Ινιθυις Ξασιβυς

[stringmods]

♠ ♣ A Game of Chance ♥ ♦

 

Who: Anyone
Where: Aramid Room
Summary: You enter the Dream World and are given a key. But will you use it? (Note that your character does NOT have to come to this log, the dream only happens for characters you want to come to the Aramid room)
When: Futuredated to the 13th
Warnings: Some characters may have terrible desires. It depends who is there, but this IS the Aramid Room.

That night, you find yourself falling asleep. It does not matter if you never sleep, somehow these things always find a way, if you wish to come here. The blackest pitch and the sound of nothingness is your companions for a few tense minutes; you can try screaming out, but nothing comes from your mouth. But when all seems truly lost...

The first thing you are aware of when rousing from your slumber is the distant, muffled music of a piano.

It coaxes you roughly back to the land of the living, and when you open your eyes - all you can see is a ceiling of pure red.

This is the Aramid Room - or rather, your own personal room within it. The room looks pretty lavish at a glance; pretty flowers, polished furniture, silky looking bed sheets... but when you look closer, you realize those flowers are fake, the furniture is of veneer, not actual wood, and the bed sheets are nylon. It is like a tacky love hotel - hell, even the bed is shaped like a massive heart, with black and red sheets.

Resting on the bedside dresser is a plain white mask, a bowl of apples which never seems to run out, no matter how many you eat, and a small red key. The mask has a little note underneath that says "Please wear when leaving for the lounge, thank you!". There is even a bell for room service beside it - or so you presume in any case, since this place is mimicking a hotel so closely...

As for entertainment, there isn't really much. Just a small television mounted up on the wall, and its remote resting beside you on the bed. If you try the television, all that is displayed is static, except for brief moments of clarity, where it seems just commercials would play - commercials that, strangely advertised for your deepest, darkest desire, no matter how fantastical or illegal it is...

But that's if you wish to stay in the room. You might want to explore, right? If that's the case, all you will have to do is don the white mask and leave. To your right, you will see rows of locked doors stretching infinitely down the hallway you entered into - no matter how long you walk, you'd find them all closed and impossible for you to get in. You could try knocking if you want, but who knows if someone else wants to answer. The stairs to the lower levl will be to your left.

Follow them, and enter the lounge beyond...

▼ OOC : Instructions

▶ Welcome to the Aramid Room. There are but a few instructions here:
▶ Create your posts and if you want others to knock on your door, leave it open. Otherwise, have fun creating the commercials tailored to your desires!
▶ The lower level post will be coming a little while later.
▶ You do not have to play out all the request ends or beginnings. In fact it's encouraged to just use the forms (reply this month for a request, reply the next month saying the request is done) and handwave. However, the mods will be happy to do a reply, if you wish!
▶ To get a new Persona, you go to [HERE] and pick a public persona, then fill out a request [HERE]. NOTE THE EXTRA RULES AT TAKING OUT A PERSONA IN THE ARAMID ROOM, THIS IS VERY IMPROTANT!! Remember, public personas only! You can request a Persona (or two if you are a previous Persona user).
▶ You can requests can only be given to Edgar this month [HERE] and remember you only get one request per month.
▶ You can interact with characters in the upper levels if you'd like, and go to each other's rooms, hang around, have a drink (what is in that drink anyway?) or just talk between yourselves.
▶ The masks makes it impossible to know who the other person is, unless they tell you their names. Even if they are un their underwear. Yes, you are allowed to use a fake name.

Comments

[empyreanprominence]

I think it is a dream. It feels like one. But.

Geis floated off the ground again, completing its inspection of Joshua and looking to be more interested in the key on the floor. It lifted it up, the object drifting over to them until it was spinning lazily above Geis's palm, the creature's eyes intent on it.

But I never dream sentient people. It is normally just me. So is it a Real Dream? Or are we sharing a dream? It's really confusing, isn't it? Oh!

The key abruptly dropped, landing on Geis's palm...before suddenly sliding through it as if the creature was merely air, clattering back onto the floor.

I'm sorry, I'm so rude! I was told that when you meet someone, introductions have to happen before having conversations! I'm Angel Number Four: Geis. Who're you?

