EVENT LOG 007 | PART TWO

[larkers]

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: New Beijing (for the most part!)
WHEN: January 20-January 26(-ish)
WHAT: Arriving in New Beijing, picking up newcomers, playing tourist, and then going into a military base. In the eternal words of Gabriel Reyes, "What could possibly go wrong!?"
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Coercion, loss of autonomy, mentions of circumstances around removing an IV. Further notes at end of log.

> EVENT #007 | PART TWO

Previously on The Days of Our Displaced, a lot of the Displaced decided to hop on a train for New Beijing to help out a murderous AI named Cassius. Just two months ago, Cassius killed thousands of people in New Amsterdam proper, claiming that he did it because the world was ending. Two months later, Cassius is out to find his old friend Judas: a military AI who was once bent on eradicating humanity entirely. Getting to Judas won't be easy, so Cassius intends to deliver on favors for everyone's efforts. That's why they're on the train now: Judas is likely held within the UNA's HQ in New Beijing, the world's capital. The base itself is certain to be secure, and the soldiers guarding the location won't be easily beat.

The train to New Beijing was meant to only have brief stops along the way, but one daring and reckless Displaced is going to decide to try to break the highly advanced maglev train during one of those brief stops … Let's see how that goes:

Trains between the megacities of the world rarely stop to pick up new passengers as they're meant to only hit major stations. As a result, most of the stops are temporary and meant for dropping off shipments and supplies. There are three stops between New Amsterdam and New Beijing: two are at research outposts shockingly staffed by actual scientists and the third is New Kyiv.

New Kyiv is one of the smaller megacities of the world, numbering only at about three million people. Compared to New Amsterdam, its architecture is newer and modeled after most of the current trends. The stop at New Kyiv was meant to be temporary. Several large-bodied robots surged forward to remove large metal boxes full of supplies, and everything went as planned right until it was time to leave. That's when the conductor of the train announced that there were some technical difficulties and everyone would need to remain seated.

The delay itself clocks in at around two hours. No one is allowed off the train to get some fresh air because of the rigid travel sanctions. After all, no one declared that they would be going to New Kyiv, so they can't clear customs to head into the city itself. The only upside is that everyone will get a free beverage of their choice to enjoy during this time.

Once the delay is over, the conductor gets the train moving with a brief apology for the extended stop and no announcement about what was wrong.

> LOST IN NEW BEIJING | NEW ARRIVALS

About fifteen minutes after the Displaced arrive in New Beijing—which is a solid two hours after the original ETA—an alert comes in from Gaby, not unlike how they do from El any other month. It scrolls across everyone's vision as if it's being written while they're reading it.

We got a tip about a surprisingly large group of people in white scrubs being rolled into an old hotel about a mile from the train depot. Get there quickly. The "eyes" we've got on the place tells us they're still out, believe it or not. Check both rooms 303 and 304. Keep them calm. Get their names. We'll get their IDs set up ASAP. Nothing fancy. We can't do fancy when it's fucked up like this.

The hotel isn't very far on foot, so the Displaced may want to get headed in that direction quickly.

Once they get to the hotel, everyone will meet little resistance in getting to the rooms themselves. In fact, anyone who passes through the hotel lobby asking for rooms 303 and 304 will be granted permission to get inside. The elevator up to the rooms is tidy and recently cleaned, though there's a spot on the floor with a stain that doesn't seem like it wants to let up.

Inside, the rooms may seem larger than expected, even with all the new arrivals inside hooked up to IVs and kept sedated. There are no beds present to make room for the hospital gurneys that were brought inside to help get everyone setup, and there is also none of the other usual furniture. Each of these new arrivals has hair recently cut but at different stages of growth. There won't be any instructions for how to handle these new arrivals, but given their level of sedation, it may be apparent that the IVs will need to be removed.

