Forums » Sci-Fi Roleplay » Summer Soiree: Don't fear, MAI is here! (Closed)

One day, you found yourself a package in front of your door, inside your mailbox, or anywhere the package has their route to you. It just a plain brown cardboard box, sealed with a single, elegant silver ribbon. On the list of the shipper name, it was said from: META Group Corp, and at the bottom, it crafted your name, your address and your phone number. You probably have the 5W 1H on your mind. Curiosity piqued, you brought the package inside your home/shelter/studio/wherever you are currently living.




It's all that written in the center of the seal. To extinguish your worry, like answering your questions inside your brain. Like it was programmed and you feel like someone has controlling your body, you may now understand how the character on The Sims may have someone being the puppeteer. But, you washed out that thought because you think that it was an impossible things that might occur in this reality.



You get the scissors/cutter/or even your nail clipper to open the box. Inside, you found a VR Headset with an envelope. It was a letter directly for you. You feel itchy to open the letter. And it says:

---

Rules:
- Everyone is welcome! Face claim or OCs. Human FC or Animated/Graphic FC.
- Please be human only. Our system can't detect another race's brain, we are still under development!
- No one liners. Our bot Assistant need to read your expressions and action unless you want to be detected as an intruder and you will be annihilated from the system immediately
- Please be kind to each other.

The remnants of the previous night's revelry clung to Leo like a second skin. A throbbing headache pulsed in his temples, and his mouth felt like sandpaper. The party, a blur of laughter and music, was a distant memory, leaving behind only the lingering scent of stale beer and the echo of boisterous conversations.

He groaned, rolling over in his bed, and reached for his phone to check the time.

It's already morning!

The insistent rapping on his door shattered the silence, and he sat up with a jolt, his head spinning. With a groan, he pulled the covers off and stumbled towards the door, his movements sluggish and uncertain.

As he opened the door, a rectangular package lay on the welcome mat, nestled between two potted ferns. A small, elegant envelope rested on top, its crisp white paper contrasting sharply with the worn wood of his door. With a shaky hand, Leo picked up the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

Who the hell sent him a weird package?

The letter was short and to the point, its elegant script a stark contrast to the chaotic state of Leo's mind. It spoke of a 'taste of summer,' a promise to escape the drudgery of everyday life and experience something extraordinary. Intrigued, Leo set the package aside and reached for the VR headset that lay on its package.

He slipped the headset over his head, its cool plastic fitting snugly against his skin. "The hell?!" He muttered.

The attic he'd spent the last several hours writing in had become musty, tainted with an air of fatigue and a wearing lack of fortitude. Alan Wake needed a break. With heavy hands, he rapped away at his typewriter like a man possessed, his brows knitted together in stark concentration. The giddy sensation of unadulterated motivation had long since left him only to be replaced by a fevered obsession to reach the finale. Despite the growing ache in his lower back, the writer continued on his rampage, driven by sheer will to bring the climax of his story to a tumultuous end. Nothing was ever easy...

It was then the sound of the doorbell reverberated throughout the entirety of his home. The chime resonated unpleasantly in Alan's ears, shaking him violently to the core. The shadows that seemed to loom over him vanished almost immediately, snapping him back into a reality he nearly lost only but moments before. He was in control again.

Grateful for the silence and a freedom from the incessant clacking of the very keys that enslave him, Alan took a deep, consoling breath. The doorbell rang once more, but the sound was tolerable this time, more grounded. He forced himself to his feet, his rigid shoulders rolling in response to the change in posture and he began his descent to find out who could possibly be visiting a shut-in like him.

Ding-dong! Alan's brow furrowed, "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. Hold on!"

Once he'd reached the door, he unfastened the locks at a steady pace before bringing it open to unveil a package, but no visitor. That was odd and very suspicious.

After giving the box a thorough examination, Alan, as though his very life depended on it, lifted it precariously and brought it inside. He gave the door a hearty kick to shut it and set the container down on the breezeway table. With careful, meticulous hands, Alan began the process of opening it. He probably should have waited and let someone else handle it, or even contacted the fire brigade, but proper procedures for a famous writer failed him where curiosity was more prevalent.

"What have we here?" he inquired upon seeing the contents. "Some kinda video game -- oh wait. There's the information." There was a long pause as he read over the invitation. "Well, I guess there's no time like the present, but what the hell is RPR?"

