001

[uzuki]

Characters: Shion Uzuki, open
Setting: Floor 14, the media room
Format: I'll match whatever.
Summary: Shion wakes up, and decides to explore a little because that's totally a good idea.
Warnings: None yet~



[It was like a waking nightmare, and it felt completely surreal. Waking up in the tower, reading the letters that had been left there for her. She almost didn't know what to make of it. There was no way something like that could have happened to the Elsa... And her friends.

It didn't take her too long to push past the shock. She knew she had to get up and get out (and get her blood moving before she froze to death). She found her clothes and her weapon in the trunk at the end of her bed, and as soon as she was properly dressed, she set off to find out what had really happened.

After finding it, she rode the elevator down, and when the doors opened at Floor 21, she exited to the stairs. She wasn't sure why. Some instinct drew her out, and downward. Past the restaurant, and very carefully down the crumbling outdoor ramp. It was possibly somewhere in the bloodied hand print room that echoed with tortured screams that she began to wonder if her instincts were really something she could trust anymore, as she picked up the pace. She raced down the next few floors, as fast as she could without injuring herself, until finally she reached the 14th floor.

She was tired, cold, frightened, and confused. The media room seemed safe enough, and electronics were a somewhat familiar sight. So, looking shaken, she sank to her knees just off the stairs.]

What is this place...?

Comments

[uzuki]

K-KOS-MOS? Is that really you?

[She pushes herself up from the floor.]

Your frame... I don't understand.

[kosmic_angel]

[KOS-MOS is at her side quickly enough, scanning her for any signs of injury or illness.]

Affirmative, I am KOS-MOS, developmental name KP-X.

[Her head tilts slightly, not understanding. She's aware that there are upgrades planned for her but this is her frame now.]

This is the only frame I am currently equipped with.

[Lol, not mentioning that the sort of frame for the Archetype is sitting in her trunk upstairs.]

[uzuki]

But when we parted, on Michtam, you were a very different version. You've had several upgrades since you used this frame, KOS-MOS. I'm starting to wonder if you're really you.

[She smiles a little as she says this.]

[kosmic_angel]

I have not been to the planet Michtam, Shion. And I am sure you are aware that with the triple a class security on my systems, it would be impossible to alter my memory or programming.

[She looks concerned, suddenly aware that this temperature was uncomfortable to humans but she had no way of providing heat for Shion.]

Did you arrive with any warmer clothing?

[uzuki]

Hm... How is this possible? It's like you've gone backward in time.

[She shakes her head.]

I have my old Vector uniform for some reason, but that's it. [Aside from a bathing suit...]

[kosmic_angel]

It has been stated that various individuals here are from different points in time. I apologize that I do not have more definitive data in regards to how such a phenomenon is possible.

[That won't do. Not at all.]

I do not believe that it will provide adequate protection from the dropping temperature.

[uzuki]

Well, right now I'm more concerned with finding answers. Where are we? And who is it who brought us here?

[kosmic_angel]

Recent information released by an individual called 'Ruana' has named this place the Tower of Animus. We were brought here by a group of administrators claiming to have saved us. So far, the administrator names available to me are Dax, Riki, Jason and Ruana.

And I have not yet discovered any method of escape.

[uzuki]

Administrators...

KOS-MOS, is anyone else we know here? And is there UMN access?

[She's almost sure there isn't, but with the time discrepancies around, maybe there's some UMN somewhere.]

[kosmic_angel]

There are several individuals, yes. Allen Ridgely, chaos and the Vector CEO. Currently, there is no way to access the UMN from this tower.

[uzuki]

...Are you sure? Wilhelm and chaos?

[Something even stranger than what she first thought must be going on.]

I'm sure with no UMN access you aren't able to determine what year we're in, or what planet we're on, right?

[kosmic_angel]

I am. Wilhelm greeted me on the first day I had arrived and I encountered chaos on his first day here as well.

[And is following Wilhelm's orders. Oops!]

That is correct.

[uzuki]

I'm not even sure where to start. If you haven't been able to do anything on your own, then it's going to be very difficult.

Maybe you and I should find Allen, first.

[kosmic_angel]

Currently, information gathering seems to be the most effective method we have in discovering a way to escape.

It may be difficult in locating Allen. Wilhelm has informed me that he is a form of being known as a "Testament" which has made my scans for him difficult.

[uzuki]

Testament? That's incorrect, KOS-MOS.

Maybe we can go back up to that room. My connection gear was in the trunk, but I left it since there was nothing to connect to. Maybe I can still use it to scan your functions for abnormalities.

[kosmic_angel]

I am merely relaying the information that was provided by the CEO.

[Kind of clueless on what exactly a Testament is.]

If you would prefer that, Shion, I will accompany you.

[uzuki]

[She nods.]

There isn't another way up from here, is there?

[kosmic_angel]

I am afraid that there is not.

[uzuki]

Well, I guess there's no point in putting it off. Let's go, KOS-MOS.

[Up the stairs toward all those traumatizing places that were so great the first time.]

[kosmic_angel]

Allow me to go first, Shion.

[Because she knows how dangerous the tower can be. And Shion's safety is and always will be her highest priority. Once Wilhelm found she was here, he'd likely order her to keep an eye on her as well. Not that she needed that order.]

[uzuki]

Okay.

[As soon as KOS-MOS takes the lead, she follows.

Knowing now where KOS-MOS's directives came from doesn't bother Shion as much as she thought it would. She still finds it comforting to be with her, even if she won't see her awakened state for a very long time.]

[kosmic_angel]

[She leads her quickly through the floors, arm changing into her cannon in case any monsters come close to Shion. If anything got too close for her arm cannon though, she was prepared to make her scythe appear.]

[uzuki]

[It's kind of amazing how much quicker that journey is with a powerful and stoic android leading the way. Thought Shion does clasp her hands over her ears when they pass through the 17th floor.]

[kosmic_angel]

[And KOS-MOS moves closer to Shion on that floor, protective like she should be. She places one hand on Shion to make sure she gets through the floor as quickly as possible before letting her arm fall back to her side.

And along the way, she scanned each floor for anything that could be used to keep Shion warm.]

[uzuki]

[If only Shion had made sensible clothing choices in the past. But she doesn't feel the cold as badly if she keeps moving, even though it's making that movement somewhat unpleasant. But she pushes through it, and when they make it to the elevator, she ducks into it quickly.]