event: portal seven | the void

[mayfield_mods]

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.]

Comments

[tenderoblivion]

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...
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Analysis complete. Probability of data corruption outside reality pseudo-amalgamation field: 100%.

Releasing emergency mode fail-safe self-inhibition parameters...........

[Something else never meant for the human mind to comprehend: the pace at which Yuki Nagato's mouth can move. There is the odd sound as of a recording being played backwards in high speed before an odd purple sphere explodes out from around her. ...It stops just short of where reality turns into nightmare.]

Secondary repulsion field activated. Perimeter approach of n<=1 foot will result in increased resistance to physical movement. Primary repulsion field cannot be activated due to the flexibility that will be required.

Proceed with caution.

[splitthebaby]

Thank you for that, Yuki.

[Even though he was in a hurry, it might be best to take a pause. There wasn't much that could kill him but no sense in taking a risk.]

Does that mean leaving this boundary would cause some awful things happen?

[tenderoblivion]

Full data degradation.

[Yuki pauses as a whisper of a memory races by them - what appears to be a frightened face, though it lasts for only a split second.

Yuki will point meaningfully towards the spot where it had passed. That is what will happen to you.]

[ex_seventh238]

Nagato-san.

[It's her turn to acknowledge Yuki's presence. She's without doubt one of the few people who can function here without being pressured in the least by the environment, and her abilities...

Staring at the purple sphere, hmm.]

A bounded field that should theoretically slow down anything that intrudes, correct? [It sounded pretty straightforward, but sure why not simplify it down for anyone else within earshot. She could try to raise something similar, but...

Might be best to stay put until her offensive capabilities become needed later on. And not batting an eyelash at the ghosts; no need to get rattled by trifling details. The voice's already explained that part.]

[splitthebaby]

It'll even kill you, Ciel.

[Yeah, that's an ever present smirk on his face. Though he should try to be slightly worried about himself.]

Either way, us three would probably work best together, at the moment.

[tenderoblivion]

[Yuki nods a silent assertion to Ciel's largely rhetorical question.]

...Additionally - Allow time for those who stray to be retrieved as intact as may be possible.

[The fleeting glimpses of memory were interesting. Yuki files each one away in a database as it flits past, and though it is impossible to dedicate the resources to analyze them at present, it was potentially possible to make some sense out of them upon return to Mayfield.]

I will endeavor to maintain its structural integrity.

[She glances at Merem and gives a brief nod.]

[ex_seventh238]

Save your warnings to those who can use it. I won't be that careless.

[That comment's to Merem. Her immortality was an advantage, but she doesn't entirely rely on it. This world plays by different rules, after all. Nothing is infallible, as the gradual collapse of Mayfield itself already proves.

There's far too many people here to her liking, and it's obvious from a glance that a good number isn't equipped, emotionally or physically, to deal with this sort of strain. She doesn't like it, no, but one has to keep in mind that this is a retrieval mission. The recovery of the memento takes priority over all else. That's why...]

You're well-versed with the technicalities. We'll eliminate of anything that breaks through.

[Yuki might not need it, but she's got two fairly competent tanks and fighters, if that means anything.]

[splitthebaby]

You can be our primary source of information since parsing things appropriately isn't exactly a skill of mine. And definitely not Ciel's.

[Though the bubble was a little small to employ most of Merem's abilities. Thankfully, a couple of his beasts had been taken down in size so they could fit if needed.]

Now to wait for everyone to be ready...

[tenderoblivion]

[Yuki would have found that jab amusing if she ever found things amusing. Her eyes will dart between Ciel and Merem.]

When defense becomes necessary, Homing Mode may be imbued on your weaponry. Inform me if it is desired.

[When, not if. She has no delusions about what will be happening here. The nature of the enemy, she suspects, may be similar to that of one certain blue-haired data entity she had fought once before. This was a realm of corrupted data. It was only natural that it would attempt to destroy them.]

[ex_seventh238]

[Hey she can solve matters fine if this was back home, where things obeyed the laws that she's used to. Just not here - but there's no point in arguing with Merem, so that comment slips by without anything from her side.]

Focus on what you have to do. We'll be self-sufficient.

[She's still packing her Keys for something quicker and smaller, and she's not going to hold back on large-scale thaumaturgical spells of offensive nature if the need to deploy them arises. Yuki's without doubt more knowledgeable than them both combined here, but in terms of combat, they should be more than able to hold their own. Part of the whole purpose of the Burial Agency is to 'handle that which no one else can', after all. Going against the unknown is just par of the usual course.]

[genkibot]

[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.

[tenderoblivion]

[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.

[genkibot]

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.

[tenderoblivion]

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.

[genkibot]

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?

[tenderoblivion]

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

Proceed as is desired.

[genkibot]

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...

[tenderoblivion]

'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.

[lovemguns]

[ 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?

[genkibot]

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!

[lovemguns]

[ 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.

[genkibot]

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.

[lovemguns]

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. ]

[genkibot]

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....

[lovemguns]

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?