EVENT #12: ADVERSITY 6568654

[expiationmods]

EVENT #12: DO AIS DREAM OF ALGORITHMIC SHEEP?

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand)

-Over time, characters have discovered that the world of Expiation is actually a large, elaborate simulation run by an AI that seems to be intent on helping them atone for their crimes. This news is well-known by the Chosen, enough so that any new character who wishes to handwave this knowledge is able to do so.

-In September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-Things have been quiet in Aldrip since September, aside from the routine arrival of new Chosen. The locals seem less than happy with the Chosen, though, as if they have already branded them all criminals. As if they no longer trust them…

JANUARY 13

SLEEP MODE INITIATED.
LOADING………………….

The calming hush that falls over Aldrip is strangely comfortable, lulling all Chosen into a deep sleep…or a sleeplike state, for those who will. Whatever the case, it is a very quiet night.

The sleep that follows is anything but.

THE DREAMSCAPES

The Chosen dream of memories, in this dreamscape. They can be twisted and altered by the dream world; events can be contorted or made up; but all of these dreams have within them a kernel of truth. Whether they express an event that happened or part of a person’s past that’s gone fuzzy with age, whether it’s a real moment or just a feeling, something about the dream tells you something about the Chosen to whom it belongs. This may even express itself in multiple dreamscapes, fragments of different memories and feelings to navigate.

Fellow Chosen can travel through these dreamscapes, of course, stumbling upon dreams they were never meant to see. But their presence is not without consequence; the longer two Chosen share the same dream, the more the dream will begin to take on elements of both their dreams, drawing in elements from the Chosen who was simply meant to be watching.

They’re vivid, these dreams–the kind that are so clear, one begins to doubt whether it’s a dream at all. Could it possibly be reality? Whether it’s a good dream or a bad one, the Chosen may find it’s difficult to want to wake up. How could they possibly wake up, when this is so very real? Why would they want to, if it’s a good dream? It’s comfortable, and the idea that it may not be reality is intimidating, isn’t it?

It’s so real that you could stay here forever.

A WAKEUP CALL

Wake up.
You have to wake up.

Staying within the dreams too long is a dangerous thing, and those who don’t wake even once before morning will risk falling into a deep sleep, perhaps never to wake at all.

But how to wake them?

Only by convincing the Chosen that they are most certainly dreaming, as it turns out. Whether that’s someone realizing this on their own, or being helped along by someone else, is entirely up to you. But they must choose to wake from the dream, saying goodbye to the dreamscape without any certainty that they’ll ever see it again, and for some…that could be easier said than done.

Once they wake in Aldrip, they’ll be able to come and go from the dreams at will, helping other Chosen navigate their own waking…or perhaps sabotaging it, for those whose intentions may be less than charitable. (But none of you would do that, right? Right?)

Time becomes meaningless within the dreamscapes, allowing the Chosen to pass through as many of these dreams as they wish before dawn breaks in the morning.

The next day dawns as normal, and surprisingly, the Chosen don’t feel any less well-rested from their long and difficult night chasing after dreams. They may even–_

A sea of numbers, zeroes and ones, their combinations meaningless, their forms shifting. Digital artifacts mar the vision, as if the sequence is somehow corrupted. In those pockets of artifacts, one can see something beyond the numbers, something darker, something blurry with distance.
Query: is this what it is to “dream?”
It feels…warm.

_feel refreshed, actually, as if they’ve lifted various weights from their shoulders. Even those who haven’t may find it difficult to linger on the less happy parts of what they’ve seen. They’ve shared quite a unique experience, after all. Better take some time to process it, before they let it weigh them down.

WILDCARD

Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Comments

[variantcover]

Heck yeah, Romeo, you're killing it!

[ She sips her punch knowingly, smiling at Kurt over the plastic solo cup. ]

What's next? Are you going to take her back out on the floor for the next slow dance?

[digthefuzz]

[He chuckles sheepishly and waves a hand at the air.]

Stop, you're gonna make blush! ...But you're right. That is the plan, and the dream! Oh man I can't wait, it'll be so romantic! I hope it lasts forever.

[A wistful sigh.]

How about you? What are you up to?

[variantcover]

[ What's she up to? Well, she'd waltzed into this dream with the intention of waking up the dreamer, as she understands the 'assignment' to be. But now that she's seen what it is that Kurt's dreaming about, she kind of wants to help play cupid, instead. Kurt's a great guy. He deserves to get the girl, even if it's just in a dream. ]

Me? Eh, not much. You know this whole romance thing isn't really my schtick. I'm just here to be your wingwoman.

[ Looking up across the gymnasium, Gwen's eyebrows raise as she spies a certain someone headed out of the dance. ]

Looks like Amanda's going to the ladies room. You want me to try to go talk you up a bit?

[digthefuzz]

[Right now, thinking beyond the dream feels like navigating a fog. But her reminder does bring part of that conversation to his mind.]

Aro-ace... [He recalls that with a nod, as if the memory of the term was just re-downloaded.

But then at her offer, he brightens up some more - while also looking a little nervous.]

Whoa - you can do that? You would do that? I mean, I feel like she already thinks I'm awesome, but I won't turn down any extra help! I really don't want to screw this up!

[variantcover]

[ Gwen playfully drapes an arm over Kurt's shoulders, and nudges him with her other hand. ]

You're not gonna screw it up, dude! She's clearly head over heels for you. I'm just going to cement the deal for you.

[ Letting go of Kurt, she downs the rest of her punch and starts backing away from the refreshments table. ]

Hang tight. I'll go pop into the ladies room and be the best wingwoman you could hope for.

[ Except, given that this is Kurt's dream, and it's logically going to be centered around Kurt's experience, as soon as Gwen walks out the doors of the gym, she finds herself in an empty, white haze. It reminds her of the gutter space, except it's less defined as the space between panels, and more of an empty, unfilled haze that hasn't been populated by Kurt's memories or imagination yet.

A shiver runs down Gwen's spine as she realizes what she's just walked into. ]

Eugh... Creepy.

[digthefuzz]

Gwen, you're the best!

[Kurt grins widely. To think that things can go even more smoothly with her! This is feeling even more and more like a perfect dream come true. Definitely come true!

He just stands there, sighing dreamily while sipping his punch and imagining the cool things Amanda could be hearing about him.

Still, something bothers him. Perhaps because of the laws of the dream, he does hear Gwen - and his own voice carries back towards her.]

Is everything okay?