Moth Dialogue
about whatever this is
ocean floor?
self
this looks pretty coherently like it's underwater
maybe the ocean floor or something
moth
yeah, it actually looks like this is almost kind of coherent
it's like it has a bunch of holes in it where other stuff is flowing through
i don't doubt akizet actually walked around in the ocean a bunch
RESPOBJ::mthresp
camera guy?
self
there's this thing that looks like a guy with a camera for a face
i think it tried to give something to me
moth
oh yeah?
whatever it is, i didn't see it on my end
were any senses attached?
self
a visual of an eye underwater
might be the ocean floor or something
nothing else
moth
ok...
well, like i said, you're deep in incoherence right now
it's probably just a busted thoughtform that still has a little bit of memory
____SHOWIF::["gol__s_calls-gordon", false]
whatever it is, we'll probably have to wait for funfriend to actually fix it
____SHOWIF::["gol__s_calls-gordon", true]
maybe it's something that knows about the whole 'they sent a probe' thing and is trying to act the part
____END
RESPOBJ::mthresp
Incoherent Kazki
Initial Interaction
self
hello?
sourceless
an uncomfortable attention fixes upon your mind's eye
...
drowning
come, akizet!
we are just in time!
self
are you kazki?
moth
wtf, is that what that is?
it's hard to pick out what you're talking to on my side
these in-between places are so scrambled
sourceless
the thoughtform's attention turns frantic, like a cornered beast
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningFear(1)
something ripples beneath the render, beyond your connection's ability to properly perceive
drowning::scared
wh a t kind of question is tha t?
aha ha silly v el
moth
ah, got it
yeah, that's definitely some intact visual data
i wonder where this one came from... definitely not the embassy memories
but be careful dude
i only spotted it because its incoherence spiked
if that goes too high, your mindspike will bail and retrace you out of there
you're already on thin ice from the environment
RESPOBJ::drowningIntroResp
what happened?
self
how did you get here?
drowning::panic
ple a se sto p
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
back door?
self
where does the door behind you go?
drowning::panic
no n o no s hut up
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
i'm not akizet
self
i'm not akizet
drowning::panic
yo u a re hu rtin g me
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
Retraced
moth
damn
not a distant retrace though
self
it's lucid
moth
what, you think so?
you know, it's possible for incoherent thoughtforms to act up, but not really be aware
self
i could feel it when it looked at me
it knows i'm not akizet
moth
got it...
damn, can't imagine what it's like to be lucid in someplace like this
it's probably clinging to whatever's left of the memory it came from
but that might mean it has some info we could use!
why don't you try playing along? act like akizet would
maybe that'll keep it from freaking out
self
how
moth
idk, just say things you think she might say
RESPONSES::self
ok<+>END
Initial Interaction Cont.
hello
self
hello
sourceless
its uneasy attention fixes upon you in short bursts, as if avoiding eye contact
drowning
come, akizet!!
we are just in time!
sourceless
...
RESPOBJ::drowningResp1
long time no see
self
i haven't seen you in a while
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
no i w as nev er alon e
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
but we hav e been togeth er all d ay?
RESPOBJ::drowningResp1
____END
where are we?
self
where are we?
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
i forg o t i f orgot th e n am e
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
hah a, sil ly ..!
RESPOBJ::drowningResp1
____END
what's happening?
self
just in time for what?
sourceless
the thoughtform stirs, its unease dissipating slightly
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningFear(0)
after a short delay, new thoughts meet yours
sys
NOTICE::'memory stream located'
drowning sourceless
kazki and i tread through the loose soil beneath the waves of the bright shore
descending further from her envoy,
who lingers and lounges beyond the water, in the fading light of their star
so strange that kazki has brought her with...
this is not even a diplomatic affair
____SHOWONCE::
moth
so that's what it was holding onto... try and stay on this
____END
drowning sourceless
yet, almost every cousin she meets is like this
they easily bond, become friends, stay in touch for mundane matters...
i could hardly imagine gordon calling me as her cousinly friends do
the tir's blessing is especially effective on this world
a gentle flame's warmth through presence,
even as we descend into the cold dark of these waters
drowning
hehe!
i am so glad you asked
it is a sight afforded only to the <span definition="NOTE::INHERITED_CONTEXT::'implies ,,altered living state,,'">dead</span>!
you see--
drowning sourceless
around us, through occasional impacts, bubble-like creatures gather, tendrils drifting in the current
drowning akizet
you mean these little bubbles?
they look like tiny <span definition="INHERITED CONTEXT::'burrowing slime';'sinkhole';'many arms'">akozak</span>
drowning
aki!! this is not a problem to solve!
just listen, and i will tell you! hehehe
drowning sourceless
the coils of my receptors tighten
RESPOBJ::drowningResp2
Initial Interaction Cont.
