TDM 006

[etrayamods]

⏵ arrival ⏴ Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology. I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway. An image of a shattered pearl pops up on your personal HUD and rotates. I am Aurora. You are joining many others on Etraya in order to save your world from destruction by completing missions. Your current mission is to find the pieces of this object that have become scattered in the library ahead of you. For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained. ⏵ disrobing ⏴ The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves. The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out. "Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name." The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.” (First Letter of Given Name) (Last Letter of Given Name) A Controlling N Helpful A Melodies N Light B Glimmering O Floating B Discretion O Mind-Reading C Wet P Handsome C Growth P Climbing D Gruesome Q Gullible D Grasping Q Jumping E Observant R Ratty E Flying R Hurting F Powerful S Adhesive F Reading S Guiding G Psychedelic T Sweltering G Dancing T Bug-Speaking H Swift U Cheerful H Shouting U Exploding I Voracious V Anxious I Extracting V Complaining J Soft W Likeable J Punishing W Dividing K Keen X Ruthless K Creeping X Slapping L Fabulous Y Dramatic L Walking Y Charming M Fair Z Demonic M Listening Z Combustion As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind. Don your robes and enter the library. ⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴ For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl. Pro • Hardworking • Gives correct directions 75% of time • Won’t run away from you • Very affectionate • Gives correct directions only when paired with another rat, toad, or personal pet. • Gives correct directions 90% of the time Con • Must feed bookworms • Will run away if too close to a cat • Does not care for you • Sleepy • Will run ahead • Gets distracted by rats ⏵ the task at hand ⏴ With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light. Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections. Wings of the Library A General Works B Music C Philosophy, Religion D Fine Arts E History, Auxiliary Sciences F Language and Literature G Magic, General H Science J Geography, Anthopology K Medicine M Agriculture N Hobbies, Recreation P Social Science Q Military R Political Science S Practical Arts T Law W People X Education Y Spiders Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things. Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search. You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here? ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this! This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th. Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Jesus Christ. [Hank rubs his forehead. Cursed knowledge, but again: he asked.] Don’t you go telling anyone else this, okay?

[Not that Hank can imagine anyone here wanting to hurt Connor, but if they did, they’d probably try to take advantage of something like that.]

It’s not a command, or anything, just... please.

[Hank holds the second pack of thirium out to Connor, if he might wish to partake.]

[instabilitatem]

You are my assigned partner. [And family, but Connor refrains from adding that.] I will tell no one but you.

[Connor’s current bag of thirium is almost finished, so he reaches out and accepts the offered one. He twists off the first bag and attaches the second.]

You asked about blood loss levels?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Good. All right. [Hank thinks they could trust Accelerator with this, but Connor didn’t seem amenable to the whole friendship thing.

But... later. Someday. Hell, maybe Accelerator might have some thoughts on deviation.]

Yeah. Blood loss. I figure... lose however much, something shuts off. Then too much — how much is too much? And how will I know before it gets to that point?

more bullshitting

[instabilitatem]

[Connor nods again as the second bag on his arm begins to drain.]

We have several levels: optimal, sub-obtimal, critical, sub-critical, and deactivation levels. Critical means shutting down non-essential processes, but able to continue operating. With two units I will be at sub-obtimal. I am in no danger unless I become damaged.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Should you have more thirium, then? To get to “optimal.” It’s not like anyone else here needs this stuff, so you’re not depriving anyone of anything.

[Hank grabbed a whole basketful!! And he’ll probably come back for another later, once Connor’s busy with other things.]

So, critical: shutting down non-essential stuff. Like... being able to talk? Is that what happened earlier?

[instabilitatem]

I could, if you want, lieutenant.

[Have another nod.]

It was both an effect of the venom and dropping into critical levels. We prioritize systems and partially deactivate. When I reactivated speech, I limited my scanning distance and database access.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Not about what I want. [A mutter.

Except it kind of is about what Hank wants, isn’t it? If Connor deviated, would he even keep his thirium levels all “optimal”?

Hank might never know.]

It’s about keeping you healthy.

