Original not a number (a chat log text adventure)

[Negrek]

So glad to see this back! And hopeful that we'll get to find out what happened to Fiametta.

Desta sure seems to enjoy gambling... I imagine being able to sense others' thoughts and desires would give you something of an advantage in a game of Blackjack! Though perhaps not so much if you're always playing it at a distance.

Let's see, where to pick back up... I don't think we've actually tried talking to TimesTabled, have we? I think we should at least try.

> Chat TimesTabled

And let's keep snooping in Desta's mail.

> Open mail from RUDO, KOJO

 

[NonAnalogue]

> Chat: KRONOPOULOS, SOPHIA

Conversation initiated between RUDO, DESTA and KRONOPOULOS, SOPHIA.
1156, 6d5mo
KRONOPOULOS, SOPHIA is not a contact. AXSIS Chat will not display usernames or preferred names.

[DES] sorry to bother you out of nowhere.
[DES] this is ms. k, right?
[DES] as in the math teacher?
[SOP] Yes, it is.
[SOP] Would I be correct in assuming that this is the same Desta who helps Robin on her homework?
[DES] oh... you know about that?
[SOP] I do. Your name is listed quite regularly in the 'edit history' section in her assignments.
[SOP] I've warned Robin about this many times... but I'll make the same plea to you.
[SOP] Don't let her walk over you like this. She needs to learn it on her own.
[SOP] Or, failing that, she is always able to ask me for help.
[SOP] But having someone else do the work for her isn't doing her any favors.
[DES] oh. i see.
[DES] i'm sorry, ma'am.
[SOP] It's all right. You're not the one at fault.
[SOP] All you did was try to help a friend.
[SOP] Anyway, I don't think you messaged me to get a lecture.
[SOP] What can I do for you?
[DES] i wanted to ask you about fiametta...
[DES] she's a friend of mine, and i know you're her teacher.
[DES] i don't know where she is, and i'm worried.
[DES] the news had her listed as a missing person.
[DES] do you know anything about her?
[SOP] Ah... Fiametta.
[SOP] Unfortunately, all I can tell you is that I do not know where she is currently.
[SOP] She visited me yesterday, but left when I had some, ah...
[SOP] Unexpected visitors.
[DES] oh.
[DES] um. okay.
[DES] thanks.

> Open archived mail from: RUDO, KOJO

Subject: check it out!
From: RUDO, KOJO
Sent: 2d18mo

hey shortass!

got a special present for ur bday. get ur short ass downstairs! ur gonna love it.

as a hint, might wanna bring ur robe & wizard hat! wink wink.

as another hint, i found a way 2 cast all those hi lvl spells you got from the roulette w/o spending the gold 2 cast them!

guess that hint might have given it away.

love -
kojo

->

Notification alert: You are receiving a conversation request from GORE, DAMIEN.

Accept?
> YES
> NO

 

[Negrek]

lol, oops, accidentally outed us (and Robin) to Ms. K. "Unexpected visitors" sounds unfortunately like the authorities, and I definitely don't like an unknown person popping up with a chat request right after we've been talking to someone that is probably being closely monitored right now.

But really... is there any way we can't accept that chat request?

> Yes

And oh no, that birthday e-mail... I hope Desta didn't encourage Kojo along in his magic experiments or anything... the GUILT. D:

 

[Chibi Pika]

Spoiler: reactions

AXSIS ComplianceAntenna (standard issue, not ExtraHappy edition)

:) :) :) nothing to see here.

Your birthday is tomorrow! Though I'm certain you don't need me to tell you that. Your brother has special plans that he hasn't even told us about, so we're all excited to see what he has up his sleeve. We have a gift for you too, and we'll make sure you get it after Kojo has done his thing - so you can stop asking about it, haha.

nnnnnn he just wanted to do something cool for her birthday. Dx

[SOP] I do. Your name is listed quite regularly in the 'edit history' section in her assignments.

Oh snap, I didn't even think of that. xD

[SOP] She visited me yesterday, but left when I had some, ah...
[SOP] Unexpected visitors.

Oh nooo. Not lettin us get too comfortable thinking Fiametta could be safe.

as another hint, i found a way 2 cast all those hi lvl spells you got from the roulette w/o spending the gold 2 cast them!

