towerofanimus

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Intro

[Characters]: Lorelei and anyone who wants to play.
[Setting]: Lots of places. Room 2-08, the floor outside. Floor 95, 73, Cafeteria.
[Format]: Starting prose, can switch to action on preferences.
[Summary]: Lorelei's arrival to the tower, and some minor explorations.
[Warnings]: It's the Tower. There might not be violence and horror right now but that could change suddenly.

Waking up at all is strange and disorienting. 'Sleep' isn't something that happens to Aggregates for the most part, fonons don't sleep. So waking up in a strange place, on a bed, in clothes, in a physical form, is deeply unsettling. If any of his new roommates have ever encountered any of the Lukes or Asch, Lorelei's appearance is immediately recognizable, just ... a little older than they. He sits up abrubtly, the note left nearby picked up.

Reading it ins interrupted by marveling at the fact that he has fingers and really shouldn't. But there's no surprise at what the note says, only resignation. It's tossed aside, and almost immediately later he tries to get up.

This doesn't go well. Lorelei hasn't exactly tried to walk in a long time. He knows how it's supposed to work, knows how it worked before, but actually pulling it off and managing to do so in a smooth and graceful manner simply doesn't happen. Leaning on the bed keeps him from falling over at least, and frowning fiercely, he sets to work figuring out his own coordination. This might take a bit.

---

Just passing through! Having figured out how to manage this walking thing again, Lorelei's not really going to hang around this particular floor too long, it's just not as interesting as what must surely lie elsewhere. But if approached or spoken to, he'll likely stop.

---

Lorelei could have taken the elevator. Instead he chose the stairs, and had poked in to each floor as he went. But only this one actually stops him and lures him inside. There were multicolored balls, everywhere. Everywhere. The other floors at least made sense to what he was familiar with, but this is a new thing. Ball pits were not something he's ever encountered, or even directly dealt with the memory of from others.

So he wades in. Walking on balls is not an easy thing to do, but it's interesting, and there's nets and trampolines and it's not that hard to completely bury himself in the multicolored orbs. Lorelei's going to be here a while, part because trampolines and nets and balls are a real challenge to navigate around when he only dimly recalled ever walking before, and part because it's simply ... fun.

---

Eventually Floor Ball Pit loses its interest, and off he goes again. This particular floor seemed familiar somehow, in a way he wasn't quite sure about. Snow and ruined castles. Auldrant had plenty of both, depending on the season. His long coat and scarf provided some protection against the bitter cold, so exploring a while before it gets too chilly even for him surely can't hurt.

---

The oatmeal is dealt with. Eating it still hot means it doesn't actually taste all that bad honestly, and with it finished with, Lorelei's waited a little while and then gone back for pumpkin seeds.

Except he's no longer in the easily recognizable humanoid shape anyone familiar with his isofons would be able to identify. No, there's a small furry vibrantly red creature determinedly picking its way across the floor now, with a bowl of pumpkin seeds balanced neatly on his head. The tower had monsters, and one might think this one had escaped, but no, it's collared as well. The shape of a cheagle is small, unassuming and to most people incredibly cute.

But it comes with its own challenges. Like trying to get into a seat or onto a table, with a bowl full of pumpkin seeds, without spilling any of them.

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[ She tilted her head slightly when he rejects her hand. It doesn't seem like he is offended by it or anything. The words he said after that seemed rather legit.

She stepped back and waits for him to try to get himself out of the mess he put himself in, whoever he is. Tear keeps her guard because she can never be too cautious, even if the one she is speaking to resembles someone she holds dear to her heart. ]

Pardon me, but it seems like you are having a bit of difficulty.

[ She replies to him. She continued to wait it out and see what he's trying to do. Eventually, he somehow gets it to work. She seems relieved that he's okay at least. ]

Yes. My name is Tear...How do you know my name?

[ She raised a brow when he continued. ] ... Trouble?

[ Ah...she remembers it briefly. The others mentioned it to her, but that can't possibly be the truth now right? That this person here is-- but then again it's possible because of this place. ]

...You are-?

[The joy of a ball pit is he'd really have to work at it to actually get hurt. Which utterly eliminates any concern Lorelei MIGHT have had for avoiding getting hurt, because he really doesn't have to work at it at all.]

