mayfield_rpg | event: portal seven

The final portal doesn't seem to be a portal at all. It's a glitch hole.

Located on the lawn of the library is a hole much like the ones that have plagued every new location for the past week. As with them, it hurts your eyes to look at too long, but even if you should muscle past the pain and stare straight into it, you can make out nothing on the other side. Nothing, save for a shifting, twitching, swirling void.

Unlike the portals, which were vertically placed like doorways, the hole at the Library is strewn across the lawn: if you want to enter it, you're going to have to jump. Of course, there's no guarantee it will even lead anywhere. Touching the hole or sticking your arm in doesn't have any effect: you'll pull your arm out unharmed. As far as jumping in completely goes, those who jump in disappear from sight. As long as you're on the Mayfield side, there's no way to tell what lies beyond the hole.

There's only one way to find out.

[ooc: Feel free to roleplay up to the point your characters jump in, assuming they do. A single group subthread will be created in a few hours revealing what happens on the other side.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There is a blue spider robot scooting around the bubble of safety, speaking in a rather chipper voice despite where they are. It seems not to be affected at all by what's going on outside the zone with everyone in it, and actually seems to be enjoying itself immensely.]

Oh my gosh, this really is just like the net back home! I wonder if I try making a search program, it can manifest here?!

Ooo, or maybe a firewall, that might be more helpful. Though if that does work, it makes me wish I had practice programming some more with Ishikawa, I'm not too good at it on my own.

[Yuki turns slowly towards the bot and blinks for a moment or two.]

The 'firewall' as a analogous representation for an actual data structure may be helpful.

The 'firewall' as a firewall meant for a primitive human data analysis device - a computer - is unlikely to be of use. We are not inside such a device.

Well you don't have to be in a computer to be on the net as well.

The firewalls we usually build are what protect ourselves from attacking programs and viruses when diving in cyberspace. For me and the other Tachikomas, that's just our core AI programming, which can be restored with our last backup. But the other members of Section 9 have to worry about their ghosts being damaged, so it can be much more dangerous for them.

We are not in cyberspace. I use the term 'program' and similar concepts to convey my meaning in a manner by which an organic being may understand.

You may make an attempt if you so desire.

We aren't? But look at all the data moving around us!

I mean, yes, it's very damaging and we shouldn't step outside this protection at the moment, but it's still just data streaming around us! That sure feels like the net where I'm from...

I have some of the standard files we use in my memory though, I can see if those work?

This is the true nature of reality. Simulation or otherwise.

Proceed as is desired.

But isn't reality subjective? Even a simulated one, we can't all experience it exactly the same way, so what it is for one, isn't necessarily the same for another...

But I guess I can give it a shot!

[There's a short pause as Tachikoma's spherical eyes spin about, as if searching for something, before it speaks up, sounding a little dejected.]

...Nothing. I guess this isn't any type of cyberspace. I was really hoping it was, though, because it felt a bit like part of my home...

'Cyberspace' is a representation of reality. Your programs operate only on the level of this representation rather than on reality itself. It is equivalent to using an action figure to combat a genuine soldier.

But it really seemed like the genuine soldier was using the same type of action figures, which is why I thought it would work!

I guess it's better to find out that I was wrong now though then later when it might cause a problem...

Understood.

It is preferable to make any attempt at defense than none whatsoever. As you are a non-organic being, however, you will still be of use in defense of those who are more easily damaged.

[Tachikoma seems to brighten up at this.]

Oh, that's good! I really like being helpful! Even if it's just with my armor plating, any bit I can contribute is nice to know.

Do what is necessary.

[Yuki is rarely talkative at the best of times. There is not much more to say in this conversation, and with an unusual abruptness, turns away.]

[ Sorry, but this one has no clue what gibberish you are speaking, Tachikoma. Instead, he concentrates of the fact that this really is an interesting dog! ]

Since you can talk,

[ there's a huge grin on his face, he's actually trýing not to sound too rude here ]

can I ask you something?

Of course I can talk! Though it probably would be more efficient to communicate with my fellow Tachikomas with data, the other members of Section 9 prefer and respond better to audio stimuli, so speech is an important part of working with them.

But you can go ahead and ask me something!

[ Slowly. blinking. Nnnope, still not following. ] Tachi---what?

Uh, anyway, yeah.. What sorta dog're you? Cuz I've never seen any like you before, and I've never met a talking dog before, either.

I'm not a talking dog, I'm an AI controlling a multiped tank!

Why do you think I'm a dog? Even where I come from, cybernetic dogs aren't manufactured much larger than half my size. Although I am quite small for a tank, but that's because I was made to be agile and mobile in more urban settings.

A...I? The hell's that?

[ Confusing but interesting. ]

I dunno, you mighta been a new type I've just never seen, right? There're a lotta weird things here.

[ He's never even heard several of those words. ]

AI? Artificial Intelligence? Essentially a computer program made to emulate or respond in a fashion much like a normal human intelligence might as well as being able to grow and learn like other organic creature intelligence does?

Have you not heard the term before?

And while I can see what you mean, most people seem to relate my design to a spider than a dog....

I have no idea what that is. Never heard of it. Or this... com..com..what you said..

Why? It'd be sorta cool with talkin' dogs, right?

event: portal seven | the void

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