Once the IVs are pulled out, awareness will come to each of the new arrivals in blurred snatches. Chaos and uncertainty, maybe even an ache in their arm from an IV hastily removed. A dim light cast around the room, shades pulled down and a door opening and closing. There will only be faint memories of how they got here: rolled up a ramp into the hotel, crammed into a stinky elevator, waiting for the chime for the next floor. Any sign of stirring would be met with a hushed whisper and a jolt of fatigue, putting them back under.

Whether they like it or not, these new arrivals will have to listen to every order, every command that's given. Hopefully their "saviors" are up for the babysitting task.

◉ Though entirely capable of independent action and thought, new characters will find themselves completely, unquestioningly compliant to any verbal statement which could be taken as a command or request.

◉ Morningstar in New Beijing won't be equipped to take in these new arrivals. The Displaced will need to exercise discretion to get them from this location to wherever they've chosen to stay to hunker down until they get their IDs made. Going out before then will put them at risk of arrest. All of the new arrivals will have their IDs set up within 36 hours, but there won't be any fancy backstories or certifications. El will supply each of them with a basic, positive work history, with an appropriate number of apartments for their age to get them started. Since none of the new arrivals will have access to a Morningstar safehouse to be added to the network, they won't be added to the network until that 36 hour period is done.

◉ All new arrivals will be given a stipend and some new clothes to get through New Beijing (compared to the raggedy old scrubs they typically have on hand if they first show up in New Amsterdam, these will be new and freshly delivered). That doesn't guarantee that they fit perfectly or are fashionable, and what anyone gets can either be determined by Gaby, El, or one of their Displaced new friends guessing at their size and what they'd look good in. All of their IDs will make it so that they're native to New Beijing, with job applications put in at businesses in New Amsterdam to help facilitate their eventual move over.

◉ Within an hour of getting their IDs set up, Cassius will send them a message from @100432: Hello! I'm Cassius, your NPC (Neural implant Processing Caretaker) helper. Think of me as a mini-guide for all of your world-integrating needs. I have access to information, manipulation, and expansion of some of this world's largest databases.
Please, feel free to ask me anything.
Actually, now that I think about it, I may have something to ask you.

Aside from offering them the same deal as everyone else, he'll be happy to get them filled in.

> NEW BEIJING

Unlike other megacities in 2512, New Beijing's location is the closest to its original namesake, and one of the most preserved. There is a large dam on its eastern-most border that was built as soon as the sea level began to rise and slowly enveloped the city of Tianjin. In time, Tianjin was lost to the ocean, but the Chinese government worked swiftly to protect Beijing from further damage. Since then, that dam has made up the beginning of the border wall around the city, remaining the sole stable fixture for New Beijing in years to come. Now, New Beijing's borders stretch inland for miles upon miles, branching off the dam and remaining flexible and changeable as the city's needed more and more room to grow.

In terms of structure, New Beijing is made up almost entirely of reclaimed parts of the continent of China thanks to the long-standing efforts of the dam. The area closest to the dam makes up the city's historic district, and it's where restored landmarks such as the Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven stand. Other landmarks, such as the Great Wall of Badaling, still surface under the water near the dam. Despite the city's sprawling nature into the Chinese continent, the city is still built upward and downward, with the three uppermost levels of the city being the most appealing to the eye. Deeper into the city away from the sun is where New Beijing hides most of its blemishes: the impoverished people, as well as the districts that are never advertised in any travel packet online.

Otherwise, from the skyline to the traditions held in New Beijing, the city acts as an homage to what once was, with the skeleton of what was there before just beneath the surface.

> THE SURFACE
In many ways, the outward appearance of New Beijing is a perfect model for everything the United Nations hopes to project outwardly. Although they have nothing to prove except to themselves and their citizens, New Beijing is a beautiful city with a high-reaching skyline and a tradition that dates back several millennia. Once the Displaced land in New Beijing, they will find little to fault in the picturesque nature of the city. The streets are clean and though there are older hotels like the one where the new arrivals will be found, they are very rare.

◉ Every building in the city is pristine, with clear glass windows that allow a large degree of transparency. Despite this, the city's large reported population doesn't seem to match the number of people in the first few levels of the city itself.

