⛆ XENIAL ⛫ at ECHO SHORE ⛆

[SHIVERS]

.



 

    ink i  s c m  g thr




































G ve      m  time  o stabi  z 

































Lo    t th     olors!











































   ks like i      lidify ng.






















  n you hear me in there?"






.

[skinstealer]

hi? hello? am i dead?

[knux400]

Who? What? Hello?

Greetings, program?

The Matrix?

Uhhh... Ready player one?

[MarxzVulpez]

Yes, I can hear you, but you were breaking up a bit. seems like it might be coming through better now?

[Wilds]

W h a t  a m  I  ?

[SHIVERS]

You respond to the voice.


You can't make out what you said, exactly.
But you hope it came through.




"...WELL, I... 
I must say, it's incredible to actually speak with you!
Though, 
I'm sure it's hard to tell, 
but your ah... voices are overlapping.

Fairly difficult to understand,
but, 
there's no reason to be embarrassed about that.

If nothing else, 
it seems like you can hear me!"



"Give them time. 
These things take a while to learn."



"Right, of course.

Erm... let's see...



Out of what I could parse:

...Hello!
I am not a program, 
sorry to say,
but I can introduce myself soon!
You are definitely coming through better, overlap and er... volume, aside.
And you are most certainly not dead,
you're alive for the first time, if you can believe it!"



The other voice is firmer, but just as kind.

"You have a lot to adjust to,
but you should have some degree of knowledge when it comes to existing. 
You probably have a lot of questions, though.
Not everything will come easily.
You'll have people you can ask at most points during this experience."


"Exactly, the two of us will be here for anything you might need.
Well... as best we're able to, at least."





You try to look at who's speaking to you.



Your eye opens.

Blindingly bright light floods in.





"Careful, now!
Yes, I'm sure that would sting, 
taking in that much light all at once.
You are entirely an eyeball, after all; try to take it slow.

...No shame meant, of course!
Jimmie here spawned in as a tiny metal ball when he first showed up."

"You'll see for yourself that I didn't stay that way, though."
He sounds a little embarrassed, but just as amused.








You open your eye
 
slower, this time
 
and find yourself looking through two sets of glass.





One from a tube that you're currently floating in,
the other not far past it; a translucent wall of some durable material.



Through that, you can see who those voices belong to:

a kangaroo OBJ with a football helmet for a head is sitting directly in front,
one claw placed up at their snout in thought as the other holds some sort of thin device;
while a large, feline construct stands a few feet to the side, 
glancing away as if to give you a little privacy.



The walls are colorful, 
made of green and silver stone.

There's not much else that you can spot,
other than two round devices at the top corners of the room;
cameras, you assume.







"...It looks as though you have..."
The OBJs tiny glowing eyes shrink in a squint. 
"...a fully-formed cornea, lens, and I think I even spot a retina in the back.
Or at least approximations of such.
Fascinating..."



"Careful. 
It's easy to make a new catalyst feel self conscious, 
from experience."

That snaps them back to focus.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct.
Pardon me for staring!"





The OBJ pulls up their device, 
unfurling it into a screen of some fashion.

"Now, I'd very much love to talk with you at length,
but before we do that:
I'm sure being a floating eyeball with no way to locomote can't be all that comfortable.

Luckily for you, 
you do have the power to alter your body almost any way you'd like it to!
For now, at least. 
That will wear off rather quickly, I'm afraid!



Now, 
given you could technically make yourself into... anything,
even things that wouldn't be ideal given the environment outside of that cylinder you're in,
I thought I'd help you along with some species diagrams."





The OBJ holds up their screen to the glass,
allowing you to watch as a slideshow plays.
Each slide contains a named diagram of some species,
the slides very gradually cycling through.

It's a lot of information, 
but you do your best to take them in one at a time.


"You are welcome to make any changes,
but try not to be too ambitious with what you choose.
There isn't a lot of extra space in that tube, 
and you'll want to breathe oxygen or otherwise not need to breathe.

...I'm not sure if you can choose that yourself, actually."

The OBJ glances worryingly between you, the construct, and the wall.

"...Give it your best shot, I suppose!"









The OBJ looks down, 
claw to their snout again.

"...let's see...
Oh!"

They glance back up.

"Pronouns and a name, as well, if you'd like!
Unless you'd prefer to wait, of course."




