betterthangarlond

[Thancred gives a distressed sound, taking hold of Perrin's shoulder.] Perrin…?

[…it doesn't seem as though there's any response coming. Or- at least not from Perrin, as he glances at Ulysses, giving a nod.]

All right. What do you need me to do?

Carry them. [ It seems the Absol will lead Thancred, as he stands. Perrin lets out a small mumble, their voice sounding faded. ] The Couriers' mind is broken.

All right. Come here, it's all right, you'll be safe. [He gathers Perrin into his arms and stands, grunting a little.] Because of the bullets?

[ And Ulysses begins to lead, gentle on his feet. There's a basement of the lighthouse, it seems. Quiet, graceful. Glancing backwards to Thancred, however. And meanwhile, Perrin is smiling at Thancred. Seemingly far too blissed out. ]

That's their only weakness. Bullets stole their memories, and those of the Big Empty stole anything material they could grip to.

[He follows, careful with Perrin, steadying them against himself and rubbing fingers to try to soothe them a little. He's not as familiar with the lighthouse, so it's less than he'd like, but he's still hoping it helps.]

Which means- they have problems recalling those memories? Twelve…. The Big Empty- who're they? Anyone likely to come by?

[ Ulysses tilts his head. A room - a bedroom, with a rather fancy bed. There's a soft grunt, as they move and begin to pull off the sheets. ]

Old World scientists, who do not know their own history. Stuck in repeating memories.

Proof that the Mojave still exists, if Courier's able to survive.

[Oh- that looks like a nice room. Thancred shuffles in, reaching out to help a little before he starts trying to settle Perrin down, arranging them comfortable.]

Lost in the memories of the past- and trying to reclaim them?

Ah? How's that?

Unable to reclaim their glory. It's where Courier learned that term - Old World Blues.

And lost their brain. In a literal sense - it's out at Big Empty. It hasn't moved - sent messages to us.

[ He says, as Perrin gets comfortable. But grips to Thancred, trying to stay with him. ]

That's what it means- trying to claim back those old times?

[he makes a startled sound, feathers spreading out.]. You mean- it's still there, and separate? Physically? How?

[oh. He holds out a hand for Perrin, and sits, settling.]. …it seems I'll be staying for a time.

...The Couriers' heart opens too easily. [ It's a statement, as the Absol lays at the foot of the bed. That's also accepting Thancred can stay. ] Science. The Courier survived having it ripped out and replaced. They're lucky - surviving the un-survivable. Lucky or stupid.

[ Ulysses never lowered his head. Eyes still unblinking, observing the Siren. ] Men who obsess over old symbols - reclaiming a glory they never held, or misusing those symbols to mean whatever they wish to say they mean.

So they trusted… someone it would have been better not to. [he strokes his other hand over Perrin gently.] …Gods. That's- well, clearly it's possible… it still seems terrifying. A lot of luck, perhaps…

[he tries to meet that, but he can't go without blinking for very long.] Trying to make them into something they ought not to be- something they do not deserve.

Examined technology alone - or that's what they'd say. Trusting you as if people never betrayed them. [ There's kindness in that voice. But... what sort of kindness? This man was fucked over. ] Check their machine - the one on their wrist.

don't worry he eventually closes his eyes, moving to rub against the... brain dead Courier. It's a common theme. It's disgusting.

Like a trap…? But that doesn't sound right- surely something like that would require prompting. [he puffs out a breath, wondering.]. But they have, haven't they? Are you sure? [he'll reach out to take a look, though- trying not to disturb them too much.

It's sort of nice to se that.]. It is. We… have totry to convince them not to- so I think, anyhow.

I was not there. I was waiting for them elsewhere. [ On the screen, there's... messages. Concerned messages. ] They're trying to think too hard, aren't they? It glitched again. They'll be restored soon - what is happening in there?

[ Ulysses shakes his head. ] The mind is convinced we're in a simulation - a dream. I feel otherwise.

