Game On (Open)

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#1
OE 102
January; Hours before the ZONE incursion
Nova Solyma - Starstream Arcade


In a world with amazing technology, not everything is giant robots and 3D printed food. Games covered a variety of topics, from the propagandized combat simulators to the ancient classics reproducing the experience from eras bygone, an arcade of this magnitude had something for everyone. Food and drink were readily available, kept separate from the games of course. Dim overhead lights were over shadowed by the bright flashing lights of individual games displayed on monitor panels.

The main room was filled with the kinds of games that required use of some control mechanism, which had evolved over the centuries from the first inception. The consoles remained as true to the originals as possible with the technological advance to keep them running and operating in the current age. The original Pacman, for example, was in a similar box as the old arcades, but with an upgrade to the actual box. It was sleek, painted with the various images of Pacman and the ghosts. The control panel had been updated to a touch panel system, sans joystick. Other nostalgic games got the same treatment, with some updated versions scattered further around the arcade.

The VR rooms were set up on the second level, allowing for more of the popular systems to be installed. The third level held more of the systems, but larger rooms for group games where folk ran table top games. A karaoke bar was rented out in one of the upper levels. The massive center had something for everyone, after all. And that was what drew James here.

James found these games were a good way to blow off steam when stress got to be far too much. Usually, he was here with friends, playing tabletops in the upper levels, or Karaoke if you could get their DM in the mood to sing. He was alone today. He hid the dark bruise on his face with makeup, thank the goddess for having an older sister and female friends! His hair remained rather disheveled, as if he just got out of bed, (he didn't quite care to brush his hair most days). He wore civilian clothes today, Jeans and a white tank top. why gussy up to go punch holograms? Highly immersive holograms, but holograms none the less. It would be nice to either punch Einfeld or at least yell at him for his assumptions, but ignoring him was just as good. Hopefully, he was bored as all hell with ugly male nurses roughly wiping his ass with ice cold wipes and hands. Okay, maybe he was a little bitter...

He stopped at the front desk to pay his admission, then took the stairs up to the second floor. He walked down the row of rooms, counting down the numbers until he came to his assigned space. He stepped inside and engaged the lock, which wouldn't open unless he unlocked it from the panel inside, an employee disengaged it from the outside panel, or an emergency occurred that required an evacuation. He stretched out, limbering up his body before engaging the system.

The blank room around him, a calming color ambiguous between gray and tan, shimmered and warped, replacing the floor with verdant grass, the walls with sprawling blue skies and a bright warm sun. He often chose this game, based on earth, when he was alone. It was just so much more interesting than the faked replications within this paradise. Perhaps someday he would visit the distant blue marble. The wind danced across the plain, whipping his hair and fanning the grass at his feet. It was a highly immersive experience, truly a marvel of technology that was often taken for granted by the privileged. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to immerse into the world.

The game connected to other systems, it was practically an MMORPG. He wasn't seeking other players to engage with. He wouldn't mind questing with them, but he much preferred fighting with the NPCS. There was less guilt there and FAR less drama. He only planned on being in the system for half an hour at best. He opened his eyes and walked forward, not even feeling the system moving the floor beneath his feet. Punching a few goblins would do nicely...

(I have left this open for others to join in the game, or set up to be run into down in the lounge or somewhere else within the arcade if you wish. Fluff up the arcade and game as you like!)
 
Last edited:
Aug 4, 2018
334
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16
Somewhere in the UK
#2
A young woman shared the field he had spawned in, inspecting her avatar with some degree of confusion. The icon above her head marking her as a new user contrasted heavily with the gear and cosmetics currently equipped - someone had clearly spent a lot on this account. "LB" was using a wolfgirl with white hair for her appearance, letting out annoyed growls as she prodded at the artificial ears. Upon James's appearance she would turn to him, flashing an obviously fake smile and leaving her ears alone for now.

"Good evening. Would you happen to be looking for a... companion?" Her voice jittered a little - only partially from her sense of awkwardness. The static and distortion from the microphone implied she was somewhere in the colonies - alongside the apparent difference in time zone - but she sounded more like an earth-born person. Contradiction after Contradiction presented itself, but there wasn't much time to ponder them. She continued to stare right through him, her eyes narrowing as she awaited his answer.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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Northeast Ohio
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#3
James approached the woman out of curiosity. He had not seen her around before. By the sound of her voice, she was either a newb uneasy about the social interaction and looking silly... or some odd in game prostitute. It could happen, there was E-RP, even decades of years after the advent of gaming. If anything, the advances in tech probably made it more appealing. But, he never assumed the worst about people. Unlike some OTHERS around him.

