etrayamods: (Default)
∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-01-02 03:19 pm

TDM 006



⏵ arrival ⏴

Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology.

I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway.

An image of a shattered pearl pops up on your personal HUD and rotates.

I am Aurora. You are joining many others on Etraya in order to save your world from destruction by completing missions. Your current mission is to find the pieces of this object that have become scattered in the library ahead of you.


For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained.


⏵ disrobing ⏴


The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves.

The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out.

"Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name."


The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.”

(First Letter of Given Name) (Last Letter of Given Name)
A Controlling N Helpful A Melodies N Light
B Glimmering O Floating B Discretion O Mind-Reading
C Wet P Handsome C Growth P Climbing
D Gruesome Q Gullible D Grasping Q Jumping
E Observant R Ratty E Flying R Hurting
F Powerful S Adhesive F Reading S Guiding
G Psychedelic T Sweltering G Dancing T Bug-Speaking
H Swift U Cheerful H Shouting U Exploding
I Voracious V Anxious I Extracting V Complaining
J Soft W Likeable J Punishing W Dividing
K Keen X Ruthless K Creeping X Slapping
L Fabulous Y Dramatic L Walking Y Charming
M Fair Z Demonic M Listening Z Combustion


As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind.

Don your robes and enter the library.


⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴


For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl.

Image Image Image
Pro • Hardworking
• Gives correct directions 75% of time
• Won’t run away from you
• Very affectionate
• Gives correct directions only when paired with another rat, toad, or personal pet.
• Gives correct directions 90% of the time
Con • Must feed bookworms • Will run away if too close to a cat • Does not care for you
• Sleepy
• Will run ahead
• Gets distracted by rats



⏵ the task at hand ⏴


With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light.

Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections.

Wings of the Library
A General Works B Music
C Philosophy, Religion D Fine Arts
E History, Auxiliary Sciences F Language and Literature
G Magic, General H Science
J Geography, Anthopology K Medicine
M Agriculture N Hobbies, Recreation
P Social Science Q Military
R Political Science S Practical Arts
T Law W People
X Education Y Spiders


Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things.

Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search.

You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here?

⏵ NOTES ⏴


Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this!

This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th.

Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment!

FULL NAVIGATION

instabilitatem: (104)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Why do you want me to have free will, lieutenant? It is a sign of deviancy.

[Connor speaks openly, honestly, about this concern of his. If he truly does express free will, then he would become what they've been hunting.]

We've been investigating deviants. If I become deviant, you would have to terminate me.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (when I was on the road)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)

[Hank tries to comb through his memories, back to what Connor said he last remembered.

Kamski’s. The android girl.

Assuming he reacted the same way, anyway...]

Said you did the right thing, didn’t I? Not shooting that android girl?

Nobody is gonna terminate you here for that sort of thing. I sure as hell won’t.

[Flat-out saying he wants Connor to deviate would sound like a command, too, wouldn’t it?

But...]

Deviancy, though — that’s kind of where “staying safe” and “being happy” leads, ain’t it?

instabilitatem: (058)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hmm. Connor will take Hank at his word to not terminate him. The question of deviancy though, continues to hang in the air.]

Wouldn't it upset you if I became a deviant?
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I’m not gonna lie and tell you)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)

No.

[His response is immediate. Defensive. A little horrified, in truth.]

Christ, no. I’d be — [happy, he almost says] — just. No, Connor. I wouldn’t be upset. Not about that.

instabilitatem: (052)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well that's an interesting reaction. Connor files it away in his folder on Hank before he continues to ask questions.]

It sounds as if... you would want me to become deviant?
bootyshortsforoldmen: (and then once I know you)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)

[Well, fuck. The hell is he supposed to say to that?]

Yes, Connor. But that’s not... not a command. Even if I could make you do that, I don’t — don’t want to. Jesus.

I want you to find that on your own.

[Hank still isn’t sure if he should pull the cliche “I’m from the future, oooh!” card anytime soon, if at all.

But he can at least try this:]

Your predecessor. The Connor that was here before — he had... deviated.

instabilitatem: (059)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Connor isn't sure if he should be alarmed or not to hear his predecessor deviated. Wouldn't that be something bad? Not according to Hank.

