This nexus was a world were many others linked together and overlapped. They all lead into a grand metropolis, a sprawling city with tall, white towers that looked almost ceramic in their pristine majesty against the blue sky of day, and still glowed white from below in the dark of the moonlit night. This city was called Omniopolis, and it quickly became the central hub of the entire world, garnering the most security and cultural exchange anywhere on the planet.
The portal structures were quite large, somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty feet high, and six of them lead to a wide paved pathway that lead to and away from the city. This would be any new arrivals' first choice to make.
Should they choose to head away from the city, the path would lead to a wide pasture that eventually lead to dense forests temperate zone forests. In either direction, though, they would encounter many armored task-force units on patrol, their black armor and combat masks obcuring many details of their respective races and abilities. They carried powerful weapons in hand, mostly machine or beam rifles, ready to put down any chaos that was stirred up.
However, once they stepped past this port, the overtly visible security at least would drop off tremendously. Once a new arrival meets new friends and makes their first choice, who knew what could happen.
((Players may start when ready!))
The portal structures were quite large, somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty feet high, and six of them lead to a wide paved pathway that lead to and away from the city. This would be any new arrivals' first choice to make.
Should they choose to head away from the city, the path would lead to a wide pasture that eventually lead to dense forests temperate zone forests. In either direction, though, they would encounter many armored task-force units on patrol, their black armor and combat masks obcuring many details of their respective races and abilities. They carried powerful weapons in hand, mostly machine or beam rifles, ready to put down any chaos that was stirred up.
However, once they stepped past this port, the overtly visible security at least would drop off tremendously. Once a new arrival meets new friends and makes their first choice, who knew what could happen.
((Players may start when ready!))
ConnanBell wrote:
This nexus was a world were many others linked together and overlapped. They all lead into a grand metropolis, a sprawling city with tall, white towers that looked almost ceramic in their pristine majesty against the blue sky of day, and still glowed white from below in the dark of the moonlit night. This city was called Omniopolis, and it quickly became the central hub of the entire world, garnering the most security and cultural exchange anywhere on the planet.
The portal structures were quite large, somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty feet high, and six of them lead to a wide paved pathway that lead to and away from the city. This would be any new arrivals' first choice to make.
Should they choose to head away from the city, the path would lead to a wide pasture that eventually lead to dense forests temperate zone forests. In either direction, though, they would encounter many armored task-force units on patrol, their black armor and combat masks obcuring many details of their respective races and abilities. They carried powerful weapons in hand, mostly machine or beam rifles, ready to put down any chaos that was stirred up.
However, once they stepped past this port, the overtly visible security at least would drop off tremendously. Once a new arrival meets new friends and makes their first choice, who knew what could happen.
((Players may start when ready!))
The portal structures were quite large, somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty feet high, and six of them lead to a wide paved pathway that lead to and away from the city. This would be any new arrivals' first choice to make.
Should they choose to head away from the city, the path would lead to a wide pasture that eventually lead to dense forests temperate zone forests. In either direction, though, they would encounter many armored task-force units on patrol, their black armor and combat masks obcuring many details of their respective races and abilities. They carried powerful weapons in hand, mostly machine or beam rifles, ready to put down any chaos that was stirred up.
However, once they stepped past this port, the overtly visible security at least would drop off tremendously. Once a new arrival meets new friends and makes their first choice, who knew what could happen.
((Players may start when ready!))
The sight itself was strange, when does another gate- a tall one at that, was offered to the Zangoose. What would, moreover should, be the reaction to the situation, especially when it just happens? Well.. Regardless on what choice she would've made if she took time to think, she stepped through.
The city she would step into was certainly intimidating, the towers surrounding her not helping in this feeling. She didn't immediately regret the choice, moreso was cautious of this strange environment, claws ready as she was trying to get her bearings, and if anyone else near her was hostile.