Don't jailbreak your apple hell device. :T

Negrek already jumped on the chat, sooo... screw it, let's just read all the mail

>Open mail from: RUDO, ANIJAH

 

[Bluwiikoon]

Spoiler: Reactions

This is really intriguing so far!!! I'm real worried about Fiametta and I hope that as things progress we can determine her safety, as well as what went down with Kojo :( The way you're slowly unveiling the mysteries and limiting the information we receive is really skilful, I bet you're dying to spill the beans, haha! Anyway, just wanted to let you know that as a new reader I'm enjoying this story a lot :D +10000 points for trans characters and blind characters

> Select AXSIS Gold: RECENT TRANSACTIONS

 

[DawningWinds]

> Chat FORTUNATA, DIAMANTA

> Open: AXSIS Contacts

 

[NonAnalogue]

> Accept conversation request from GORE, DAMIEN

Conversation initiated between RUDO, DESTA and GORE, DAMIEN.
1220, 6d5mo
GORE, DAMIEN is not a contact. AXSIS Chat will not display usernames or preferred names.

[DES] hello?
[DES] who is this?
[DAM] i have to make this quick
[DAM] i dont know what this place is
[DAM] but
[DAM] shit
[DAM] that was fast
[DES] huh?

Conversation terminated by GORE, DAMIEN.
Have an AXSIS day!

> Open archived mail from: RUDO, ANIJAH

Subject: Birthday plans
From: RUDO, ANIJAH
Sent: 0901, 1d18mo

Hey kiddo,

Happy almost-birthday! Hard to believe you're turning 15 already. 15's a good year - it's been a while since I was there, but I recall turning 15 was very much like the experiences of turning 7 and turning 8 combined. Or maybe should it be the experiences of turning 3 and 5? Well, you're the one turning 15, so you'll have to let me know.

Anyway, I love you very much - Momma and I both do, in fact. Shocker, I know!

Mom

> AXSIS Gold: Recent Transactions

Welcome to AXSIS Gold 15.8.7.

v YOUR BALANCE
Your balance is currently 17.22 G.
-v RECENT TRANSACTIONS
4d5mo: -2G (AXSIS PlayFee)
3d5mo: -2G (AXSIS PlayFee)
3d5mo: -4G (AXSIS Cards)
2d5mo: -2G (AXSIS PlayFee)
2d5mo: +6G (AXSIS Cards)
1d5mo: -2G (AXSIS PlayFee)
1d5mo: +11G (AXSIS Cards)
1d5mo: +10G (Transfer from ALLEGRI, ARGENT)
18d4mo: -1G (AXSIS Cards)
18d4mo: -2G (AXSIS PlayFee)

> Chat: FORTUNATA, DIAMANTA

Conversation initiated between RUDO, DESTA and FORTUNATA, DIAMANTA.
1245, 6d5mo
FORTUNATA, DIAMANTA is not a contact. AXSIS Chat will not display usernames or preferred names.

[DES] hello? this is fiametta's mom, right?
[DES] sorry to bother you...
[DES] i just wanted to see if you knew anything about how she was doing?
[DES] like, where she was?
[DES] ...ma'am?
[DIA] This is Cosmo's mother.
[DIA] I don't know where my son is.
[DIA] Do not contact me again.

Conversation terminated by FORTUNATA, DIAMANTA.
Have an AXSIS day!

> Open: AXSIS Contacts

Launching AXSIS Contacts 15.1.1...

Welcome to AXSIS Contacts 15.1.1.

v CONTACTS
Select contact for more detail.
Entries marked with + are trusted contacts.
AXSIS is a trusted contact by default.

v Family
ALLEGRI, ARGENT
ALLEGRI, ILARIO
ALLEGRI, DEAN
ALLEGRI, LAURA
MARINO, GIUSY
MARINO, QUINTO
MARINO, TEOFILA
RUDO, ANIJAH +
RUDO, KOJO +
RUDO, MIKAYA +

v Friends
AKAHAI, MAKANI +
ISAACS, ROBIN +
FORTUNATA, FIAMETTA +

v Other
AXSIS +
DOWDEN, ALEXIS
ILEDA, MARZA
ZAAL, GRACIE

 

[DawningWinds]

Spoiler

[DES] hello?
[DES] who is this?
[DAM] i have to make this quick
[DAM] i dont know what this place is
[DAM] but
[DAM] shit
[DAM] that was fast
[DES] huh?

That's strange...

[DES] hello? this is fiametta's mom, right?
[DES] sorry to bother you...
[DES] i just wanted to see if you knew anything about how she was doing?
[DES] like, where she was?
[DES] ...ma'am?
[DIA] This is Cosmo's mother.
[DIA] I don't know where my son is.
[DIA] Do not contact me again.

