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

Ignis Scientia | FFXV | ota

[lenity]

» 01.

[The fun thing about the flash cards was that they weren't of any use to him. He wasn't exactly sure what they were for, to be honest- but that was quite alright. He'd been directed well enough in what this entailed. It was to speak to others who were under the same circumstances as himself and to be frank, any form of non-mechanical contact was welcomed.

What wasn't welcomed, under any sense, shape, or form of the word, was the fact he was here. Away from things which, if he were honest, were far more important to him than whatever could be achieved here.

Yet arguing was pointless. Any argument he could have formed, no matter how well-constructed, meant nothing. This situation was entirely what it was, and if anything, if they were all here, he could listen out for Gladiolus or Prompto.

The faint scrape of a chair opposite him indicates that someone's here, yet he can't smell the notes of Prompto's fragrance, nor does he feel eclipsed from the lighting in the room by Gladio's shadow. Still.

Someone's there.]

Hello.

» 03.

[Job hunting indeed.

He does need some help with entering the requirements into the terminal. That's a matter that's simple enough- though it does bring forward quite the moral dilemma. How exactly could he offer his specific training to anyone and not go back on his oath? It wouldn't matter that Noctis would never know.

He knew. And that was just as much the issue.

Still. Getting an offer didn't exactly constitute taking it. He couldn't imagine Noctis could, or would consider any of this treason. Not given the circumstances. Plus, should their host be honest about them being returned, he wouldn't want it to be in a body bag. He'd be useless that way.

So, he speaks quietly, clearly, as whoever has graciously agreed to input his details into the system. There's a short wait before the result is returned; but even then, he's surprised.

A babysitter, of all things?]

Excuse me?

1.

[skyward_eyes]

[For a moment, when he approaches the table, Nida considers not even sitting down. Even with the scars and lacking the tattoo in some ways the man looks a bit too much like Zell, and there is a face he doesn’t even want to contemplate right not. Not with what he’s been through. But, if nothing else, Nida was trained to be civil and polite and warm to all people when he could, and while he didn’t like to fall back on training anymore, it seemed like the best way to address this. So, after that brief moment of hesitation he sits down and considers the man in front of him, on the other side of the table.

He absolutely takes care to make a bit of extra noise pulling the chair out. Apparently he whole ‘disarm suspicion by trying to make others comfortable’ was useful here. Had used it a lot in the past, but for now it gave him a ground to start with.]

Hello to you as well. My name is Nida. Would you like to start the questions, or should I?

[lenity]

[All considered, his sense of hearing, smell, taste and touch had grown quite considerably in the years sight had been lost to him, enough to ensure that the (emphasized) scraping of the chair on the flooring was quite... unpleasant. In many ways.

Even if he doesn't show it.

Most of his time around people, even in recent years, had meant that some silent concession had been made for him- needed or not. Deliberately heavy steps here and there, an arm around his shoulder to guide him, the clattering of objects, undue concern, and even undue niceties.

He tells himself what he'd told himself in all of those instances. The thought's there. The scrape of the chair wasn't intended as anything other than a signal.

Only this time, it appeared the thought came with a man with quite a pleasant timbre to his voice; and at the very least, smelled a ways better than the immediate surroundings. Always a plus- yet he's not foolish enough to take that as anything other than what it is.]

Indeed. We'll not want to disappoint our host. Before we do, might I assume this is a form of orientation?

[skyward_eyes]

In a way I suppose that would be accurate to say. A social mixer if you will. One that is clearly mandated. The cards you were probably given have questions of the ice breaker variety. Inconsequential things, like where you are from, your favorite hobbies. Even a few more important ones like how you take your coffee. [Which is meant to be a joke, and Nida chuckles to himself. Still, regular coffee again will be nice. All he better to face his raging insomnia with.]

For instance I prefer mine the way I like my men, sweet and milky. Which is mostly to say that I developed a vital need of caffeine in my line of work and didn’t exactly care for the taste of black coffee and knew better than to rely on energy drinks.

[Because those don’t go over well at high society dinners. A lot of things don’t go over well at high society dinners.]

[lenity]

Ha.

[The quip about important questions earns Nida some amusement, and he leans back in his seat, folding his hands into his lap as he crosses one leg over the other.

Although it's only the mention, the mere thought of coffee is both comforting and familiar. Long forgotten, and something that makes him mesh his fingers between each other a little tighter. It'd been a while. A very long while- so long that even the thought of coffee with additives doesn't immediately spark disgust.

It's been that long, he'd even drink instant.
Probably not all of it, but he'd try.
He responds playfully, jovially. With the faintest of smiles.]

I've no idea what sounds worse. An energy drink, or coffee with milk and sugar.

[skyward_eyes]

[The amusement moves him some, and earns a soft smile from Nida. Oh dear. He likes this one already. Of only he had sass. But frankly, the man is too old to be adopted so he lets that pass. But he allows the lean and relaxes a little.]

I started drinking coffee when I was eleven. Show me a bit that can’t handle the bitterness of black coffee at that age and I will show you a liar. I got used to the tease of seasoning it and haven’t looked back. There is a cafe here too. I can’t tell you how much I miss lattes. But really, coffee was a necessity. Ever try a stakeout without caffeine? Would kill me, and my endurance is pretty impressive as it is.

[Frankly, he’s offended this mixer doesn’t have coffee. Deeply offended.]