⇨ THE MATRIX

[ringleaders]

Who: EVERYONE!
When: S1:D22 - S1:D??
Where: Visiting the Matrix.
What: The carnival arrives at its next location, as outlined here. This is a general mingling log for convenience purposes, but players are welcome to make as many other logs for this purpose as desired.
Warnings: Could be a lot of things.

THE MATRIX↴ "What IS the Matrix? The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it." ► INSIDE: On the inside, it all seems so normal. Beyond what you know of the reality you've stepped in, every bit of this place feels just as real as it did back in the carnival. If you were to forget where you'd just come from, would you know any different? The simulation of Chicago is identical to how it would have been in the early days of the new millenia, to anyone who comes from a similar Earth. Humans bustle around you, oblivious to the world outside of the Matrix that they were born into. One bright side to it all is that this hyper realism means the coffee tastes just as good as it does in real life. Anything you could do in real Chicago you can do here - and perhaps even more. ► WHITE ROOM: But before that, you were here. The White Room is a loading program, intended to port objects and people into the Matrix. You arrive as a reconstruction of your true physical form, but common sense suggests that for some of you, entering the mundane world looking like yourself isn't the best idea. It's in this empty world that you will be able to load in whatever physical objects you are, and change the way you present your own body to the system. Changes can be little, or big, but whatever you do, the body has to be able to function according to Earth's physical laws. Don't forget, if you die here, you die in the carnival too. ► DEJA VU: It doesn't matter what you're doing, but at some point you'll notice it - something around you has repeated itself, like a line on a skipping record. Maybe it's the same person bumping into you twice in a row, or the same cab driver yelling at you to get out of the way. It's like reality has rewound and repeated itself, and after the fact you have no proof of it happening beyond the memory of what you saw. You don't know what it means, but something about it is chilling. It may be a good time to find a buddy. ► THE ONE: It won't necessarily come naturally, but in a moment of need you may find yourself bending the world of the Matrix through sheer belief and force of need. How you bend it will always stay without the rules of the universe, at least for now, but when it comes to enhancing your own physical characteristics, just about anything is possible. It will not be easily reproducible, not now, but it could be your first view into the window of what's possible.

Comments

[toogoodtoopure]

[They might not be able to make it.

That's the thought that runs through his head as he realizes, watching the line of the skyscraper drop. It certainly wouldn't be the first time he's fallen through the sky, but there's some kind of instinct that kicks in, almost. Yuugi grabs hold of her, tuck her close, and curls himself around her. It's almost like those video games he's played where there's a secret passageway, or a tunnel, and with a kick of his legs (new, awkward now, though they are taking some getting used to), suddenly they're barreling through a fire exit.

Yuugi lets her go once he feels solid ground under his knees, adrenaline rushing through his veins as he reaches to take hold of her shoulder, breath wheezing out.]

Are you okay?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ It happens far too quickly, and suddenly she's embraced in warmth. She curls into him, just like in the position they cuddle, making herself smaller, and then they're rolling, and then it's over.

She scrambles to her knees, panting but unhurt. ] Yes! Are you? [ She takes his hand on her shoulder, too - he's the one who took the brunt of the impact, after all. ]

[toogoodtoopure]

'm okay.

[There's a small wince as he shifts himself to sit up, hands propping him up as he stretches his legs out around her. Maybe a trip to see Zecora later won't go astray, but he waves a hand, smiling sheepishly. There's a scrape here or there on his hands and one on his cheek, but other than that he seems unharmed.]

I've been beaten up worse.

[waitingforplayer2]

[ She checks his knees and his hands, and when she sees he's okay, the sigh of relief spreads through her entire body, including her ears, which relax against her head. ]

I guess we need more practice. Sorry about that, Yuugi...

[toogoodtoopure]

It's okay. Y...we're safe, that's what matters.

[Smooth, Mutou.

He shakes his head at himself, then adjusts so that he's sitting up without support, rolling a shoulder. That was beginning to get dangerous. More practice indeed.]

Maybe instead of heading straight, we should think like there's platforms...

[waitingforplayer2]

[ She wants to protest and say that it's more important that he's okay and that he could have been really been hurt-- but he did catch himself, so she bites her tongue. ]

Like invisible ones? [ Well, if Mario can do it... She sits back on the wall caddy-corner to him and glances at his legs. Like this, it's easier to see how the bend is different. ] How's your jumping with your new legs?

[toogoodtoopure]

Kinda I guess.

[There was a lot of things that were invisible in this world, so why not platforms? The question about his legs has him stretch them out, wriggling one pawed feet almost experimentally. Coarse black fur, matching his ears, peeks out from the bottom of his pant leg. He had chosen to make them human today but the fall must have shorted the disguise.]

Mmm, it's a bit difficult to say. I'm still getting used to them but...I would've thought with the way they're curving it'd be easier.

[waitingforplayer2]

It's a different kind of joint. It makes sense, I guess.

[ She leans forward to tuck the errant fur back under his pant leg. ]

How do they feel?

