⛌ bluff ⛌

[Lilium Mortem]

Ask what cabin they're in and talk to them in the morning. The probability of getting straight answers is inversely proportional to how drunk they are. And you need to calm down and process things before hearing Omens Of Dire Import or whatever.

[MarxzVulpez]

Well, as they said
might as well talk
try and get as clear of an explanation out of em as you can, you've had a hell of a night so far but we can get through it. plus the sooner you get any sort of answers (even a start) the sooner you can get working towards fixing stuff, yeah?

[SHIVERS]

You're overwhelmed to say the least,
but the sooner you can get answers, the sooner this can all be over.
Hopefully they can give some info, drunk or not.

You can't stand being seen like This.




You try - unsuccessfully - to put that worry away.



Time to push through it.








ARC:\SPEECH "FROM THE WAY YOU'RE TALKING..."
ARC:\SPEECH "YOU WENT TO THE MUSEUM?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT HAPPENED?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WERE YOU SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE THIS?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT EXHIBIT DID YOU LOOK AT?"

The bug puts their claws up.

"Sloooow down.
I don't read that fast. Chill."

They stare into your screen, following the lines.



You feel uncomfortably vulnerable,
having someone stare directly Into your face.
You try to remain still regardless.



"Okay, yeah, I went there.
Weird shit happened, got turned into-



...y'know what I'm not gettin' into that.
Just know it was worse than yours, alright?

Bein' a computer's not so bad.



Besides, I changed back,
so it'd probably work for you, too."




You jerk forward, leaning in close.

ARC:\SPEECH "HOW DID YOU CHANGE BACK!"

The bug flinches.



"Easy, easy there."
They look genuinely nervous.
You pull back.

You probably look more intimidating like this than you realize.







You hate that feeling.



ARC:\SPEECH "...SORRY."

"I went back to the museum the uh...
think it was the morning after it happened."

ARC:\SPEECH "AND?"

"And





that's it!"
They shrug, laughing.

"I don't remember aaaaaaanything else at all,
sorry!
Just when I left, I was me again.
...Mostly.

Like 99.999999%, if I had to...

 


 . . . "


They squint up at nothing.




"...what's the word...?"









The bug hardly moves.











ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "



ARC:\SPEECH "IF WE COULD GET BACK TO--"

"Quantify."
They snap their claws.
"That's it."

They take another drink.



ARC:\SPEECH "...IF WE COULD GET BACK TO WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT."

"Mhmn. Yeah."

ARC:\SPEECH "YOU DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT HOW YOU CHANGED BACK?"

"Nnope.
Went there
like
blacked out?
Came to.

Bam." They gesture their arms wide.
"Me again."










ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT EXHIBIT DID YOU LOOK AT?"

"Uhhmm... art?
Somethin'?
Something with art."

The bug stretches, laying back down on the steps.

ARC:\SPEECH "IT MIGHT HELP ME IF YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING."

"Don't rememberrrr."
Their head tilts back.

ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT ABOUT WHAT YOU TURNED INTO?"

"Nnope, none of That stuff."







ARC:\TR_TH *THIS WOULD BE MUCH EASIER IF THEY WEREN'T DRUNK.*

They shrug, speaking in response to your /thought./
"Tough's luck, bubp." The bug hiccups. "Uogh..."

ARC:\SPEECH "I REALLY HATE THAT YOU CAN SEE THOSE."

"How come?
What's 'TR...TH'?
How's it Different?"

ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "

"...Well, you got your secrets,
I got mine.

And I got..." They curl up on the steps.





"To gooooo to bed."

Their eyes close.




ARC:\SPEECH "WAIT, WAIT."

The bug looks up at you again, groaning.
"C'mon, I'm Tired."

ARC:\SPEECH "THESE ARE MY FRONT STEPS, YOU-"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT IF I DON'T GET TO TALK TO YOU AGAIN?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS?"

"I won't explode, it's Fiiiine.
What're you all Worried about ME for, anyway?"

ARC:\SPEECH "I ONLY-"
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T-"











ARC:\TR_TH *DONT WANT TO BE BY MYSELF*






ARC:\TR_TH *AGAIN*



You try to push the visible thought down with more lines of text.

ARC:\SPEECH "DON'T"
ARC:\SPEECH "READ"
ARC:\SPEECH "T"
ARC:\SPEECH "H"
ARC:\SPEECH "A"
ARC:\SPEECH "T"
ARC:\SPEECH "."
ARC:\SPEECH "PLEASE."



"Read what?"
The corvice snickers quietly.




Your head hangs down.





They reach up to lightly pat your shoulder.

"Worrying tooooo much, c'mputer.
Gotta... quit that.
O-kay?"

They point at you,
before their arm goes limp on the steps.




You don't respond.





The corvice's eyes gradually begin to close.

















You rub the side of your head.






ARC:\SPEECH "...WHAT CABIN ARE YOU IN?"

"Leven." They yank a key out of their pocket, displaying it proudly,
for some reason.
A number '11' keychain dangles from it.
"The one in the waaaaay Back."










ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "



ARC:\SPEECH "IF YOU'RE BACK TO NORMAL,"

ARC:\SPEECH "THEN WHY HAVEN'T YOU LEFT?"



The bug's yellow-green eyes are barely open.



"Couldn't.
...Screwed!

Screwed, liiike I... said.

You're welcome..."
They roll to their side, looking uncomfortable on the hard steps.
"...t'... try..."




ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT?"





ARC:\SPEECH "HEY..."





They stop moving entirely,
only the rise and fall of their breath is left.




Fast asleep.







ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "



































The night fills with quiet once more.
















Your claws hold your screen.





You wish you could breathe.

































Back to it.





You hesitantly tug the collar of their shirt down an inch or two,
just enough to inspect their neck.

No marks.

Nothing out of the ordinary.





ARC:\TR_TH *...WHAT NOW?*
ARC:\TR_TH *ITS TOO COLD TO LEAVE THEM OUTSIDE*


You spot the cabin key.
Still in their claw.


After retrieving it,
you stand and reach your arms under their back and legs,
trying to lift them.






You can't even get them fully off the steps before your limbs crackle,
sparks flying.

You nearly drop them as your power flickers.






ARC:\TR_TH *BAD IDEA BAD IDEA*
ARC:\TR_TH *BAD IDEA BAD IDEA*







ARC:\TR_TH *THEN*



ARC:\TR_TH *ONLY ONE OTHER OPTION*


Reluctantly, you open your door.





This time, being as careful as possible,
you put your claws under their shoulders.

You manage to drag them inside without your power cutting out.


You push the door shut with your foot once they're in.





You feel particularly drained, in a way you've never felt before.

It's a wispy, faint feeling.
You don't like it.





You toss the bed's thick comforter onto the floor and drag the bug onto it,
putting an extra pillow under their head for good measure.
You place their key next to their head, hoping they'll find it when they wake up.









ARC:\TR_TH *...ONE LAST THING*



You ignore the fading feeling and make your way into the joint restroom.

You make absolutely sure to lock both doors,
including the one your neighbor would use to get in.









A sense of dread fills you as you approach the mirror.


You
examine yourself.




Your head is the same as it was before.
Blue screen, visible lines of text, wood paneling, knobs on the front.
Normal computer monitor.
Normal head.

ARC:\TR_TH *NORMAL, NORMAL, NORMAL*
ARC:\TR_TH *ALL NORMAL*
ARC:\TR_TH *VERY NORMAL. 'NORMAL.' YES. SURE*

At your neck, you notice a few buttons.
It's difficult to see them properly in the old mirror,
but you think one reads 'KB' and one reads 'CS'.

ARC:\TR_TH *NEVER TOUCHING THOSE.*



You turn to the side.

Your clothes are now noticeably baggy.
There must not be much to you under-



Something moves.


You swivel in surprise.

It moves with you.









You look behind you.






You still have a tail.
A new one.


It's a long, thick power cord, by the looks of it,
and it seems to be moving about of its own accord; weakly lashing side-to-side on occasion.

It moves a little more like a feline tail than your old one did.

You don't know if this is better or worse than not having one at all.




You grab it.

You can Feel it.
Just as your claws and head also have a sense of touch.

You can't fathom why,
but you're grateful for it.
You don't want to think about being fully numb.




As you let go of your tail, your eyes follow downwards.

Firstly: You aren't wearing shoes anymore.
You don't have a clue what happened to them.

Secondly: Your paws are gone,
replaced by simplistic-looking, three-pronged metal claws.
Two claws are pointed forward, while the back one almost serves as a heel.
They'd look a little like avian talons if they weren't so... squared.
Not to mention, you have no range of motion in the claws themselves,
only the heel.

You pull your pant-leg up, finding a ball joint there.



Rolling up your sleeve, you find similar along your simplistic mechanical arm.

ARC:\TR_TH *AT LEAST MY FINGERS HAVE SOME MOTION TO THEM.*


You wish they weren't hard plastic, though.
You're worried they may be brittle.







You find yourself unable to stall any longer.

ARC:\TR_TH *MOMENT OF TRUTH*







You



lift your shirt up,
looking at your torso.








It's about what you were expecting.

A mix of hard plastic and metal in a boxy format,
with the two bulkiest points being where your upper torso had been -
which looks to be the 'computer' portion of your body,
looking most like the TOLA from before -
and your 'hips', which are now a rather large set of several metal joints in a hard plastic shell.

Connecting the two points, a thick, clear plastic tube surrounds several cords in various colors, and a length of metal with many interlocking joints,
dull spikes protruding from each one; very much resembling a spine,
unnervingly.

All in all, you surmise that your new chest and spine are likely to be particularly vulnerable, along with your screen.
Not too much has changed, then.






Though, a thought is nagging you



one you can't seem to put away.





Namely, that:

There's no room to fit you - the Real you, your body -
in this one.
Not anywhere.





It isn't a suit.






















You let your shirt fall back into place.

You don't want to look anymore.







You unlock both doors, hurrying back to your cabin.
Once there, you toss off your jacket and slip your pajamas on.

The stranger is still sound asleep.



ARC:\TR_TH *...NONE OF THE BODY THINGS MATTER.*

ARC:\TR_TH *LIKE THEY SAID. ILL GET IT BACK*
ARC:\TR_TH *ITLL BE FINE*





That wispy feeling is stronger than ever.
You hardly feel present at all.





You flick the light off,
annoyed at just how bright your blue screen is in the dark room.

You crawl into bed,
feeling physically out-of-place Immediately upon lying against the bed.
The blankets catch on your body many times before you succeed in pulling them over you.

You can't properly care.







You're in bed.