Ahhh.. yes. Yes I am. But if you don't try to do something yourself, how will you ever know if you can do it or not? I can't just give up so soon!

[This is said with a bright, cheerful smile; he actually believes it. It might be goofy, but well, Lorelei needs the practice. The help is appreciated, that much is clear, he's just bound and determined to figure this out the hard way.

Her question about her name brings another smile.]

I know everyone's name. ...Well, if they're from Auldrant.

[Being a planet's living memory has perks. Lorelei manages to slowly lever himself into a net, and settles there instead, looking terribly pleased with the accomplishment.]

... Oh. Right. I'm terribly sorry. Introductions! Your kind call me Lorelei. We've met before.

[He pauses, then frowns.]

Or will meet. Have met. [Has that happened yet? He's pretty sure it did.] ..Well, whichever it is, you're a friend of my isofon, right? Maybe both of them. ..All of them?

[ For some reason, he just seemed rather too carefree, and it's almost refreshing to her. Not that she'd really voice that aloud. It was strange to see someone who looked identical to Luke and Asch behave in such a manner.

She learned very soon the reason why he looked like that. Something she'd probably be confused for some time. ]

I suppose you are right. Please be careful, nonetheless.

[ She said to him offering a smile as well. ] I see, so you are from Auldrant.

[ Not that she didn't assume. He just confirmed it for her. ]

[ He said Lorelei, didn't he? His name? Sorry Lorelei, you're getting a brief stare from her, bug eyed and all for a good minute. ]

Lorelei.

[ She repeated his name. He didn't sound like a stranger, seeing he was bringing something she didn't remember but was told of by her friends. ]

I see the Tower is full of surprises isn't it?

[ She added covering up her confusion rather quickly but from what Asch told her, she was already expecting all kinds of strange things, but this was rather unexpected. How in Auldrant did the aggregate sentience of the seventh fonon even get a physical form? They're bodies are artificial, so maybe it was the same for Lorelei, that his soul somehow got manifested into an actual human form. At least to their current eyes. ]

Yes, there are two Lukes and Asch is here as well.

[ She wasn't sure what he meant by all of them but she knew Asch, short haired Luke, and the long haired Luke. ]

Edited 2013-10-15 02:54 (UTC)

[She took that rather well! Then again, she did seem to be the stable sort, probably all of that training she had growing up. Her cautioning him to be careful doesn't seem to dim his good mood any, and he kicks his legs a little where he sits, over the edge of the net.

When it bounces a little too much he stops immediately. Falling off would be kind of embarassing.]

Yes, something like that.

[He's from Auldrant! One of them. Her staring is weathered without so much as a blink; it seems to amuse him. Lorelei certainly does seem a bit more cheerful than his isofons. Asch didn't have a cheerful bone in his body, did he?]

Is it? I've not been here long enough to be sure, but so far this place seems really interesting! Have you met each one? Do you draw from the same world as any of the three? ...Hm, or perhaps my own. I wonder how we might tell.

[ Somehow after seeing so many red heads, it's not as effective as it should be. She's still confused on how Lorelei manifested himself like this, but the theories point to something at the very least. She doesn't want to question it too much and just accepts it as it is for the time being, even if this is rather confusing and defies a lot of the realities in Auldrant.

It's surprising how innocent Lorelei seems to be with this body of his. He's almost like a child. Asch is even more serious than Luke at times and it's not that she expects him to actually behave any differently, considering his circumstances. It is the same for Luke. Her thoughts drifted to his possible disintegration that can possibly happen here. ]

I suppose in more ways than one, it is rather surprising.

[ She pauses before continuing. ]

From my knowledge, the second Luke appears to be closest to my own. I am uncertain if it is the same Auldrant, however. There are several ways to confirm such things, but they are not as accurate, considering people are pulled from many different versions of a universe as well as their memories are from any given point in time.

[ She's now also concerned for Lorelei because Van is here. ]

[Life is a peculiar thing. Sometimes it's best to just accept it and move on.

