any particular way as a collective is just as good as another, 
long as you're cooperating. 

Gonna keep harping on that-"



Your arm reels back,

filling with the energy of reckless abandon,

and you toss your stupid red ball as hard as you can down the hallway.



"H-"





The ball sails just past Jenkins' face,



shooting at top speed down the hall.













You watch it fly.









It makes contact with a loud THWAP!










A certain football-helmeted OBJ is now on the floor,

having nearly flipped over from the force of your stone smashing into the side of their head.





"F- MURMUR-" 

Jenkins is already rushing forward, 
kneeling by their side. 

"You alright there, bud?"



Stars appear across her eyes.

Too out-of-it to reply to Jenkins.









You can hardly see from where you're at.



Frozen stiff.



Feeling your stone pop back into your palm.



You watch various researchers peeking outside doors,
seeing Murmur on the floor, 
Jenkins standing over her,


and their eyes trail back to you.







Guilt wells up and twists itself into the pit of your stomach.

But you don't move.



"Cmon, let's..." 

Jenkins does her best to get Murmur propped up, 
dragging her into a sitting position against the wall. 


















She turns her attention to you now, gesturing for you to come over.

Her expression doesn't look pleased.









You take a step, 
but hesitate.



Realizing things aren't too serious,
most have returned to their research.

But, a few are still staring,
watching you through the windows.











The door on your right.

There's stairs inside.





You push the bar and step through.



Jenkins is on her feet immediately, racing after you.



The stairs go up on the right, 
down on the left.



Up... = outside? 
don't know what's outside.

there were all those hands in the water.

Too many hands, 

too many eyes.



You head down instead,
practically rushing until you reach the bottom.

You find the back corner, under the stairs,
and sit on the cold concrete.



You clutch your gasmask and squeeze.






































Footsteps echo above you, 
someone racing down just as fast. 
"...Vess?! 
Vess, you down here?"



You shake your head, 
though she can't hear you.


"...cmon out Vess, 
no one's gonna scream at you..."



Nothing.



"You screwed up, 
and you're gonna have to give Murmur a proper apology, 
but like... 
this is what I was talking about, yknow?"



Nothing.



Jenkins pauses right before your hiding place. 
"We can work this out."

"...don't know."

The construct crouches, 
scooting in with you without much fanfare.





You push yourself tighter against the wall.





She makes sure to keep just a bit of distance, 
and while you can tell she's having to put some effort into keeping a smile on her face - 
there is one, albeit tired.

"What would help you out right now?"

"...I don't want to think about it.
I don't want anyone to stare at me."

"I can tell people to clear out and give you some space. 
They'll get it."

"...are we going outside anyway?"

"Got a job to do, 
so... yep."

"Then we...

we can just go topside,
and nobody up there will know.
We can bring Murmur if-

Is Murmur okay?"

"They're gonna be okay. 
You still gotta apologize, but I know you'll make things right."



"You don't know that.

Can we-
...can you go get Murmur?

And we can go outside from here.
And I won't have to go back inside where everyone can see me."


"Yeah. 
Yeah, we can do that."

"OK."

Jenkins slowly gets to her feet, brushing her jumpsuit off. 
"Need help getting up?"

You shake your head.

"Alright... stay put."

Jenkins starts up the steps, 
keeping her gaze over her shoulder as she does.













You wait for her to fully leave and slowly pull yourself up and out of the corner.





You suddenly don't know how to stand, 

or where to put your hands.





You lean against the railing,

looking up to watch for their return.












































































Sure enough, there's two sets of footsteps coming down the steps again, not too long after.



Murmur appears first,
seeming a little uneasy.



There's a dent in the side of their helmet now.



"...Hello."

You don't know what to say.

You're self-conscious about your size,
feeling like you're towering over her in a menacing way, now.



"...I want you to know I don't harbor any ill will towards you.
Not... at all.

Though... 
what exactly were you trying to accomplish by throwing your stone the way you did?
Were you-

You were not... 