...
self
...
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
no n o yo u ha v e to t alk
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
akiz et ...? are you ok ?
RESPOBJ::drowningResp2
____END
ok
self
ok tell me
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
n o! sh e was s o embar rasse d !
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
oh? d o you not mind that an ymor e?
RESPOBJ::drowningResp2
____END
aki?
self
what did you say?
drowning sourceless
i pull my receptors back in disapproval
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningFear(0)
but the tendrils of hers only spread with her cousinly smile
she dips down slightly, looming over me
drowning
hehe! whaat?
you let cavik call you aki, right?
drowning sourceless
the giddiness in her voice is heavy, unfettered...
effects of citric acid--simulated, but as high as can be allowed
hardly uncommon for her downtime,
but even in the presence of her envoy friend?
i would simply turn it down a little, if i were her...
on most occasions, anyway--this is different
i lift my orange simulacrum to my lips, glancing away to explain
drowning akizet
that is different--an honor he holds from our larval lives
but it is just that: childish, larval... silly
drowning
well i like it!
and no one else can hear us here,
so you will just have to feel silly! hehehe
drowning sourceless
she rises again, pausing to a drink from her own simulacrum
i relax my receptors from their coil - i will permit this, for now
drowning
besides, it is good for you to take it easy sometimes!
you cannot always be worrying about our work and everything, akiii
ahaha!
you know what they say about vel...
if you do not make velzie smile, a storm will find you!
RESPOBJ::drowningResp3
Initial Interaction Cont.
i have a lot to do
self
i have a lot to do
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
she w as h a pp y
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
p lea se let m e
RESPOBJ::drowningResp3
____END
cavik is dumb
self
cavik is dumb
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
am i do ing so m e thin g wr o ng ??
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
bu t.. . it is co o l when i do it. ..
RESPOBJ::drowningResp3
____END
you're right
self
you're right
drowning sourceless
maybe it is simply the citric haze, but...
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningFear(0)
when was the last time i thought about anything else?
the call, our research, it is only that every gaze
like the natural curl of my receptors are simply out of stress and focus
yet here, we are free from this burden, just for a while
i understand the deserters, now
yes--for this bright evening, i will eschew these weights
drowning
yes!!
and that means i can call you aki, too, right?
drowning akizet
for now
and <em>not</em> in front of others
drowning sourceless
even with my stern delivery, her receptors curl with delight, and i occupy myself with my drink
where i expected teasing, her receptors are spread with a genuine warmth
drowning
ok!! hehe...
cool
...oh! yes!
it is getting dark! look!
drowning sourceless
one of her tall receptors gestures towards the blackened depths, away from shore
the little bubble creatures are swarming, bumbling blindly around one another
EXEC::content.classList.add('jellymode', 'dim');
drowning
these little things, they are called jellyfish!
they are a big problem for our cousins, because they bite when you touch them
but do not worry! their tiny little teeth cannot hurt us!
drowning sourceless
finally, the last light of the cousins' star fades...
and we are left together in total darkness
RESPOBJ::drowningResp4
Initial Interaction Cont.
they bite?
self
you said they bite?
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
we ar e s af e
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
y es, but no t u s!
RESPOBJ::drowningResp4
____END
we should kill them
self
we should kill them
____SHOWONCE::
moth
dude cmon
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', true]
drowning::panic
w ha t ? ??
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningEject();
____END
____SHOWIF::['PAGE!!drowningScared', false]
drowning::scared
th e y ar e n ot tha t dan g er ous!
RESPOBJ::drowningResp4
____END
but they aren't fish
self
but they aren't fish
drowning akizet
right? the "fish" have scales, and distinctive eyes, which these...
drowning
ehehe! i know!
it is such a funny name!
drowning sourceless
my qou-eyes adjust to the deepening darkness...