That went badly.

>Open Saved Logs (Dowden, Alexis)
>Open Saved Logs (Ileda, Marza)
>Open Saved Logs (Zaal, Gracie)

 

[Negrek]

Well, Damien, that... sure was a thing. Maybe we should just try... calling them back?

> Chat: Gore, Damien

Also... oof. Fiametta's birthday party was already clearly a fiasco, but her mom's response here really drives home how much it must have sucked. :(

It looks like DawningWinds is on those mysterious outside contacts, so... perhaps a round of cards might calm us down a bit?

> Open: AXSIS Cards

 

[Meridian]

Spoiler: reactions

we've got ourselves a dystopia here. Hoo boy. Okay, so... currently may 3rd? We're following a 16-year-old dude, and we're 2 days before his birthday, it seems.

Spoiler: theory craft

My theory right off the bat because this is both a Quest/Forumventure and interface follows text ui and the like, alonf with context is that:
- the main character is giving some strong trans pov vibes. Still early on in reading so Im not sure if trans guy, or trans woman. That said I still dont know enough of the setting and pov species to know that gender id works the same, and likewise the locale may correlate to the names being masculine etc. The ID is devoid of pronouns, so the "pov is a trans guy and DG is affirming" is one option, and "Fiametta is a trans girl who had not yet come out to DG and has drifted apart from him"
- because Birthday and Game and the medium and the dystopia, hmmm is this a sburb game about to happen, nyohohohoho I say, enthused because I adore homestuck fanventures

Fwiw I found out about this thread via the discord, and I heard its inactive, but im excited to read a forumventure on these forums. Ive meant to tet off my butt to try one here, so kudos for taking the first step and introducing the community to the idea.
I think your writing is wonderfully immersive so far, I admire the hook you've given with the writing so far, and I look forward to catching up as my spoons permit

Edit: WOOPS its fiametta messaging dg not other way around, but ayy The Suburbs 83c
Edit2: ach! Sorry for the necro, I was excited to see a quest on the forums

 

[NonAnalogue]

> Open: saved logs (Dowden, Alexis)

Displaying 10 most recent conversations between RUDO, DESTA and DOWDEN, ALEXIS...
DOWDEN, ALEXIS is registered in AXSIS Contacts. Open AXSIS Contacts for more information.

1256, 16d4mo
[DES] mx. dowden?
[ALE] Morning, Desta. What can I do you for?
[DES] can i have an extension on the project?
[ALE] What, the photosynthesis lab? That's not due for two weeks. Why?
[DES] an abundance of caution?
[ALE] No.

1207, 1d1mo
[ALE] Howdy all! Like I said in class, you can message me at this account if you need any help. Please reply so I know you got this.
[DES] i got this.

> Open: saved logs (Ileda, Marza)

Displaying 10 most recent conversations between RUDO, DESTA and ILEDA, MARZA...
ILEDA, MARZA is registered in AXSIS Contacts. Open AXSIS Contacts for more information.

0800, 1d1mo
[MAR] Good morning. You're receiving this message because you're enrolled in AXMA433, Statistics. This course is asynchronous. When booting your AXSIS device in Education Mode, you will see this course as its own application.
[MAR] If you run into any issues with the course, or you have any questions, please message me.

> Open: saved logs (Zaal, Gracie)

Displaying 10 most recent conversations between RUDO, DESTA and ZAAL, GRACIE...
ZAAL, GRACIE is registered in AXSIS Contacts. Open AXSIS Contacts for more information.

1000, 1d1mo
[GRA] Hi everyone! Welcome to AXHI203, History of Vezretti. If you don't have experience with asynchronous classes, boot your AXSIS in Education Mode and find the AXHI203 app. It'll guide you through it from there. Let me know if you need me!

> Open: AXSIS Cards

Welcome to AXSIS Cards 8.3.3.

YOUR OVERALL WINNINGS: +153G
YOUR WEEKLY WINNINGS: +12G

v PLAY
-> FOR FUN
-v FOR GOLD
--> POKER
--> BLACKJACK
--> FERRIDE HOLD EM
--> DUOTAIRE
--> MANDRIGAL
--> SWAPSPEED
--> QUINCE
--> CORPSE
> PROFILE
> HISTORY
> RULES

> Chat: Gore, Damien

Conversation initiated between RUDO, DESTA and GORE, DAMIEN.
1258, 6d5mo
GORE, DAMIEN is not a contact. AXSIS Chat will not display usernames or preferred names.