But Hank wants him to find deviancy on his own, like some sort of self-actualization.

Can androids self-actualize? Is that what directly causes deviancy?
]

Most of the deviants we found deviated after being damaged or assaulted.
possessum: (𝟎𝟒𝟗)

[personal profile] possessum 2025-01-30 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh — That's actually a really good idea, yeah.

[ Peter, slowly regaining A Personality, nods with something that's almost enthusiasm, even if it's all very subtle. He's not one to get enthused much about anything.... But that's a pretty solid plan! These toads have to be used for something, right?

Peter goes ahead and stoops to release his own toad upon the floorboards. The thing sits there, plump and heavy, but maybe it'll start getting into gear soon... Standing back up, he looks back over to the other boy, and fishes in one of his jeans pocket for a moment, fingertips feeling around. There's actually a few odd objects tucked in there, small and unassuming, things that Paimon's nicked...

He pulls out a couple things and sets them on his freed palm, staring down at them with no memory of having acquired them. A pebble... and a small piece of tinfoil, bunched up into a shiny ball... and part of a ribbon. Okay.

Peter holds them up to Gorgug, having no idea how he's going to make lights out of something like this, but at least he has some materials to maybe work with??
]

Any of this work? I might have a coin in my other pocket if not... Like a dime or something.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (we all need someone to stay)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)

Sure, yeah. They were pushed to extremes. They wanted to live.

Don’t know exactly what pushed your predecessor to that point. [Both the Connor from Hank’s timeline and the one on Etraya before.] Should’ve asked, I know. Didn’t exactly have a ton of time to do that, even.

Can’t say you won’t be damaged here, seeing as you’re so damn keen on doing that yourself — [Hank thins his eyes as he looks at Connor] — but as for assault? Doubt it. Hell, I had to tell someone to fuckin’ assault me. Most people aren’t just going around doing that shit.

[...That Hank knows of.]

So you just... find it in your own time. Who you wanna be.

[Hank is pushing him, yes. Probably too hard. But he needs Connor to know that he has options.]

instabilitatem: (083)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Connor's LED flickers red before returning to blue. If Hank wants him to be a deviant, perhaps Connor should find a situation where he would be damaged. That would speed up the process, wouldn't it?

Nevermind that Connor's programming is quietly screaming that deviancy goes against everything Connor was meant to be.
]

Wouldn't injuring myself speed up the process? [It does go against the direction of 'Stay Safe,' but needs must.]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (this is the last time)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)

Christ, Connor — no. What if you get all beat up and that doesn’t do shit, huh? Doubt it’s a surefire thing.

And besides that — no. If I wanted to see you hurt I would’ve let that robe do its thing.

Don’t wanna see you — [be like me] — don’t want to see you hurt at all, Connor. If someone here tries to hurt you, I’ll kick their ass.

[An attempt would be made, anyway.]

instabilitatem: (110)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hank you are so confusing. Connor's programming tries to process all this but doesn't know where to file any of it. Connor blinks as his LED flickers yellow, his programming essentially doing this for several moments.

Eventually, it dumps all the information into the 'Later' file, so it can continue running. Well, it tries, while Connor tries to reach in and grab one piece.

All of this leaves Connor BSOD-ing for at least a minute, if not longer.
]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I gave you my heart)

LMAO @ the limes

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)

...Connor?

[Now Hank’s gone and done it. Gone and broke Connor.]

You okay?

[Grabbing Connor’s shoulder now.]

Swear to god if you don’t snap out of this I am going to...

[Drag him out of here? To where? Hank has no idea where to get blue blood around here, and he especially has no idea where to take — who to trust with — a malfunctioning android.]

instabilitatem: (Default)

i had to

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
You're going to what, lieutenant? [Connor finally blinks after another minute and his brown eyes turn to focus on Hank. His programming slaps Connor's curiosity away and shelves all those limes directives into the 'Later' folder, this time without intervention.] I was filing information away, similar to when I do reports.

[Well, sort of. This had been because of competing directives, rather than writing a report.]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (the last time I saw you)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)

Warn a guy, why don’t ya? Jesus. Swear you’re trying to give me a heart attack at this point.

Gonna...