◉ There are numerous codes of conduct announced by AR displays around the city. No littering or someone will be fined 500 credits immediately. There isn't a curfew, but only public transport vehicles and licensed car-sharing providers are allowed to be in the sky after 9PM. Around 11PM, public transit comes every half hour to an hour, making it difficult to get across the city in the late hours of the night. There are also rigid noise restrictions.

◉ Even during the day, most people prefer to get around via public transit, bikes, or simply by foot.

◉ Most businesses close by 9PM, making it difficult for someone who might seek out a late night snack.

◉ There are few, if any, businesses that would be called "dives" or "holes in the wall." Leasing a property in the upper levels is too expensive. Some ambitious entrepreneurs may go into business together, but they often struggle within just a few months before ultimately giving up. New Beijing offers little room for someone to live out their dreams.

◉ The surface is also where the United Nations government is housed, as well as the UNA Headquarters. The government is housed within the historic district, while the base is on the opposite end of the city, making up its western-most wall.

> RIVERSTONE
Riverstone is a constant figure in the surface levels of New Beijing. Riverstone has been a part of Beijing's identity since the early 22nd century, having relocated their headquarters from Shanghai following the end of World War III. They promised to help preserve and restore the city's landmarks once they named it as their HQ. Once upon a time, Riverstone was an entertainment mogul that branched out during the 21st century, buying up a lot of dying and unsuccessful properties to claim as their own. In the process, they branched into the cybernetics industry and invested in artificial intelligence so they could prove that the world should not be reliant on AI. Riverstone is still an entertainment mogul, but they have their fingers in a lot of other projects.

◉ Riverstone primarily works out of New Beijing. All of their up and coming employees are eventually transferred to New Beijing to live out their lives. There are small satellite locations in other locations (like New Amsterdam), but they focus the bulk of their development on the UN capital city.

◉ In New Beijing, it's hard to find a business that doesn't have Riverstone's mark. Many businesses rely on Riverstone's investment to make it—and if a company fails, it's likely because they failed in that arena. Riverstone owns or invests in the bulk of New Beijing's hotel chains, restaurants, or "small" businesses. The relationship between Riverstone and the city is symbiotic in nature, so much so that no other corporate entity has a foothold in the city itself. Businesses in New Beijing live or die by Riverstone's marketing firms and advertisement.

◉ Riverstone also runs and maintains the city's local public transit.

◉ Unsurprisingly, Riverstone has an amusement park at the center of the city: Dream River. It's an eclectic park full of rides, parades, and roller coasters that acts both as a resort and a marketing machine for many of Riverstone's IPs in the video game, television, and film industries. No matter where someone is on the surface of New Beijing, they'll be able to see the bright blue glow of Dream River in the evening hours.

◉ Any of the Displaced can find tickets to Dream River via resale sites, but it won't be cheap. Besides, no one's in New Beijing for the entertainment—right?

> SPACEPORT
At the northern end of New Beijing is the most heavily trafficked spaceport in the world. Most of the shipments for the colonies come through New Beijing, having been officially checked through customs and approved for transit before they're sent off. Thanks to the technology available in 2512, most of these shipments rarely have any impact on the city as a whole, making their liftoffs unnoticeable in a lot of ways (as they are silent and don't cause any other environmental problems).

◉ Getting into the port isn't difficult. It's actually a tourist trap because there is still some excitement around space travel even in the 26th century. Visitors must declare themselves at the entrance as it is a secure area.

◉ There is a mini-museum along the first long pathway into the port itself given via AR display. Much of the interface talks about the next frontier for humanity, gives projected (and frequently adjusted) dates for the completion of the colony projects, and a demonstration of the significance of terraforming.

◉ There is little mention of UNC2 (the Mars colony), as it's been officially redacted from record.

◉ No freighters depart for the Mars location. Anyone who's waiting for their launch because they've accepted a government subsidy won't be headed to Mars. Most people are headed to UNC3 and UNC5 (the Jupiter colonies) or UNC6 (Pluto).