[componere]

Joshua had left his key well enough alone - no point in tempting fate - so he watches Geis' key with no little curiosity, letting Geis' words file into his mind. He was automating the information intake process as he spoke for a more efficient flow of conversation; pretty soon, it would take no time at all for Geis' words to filter in. He pauses a minute, thinking how to answer the question...

"Very polite of you to back up, and it's a pleasure, Geis. Call me Techne. Now... How can you feel that we're in a dream?"

[empyreanprominence]

Techne! Memorised. How to answer, um...

That was a difficult thing to answer. Geis functioned in a very different way to people, in that its mind was forever open and vulnerable. It made it easily ensnared into dreams and illusions, and anyone with rudimentary knowledge on mind invasion could simply stroll inside and make themselves at home without a single bit of resistance. However, although Geis was vulnerable, it also meant it was sensitive, and...

This place did not fully feel like reality.

It...simply feels. I'm sorry, I can't explain it very well. It's...just something.

[componere]

Joshua inclines his head politely, acknowledging that. "I suppose there's really no questioning it if you're that certain. Perhaps this is a garden I'm not meant to trespass upon, mmm?"

He goes to a knee, scooping up Geis' fallen key and standing back up, examining it closely. Obviously, this was meant for a door, but which one...?

[empyreanprominence]

Very interesting, isn't it? It's red though...

Judging by how Geis's voice fluctuated near the end there, dropping into a more masculine tone, it wasn't a true fan of that colour. Redness brought a stickiness with it, and was generally uncomfortable.

What's it like outside? This room, I mean?

[componere]

Not a fan of the lower spectrum, Joshua notes. He puts the key down on a nearby table, turning to rest against it. "Interesting, but a mystery I'm willing to save for another day."

"Outside?" Joshua tilts his head at the still slightly ajar door. "Why not look for yourself? Unless you're looking for a secondhand account..."

[empyreanprominence]

Um, well I wish to know first, in case it isn't allowed.

Leaving one's designated room without permission was Bad. It was not allowed, and although the note said to wear the mask when leaving to the lounge - well, it didn't say when to leave for it. What if Geis ended up somewhere that wasn't the lounge too? Then doubly in trouble.

[componere]

Allowed? Joshua scratches the back of his head, fluffing up his hair. "Wait for permission all your life and you might miss the fun parts. I've been out, as you can see, and I don't think anyone's enforcing curfew. Why not try? The worst you can do is break a rule."

[empyreanprominence]

B-Break a rule?!

Geis sounded extremely agitated then, its form fuzzing out a little before it drifted back a bit, as if it could catch 'rule-breaking' by simply being in Techne's presence.

But, but, that... isn't allowed. It, makes humans angry and, then they punish you! It's very bad to rule break!

Unless a human told him to break a rule, then their commands superseded the rule. That, was true, but Geis wasn't sure if this was a human or not so...

[componere]

Joshua smirks, putting a finger to the lip of his mask and tapping thoughtfully. Very interesting...

"Why the obsession with rules? You're not a danger to yourself, are you?"

[empyreanprominence]

No. I'm not. It's, that's what I'm told to do...

From the first moment Geis was born, it was conditioned to listen and obey rules and commands like some sort of robot. Everything had higher authority than it, and in fact, even Techne had higher authority than it right now! If Techne ordered it to go outside, it would, but, if it broke a rule while doing so it...

Geis's head hurt just trying to puzzle it out.

I have no, um, autonomy, so I must obey all rules and commands!

[componere]

It's strange how much more expressive he had to be with his body to make up for the very little the face supposedly contributes to language - joshua was already analyzing his own body language, trying to preempt his own natural body language. minimizing his usual methods of communication and exploring "Techne"'s... it was really quite entertaining.

"I'd beg to differ. Right now, you seem to have plenty of autonomy. Consider that you rose from the bed and started exploring the room of your own accord... without receiving instruction to do so. Am I wrong?"

[empyreanprominence]

...um.

This was true. Geis looked behind it to stare at the bed for a moment, before looking back to Techne. It suddenly seemed uncertain, pressing its fingers together as a small humming noise arose from it.

I did, but, I was curious. But, there wasn't any... instruction against rising off of the bed, so...um...

It was obvious that Geis was a bit wrong-footed. Nobody rarely confronted it about such things. It was said to go there, do that, do whatever you want in your free time so long as it was within the box you were kept in... it had to figure out life and questions by itself, so to be asked them and expected to think and answer them...

