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

001

[really_sketchy]

[Naminé smiles in return, her crystal blue eyes bright and excited.]

No.

What does it look like?

[It sounds like something that might have existed on Destiney Island or maybe it's from another world? She wishes she could see many worlds one day, the way that Sora had.]

[chaosvessel]

[He doesn't respond immediately, confused slightly at the lack of knowledge. Not everyone on Gaia has seen a chocobo in person, of course, but there were stuffed animals, drawings, videos...]

They're tall, flightless birds with yellow feathers large enough to ride.

[really_sketchy]

[She rests her hands over her heart and closes her eyes through his short explanation. Naminé paints an image behind her eyelids and smiles gently at the picture she forms. When he's finished, she opens up her eyes.]

I would love to ride one but I don't know how good I'll be.

I've never ridden anything like that before. I have ridden in a gummy-ship. Riku came to get me in it and take me to his home world. It is called Destiny Island. There is a beautiful beach there.

[chaosvessel]

[The more he spends time with this girl, the more convinced he becomes she is altogether something alien, that he's never encountered before, but he can't quite determine why he feels that way.]

Everyone has to learn. [He blinks, tilting his head to the side.] ...What's a gummi-ship?

[really_sketchy]

[She is an unusual person. While Namine has some experiences of her own, they are few and from an odd point of view. She had watched all of Sora's memories but her own memories are disjointed in places and shortened to the brief time she'd been a Nobody and a prisoner to Castle Oblivion.]

I will keep learning then.

[Namine smiles.]

I do not know how it's made but a gummi-ship flies between worlds.

[chaosvessel]

I've learned...that's what makes you alive.

[It's been some time since he's thought of himself as such, but recently, Cloud and his friends being a chief catalyst, he's started to try again.]

Between...worlds?

[really_sketchy]

[Her smile sadens gently and her bright crystal blue eyes drop to her lap.] I hope so. You see, I haven't been alive very long.

[Her gaze rises to meet his and her voice grows in strength.]

Yes. There are many worlds but they are not connected or... they shouldn't be.

[chaosvessel]

[he's caught off-guard by that sentiment and he looks up to her with renewed confusion.] What do you mean you haven't been alive long?

[really_sketchy]

I am a Nobody or I was... [She places her hand over her heart and closes her eyes.] I was born from another person's heart.

[A heart of pure light.]

When I was born, I woke up in a Castle and I was alone and without any memories of my own.

I'm still trying to find my way.

[chaosvessel]

[He blinks in confusion at her for several moments.]

Very little of that made sense.

[really_sketchy]

Oh. I'm sorry. How do I explain?

You see, there is darkness in everyone's hearts. From that darkness are born the heartless. They pray on peoples hearts and turn them into heartless by stealing their heart. When this happens a Nobody or husk is formed. This is a form without a heart.

I am a Nobody, born out of Kairi's heart.

[chaosvessel]

[Vincent wasn't familiar with 'Kairi' and didn't feel it was relevant to his understanding either way.]

You don't seem heartless.

[really_sketchy]

I don't think I am... [Her eyes drop as uncertainty wars against her calm composure.] I am different.

I don't understand it but I have powers that other Nobodies do not. This body... it was made for me because I didn't have one of my own after I returned to Kairi.

[chaosvessel]

[He shakes his head.] I've known...heartless men. You...aren't. You're...warm.

[He blinks.] It was...made for you?

[really_sketchy]

[Her mouth curves into a sweet smile.]

Thank you. And yes, by scientists. I am not sure how it was done.

[chaosvessel]

[He frowns at that. It could almost be said that his body was created as well, so changed was it from what it once was.]

...why?

[really_sketchy]

Why?

[She blinks, suddenly uncertain.]

I didn't ask why. I was... happy to be alive.

[Naminé had very nearly vanished all together.]