She would very quickly come into contact with a white tailed deer. It would turn to look at her, standing perfectly still at first, as deer often do. It then started to approach, moving with cautious strides, its hooves clicking very gently against the concrete.
Someone approaching her... The other being looked like a Stantler? Although, the proportions, the form felt too unfamiliar to properly say that a Stantler was actually coming close, which she wasn't sure how to exactly feel about that. Regardless though, this is a stranger approaching, and she seemed to be sizing up the animal, trying to judge how much of a threat it would be if hostile. Thankfully, the behavior wasn't aggressive, and if anything, seemed to be cautious as her, which was a good sign, if anything.
She still had her claws out, but the way she carried herself seemed more guarded, as she looked carefully at the strange folk. Her facial expression carried nay aggression either, mostly purely caution and mild curiosity.
("Hello? Do you understand me?") Not even a lot of humans understood her, so it would be miracle if she could be understood in the slightest. Of course, she could attempt repeating a few human words, but this form of communication was much more comfortable for her, and less straining on the vocal chords. Though if this was a distant cousin of a Stantler, it's worth a shot, right?
She still had her claws out, but the way she carried herself seemed more guarded, as she looked carefully at the strange folk. Her facial expression carried nay aggression either, mostly purely caution and mild curiosity.
("Hello? Do you understand me?") Not even a lot of humans understood her, so it would be miracle if she could be understood in the slightest. Of course, she could attempt repeating a few human words, but this form of communication was much more comfortable for her, and less straining on the vocal chords. Though if this was a distant cousin of a Stantler, it's worth a shot, right?
Processing language. Running comparisons to known language systems.
Similarity discovered. Sylabic rhythm-based. Comparing to known Sylabic rhythm-based codes.
Match found. Proceeding to download.
("Hello there!") said the deer, not speaking in Stantler, but in Zangoose! ("My name is Spingheel! It's nice to meet you! Welcome to our world, and to the city of Omniopolis!")
Similarity discovered. Sylabic rhythm-based. Comparing to known Sylabic rhythm-based codes.
Match found. Proceeding to download.
("Hello there!") said the deer, not speaking in Stantler, but in Zangoose! ("My name is Spingheel! It's nice to meet you! Welcome to our world, and to the city of Omniopolis!")
W-what? Safe to say the sudden greeting spooked her, the Zangoose briefly stepping back before she reoriented herself. She's definitely wasn't expecting that, that's for certain.
(".... Er, hi, thank you, Springheel. This is a city?- Hold on, don't answer.") That would make the most sense, though the structures did still seem odd.
("Sorry. I understand now. I don't understand how you managed to understand me, by seriously, thank you and nice to meet you.") Was there a custom for acquaintances she should be aware of? She's not sure. ("Oh, before I forget, just call me Billie. And- what sort of city is this, if you don't mind me asking?")
(".... Er, hi, thank you, Springheel. This is a city?- Hold on, don't answer.") That would make the most sense, though the structures did still seem odd.
("Sorry. I understand now. I don't understand how you managed to understand me, by seriously, thank you and nice to meet you.") Was there a custom for acquaintances she should be aware of? She's not sure. ("Oh, before I forget, just call me Billie. And- what sort of city is this, if you don't mind me asking?")
("This is a city where beings from dozens of different dimensions may gather and live in peace and harmony!") explained the deer. ("In fact, I myself am from a different universe, just like you are. You appear to be from the PKM Universe. I am from the TF G-1 universe!) He seemed very excited about this fact. He turned his body toward the city as if wanting to lead Billie to the city. He stopped himself, though.
("Oh, I should perhapse explain. I am not an organic lifeform like yourself. I am from planet Cybertron. We are, what your kind are likely to call 'robots.' I simply assume this form so as not to frighten outsiders.")
("Oh, I should perhapse explain. I am not an organic lifeform like yourself. I am from planet Cybertron. We are, what your kind are likely to call 'robots.' I simply assume this form so as not to frighten outsiders.")