ARC:\TR_TH * . . . *
ARC:\TR_TH *...HOW DO I SLEEP*


ARC:\TR_TH *DO I SLEEP...?*


You barely get the thought out.


TOLA:\SYS [REST MODE: ON]

TOLA:\SYS [GOOD NIGHT !]





Your screen flicks off.



Lights out.





















































 

⛌ DAY TWO ⛌

TOLA:\SYS [REST MODE: OFF]

 

▶ Logo Rhythmic IV
Reginald J. Lewis

TOLA:\SYS [GOOD MORNING !]



ARC:\


You start up.







You move your body,
only to find it stuck on something.


Your head turns,
finding that


your tail is plugged into the outlet by the wall.









You yank it out,
feeling an odd tingling sensation shoot through you as a result.
It lasts only a second or two.

You shake it off.






ARC:\TR_TH *NOT A DREAM*








ARC:\TR_TH *STELLAR.*












You check the time,
finding a sticky note on the alarm clock in the process.

You peel it off and read it.

my bad for last night
thanks for setting me up
I'm in cabin 11 if you want
to actually talk today.
also stuff got dropped in
your mailbox. prob coupons
   - Mikki



You set the note aside.

The time is     9:49 AM




You pull yourself out of bed and open your mailbox,
retrieving everything inside.

There's quite a haul this time:

Two free meal tickets to Bo's Bar & Restaurant.
Three 'Gimme Points' coupons, assumedly for the mini mart.
Four gold coins; arcade tokens, probably.
And, of course, one free ticket to the Whipsaw Oddity Museum.


















Options.

The front desk, museum, pool, and mini mart are all open,
while the bar doesn't open until Noon, and the arcade isn't open until 2PM.



'Mikki' mentioned that going back to the museum,
specifically the morning after being changed, is what turned them back.
You're reluctant to go back at all after what happened,
but it'd be worth it to change back and get this over with.
That is, if you can trust what they said while drunk and half asleep.

You could go talk with them in cabin #11.
They are the only solid resource for information that you've found, so far.
Though,
you hadn't had the chance to talk to the person in cabin #8 yet.
Either one could be a good option.

You had the thought before to talk to Olive at the front desk,
seeing as she did say she was, sort of, a doctor.
...You have no idea how much medical training would help right now, though,
and she might not be able to see you as This, anyway.

The mini mart is open.
You have those points, whatever they are.
That
is an option?
Maybe if you run out of others, first.

Just the same, the pool is still open.
You still doubt Computer and Water will mix well.



You could also
try for your car.
It's still in the parking lot across the street, assuming nothing happened to it.
Mikki said they weren't able to leave, but you don't really know Why,
and don't know that that would happen to You.
It might be worth not risking the museum again, and simply cutting your losses.
You could probably find someone elsewhere that could figure out whatever turned you into this.

Maybe?
You don't know.
It's an option.





Part of you is hesitant to leave the cabin at all, though.
Knowing it's highly likely that at least someone is going to see you this way.

Technically, you could simply wait until it's dark again.
Less people,
less eyes.

That's a lot of daylight to waste, though.








Too many options.
Your processor's running too fast.

[skinstealer]

cabin 11, it's the closest you have to answers. high plug tail it over ASAP

[MarxzVulpez]

Yeah, go see Mikki
Also
It's maybe scary to consider but is there anything you Do like more about your new form? Just thoughts...

[Lilium Mortem]

Don't forget to grab your phone, even if you get your body back you've still been through something traumatic and you should talk to your therapist. But first try to see what you can learn from Mikki, then talk to your therapist, *then* go to the mesuem to see if you can get your body back.

[knux400]

Talk to Mikki before anything else, they're the best source of information you have right now.

Also worth noting that your plug tail is probably what you do instead of eating, now. See if you can find a battery indicator or a power level function anywhere. Maybe just "think" a command and it'll come up?

[SHIVERS]

Mikki is probably your best source of info right now.

You want to head over ASAP.





First, though...

Considering how you felt after being up and about for so long,
and that your tail plugged itself into the wall overnight,
that's probably how you 'eat' now.

You need to charge yourself regularly, or likely at least when you start feeling drained like before.



You try to figure out a way to show a battery indicator or similar function to yourself,
but nothing you Think or 'Speak' seems to have any effect.

Maybe someone around knows computers well.







You

find yourself thinking about that.

REALLY thinking about it.




You're a computer.
You Are just a machine now.




You know you need to change back,
but

you try to parse if there's anything you like about this body.

Better to try and think positively for now, right?






















No.
No. Nope.
You are not going to think about that.

You aren't.

You need to change back.
This body is temporary and inconvenient,
and the fact that the facial expressions of your REAL body are all screwed up
when people can't see This body is-

You can't stand that.



You've put a lot of time and effort into doing your best to Not Stand Out,
and now, whether people see this body or your old one,
you stick out like a sore thumb.





You hate it.




You're getting rid of this.
You know How.
And then it'll be over.

Back to normal.


















Realizing that you really are not feeling well -
not that you ever Could, stuck like this -
you think about calling your therapist.




You think that through a little more.

You'd have to go to the bar or the front desk,
and stand there having a very personal conversation where anyone could hear you.
That's if your therapist Could even hear you.

The bartender could, but Mikki can't.
They have to look at your screen.
It'd be a gamble, and if you get it wrong all you'd do is worry your therapist.

Either way, it'd be a spectacle.
If anything would be a surefire way to Actually make you fall apart,
it'd be That.

