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[...
Something doesn't sit right.
The silence is something familiar, but the movements leading up to it, and the words after... Maybe the whole thing just has them paranoid. Too much to think about. And too many things they'd rather not think about.]
< ...Sometimes it's the best way to handle it. Maybe not the healthiest, but you don't always get a choice. >
Something doesn't sit right.
The silence is something familiar, but the movements leading up to it, and the words after... Maybe the whole thing just has them paranoid. Too much to think about. And too many things they'd rather not think about.]
< ...Sometimes it's the best way to handle it. Maybe not the healthiest, but you don't always get a choice. >
[Frankly, he's just not used to anybody asking him how he is. He's been the one in charge for so long, the one who asks everyone else how they are, the one who's always in control—or the one tearing it down, which hardly creates allies interested in your well being.
Funnily, it means he's out of his depth in this place, just in a different way than he tries to portray. Without a facial expression to judge, he merely takes Dante's momentary pause as appropriate to the difficult topic.]
I know it will catch up to me eventually, if we're granted any sort of peace after this, [he says with some resignation as he folds his arms.] So... I suppose I'll find out then just how well I'm handling it.
[Altius, at least, wouldn't pretend to be just fine in the face of all this, not after all the sorts of advice he gives to others. He turns his gaze back to Dante.]
It sounds as though this isn't the first such crisis you've been through, even outside of this place.
Funnily, it means he's out of his depth in this place, just in a different way than he tries to portray. Without a facial expression to judge, he merely takes Dante's momentary pause as appropriate to the difficult topic.]
I know it will catch up to me eventually, if we're granted any sort of peace after this, [he says with some resignation as he folds his arms.] So... I suppose I'll find out then just how well I'm handling it.
[Altius, at least, wouldn't pretend to be just fine in the face of all this, not after all the sorts of advice he gives to others. He turns his gaze back to Dante.]
It sounds as though this isn't the first such crisis you've been through, even outside of this place.
< You could say that. We have to deal with a lot of interesting situations thanks to my job, and home isn't exactly the best place out there to begin with. >
[Which is putting it lightly.]
< Believe it or not, this simulation, despite everything, is somehow... kinder? I'm not sure if that's the word I'm looking for. >
[Which is putting it lightly.]
< Believe it or not, this simulation, despite everything, is somehow... kinder? I'm not sure if that's the word I'm looking for. >
[He's getting the sense that "interesting" in this context means terrible and difficult. Between the mention of their prior injuries, the willingness to seek danger with their team, and the worries of being a horrible person should they recall their past, he would agree that it sounds distinctly not kind where they're from.]
I think I understand, [he replies, though he's not apparently happy to hear it, if the frown on his face is anything to go by.] I couldn't say the same compared my own, but... if you've found any reprieve here, I'm glad for that.
[All worlds are cruel in their own way, but some are more openly cruel than others, it seems.]
Are you usually given any time to recover? More than physically.
I think I understand, [he replies, though he's not apparently happy to hear it, if the frown on his face is anything to go by.] I couldn't say the same compared my own, but... if you've found any reprieve here, I'm glad for that.
[All worlds are cruel in their own way, but some are more openly cruel than others, it seems.]
Are you usually given any time to recover? More than physically.
[A shrug, then a wince as they realize that motion is not one they're supposed to be making.]
< There might be a couple days of downtime while reports are written up? But other than that, no, not really. >
[Even on the Great Lake, with no real mission in hand until they returned to land, there had always been something to do.]
< It's a company, though, so that much is to be expected. >
< There might be a couple days of downtime while reports are written up? But other than that, no, not really. >
[Even on the Great Lake, with no real mission in hand until they returned to land, there had always been something to do.]
< It's a company, though, so that much is to be expected. >
A company run only on unfettered cruelty, perhaps, [he says with a rare display of open disdain nearing anger, folding his arms. Maybe he's evil also, but he gives his employees proper sick leave options, damn it!
He doesn't have to ask to know this is just Dante's expectation of their world. But Dante isn't the target of his ire, so he turns his gaze to the wall.]
I'm sorry to hear it. You deserve better.
He doesn't have to ask to know this is just Dante's expectation of their world. But Dante isn't the target of his ire, so he turns his gaze to the wall.]
I'm sorry to hear it. You deserve better.
[They're not sure how to feel, hearing that from someone else. Not that it isn't nice. Of course it is. Nevermind what their doppelganger heard or said or thought, they know--they know--that there is something horribly wrong with the way things are back home.
But Altius's words don't quite hit the way they should. Because he's still such a new face, they suppose. How long had it been before the Bus Team had listened to them? How long did it take for them to finally step up and be the Manager they were supposed to be?
They don't know. But they do know this:]
< I don't know what specifically that thing may have said about my experiences, but I hope you haven't had to go through anything like them. And I'm sorry if you have. >
[Commiseration and and an apology in exchange for the one they've been given. However little it means, it's the best they have.]
But Altius's words don't quite hit the way they should. Because he's still such a new face, they suppose. How long had it been before the Bus Team had listened to them? How long did it take for them to finally step up and be the Manager they were supposed to be?
They don't know. But they do know this:]
< I don't know what specifically that thing may have said about my experiences, but I hope you haven't had to go through anything like them. And I'm sorry if you have. >
[Commiseration and and an apology in exchange for the one they've been given. However little it means, it's the best they have.]
