STORY

STORY

TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
[Voices of the Void - Main Theme]
"The only thing that splits the waking mind from the world of dreams is questions." K-9 paces through the desolated streets as she explains.
K-9
2025-03-25 17:16:39
K-9 Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 17:16:49
"In a world of dreams we don't ask why. We see inconsistency as reality."
"In a dream, you run over a man with your car. You do not own a car, you do not drive on this road, but you do not question these things, and do you know why?"
"Because. You. Are. S.T.U.P.I.D. ouo"
"The mind just isn't open to critique when it is dreaming. +u+"
"What are those....."Things" with you? ouo?"
G-1094 rubs the back of their head, looking over their shoulder at what they thought was Absolutno and Starlis.
"I wasn't expecting that kind of language from another machine."
"They're my friends. They're..."
G-1094
2025-03-25 17:23:27
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:38:07
"AIs."
Hierozphant
2025-03-25 17:24:05
Hierozphant Profile
Posted by ID #32
Last edit: 2025-03-25 17:24:37
"Best AIs in the bizz! My names Hieroz.~"
G-1094
2025-03-25 17:24:05
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:37:54
"We've been hunting for the missing capture creatures together. <:)"
"Justitia V12 at your service."
"Is that what we are. Considering. AIs now? Ew. ouo"
"What were we talking about that got us on to dreams? I haven't had chance to sleep yet, so I'm a little confused."
"I just wanted to prepare you before I dispose of you."
"This way. See those things in streets over there? That will soon be your home! +u+"

Wild ponies frolic in the streets. They buck and neigh, and do all the things that ponies love to do. They raise their head once the group is spotted. They stand utterly still, ears flopping as they wonder if they have met more friends, or a new foe.

"Tell me, what are those? +u+"
"Those things are cree~eepy!"
"Oh, ponies! Delightful creatures, I've never had the chance to see one myself."
They rub anxiously at their chin, choosing to trust that Vib knew the truth. "Uh, those are ponies."
G-1094
2025-03-25 17:32:40
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:57:37
"Unless they, aren't ponies? <:)"
"Have you. Ever tried asking. Your brain. What it thinks? ouo"
G-1094 slowly approaches the herd to get a closer look, namely at their... arms and legs.
Pony
2025-03-25 17:34:25
Pony Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 17:34:31
The ponies rear up on their back legs, neighing in worry as G-1094 comes closer.
G-1094 rolls a 20 sided die. A 17 is rolled.
G-1094
2025-03-25 17:36:51
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:58:12
"Easy, easy! <:)" They raise both of their hands, but not all the way, not wanting to look to big to the 'pony'.
Pony
2025-03-25 17:37:05
Pony Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 17:37:19
But one of them braves forward, sensing a kinship with the notail. It holds out a hoof one covered in fingers... and neighs. It asks back for what it gave before.
(My goodness those things are so ugly...)
"Well, are you gonna return it?"
"How did you know it wants me to...?"
"Yes....why do you know what it wants, "robot?""
G-1094 shakes their head, dismissing the sudden thought. They reach into their pocket, producing a golden apple to hand to the 'pony'.
"I think Demian might have whispered what the pony said to them... He tends to do that!"

Hieroz gestures to his fancy looking snakevine, the thing hissing quietly nearby.
The pony takes the golden apple and runs back to the others on its back hooves. It holds up the apple and the other ponies begin pronking around in a circle, a joyful sort of gallop, the apple in the middle.
"Nature truly is beautiful."
"OK so these things are just naturally uber creepy then?"
G-1094
2025-03-25 17:44:21
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 19:01:58
"None of the other capture creatures have done anything like this. <:)"
The largest of the ponies approaches G-1094. It wiggles side to side before holding its hooves out, wishing to have them held.
They look back to K-9 for a moment, as if awaiting some sort of command.
"What do you mean? What about this do you consider creepy?"
But... K-9 seems to want them to question the world. Examine it.
"Although... these are certainly more active than any pony I've ever heard of."
G-1094
2025-03-25 17:46:14
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 17:47:49
G-1094 tentatively takes the pony's front hooves, copying the side to side wiggles with moderate enthusiasm.
"I mean... Just look at that, man." Hieroz awkwardly gestures to the G Class and the ponies in their odd little wiggle ritual. "Cree~eepy!"
"No offense G-Man!"
"None taken." They weren't even sure they'd heard anything to be offended by, too focused on the 'legs' leading down to the 'hooves' in their hand.
[The Passage to Transcendence - Maebi]
G-1094 and the pony dance in the streets. The oddity of the situation seemed to melt away. There was an intense sense of freedom to be had with just this simple action, as if for a moment they were free from any needs, any worried. It was all going to be alright.