That Tear can so easily really is a point in her favor. His own isofons didn't take it as calmly. Then again he hugged them - Tear's safely out of reach. Lorelei seems happy with his current perch, and quite determined to not fall back off of it. Had once, before life and training and hardship hammered them into the young men they were today, had Luke and Asch once possessed a similar sunny nature?

If so, in Asch's case it would be exceptionally tragic.]

I like surprises.

[It's said firmly. But if he's Lorelei, that itself might not be odd. He was the planet's memory, NOTHING was a surprise.]

Oh, I hope you're both from the same world. Isn't it best, to have those you know around? Not just.. ah, people who act like them or resemble them, but the actual same person. How would you confirm it? What are those ways?

[Lorelei has no idea about Van. At all.]

[ That's exactly what Tear's going t do for the time being, since she's already trying to cope with many different things already. To say that is uncomfortable, is an understatement. Tear will be rather confused if he decides to hug her. ]

I see.

[ she replies giving him her usual expression again. That is true, and Tear can sort of understand where he is coming from. ]

Yes, it is relieving to know that they are safe and unharmed.

[ she nodded her head to his words. ] I'm not a hundred percent certain, since anything is possible in this world. From what I am aware, their stories match up with my own. It seems like our timelines are rather accurate for now. I don't believe there's an exact formula or explanation that can determine completely, but this is only from what I have deducted.

[ one more red head that Tear would be worried about. ]

If I could help with such a thing, I would do my best. Unfortunately even I can't tell.

[It would be less worry perhaps if there was a measure of certainty. One less friend at risk of death. ... Or at risk of this place.]

I've not familiarized myself with the frequencies most of you give off. And my perfect isofons remain a universal constant, it seems, even from other worlds, they're ... still perfect.

[It was a little odd, Lorelei would have figured different universes would have different constants, such as the base fonic frequencies of the elements. It seemed not.]

Though I do remember what that great white ship's signature was.

[There's a pause.]

Though I don't think that would help even if it was here. But either way it is good to see a descendent of Yulia survive the end times. I'd been really worried about that.

It's quite alright. Some things are not as easy as they appear.

[ Tear replied giving him a reassuring look for his comment. It would have been easier if the tower was able to allow that, but unfortunately, it wasn't the case. ]

I suppose they are as real as they can be. I do not doubt for a fact that anyone here, regardless of doubles or not, are replicas. Our souls have all been put into artificial bodies that can be replaced accordingly.

[ She learned a few things about death here and somewhat what happened to people. Tear questioned the same thing, especially when Lorelei seemed to have an issue with determining the same thing Tear was trying to figure out. ]

...The great white ship.

[ Was he referring to Eldrant? Tear repeated it quietly as he said that. ]

I suppose not, considering there would be no way for it to enter. This tower seems to have a barrier of some sort, keeping things out and people in. I suppose that is reassuring. What was the last thing you remembered, if you do not mind me asking?

[Something Tear says causes Lorelei to swivel just enough to look at her directly, looking a little bewildered. It takes him a few minutes to actually say anything, possibly working through how to put it in a way she might understand.]

No-one here, save those that were replicas before they arrived, are now replicas.

[Yep. He sounds as puzzled as he looks.]

Whether or not their body is the same as what they had before, their minds are. Their memories too, are the same. You are your soul, your mind and your memories, Mystearica. Not the crude matter that traps them in a physical shape. You can't be you, and still be a replica.

[Although he's entirely lost as to why she'd think otherwise, he's careful in how he says it. The matter of the ship is far less puzzling.]

Yes! You and your friends dropped it into the core. I've not seen many ships, you understand, but I thought it was absolutely gigantic.

[Lorelei has absolutely no grasp on what counts as big for any sort of vehicle, but that one struck him as being awfully large for one small party to be travelling on. Asked about his last memories, he sits back a little, eyebrows rising. That's actually a very difficult question.

He remembered everything, from 'go' to the end of the world.]

Um.

[It's a lot to sort through. His response is cautious, as if he's not quite sure it's the right answer.]

That ship, actually. Having company for the first time in a few thousand years would have been nice, and I would have very much liked to investigate it myself but I was ... mm, a little tied up at the time, and didn't have much opportunity to do anything but try to warn your friends. Which reminds me!

