TDM 001. WELCOME TO THE CITY

[headandhand]

» 01. WELCOME WAGON

Wow, what a bunch of new faces! The city of Dualis hasn't seen anything like this in a long time, and they've seen some pretty crazy things. Chances are you're seeing some pretty crazy things, too, unless you're used to a lot of neon, robots, weird-ass technology, magic, and an omnipresent police force...and hey, if you are, congrats, you're gonna settle in juuuuust fine. But for the rest of you, the Head knows this has gotta be pretty overwhelming, right?

Well, since your quaint individual processing units are probably having a hard time, why not link up with another one? By which the Head means...

Hello, new citizens of Dualis, and welcome to your first monthly Network Adjacency Protocol~!

NAPs are a monthly community networking event similar to the Earth concept of speed dating! Two citizens (new arrivals and old hands alike) are placed at a table together with a handy cue card of queries to help break the proverbial ice. Ask queries and receive results, or ignore the card and yeet yourself straight into a brand new friendship! But don't be too shy, you've only got ten minutes together, and if you just sit in silence for the whole ten, then the Network Admins are likely to come supervise and try to repair the uplink through a mild shock to the ol' central nervous system. You might find yourself saying all sorts of unintended facts about yourself if that happens...probably better to just make friends, right?

» 02. A BUG IN THE CODE

Remember how the Head mentioned that whole plague thing? Well, don't worry, this isn't that.

It is, however, a really, really terrible flu circulating through the residents of Dualis. Symptoms include fever, chills, vomiting, hallucinations and even in some cases seizures. Bad news, all around. Luckily, this is something the Head knows how to deal with! Time for vaccinations, everyone~

The vaccination process is pretty straightforward: just head to your local clinic and get innoculated! You'll be in and out in less than ten minutes, MedDualis is pretty efficient that way. There isn't even a copay. The MedDroids will tell you, however, that there might be some minor side effects** to watch out for, including physical reactions and odd dreams, but don't worry--those will wear off within forty-eight hours. Nothing to concern yourself about! Of course, if that worries you, you could always run the risk of getting the flu--or passing it on to your loved ones...

**Possible side effects include: Gender or sex change, positive or negative size change, appearance alterations, shared dreams, and mild telepathic links, among others. Please contact your local MedDroid if these symptoms become too severe, or other side effects such as death occur.

» 03. TANSTAAFL

Well, you're settling in just fine, and the basic accommodations and amenities are okay, but maybe you've got a hankering to see that new VR Film: SHARKS IN SPACE 85: BLACK HOLE SHARK DO DO DO DO DO DO DO. Or maybe you want some sweet new duds to wear around town, or even just an actual slab of steak. Sorry, those cost extra, pal, which means it's time for...

JOB HUNTING.

Fortunately, Dualis makes this pretty easy! There's a job fair on this week, down at the Central Hub! Plug your certifications and skills into any of the EmployMe terminals in the Dualis Central Hub, and the computer will auto-generate a currently open job that it feels you'd be best suited for. No resume writing or lengthy application process required! Of course, whether or not this job sounds like the right job for you is another matter...but hey, how could an AI with millions of years of learning be wrong? Time to get started, or try and switch waivers with another unhappy new employee--but be warned, some unforeseen consequences may occur if you try swapping identities with someone else...

Comments

2

[plate_builder]

[A recognizable cape, a recognizable form, and a recognizable bit of hair. All of it enough to bring a tall man in a blue coat over, hands tucked behind his back as he considers the not-so-stranger. He even gets a brief glimpse of the voucher as he comes to a stop.

Can't help the brief bit of chuckling.]

I must say, I find you rather successful at the task.

[chaosvessel]

Reeve.

[He'd seen the man only recently, but he hadn't anticipated running into him here. It wasn't unwelcome. Vincent might have been terrible at showing it, but he did have a fondness for all of his friends.

Except Yuffie. He wouldn't be held responsible for his actions if she ever got hold of his phone number.

He turns slightly, looking over his shoulder in Reeve's direction.]

I didn't expect you to be around.

[plate_builder]

[Vincent wasn't the only one not expecting people here. Not people he knew at least. He looks... uncomfortable. Beyond it. This place, so like Midgar and so different. A testament to failures and disappointment. And a reminder that he isn't home to take care of the problems he helped create.]

I didn't expect that I needed expected. Of course, I didn't expect you either. But I stand by my argument. You'd be good at protecting people.