Their helmet turns back towards the construct, 
whispering.
"...Jimmie am I forgetting anything you'd like to add? "

"...pick something that can fit through doors."

"Right!
That's fairly important!"

"Aside from that, follow your metaphorical heart. 
It's a serious decision, 
but whatever you pick, we have resources to help you acclimate to it."






You focus on the diagrams,
keeping mental note of all the species listed as they go by.

- Amerveille
- Barebones
- Batissons
- Beatfoxes
- Botleys
- Chorosy
- Combers
- Concepts
- Corvice
- Dopples
- Elementals
- Flexins
- Gesabotts
- Lukos
- Karacels
- Masques
- Mothlies
- OBJs
- Pinitelles
- Pockitts
- Replixes
- Ruffnecks
- Selected
- Shrouds
- Skippers
- Snuglins
- Tantamounts
- Trillvettes
- Volare
- Zwadeims



But you're sure there may be others you're forgetting.

Or, perhaps, you could shape your own look, disregarding species.
Or, maybe a hybrid-





It's a lot to think over.

[Wilds]

Chorosy/Gesabott hybrid LET'S GOOOOO. Something about the idea of basically being made of protective gear.... is good.

On the other hand... Just being an eye is good, too, and it's not a bad thing to be so far, light sensitivity aside. Maybe that can be incorporated into our new appearance somehow - a camera or screen or something for a face (though not necessarily for a head - either could work).

[Pichi2214]

BOAT! I desire to take the shape of a boat

arowana skipper is my first choice, though any boat shape would be cool
ESPECIALLY if we can combine it with volare, maybe we can use the volare shape to have like.... one big eye, I think that'd work pretty well if we want to keep the eye as a defining feature
I wish to become roboat....


For pronouns I am feeling it/its, maybe others too? Name no idea yet, I'd want to wait for our shape to manifest first

[knux400]

Definitely agree with Volare as a component in order to keep the eye motif! Not sure what would go well with it though, maybe a dragonfly neuroth? Whatever we pick, it would be neat to have the eye be floating close to the rest of our body rather than actually attached.

Before we do anything, though, can we see if we can get a glimpse at our reflection in the glass?

[Lilium Mortem]

Let me be a dragon! I wanna be a dragon! I can compromise ons dragon morphs of species but lemme be a dragon. Like a wise person once said: be yourself, unless you can be a dragon, then be a dragon. I can be myself *and* a dragon!

[King-Clod]

Hmm. Whatever we go with, I wanna make it count. Give ourselves some good wings, a prehensile tail, uh... what else could be useful... ooh a hook, like the tantamounts have. I'd rather have it than not have it when we need it.

[SHIVERS]

Before deciding on any potential improvements,
you try to get a look at yourself in the glass reflection.


You can only vaguely make yourself out at all,
but the OBJ's description of you proves accurate:
A dark, soccer ball-sized eye with a red and cyan pupil is about all you can make out.



You'd like to retain some of that, you think.
























Time to focus.




Your eye closes.




























The species demonstrated for you sift through your mind




























an internal sieve letting go of those that don't fit the vision of your new you


























while the rest meld.



























































Something new.





























































You pull colors and shapes familiar to you.
















Your mind imagines painting out the angles and smooth creases of the new body














like drops of dye in water.



































































Now to













































pull yourself in








































































anew.






















 

Cool air blows across you
















you feel it.



















Your claw twitches.


















Eye opens.







 

The capsule you're in is open in half now.







You think about cracked eggs,




as you shakily climb your way out,




glancing at the two figures through the window.











"Hmm...not a bad choice. 
I see you also lean towards a robotic look."

"Very... quite-
...tall...
Hm-"

The OBJ tilts their head,
looking you over.

"...Oh, I see!"

They put a claw to the glass,
tracing along it as they call out body parts.

"Spines along the brachia and shanks, likely from neuroths,
hull strakes along the underbelly from skippers,
a tauntamount hook, 
chorosy filter... and likely explains the tail, too,
volare anatomy all around,
and likely others I'm missing at first glance;
you've ended up quite the chimera!
Fascinating!"

The OBJ continues to marvel at your form, 
staring from behind the glass.



"You're able to identify all those different parts?"






The OBJ hardly hears him.



"...Hm?

Oh! 
Yes, yes, 
I've done some research on various species of Morbit specifically for this occasion.

