lostcarnival | ⇨ THE MATRIX

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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?

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...?

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...

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...

[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?

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??

[ 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.

[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!

[ 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...

... 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.

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?

[ 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.

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!

Eheh, I've...never actually had powers...per se.

[Really it was Atem and the puzzle but that was a whole other ballpark. He scratches his cheek, looking a mite sheepish before he shakes his head, a pink flush crossing his face before he checks the scrapes on his palms with a shrug.]

You guys are welcome to the acrobatics. I think I'll stick to the circle. [Yuugi smiles at Greg.] Thanks. I mean, for worrying about us.

[ He raises an eyebrow at Yuugi's vagueness, but doesn't press further. The important thing is he got them to safety. ]

I'll probably keep to the lights, myself. My head may be in the clouds, but I like my feet on the ground.

[ ...He rubs his neck, allowing himself a small grin. ] That was pretty cool for a second there, though.

It's probably easier the second time! Things always get better with practice.

[ She leans against the fire escape herself and shares a grin with Yuugi. ] Actually, we were going to try again. Something a little easier, probably. Do you wanna come?

Yeah. I think I've figured out how this works.

[He raises a hand to scratch behind one of his ears, almost absentmindedly as he thinks.]

You have to treat it almost like there's invisible platforms, or the clouds are platforms. Like in a video game. If you can get to one of those, then next goal is the other side. I'm not sure if double jumping would help but it's a possibility...

[ Greg hesitates at the offer to join in. He casts a look down again, eight or so flights down to where everyday people mill about. ]

I dunno... I haven't really got the hang of it.

[ Then, a glance up to the pair of teens. He shoots them another nervous smile. ]

But, if you kids are gonna keep going, I should at least try and keep up.

Double jump!

[ That's a fantastic idea. She looks back at the gap above them. ]

Okay, we have to try that. Come on!

[ She begins clambering up the fire exit again, towards the roof, not waiting to see if the other two are following. ]

⇨ THE MATRIX

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