⇨ 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

[atouts]

[ No, he won't be. Saying anything otherwise would be lying. ]

But it's also populated by Americans, so we'll see.

[ Honestly, Childermass has no problem with those, but it's not going to be the same. Not totally. It's also a bit of a joke, though whether Joker can hear through his typical deadpan voice to note that, well, who knows. In any case, he's off down the street, this time waiting at the intersection for a good time to cross the street.

It's... odd. ]

We're just waiting for that up there to change?

[pipers_son]

[Sure enough, Joker’s wide grin gets a little wider at that. Americans indeed, ha.]

Yup. That much I remember, although there might be other bits- even similar places ain’t always the same, now, are they? Best ta stay… flexible.

[But then, that’s advice for wherever they show up, isn’t it? Stay flexible and aware and try not to get in too much trouble. The light suddenly changes and Joker makes a small noise, hopping off of the sidewalk.]

And there we go~. Although keep an eye out, some people are just right tossers, no matter where, ha ha!

[atouts]

I am flexible.

[ He's fit a lot of roles, but that was all also back home, where he knew pretty much everything about anything, save for what Norrell kept secret. He keeps an eye on the light until the little 'walk' sign flickers to life, then follows Joker off of the sidewalk and across the street.

He definitely eyes the stopped and waiting cars they pass. ]

Oh? I take it you mean some of them don't plan on following the same rules?

[pipers_son]

Ha, well, it’s still people makin’ those things move, and ya know people…

[People got run over by horses back in his England. Making the upgrade from living animal to a metal of monster has not stopped humanity’s innate sense of recklessness one bit, Joker has found.]

If ya think those are interestin’, I should take ya inta one of the big indoor markets they got around here. It’s a sight ta see.

[atouts]

Hmm.

[ Yeah, he knows people all right. It's a great tragedy. A horse, though, he could deal with a horse (preferably Brewer, but Brewer is sadly back home). But rather than dwell on mankind's usual poor decisions, he'll glance over again at Joker curiously, an eyebrow quirked. ]

Their big indoor markets? How are those any different than outdoor ones?

[ Well, they're here. They may as well. ]

[pipers_son]

Well, for one thing, they’re all in the same buildin’, and they have multiple floors ta the point that the height would put some castles ta shame. Ha, or at least the Crossroads did- sometimes it’s shorter for others, although they could fit a town in most of ‘em. They're also pretty handy places ta see what kinda things they're inventin' in this world, since they sell just about all sortsa interestin' things in 'em. There are even places where ya could get the radios similar ta what we use at the carnival.

And they have these movin’ stairs that get ya from one floor ta the other!

[atouts]

So one building to house one giant market.

[ With multiple floors? He's not quite sure how to picture that. He's sure he'll be wrong about it, however he does imagine a place like that. ]

I suppose they must be useful from the standpoint of figuring a world or time out, but why would the people here need such a thing? Aren't there places to shop outside of it?

[pipers_son]

Oh, for certain, but I suppose it’s easier this way. The stores these days are somethin’ ta see. Fashion’s pretty different, too- ha, although I guess ya can tell that already, huh?

[They pass by someone wearing a full outfit of denim as he says it, and Joker hides his chuckle in one hand.]

[atouts]

[ What in the world just walked by them? It's not really polite to stare, but he'll at least glance back over a shoulder to squint at that. Just... what? ]

...I'm beginning to find it miraculous that I found anything reasonable to wear in that room at all, if that's considered fashionable.

[ Of course, it helps that Childermass doesn't actually try to be fashionable. Ever. ]

[pipers_son]

[Joker ducks his head, his snicker half hidden.]

Wait until ya see other places. Are ya particularly shy about yer body, now that we’re talkin’ about it?

[atouts]

[ Joker, what kind of question is that even? The disaster in denim gone by, he'll look back over at Joker and raise an eyebrow. ]

And here I thought we were talking about clothing.

[pipers_son]

[A grin from the corner of Joker’s eye.]

And sometimes some worlds don’t care much for lots of clothin’. Went to an elemental world once, for example, and that was…. Interestin’.

[His first stop, in fact, and really not a good choice in making him think he hadn’t actually died. ]

[atouts]

[ There is a line between shy and "okay, but I would still like to generally wear clothes", Joker. In short, he does not like the sound of that. ]

Interesting? Interesting how?

[pipers_son]

[Curling his fingers around his chin, Joker glances up at the sky feigning thoughtfulness.]

Well, for starters, most of ‘em, bein’ made of fire or water or other such things, they didn’t see much reason for clothin’, so they didn’t particularly care if they ruined yers. Knew someone who lost their whole costume, drove wardrobe out of their minds.

[atouts]

Then I will keep in mind to not let elementals near me, should we ever return there.

[ Though isn't that common sense? Don't let the thing that's on fire that close to yourself? ]

[pipers_son]

[You would think, wouldn’t you? Chuckling, Joker lets it come to a rest and walks for a few minutes before perking up and pointing to a large building that’s coming up ahead.]

There, I think that’s the one!

[Get ready for your first mall trip, Childermass.]

[atouts]

[ Good God, he actually found one of those things? Childermass stops for a moment, giving the large building a suspicious look, then giving Joker an equally suspicious look. ]

That monstrosity? You can't be serious.

[pipers_son]

I told ya it was big, didn’t I?

[Just a sly smile, one which likely does absolutely nothing for the no doubt low levels of trustworthiness that are currently being felt.]

[atouts]

You did. [ Sure, that's true, but seeing it in person is always different. Between being faced with the mall and Joker's absolutely untrustworthy smile, Childermass can't help but sigh. ] And we're going in there, aren't we?

[ Asking is only a formality, as he already knows the answer to that. ]

[pipers_son]

Of course we are.

[He’s glad you’ve caught on so quickly, Childermass. Now excuse him as he starts to herd you along.]

C’mon, now- yer only gonna be in this world once, probably, so explore new things~!

[atouts]

[ The horrors of the '90s are upon them. ]

You did say these exist on other worlds. [ He has to point that out, even if it's inevitable that, yes, they're going into that mall there. ] I doubt it's the only one I'll ever see.

[pipers_son]

But it won’t be this mall, on this world, will it?

[Sorry, Childermass, you’re stuck with this.]