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Penny was already going inside, her eyes locked on the dancing machines, which appeared to be a love child of the old DDR machines and Just Dance. “I’ve only gotten to play this once at a VSI party. I was banned from it afterwards because I was too good.”
"We're not entirely lost. If what was our home was a horrible place, we've managed to establish a better home after coming here, thanks to the efforts of both us and those who we've ended up allying and working with over the years. Admittedly I was born after we've already escaped, so I never actually saw it first-hand, but I've come to understand it thanks to working closely together with people who were there. Such as our leader. Maybe you two would like each other, you seem to share an interest in technology. Although she can be a bit... eccentric, thanks to some run-ins with the folks we escaped from."
The fact that this leader was also an AI wasn't something he felt he needed to mention at the moment. That, and any issues that would spring up from that (ooc: such as the instinctual hatred of sentient machines) would come later.
"But that's besides the point. Or, not entirely, since it brings me to your question. As I said, it was a horrible, oppressive place, from our perspective at least. There was seemingly one piece of info that the government put all of its resources into hiding by any means necessary. Which, as a consequence, led to them having a very tight grip on society there. They had to have if they were going to prevent people from learning the truth. Don't ask me what this "truth" is, I have no idea, and everyone I've asked is either unwilling to tell me, or similarly unaware."
Heidrun crosses her arms.
"So you're good, huh? Alright, give it a shot, I'd like to see how you do."
“Alright, I promise it will only be one game.” Penny inserted money and as the game loaded up, she picked Challenge Mode as the difficulty, which caught the attention of some people.
DEMYSTIFYING THE KASAI HIVEMIND pt.5
KASAI RIVER | Aszaryin
With what seemed like a unsure yes, the Cymiopolitans inquired their hosts if their was any good encampment spots nearby. After locating a nearby clearing far enough away from the river's mosquito's while still being close enough to the boat, the androids soldiers (their mechanical nature still unknow to the Yonai) got to work pitching tents, setting up chairs, starting a bonfire and setting up the spit to roast the lamb. With five hours until the lamb was ready, Argie returned to the Yonai tribesman who seemed to be the leader of the group to ask him more questions over drinks. As he sat on the set next to his host, he offered him a glass of Cymiopolitan wine.
"I'd like to know more about you and your people. Let's start with your name.", the anthropologist inquired.
Hearing this Cezis now able to return back to her relatively calm state would seem curious onto the nature of Kristian's origins, let alone the mystery surrounding it, listening to him with an almost inquisitorial mindset in an attempt to further understand yet seeming to both be in a state of confusion in the process seeming unable to process some of the meaning behind it.
Yet when he was finished she would seem to be more confused than before leaving the both of them seemingly with more questions yet instead of choosing to prod and poke him more in context to finding the answers Cezis would simply nod and speak;
- | " Perhaps there are some questions better left unsolved yes?"
"Besides there are things where if you knew of the rest of the collective you would almost, look at us differently and there are things which I do not know such is the reason why I have never understood why some of us remained awake during the slumber.. but that is beside the point, you would not mind allowing me to see the rest of the others of your kin? " |
By the time the Cymiopolitians had been able to find a suitable location far enough from both the river and still being close enough to the boat they had arrived in, as by now the sun was just starting to set and along with this the other members of the Yonian group would still seem to be present, yet due to the nature of this gathering for once was not holding any of their weapons with many of them sticking face down into the ground.
As for the leader of the group himself would seem to be nearby, turning to face the Cymiopolitian that has just now began to sit close to him, unable to bear onto a proper facial expression simply giving the hint of confusion by tilting it's head as it were to hear him speak, when he was done the leader would seem to motion to himself as he were to begin to speak in response;
- | " Name.. or Status either one I will announce since you have requested I do; I being Warlord Varist, what you may consider to be... a commander of sorts should that be going from the relics that proclaimed those of status when in battle, I being in service to the dominion you are now within Yonia. "
" And as for you, Distant Kin since a request prompts another such being the way in which things go within lands foreign to your own " |
From Shadows
Two Weeks Ago
Vitr was home to one of the largest prisons in Ventus Prime and because of the government funding, it was considered one of the safest in the galaxy. Unfortunately, this meant some of the worst of the worst were also locked up here.