You aren't going to do that.

Not right now.






You should at least grab your phone, though.

You quickly locate it in your cabin;
somehow it ended up under one of the pillows on your bed.

You pull it out and press the button to turn the screen on.



It's nearly dead, with 3% battery life.

Annoying, but it's-





You can't unlock it.





You swipe
and swipe
and swipe

nothing happens.




You remember the same happening when you wore gloves.

The touch sensors likely don't work with your hard plastic claws.





You'd need someone else's help to even unlock your phone to find Any of your contacts' info.

And with it nearly dead-




You plug it into its charger and leave it at that for now.



After a quick change of clothes,
you don your jacket, pocket the various coupons,
and head out the door.


























 

▶ Observe
Pasocom Music Club

It's a bright, beautiful day outside,
and you

are a standing, walking computer

person

thing.




This is already weird.
















At least it's nice out here.











You wish you could think about that
more than all the worries sifting around in your head.





Is there even anything IN your head, anymore?
That's the monitor.
No data's stored in those, it's probably elsewhere.




Your head is Literally empty.














You pass by cabins 7 and 8, thankful that nobody's sitting around the unlit campfire as you walk by it.

You do see that the pool is a bit lively today, spotting a few people walking in.
Good thing you aren't headed that way.

Mostly, you're just glad nobody's out and about by the cabins at the moment.

You hurry your way over to cabin 11 just in case.














When you reach it, you find it to be quite a lot smaller than your own.
You knock a few times.




You hear a muffled groan from inside.
"...just leave th' coupons in the mailbox."

With no real way to audibly speak,
you knock again. Gently.
Tapping out a small rhythm, hoping it would signal that this is more casual.




You hear nothing.







Someone exits their cabin relatively nearby.
You don't dare to look.


ARC:\TR_TH *COME ON MIKKI*
ARC:\TR_TH *PLEASEPLEASE ANSWER*





You knock a little faster.

"...god in-
Ugh."





You hear rummaging noises through the door as your foot taps nervously,
only for it to finally open.

A bleary-eyed bug answers the door,
leaning on the doorframe.


ARC:\SPEECH "HELP."

It's all you can think to say.





They sigh.





"Well.
Fuck."
The corvice massages their temple.
"Look.
When I said we could talk, I figured, y'know, I'd get to sleep.
Slept like shit on your floor and woke up with a hangover,
which I was tryin' to sleep off.
So we'll talk some later, alright?"

ARC:\SPEECH "BUT- OH. SORRY."
ARC:\SPEECH "I CAN- I'LL-"

You feel anxiety grasping at your circuits.





Mikki is reading your screen.

Including what had popped up before the door opened.



ARC:\SPEECH "OH, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT. SORRY"
ARC:\SPEECH "I CAN'T HELP IT. IT JUST POPS UP."




Their head tilts skyward, a long sigh rolling out of them.



"Alright.
Here's the deal:

We can talk Now
if you come with me to the corner store across the street.
I need more smokes and somethin' to kill this hangover.

If you don't wanna do that, I get back in bed."


ARC:\SPEECH "THERE-"
ARC:\SPEECH "THERE MIGHT BE PEOPLE THERE, THOUGH."

They shrug. "So?
There's gonna be people around sometimes.
Who cares?
It'll probably just look like a weird costume if they can even see it."

ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T WANT TO LOOK WEIRD!"

Not sure how your text will read,
you force yourself to speak more calmly.

ARC:\SPEECH "I MEAN I'D. REALLY, REALLY RATHER NOT-"




"Then we talk later after I sleep.
Those're your options."



















Options.


Go with Mikki to the mini mart,
or be alone for longer-








ARC:\SPEECH "OKAY. YES. LET'S GO. SORRY."

"You're good, chill."



You watch the bug slip on some shoes, feeling profoundly stupid.
They step out the door with you,
not bothering to lock it.













They walk fast; you pick up the pace to keep up.

"Alright, we're walking,
go ahead."




ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S... HOW THIS..."


Mikki hears you buzzing.
They stop just beyond the cabins, by the road.


"...right. Hell."
The corvice turns back to you.
"Alright.
You ask or say everything you're wantin' to say to me, right now.
I'll answer on the walk over.
Sound good?

Okay

Go."






Mikki watches your screen, looking antsy.

ARC:\SPEECH "UM..."

[knux400]

"I think it would be best if you just... went over everything that happened to you while you were at the museum, start to finish. Which exhibit you went to, what it did, how you dealt with it after, and most importantly, how you got rid of it when you went back in the second time. I, uh. Really don't want to be stuck like this any longer than I have to."

"In the meantime, though, I don't suppose you know anyone who's good with old computers? An IT person, maybe? I'm having some trouble figuring things out in here."

When Mikki starts smoking, try to smell the smoke. I'm assuming that since you can't breathe, you also can't smell, but cigarette smoke is pretty awful anyway, so maybe that's a bit of a comfort here.

As for your phone, see if they have those little pen styluses at the mini mart. It's a bit of a long shot, but being able to actually use your phone would count for a lot here.

[Lilium Mortem]

Last night you said you *mostly* turned back to normal. what didn't change?
last night you aslso said we were fucked. *why* are we fucked?
Why haven't you left?
What's the deal with the museum?
What's the deal with the 'town'?
Is there any way to call my therapist that won't make a scene and also can you unlock my phone for me I can't work a touchscreen like this

[ಠ_ಠ]

"Should we call the cops?"

