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

[manifestering]

[Octavian looks at Hiram, who stares back at him in silence. Then as Octavian turns again to Root,] I do trust your judgment. Still it will be overt.

[Some men in this room are not very subtle! But for now, if all he wants to do is stare, Octavian will mostly-ignore him. He gestures for Root to check a drawer by the sink, where the fanciest knives are. Some of them are even engraved, Sterling & Maria, for what better tool for pain than wedding gifts to his dear brother.

But he also keeps a careful watch on Root herself, as she mustn't stay in this unreality for too long. He'll have to make a judgment call of his own, maybe, if needs must.]

They followed you all the way to Mars? Very persistent. If I can assist you somehow...

[computation]

Me being alive constitutes a threat to its existence; they would follow me to Saturn if people could live on a gaseous hellscape.

[ It's completely feasible that if Mars were a settled human-inhabited colony and Root was for some reason there, Samaritan would follow her. Root is uniquely dangerous to it as the Machine's analog interface, even if she isn't in direct communication right now.

Oh, look at these lovely knives. Gleaming and sharp, so well taken care of. She takes them out one by one and lines them up neatly on the kitchen counter in an obvious threat. She doesn't glance at Hiram once. Overt, huh? He'd offered to help, but there's not an obvious way to help her-- not like there is in terms of helping him... ]

Waiting for someone else to act first isn't really my style.

[manifestering]

They sent a ship out there. Colony ship. Trying to find a viable moon.

[So look forward to the jaunt to Saturn's moons? Octavian still isn't sure what Samaritan is besides bad news for Root, but if it can get on a ship... Well, allegedly it's already here. Maybe. Root thinks so.

Dream logic has turned this whole scenario on its head. No matter. He raises an eyebrow.]

Old age has made me patient. Still. My family is here. [He considers the patio door, the yard beyond; that will have to do.] Hiram.

[Hiram's attention snaps to him, and when Octavian gestures for the backyard, he's quick to move outside. It's difficult to tell what exactly this dynamic was before one of them killed the other, as Hiram is apparently eager to be directed but still grabs Octavian's arm as he passes to pull him along. Octavian looks back at Root, smiling despite himself.]

Come. Sound will not carry from out here.

[computation]

[ Root grabs the best-looking knife before following them out, flipping it in the air once just to be a show-off. An eager cast overtakes her. ]

You're so considerate, Octavian, [ she gushes. Root waits until they're fully outside before she steps up quickly to hover behind them, crowding, raising the hand with the knife to press the gleaming edge against Hiram's neck in threat. She has a lot of bulk on her with the shotgun hanging from the strap, but she's smooth nonetheless, not a moment of awkwardness. ]

I know you said it would be obvious, but I just don't have a lot of time. What do you need out of this guy?

[ She pushes firmly with the sharp point until blood starts to well. Does this make sense? Is this supposed to happen? In Root's dreams, she's constantly threatening people, so it makes perfect sense to her. And if her friend Octavian needed her to do anything like this--

Well. She would, of course. ]

[manifestering]

[Octavian watches Root and Hiram stares at Octavian, getting angrier and angrier but still mercifully not speaking. For a moment Octavian merely appreciates the sight and Root's willingness to do this thing for him, very touching. He lifts a hand to his chin, faux-thoughtful.]

Need? From Hiram? Nothing in particular.

[That's for Hiram to fume over, which he does, but even as a dream figure he has the sense to hold still. Octavian holds up a finger, like, aha.]

I do always need blood. As you know. Here.

[He turns and there is conveniently an oversized beaker in his hands, which he holds up with a faint smile.]

You are the professional. As you like.

[computation]

I'm not actually a serial killer. I just kill people and leave.

[ Honestly, Octavian. She's morbid and without sensible limits, but Root is ultimately very mercenary. She does whatever is needed to accomplish her task and she saves her enjoyable sadism for consenting partners. She doesn't really mix the two. That being said, if this is the task he wants her to accomplish, fine. Root maintains the knife at Hiram's neck with one hand while pulling out a Taser with the other and immediately swapping it out for the knife in one smooth motion, then firing it directly into his throat. It snaps and crackles with an electrical twang.

Probably, he goes down with a dull thump, and she looks down on him dispassionately. ]

You'll want him alive if you want all the blood.

Are you a serial killer? Don't tell me you've been holding out on me. I thought we were friends.