[DES] hey, who are you?
[DES] why'd you contact me like that?
[DES] and why'd you end the conversation like that?
[DES] and who are you?
[DES] i know i asked that already but i didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle.
[DES] i know you're there.
[DES] you messaged me like twenty minutes ago.
[DES] hey, come on.
[DES] give me something.
[DES] anything to work with.
[DES] good goddess, i see why wb rambles like she does.
[DES] it's really easy to keep going.
[DES] i'm going to stop now.

->

Notification alert: You have received a location from GORE, DAMIEN.

Coordinates: 12041.91009, 24012.43133
Message:

 

[Negrek]

Super glad to see this back again! And we certainly have a juicy development to follow up on.

> Look up 12041.91009, 24012.43133 in AXSIS Map

 

[Meridian]

> Check CARD Profile
> Check CARD History
> Open: MAIL, Read Message: GAMERS GUILD, VEZRETTI Subject: Monthly poker tournament next week!
> Check Poker Rules
> Open: VIEW, Giacomo Nero recent video: Advanced Strat: ANNOUNCE YOUR INTENTIONS
> Subscriptions: CUTE OF THE DAY
> Subscriptions: MIRACLESMATTER

Spoiler: theorycraft

ah, ok on a reread yeah Fiametta's a transgirl who ran away from home. also The Suburb just reminds me of SBURB and I'm wondering how intentional that is.
EDIT: oh dear word I never noticed the POV Switch. screams. ok this is horrid

 

[NonAnalogue]

> AXSIS Cards: Profile

Welcome to AXSIS Cards 8.3.3.

YOUR OVERALL WINNINGS: +153G
YOUR WEEKLY WINNINGS: +12G

> PLAY
v PROFILE

USERNAME: RiskySophism
WIN RATE: 72.6%
STYLE: Conservative
FAVORITE CARD: Ashen 7

Unlock extra fields for your profile with AXSIS PremiumCards!

> HISTORY
> RULES

> AXSIS Cards: History

Welcome to AXSIS Cards 8.3.3.

YOUR OVERALL WINNINGS: +153G
YOUR WEEKLY WINNINGS: +12G

> PLAY
> PROFILE
v HISTORY

RECENT GAMES

> 3d5mo: -22G, FERRIDE HOLD EM
> 3d5mo: +16G, BLACKJACK
> 3d5mo: +4G, BLACKJACK
> 2d5mo: +17G, MANDRIGAL
> 2d5mo: +5G, BLACKJACK
> 2d5mo: +3G, FERRIDE HOLD EM
> 2d5mo: +12G, CORPSE
> 2d5mo: -31G, BLACKJACK
> 1d5mo: +11G, BLACKJACK
> 18d4mo: -4G, SWAPSPEED
> 18d4mo: +1G, FERRIDE HOLD EM
> 18d4mo: +1G, FERRIDE HOLD EM

> RULES

> AXSIS Cards: Rules (Poker)

Welcome to AXSIS Cards 8.3.3.

YOUR OVERALL WINNINGS: +153G
YOUR WEEKLY WINNINGS: +12G

> PLAY
> PROFILE
> HISTORY
v RULES

Rules and instructions are exclusively for AXSIS PremiumCards members.

> Open: Mail from Vezretti Gamers Guild

Subject: Monthly poker tournament next week!
From: GAMERS GUILD, VEZRETTI
Sent: 5d5mo, 2359

Hello fellow gamers!

As a reminder, our monthly poker tournament is on 10d5mo at the Guild Hideout (21 Via Maria), starting at 0800 on the dot. We'll be holding brackets for Ferride Hold'em and Vezretti-style poker, as well as sidetables for blackjack amd mandrigal. The first-place winner will take home half of the total pot, plus one free month of AXSIS PremiumCards. All participants will unlock an exclusive set of skins for AXSIS Cards. Plus, I hear we might have a special guest...

If you haven't already, you can sign up by emailing me.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Alexicon Barterwell

> AXSIS View: Advanced Strat: ANNOUNCE YOUR INTENTIONS

Welcome to AXSIS View 51.51.5!

Now playing: Giacomo Nero - Advanced Strat: ANNOUNCE YOUR INTENTIONS

...

...

...

Video complete. Ending playback.

> AXSIS View: CUTE OF THE DAY

Welcome to AXSIS View 51.51.5!