[Fuck that venom. Fuck that library, in particular.]

So a lot of the shit you shut down is gonna be internal. Stuff I can’t see. [Hmm. Hmm.

Hank grabs the shopping basket, glancing over all the packs of thirium. Hopefully they’ll only ever have to use any of this for maintenance in the future.]

You ready to head on home, or is there anything else you want while we’re here?

[It’s free!!]

[instabilitatem]

I didn't see any compatible biocomoponents.

[On the remark of if there's anything else he might want. While there are many redundancies in his system, there are several critical biocomponents that would be useful to have in the case of something happening.

However, as Hank indicates a readiness to return home, Connor glances at the thirium bag and how it seems to finally be empty. He unscrews the back from his port and then sets it to the side so he can redress. For a moment, though he pauses.]

One of my critical components is located here.

[Connor hovers one hand over a spot below where a sternum would be on a human.]

I will shutdown in one minute and thirty seconds if my thirium thermal regulator is damaged or removed.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Another thing for us to figure out, huh?

[Hank isn’t sure who to ask about biocomponents. Because no particular place comes to mind, not like this weird store and its providing them most of what they need.

But they’ll figure it out. Two heads, and all that. And Hank wants to prepare for whatever they can.]

Well, fuck. [He sucks in a breath through his teeth.] Not a lot of time. We can get replacements for those, yeah? I mean, if something happened to yours, would a new one work in an emergency?

[Does it need to recalibrate, or something?? Hank’s head is spinning with worry — so many things to worry about, but he wants to. Needs that to latch onto.

Before they leave the store, Hank heads back down one of the aisles to grab some elk jerky for Sumo. Slipping it under some of the thirium packs, although he knows it’s pointless trying to hide it from Connor. Let him think it’s a surprise, okay. Let him think.]

[instabilitatem]

Yes. That may be necessary.

[Connor buttons his shirt up, slips his arm back into his jacket, and prepares to leave.]

Any compatible thirium regulator should keep me from shut down. It may take some time to work at optimal levels, but it will work.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

That’ll be my priority, then. Unless you’ve got anything else like that — all “shutdown in a minute if it gets damaged.”

[Hank remembers Connor back at Stratford Tower, his shirt unbuttoned and chest all bloody. Which makes sense now — not that Connor told him the specifics.

Not that Hank asked, either.

The apartment building isn’t too far off, now. South. West. North.]

Would help if Aurora put in a little bridge across the water so we wouldn’t have to make this fuckin’ detour. Would help if Aurora put the damn store closer to where most people live, too.

[But it feels strange to talk shit about Aurora, at least regarding this. Ungrateful. Hank wanted Connor back, and she — or Echo, or whoever — brought him here.

He could thank her, at least. Maybe.]

[instabilitatem]

Should I make it my priority as well, lieutenant?

[It would help to have an assignment outside of 'be happy,' 'be safe,' and other nebulous ideas.]

Other critical biocomponents are typically in the head of an android.

[As much as Hank complains about the walk, Connor finds it nice, refreshing almost.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Got your head to worry about too, huh? Makes sense. [Hank nods.] Yeah, sure. Can slot it under “be safe.” Gotta be prepared. Make sure we know how to fix you up when you need it.

[And Connor is the priority. Hank’s priority, anyway.

His apartment isn’t up too many stories, but Hank opts for the elevator versus the stairs because fuck that. Once they’re outside his apartment door — with a nameplate that reads “FUCK OFF” — Hank says:]

Wait here a sec.

[He shuffles on over the apartment next to his: that of Connor’s predecessor. No one’s taken it yet, although Aurora’s little bots came and cleaned out his things.

Hank kneels, lifting up the cartoon dog-patterned welcome mat — he got that after Connor left, as a weird sort of coping method — and grabs the spare key to his apartment. Left for Castiel to come check on Sumo, but he apparently doesn’t need it, so:]

For you. [Handing the key to Connor before he unlocks the door with his own.

Hank’s apartment is reminiscent of his house back home, albeit more sparsely furnished and without all the clutter.