> THE FORGOTTEN LEVELS
Despite all the glamour and beauty of New Beijing, there should be the sneaking suspicion that something is not quite right. Everyone will be able to depart from the three upper levels of the city via escalator and elevator so that they can explore what is hidden. The deeper someone goes, the more it will begin to be apparent that the impoverished population of New Beijing has been pushed out of the public eye.

◉ Businesses in these areas are cramped and pushed on top of one another. It's cheaper to lease, but the conditions of the buildings themselves is poor as they frequently have to deal with mold and flooding thanks to the closeness to the ocean and the depth of the city itself.

◉ Unlike the surface, the underground part of New Beijing is less pristine. Multiple people wear medical masks. There are hospitals and other amenities providing healthcare to people, but given the difficult lives people lead in these lower levels, most of them can't take off work to get medical care.

◉ There are numerous squatters and homeless people taking up property. They beg for assistance or food. Though many of them used to surface outside of this part of the city, strict sanctions by the city's government forced them back out of the public eye.

◉ There are numerous hostels in these lower levels. They have cramped bunk beds with assigned living areas and blocks of time to shower in community bathrooms. Water rationing is standard in the lower levels because the cost of water is much too expensive.

◉ Food and goods are cheaper in these areas, though someone will have to ask around for what places tend to have fresh enough food.

◉ Drug trafficking and use is rampant in these lower levels. It's not difficult to find someone offering to help dilute the mind so you can live out your day while being unaware of what's happening. Theft is also common.

◉ Gangs are present everywhere, but they have a short lifespan. Unlike in New Amsterdam where the criminal underground has a hierarchy, there is nothing like that in New Beijing. Frequent raids from the New Beijing Police Departments mean that gangs are frequently broken up, with the members sent to rehabilitation centers around the globe. These raids also sweep up drug addicts. These raids come with little notice.

◉ The Red Light District and Morningstar's local chapters work in tandem in these levels. Morningstar acts more openly here because of the countless people in need, and the sex workers often double as information brokers while helping people get shelter and a meal. Morningstar's resources help prevent some of the most severe consequences (such loved ones being separated).

◉ In these lower levels, it's nearly impossible to uphold the laws around population restrictions. As a result, these raids also often result in children being separated from their parents who weren't approved for having a kid. These parents would also be arrested to further justify this action. (Having a child without permission is not enough to get someone arrested in typical situations, so it may seem as if the officers are trying to meet a quota by slapping these parents with arrests for other, unrelated "crimes.") This can happen at any age.

> UNA HEADQUARTERS

On the evening of the 25th, an explosion goes off on the eastern end of the city within half a mile of the UN offices. Thanks to the vicinity of the explosion, UNA soldiers are dispatched almost immediately to the site of the explosion. Only a small handful of people were hurt in this explosion—with no one killed—but there are threats all over social media announcing that this is only one of many attacks that will take place over the next 24 hours. Thanks to the efforts of the AI behind all this, the UN's technical team will struggle to cut off the announcements. A new explosion will occur every hour, moving closer and closer to the UN buildings themselves.

These attacks are Cassius' distractions, and he'll have let the Displaced know about the go time in advance.

> PREPARATIONS AND RECONNAISSANCE
◉ Cassius will provide schematics of the base before anyone steps foot in New Beijing. The base is three times the size of the base in New Amsterdam, with large, soulless buildings. There won't be a set route, but Cassius will mark paths where he can sabotage surveillance as well as areas that are unlikely to house Judas (such as the barracks, cafeteria, and training facilities) and thus should be avoided.

◉ No one will be prepared for an attack on the base, and 75% of the soldiers will be swarming the other side of the city looking for the mysterious entities behind the terrorist attack.

◉ For anyone hoping to do recon in advance, they can take meals at the office buildings located around the edge of the base to try to get an eye on what's inside. While the tall walls around the base will prevent most observation, they'll be able to get a sense of the base so they can compare it to the schematics on file.