G-1094 could dance with these ponies forever. There was no need to worry. They would just need to find a way to fit in. Maybe a-
G-1094's thoughts were killed as one of the ponies screams.
????
2025-03-25 18:08:41
???? Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:09:42
The strange shrimp like creature had, during the dance, snuck between their feet and grabbed the golden apple with their mouth. Except now, G-1094 thinks, it doesn't look much like an apple at all.
2025-03-25 18:09:03
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:09:14

To be honest. It was a bit rounder.

"Stop, thief!"
"I think this thief is doing us good..."
"I mean G-Man was looking really weird just then!"
They clasp a hand against their head, fingers curling into their hair. The return to reality was like a drop into ice-y waters. Everything suddenly felt so abrasive.
"K-9. What should you do when something suddenly doesn't look like it used to?"
"Like it was a different thing entirely. For no reason."
"Huh, what are you talking about?"
"You should take a picture. It'll help your memories last longer." K-9 holds out a simple camera.
K-9
2025-03-25 18:13:41
K-9 Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:13:59
"But, be careful. Somethings. In this world. Don't like being discovered. ouo"
G-1094 takes the camera with an affirmative nod, craning their neck as they gave a sudden 'gulp'.
The pony looks with soft pleading eyes. It neighs, pointing at the thief of the apple. It wishes for G-1094 to help.
"I have experience holding onto large amounts of evidence. Feel free to hand me any photos you take to hold onto."
They eye the two robots, raising the camera slightly, their antennae slowly angling back.
"Actually, how about I take the photos? I'm kind of an expert in that regard."
K-9
2025-03-25 18:19:04
K-9 Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:20:03
"Sinners don't like the paparazzi, G-1094."
G-1094
2025-03-25 18:18:48
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:19:23
G-1094 unconsciously moves the camera away from Vib, taking a snap of the strange round object and the creature holding it instead, stowing the camera for a moment as they step in to the pony circle. "Uh, excuse me, you..."
"Can you give that back? I don't think that belongs to you."

The picture does not show anything strange.....