Huh. A lot of this felt too unreal, and if it weren't for the evidence she was seeing firsthand, she may not have completely believed him. Though the city itself was more than enough to let her believe what Springheel said. Though still, this talk of universes so casually still was a tad blindsiding.
("Ah. That makes sense, though don't worry about needing to hide yourself, if you're comfortable. Though a city of such ambition... Forgive me if I seem a bit doubtful of it, at first. This doesn't mean I think it isn't a good goal, though.") Maybe she should distract from what she said, before she sounds too negative.
("Feel free to tell me more about the city, if you wish.")
("Ah. That makes sense, though don't worry about needing to hide yourself, if you're comfortable. Though a city of such ambition... Forgive me if I seem a bit doubtful of it, at first. This doesn't mean I think it isn't a good goal, though.") Maybe she should distract from what she said, before she sounds too negative.
("Feel free to tell me more about the city, if you wish.")
("I would love to!") said Springheel. ("Please step this way!")
He would not change forms just yet, as he seemed plenty pleased to be a deer, at least for the moment.
("This city was established approximately two hundred years ago. Needless to say, it looked very different back then. About one hundred fifty years ago, this planet had its first interdimensional immegrant, and then another two years later. This had a profound effect on the nature of both the city and the planet as a whole, unlocking new knowledge and allowing for the creation of these massive portals you see on your left and right. About thirteen solar cycles ago, I arrived here to investigate an interdimensioal anamoly from my universe and found this place. I then made it my mission to act as an ambassador to help those who land here by choice or accident adjust to their new home.")
He would not change forms just yet, as he seemed plenty pleased to be a deer, at least for the moment.
("This city was established approximately two hundred years ago. Needless to say, it looked very different back then. About one hundred fifty years ago, this planet had its first interdimensional immegrant, and then another two years later. This had a profound effect on the nature of both the city and the planet as a whole, unlocking new knowledge and allowing for the creation of these massive portals you see on your left and right. About thirteen solar cycles ago, I arrived here to investigate an interdimensioal anamoly from my universe and found this place. I then made it my mission to act as an ambassador to help those who land here by choice or accident adjust to their new home.")
Springheel wrote:
("I would love to!") said Springheel. ("Please step this way!")
He would not change forms just yet, as he seemed plenty pleased to be a deer, at least for the moment.
("This city was established approximately two hundred years ago. Needless to say, it looked very different back then. About one hundred fifty years ago, this planet had its first interdimensional immegrant, and then another two years later. This had a profound effect on the nature of both the city and the planet as a whole, unlocking new knowledge and allowing for the creation of these massive portals you see on your left and right. About thirteen solar cycles ago, I arrived here to investigate an interdimensioal anamoly from my universe and found this place. I then made it my mission to act as an ambassador to help those who land here by choice or accident adjust to their new home.")
He would not change forms just yet, as he seemed plenty pleased to be a deer, at least for the moment.
("This city was established approximately two hundred years ago. Needless to say, it looked very different back then. About one hundred fifty years ago, this planet had its first interdimensional immegrant, and then another two years later. This had a profound effect on the nature of both the city and the planet as a whole, unlocking new knowledge and allowing for the creation of these massive portals you see on your left and right. About thirteen solar cycles ago, I arrived here to investigate an interdimensioal anamoly from my universe and found this place. I then made it my mission to act as an ambassador to help those who land here by choice or accident adjust to their new home.")
The Zangoose did her best to follow while her eyes were doing their best to pick up every detail that could be sighted. There was a lot to even think about, but it didn't stop her from trying to process everything that was happening. A talking sentient robot, an interdimensional city, the new sights... She was rather thankful she wasn't surprisingly too overwhelmed.
("Well... I do appreciate you welcoming me, thank you.") Billie replied once Springheel could finish speaking. The description of the city at leats made enough sense for her to be able to follow along. ("I'd likely be more lost without the help.")