[You wake up in a courtroom. You’re not really sure how you got here, just that you’re here. There’s Jerry, sitting at the judges box. For some he might be new, and others he might be familiar or semi-familiar. He scrutinizes you, and then motions to the jury box. There’s a plaque that’s sitting on the outside that says “Council”, but there’s no one sitting there. Everything looks clean and maintained, but there’s no one in the courtroom but you and Jerry.
Weird.]
You are charged with aimlessness. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been tasked to show remorse for your crime by finding worth for yourself and a direction to live life in. You must find a goal to work towards during your time in Aldrip. If there is no action taken, there will be consequences.
[Jerry blinks down at you, fingers threading together as he looks down from the judges’ box.]
How do you plead?
[ooc: you have until May 9th to submit your Sentencing HERE Even if your character doesn’t proceed with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.
Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. The longer that Dante takes to complete their Sentencing, the more melancholy and apathetic they may get. They may even find themself finding it difficult to find entertainment in things that usually entertain them. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please let us know!
Jerry is interactive at this point, but we wanted to make sure you got your information in hand if you'd like to start plotting for your Sentencing!]
Weird.]
You are charged with aimlessness. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been tasked to show remorse for your crime by finding worth for yourself and a direction to live life in. You must find a goal to work towards during your time in Aldrip. If there is no action taken, there will be consequences.
[Jerry blinks down at you, fingers threading together as he looks down from the judges’ box.]
How do you plead?
[ooc: you have until May 9th to submit your Sentencing HERE Even if your character doesn’t proceed with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.
Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. The longer that Dante takes to complete their Sentencing, the more melancholy and apathetic they may get. They may even find themself finding it difficult to find entertainment in things that usually entertain them. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please let us know!
Jerry is interactive at this point, but we wanted to make sure you got your information in hand if you'd like to start plotting for your Sentencing!]
Edited (LMFAO oops my b) 2025-04-07 02:33 (UTC)
[Wait, when did they lose consciousness?! This... This must be what some of hte others were talking about.]
< More than a little confused, to be honest. It's not that I think you're wrong, but... Is not knowing what you want really a crime? >
[It seems a little unfair to ask of a person who only has a year and a half of memories.]
< More than a little confused, to be honest. It's not that I think you're wrong, but... Is not knowing what you want really a crime? >
[It seems a little unfair to ask of a person who only has a year and a half of memories.]
[Ah. So it's an accurate simulation of bureaucracy.]
< So why doesn't your superior come here themself? And why give us the chance to plead our case now? I thought everyone was declared guilty the moment they got here. >
< So why doesn't your superior come here themself? And why give us the chance to plead our case now? I thought everyone was declared guilty the moment they got here. >
< Mn... >
[A slightly-angled nod. It makes sense, especially given what they know about the AI so far.
That said, it's probably better to keep what they know about the AI close to their chest.
The best case scenario is pretty useless and the worst? Not really something they want to dwell on.]
< Okay... Then why take people from their own worlds and bring them here? A crime is a crime from your point of view, I get that, but kidnapping seems a little extreme. >
[Especially with some people claiming to be dead]
[A slightly-angled nod. It makes sense, especially given what they know about the AI so far.
That said, it's probably better to keep what they know about the AI close to their chest.
The best case scenario is pretty useless and the worst? Not really something they want to dwell on.]
< Okay... Then why take people from their own worlds and bring them here? A crime is a crime from your point of view, I get that, but kidnapping seems a little extreme. >
[Especially with some people claiming to be dead]
[Their ticking grows slightly sharper with irritation.]
< Okay, fine, they don't see it as kidnapping. But that doesn't change that that's what it is. I know that there are some... exceptions to this question-- > [Primarily in the form of those who died before ending up here] < --but what's there to say that the people who ended up here couldn't have been "rehabilitated" in their own worlds? Why us? What's going on? >
[The ticking becomes quicker and quicker as they speak, irritation giving way to a frustration that's been building with every part of them unwillingly exposed]
< Okay, fine, they don't see it as kidnapping. But that doesn't change that that's what it is. I know that there are some... exceptions to this question-- > [Primarily in the form of those who died before ending up here] < --but what's there to say that the people who ended up here couldn't have been "rehabilitated" in their own worlds? Why us? What's going on? >
[The ticking becomes quicker and quicker as they speak, irritation giving way to a frustration that's been building with every part of them unwillingly exposed]
[he notes that Dante's getting a bit more irritated. but he doesn't say anything about it, yet.]
I don't have the ability to tell you how the selections are made. That is something even I don't know.
[not privy to everything!!]
We are also learning with each cycle. We are learning, and some Chosen here have advanced through their list of crimes as well.
I don't have the ability to tell you how the selections are made. That is something even I don't know.
[not privy to everything!!]
We are also learning with each cycle. We are learning, and some Chosen here have advanced through their list of crimes as well.
[The ticking slows, culminating in a single, sharp tock.]
< And the ones from the previous cycles? The ones who can't go back home or repent for anything anymore? >
[The ones who became part of the simulation itself]
< And the ones from the previous cycles? The ones who can't go back home or repent for anything anymore? >
[The ones who became part of the simulation itself]
< That doesn't clarify anything. How were they beyond saving? How did they get that way? >
< And you didn't think to release them before it got to that point? Surely not everyone's crime was so terrible they had to die for it. >
[What does that mean for the rest of them here now?]
[What does that mean for the rest of them here now?]
< Yeah, you do. You can send them back. You do it all the time, don't you? >
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