Alan slid the device over his head appropriately and began the process of powering it on. The company's logo flashed across his vision and for a brief little time, the imposing shadows that hunkered in the corners didn't seem to faze him in the least...

Once the virtual reality (VR) headset was placed upon the participant's head, their initial experience was one of disorientation. Their feet seemed to hover weightlessly, while the familiar confines of their room dissolved, replaced by a breathtaking beachscape. As they gradually grew accustomed to the simulated environment, a holographic projection of an artificial intelligence (AI) bot materialized before them.

As their senses gradually adjusted to the simulated surroundings, a holographic projection materialized before their eyes, taking the form of an artificial intelligence (AI) bot.





"It is a distinct honor to make your acquaintance, Leo. Similarly, I am privileged to meet you, Alan." the AI bot greeted in a warm and welcoming tone. "I have been appointed as your Manufacturing Assistant Intelligence, but for ease of address, you may refer to me as MAI."


MAI continued, "META Group has bestowed upon me the esteemed task of guiding your path toward summer entertainment. It is my earnest desire to provide indispensable assistance in enriching your forthcoming adventures."


"Esteemed guests, Leo and Alan." MAI's voice resonated with both authority and warmth, "Within this cutting-edge software, we have meticulously assembled an unparalleled collection of summer's most captivating entertainment. Rest assured, your participation poses absolutely no risk. Our unwavering commitment to safety guarantees an exceptional experience."

MAI's carefully crafted words instilled a profound sense of confidence in both Leo and Alan. To further demonstrate their sincerity, MAI extended an invitation.

"As a tangible expression of our goodwill, allow me to guide you to the most effervescent local establishment – The Tipsy Turtle!"



When they stepped into the vibrant venue, a waiter promptly approached their table, offering refreshing Sweet Mimosas as a warm and welcoming gesture.

Alan soon felt a sort of weightlessness come over him -- the all too familiar sensation of losing control of his body had him on the verge of removing the headset entirely. He held fast, however, his mind still his own, maintaining a solid grasp of reasoning and keeping his emotions in check for now. Alan eventually acclimated to the dreamlike state, his patience, though oftentimes otherwise questionable, had paid off and a beautiful display of paradise spread before him. It was breathtakingly real. The sound of the waves lapping at the shore, the briny smell of an ocean breeze, and the sense of sinking vaguely into soft, glistening sand had Alan convinced he was legitimately there.

When the image of a tall, ethereal-looking figure materialized, Alan immediately felt out of his element. He was, after all, a thriller novelist and she was a component of something a bit more science fiction. However, for the sake of curiosity alone, he was willing to continue the experience despite his lack of familiarity in this particular field.

He stood silently, watching as MAI introduced herself, her purpose, the company from which she derived her instructions. Alan's face contorted ever so slightly at the mention of safety. Perhaps there was a need to reassure their patrons? It was then Alan realized there had been someone else with them, another poor sucker turned test subject. He turned and gave Leo an empathetic shrug before he followed MAI into this Tipsy Turtle only to be greeted by a humble waiter eager to serve.

Alan realized he was now sitting at a table and wondered briefly what his real body had to be doing before a delightful little drink was thrust his way. "Hah, don't mind if I do!" Just how real would it taste though? Could it actually impair him? Could it possibly help him escape the confines of his prison? He was keen to find out. Down the hatch!

After Leo slipped the VR helmet over his head, the world blurring as the familiar surroundings dissolved into digital nothingness. A blinding white light filled his vision, then faded, revealing a strange, unfamiliar landscape. His stomach lurched, and he felt a wave of nausea rise within him. This was a whole new level of immersion, and frankly, it was a little unsettling. "Sh**, this thing is dangerous." he muttered, a prickle of unease running down his spine.

But before he could fully grasp the implications of his new reality, a sleek, shimmering figure materialized before him. It was an AI, a digital construct with vibrant, purple eyes and a smooth, chrome body. It introduced itself as MAI, its voice cool and composed.

Leo found himself seated at a futuristic bar, a glowing glass of a strange, orange drink placed before him. He instinctively reached for it, curious about its taste. As he glanced to his left, his breath hitched. There, perched on the barstool next to him, was another human. He stared, unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him. He was sure it wasn't a hologram—this was another living, breathing person, just like him.