[toogoodtoopure]

Honestly? Not that much different from normal.

[It's almost like standing on his tiptoes constantly, and he's had to do that a fair bit outside of the game shop. Given that everyone in his family was a bit on the short side, things were usually at reaching height. He watches her, ears flicking against his hair.]

Still weird to walk but I guess that's why my jump was off.

[waitingforplayer2]

We'll go slower next time.

[ She pats his leg gently and leans against the wall with him. ] If we can get used to these... [ She touches his ear. ] Legs shouldn't be so bad, right?

[toogoodtoopure]

[His ear flicks in her touch, a small snort leaving him with it. They were slightly ticklish after all. As much as he wants to draw his legs up, they'd be a bit uncomfortable, so he keeps them splayed.]

I guess so. It's just a practice thing.

[As long as there weren't any other surprises in store or along the way, it should be fine. Yuugi wriggles his toes again, still a little weirded out by the padded toes and the claws poking out between them. He turns his attention to her.]

So what now? You wanna try again?

[fragileandsoft]

[ There's a thunk, a clatter, and a yelp--a couple floors down, someone else sprawls into the fire escape. ]

Oh--ohh that's not... that doesn't feel great. Okay. Ahhh.

[ After a few seconds, his voice echoes up the way. ]

K, Kids? Hey! Is someone up there? Are you okay? Did I do it right, or...?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ She's about to respond in the affirmative when she hears the commotion from down below. She winces and crawls to the edge of the fire escape to see him. ]

Greg? Is that you?

[toogoodtoopure]

A-ah, Universe-san?

[Yuugi doesn't crawl like Chiaki does, but rather stays stationed where he is. He can sort of see over the edge of the stairwell anyway, and he sits up properly.]

We're okay! A-are...did you just...?

[fragileandsoft]

Oh, thank goodness.

[ He's peering up at them, haggard but clearly relieved. ]

I looked up and I saw something and I thought it was you kids but then you started to fall and before I could do anything you jumped and I had to check if you're all right, and I--Ohhh man this is high. Okay. You--you two just, just stay right there, I'm--I'm gonna climb up... normal-style... okay...

[waitingforplayer2]

You jumped!

[ Chiaki couldn't look more pleased. Two of her new friends have figured it out now. ]

No, it's okay! We can come down to meet you, all right?

[ To Yuugi she turns and holds out a hand to help him up, and murmurs to him: ] I don't think he likes heights much...

[toogoodtoopure]

[Well that's something. Considering he hadn't thought anybody else had figured it out. Yuugi lets out a small giggle before he shakes his head, mostly at how it all just sounds so absurd before he nods and reaches to take Chiaki's hand, calling out as he stands with her help.]

We'll be right down, Universe-san! Just stay there, okay?

[fragileandsoft]

Okay... Yeah, I'll be here, I'm not... not going anywhere...

[ At this point, he feels pretty foolish. He wasn't exactly thinking clearly when he got up here--then again, if he'd been thinking clearly he wouldn't have tried it at all. He'd had no plans to use these sorts of super computer powers at any point. ]

Wha, what were you guys doing up here anyway??

[waitingforplayer2]

[ With one eye on Yuugi as they walk, to make sure he doesn't trip over his own new feet, she calls down as they get closer, making their way down the ladder. ]

We were trying to jump across the buildings!

... We missed.

[toogoodtoopure]

[It's easier said than done, but he gets a good enough grip with the pads of his feet that the ladder is less dangerous than it could be. Yuugi tilts his head and says a little sheepishly;]

It seemed like a good idea at the time...and we almost made it!

[fragileandsoft]

[ Greg sidles his way over to meet them at the ladder, letting out a deep sigh as the leftover adrenaline works its way through him. ]

Well, I'm glad you guys are able to think on your feet. You really pulled it out in the clutch there. I just hope no one else saw...

[waitingforplayer2]

... It was Yuugi's idea, really.

[ As they reach Greg's level, Chiaki peers over the edge. ] I don't see anyone else... did you jump up here? There wasn't anyone up top, at least.

[toogoodtoopure]

I kinda have experiences with falling from heights...

[Which doesn't sound too crash hot when he says it like that. Yuugi lets go of Chiaki's hand as they reach the landing, leaning against a wall now and testing the floor with his pawed feet before glancing up with a raised eyebrow.]

You didn't jump alone did you?

[fragileandsoft]

[ Greg frowns at Yuugi, concerned. ] Hope you mean you had powers for that before you got here.

[ He glances back over the edge, and gives a shaky little shrug. ] I uh. I think my Matrix buddy's using the toilet. I didn't plan on an acrobatics show outside the carnival.

[waitingforplayer2]

Tamaki'd be happy to have you. [ She still can't help but have a really dumb grin on her face. ] Actually, if we held a performance here, we could probably do a lot more than we usually could...

[ And it would be a huge disruption, of course, so it wouldn't actually be possible. But she shrugs and glances to Yuugi. ] It was still quick thinking. I didn't get a scratch, and you barely got any!