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

[legacy_blade]

Ouch, bad comparison.

[Still, Zack doesn't care that much for what people tell him to do. So he just gets up and holds his arm out in a loop for his friend. What? Playful jokes like this are absolutely his speed.]

Your chariot awaits, Spike.

[legacy_blade]

Dude, don't forget, I'm great at robot management. But when I say so... run?

[He smirks because he knows they can handle it. And they do get outside, before the iterations can intercept them. Which leaves Zack smiling once they're outside. See, victory through confidence.]

Didn't I teach you, Cloud? You've gotta act like you've got every right to do what you're doing. Then it'll all be okay.

[legacy_blade]

Geez, Cloud, get paranoid in your old age?

[But he smiles and lets Cloud tug him along. The guy is more spirited in some ways than Aerith is. Oh well. He can do this too.]

Chill out, Cloud. Even with all you said, these things aren't really all that intimidating. I mean, they aren't a Guard Crab or anything.

[legacy_blade]

What, you think Angeal didn't teach me how to handle myself in a hand to hand fight? Cloudy, give me some credit. I've kicked G-Copy asses with only a beach umbrella.

[What? He's a badass.]

But come on, give me the details. I can handle it. This place can't be worse than the shit Shinra put us through.

[legacy_blade]

[That's an understandable sentiment. Last time Cloud saw him, he did kinda stand against a whole unit of the infantry to try and save Cloud's life. At least he managed that last part. Still, it's interesting to watch Cloud like this. Not used to the kid not looking at him. Maybe he hasn't been forgiven for dying. For putting so much burden onto him. But at least from the look of his arms, his country buddy had been working out with the Buster Sword. Good. Angeal would be happy about that too.]

Geez, looks like we've got ourselves into quite the situation here, haven't we? Good thing I'm really good at stuff like this. But before I figure out if I'm helping this 'terrorist' group, I wanna know if you think it's worth it. Or if we should try doing things on our own.

[Wait... Tifa, that name sounds familiar.]

You're right, I don't know a Vincent, or those other people from that other world. But Tifa... that was your childhood friend, right? From back home? Yeah, I'd love to see her. And your other friends. You never had enough in Midgar. I'm glad you're making new buddies here. And any friends of yours are totally friends of mine.

[legacy_blade]

[He was in the mansion. Zack's features go cold and distant. He didn't know. If he'd known... if he'd known he would have tried to help the guy, even when they were escaping. Dammit, he'd left someone else to Hojo's attentions. But where? He'd checked that place over and...

The locked door. Fuck! He knew he should have broken it open.]

Wait... stop Sephiroth? Cloud, you killed Sephiroth already. I definitely remember that. Tossed him into the reactor.

[legacy_blade]

[A former Turk? Zack's eyebrows definitely go up. Some of his best friends were Turks. Too bad they weren't there, though, at the end. He thought... he thought Tseng was watching out for them. Guess not. President dead? Not something that bothers Zack too much. But the word 'Jenova' has Zack shuddering. That's not a memory he wants to think about.]

Of course he does. Some sort of psychic connection with his mother I guess. But...

[While he does stop them to check out the vendor, that's not the only reason. No, what really matters is Zack reaching out and ruffling Cloud's hair some, smiling at his young friend. Not so young anymore.]

I know you can do it, Cloud. There's nothing you can't do. I know it.

[legacy_blade]

[There it was. A laugh. And Zack smiles warmly at him for it. Yeah, that was about right. And the hug? That's good too. He wraps his arms around the smaller man and holds him close.]

Hey Cloud? Promise me something, okay? Whatever weight it is on your shoulders, whatever it is that's holding you down and making you frown? Let me help you carry it. I'm your best friend, and my honor demands it. Don't make me betray my SOLDIER honor.

[He isn't going to say he can't go back, isn't going to point out that instead his place is returning to the Lifestream. Again. Because the fact that this place can drag him from it? Terrifying.]

[legacy_blade]

Dude, chill out. We can both have a moment and still spend money. Geez.

[Still, he lets Cloud pull away and nods when Cloud offers.]

Dude, I'm so hungry, I could probably eat a Hell House.

[legacy_blade]

[Really Cloud, going to insult the vendor to his face? Ballsy. But he has made his picks and really liked that Cloud was buying. The kid has gotten more experienced.]

Plus we're bad at cooking, you know? But man, it's really interesting. A switch of roles. You showing me around this time.

[legacy_blade]

[Well this is interesting. He's never seen Cloud eat this much. It makes sense though, doesn't it? The mako treatments Hojo inflicted on him. But he's happy to start munching down what he's given. Not too bad. He follows Cloud, munching the whole way. And once they find the alleyway, Zack leans up against a wall.]

What? Of course we're going to stick together, man. Show me around. Be my tour guide. That's what friends do.

[legacy_blade]

Yeah, I couldn't go back to Shinra.

[Not after what it did. All of the first class SOLDIERs before him were just experiments. He'd been tortured, along with Cloud. The whole company had been corrupt. It was sick.]

I'll... need to talk to her. It will be complicated, after Nibelheim.