"Whoa!" Leo exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. "You can see me, right? We're connected, right? This is… scary… but cool. Scary cool." He chuckled nervously as he asked Alan, still trying to make sense of the situation. The two of them, together, in this strange, virtual world. It was surreal, beyond anything he could have imagined.

"MAI understands your concern! I promise you, don't worry, we're safe!" MAI said to both Alan and Leo with a pixilated smile, winked at the men as if she was trying to steal a peek at something naughty. She was the only one who could see their nervous, furrowed brows and the way their hands trembled as they hesitantly reached for the shimmering, virtual mimosa.

The men were skeptical, she knew. This was all so new, so strange. The mimosa, a swirling golden mirage in their digital reality, wasn't going to solve their thirst, but... it was going to taste amazing. And when they took a sip, a sweet burst of orange and citrus flooded their senses. It wasn't like any mimosa they had ever tasted before. This was pure, unadulterated deliciousness.

The mimosa wasn't really liquid, not in the way they were used to. It was a digital construct, but its flavor was real - so real that they could actually taste the tartness of the orange juice and the fine bubbles of champagne. It was a virtual sensation, so vivid that their throats felt the icy chill of the chilled drink. It was a strange feeling, but it was a good strange. It was comforting. It was an escape.

When Leo addressed him, Alan gave the other man a sheepish grin. He was still quite uncertain about all of this, but he assumed MAI had to be right. Surely this thing was safe. It had to be. He thought it would be impolite not to respond to Leo, but Alan was never good with people-ing. He'd try his best not to sound too awkward.

"Yeah, I see you all right," he stated in an effort to be articulate. There was certainly a real-world clarity to all this holographic business. "Nothin' like takin' chances with a complete stranger, am I right? All the more adventurous."

Alan's first impression of the mimosa was shock. The sensation of the icy liquid splashing over his tongue, making its way down his throat -- the rich, citrusy taste paired with the bubbly zing of the champagne seemed almost too accurate. And yet, despite the realness, he was left feeling vaguely parched. It was certainly a peculiar experience.

"Gotta say, MAI, this is insanely convincing. I can't help but feel like I'm part of some kind of experiment though. Is this for entertainment purposes only or is there something more duplicitous goin' on here? Just curious now, no harm in asking I hope."

"It is strictly for entertainment purposes." MAI explained, a cheerful smile illuminating her holographic face. "Our company has no intention of breaking any rules or exploiting human abilities in any negative way!" Her enthusiasm was palpable as she continued, "This entire experiment is certainly unconventional—I fully acknowledge that. But you might be surprised to learn that there is a real human being behind this hologram, someone who watches over the proceedings."

She paused for a moment, a glint of mischief in her virtual eyes. "We’ve been observing you and Leo this entire time, attentively monitoring every opinion you’ve shared and every interaction you’ve had. Your feedback is invaluable to us."

With a playful tone, she added, "And now, let's dive into our next segment of this journey. It's going to be an exhilarating experience—just wait until you see what we have planned!"

However, before she could finish her sentence, something unexpected happened. The program suddenly glitched, her voice abruptly shifting to a mechanical monotone. "MAI will assist you." the auto bot droned, lacking the warm vibrancy it had moments earlier. "MAI is a good----"




At that precise moment, your vision transformed into a chaotic swirl of analog distortion. All the vibrant virtual phenomena that surrounded you—a world teeming with colors, sounds, and experiences—vanished into an eerie void, plunging you into darkness.

In the blink of an eye, the cheerful presence of your virtual assistant faded away. The immersive entertainment that had so engrossed you moments ago dissipated like mist, leaving no trace behind. You found yourself back in the confines of your own room, a reality that felt stark and dull in comparison to the exhilarating adventure you had just been part of.

The VR headset you had been wearing powered down with a soft whir, the artificial glow extinguished. The vibrant journey you had embarked upon had come to an unceremonious end, as if snuffed out abruptly—as though it had never happened at all. A sense of emptiness washed over you, and you were left wondering about the mysteries behind what you had just experienced and the sudden nature of its conclusion. What had gone wrong? And what secrets lay behind the veil of that holographic facade?

---