> SEARCH
> UPLOAD
v SUBSCRIPTIONS
-v CUTE OF THE DAY

DESCRIPTION: Daily cute videos, please subscribe for more daily cute videos, please thank you

10 MOST RECENT VIDEOS:

Dancing Mushroom STUNS Hikers!
You Won't Believe This Cute Dormole!
Baby Piranghles Are Unbelievably Cute!
Warg EATS Owner's Hat!
Wandering Cactus Wants Company!
Puffern CAUGHT In Wind!
Incredibly Sane Bat Litter!
Check Out This Dreaming Scrick!
We Caught An Obsclutch On Film!
Holding A Parabee N. In My Palm!

> AXSIS View: MIRACLESMATTER

Welcome to AXSIS View 51.51.5!

> SEARCH
> UPLOAD
v SUBSCRIPTIONS
-v MIRACLESMATTER

DESCRIPTION: Hi!! I'm Robin!! This is my channel for videos I make, even if I don't upload them that often!! Hope you stick around!!

10 MOST RECENT VIDEOS:

My pet bugrit tries to eat my phone!!
Over Town's new album - REACTION!!!!
How to never do your math homework again!!
Lipsync Battle!! - No Arsenic For Lacy Men
Lipsync Battle!! - Dopes and Beams
My new pet bugrit!!
Lipsync Battle!! - Carnivations in the Sun
Watch me try AXSIS Burger's new AXSIS Burger!!
Is this my chance to be a big shot??
Saying goodbye to my friend Kojo
No gold for AXSIS Cast?? Cast magic the easy way!!

> AXSIS Map: 12041.91009, 24012.43133

Welcome to AXSIS Map 1.3.2!

> CURRENT LOCATION
> DIRECTIONS
> FAVORITES
v SEARCH

Search results for: 12041.91009, 24012.43133
AXSIS Lab of Blackeye Study (permanently closed)
63 Via Amata
Vezretti, Vandrio

 

[Negrek]

Blackeye research facility, ohoho… Definitely seems like where we need to go, but also a very dangerous proposition. Ugh, I really need to do a proper full reread on this story to remind me of all the characters and plot threads. For right now, it would be nice to be able to get a gut check from SOMEBODY on this whole mysterious meetup situation. Or at least have someone who knows what we’re up to in case we‘re never seen again, lol It looks as though MM has been dabbling in unlicensed magic… Maybe they’d be someone safe to confide in?

> Chat MiraclesMatter

 

[Chibi Pika]

-> FOR FUN
-v FOR GOLD

Same energy as Smash 4's "For Fun" and "For Glory"

Highly amused by Robin's video assortment. Except for the last two aaaaaaaaaaa. Fia spent all that time legit having no clue if Kojo was ghosting her, did Robin know he was gone???

Deffo agree we need to chat up Robin. And then, let's see... How far away is that lab from us, exactly?

> DIRECTIONS to 12041.91009, 24012.43133
(Probably should check the backlog because I can't remember if Vezretti, Vandrio is the city/region we're in but OH WELL)

 

[Meridian]

Ugh, I really need to do a proper full reread on this story to remind me of all the characters and plot threads.

Spoiler: I try to help lol

SO I can help with this from a quick reread I've done, building them up each time I check back on the thread
Fiametta (WB) - 17 yo trans girl who disappeared the night she either came out, or not, to her whole family at a public birthday dinner her parents surprised on her. her friendgroup included Makani (CB), Desta, (Possibly Robin, Kojo?)
Desta (RS) - 15 yo girl who we're currently seeing the perspective of. Friends with Fiametta, knew her as herself. Also friends with Makani, Robin. Highschool and online friends.
Makani - already knows of Fiametta's recent disappearance thanks to Desta's earlier DM here.

For right now, it would be nice to be able to get a gut check from SOMEBODY on this whole mysterious meetup situation. Or at least have someone who knows what we’re up to in case we‘re never seen again, lol

Makani already has information from us on what's going on, and was who Ms K recommended Fiametta to reach out to in order to avoid the dinner.
I dont know if Ms K is actually able to be a source of help. When Fiametta tried to go to her teacher I'm pretty sure the prospective Agents arrived to ensure that Fiametta get home for the dinner. She didn't manage to get to Makani in-time were she a good option.

(Probably should check the backlog because I can't remember if Vezretti, Vandrio is the city/region we're in but OH WELL)

Yup! it's mentioned often enough that I've started cementing the two in my head as A Place In Fiction

> Open: VIEW, MIRACLESMATTER video: Saying goodbye to my friend Kojo
> Chat: CrashedBurnt