...aiming for Me, 
were y--" "No. No. I-

It... comes back.
You can't lose it.

I wanted to throw it far to see if it would come back."



"That's the kind of impulse you gotta discuss out and curb. 
I know disagreeing and bickering amongst yourselves doesn't sound like the best time, 
but...
you need to be able to shut stuff like that down, 
before people get hurt - 
and I'm meaning both yourself and others."

"...OK."

You slide your thumb across your other claws, over and over.

Jenkins fidgets, 
just as awkward as she looks in between you and Murmur.

No words come to you, either.







"...Well, 
erm...

If that's all, 
perhaps we should get going?



I'll-



I... 
have something I want to show you, later, Vess,

but for now, 
we can get this show... on the road?

...As they say?"

They awkwardly gesture to the both of you.



You look away.



Jenkins gives you a look, 
mouthing the words 'Apology, Later.' before gesturing ahead. 

"On the road we go!"



Murmur nods briskly,
and begins making their way up the stairs with the two of you.













You note a distinct lack of her usual passionate enthusiasm,
though she tries to lightly feign it anyway.

"Vess, we'll be joining up with the group properly this time.

Together, 
we'll all be making our way up the coastline cliffside,
all the way to the xenial's entrance:

An intricate, cave-like structure that only permits access to those with one of these stones.

All parties have already been briefed,
so we'll simply begin our trek when we reach the surface."





The OBJ turns to Model.

"Did any of you have concerns before we start?
...Am I forgetting anything?"

"Nope, 
I think we're all good there..."

"Understood.
Please inform me if that changes."

























































The three of you reach the ground floor in no time,
pushing your way through a set of doors to emerge... outside . . .





This is your first time seeing it in person.

A stormy coastline at what you assume is midday.

It's still raining, 
though the worst of the weather looks to have subsided.




Curious hues of orange and yellow grace through the dark clouds above the ocean waves,
staining their edges with a distinct palette,
the sun rays reflecting on the water.



The outside of the labs themselves look simple and plain by comparison;
sandstone or marble surfaces,
with only three entrances in this relatively small, coastal valley.

That particular silver and green coloration is present, too,
the exoskeleton of the lab clearly carved from the hills, mountains and caves surrounding the area.



The air is open here,
but nearly every direction is eventually blocked by the stone ridges,
save for the coastline to your right.



You can see a direct path down the shore, along the beach,
which... you think leads up a cliffside,
but a thin grey fog obscures your view past a point.











There are... a LOT of people waiting here.

Forty?

Fifty?

Something like it.

Each carrying at least one bag or backpack.



They're separated into two groups,
distinguishable by the group on the right all holding stones,
while the group on the left have none;
though, there's intermingling between the two groups.











Murmur looks in your direction,
which immediately makes you nervous.



"...Perhaps, we could discuss the incident earlier once we reach the entrance?
I'll be busy until that point, and after as well,
but I'll have a few minutes to talk before the orientation, right when we arrive.

Would that be acceptable?"

"...ok."



They give you a half-formed smile.




Murmur motions for Jenkins to follow her.

"Are you ready?"

"You bet! 
Me and Jimmie and everybody else all together!"





Murmur nods.

She takes a quick breath.





"Let's break a leg, then."








With that, the pair sets off ahead of you.



You awkwardly shuffle to the back, getting some stray looks in the process.

You feel that you stick out like a sore thumb,
probably thanks to being... almost eight feet tall.



































































The OBJ addresses the crowd as she makes her way to the front:



"Apologies for the delay, everyone!"

She turns 180 upon passing all of them.
Her arms fold behind her back.

"We'll be setting off now!
The entrance is not too far down the coast,
but it will take approximately twenty minutes, as was stated prior.

A brief reminder that only those carrying stones are allowed beyond this point,
but those without may follow Liza-"

A karacel emerges from the left side of the crowd,
giving a wave.

"-back to the previous station,
where you may contact your friends and loved ones who are continuing on,
once we finish orientation."









There's a brief, quiet commotion as people say their goodbyes.