[chaosvessel]

[Vincent, however, was never expected, but always welcomed by his friends. They were, after all, the reason he'd purchased a phone in the first place. At Reeve's words, though, he looked away again, eyes downcast as he crossed his arms.]

I was...before.

[plate_builder]

Before?

[Well, now Reeve is crossing his arms and giving Vincent a look that clearly says 'does a week ago count as before'? Reeve has an expressive face, so sue him.]

[chaosvessel]

Mmm. [He nods along with his sound of confirmation, his expression serious.

Of course...he always looks serious.]

With the Turks. Before...Hojo's experiments.

[plate_builder]

[Silly man. Reeve just shakes his head, reaching out to put a hand on Vincent's shoulder.]

You're good at it now too, Vincent.

[chaosvessel]

[Silly Reeve, pretending that he doesn't have a demon inside him ready to rip them all apart without warning.]

So you say.

[plate_builder]

[As if Vincent doesn’t display reasonable self control.]

I do. And as I owe you my life I feel it is fair to say. 

[chaosvessel]

Mmm.

[He could argue that they all aided one another, but he saw little point.]

Have you been here long?

[plate_builder]

Seven hours.

[Which is no time at all, and he actually holds out a piece of paper. Clearly he has gotten his own job assignment.]

This place is a wonder. And the computer systems are amazing!

[chaosvessel]

[So, Reeve couldn't offer him any more information than he had.]

Not long, then. [He looks around at all of the equipment, crossing his arms, and nods.] They're different. [And after a beat, he looks back to Reeve.] I'm sure you can figure them out.

[plate_builder]

Really? Why does everyone assume I'm talented with computers? I assure you, I am not.

[It was Cait Sith, wasn't it? People took him at the face value that Reeve had been desperate for people to take the little thing at.]

[chaosvessel]

Better than me.

[Vincent's just calling it like he sees it.]

What do you make of this place so far?

[plate_builder]

Advanced, compared to what we're used to, even for Midgar. The streets are illogically placed. And there aren't many animals.

[In a city this size he SHOULD have seen a bird or stray cat or dog by now.]

[chaosvessel]

Illogically placed... [Organically perhaps? Like Kalm?] ...maybe it was expanded.

[The latter hadn't occurred to him until Reeve mentioned it and he frowned.]

...you're right. I haven't even seen a dog.

[plate_builder]

No, it's not that.

[Reeve frowns and pauses, looking at the city around them and shaking his head.]

A city this large? This advanced? Someone should help thinking out the order of things, of zoning. That... isn't what I'm seeing here. But maybe my sensibilities for this are just different.

[To him it feels vaguely like someone took a functioning city, cut it up, and repasted it together wrong because they forgot what it looked like.]

[chaosvessel]

[He's quiet for some time, looking around with furrowed bow.]

What's your theory?

[plate_builder]

Frankly? I lack one. 

[Which is maddening. Nothing here makes sense and it is bothering him. Like an itch at the back of his head.]

I can’t explain why I am so bothered by it. 

[chaosvessel]

Because you're a scientist.

[He's known enough to know the type. Though it's often difficult to tell from Vincent's voice, he isn't judging Reeve for it, just making an observation.]

You always want answers.

[plate_builder]

And in that statement you are not incorrect, my friend. At least in the idea that I want answers. I'm less of a scientist than I used to be, but I'm still a city planner and this one...

[For instance, he gestures down the street. Which curves off abruptly around a angular building that seems to be a block in and of itself.]

That is a traffic hazard. Especially considering...

[Another gesture to take in a nearby bar.]

Things like that, well, I'd never put something that so confuses traditional traffic flow close to where people might get wasted and choose to drive. Not without some method of pretending vehicles from actually hitting the building, like concrete or metal posts. Which that lacks. It makes no sense.

[chaosvessel]

[He followed Reeve is silence as he explained himself, crossing his arms and nodding as the other man spoke. He was no architect or city planner, science wasn't something he focused on either, that had been his father's jurisdiction, and guessing at the meaning behind any of this was beyond him.]

What do you think it means?

[plate_builder]

That there is something wrong here. Something that is making me nervous.

[And it will take more than a few hours to figure it out. Still, teeth worry at his lip as he tries to figure out just what it is. It's been a problem bothering him since he got here.]

[chaosvessel]

[He nods. It was something he'd noticed as well, beyond the situation itself.]

I don't think this place is what it seems to be.

[plate_builder]

As Midgar, or Nibelheim. Yes, my friend, I fear we have not see what this place truly is about. 

[Which means ulterior motives. Which always means trouble.]