And there is a large Sumo on the couch!!]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor registers the nameplate and finds it quite fitting, considering the lieutenant's eccentricities. He watches as Hank lifts the mat of the next apartment over and accepts the key. That must have been where his predecessor lived. The Connor everyone seemed to like.

He files away that information and as soon as the door and he sees Sumo on the couch, Connor smiles.]

May I?

[He looks over at Sumo at how comfortable the dog looks and Connor is waiting patiently to be allowed to go over and give some good pets.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Shoot. Go for it. You wanted to see him, didn’t you?

[Hank pats Sumo on the head as he passes, heading to the kitchen to set the basket down.

Meanwhile, Sumo looks up at Connor. Raising what Hank would call his big, dopey head. Yawning.

He takes up a large portion of the couch — Hank stopped trying to keep him off the furniture here.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor walks over to Sumo and gently pets him on his head before providing scritches around Sumo's ears and jaw.]

Good boy Sumo.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Sumo sniffs at Connor, tongue lolling once the petting starts.

From the kitchen, Hank says:] You’re gonna spoil him, huh?

[The dog’s tail starts to wag as if to say, “Yes! Spoil me! The good boy.”

Sumo enjoys a life largely consisting of naps, but Connor is interesting. Enough to get him butting up against Connor’s hand, seeking more attention.

“Boof,“ barks Sumo, softly. “Borf.”]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor eagerly pets Sumo further, ruffling his furry ears as he continues to scratch. Sumo is so soft, such a gentle giant-- like his owner--.]

I think so, lieutenant.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[“Borf!” says Sumo, suddenly energized by Connor’s arrival. He stands up, stretching out his back. Turning toward the kitchen, his wagging tail brushing against Connor, before he trots over to Hank.

Not so much as a “borf” or a “boof” for Hank. No, Sumo grabs his food bowl in his mouth and brings it back to Connor. Nudging it toward him.

“Boof,” says Sumo, amicably.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor nods down at Sumo's bowl and accepts it in hand. Now that Connor is up to sub-optimal levels of thirium, he can scan the entire apartment for the location of Sumo's food. Once he finds it, he makes his way toward it.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Just fed that dog this morning. [Hank rolls his eyes.

He puts some of the thirium in the cupboard, wanting to keep a supply here. Just in case.]

Not gonna take all your thirium. I’ll go back for more later, too.

[There isn’t much in the cupboards. Dog food in the cabinet by the fridge. Bread. Peanut butter. Two of every dish and utensil so he doesn’t have to wash dishes as often.

Hank enjoyed the diner here when he first got to Etraya. Burgers! Milkshakes! But ever since Connor got taken away, he hasn’t made the trip.

Sumo awaits his meal!!]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor makes his way to the cabinet, scanning the kitchen as he goes. Everything seems so piecemeal, so temporary, as if Hank is ready to leave at a moment's notice. With a frown, Connor refills Sumo's bowl and then brings it back out. He sets it down in front of Sumo and then stands, looking at Hank.]

May I ask you a question, lieutenant?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Sure. Not that you have to ask that.

[Hank turns around and leans against the counter. Hands across his chest.

Meanwhile, Sumo sniffs at Connor’s delicious-looking shoe in thanks before he noisily starts to inhale his kibble. All while Hank speaks.]

Then I get to ask you a question.

[Or a few.]

[instabilitatem]

Of course. You may always ask me questions, lieutenant.

[Connor stands, looking at Hank with curiosity.]

Why do you have such limited supplies? It seems as if you regard this apartment as temporary.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Hank rolls his eyes at Connor’s “lieutenant.”]

And you can ask me questions, too. You don’t need to ask permission.

[He starts drumming his fingers against his arm. Shrugs his shoulders.]

Isn’t that the goal? Save our world and get the fuck outta here?

[Hank almost, almost bites back the rest. But he looks up at Connor. Squinting.

Connor is family, so he gets to know. Maybe not about Vincent, but everything else.]

I wanted to get the fuck outta here. Whatever it took.