For instance:
Did you know that karacels will coil their tails around other individuals as a gesture of affection?
It's quite interesting!
Typically, it's used for--"

"You're also staring pretty hard, you know. 
Could make them self-conscious, remember?"

The OBJ takes a moment to process,
then backs up immediately, averting their eyes to stare at the wall instead.
"...Yes, you are absolutely right-
my stars-
I'm very sorry for the intrusion of privacy,
I hope I haven't caused any undue stress!"





They take a breath.





"...Well,
with you situated in your new body,
I'd like to prepare our side of the room for you to meet with us."

They tap a button on a small console you couldn't see before.

A stone table and a trio of matching, cushioned chairs raise up from the floor on their side of the room.

"If Jimmie gives the all clear,
I'll open the door between us.

...I hope it goes without saying,
however,
it does need to be said:
You may say anything you'd care to,
but please do not harm myself or Jimmie.
We - likewise - have no intent to harm you, of course!

But... some catalysts may - understandably - 
find themselves overstressed or overwhelmed with emotions,
given existence isn't exactly a walk-in-the-park,
even in our first moments of it.
Violence has broken out, on exceedingly rare occasions,
and given catalysts can find themselves in incredibly-capable forms-












...I am placing my utmost trust in you regardless.


I hope you will do the same."












The OBJ takes a moment to collect themself.










"Jimmie, would you say we have an 'all-clear'?"

"...yeah, I think we're good.
Something tells me we'll be getting a friendly one this time."

The OBJ nods,
tapping another button on the console.

They take a seat at the table as the door slides open.



Jimmie walks closely behind, 
but stands by his chair when he gets to it- clearly waiting for you to sit down first.





"By all means,
whenever you're ready."

[MarxzVulpez]

Take a second or two to examine what you're working with, then join them

[Lilium Mortem]

Flip a chair around, sit down on it with your elbows resting on the top of the backrest.

"Yo dad, gender neutral parental figure, whatcha drag me into existence for?"

[knux400]

Take a few moments to stretch and get adjusted to the new body.

..."Happy birthday?"

[Ignispark]

doing nonstandard actions inside the purview of 'going to sit in the chair' seems optimal. as does immediately going for questions.

...what were the other subjects like? is this current being aliveness going optimally? what's the optimal life plan? does this facility have wifi? how was you all's day?

[Wilds]

... what happens if we DO try to harm you? out of curiousity. you know. what's the protocol there.

(:

[King-Clod]

Is the chair built for our size? Is there spot for our tail to go through? I don't want to be uncomfortable for his entire conversation. Maybe we can just... actually if we turn it around our tail will be fine. Let's do that.

[SHIVERS]

You aren't totally ready.

You need a minute.



Time to give yourself a look.





You remember volare and their single eye-lenses.
Instead, you have, essentially,
a thin, floating static-filled screen,
capable of displaying whatever you like on it,
as you test things out by using the open capsule as a makeshift mirror.

It does seem instinctive, though,
not reacting exactly the way you want it to.

But you still enjoy it.




Your coiled-up chameleonic tail is also prehensile,
just what you were hoping for,
and the little fishhook on the end makes it perfect for grabbing things at a distance.





The scattered labels and logos along your body -
seemingly for no real products or brands, only the illusion of such things -
are from trillvettes, you realize.
You were thinking about boats, after all.



That thought strikes you.



Boats may be the first things you collectively realize you have an interest in.

...Maybe we can sail on one.

Someday.

Later.




















...What were we doing again?



Right.
Uhh.


Body.



You stretch out your weighty gesabott claws,
cocking your head as you examine them,
thinking of... something to say.





















































What words might appropriately mark this sort of occasion?








































































"...Happy birthday?"







Jimmie has to visibly keep himself from chuckling, it coming out as a little metallic snicker. 
"I mean, better first words than mine."


The OBJ looks to Jimmie.
"...What were your first words again?"

"I asked 'Mom?'"

They can't help but snicker,
losing their composure momentarily.

"I told you. 
Way worse."

"Y-Yes, well..."
They have to dial back their laughter, accidentally letting a few extra giggles out.


...You make a mental note not to ask anything like that.


