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]

No, you don’t gotta disregard the word “android.” Just — know I didn’t mean it like that. What I said.

[Hank steps toward Connor. Wishes he felt like he could hug him, now. Even though it would be selfish. Just for Hank.

He turns toward the cupboard to grab a glass. Stepping past Connor to fill it with water from the sink.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor feels both respected but also confused. Shouldn't recognize all examples of the word? Shouldn't he acknowledge it when it's used. As Hank walks past him to fill a glass with water, Connor still isn't sure how he should feel.

He turns and moves out of the kitchen, to give Hank as much space as he wants and needs.]

I do not understand.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

What don’t you understand about it?

[Hank drinks his water while Sumo sits by his food bowl. Both watching Connor pass.]

You’re not lesser because you’re an android, Connor. And don’t let anyone have you think otherwise — me included. Especially fucking me.

[It was Connor who showed him he was alive — but why would Connor believe that, either?]

I don’t want to hurt you, Con. That is the last thing I wanna do.

[Which might go against the Hank from his world, but he’s gotten something across today, right? He’s sure of it.

If he hadn’t of said those words... what then?]

[instabilitatem]

I don't understand how you can say something and not mean it. [That was the part Connor was focused on.] I listen to every word. If you do not mean what you say, why say it?

[The whole issue with him not being lesser is not being processed right now because he is lesser. He is someone to bully in the office. To command to bring coffee and then struck for listening (Gavin). His life is not worth more than Hank's when Connor is made of replaceable parts, a replaceable memory.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Because humans are stupid. Sometimes we don’t think about how shit is gonna sound. And I never thought —

[Hank sets his glass on the counter before leaning down to pat Sumo.]

I just thought we were beyond that, I guess. [Such frustrating timelines.] I thought you knew I didn’t think that way anymore.

[But why would he? They’ve barely had a day together.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor is quiet for a moment as he absorbs this new information. Should he not believe what Hank says 100% of the time? 75% 50% 25% It's confusing and inherently human, as Hank mentioned.]

It is difficult to believe I am anything more when you say that.

['Fuckin' android.']

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I know. [What Hank meant doesn’t matter, in the grand scheme of things. Just that it hurt Connor.]

I’m sorry I went and fucked up.

[One step forward, two steps back.]

You were... grinning a lot earlier. [Hank smiles sadly to himself.] Sorry I fucked that up, too.

[He’s determined to see Connor’s smile again, though.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor frowns at Hank, unsure why he's apologizing.]

You do not need to apologize, Hank.

[The smile will come back! At some point.]

I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

You didn’t make me uncomfortable. [Hank’s just sad. A little pissed with himself.] I’m the one who — nevermind.

[He pats Sumo’s head. Ruffling his fur.]

This fella, huh? [This is Hank’s not at all inconspicuous conversation with his dog.] Thinks he’s not our favorite guy.

[Sumo cocks his head. He can’t believe it either!]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor turns toward Sumo and Hank, watching both of them. He gestures towards his chest in an obvious question.] Me?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

No, the other Connor standing right behind you. [Hank says this incredulously, then:] Yes, you. Jesus.

[Standing up to look at him now. Trying, in vain, to brush the dog hair off his pants.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor turns and looks before realizing Hank did not truly mean another Connor. Hank confirms it with his words and Connor still seems surprised.]

I did not realize I was your favorite.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Okay, Hank has to smile at the way Connor turns around.]

Well, I’m telling you now.

[And does Connor believe him this time...?]

[instabilitatem]

[????? Him? Is he the best boy?

Connor processes the information and allows it to sit in his programming as a fact: I am Hank and Sumo's favorite.

It's another tick toward personhood, but Connor is not perturbed by that.]

Thank you, Hank. You are my favorite as well.

[And there's that goofy lil smile.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[!!!

Hank wasn’t exactly fishing for that smile, but he was hoping.

Goddamn.]

Not gonna question your poor choice there, Con. But I’m happy to hear it.

[He pats Connor’s shoulder on his way past him. Heading for the couch — not that terribly covered in dog hair.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor follows Hank over to the couch, standing beside it rather than even attempting to sit down. His little smile is still present as he allows this conversation to cement itself in his mind.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

That really made you happy, huh?

[Now Hank just needs to keep this up!!]

See, we gotta find more stuff like that. [Drumming his fingers along his thighs once he’s sitting on the couch.] Everything that makes you smile. You keeping a list?

[instabilitatem]

It did, yes.

[Connor remains standing, his smile still going strong. At the mention of making a list, Connor nods.]

I will start doing so now.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I’m glad, then.

[And it’s not as if he hasn’t made Connor smile before — back at home, even. That smile outside Chicken Feed was for him.

But Hank isn’t used to making anyone smile. He’s used to fucking things up.]

You can sit down, y’know. Before Sumo takes your spot.

[instabilitatem]

[Connor does as instructed and moves to sit down on the couch. He leaves room for Sumo between him and Hank as he sits in a perfect neutral: feet shoulder-width apart, head up, hands settled on his knees.]

Was there anything else you wanted to ask me?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Nah, mostly I just wanted to ask about that. [Hank’s whole fuck up.

He isn’t confident enough to think he’ll be able to completely avoid upsetting Connor like that again. But he’ll try. Because Hank doesn’t want to hear that disappointment in his voice again.

Aimed at him.]

Guess we do need to figure out what you’re gonna do here, though.

[instabilitatem]

I am assigned to you. [Connor says it from a place of honesty.] You can determine my new directives.

[Such as 'be safe' and 'be happy.']

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

This again. [Hank shrugs his shoulders in exasperation.] I’m asking what you want here. Don’t gotta wait for my “directives.”

[Sumo meanders on over to sniff at Connor’s shoe.]

[instabilitatem]

[Conner feels Sumo down by his feet and reaches down to pet him around his ears.]

I would have to be a deviant to do that, Hank.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Thought we already established that you want things, Connor.

[Hank will go over this again and again, as many times as Connor needs, but he still sighs. He knows Connor can do it. Knows he’s got it in him.]

And it’s okay to want things.