EXEC::env.abyss.drowningFear(0)
above us, kazki's wavy hair flows in the current like the tendrils of these creatures
drowning
but, look!
drowning sourceless
she peers over my shoulder, pointing with one of her receptors to direct my gaze
a closer receptor nearly bumps into one of mine, but both recoil from that boundary
the little jellyfish have begun to glow,
EXEC::content.classList.add('jellymode');content.classList.remove('dim')
unevenly, strangely, not like the fruits of home
the ocean current pushes them, and they glimmer in groups
they bump into one another, and they pulse as if in greeting
barring the current, it is silence around us, surrounded with gentle flashes and flows of their quiet light
away from the lamps and fires of the cousins' shore, it is as if we are home again in the dark
drowning akizet
...
hehe
this is...
drowning
i know
their waters always amaze me - if only ours had such vibrance!
...
ah, here!
sit with me!
zzoust!!
drowning sourceless
kazki falls back onto the seafloor, kicking up a small cloud of sand
EXEC::change("drowningCalmed", true)
i settle down beside her, laughing
she reaches over, clinking her simulacrum against mine with a pleased giggle of her own
we both take a drink
drowning akizet
thank you for showing me this, kazki
how often does this happen?
drowning::safe
not often, apparently
which is good for our cousins, of course...
these swarms mostly take them by surprise
so, after seeing it myself, i knew i needed to bring you!
drowning sourceless
i give her a curious look over our luminescent drinks
drowning akizet
and not bozko? or--
drowning sourceless
the amused grin she casts down silences me
cousinly expressions come so easily to her
drowning::safe
bozko loves the water, but...
aki, how long has it been since you took time to enjoy yourself?
i think bozko will be fine!
drowning akizet
but...then, what about tozik?
he spends so much time in our research chamber...
drowning::safe
well, ok, that is a fair assessment
but i know you better than him!
gakvu will have to spend time with him, or something!
a better question is, why not you?
hehe!
you are working so hard to find a reason not to be here
why is that...?
you are not unhappy with me, are you?
drowning akizet
no, ah...
drowning sourceless
...
i peer down into the warm glow of my simulacrum
drowning akizet
you know...
you are right
thank you for thinking of me, kazki
drowning sourceless
i lean over, resting against her side
she returns the gesture with a comfortable spread of her receptors
drowning akizet
this will sound silly, but...
you are a good tir, you know?
drowning::safe
ahaha!!
no no no, that is always nice to hear!
ehehe...
...
thank you, aki
RESPONSES::self
watch the creatures<+>CHANGE::drowning_chat
EXEC::change("PAGE!!warned", false)
FAKEEND::proceed
Subsequent Interactions
drowning sourceless
we relax together amidst the glimmering swarm,
EXEC::content.classList.add('jellymode');content.classList.remove('dim')
in no hurry to return to the shore
the silence is comfortable, but...
is there anything i want to ask her?
____SHOWONCE::
moth
ok, that part was different - more incoherent than the rest
i think that came from it directly... so, keep playing along,
but this is our chance to get some info out of it
____END
RESPOBJ::drowningChatResp
what happened?
self
how did you end up here?
...and find this? under the water?
sourceless
its attention is not upon you, even as it pulses thoughts to you
drowning::safe
...
i fell
hehe...
i slipped off of a little boat the bright cousins were showing me around in
and they were so worried i would get bitten by this swarm,
but we are tougher than that!
...
if you stay positive,
you can survive all kinds of things!
RESPONSES::self
i see<+>loop
FAKEEND::(back)
back door?
self
what is over there?
sourceless
the thoughtform fixes upon your mind's eye to understand
drowning::safe
huh? oh!
hehe, what a silly question
but i suppose, if you go too far, you will fall off the shelf!
into the depths, where even stranger fish live...
and it is not safe for us to go so deep without a high-pressure body!
there is no need to do something so risky
just stay here with me, where things are nice, ehehe
RESPONSES::self
ok<+>loop
FAKEEND::(back)
want to leave?
self
don't you want to leave?
drowning::safe
...
why would i want to leave?
we are having a good time, right? hehe
and, more than that...
i know i am safe here
and it is familiar, too
drowning
...
but...
i hope that you...
come here with me, again, aki
it is so nice to talk to you
i do not want you to become lonely, you know?
drowning::safe
so, please, think of me from time to time!
RESPONSES::self
ok<+>loop
FAKEEND::(back)
need help?
self
is there anything i can do for you?
drowning::safe
what do you mean?
we have everything we need right here!
i do not know what you could do to make things even better...
but thank you for asking, aki!
you are a good friend
RESPONSES::self
you too<+>loop
FAKEEND::(back)