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

[wickedprayers]

[Thane gives the shuffling cards a quick study, intrigued by them far more than the ones with prompts.]

You can discern a lot from an individual by how they play cards.

[That is to say, Thane agrees, even if he's unfamiliar with the game the other speaks of. In fact, he would say he learned something already, just from the suggestion alone.]

My kind don't often leave our home world. And those of us who do are scattered about the galaxy.

[A suitable answer that was just vague enough while still slightly informative, he thinks. There was perhaps very little need for secrecy given his...circumstances, but old habits die hard.]

[be_notorious]

[Drifter stares at him bluntly, then laughs outright, something obviously mischievous in his expression.]

Haaaah. Good way to live, friend. Sayin' you an' yours are from little bit of everywhere is a good way to avoid havin' to tell anybody the weather back home, right?

[He can recognized a dodge. He can also lightly jab at it without digging deeper.]

Alright. You notice on the back of these cards you got a wheel an' some circles around it? What you're gonna wanna do is collect enough cards to fill out the circles with the solid ones. You got an empty circle? That's minus one. A half circle? Says what it is on the tin.

[He starts to lay them out.]

I been in the OG solar system my whole life. But I met a whole lotta fellas that came from a far way off.

[wickedprayers]

I thought so too.

[Meant to be a touch on the joking side, but true nonetheless.

While his posture remains upright and unfaltering, hands still folded on the table, Thane's tone is light and conversational. Or, as conversational as his slightly gravely, rumble-y voice and cadence allows. He pays close attention to the other man's instructions while still focusing on the conversation. It was easy for him.]

There are some colorful people in the galaxy. I've met plenty of them myself during my travels.

[be_notorious]

'Colorful' is a good way to describe 'pain in the ass to debilitating or entertaining levels'. But I dig it.

[He puts the rest of the deck in the middle, explains two discard piles. This discards of one person can be used by their opponent.]

You military or somethin' or got a granny that could rap your knuckles if you slumped too much? [Drifter asks, directly calling out that posture. It reminds him a little of Zavala, which is fine, really. The guy's nowhere near as hyper as Shaxx- and it is hyper, as far as he's concerned. It's not boisterous, it's not enthusiastic, he's a big ass hyper pachiderm in human form. He won't paint it up with pretty names.]

[wickedprayers]

Indeed.

[He's sure Shepard was considered a pain in the ass to all who dared oppose. Debilitating and entertaining were certainly apt descriptions in of themselves.

Almost as if on cue with regards to his posture, he shifts a bit, straightening up more if that were at all possible.]

I learned from a very young age the importance of good posture. Grannies never gave my knuckles a rap, but I was constantly warned of the consequences of poor posture.

[It was important. One couldn't move the way he does if he slouched to the point of muscle and joint strain. The hanar were very strict about that from the moment he begun his training.]

It would be unfortunate to end up with a hump.

[be_notorious]

Well, I think ever'body could spare a few minutes of their time without havin' to worry the rest of their life about a crick in the neck. But that's just me.

[He chooses his first card and puts it down.]

So what games you usually play? Surely you gotta have somethin'.

[He pulls out a coin from... nowhere? Somewhere? It doesn't matter, because of how easily it passes over his fingers. Just making his own fun between game moves.]

[wickedprayers]

Fair enough.

[Though in his defense, he doesn't even think of it. His posture comes as natural as his breath. Well, as natural as his breath before the Kepral's syndrome moved into its later stages. The point still stands.

He considers the question, his pause giving a very loud answer.]

Some...old colleagues of mine once taught me a card game the humans played. Poker. I was quite good at it.

[His poker face is on point. But as for games, that's the extent of it. Speaking of, he does the same, simply following the other and what he's learned from his explanation of the game thus far.]

I normally prefer meditation.

[be_notorious]

Believe you me, Brother, I wish I could do that.

[It's said that it's not unusual for Lightbearers to talk to themselves. Enough time by themselves, you become your own companion. Not even the (in his mind, parasitic) Ghosts that make them what they are prove the best at conversation. He always hated talking to his, anyway. Lying bastard.]

[But Drifter is a little different than other Lightbearers. He sees things they don't see when he dreams. He hears things between his thoughts. Her voice. Its voice. Words in his head that aren't his and piss him the hell off. Jackasses should mind their own business.]

[All the meditation in the world couldn't quiet his damned head.]

Poker ain't a bad game. Been a while since I've seen someone with a literal full deck, though. We're talkin' a few centuries.

Also literal.

[Drifter has gotten past the phase of trying to hide what he is. Immortals get sick of that kind of thing.]

I wonder if I could remember the rules. [He takes his next card.]

[wickedprayers]

[A few centuries. Thane had this man pegged for a human, but a human's lifespan wasn't that long. He supposes he should get used to the rules being slightly different here. Or elsewhere.

Taking his next card as well, Thane's attention appears to be wholly on the game at a glance, almost as if completely unphased by that drop of information. His focus is mostly on this conversation, however.]

A few centuries. Forgive me, but you look human, yet you have the lifespan of an Asari.

[Which clearly, he is not.]

[be_notorious]

Technically I died once. I'm somethin' called a 'Lightbearer'. Means I've been brought back from the dead by a Higher Power, an' I'm damn well meant to stay that way. There's a bunch of is. Gets old, really. I ain't exactly grateful for the chance. We don't get to remember nothin' from before.

[Lightbearers retain some old personality, but a new life is a new life.]

Anyway, means I look great for my age. Should I be flattered to know I got the longevity of an Asari or am I in some sorta trouble by association?

[wickedprayers]

[It certainly wasn't the first time Thane has met someone resurrected from the dead. Though Shepard had done so with limitless credits and resources put into said resurrection, not from a 'higher power'. Of course, that could mean anything.

He takes the information in with relative ease, a set of lids blinking sideways in the lightest show of surprise.]

Not at all. Asari are a highly respected species. I would consider it a compliment. [It's how he meant it.]

I don't believe I caught your name.

[be_notorious]

I don't believe you did...

[He jokes, shows that coin, and then does a gesture that seems to make it vanish, then laughs to himself. A wry, mischevious sound.] You can call me Drifter.

[He takes another card.]

You got more of a name than I do? Or should I just keep callin' you Brother?

[wickedprayers]

[Thane watches the coin carefully. He has a sharp, well trained gaze, and yet even he couldn't follow where the coin "disappeared" to.]

Tannor Nuara.

[Perhaps a false name isn't necessary, but until Thane has gathered more information about his situation, he would rather be safe than sorry.]

That's an impressive sleight of hand you have, Drifter.

[be_notorious]

Tannor, huh?

[He says it a lot like 'Tanner', in his thick Southern US accent.]

I had a while to practice. I live out on the frontier. Serves you well to be able to hide your valuables quick.

[wickedprayers]

[He nods his head, fine with the way Drifter pronounces it.]

Fair point. I've spent enough time around petty criminals with sticky fingers to appreciate swift movement.

[That and being an assassin, but you know.]

The galaxy can be a troublesome place.