> ENTRY POINT AND INTERIOR
◉ Steve Rogers under his alter ego Buff Ridges will be everyone's ride to get inside of the base. In the hours prior to the operation, Cassius will provide Steve with an armored vehicle that will let him in right through the base's northmost loading dock. Despite the conflict elsewhere in the city, there will be little concern about this shipment. After all, business must proceed as usual. Cassius will doctor a manifest or three to ensure this truck arrives without raising any red flags.

◉ The only people allowed on the truck will be people who either agreed to Cassius' terms or who hasn't proved themselves to be a hostile interloper. (Please feel free to contact us below if you're not sure if your character qualifies as a hostile interloper.)

◉ Everyone partaking in the operation will be provided bulletproof vests, masks (though they don't disguise a neural implant, Cassius will be working to scrub any security footage that might track someone's neural implant signature), a gun armed with bullets that can put down a UNA soldier, and stun batons (thanks to Daisy Johnson and supplies from Cassius).

◉ Anyone who's taking part in El and Ren's plan to steal Judas will get a mask that obscures the neural implant signature.

◉ Despite the guns, Cassius will recommend that they disable rather than kill the UNA soldiers because of the protocols enacted when a soldier is killed. It will raise too many alarms, and there isn't enough time to surgically remove a neural implant and dispose of it given the time-sensitive nature of the operation.

◉ Once inside, the interior of the base is as soulless as its exterior. There are white brick walls, tiled floors, and dim lighting because of the evening hours. Most of the UNA officers are off site dealing with the terrorist attack, so there will be little traffic in the hallways.

◉ If anyone wanders off to get food from the cafeteria purely because it's marked, they will get caught.

> FINDING JUDAS
◉ After covering most of the base, the Displaced will come across a large, four-walled structure near the south end of the base. This structure isn't far from the base' medical and surgical wings, as well as the engineering facilities. For those with a savvy eye, they will be able to determine that this structure is built to be protected from most attacks (including ones that are electromagnetic in nature).

◉ There will be a solid, many-layered sliding door on the north end of this structure that's locked through several layers of encryption. Due to the nature of the base and the figure inside of this structure, no one will be able to utilize Cassius or El's hacking prowess to get in. The Displaced will have to work on site itself and figure it out.

◉ If the Displaced get past all the encryption—or recklessly blow the door open, which obviously comes with its own risks—they'll find a server that's running locally. Disconnected from the internet in every way, Judas appears to be kept isolated in a small area. There is no means to talk to Judas yet.

◉ Displaced who have in-game powers that can get them inside will be able to do so. There is no power nerfing here of those in-game powers.

◉ Judas can be transferred onto an offline device that El or Cassius provided for the mission (there will be one of each). Both AI will be aware of Judas' likely volatile nature after being trapped for centuries, and they won't be quick to let Judas onto the world's network.

◉ It's time to decide how this ends up playing out. Will Judas be free or destroyed? Will Judas be handed over to Cassius, El, or taken by the Displaced themselves and set up somewhere secure so they can talk to him? Or will the Displaced get in each other's way, making it so they can't get to where Judas is in the first place?

> FINAL OOC NOTES

Welcome to Meadowlark, newbies, and welcome to the second part of our event! Your character will be able to jump in as soon as possible. If you've ever taken a look at our arrival logs, this one is working a little differently. Characters will be able to leave and walk the streets freely after 36 hours have passed, making it so they're free to go midway through the day on January 21st (which is the OOC date of November 11th). To get caught up on the event, take a look at our planning post here and our first part of the event here. In addition, Cassius will be contacting all of the newcomers and offering them additional assistance, and you can thread that out here!

Please feel free to ask any other questions about this event! We are always happy to help someone get integrated, and are happy to design a special role for you and your character.

For everyone who opts into Cassius' deal, there is a network up for communication. This is a temporary network, and please note the conditions on that post! This is a way for characters to both get in touch with Cassius and each other. As for El, anyone who's working with them can reach out via zeir inbox over here, if needed.

We're putting the final outcome of this event to an OOC vote!

EDITED 11/11/19: That vote is here!