Ah. And so you found out after. [Oh- that's a surprise. He makes a soft sound, tapping back- should he answer?] We were talking of the past.

Is it…? How does it know? How would we know- this certainly feels real to me…

And what else is reality, but our minds guiding us down our chosen path? [ they have different mindsets, but the absol--

--oh. the absol doesnt look like an absol anymore. he looks like a man, still laying there, hand around the courier. more text appears on the screen. ] Oh, great. A signal - and another lifeforce. Now what has my body slept with.

For our minds are what we perceive it with, yes?

[Thancred turns- and makes a surprised sound.] This- is what you first looked like? [oh- there's more text. He leans over to read it.] …well, it hasn't been like that. Not at this point, anyhow.

...You're on the same wavelength as me, Thancred. [ of course he heard the name. but at the latter question, he nods. touching some of the burns on his face, a simple showing that they're real. ] False symbols or not, we are real. We are alive.

[ it almost feels like the pip-boy text is rolling eyes that do not exist. these morons. ] It will be soon, and then they'll come crying about being forever alone once they banish or reprogram you. The reboot will be swift this time - they'll be back to spewing idiotic falsehoods before long.

It seems so. That's good. It's… Ulysses, isn't it? [he gives a nod back, reaching out to touch the other man's arm.

that is very impressive.]

I'd hope not to be. [perhaps he'll be able to talk them out of it?] Reboot- you mean waking up? Why falsehoods? What do you know about this?

[ he pulls away a little from being touched, but he gives a soft frown. people are more touchy in this new world, huh. ] Yes. The name I gave myself - another Old World symbol.

Because I can see their body out here, twitching and trying to wake up when it's too hurt. That's how I know, you dumb code. Perrin is out here in a virtual reality pod, after something tried to breech Big MT.

[ Okay. That gets Ulysses curious, as he moves to read as well. Words are words, though, and actions are actions. There's still disbelief in the look Ulysses gives - but it's a little softer. If something tried to break that barrier, it'd be injured. He gave a slight tilt of the head to Thancred. ] The Big Empty is protected by a barrier. To keep things out... and to keep things in.

[he is, certainly- but he can restrain himself, pulling back.] Is that so? I don't think I know much of it- perhaps you could tell me something, when there's time?

Out there- outside this reality? And you can see it?

Like- whatever tried to break in? Do you have any idea what that might have been?

...When there's time. When the Courier sleeps, but is not lost. [ Ulysses will get u some books, Thancred. Old books, copied so they don't get destroyed.

There seems to be a pause from the brain. ] I can - Big MT is well formed. And I would be better served answering that question then the moron who tried to nuke me. Well, my body. Without that body, I'd become a disconnected idiot.

[ and that's when a greenscale picture, blurry, is transmitted. it's blurry, but... it's shinryu, banging into an electric barrier. ] I can't process it properly, even as a brain high on Mentats. To me, it looks like a nuclear missile. And yet - inorganics can pass though into this peaceful faculty...

Of course. I imagine I'll still be around somewhere. [he will like those very much!]

That's good- I'm glad to hear it's safe there. Yes, I don't think I want to talk to them. So the two of you still need each other?

[he leans in close with a startled sound.] That- I think I recognise it. Like- a certain dragon. Most likely- they don't seem to be the same sort of thing.

...If Perrin will still let you in.

Sadly. If they die, I lose my connection to your virtual reality. That, and I've seen other minds who've lost their bodies. A bunch of crazy bastards. Except for one, but he's got terrible memory problems. Nice guy, though. [ perrins brain is trying.

but there's a long pause, before: ] Are you certain about that? If you've seen it before, then-- you're not a Wastelander, are you?

Ah. Yes. I'll have to ask when they wake up.

I see. That… doesn't sound like a pleasant way to be, then. That's… that is something.

It's fuzzy, but- I'm almost sure. [he shakes his head, tapping in a 'no'.] I was from Eorzea, before here.

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