("... It's rather odd though, the odds of such a place even existing. If you don't mind me asking, though... Did you decide to stay here? I stepped through, but I honestly have no clue if re-entry would be allowed.")
("I come from a fortunate world with highly advanced technology,") Springheel explained. ("I can more of less come and go as I please... provided my ship remains in order. For most, though, they do not always get a choice to return home. These portals were constructed to make passage to this place safer when it happens. They are not great as two-way transport, because you rarely know where they will drop you off or when.)
(".. Fortunate indeed.") She admittedly didn't seem the most pleased with the answer, as she was initially trying to internally sort out her feelings on that. Though... Wait, how she just sounded there, oh no.
("-Ah, sorry. I shouldn't have said it like that. Sorry.") Did she offend him at all? She'd hope not, it would be far from ideal, especially since this stranger was being nice to her. She should perhaps distract from what just happened, maybe. ("If it's okay with you, do you mind if I ask for a map of any kind?")
("-Ah, sorry. I shouldn't have said it like that. Sorry.") Did she offend him at all? She'd hope not, it would be far from ideal, especially since this stranger was being nice to her. She should perhaps distract from what just happened, maybe. ("If it's okay with you, do you mind if I ask for a map of any kind?")
("No offence taken at all,") he said. ("I can take you to the reception's office. We can get you your immunizations, a proper map, and a possible area of employment.") He faltered a moment, as if reprimanding himself for his own words. ("I... I regret to say that... it may be difficult for you to return to your own home. If you do wish to return, we can make an attempt, but pinpointing interdimensional coodinates is no small matter.")
("It's alright, really. I'll... Consider it, but if it's too dangerous, I'd rather not risk it right now.") While this wasn't... Completely ideal, something like that could maybe cause unnecessary harm, too.
("Reception for now is likely the best for me to go. Again, thank you. Though immunizations... Like those needle shots?") .. Eugh, needles.
("Reception for now is likely the best for me to go. Again, thank you. Though immunizations... Like those needle shots?") .. Eugh, needles.
The deer nodded his head. ("I'm afraid that is the most effective means of immunization,") he confessed. ("Don't worry, though. The needles come in all sizes, some of them quite small, as petients require. This way please!")
He walked her down the long paved walkway that lead to the first buildings of the gerat metropolis. Its tall, glass doors parted for them automatically, and Springheel lead them to a receptionist. This receptionist was a robot. Just a straight up robot wearing a lady's office uniform, its face immobile, only slightly resembling that of a face with a small light on its forehead.
"Greetings, Irine," said Springheel, suddenly speaking in his original language once more. "This is Billie. She needs to start her immigration procedure."
The robot looked down at Billie. It woud appear that the beings in the world were all going to be taller than her.
"Well hyah there!" she said through a synthetic voice. "IS this yer first time in this universe, sweetheart!?"
He walked her down the long paved walkway that lead to the first buildings of the gerat metropolis. Its tall, glass doors parted for them automatically, and Springheel lead them to a receptionist. This receptionist was a robot. Just a straight up robot wearing a lady's office uniform, its face immobile, only slightly resembling that of a face with a small light on its forehead.
"Greetings, Irine," said Springheel, suddenly speaking in his original language once more. "This is Billie. She needs to start her immigration procedure."
The robot looked down at Billie. It woud appear that the beings in the world were all going to be taller than her.
"Well hyah there!" she said through a synthetic voice. "IS this yer first time in this universe, sweetheart!?"
The reassurance the needles were small was a bit comforting, though it's probably still going to be not a fun time. On the plus side, they should be quick... Hopefully.
The Zangoose still felt blindsided by how the city looked, any word she could've had ultimately getting stuck in her throat as they eventually made it inside, the entrance not unlike a lavish hotel to her.
