dualisooc | TDM 001. WELCOME TO THE CITY

» 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...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Surveying the streets seemed like a good idea at the time. It was helpful to get to know your surroundings intimately, just in case. However, these streets and lanes twisted and turned in such ways that were confusing even for him.

Eventually he opts for taking a stroll as he tries to work out a better way to map his surroundings. He already noticed a few destinations that seemed easy enough to remember and/or get to, so he would keep a mental note of those as anchors. It's during one of these thoughts when he notices the woman vomiting into a trashcan, and by the time he approaches she's already speaking.]

No gun, unfortunately. [But he does reach into...somewhere, one of the many hidden pockets of his suit, seemingly too tight fitting to even have secret pockets, and yet, out comes a handkerchief, which he holds out for her.] But I have this.

[He made it a habit of carrying one around always, once the coughing began to flare up so badly he would cough out spit or the occasional blood. His fits lessened since arriving here, so he hadn't needed to use it yet.]

[This was a weird town, Jane had figured that out as soon as she appeared. Any place that would take her in had to be weird as fuck. So it was almost not a surprise to find herself talking to a leather-clad scaly guy with the lips of a teen heartthrob.]

Well, shit. You could've been a hero.

You carry a handkerchief? [The answer is obvious, it just happened to be the last thing she was expecting from what appeared to be an alien lizard leather daddy. Handkerchiefs seemed a little low-tech for wherever this guy came from.] Why?

[For a moment Thane regards the handkerchief as if it's responsible for holding the answer to that question, when in reality, he's thinking up a response that isn't "sometimes I cough up blood".]

Don't most people? [The low rumble of his voice takes on a slight joking tone at that, just barely. Because he's clearly not most people.] You never know when it will come in handy. I like to be prepared.

No. [Does that tone mean he's joking? Jane is pretty sure it does but for all she knew that tone could indicate somber sincerity where he was from. Still, the guy was offering her a handkerchief and she had vomit-flavored spit in her mouth, she was in no position to turn it down. She took it, spit in it, scrubbed at her mouth, and handed it back wadded up.] Thanks.

I'm Jane. [She waits, prompting: now what the hell are you?]

[Thane watches seemingly unaffected by the woman spitting into the handkerchief, even when she attempts to hand it back. He simply lifts a hand.]

You keep it.

[He hadn't intended for it to be returned when he handed it over.]

I am Tannor Nuara. A pleasure, Jane.

[Yes, he's aware the burning question isn't actually the faux name he just gave, but it's polite to introduce oneself (even if a lie) and he doesn't tend to give up more information than necessary unprompted, specifically to strangers. Even if it was as harmless as what he was. Force of habit.

Besides, his attention is mostly on the sick woman before him, who he is now silently scrutinizing in an attempt to assess what kind of state she is in aside from "randomly stopping to throw up in trashcans".]

You don't need it? [If he was carrying it around he must have needed it for something. Cultural differences aside, who carried stuff just to give it away to strangers? Sure, she was sick -- even if she hadn't just been puking she's shivering and sweating -- and he could be afraid of catching the same thing. In which case why stop to talk to her at all?]

And what are you, Tannor? [No one has ever accused Jane of being polite. Especially not when she's confused.]

Not at the moment.

[He won't begrudge Jane her suspicious questioning. Thane is well aware he sticks out a bit too much already. Besides, it's good to be cautious.]

I am a drell. But I believe a more clarifying word for you would be 'alien'.

[Even though whether one is an alien or not depends on where they are. In fact, where he comes from a human would still refer to him or anyone not human as such whether both were on a foreign planet or not.]

I figured the alien part. Drell's new.

["Alien" covered a wide range of things, from Superman to the entity sharing a body with her old housemate, so that didn't clarify much. "Drell" didn't either, but at least she knew the word now.]

You seem pretty used to humans.

[Sometimes he wonders if a human would be able to answer the question 'what are you' with anything remotely helpful. But any little bit of information is good information. At least, that's how he sees it.]

Humans are a numerous bunch, despite being fairly new to the galactic community. I've come across many, even before I left my home world. [His first mark was a human. But that's hardly a topic of conversation.]

Besides, there's something more pressing he feels should be addressed.]

Perhaps you should find a place to sit for the moment. You were emptying your stomach mere moments ago.

[Okay, he was from someplace where humans had started exploring the galaxy in earnest. That explained more than "drell" did. And the guy wasn't hostile right out of the gate, which meant he was probably less racist than she was being. That was good.

Sick as she is, Jane rolls her eyes when he suggests she sit down.]

I didn't forget I puked. It's fine, okay?

[She might have been shivering and sweating through a nauseous fever, but Jane was sure she could handle getting to the café before she rested.]

[Thane nods his head in understanding.]

Of course. I meant no offense.

[It doesn't take anyone particularly observant to surmise that she likely wouldn't take too kindly to anymore offerings of help. He would leave her be since that appears to be what she desires, but she's exhibiting some troubling symptoms.]

I'm lost. This city is hopelessly confusing. Would you mind if I accompanied you until I found a familiar road?

TDM 001. WELCOME TO THE CITY

But in the System

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I JUST NOTICED MY TYPO IN THE SUBJECT DEAR LORD

pffft, I knew what you meant

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