[Hank lets his hand drop from Connor’s shoulder.]

Gonna kick your ass myself, Connor.

instabilitatem: (031)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
If you do kick my ass, it would expedite my deviancy.

[Connor turns to face Hank. Boy is ready for a beating.]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (know that I can’t find)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)

Oh, yeah?

[Hank squints. Jaw dropping because goddamn the audacity of this guy.]

Then I’m definitely not gonna kick your ass. That ass is going unkicked.

Fucking android, I swear to god. Was a joke. [Hank mutters this under his breath. Then:] Thought you’d be more against going all deviant, y’know.

instabilitatem: (057)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[???? Connor is once again significantly confused.]

You said you want me to become a deviant.

[It's somewhere in the lime-filled spaghetti of 'Later.']
bootyshortsforoldmen: (it’s eating me alive)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)

I do. [Said through gritted teeth.] I do want you to fuckin’ deviate. But that’s my whole goddamn point: what I want doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t.

What do you want, Connor?

instabilitatem: (111)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I am assigned to you. [Is that why he didn't shoot that girl? Or did he make that decision on his own? He's already deviating, he knows that much, but how far will his programming allow him before it swallows him whole again. He can't connect to the mind palace with Amanda, but his programming has other options to try and reset him.]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I can’t help but be wrong in the dark)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)

Whatever the hell that means here. We don’t have “deviants,” or whatever, to hunt here. What does being “assigned” to me even mean to you?

[Hank is half-turned away from Connor now. Arms across his chest in these stupid floppy robes of his.]

‘Cause to me, it means we’re partners. And we can be partners whether or not you deviate. You having free will doesn’t change that.

[Unless Connor’s deviation ends up leading to him no longer wanting that. Which would be fair.

Sad, maybe, but fair.]

instabilitatem: (093)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hank seem angry with him. Connor has dealt with this before, back when his primary mission was stopping deviants rather than possibly becoming one. Connor can read it in his body language, in the way he crosses his arms, in the way he turns from facing Connor.]

I'd like us to be partners. [There's that dangerous free will again. Luckily it doesn't conflict with the whole 'assigned to Lt. Hank Anderson' statement in his processing.

He remembers, too, how many of the deviants felt like family until they faced a betrayal, a trauma.
] I'd like us to be family.

[He knows family is a Subject That Hank Avoids, but perhaps this version of the lieutenant would be open to it.]
abit_ofboth: (Confused)

[personal profile] abit_ofboth 2025-01-30 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Loki is listening to Gorgug intently when he suddenly cuts off. Looking to the frog himself, Loki tilts his head to the side in curiosity, watching as the small reptile snatched up some food. Though the library of Asgard, the library Loki is most familiar with, was quite prestige, even it had the occasional bug. Those things were literally everywhere.

What is more interesting is Gorgug’s response to it. “Yes, that appears to be the case. I did think this kind of amphibian was more preferential to flies, but I suppose beggars cannot be choosers.” Though it is also possible that this is no ordinary toad. The animals they have been given are magical after all. Or at least have seemed to be so far.

”Are you quite alright?”
bootyshortsforoldmen: (too lost and hurting)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-01-30 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)

[Hank’s brow furrows. Lips parting and pressing together as he chews over that one word.

Family.

It might complicate things even further if he admits that’s where he’d been, mentally, back in his own world. Wanting that. And were they family? Hank doesn’t know, might never know.

Regardless, it’s the Connor here in front of him that matters now.]

You are. [He leans his head back against the bookshelf.] That’s how I see it, anyway. You’re my family. You and Sumo.

So that’s why I want you to have free will. And why I’m not gonna kick your ass.

instabilitatem: (052)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-01-30 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[All of it seems to fit together, like a puzzle with the pieces setting exactly where they should be. Sumo, Hank, and himself. Like a little family. Connor may not be entirely on team free will, but he's certainly on the way. His programming protests the change in designation of Lt. Hank Anderson from 'report to' to 'family?' but the flickering of his LED is the only outward sign.]

I see. That makes sense. Because we are family, you don't wish to hurt me.

[One day Connor will realize that Hank doesn't want to hurt him because he's Connor, without any additional stipulations, but today is not that day.]

I should call you 'Hank,' then.