[MarxzVulpez]

Ask if Mikki remembers what exhibit(s) were there and which one (or more than one) Mikki interacted with, and see if it's the same one that you interacted with. Hmmm, maybe ask What it looks like from Mikki's perspective: is Arcana's current form like, 100% solid, is there any indication of what Arcana looks like normally/ prior to this (Amerveille), and does Mikki have an idea of why not everyone would be able to see the Computer Form (I'm guessing not but worth a shot)

also ask what Mikki's pronouns are ya goof

[SHIVERS]

You try to ignore your own face being stared into,
and think of every possible question that you can.

Which is far too many. Your head is swimming with them.
You try to condense as best you can,
but it's a lot regardless.



ARC:\SPEECH "I'D LIKE TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE MUSEUM; START TO FINISH."
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT EXHIBITS WERE THERE?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHICH EXHIBIT DID YOU INTERACT WITH? WHAT DID IT DO TO YOU?
ARC:\SPEECH "HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT AFTER?"
ARC:\SPEECH "MOST IMPORTANTLY: DID YOU DO ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO GET RID OF IT WHEN YOU WENT BACK?"
ARC:\SPEECH "ANYTHING AT ALL YOU CAN REMEMBER MIGHT BE HELPFUL."
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK LIKE THIS ANY LONGER THAN I HAVE TO."

ARC:\SPEECH "ALSO:"
ARC:\SPEECH "LAST NIGHT, YOU SAID YOU *MOSTLY* TURNED BACK. DID SOMETHING NOT CHANGE?"
ARC:\SPEECH "YOU ALSO SAID WE WERE 'FUCKED' LAST NIGHT. I KNOW IT'S BAD, BUT WHY?"
ARC:\SPEECH "ADDITIONALLY: WHY HAVEN'T YOU LEFT?"

ARC:\SPEECH "...I'D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW HOW I LOOK FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE."
ARC:\SPEECH "SPECIFICALLY: AM I 100% A COMPUTER... PERSON."
ARC:\SPEECH "OR ARE THERE PARTS OF MY OLD BODY STILL AROUND?"
ARC:\SPEECH "I WAS AN AMERVEILLE, IF THAT HELPS."
ARC:\SPEECH "IN GENERAL, I'D LIKE TO HEAR ANY THEORIES ON WHY NOT EVERYONE SEES ME LIKE THIS."

ARC:\SPEECH "LASTLY: IT'S A LONGSHOT, BUT..."
ARC:\SPEECH "DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO WORKS WELL WITH OLD COMPUTERS?"
ARC:\SPEECH "ANYONE AT ALL AROUND HERE?"
ARC:\SPEECH "MAYBE AN I.T. PERSON? I'M NOT SURE."
ARC:\SPEECH "I'M HAVING TROUBLE FIGURING THINGS OUT."



ARC:\SPEECH "...ALSO WHAT ARE YOUR PRONOUNS. I USE IT/ITS."
























"That everything?"



You think.







You nod.




"Alright."
The insect spins around, beginning to walk towards the store.
You follow as they talk.


"From the top,"
They wave their claw, thinking through their answers.
"I went into the museum.
There were a bunch of fuckin' stairs, and I should've bailed out right there,
but I'm too curious for my own good.
Always have been.
Gonna curb that now,
but anyway.

There were three exhibits.
Two of them sounded really boring. Don't even remember what they were.
Third one was like... somethin' about art?
Think it was 'oddities in' like... 'art education?' Or-
'Artistic education'- That's it.
Pretty sure.
Picked that one cause,
y'know,
it's a museum, lemme see some paintings at least.

Anyway there weren't any.
There were like, three Mini exhibits in the exhibit that were like... cursed stuff,
or somethin'.
Talked about 'ohhh this one's got ghosts in it!' or whatever.
Some crank garbage, whatever.
Picked the first one I came across, pretty much, cause I was gonna look at all of 'em.

Went in and-

...weird stuff happened.

And I ended up looking, Really different.
I didn't deal with it.
It sucked.
Didn't have much else to do, so...
went back to try and figure out what the hell was goin' on.

And
I don't remember
Anything that happened. While I was there.
Nothin'.
Nada.
All gone.
Like I never even went there.

Just woke up in my bed back to normal.
Mostly, anyway. Like I said before.
Nothing stayed the same as how I looked before, exactly, but there's like...


 . . .


...It left a mark, basically.
Thing on my chest - and No I'm not lifting up my shirt so you can see it.
We just met and you've never bought me a drink, so... yeah.
You're gonna just have to trust me that it's a thing.
And it's kinda reminiscent of how I looked when I changed. A bit.
That's all I can really say.
I haven't messed with it, other than I can say: it does NOT wash off.
Didn't matter what I tried.
And touching it made me feel weird.

So whatever. As far as I'm concerned, just got a weird tattoo thing,
but that's all.
I got off easy enough, I am Not going back in there again."

They clear their throat, the two of you having crossed the street now,
approaching the mini mart.




"As for Why we're fucked and Why I apparently didn't think to leave:
I did.
I tried.
Every way I knew how.
After I changed back I tried to bail on this whole awful place.

Nothing worked.

You're welcome to go try yourself, though, if you don't believe me.
Be my guest.
...But if you manage to,
you gotta come back for me or send help or whatever, alright?
Consider it payment for the info.