The OBJ clears their throat.
"It's... very understandable to say silly things after coming into existence for the first time.
Why, I remember - not exactly an equivalent, mind you -
but,
I was told by a recovery room nurse that I had proposed marriage to him upon blearily waking up after a surgery.
We're all capable of that sort of cloudy-headed whimsy,
under the right conditions!"

"...was he cute, at least?"

"He-
...Well-"

The OBJ head casing somehow exhibits a slight change in color,
but it fades quickly.

"...At any rate, 
let's proceed, shall we?
If you're ready, of course!"









With a small handful of experimental steps,
you make your way through the opening into the same part of the room as the other two.

It dawns on you from this new angle just how much taller you are than the pair;
towering over them.

You see a bead of sweat form on the OBJ's brow as they pre-emptively take a seat,
staring up at you,
as if they hadn't noticed the sheer gulf in sizes between the two of you.













An errant thought occurs.




"...what happens if we DO try to harm you? 
Out of curiousity. 
You know. 
What's the protocol there?"

Large-font text flashes on your screen, displaying a sideways smiley face.



"I kick your ass. 
You don't want to try it." Jimmie just raises a brow, otherwise unphased.

"He means what he says.
I would not recommend that.
...As far as it pertains to me, well-
I can't exactly stop you.
Hence... placing trust in you,
that you won't decide on... that sort of path."

The OBJ looks as if every atom they're made of is trying to pull them out of the room to run,
but they are wedging themself here regardless,
too determined to leave.

There's also that same fascination and wonder on their face - buried, but still present -
tethering them here with you.






It was only a little joke.

You think.














You pick up one of the chairs,
examining it.

The OBJ scoots back slightly, on instinct.

You don't want to be uncomfortable for this entire... whatever this is.
And who knows how long it might take?
Better safe than sorry.



Upon inspection:
The chair proves to be sturdy enough and sized for you, as far as you can tell.
On top of that,
it does, 
in fact,
have a hole for your tail to fit through.

















But, that might be a hassle.

And it'd probably be more comfortable another way.







You spin it around backwards and flop into the seat,
placing your lower arms along the back of the chair, leaning your head on them.








"So what'd you drag me into existence for?" 
You ask as bluntly as possible.



"Well, we didn't.
Not exactly.

In actuality, we merely created the ideal conditions within that capsule for a catalyst to spawn.
We do so almost every year, 
for a period of a few weeks tending towards a month.

Sometimes a catalyst - such as yourself - spawns within the capsule.

Sometimes, it remains empty.

We simply watch,
and wait.
...This is my first year doing this, and-"

They put a claw against the side of their head,
watching you.

"I must say, I am overjoyed that you decided to emerge.

This has already been a hallmark experience in my life... seeing this process in person,
and having the opportunity to be a part of it in such a direct manner-

...I can't express how lucky I am,
to be where I am right this moment."



You can sort of... feel a smile radiating from them.

"You're in good hands yourself, too. 
There's resources here,
ones you wouldn't be getting anywhere else. 

I was the catalyst about...
...seven years ago, I think, 
and there's a lot of reasons why I stayed."
 
He shrugs.

"Though, after this initial process, 
you are welcome to leave - by all means!"










Your eye peers back and forth between them both.
"...What were the other subjects like?"

"I was...disoriented. 

As I said, I asked for my mother immediately- 
and as funny as it is in hindsight, 
I was legitimately very afraid and out of my element. 

It took a few days for me to stop trying to hide from people, 
considering after I realized there wasn't an actual parental figure anywhere, 

I was terrified out of my mind."



The helmeted OBJ notably presents a sustained look of concern in the construct's direction.
"...I do hope things are easier these days, Jimmie."

He taps the side of his head, 
making a little metal 'clunk'. 
"For me, yeah.
For some of the others, it's still hard. 
But we're working on it."

"Well,
I wish you luck."

They're quiet, appearing lost in thought, albeit briefly.







"...Yes, the-
From the records and recordings I've looked through in preparation,
disorientation, fear, anxiety;
these are all unfortunately-common responses.

Though, a wide range of reactions are possible.
You are all different individuals - ...and collectives! - after all.

I can only hope your experience isn't going terribly thus far!"
They let out a nervous chuckle, which echoes inside their plastic helmet.














Your brain is now positively buzzing with questions.



You sit up marginally, 
your segmented neck stretching.

"Is this current state of 'aliveness' going... optimally?"