[componere]

This stranger's taste for knowledge pleased Joshua thoroughly, but when it was trapped under such a heavy feedback loop of ignorance... did Joshua really have time and patience to logic his way through all of that? Joshua tilts his head a little in contemplation. On one hand... He could just as easily excuse himself and let this one struggle through its own path of empirical understanding. This wasn't one of his citizens after all; he didn't have to invest his precious time on the long haul. He really shouldn't. He had other responsibilities.

On the other hand... Techne would have time for this. He had all night, right? And this was fun.

"I don't know if I have the proper authority to command you, but I will invite you outside with me, if you so prefer. Since you've gotten this far already, why not go ahead and finish what you started?" He tilts his head towards the door. "I'll accompany you where you'd like to go, and if anyone objects, I'll go ahead and take responsibility. That sound fair to you?"

[empyreanprominence]

Well...

Although Geis's conditioning was telling it to stay put and not risk rule breaking, it was... curious. Very, very, curious, and if this man was telling it to, then it couldn't really disobey him either. This Techne was reminding it a lot of Haruto, who would tell it to do this or that, even though it was blatantly against the rules! 'Live a little', he would say...

Okay! Yes! I would, like to see, so - we'll take a quick little peek! That isn't bad, right?

[componere]

"If it's bad, then let's make the punishment worth our trouble, mm?" Joshua opens the door for himself, pauses, then stands to hold the door open. "After you."

[empyreanprominence]

Geis hesitated, but after a pause, it floated forwards with all the nervous air of a rabbit creeping out of its hole. It peeked through the open doorway first, wincing back as if expecting a nasty shock of some sort - and when no retribution came, exited the room with renewed enthusiasm.

Without the mask. But it thought that wearing a mask would be rather moot for it -and it itched weirdly.

Oh... there are so many doors!

[componere]

"Tons of, in fact." Joshua follows, closing the door and looking in the same direction as Geis, watching his movements from the corner of his eye. "Yours was the first occupied room I came across, but surely there must be more people. Would you like to meet someone new?"

[empyreanprominence]

Someone new? I'd... yes!

Geis was practically vibrating with excitement, flittering a bit down the hallway to approach one door. It didn't touch it, just inspecting it, and the door handle, as if it was some sort of archaeological wonder.

Behind doors in their own rest areas. It's like being Home...

[componere]

"Home?" The word sounds oddly capitalized. He smiles a little to himself at Geis' excitement, sauntering down the hall, making only a token attempt to keep up with Geis' energy. "Where's that?"

[empyreanprominence]

Home is - is... um, I don't know where exactly, as it is gone now, but it was bright, very bright. White. Very scheduled. Very - useful! I had a purpose there. I am Good Quality Stock. And Good Quality Stock are to ensure that experimentations and improvements do not adversely affect those of High Quality Stock!

Geis almost sounded proud about this, their wings giving a little proud flutter as they spun around, floating backwards while staring at Techne.

I think Haruto made a comparison before, although I don't really understand it. He said I was a Guinea Pig? I don't know what that is though.

[componere]

Haruto... whoever that is, he seems to at least have a head on his shoulders. Joshua crosses his arms as they keep moving down the hall.

"It means you're very, very good at following rules, I'd imagine. Do you miss it there?"

[empyreanprominence]

Geis's entire being vibrated with happiness at that. Yes, it did follow the rules very well! It was happy that Techne noticed.

A little. I knew what to expect there. It was also safe. Painful at times, but safe. Outside of Home it's, um, unpredictable. Things I don't know happen, very quickly, and without schedule. It's disorientating.

[componere]

"'Painful, but safe'...? Interesting contrast you've got going on there. Ah, but it's home for you, I suppose." Joshua shrugs, as though lifting the burden of being the judge off his shoulders. "I hope the disorientation hasn't been unbearable for you. It's a strange and confusing world, this."

[empyreanprominence]

Not unbearable. I'm made to endure; strange, disorientating things like these situations included.

Geis was to endure and be obedient. To be Good Quality Stock and assist to the best of its ability. Even if this situation was bizarre and strange and confusing and everything in between... Geis would roll with the punches - an idiom that Haruto said often.