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goneawayworld2021-06-28 07:23 pm
goneawaymod) wrote in goneawayworld2021-06-28 07:23 pm
FROM DUST TO DUST - Plot Post 1
FROM DUST TO DUST
LINKS
WORLD INFO/WORKSHOPPING
BRIEFING
They're briefed on the situation. It's a full-scale incursion, where it's not a section overlapping the Gone-Away worl, the incursion zone allows access to an entire alternate universe. Full-scale incursions like this need to be resolved before reality breaks down entirely due to the two worlds overlapping.
They're told that Jorgmund has determined the objective is to gain something useful from this world, and that a simple diplomatic mission will procure it. They must make contact with the upper crust and some members of the clergy, who are fascinated by the prospect of their world folding into another. These aristocrats have a relationship with the Church, who has a powerful artifact in their possession. The New Hires will receive a special knife in exchange for some mingling, one that might be able to close up some of the holes in the reality of the Gone-Away World.
Their sponsors in this world are going to give them a few nights in a very classy hotel, and take them on a shopping trip to treat them to glamorous clothes and finery for the gala they're expected to go to.
That's it, that's the mission. Or so they've been tol.
The New Hires are also told about daemons. That everyone in this world has one. That there are different interpretations of what they are: the human soul externalized, or maybe something else, something alien and bad. Jorgmund tells them that they'll likely stick out, due to not having daemons.
This is a lie, of course. They suspect that the mechanics of this universe will rectify the lack of daemons the second they enter.
EQUIPMENT
- The New Hires will be sent over wearing clothing appropriate to the world they're entering, though for now it's plain and casual. (They'll be taken shopping later by their guides for their formal evening wear.)
- They'll only be allowed weapons and gear appropriate to the world, so most of their technology will be gone. The only guns they'll be allowed are revolvers and bolt-action rifles. They'll all have been given substitute weapons, for those that carry them.
- They'll be allowed a more stealthy version of their comms, that look like bracelets or leather cuffs. These have all the functions of normal comms. They project small holographic screens and holographic keyboards, instead of having physical ones.
- They will still have their powers, but will be warned to keep them under wraps, as no one in this world has any.
- Non-humans or people with other-than-baseline physical traits will get holographic image inducers styled as discreet world-appropriate jewelry. Or other accessories to hide what makes them look different.
CROSSING THE BARRIER
They cross over the shimmering barrier between worlds, and walk into a small park that's been cleared of people by their sponsors. All the buildings nearby are in an Edwardian style, with light brick, slightly baroque masonry, and arched openings. In the distance, they can see a college that seems to have even older architecture.
For a half second after they walk through the shimmering barrier they seem fine.
And then there is pain, like an iron hand gripping their insides and pulling something out between their ribs. For a moment, it feels like something vital is spilling out of them, like a big enough hole as been made for their heart and lungs and organs to spill onto the ground. It feels like something secret and private is being dragged into the open, where it doesn't want to be.
And yet, there is a sense of relief, like they've all suddenly had a splinter deep in their bodies that's worked itself out. There is no sense of emptiness left behind. It's not that they've lost something, it's that it's separated out - but remained connected. By some kind of invisible umbilical cord.
It's been externalized, not ripped away.
They're suddenly all there beside them, forming out of the ether. Daemons. Each New Hire can immediately sense which is their own. When they start talking, the daemons are sure in their knowledge that they were always there all along, just hidden away, and are delighted to interact with their other halves more directly.
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Cammie laughs a little. "I dunno if you've seen me around the rig, but usually, I'm wearin' a pair of mechanical rabbit ears insteada these," she gestures at the hearing aids in her ears, "so aye, I guess I had an idea."
Fergie puts his little bunny paws on Cammie's stomach. "You literally made your mecha into a rabbit. The ears aren't even the half of it!"
"Shhhh," Cammie covers his entire face with a hand.
"No, really, I'm flattered, honestly," Fergie says, muffled by her hand.
"Christ, you are a chatterbox." She shakes her head and just pets him, looking back up at Shelley. She chuckles at Lepakko's best attempts to be cute. "That's a big fuckin' bat ye got there. Like yer wearing a cape."
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When Lepakko is mentioned, Shelley beams with pride. She has been with this bat for like twenty minutes and she already is quite attached to it. "I know, right? He's great. I'm not bat-themed but it reminds me of an alias I use from time to time. This really comes from my heart, I can tell that much!"
Lepakko seems to appreciate being loved, because he nuzzles her on the neck and whispers something to Shelley.
"Right! And he says I should get a mecha shaped like a bat. I'm not opposed to the idea, but I'm blaming you for whatever happens!" she says to Cammie.
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"Aye, that's me! Heh, I'd say ye can blame Fergie, but I guess that doesn't work when he's technically me in the first place," Cammie says, continuing to pet all the way from Fergie's head to the end of his tiny body.
"You're liable for everything I do. Have fun with that!" he says so cheerfully as to be a threat.
"Yer gonna be a wee nightmare, aren'tcha?"
"Perhaps!" That's a yes if ever she's heard one.
Cammie shakes her head at him again, "Well, it's sure gonna be interestin' havin' bits of us potentially runnin' around causin' havoc. At least they come with a built in child leash and can't go far, who knows what kinda trouble some of us'd get into otherwise."
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Or best way possible, depending who you ask. Shelley already has started to try to figure out a way to keep her bat under control while at that, thank goodness she has time to think of a way. The problem is Lepakko not countering it somehow -- if this is a part of her she can't go underestimating her daemon's cleverness!
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"Considerin' how a lotta us are troublemakers an' these are bits of us... yeah, somethin's absolutely gonna happen. Honestly, they're bringing a buncha multiversal weirdos into a fancy-schmancy party, if they're not prepared for chaos? That's on them."
Somewhere in the distance, Kreb's yelling can be heard, as if to prove a point.
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Lepakko whispers to Shelley, although for once it's somewhat audible, along the lines of '...to call her Snakes'
"Oh, sure, why not. Also Phil wants to be called Snakes. You should indulge her, it's great"
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"That sounds about right. An' that's only the three obvious cases, imagine the crazy shite the ones not even givin' themselves away as possible problems already could get up to," Cammie snickers. "And Snakes it is! Always happy to indulge."
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That's a compliment Shelley didn't think she'd give -- 'hey, if i had to ask someone to watch over my piece of soul i'd ask yours, it's not some loon'. Probably shouldn't be saying such things given she has known said rabbit for...ten minutes at most!
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"I wouldn't give him too much credit yet," Cammie says, petting Fergie's little head again, "but by comparison alone right now, I gotta give ye that one anyway."
"I'd be a good babysitter!" Fergie says, poking her in the stomach with his paws again.