"Well, by my estimations, you are alive!
So, I would say y-" "What's my optimal life plan?"
You ask another before they can finish, practically bouncing in your chair.



"That's up to you.  
Though...we would appreciate it if you considered helping u-" "Does th- Does this facility have wifi?"



The questions bubble upward.


The buzzing louder.


You lean forward.



Grip the back of your chair.


Hard.

Harder.






The OBJ gives Jimmie a nervous glance.
"Er-"

"Relax." 
Jimmie keeps his voice even. 
"Wifi's tricky here."

"Do... you have some need and means to connect to-" "How-"



Your screen fizzles.



"How ww-as-"



Buzzing. 
Droning. 
Louder. 
Louder.



Your breathing quickens through your gasmask.

"-your-
You Are-
  yy yo-ur-"





The OBJ stands up,
more worried,
taking a step towards you.





Sensations.

Questions.

More.

Buzzing.







Full.








"-d-
-d-ddd-
-d... aY--"





Sparks shoot from your screen.



The back of the chair splinters in your claws.




















You lean back,




tilt your head back,





claws twitching at random intervals,



panting as you watch the light at the ceiling,




















It's diamond-shaped.













Glow-y.











White.






Tinted with a little green.







It's pretty.





Your shoulders still shake.

But the motions are slowing.











The soft glow.













Your breathing starts to steady.
























Sound fades back in.






"-re you alright?"


You feel their claw on your shoulder.

Gently.

Gentle.

"Breathe, 
if you can. 
You're safe.
Promise."
















You breathe.





Your shoulders relax.





The OBJ steps back, giving space,
and takes a seat.












You tilt your head forward once more.

"...Do... you need to stop?
We can continue, if you'd like,
but I don't want to push you, after-"

"No, let's do it."

"Are you... certa-" "Yep."

You swallow.




Questions aren't buzzing.
I'm 
all-A-OK-yes.








The OBJ hesitates.
"Al... right.
Well, don't be afraid to interject if you need a break."



"Yup."





Jimmie still has his eyes trained on you- 
they're serious, but not quite fierce. 
"We should probably keep things easy to process."

"I will certainly do my best.
...As Jimmie mentioned,
there is something we'd like your help with."











They inhale.

Somehow.












"In our community-
Which, to set the record,
is..."

They raise their hands,
instinctively trying to help get their point across with gestures.

"...somewhat-
You can think of it as a sort of hybrid between a small, educationally-focused community,
and a hub for certain branches of scientific research.

Within this place,
we aim to foster a curiosity and yearning for... exploration, inquiry, and investigation.
Which is exactly what we strive for, here at Echo Shore." 



The OBJ's helmet is practically glinting with pride.



"We inherited this from the god who created this place,
hundreds of years ago,
and we strive to further that knowledge as best we can.

Part of that involves... researching into the true unknown.
The final frontier of the 'extranatural' - as some are known to say -
Though there is nothing 'extra' about these places, they simply are natural -

...Oh, nevermind me, though!



Regardless,
our research often heavily involves pushing the envelope of understanding into such worlds,
and the beings that reside there.



That's what you have the opportunity to help us with.

We are soon to conduct... what we often refer to as the 'xenial' - the first of its kind!"


The OBJ's voice is tinged by emotion;
passion and conviction.


"A communion with the individuals of these external domains,
in a space that serves as a gathering place,

where all people, 

of all domains,

may come together...

...sharing knowledge,
enjoying our collective company,
and -link-by-link - 
come to understand one another.




To finally... 
bridge those gaps that keep us all at a inherent, relational, distance,
that have led to misunderstandings and... far worse.

...And given the sheer amount of successful, non-confrontational communication we have had...


I believe our work here speaks entirely for itself."










They finally allow themself to take a breath,
trying to re-center.








"However,
the xenial requires a catalyst,
such as yourself.

We would need your assistance and participation,
otherwise we cannot move forward,
and will have to wait until next year to see how events pan out then.

...Not to... put pressure, 
on you, 
of course!

It is... entirely your decision."








"...And, it's a decision you most certainly Do Not have to make yet.

We do have some time before we reach ideal conditions to start this process.

In the meantime,
I would love nothing more than to simply... get to know You."





They lean forward in their seat.





"If there is anything you'd care to tell us about yourself,
or any other questions you may have,
you are welcome to them." 

[knux400]

How much time do we have before I have to decide?

Also


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