[Lorelei leans forward, nearly overbalancing and toppling out of his net. He manages to catch himself.]

Never give an oath without reading the fine print! It might bite you millenia later.

In a way, it appears that way, only with our memories maintained. I suppose replicas isn't the exact term. Perhaps, copies, or versions would suffice.

[ She doesn't know that and no one knows that. There are good chances that their memories have been tampered with, and fixed to believe certain things. If she was believed to be here before, but had no recollection of it, there must be something amiss. There were other things to consider with the whole tower. She had no clue how it ran completely, but Lorelei was correct but at the same time they could all be replicas with inserted memories of someone else. There was no way to determine if their artificial bodies, or souls were exactly in tact. She had always been wary of the subject since the beginning. ]

...

[ The Tartarus... They dropped it into the core in order to calm the vibrations of it. She remembered what he meant now. There had been too many things on her mind, and that slipped for a moment, which was rather out of character for her. Maybe the tower was doing a lot more to her mental state then she could decipher. ]

Replicas themselves can also have implanted memories. Who is to say that they didn't do such things? It is difficult to believe that they would be generous enough not to tamper with us, or make us believe the things they want.

[ They abilities, and capabilities were beyond what people could do. They were almost like deities, gods, controlling everything that happened int he tower. It was also a bit strange to hear herself being called 'Mystearica,' from someone other than her brother. ]

I see, so your memory is from a different time period.

[ So he didn't know anything about being trapped inside Van, or anything to do with Van yet. ]

It cannot be helped.

[ He assisted them enough from her memory, but she remembered his warning and Tear looks at him as he leans forward. ]

I'm afraid I do not understand what you are referring to.

[ She gave him a quizzical look. ]

Mm. 'Vessels' maybe would be a good one. A glass of water or a vase of water, it's still water being held. Once the vessel dies everything else departs regardless, so really nothing's changed except how you acquire it.

[He kicks his feet a little, back and forth.]

Replicas don't work that way. Unless you speak of replicas from other worlds, which I don't know much about. You can insert ideas, memories, even goals and actions into a replica, but it won't act like a human should. You might see that for yourself one day, though perhaps you won't and it'll be better for everyone if so. My isofon remains different, as he was raised as a human by humans, in proper human time. It allowed him to establish a sense of 'self' as opposed to the rote programming of a machine.

[The Score from his reality did have replicas in it. He knew what Van would one day do with them. So many lives lost.. Lorelei brightens up quickly from what might seem to be an awfully sober line of conversation.]

Or simply a different reality altogether! I wonder if we'll ever know? I might be your past. Or your never-was. What did your future hold? Where is your last memories?

[This matter of not understanding what he means is immediately waved off.]

You'll understand later.

[Maybe. Timelines.]

.... I'm sorry if I'm. ...Not really, good at communicating properly with people. It's been a long time, I'm really out of practice.

I suppose, that would make much more sense. Luke has always been very human. Even now, he is more human than many people I've come across. He's strong.

[ Though, having seen people behave the same way, and differently. She couldn't help but put all possibilities into play. Though, Lorelei did put it together much better than her own deductions. Tear didn't understand replicas completely, because of her lack of contact with them. Replicas were still a subject that she had to fully grasp. With the Father of Fomicry on their side, it made things easier, but not much.

There were things that they still had to learn and she without a doubt believed that they'll understand one day. ]

From what I am aware, there are replicas from other worlds as well. I suppose it would apply to them more than the replicas from Auldrant.

[ She listened to his words. It seemed like she was learning much from a being that had manifested in a physical form. It was true, though, because Luke was able to grow up as a human, within the population of humans. That made it easier for him to be human but replicas were also living beings, humans. She had not once thought they were not, even if they functioned differently from humans. Their mechanical stature was very much something that she remembers clearly. The empty eyes, the basic functions. That was what replicas were if they were programmed that way. ]

Yes, it makes sense. Perhaps one day we will.

[ She nodded her head. Tear didn't really know about that part of the Score. The Score that spoke of replicas. ]

Your memory is from a much earlier time than mine, Lorelei. I remember the replication of Hod on Eldrant, a floating mass of land created through replication. We were to stop my bro- Van.