Please feel free to play out encounters around the UNA base and with regards to Judas' location with the exception of whether they succeed at getting to(/at) Judas or fail. Please head to our Questions thread below to let us know what options you'd like available! We'll also have a section for you to briefly summarize your character's role so we can represent it in the aftermath log. The deadline for voting/submitting will be November 25th at 23:59 UTC.

Finally, as a reminder, do not thread anything out beyond this log. There will be a lot that is dependent on character action in the operation and with regards to Cassius' deals after the fact. As a change from what the calendar for the month says, the aftermath log will be on November 30th. We'll push it back further if it seems like that's needed! This aftermath log may be in two separate parts!

Our next Test Drive Meme goes up on November 20th, with reserves opening on November 23rd. Thanks to all of you for your interest in the game!

> NAVIGATION

Comments

[lighthearted]

[ While the panic might not be as clear in text, Sora can see some of it bleeding through in Nill's expression and the tightness of her shoulders. This is definitely way more stressful than buying tickets to an amusement park should be, and he only hopes that it turns out to be worth it.

They've come this far, though. Sora's opinion is that they may as well go for it at this point. He's never been that focused on saving his money, for better or for worse. ]

I think that's as good as we're going to get, yeah. Go for it!

[ Sora considers reaching out for Nill's hand as some kind of moral support, but remembers the empathy bond. He ends up patting her on the shoulder instead. ]

[culver]

[Once he gives the go-ahead, she only hesitates for a split second more before finishing the transaction. Nill winces a little as she watches her hard-earned money disappear into the digital void, but Sora's reassurance does make her feel a little better about it. She huffs out a quick breath, and then turns to flash him a smile.]

Alright, we've got our tickets. Are you ready to go in?

[She really hopes this place will live up to all the hype. Otherwise, that was an unspeakable amount of money to blow on tickets.]

[lighthearted]

[ While Nill might be feeling the ache of dropping that much money on something frivolous, Sora softens the blow by almost immediately sending her half of the payment via implant. It's only fair and he never expected her to foot the whole bill anyway. ]

Definitely! Come on, we gotta make the most of those tickets!

[ With that, he stands and starts power-walking toward the park's entrance. Does Sora instead to spend the entire day until closing time inside Dream River? Yes, yes he does. He does at least have the energy for that kind of marathon, though he hasn't yet considered that he might end up pushing Nill too hard in the process. ]

[culver]

[Half the payment suddenly showing up in her account is a relief, and she flashes Sora a grateful smile once it goes through. Until recently, Nill had never had her own money; being in charge of her own finances has just made her acutely aware of her money and what she spends it on. But she decides, right then, that getting to go to this park with Sora is absolutely going to be worth it.]

Yes we do!

[As she gets up to follow him, nearly jogging to keep up with the energy behind his strides, Nill is already planning nearly the same thing, though her determination to explore every inch of the park is born more of stubbornness than a real desire to just have fun all day. A lot had gone into those tickets, and she isn't about to waste this opportunity.

Once they reach the entrance, she brings up their tickets on her public desktop so the gatekeeper can scan them--and just like that, they're inside.]

[lighthearted]

[ As soon as they're given access to the park, they also have a digital map sent straight to their implants. There's even a built-in functionality that allows them to plan out their day based on which rides they want to go on. It's all a lot more high-tech than Sora expected, though that's not necessarily a bad thing.

But it does lead to him wandering into the park in a bit of a daze as he tries to read up on the different rides and figure out which ones sound like the most fun. The real answer is all of them, so it's just a matter of what they do first.

Eventually he glances back to Nill, remembering that this isn't just about what he wants. They're here to enjoy this together. ]

What sounds good to you? Or did you wanna find something to eat first?

[culver]

[Much like him, Nill is a little overwhelmed by the amount of information and the number of options they're given. She doesn't know what she'd expected, but this surpasses anything she could have come up with on her own. There are so many rides that she can't imagine going on all of them in just one day, and it seems like the food choices are unending. It's a lot, but even if she's a little intimidated by it all, it seems more bearable since she's here with a friend.