"You're gonna do great, Fio! 
And you can call me whenever you're able, okay?"
"Still don't know why I-I got one and not you.
I'll c...call you when I can, if I don't back out f-first."

"Remember: 
You're to take as many notes as you can, especially-"
"I got it. You'll get your results."



The group soon disperses,
leaving only those with xenial stones.









"As for our temporary medical staff members,
if you would please come to the front."



Two individuals step forward:

The first is a black-furred bat in a red jacket.
When they turn, you can see them a little better.
They've got a rose pinned near their neck, and what looks to be a bitemark torn out of their left ear. 
They smile, and something about the expression unnerves you.

The second is a black-and-white being whose head and twin tails seem to be made of crimson-red blood seeping out of their clothes.
Their head is especially notable, as it's floating above their shoulders,
blood dripping between the surface as irregular intervals.
They've got a grin plastered across their face which looks... 'simulated,'
and more of a permanent feature rather than a marker of their mood.

The two of them are wearing thin, seafoam-green sashes across their chests.



"This is Toluca-"

The bat raises a paw.

"-and Cardinal."

The grinning blood-creature does the same.



"Both will be here to assist you to the best of their ability in the event of an emergency medical situation.
I'll explain more on that later, but for now-"





She manages a genuine smile.





"-let's embark, 
shall we?"











































Murmur and Jenkins set off for the coastside,
leading a crowd of twenty-something people behind them.





Most separate into groups of two-to-four,
with a few people keeping to themselves.













You're at the back, for now.





But you should... probably attempt to make small-talk with someone.

The coast is pretty to look at, but not that entertaining.



You'll be bored out of your skull,
and alone with your thoughts,
if you don't try for some social time along the way.



You glance along the scattered crowd for anyone who looks potentially sociable in this moment.







Towards the back,
there's a white and brown avian corvice with a polka dot dress -
sheer sleeves covering their wings with a large, saucer-shaped stone kept propped between them. 
They keep glancing down at it, 
peering their head around in an especially bird-like manner.



A little further up,
there's a group of two: A bright aquamarine and grey gesabott and an ink-black agent chorosy.
They're idly chatting here and there, 
but neither looks particularly busy.



Off to the side,
you spot an indistinct mammal with horns and a shrimpy tail, 
dressed mostly in black.
They're messing about with a small device, no bigger than a calculator.
They look a little frustrated by whatever they're seeing on it.







You should probably figure out what you want to say along with who you want to talk to.

[MarxzVulpez]

Well, as for Saying things

we definitely need to apologize to Murmur when we can. What we did was reckless and impulsive and and did hurt her, hopefully not long term but a part of that hurt could become long term if we don't apologize, and could wind up being a long term hurt for us too. Psychological hurt is a nasty weight to bear.

as for who we should interact with now...
They all seem interesting to be honest but I'm personally leaning towards the Corvice.

[knux400]

Murmur is probably busy right now, but we should definitely keep them in mind and apologize ASAP.

As for who to talk to right this second, I definitely agree with the idea of talking to the Corvice. They seem interested in their stone, and they might like to hear about ours.

[Lilium Mortem]

Let's try to talk to each other right? like jenkins said. we can crew this ship better if we're on the same page.

Murmur is probably busy right now, but we should definitely keep them in mind and apologize ASAP.

Agreed. let's wait for a better opportunity to present itself.


I don't have a strong preference for who to talk to, so for the sake of consensus, let's talk to the corvice.

They seem interested in their stone, and they might like to hear about ours.

Maybe ask them if they're nervous, I think I'm nervous, and we definatly got a boatload of anxiety, so we can (calmly) talk about that if it comes up. just try and compare experiences, and talk about simple stuff, like how silly our little rubber ball magic stone is.

Also Vess, I know you can hear me I'm you(I think(this is really complicated)). we need to address the panic attacks at some point. it's clear we have anxiety. now's not the best time but when it comes up at least acknowledge it. people aren't gonna think we're weak or something just because we have problems.