[ She remembered it clearly, the vivid staircase that led to the final act of their battle. She never had a chance to experience it, however, because she was here. ]

I hope I will [ It sounded important. She was probably missing things because she was still trying to process everything. ]

It's quite alright, Lorelei. You are doing well so far.

[ She offered him a smile. ]

Edited 2013-10-26 10:03 (UTC)

Isn't he? I'd put credit to those who raised him, except it seems the greatest of his growth is recent. You and your friends have done very well.

[He sounds awfully pleased about it, more the way a parent might about an excelling child than anything else. Luke's successes weren't Lorelei's, but Lorelei was proud of them anyway. Few people could come so far, so quickly.]

Ahh. Well, I can't speak much for other worlds. They're a big mystery to me. I might have to see if I can find one though, just to see what the differences are like.

[Just for curiosity's sake. Lorelei found fomicry interesting, and could manage it through hyperresonance if he chose to, but other worlds might not even USE fomicry! Mention of Hod and its replication draws a pause, and a long look from the redhead on his net. His tone is subdued, when he 'speaks' again.]

Oh. You're further along than I thought. There isn't much time left then, is there. I'm sorry. I truly am. To be so close and then dragged here...

[But it spares her from destruction. That couldn't be so bad, could it? It seems hard for him to keep an unhappier mood though, and he brightens back up swiftly.]

On the other hand you're here, and my isofons are here, and perhaps others of your friends will arrive or are here as well. It's not really victory, but it's not a complete loss either!

[ Tear doesn't know how to respond to that comment. It seemed like Lorelei was proud of that fact, and Tear was also appreciative that Luke didn't grow up with a basic function like those replicas they had seen on their way to Eldrant. They were empty, cold, as if they weren't living at all. The feeling made her chest tighten. ]

It is fortunate that he has grown very much.

[ It was strange hearing Lorelei talk about Luke but as strange as he was, she couldn't deny that he had a special bond with his isofons. She was certain of that much. ]

I suppose it's useful to know how every individual differs from each other.

[ With all the similar things aside of course. fomicry was something that Tear didn't know enough about but having it used for good deeds was a lot better than bad ones. People who have abused fomicry had proven how dangerous it could be in the wrong hands. ]

Yes, compared to a few of my companions, my memory is much further down the timeline. [ She shook her head. ]

There is no reason to apologize, and we'll finish it once we return. I can assure you that.

[ Tear was determined to stop her brother at all costs. She wanted to keep the world she came to love and adore. ]

You are right, Lorelei. There are many from Auldrant here. No it is not.

[The matters of Luke and Asch were very dear to his heart, now that he had a heart for things to be dear to. That others agree with his assessment is just wonderful!]

I'm eagerly waiting to see how he might turn out as he finishes growing up. Both of them, actually. They're so different. And so alike in ways they can't even see. ..Ah. Hm. Differences are important aren't they. In worlds and in people. If you get the chance, will you see these other worlds yourself? Or are you content with the one you know best?

[It's not a leading question, the Aggregate seems genuinely curious. A curiosity that turns to almost wistfulness, though his smile doesn't quite fade, as Tear asserts her certainty that they'll finish it.

He really didn't think they could. But it's better to go down fighting, isn't it?]

Good. Hold onto that determination.

[ Tear could feel that from the way he spoke fondly of them. She also spoke fondly of Luke and her companions from time to time. Lorelei was a lot different than she had thought him to be. Maybe it was the fact that he had a physical form. ]

I know it won't be disappointing when he does. [ She trusted Luke that much. She didn't know Asch well enough to make a full assessment. ]

I would like to know what other worlds lie beyond just mine. It is fulfilling to be knowledgeable in many different things.

[ Tear answers him with certainty and Tear didn't want to believe that their efforts would be in vain. She had enough confidence to believe such things, but it was not arrogance. She knew that the certainty, might not be certain at all. ]

Yes, of course.

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Intro

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1/?

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done

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sneaking a post while hiatus'd.

and then I confused ships and stuff sgskdghss orz.

it's okay also /unhiatus

/o/ yay unhiatuses and tl;dr replies :D

teal deer is my favorite!

awwh mine too! >>

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