And for the record: You're all computer.
No amer-whatever.
I've got no theories, for any of it.
Nobody was able to see me like I was, and considering I don't even remember changing back,
I just assumed I got slipped somethin',
got really fucked up,
and got a bad tattoo.
Wouldn't be the worst thing that's happened while I was Indisposed.

The only thing that breaks that theory - other than not being able to leave,
which
Still could've been aftereffects of me getting slipped something, but Whatever -

point being: It's You."



The corvice stops walking,
hanging around the side of the mini mart.


"...That's how I knew we were fucked.
Seeing you, and actually being able to talk with you...

...told me that:
This is real.



And I'm stuck here."






Mikki rests against the brick wall of the building,
looking off at the treeline.








Wind whistles through the air.









You think about your camera, for the first time in a while.












The corvice suddenly claps their claws together.
They turn to you and make a wide gesture, almost a shrug,
as they back up towards the door.

"But THAT'S why cigarettes exist.
Aaaand cheap shitty alcohol.

Just for me!
Right now." They put a claw on the door handle.

"Oh, and:
No, I've barely seen anyone around here, no I.T. guy; ask around if you wanna find someone.
And pronouns; they/them, whatever, I don't really care."

They push it open.
































 

▶ SENZA CAFFEINE
vcr-classique

A chime above the door sounds.




The mini mart is about what you expect.

Tinny radio music come from some a single speaker in random corner of the building.
A few rows of shelves are laid out with various snacks, supplies, and knick-knacks.
Some refrigerated and frozen sections are located along the back and side for cold drinks and cheap ready-made food.


You have no time to take it in, though.



"Morning."
Someone speaks from the front counter.

You don't look at them.
You panic, and hurry behind one of the aisles.
A very slight crouch is just enough to hide yourself completely behind the aisle.

"How ya doing." Mikki gives a slight wave in the register's general direction.




The corvice stares at you as you hide,



then follows you over.

"...You're being weird.
Don't be weird."


ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"I DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN LIKE THIS."*

"Look, you wanna figure this out, right?
That's why you asked me eight million questions?"

ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"YES, BUT--"*

"Then chill.
When you go up to the counter,
either they don't see you, and you're fine,
or they Do see you, and you have another person to ask questions to."

ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"IT MAKES ME FEEL... BAD."*

"Bud.
It's gonna be fiiiine."

They look at you again,

and sigh.

"I'm just gonna pick out some stuff.
Then I'm gonna go check out. You can come up to the front when I do that.
Or if you wanna hide back here, you can.
Frankly it doesn't matter much t' me.

But I'm tellin' you: Wasted Opportunity."

Mikki gives you a couple pats on the shoulder.
"Think about it."

They head to the very back aisle with a whistle,
out of your view.














You somehow feel even more self-conscious now,
especially hiding like you are.

ARC:\TR_TH *COWARD.*

You feel like a nuisance bothering Mikki about the whole thing.



ARC:\TR_TH *STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.*
ARC:\TR_TH *WISH I COULD CALM DOWN AND BE NORMAL ONCE IN MY GODDAMN LIFE.*


ARC:\TR_TH *...IS THIS POPPING UP ON-*
ARC:\TR_TH *UGH.*


You 'speak' a bunch of dashes, one per line, to get rid of the other text on your screen.

At least you're getting better at using this terrible body.











You give the aisle you're in a cursory glance,
because you have nothing else to do while Mikki shops.

It is only now that you realize you forgot your wallet in your cabin.
So, you can't exactly buy anything, anyway.

You narrowly resist 'thinking' more expletives at yourself for fear they may be show up visually.



A small display on the aisle's endcap catches your eye, however,
and you walk over to check.













GIMME POINTS!
Value Vendor

Save up your Gimme Points,
spend them on great products!
Our stock rotates, so check often!







Various items are hung in little bags along the display,
each having a price tag in points rather than cash.
It's likely just a way to get rid of items they can't sell, you think.

A few of them are cheap toys clearly intended for kids,
though you think some might be worth it, especially if they're free.



You make a mental note of each.

Cheap Speakers (for Headphone Jack) - 5 points
Phone/Touch Screen Stylus - 4 points
Small General Toolbox - 3 points
Multi-Purpose Pocket Knife - 2 points
Pocket Notebook & Pen Set - 2 points
Eight-Hour Phone Battery Pack - 2 points
Erasable Pen - 1 point
Pocket Radio - 1 point
Cheap Earbuds - 1 point





You fish around in your pocket,
pulling out three of the Gimme Points coupons,
each worth a single point.

[ಠ_ಠ]

If the toolbox comes with tools in it, get that.
Otherwise get the battery pack and a radio.

[Lilium Mortem]

Ask Mikki to spot you a point for the stylus since your hands don't work with your phone. If that fails ask the cashier. If *that* fails just steal it.

[knux400]

Buy the erasable pen for one point, then erase the price tags of the speakers and stylus and rewrite them to be one point each! It's genius!

Okay, but seriously. You get three more points every day, right? If Mikki isn't willing to spot you any for the stylus or the speakers, you can always come back tomorrow. Personally, I would prioritize the speakers here, since we can get around the lack of stylus by just having someone else use our phone for us. It's not great, but not being able to speak out loud is a far bigger issue here IMO.