"Sure, You new?" He definitely sounded like he was from the moon. Though if he had any trace of being higher class, it was probably a faint one, like a Northerner moved south and was just starting to pick up that twang.
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
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Somewhere in the UK
#4
"Created an account today. Friend recommended it as a good outlet." She replied with almost practiced ease, starting to relax. In the blink of an eye she'd drawn a blade, tossing it and catching it between two fingers.

He bought it. Good.

"They said it wasn't too gear-reliant, so I shouldn't hold you back while I tag along." 'LB' sent a party invite with her other hand while pocketing the knife once more, her fake animal features twitching and causing her to frown.

"By the way, my name's Liana. You... sound like you're lunar - what's it like?"
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#5
"It can be good for relaxing. I only play it for stress relief. All the catharcism of punching someone in the face with no drawbacks of actually punching someone in the face. Like a dishonorable discharge, or jail time." Or your sister being pissed off at you. Honestly, that one was the worst potential side effect. He adored his elder sister, he wouldn't do anything to upset her.

"I'm not worried about people holding me back. I help newbies all the time. I'm just here for a little bit to get out some stress. Beats trying to go out for a joy ride when you're allowed to leave." He accepted the party invite. "It's nice to meet you Liana. My name's James." He held a hand out to shake. "It's... uh... life? I mean, there's artificial gravity and stuff. That'd be like me asking you what it's like on earth without you ever leaving it. I've never been off the moon. Just been here or on the lunar surface."
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
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16
Somewhere in the UK
#6
"Aren't there loads of... uh.. Gifted? Psionics? Psykers? What's the word..." Liana stumbled for a moment, shaking his hand back and squeezing a little too hard until she got used to the force feedback.

"A colleague of mine recommended I try this out before I stabbed somebody - her words, not mine." She chuckled at her own joke. "Really, though - things are tense down here. Feels like the whole world is balanced on a knife edge. Don't suppose you've heard anything about that up there?"
 

Hitura Rael

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#7
"Psychodrivers," He corrected gently, no need to assume she was being racist. He let go of her hand with a slight wince. "You'll get used to the feedback soon. I stuck around in the tutorial for weeks until I got used to it." He chuckled and rubbed his hand.

"Lot of stress huh? I know the feeling. Better to get it out before you do something you will regret, like punching your superior officer in the face." Goddess he wanted to punch him so hard still... No, bury that down. No punching Enfeld. He meant well... Most of the time. He let out a slow breath. "I don't hear much about the political climate down on Earth." He was not about to reveal the full extent of his knowledge. Better to not tip your entire hand to someone you don't know. He knew OF some of the troubles, but nothing specific.
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
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16
Somewhere in the UK
#8
"Right. Psychodrivers. Tip of my tongue." Liana snickered a little, concealing her inner smile.

He sounds military. Better than expected.


"If you're having trouble with a superior, a friend of mine recommends mockery. She's... irritatingly fond of it." Her entire body seemed to twitch at that. "Not surprised information from earth is limited - the Directorate doesn't exactly like sharing information. Was there anything weird happening on the moon? You guys up there are an enigma of sorts - don't really hear anything from down here." She phrased the question casually, already walking off in the direction of a mid-level dungeon.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#9
"It's fine. I had a hard time pronouncing it as a kid. I think my dad still has video of it." He cringed. "I doubt you guys hear much of them down on Earth, at least not enough to memorize the word." He smiled to her, walking at her side toward the dungeon. Bold choice for a beginner. "I'm just ignoring him. And he's not getting any of the cookies I'm making tonight. Sounds like your typical government to withhold information."

He scratched his nose lightly. "As for weird things up here... Well... That's kind of subjective isn't it? I bet a lot of things up here would be weird to you, just like a lot of things down there would be weird to me. Like real trees. Those would be weird but cool." He grinned at the thought. It would be awesome to see a real tree, grown in dirt under the sun and naturally. Not cultivated like up here. "By the way, this is kind of a mid level dungeon, you sure you wanna try this one and not a beginner dungeon?"
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
0
16
Somewhere in the UK
#10
"You really see natural trees as... weird? Most people down on earth just treat them the same way you'd treat.. I don't know, corpses on a battlefield? Worth a glance, but nothing more." Liana shrugged as she gave an oddly morbid comparison. "Mostly they're all the same, but some of the natural ones can be fun to climb. Hard to find good ones, though - or the time."

