ataraxion | 001

[The video clicks on to reveal a rather nervous looking young man, standing awkwardly and holding the camera at arm's length from himself. He coughs, straightens his glasses, adjusts his posture, and yet the suit he's wearing - very well-cut, truly - still manages to look completely ill-fitting on him, and once his attention is elsewhere, his shoulders begin to take on a slump again.]

I apologise greatly for interrupting the session, but I'm afraid I didn't accept any invitation to this game. That is-- what I mean is-- assuming I was sent one. [He looks suddenly quite alarmed at the prospect that he wasn't invited, speaking the next far too quickly.] If I stumbled in then I can only apologise further and hope to remove myself before I cause any more inconvenience.

[A beat, flustered, realising he'd had a slight panic there, trying to compose himself again.]

Only, well. [An attempt at a small smile. It looks uncomfortable on his face.] I apologise but I can't seem to find the exit codes. I'd be very thankful-- grateful, I mean, if someone could point me in the right direction.

[There's a very long pause, wherein he continues looking at the camera, as if he expects something to happen. Eventually he seems to suddenly realise it's not turning off, and gives another rather nervous cough.]

Yes, that's-- that's all. Thank you.

[And he presses the off button this time.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ And so Josie's introduction to the Tranquility was the least helpful comment ever. ]

exit codes.

[ Now don't you have a precious face. Show us a bit more of that fluster, dear. ]

It's not a game, dear. [ When Ros talks it's through her teeth which grin lazily. Like kittens and cream. Like cats and canaries. ] It's a ship.

[He would text back, except he had a look at the keyboard earlier and how the hell was anyone meant to get anything done within any decent amount of time hitting individual keys like that?]

Yes, ah. Just for me, of course. I've already caused enough disruption to the session. I don't-- wouldn't want it terminated for my mistake.

[A dip of his head, a nervous touch at the frame of his glasses.]

A spaceship, yes, I apologise. I'm sure it's really very entertaining. [Forced enthusiasm there, not a man who wanted to insult the gamers' choice in games.] I just-- I really do need to get back to work.

[ Welcome to space, Josie. You're going to get carpal tunnel here. ]

your environmental assumptions are incorrect.

Now, aren't you an eager one? Not all of us are looking to rush back to work— [ And for some inexplicable reason, she laughs. Surly, like he's just told a very bawdy joke. ] —but I'd be happy to show a pretty boy like you, just how entertaining this ship can be. If it please you.

What the fuck are you talking about?

[ Jaye. Be polite. ]

[what does any of this even mean besides an invitation to be baited...]

Turn to your left.

[He very visibly winces at the tone of her voice and her swearing, shoulders coming up slightly and head turned away. It takes him a moment to respond, and he can only glance at the camera in quick, timid snatches as he speaks.]

I-- ah, sorry. I don't-- didn't mean to ruin things for anyone. I really do apologise, sincerely.

[Sirius is rewarded with Josias looking rather surprised that someone's actually trying to help, and then promptly turning to the left as instructed. And waiting.]

Yes?

I'm sorry?

[It's not quite clear if he's expressing the fact he didn't understand her, or if he's actually apologising again.]

[ Twitchy. She'll keep that in mind. ]

No, seriously -- what are you talking about? What game? What codes? I can't even figure out Facebook half the time. Am I missing something here?

[trying to help, yes, something like that...]

Well done. Now, d'you see the wall just there?

[It's surprising, that someone would be working prostitution inside a game construct. Unless - perfectly possible - she was just in character, and didn't actually engage in the business she was so readily offering. It would explain why she was so quick with it. He'd always preferred a little more subtlety first, himself.

The surprise that shows on his face is nothing of the surprise he feels, though. It's far more like a man who has just found himself very much out of his comfort zone, colour gathering in his cheeks even as it seems to leave the rest of his face.]

No, no, I'm not-- not that-- you're very-- I don't pass judgement on that sort of entertainment but it's really not something I'm interested in. [A pause, a breath.] Thank you.

your inclusion in this space is not through an instanced environmental session
which can be accessed or exited actively (or accidentally).

[He blinks, quiet for a moment. That's quite a few questions, there. He pick one - the first - but his answer is even more uncertain and stumbling than his initial post had been.]

This-- the game construct we're in. Currently.

[ She hums, singsong-like. Nursery-rhyme. Only the tune she hums is so terribly sweet that it bleeds to saccharine. ] That's a pity. Handsome boy like you, red as an apple. [ She clucks her tongue. ] Looks like you could use a friend. Or two.

Do you have a name, handsome boy? There's more to me than tumbles and tits. I can be a friend of a different kind.

What the hell is a game construct?

[ There's a definite undertone there -- something like "Did you hit your head on your way out of your goo-filled pod?". It's not, unfortunately, concern. ]

Yes, I see it. Thank you.

[And the thank you sounds completely sincere, even though just being directed to the wall is not an answer for him.]

[ ...Well, its good to see you, Beast, but why are you crazy right now? Alex will just be side-eyeing you a tad. ]

...Bozo? You okay?

Walk through it.

Then... this is a prison?

[He'd already suspected something similar, but it had still been worth asking for exit codes. It comes as a complete surprise - and a deeply alarming one - to the Josias shown on the video, though.]

But-- there has to be a mistake. I've done nothing wrong.

Do all your games involve kidnapping?

I'm... [Bozo? That was definitely a new one.] Pardon?

Oh, I'm not-- I don't do much gaming. I think it may be a rather common entry scenario, though? I mean, from what I've been told. It's a simple enough device to use to bring such a broad range of characters into the session.

Not that-- I apologise-- that I mean this game is simple, of course.

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