[SHIVERS]

The toolbox could come in handy, or maybe the battery pack and radio instead,
but ultimately you want to save what you've got.
The speakers would, theoretically, let you actually speak out loud, which would be a godsend right about now.
And the stylus would allow you to use your phone yourself, without needing anyone else's help.

Both seem too good to pass up.

Given you received three coupons today, it's fairly safe to assume you'll receive the same amount tomorrow,
so you could get it then, regardless.








You consider stealing them.

The items here very likely are not anything the store cares about;
they're essentially giving them away for free.
Not to mention,
it's a chain corner store,
who cares what they Do and Don't want taken?



But


getting caught would be humiliating.

You aren't risking that.









You could ask Mikki.
If everyone gets these coupons every morning, they might have some leftover.

You really
really
don't want to bother them again.

But
hopefully it's the last time you'll need to.




You peek around the aisle at the corvice,
watching as they pull several chilled drinks off the shelf.

Sports drinks, from the looks of it; all of them bright red or pink.

ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"PSST."*
ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"MIKKI."*

They only notice when they turn around, drinks bundled in both arms.

ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"DO YOU HAVE YOUR COUPONS?"*
ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"THE ONES FOR HERE. THE POINTS."*

"Nah.
Pretty sure the lady at the front desk stopped giving 'em to me.
She was refilling the snacks in the vending machine and saw me toss 'em.
Got the other ones still, but those're for me."
The bug walks by, idly glancing at the little point display.
"What d'you want with that junk, anyway?"

ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"...I CAN'T USE MY PHONE ANYMORE. IT HAS A TOUCHSCREEN."*
ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"SO THE STYLUS WOULD BE HELPFUL."*
ARC:\SPEECH\WHISPER *"AND I WAS THINKING THE SPEAKERS MIGHT HELP ME TALK OUT LOUD."*

"Huh...




 . . .




Welp.
Wish you luck with that.
You comin' up to check out?
Last chance."



They don't wait for an answer from you,
already on their way to the front.


















You




don't know what to do.











Even through the filter of this new body
you find yourself properly panicking,

wracked with indecision.













You find your legs moving.


Some portion of you apparently making the decision for you.











Peeking around the front aisle,
you watch as Mikki dumps all their various items across the counter.

There's a delay before the person starts scanning.

"This everything?"
"Pack of Southfields."






Your fans spin faster

as you make your way up beside them.






The cashier-



You recognize the cashier.
The person staying in the cabin adjoined with yours.

A brown raccoon with yellow-orange eyes.




The one you accidentally pointed your camera at.










Luckily for you,
they aren't looking in your direction, for the moment,
too busy scanning and bagging all of Mikki's items.

You debate whether or not to sneak away.










You can't decide.
You can barely process your own thoughts.





The cashier slides the bag over.
Mikki already has their card out.

"That'll be--"

They flinch and back up a step,
bumping into a case full of cigarettes and lottery tickets,
causing it to rattle.

The cashier's face runs through a plethora of emotions,
but seems to settle on 'apprehension' as best as you can tell.





"...Masks aren't allowed in here.
Take that off or get out."

You're too afraid to move.



You wish you weren't here.



"Nah, not a mask."
Mikki swipes their card.
There's the tiniest of smiles on their face,
apparently deriving some amount of enjoyment from the whole predicament.

They reach a claw up and knock on the side of your monitor.
"This is Arcana.
It's a computer."
The cashier eyes you carefully.
"...Construct?"
"Computer."





You still can't move.

"...Arc.
Bud.
You're freaking them out;
don't be weird, say hi."


ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "
ARC:\SPEECH "...HEL LO. ? ."
ARC:\SPEECH "S ORRY."

"Hear that buzzing? Means it's talking.
Look at the screen."

They do so, directing the occasional wary glance at Mikki.





"There, see?" Mikki puts a claw on your shoulder, hanging off of you.
"Friendly computer."

You can hear just how loudly your fans are running.






You are probably going to die.
You are probably dying.

Your processor must be melting.





The cashier glances between you and the bug as Mikki types in their pin number.

Their demeanor is surprisingly calm after the initial shock.
Or perhaps they only don't want to Look worried.

"...If you two are pulling some shit, and you screw with me,
it won't go well for you.
I've got a gun back here."

You are going to get Shot and then die.

"Cool.
Good for you.
Anyway, d'you know anything about the weird museum thing around the corner?

You know,
the one with all the stairs and the big white room.
That place."
"...It's nothing like that, but I know the museum.
It's a shitty tourist trap.
What of it?"
"Well,
Arcana went the other night
and came back like This."
They gesture to you.



You pull back some, more self-conscious than ever.



ARC:\SPEECH "IT-"
ARC:\SPEECH "I"

"...Like what?"
"A computer."
"What abou--" "As in it wasn't before.
Was an amer-
It was a Normal... species. Whatever.
Point is, it got turned into a computer."





The raccoon looks at you both

as if you'd just told the worst joke they'd ever heard.





ARC:\SPEECH "I'M-"
ARC:\SPEECH "I'M SORRY ABOUT THIS."
ARC:\SPEECH "WE'LL- I CAN- I'M LEAVING. I CAN--"

Neither party looks at your screen.
The conversation continues around you.

"...This is a prank."
"Not a prank, it-" "A very stupid prank."
"Promise you it's-" "Do you know when I started work today?
How early I-" "I get it, I get it.
Chill.
Believe me, don't believe me-" "Why would I believe you?"
"-But!" They raise a claw.
"But.
You can always go by and check for yourself."