She did finally feel more down to earth once Springheel and the stranger started talking, despite being unable to understand what the either of them were saying,only to nearly jump when the stranger immediately began to talk to her directly- What was she saying? While she didn't quite understand what was said to her either- The tone implies there's a friendliness behind it, along with curiosity. Was it a greeting and question about her?
("Ah.. Hi. Sorry, I don't understand you. I'm Billie, though, if talking like this helps you understand me. I just got here too, if you wonder why you haven't seen me around.")
The Zangoose still felt blindsided by how the city looked, any word she could've had ultimately getting stuck in her throat as they eventually made it inside, the entrance not unlike a lavish hotel to her.
She did finally feel more down to earth once Springheel and the stranger started talking, despite being unable to understand what the either of them were saying,only to nearly jump when the stranger immediately began to talk to her directly- What was she saying? While she didn't quite understand what was said to her either- The tone implies there's a friendliness behind it, along with curiosity. Was it a greeting and question about her?
("Ah.. Hi. Sorry, I don't understand you. I'm Billie, though, if talking like this helps you understand me. I just got here too, if you wonder why you haven't seen me around.")
"Rhythmic Language PKM, subclass Zangoose," said Springheel.
"Oh dear! I'm so sorry!" She looked off into space for a moment, her head giving off a light humming sound. Then she spoke again.
("I'm so sorry, hon! As I was saying, if this is yet first time in this universe, you'll need the full-package. Three shots, and of course a wrist Wiki. Just ask it whatever questions ya got, and if anyone knows the answer, it'll tell ya! Follow me, please!")
She rose up from her desk, revealing that she did not actually have legs, just this weird floatation apparatus that guided her over the desk and down the hall.
("I may need fingers in the very near future,") said Springheel. ("Do you mind if I transform into my robot mode?")
"Oh dear! I'm so sorry!" She looked off into space for a moment, her head giving off a light humming sound. Then she spoke again.
("I'm so sorry, hon! As I was saying, if this is yet first time in this universe, you'll need the full-package. Three shots, and of course a wrist Wiki. Just ask it whatever questions ya got, and if anyone knows the answer, it'll tell ya! Follow me, please!")
She rose up from her desk, revealing that she did not actually have legs, just this weird floatation apparatus that guided her over the desk and down the hall.
("I may need fingers in the very near future,") said Springheel. ("Do you mind if I transform into my robot mode?")
She'd appreciate the shift, at least once she processed what was actually happening. She should thank Springheel right after- O-oh, this bit of this information is new but understandable- a wrist Wiki? Pardon? Just before she asks, she starts trying to catch up to Irene as directed.
("Ah, yeah- Thank you for letting me ask. A wrist Wiki though? Is it like those wrist devices people wear?") What were those called again? Watches... Holo Casters... Something or other, it was rather difficult to keep up with every new device people started to use. Before she trailed off on the thought though, she heard Springheel's request.
("Oh- er, sure. Don't feel you have to stay a certain way just because of me.")
("Ah, yeah- Thank you for letting me ask. A wrist Wiki though? Is it like those wrist devices people wear?") What were those called again? Watches... Holo Casters... Something or other, it was rather difficult to keep up with every new device people started to use. Before she trailed off on the thought though, she heard Springheel's request.
("Oh- er, sure. Don't feel you have to stay a certain way just because of me.")
("Thank you,") he said. "Springheel: Maximize!"
The deer's body suddenly shifted, opened, and re-molded itself in segments that somehow pulled apart from one another. The entire process was extremely quick, though, only lasting two seconds. Once it was done, a humanoid machine man with patches of the deer's fur and other parts on various parts of it stood before the Zangoose, towering over her.
("There we are,") he said. ("Now just follow Irene. She'll take you where you need to go.")
The deer's body suddenly shifted, opened, and re-molded itself in segments that somehow pulled apart from one another. The entire process was extremely quick, though, only lasting two seconds. Once it was done, a humanoid machine man with patches of the deer's fur and other parts on various parts of it stood before the Zangoose, towering over her.
