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

[babilun]

Hard? There's nothing complicated about wanting to change yourself.

[ Gilgamesh spoke the truth. However, Tsuna should know one important detail if he ever figured it out. Gilgamesh has not once changed his core as a person! He was ever so confident of himself! When he gets older, Gilgamesh mellows down and becomes a Wise King, but that's a tale for a different day. ]

You simply lack "resolve" and "perspective."

[ Hence, why Tsuna needs those Dying Will bullets ever so often, but it doesn't help with the main issues. ]

Who are you trying to change for?

[theskyaccepts]

[Oh if only Tsuna had that confidence. But that might lead to a very different story for him.

But dang if that isn't a question. Who is he trying to change for?]

I...I don't really know. Me. I guess.

My friends see me as a leader. And I should probably try to live up to that.

[babilun]

[ Instead of Neo Vongola Boss, Tsuna becomes Neo Vongola King. ]

Bah, in the end, you still rely on others!

[ Gilgamesh huffed before pointing at Sawada Tsunayoshi. ]

Listen well, Mongrel. I will only say these words once! [ Congrats, you have obtained The King of Heroes' Prep Talk in a Dream! ] The opinion that matters the most is your own! You cannot change unless you change how you view yourself! What do you desire? What do you want to become? What kind of future do you wish to obtain by the end of it all?

[ He pulls his hand back. ]

Of course, doing so for your people/Family is essential, but they do not matter by the end of it all. Young boys like you should be more greedy and wild.

[theskyaccepts]

Hie?

[Those are very big questions. Questions he doesn't quite have answers for just yet. Mostly he just wants to get through high school. But maybe there is some truth to these words. He does tend to dither about his own opinion and conviction is something he's struggled with in the past.

It usually takes someone backing him into a corner.]

I don't think those are words that anyone's used to describe me....except for when the dying will mode's happening.

But I guess I can try...

[babilun]

[ And that in lies where Tsuna cannot see. Well, he is still young. There are plenty of people in this world that would love to see this young Boss reach high school and college and finally taking over the Family like he deserved. ]

Do you consider the you in Dying Will Mode to be different? Is that still not a part of you?

[ Does Tsuna think that his Dying Will is a different personality or something? ]

[theskyaccepts]

Not really. I know it's still me, because I got to feel everything after I come out of it.

[There's a surprising amount of pain.]

I just. Don't have a lot of control. There's the Hyper Dying Will, where I do. But that's mostly for fighting.

[babilun]

Then why not just act like that when you're not fighting? It can't be that difficult. It's simply another facet of your personality.

[ Not like Gilgamesh knows. He still thinks it's a psychological thing, which it probably still is. Oh, Ten Years Later Tsuna, where are you? ]

What a problematic boy you are. [ Sighs. ] Very well, since I have free time, [ In this dream. ] I shall accompany you in your awkward little roleplay!

[theskyaccepts]

[Ten years in the future, unfortunately.]

It's harder than it looks. I can't just...do that.

[He's equal parts cool and a laughingstock, it seems. He'd rather just fade into the background.]

And trying to be cool hasn't got me far either.

[hang on]

Hie? But...you're going to come with me?

[babilun]

Are you stating that it's going to be an issue, mongrel?

[ Well, it doesn't matter. Gilgamesh already has Tsuna on his list of "mongrels that will keep him entertained." Congrats Tsuna, you got the big bully, the King of Heroes, liking you.

He began to move ahead of Tsuna. His destination is the park. ]

Come along now. This dream won't last all day.

[theskyaccepts]

[It's a passive special ability, but one that activates frequently.]

Hie?

Well, no, but...

[He falters for an answer, but one doesn't come. So he follows. He'd rather go to the park like this, in his boxers, than school. Though that's probably not much better in the long run.]

[babilun]

[ Once they got to the park and Tsuna magically got some clothes back on via the dream or Gilgamesh, who knows? Whichever is convenient!

The King of Heroes, standing on top of the jungle gym and pointing at Tsuna. ]

Now then, mongre! Show me your "cool" side!

[theskyaccepts]

Hie!

[It's always a bit of a shock, being put on the spot like this. Especially with the nebulous definition of a "cool" side. So he panics a bit, only tangentially realizing he's more or less in a t-shirt and pants now. That's nice at least.]

I, uh...hang on.

[There's a little bit more flailing as he gets himself under control. Dying Will on demand is always a little harder. He's used to get a shot from Reborn, or it activating automatically as he leaps into battle. He takes a few deep breaths to steady himself.

There's a whoosh, and then a bright orange flame erupts from Tsuna's forehead, much like before, though he seems a bit more in control now, and his eyes glow with the same warm orange as the flame.]

[babilun]

Hoooh~

[ What an impressive change in Tsuna's aura and the air around him. Now he understands what the boy meant and how the King intrigued him. He would indeed make a good leader. ]

Now then. Shall we begin?

[ Gilgamesh crossed his legs and arms as he looked down at Tsuna. The words out his mouth would scare most people. ]

Pretend I am your crush and confess to me!

[theskyaccepts]

[Despite his focus, Tsuna wavers for a moment. He's faced down some pretty intimidating opponents. Xanus, Byakuran, Daemon Spade, his Father even. All battles that he was eventually able to overcome, more or less. Somehow, this seems like a far larger stumbling block than ever.

One thing is certain. If he was here, Reborn would love this.]

Hie...

[A panicked expression in Hyper Dying Will Mode does look a little odd, but thanks to that Mode he is able to get his emotions reigned. He closes his eyes for a moment, picturing Kyoko. He misses her, a lot.

He takes a breath.]

I, uh, that is..I....wouldyougooutwithme?

[babilun]

NO! REJECTED! TRY AGAIN IN 4000 YEARS!

[ Oops, Gilgamesh's own feelings came out as he cleared his throat. Let's try this again. ]

How are you so meek!? You have enough composure to pull yourself together in battle, but when it comes to courting, you are like a flailing duck in water!

[theskyaccepts]

[Tsuna's probably not going to be around in 4000 years, so that's a long time to wait.]

I know what to do in a fight! Talking to a girl...if I get it wrong, she'll probably hate me. Or never want to talk to me again.

[Which is not true, but also, anxiety.]

I feel like I can never get it right.