ARC:\SPEECH "/DON'T/ TELL THEM TO DO THAT!"
ARC:\SPEECH "MIKKI, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPP-"

"I've already been there.
More than once.
I don't need to go back."
"How long ago?
It might be Different now.
So,
IF you go back-"

ARC:\SPEECH "YOU SHOULDN'T GO."
ARC:\SPEECH "DON'T-"

"-and something Bad happens,
you can find me at cabin 11.
And Arcana here is at..."

You move for the exit.

"...which cabin were y-

Arcana?"



You push through the door, walking outside.






















You take many aimless steps,
ending up back around the side of the building, near the fountain.





You sit on the fountain's edge, facing towards the solid wall of the mini mart.












You don't bother to worry about what would happen if you fell in.
































Mikki emerges.

You aren't sure how much time had passed since you exited the mart.



"Hey."
They pull out a cigarette and put it in their mouth.
Instinctively, they shield it from the wind as they flick the lighter.

Once.

Twice.

It lights.

"You uh... good?
Somethin' happen?"

Mikki draws in smoke.
They finally look at your screen.










You must've cleared it already.

You don't remember doing so.






ARC:\SPEECH " . . . "
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T KNOW.
ARC:\SPEECH "IT DOESN'T MATTER."

You could say more.

You don't want to.
You don't exactly feel present.

ARC:\SPEECH "...WHY DID YOU TELL THEM TO GO TO THE MUSEUM?"
ARC:\SPEECH "YOU KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN."




The bug blows smoke away from you,
but it drifts to you regardless, thanks to the wind.

You can't smell it.
You can't smell anything.





They hold their cigarette between their claws.
"If they get turned into something, I tell 'em how to fix it.
Or you tell 'em.
Either way, they fix it. No big deal.
They're the only other person besides me, that we know of, that saw You.
That's gotta mean Something.

It's like uhhh...
bigger sample size, right?
To help you figure this all out."

ARC:\SPEECH "...WHAT IF IT DOESN'T WORK?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT IF THEY DON'T CHANGE BACK?"
ARC:\SPEECH "WHAT IF /I/ DON'T?"

"Why wouldn't you?
I'm sure you will,
and they would, too--"

ARC:\SPEECH "BUT WE DON'T ///KNOW/// THAT!"
ARC:\SPEECH "NOT FOR SURE."





Mikki puts their thumb and palm against their snout,
looking at the ground, thinking.




"...well.



Was just trying to help w-







...yeah.

Yeah maybe not my best idea.
I'll swing by after I finish this and tell 'em not to go.
No sweat."



ARC:\SPEECH "...I GUESS."
ARC:\SPEECH "JUST DON'T... BOTHER THEM MUCH."
ARC:\SPEECH "THEY SEEMED PISSED OFF."

"Who's bothering?
They're fine. Not gonna die."

ARC:\SPEECH "...AND-!"
ARC:\SPEECH "DON'T TELL THEM WHAT CABIN I'M IN! PLEASE."

Their eyes narrow, head tilting to the side as they look at you.
"Wwwwhy?"



ARC:\SPEECH "THEY-"
ARC:\SPEECH "THEY'RE... IN THE CABIN RIGHT NEXT TO MINE."
ARC:\SPEECH "AND I DON'T WANT TO CREEP THEM OUT."
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T KNOW."
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T WANT THEM TO FIND OUT 'BY THE WAY, THE SCARY COMPUTER MONSTER?'"
ARC:\SPEECH "'YES THAT ONE. IT LIVES RIGHT NEXT TO YOU.'"
ARC:\SPEECH "I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANYTHING WORSE."

"Why would you make anything worse?"

ARC:\SPEECH "I'M-"
ARC:\SPEECH "LOOK AT ME."

"...What's your point?"

ARC:\SPEECH "I'M SCARY!"



Mikki blows out more smoke.

"Uh-huh."

They reach over and tap your screen with a claw.

"Reeeaaaal scary."

ARC:\SPEECH "I SCARED THEM EARLIER."

"They got over it in... what, ten seconds?
Thirty?"

ARC:\SPEECH "I'M JUST-"
ARC:\SPEECH "...I'M GOOD AT IT. MAKING THINGS WORSE."



"Uh-huh.

Well, whatever.
You goin' in There now?"
Mikki nods past you.


You turn to look at what they're looking at.







The museum.


"No way in hell I'm goin' in again.
But if you go, I can wait out here.
...Little while, anyway.

If you finish quick we can touch base.

You wanna stop being a computer, right?"



They gesture to the strange, wooden building.



"Now's your chance."

[MarxzVulpez]

Mikki, how long have you been stuck here?

[MarxzVulpez]

aside from that...
from every indication Arcana's given, Arcana Does Not want to be a computer, it should go back to the museum. even without the mortal panic of being seen like this, a whole bunch of stuff is seemingly cut off while in this form: can't eat, can't drink, probably can't swim without dire consequences, don't know who can or can't see the computer form until meeting them, can't use the phone or maybe even the camera, and while the like, guaranteed amount of sleep is admittedly kind of nice that's like a partial perk in a sea of discomfort. Sure there are a couple what ifs to worry about, but there's no way to know unless we go down there and see

[knux400]

...Might as well go in. Assuming the layout is the same as last time, we know exactly where the TOLA exhibit is, and hopefully we can go in and hit the undo button on whatever all this is.