The young woman who was being escorted to a private room was certainly not one of these people, and while she tried to stay out of trouble, most people she knew knew not to cross her. A nekomimi with black ears and matching long black hair, the woman was shown inside where she took a seat across from an important looking man.
The man had been looking at a file and the woman already guessed it was her. Blake Belladonna, female, age 25, currently serving for being involved with a former terrorist organization. That last part made her sound like a big deal, though the details were complicated.
“Miss Belladonna, a pleasure to meet you,” the man said. He didn’t offer to shake her hand, which was just as well since she wouldn’t have accepted it. “Director Andor of the Office of Naval Intelligence.” When there was no response, he continued. “I’m sure you’re wondering why we’re both here. Your file is quite interesting, if I may say. The White Fang, a group of Kapteynians that were against the Republic. You first joined when you were twenty-two and were involved in various activities. Despite the group’s violent nature, it had been reported many times that you never actually killed anyone. After that, you decided to leave and turned yourself in. Because of this, when you were sentenced, the judge decided to shorten your jail time. If you don’t mind me asking, why join if you weren’t a fan of violence?”
During the time he was speaking, Blake had been avoiding eye contact, but when she finally looked at him, her eyes looked intense. “I’m afraid that file is incorrect,” she said. “The White Fang was mostly against the Schnee Dust Company, for their mistreatment of Kapteynian workers. But it’s more than that, they wanted to address racial injustice against my people.”
“I see...and considering our current leader is a Schnee, how does that make you feel?”
Blake shrugged. “I don’t know her, aside from the fact she joined the military so she wasn’t involved.”
“Perhaps now’s the time to explain why you’re here. Regardless of your affiliations, your skills are most impressive. I’d say they would put some of our best black ops people to shame. My point is, ONI could use your help.
“As you probably were not aware, the Imperial Order has recently appointed their next Emperor, Gideon Omega. Reports of the previous Emperor’s death are...suspicious at best. You have a choice here, Miss Belladonna. This mission is highly confidential and if you choose to accept it, your record will be scrubbed clean and you’ll be free.”
Blake’s ears perked up. “You mean...I can go home?”
“That’s right. Now of course, this will be dangerous and you won’t be receiving much support on our end but-”
“I’ll do it.”
Andor was surprised. “Accepting before you’ve even heard me out?”
“Regardless of the danger...I’d do anything to have my record expunged...” And see Mom and Dad again...
“Very well. Once you’re ready, you’ll be meeting with our contact, Johann. He’s an Imperial working as a double agent. He can get you to the Imperial capital, but the rest you’ll have to manage on your own. We’ll have a scout ship nearby, that’ll be your main point of contact during the mission.”
“And what is it exactly you want me to do?”
“You’ll need to get close to the right people. Everyone likes to gossip. Once you find out any information, get in contact ASAP and then we’ll go from there.”
"Ohhh, picking the hardest difficulty, are we? This only gets better and better."
At this point, Heidrun noticed that a few people that had been milling about in the arcade had gathered to watch what they thought would be an absolute mess, and smirked.
"We've got an audience too, it seems. Maybe you guys want to bet on her success?"
"She's definitely going to fail. Easy money!" "I've got nothing better to do." "FAILURE. IS INEVITABLE."
"Hehe, I thought as much. Very well, I bet all of the cash I've got that she's getting over 90%."
Penny wanted to tell her off that it wasn’t right to take advantage of their ignorance, but then again, having extra money wasn’t a bad thing...and they never asked if she was a robot.
Penny looked through the large catalog of songs and found a song that dated back to the early 21st Century. Classical music, as they would call it nowadays. Truthfully, she had never played with this song though it hardly mattered. “Prepare to be amazed!” she said as the song began.
https://youtu.be/z3VfLIPbC_Y
"Alright, I hope you guys are prepared to pay up."