("There we are,") he said. ("Now just follow Irene. She'll take you where you need to go.")
Backstory
Talons. Yes... they remembered talons. The great, greedy bird that had decided perhaps that a spirit of light would make a pleasant meal. Naturally, Seren did not consider the question of whether they were truly palatable to this creature. They had more pressing thoughts on their mind at the time - like the fact they had been snatched from the boughs of their favourite tree and taken many hundreds of metres into the air!
Before the spirit could even consider doing anything, they had been whisked far higher than they had ever been before. Could they survive a fall from this altitude? They had no experience to form a conclusion with. But the further they were carried, the more anxious they got. The more panic replaced logic. Soon, they had passed beyond a tall cliff to become suspended over an even greater drop.
What lay below was difficult to see, not the least due to the rainstorm that had taken hold of the skies. The bird was already struggling in its flight; but it was clearly deadset on returning to its nest with its potential meal. The distant rolling booms of thunder radiated from deep within the fluffy grey clouds above. And yet the bird did not seek immediate shelter.
This was its undoing.
Perhaps it was not inevitable, but certainly, chances had been expanded by the bird's choice of action. When the storm caught up, the bolt that struck forth skewered the beast cleanly through the spine, arcing throughout its feathered form and down to fill Seren with an equally painful current of electricity. The bird's grip faltered and broke as it began plummeting to an end that had already been preceded by its death. But Seren was made of sturdier stuff. The spirit clung to life as the canopy of trees below rushed closer at a diagonal trajectory. Right before they lost consciousness, they caught sight of something tall and alien amongst the foliage. A structure of some kind...? It loomed closer and closer...
Before the spirit could even consider doing anything, they had been whisked far higher than they had ever been before. Could they survive a fall from this altitude? They had no experience to form a conclusion with. But the further they were carried, the more anxious they got. The more panic replaced logic. Soon, they had passed beyond a tall cliff to become suspended over an even greater drop.
What lay below was difficult to see, not the least due to the rainstorm that had taken hold of the skies. The bird was already struggling in its flight; but it was clearly deadset on returning to its nest with its potential meal. The distant rolling booms of thunder radiated from deep within the fluffy grey clouds above. And yet the bird did not seek immediate shelter.
This was its undoing.
Perhaps it was not inevitable, but certainly, chances had been expanded by the bird's choice of action. When the storm caught up, the bolt that struck forth skewered the beast cleanly through the spine, arcing throughout its feathered form and down to fill Seren with an equally painful current of electricity. The bird's grip faltered and broke as it began plummeting to an end that had already been preceded by its death. But Seren was made of sturdier stuff. The spirit clung to life as the canopy of trees below rushed closer at a diagonal trajectory. Right before they lost consciousness, they caught sight of something tall and alien amongst the foliage. A structure of some kind...? It loomed closer and closer...
Seren was on the ground when they awoke. Flat, face-first, all four arms splayed outward like dragonfly wings. Their soft white fur stood on end, still soaked from the storm they had seemingly escaped. As their eyes opened and they pushed themselves up onto their hoofed feet, the unfamiliar surroundings were nothing short of baffling. Such architecture was leagues away from that of the small tribes who shared their forest. In size and in scope. But what was most terrifying was how the terrain had changed so drastically... the surroundings so alien... this could not have been the forest of their home.
The first thought that crossed Seren's mind was whether this was some sort of afterlife. Many tribes believed in such a thing. But it had not factored into their own beliefs. Seren's lifeforce came directly from the light and life of their parent tree. They were fairly certain that a second life did not wait for them beyond the mortal veil. So just what was this place? Wherever it was, it was clear that the link between Seren and their parent tree knew no physical bounds. So long as the tree remained alive, apparently the distance did not matter. Seren was alive. Alive... and lost.
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