⛆ XENIAL ⛫ at ECHO SHORE ⛆

[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."