"Yeah, right, I've been going here for 2 years and I've yet to see anyone get over 80%. It's impossible, I know it."
"Yes, "impossible". Isn't she currently doing every move perfectly?"
"Indeed. Whatever this truth was, it must have been something significant for such extreme measures, so it's probably for the best that we never learn it. Now then, my kin. While I don't know if they're alright with it, I personally don't mind. We'll figure that out when we get outside."
Kristian walks around her, and beckons her to follow him outside the Seagull, revealing that a few of his squad had gathered around, and were chatting about this strange turn of events. One of them was juggling a pistol, hopefully one that was unloaded, the second was eyeing that very same pistol cautiously, and you couldn't really tell with the third guy, as his eyes were shadowed by the cap he was wearing.
As a synthetic, Penny wasn’t capable of getting tired, though wear and tear was still a thing, even if it meant something different in her case. The secret was that she could read and anticipate every move in mere nanoseconds. She was still enjoying herself though.
Heidrun was enjoying herself too, at the expense of the other patrons. Sure, this might not have been entirely moral, but they agreed to it, so...
One man, though, was seemingly getting more heated than the others, the same person who stated that it was impossible.
"How is she doing this?! This is cheating, I know it! It's... rigged or something, I don't know! But that's not normal!"
"Relax, it's probably just skill." In a way, it was, even if it was built in.
When the song was finally over, Penny jumped in the air. “I got a perfect store!” She seemed unaware of all the stares she was getting.
OOC: This weeks Newspaper is published.
"There you go! Alright, folks, pay up. You agreed to this."
Amazed at this display, everyone begrudgingly paid their bets to Heidrun. Everyone, except for one person.
"...you think you're so clever, huh? You knew about this beforehand, didn't you?"
The man from before, now clearly pissed off, walked towards Heidrun.
"H-hey now, keep some distance, buddy. I haven't done anything wrong, I took a gamble and it paid out!"
Penny’s threat warning went off and she quickly walked up to the man. “Do not threaten my friend,” she said coldly.
The man scoffed.
"And what are you gonna do about it? Gonna dance me to death? Back off.
Heidrun was now attempting to shimmy away from the situation. Unfortunately, the man noticed this, and he then proceeds to grab her by the collar and yank her back.
"And just where do you think YOU'RE going?! I'm not done with you yet!"
As soon as the man grabbed Heidi, Penny suddenly grabbed the man’s wrist and he would soon discover how hard a grip she had. “Let her go.” She applied more pressure and if she continued she could very well break his wrist.
Anna nodded, honestly she did not really find interest in the selling of her nation Ariana tried to do here, merely nodding and smiling.
"Indeed, of course we are interested in technological assets, though we have much of that ourselves. Though we have domestic manufacturing as well that supplies our people with their desires. Though introducing some competition might give those corporatist bastards a scare." she laughed for a minute before continuing.
"Though really we already have free trade and many economic benefits from the Panamero Zone, what else could there be that we'd need to discuss on that end? Of course we can always hammer out specifics if you wish though."
She took another sip of the tea on the table.
The man winced as the pressure increased, letting go of Heidi. He certainly wasn't expecting that.
"Ow, alright! I'll let go! But don't think I'm paying up. This was a scam, see ya."
He left the arcade, mumbling something about con artists as the concerned stares of the other patrons trailed behind him.
"Whew, ok, guess that's karma. Thanks, Penny."
Penny seemed to be staring the man down before she snapped out of it and looked back to Heidi. “Are you okay?” she asked as she checked Heidi’s well-being.
"I'm fine, just a bit shaken up, that's all. No actual damage, luckily."
Heidrun breathes out to calm herself down, before continuing.
"Maybe that wasn't worth it, but at least we've got the funds for our night out now. Hopefully, we're not going the same way as that guy..."
“Do not worry, I am sure the chances of us letting him again are slim to none.” Honestly, Penny was just glad Heidi wasn’t upset about what just happened now. Had he kept resisting, she could’ve easily have broken his wrist and that would’ve led to even more complications. “Now then, we should get going while the night is young, as they say.”
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