"I read the manual - I know how this game's mechanics work. My gear should be up to the task if there's no arbitrary mechanical restrictions. What about yours?" James's warning fell on deaf ears, the wolfgirl seeming rather confident in herself.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#11
"They are to me, though I guess a tree grown in artificial light would be weird to you. Not to mention all perfectly grown and such. Not natural at all!" He smiled to her, bright and cheery. "And I get in trouble when I try to climb them. Bunch of stiffs up here." His parents were not happy that time he tried to climb the trees. And the coffee table. And the book case. Anything really!

"Well. Mechanics are different for each dungeon and boss. So experience wise... Well. Makes me regret I didn't spec as a tank for now. But I'm sure we'll find someone to do that or something. My group's at end game content, so I'll be fine."
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
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16
Somewhere in the UK
#12
"That is weird. Even when they're grown in greenhouses down here they all end up a bit different." Liana raised an eyebrow, and would stop walking once they reached the entrance.

"You want to wait for a third, then? Or just go in and see how well it goes?" She'd shrug, not paticularly caring either way.
 

Hitura Rael

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#13
"Perfect aesthetics aren't ruined by randomness for some people." He shrugged and cracked his knuckles. "Like cutting hedges into shapes. Pretty but hard work." James stared into the blackness of the dungeon entrance, a massive ruin nestled in twisted trees and vines. "I'm fine proceeding, but you're SURE you want to get your feet wet in a mid level dungeon?" At least she'd level up fast from it. "I should also warn you I only have time for one run through."
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#14
"I'm used to being thrown in at the deep end - it tends to work out in the long run." She walked in, heedless of the danger. "If it doesn't work out I can always try something easier, but you know what you're doing and I've got a good idea."

Liana doesn't seem to verbally acknowledge his mention of only having time for one, but a friend request was sent almost immediately afterwards.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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Northeast Ohio
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#15
"That sucks, but hey. Trial by fire seems to be the best way to learn to fly." He followed after her, accepting the friend request absently . He had learned to tune those out enough that it didn't ruin the immersion.

The dank smell of wet dirt and chlorophyll hit them as they stepped into the ruins. Various wildlife cried around them in a chaotic symphony of nature's song. "It's probably better if I go first, that way I pull aggro."
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#16
"Of course. You're the expert here." Liana took a confused sniff as the scent of the dungeon hit her, clearly unused to the sensation. She took a careful step to one side to ensure James had adequate room to pass. All of the... nature seemed to be making her a little uncomfortable, as if she was re-adjusting to a new environment.

"Is that really what it smells like? I'd almost forgotten..." What was probably supposed to be mumbling came out rather clearly over her microphone.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#17
James chuckled at her reaction to the smell. "Yeah. Don't walk by the stables near towns. The game goes all out to be realistic... I think. Smells pretty gross down there." He cracked his knuckles and moved ahead at a regular pace.

The large bald gorilla like creatures jumping out of the ruins shortly after did not surprise him. He'd cleared this place a lot after all. They focused on him, swinging clubs and fists. He dodged what he couldn't block, but still took some hits. He retaliated with a hard fist to one of the creature's face, then a quick one to the chest after. It went down and faded away, leaving some loot behind. He planted his foot in the chest of a second to knock it back, followed by an energy wave from his fist to evaporate the creature. The last stayed focused on him.

"Go ahead, see if you can hit it." He smiled to Liana.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#18
Liana hung back at first... watching. Waiting. She seemed to be studying their patterns, but James's callout stirred her into action and she leapt in behind the mosnter. The first blade came out in a flash, bured deep into where any living creature would have a spinal cord. It was swiftly followed by a second, plunged into the creature's shoulder blade and forcefully yanked upwards as she pulled it out.

She'd swiftly skip out of range regardless of if the creature lived or died, holding her remaining blade out in front of her as she returned to James's side.
"Good enough? Wasn't sure how well biology applies in VR, but figured it was worth a shot trying to hit vitals."
 

Hitura Rael

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#19
The damage from the strike at the spinal cord was magnified by the vital spot, but not enough to kill it in one blow. It would take several (dozen) at her level. James kept it's attention though, long enough for her to kill it. When the creature was down, it faded away with only a blood stain where it had been.

"Not bad." He lifted an eyebrow, looking her over again curiously. "Nice knowledge of anatomy too. What did you say you do for a living again?"
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#20
She seemed confused at first when it survived the first strike, but would return to her previous location to finish it once it was clear there was a safe opening for her.

Shouldn't have expected it to work like real life. Need to keep that in mind for next time.

"Secretary at a colonial manufacturer. Anatomy's just a personal interest - did a few nursing courses a while back." Liana inspected both blades, flicking the blood off them with a casual gesture but keeping them out for now. "These blades a lot heftier though. Weird feeling, but kinda satisfying."

Note to self - account for what interests would fit a cover story. That... made me sound like a serial killer.