She doesn't snap out of her own funk until he addresses her, and when she does, she takes one more quick look at the map before shaking her head.]

I've never been on a roller coaster before, but I don't think eating before going on one is a good idea. How about we find one and see how long the line is?

[Because she can see lines for some of the rides and even food stalls, and she hopes they aren't about to spend most of their time here just waiting to do stuff.]

[lighthearted]

[ No, eating before going on a roller coaster isn't a great idea, and Sora's glad that Nill's at least figured out that much about theme parks, even if this is her first time. Throwing up your lunch isn't a great way to spend a day that's supposed to be fun. ]

I think this map should give us estimated wait times, too! Hold on...

[ Sora mentally navigates to the most obvious roller coaster, the one that's so tall that they can see it from where they're standing. Is he a little surprised that this was Nill's first choice? Kind of, but he isn't going to question it.

Since they're here fairly early in the day, they actually get lucky. ]

Hey, it's only a thirty minute wait. We should go! Come on!

[ A little over-excited, Sora starts to run in the direction of the roller coaster. ]

[culver]

[Nill doesn't actually know if she'll enjoy a roller coaster or not, but she's decided that if she's going to be in a theme park, she has to do the one thing everyone does in the movies. She might hate it and decide she never wants to go on one again, but at least she can say she tried.

She opens her own map, scanning it on her neural desktop and trying to pick out what their best options are. But he's beat her to it, and Nill doesn't hesitate before trotting after him.]

I guess thirty minutes isn't that long.

[Not when some of the other waits are climbing up into over an hour. This first coaster is fine by her; it's close to where they already are, so she can't lose her nerve before getting in line. She gets on her tip-toes, trying to see to the front of the line.]

Have you been on one of these before?

[lighthearted]

[ Thirty minutes really isn't that long when there's this many people here, and Sora suspects that the waits will get longer as the day goes on. They may as well do the most popular stuff before it gets too crowded.

He grins to himself when he sees Nill up on her tip-toes, though it's not like he can help her much when it comes to seeing what's ahead of them. (He's also short.) ]

Yeah! Well, not exactly like this, but close enough.

[ Prankster's Paradise had offered one option, but Sora has also slid on enough twisting, turning rails that are similar enough to a roller coaster that he knows what to expect. If it's Nill's first time, he won't blame her for being a little nervous. ]

They're fun! It'll give you an adrenaline rush without there being any real danger, so that's why people like them.

[culver]

[She drops back to stand flat, her wings flapping once to help her balance. She isn't really surprised that Sora has been on something at least similar to a roller coaster--he's been to a lot of worlds, has seen and done a lot. While a part of her is a little envious of that, she's also glad for the chance to be able to stay in one place for once.]

They don't look very safe, but I guess people wouldn't ride them if they weren't.

[It's a rationalization that makes sense to her, because usually, a huge drop like that in an open car doesn't really seem like something she'd enjoy. But the difficulty of getting tickets and the sheer number of people already in the park means it has to be fun, right? And everybody wouldn't be so eager to get in if it was a deathtrap. That means she's willing to give it a shot, even if it still makes her nervous.]

are you ok with starting to wrap this up?

[lighthearted]

Oh, yeah, they wouldn't let people come and ride these things if they were unsafe!

[ Sora also wouldn't have brought Nill somewhere that might put her in danger. Her logic here is sound, because there's no way that the people running these parks could get away with putting the public in situations where they could get hurt or killed.

There may be accidents, but those would be pretty rare. Right?

Sora reaches out to grab Nill's shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. ]

Don't worry, it's gonna be fun. I promise.

yeah sure!

[culver]

[Nill blows out a slow breath, immediately feeling reassured. It's one thing to tell herself this is safe, but hearing it from someone she trusts goes a long way. And something about Sora just makes her feel like it's going to be okay. She can't put her finger on why, but she's grateful for it. Her shoulder relaxes under his hand, and she flashes him a smile.]

Yeah, it will be. I'm excited.

[And once she says it, she finds it's true. Being with a friend definitely helps.]