G-1094
2025-03-25 18:22:14
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:22:42
A bad feeling urges them to be discrete. They hide the camera from the robots as they take a snap of the ponies.
????
2025-03-25 18:25:54
???? Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:26:17
The creature scrambles up a trash to gain even just the smallest bit of height advantage. It takes out endless paperwork, spitting out the apple and taking a deep breath before beginning to rant. "This belongs to me! Well. It belongs to ZooCorp, not that the business exists currently..... I am the Creature Collector."
"The... Creature Collector? I've never heard of such a figure..."
"What kind of creatures do you collect?"
"When the businesses fail, I am here to make sure all parties get their part of the bargain. This capsule, and every capsule is being repo'd and you better not get in the way if you know what's good for you!" The small creature points accusingly.
"There's nothing I dislike more, than unpaid paychecks, and this is one of them. Tell all those loaners that their time has come!"
"Loaners, you say?"
"Oh, is this about money?"
"Perhaps I can assist in presenting an alternative compensation method."
"Ohhh~ He's a repo man! Just like in the movies!"
G-1094
2025-03-25 18:31:02
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:32:29
G-1094 pulls out the points card they received from the K-Class. They can't help but throw nervous glances as the two robots try to get involved. "If it's about money I could pay for it?"
The Collector stops his foot down. "A notail like you does not have enough money to pay for anything. Plus, their debts are astronomical! Unfixable. I mean look at this city!"
"This, is a city of unpaid debts."
"So I'm very busy, if you don't mind. All the smart loaners abandoned the place, and all the dumb ones....?"
"Neigh!!!!"
"Snort snort!!!!"
"Whinny!"
"Well debt makes people go crazy."
Hierozphant
2025-03-25 18:35:53
Hierozphant Profile
Posted by ID #32
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:38:34
"No wonder those things are so creepy!"
"Why are you all acting so strangely about these ponies? They're just ponies!"
"I really don't understand."
"Are you saying those things caused the city to be... Like this? <:)"
"And... And what are you? Why were you pretending to be an animal earlier? Gloria and I-"
G-1094
2025-03-25 18:39:45
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:40:38
They put a hand to their head. There was no Gloria. "We... We spoke to you, and you didn't respond. <:)"
"Because I didn't want to talk to you. You were some weirdo outside of my office with a giant pair of bolt cutters and one of your creepy friends!"
"I take offense to that remark!"
"And I don't really care about what "caused" this."
"I care about my job, and sticking to my orders. I'm not here to question. I'm here to collect what is due."
"Sounds like. Someone I know. ouo"
They look back at K-9 for a moment.
"Well... Maybe we should ask questions. Because we can, because this isn't a dream."
"Yes! Asking questions is good. Questions such as, why is this shrimp ascribing so much malice to these ponies?"
"Or why is no one else talking about how creepy these ponies are!"
"G-1094 over here. Is. Also a Creature Collector. ouo"
"You're a debt collector too?" He asks G-1094.
They started to speak, but catch themselves, thinking for a moment.
"Sure am. <:)"
"Let's ditch these freaks if we're not catching them."
"Debt collectors have to stay together. No one else is going to welcome us home."
Hierozphant
2025-03-25 18:48:37
Hierozphant Profile
Posted by ID #32
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:48:49
"(Who's the freak...?)"
G-1094
2025-03-25 18:49:44
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:51:55
They throw worried glances to the entire party, siding up with the fellow collector. They think about the photo. "Yeah. We should stick together. <:)"
Hierozphant
2025-03-25 18:50:23
Hierozphant Profile
Posted by ID #32
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:51:10
"Aw.. Cmon man, you're ditching us? I thought we were bros!"
"You're really going to side with the one stealing from ponies?"
"Lets head to the shop. Your "friends" here are looking a bit.....needy." Collector jumps down from the trashcan, escaping to the closed down store from before. He stands at the door, prepared to lock it the second G-1094 enters. "Hurry up! I'm not looking to let the needy in here!"
"Wait! Wait! C'mon man- Don't just toss me, er, us! Don't just toss us to the side like that! We're bros! Buddies! Bros gotta stick with bros!"
G-1094 holds up a hand to the two robots. "Uh, don't worry guys. This is just collector business, we can meet up some other time! <:)" They don't wait for further reply, almost jogging to join the Collector in his shop.
"Wow... Ditched. I guess hoes do come before bros..."
"I'm sure we'll get what we need soon enough..."
[Pellucid - Maebi]
Collector
2025-03-25 18:58:11
Collector Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 18:58:59
Collector locks up the door and breathes a sigh of relief. He hops towards a fridge, opening it up to take a sip of soda. Wires fill up most of the fridge, which he has to push back as he closes it back up. He places the apple, which G-1094 is sure is some sort of capsule on a table, before jumping into the head of a robot.
"Seriously, what a bunch of freaks you have for friends......Look at that, one of those things is still out there."
"NEIGH!!!!!"
"I don't know what's up with these guys, but this sort of thing happens all the time."
G-1094
2025-03-25 19:01:00
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 19:01:08
"It does? <:)"
"Yeppers! I go around. I find a new business owner. We try to make it work but honestly, most of the time it fails. And when a business like this blows up, some people go a little crazy, but usually it's not this bad!"
"We got really close this time. Real big business going on, oh well....."
"Just means I'll have to help this thing spread somewhere else."
"Maybe I shouldn't be doing this, but I like being employed!"
"Someone has to be the debt collector."
G-1094
2025-03-25 19:05:26
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 19:05:52
"I'm sorry the city blew up? <:)" They're pretty sure that's what he meant.
"But, uh... Why do you keep calling them people? Aren't they just..."
"Really weird, alien, capture creatures? <:)"
"One of the robots called them ponies. <:)"
"I saw you took a picture of of them. And of me........ Why don't you take another look?"
They pull up the camera. It takes a clear effort for them to move their gaze to the screen.
The issue with the image is that nothing looked different.
Maybe the issue was that they never stopped to think about it.
"They don't look any different."
"I just can't stop looking at the arms- legs? Arms?"
G-1094
2025-03-25 19:21:38
G-1094 Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-03-25 19:21:55
"Why do they look like..." G-1094 holds out one of their own arms, allowing the sleeve to roll up to show more skin.
"Uuuuuuuh because they're Classless notails that went crazy, stupid."
"Sorry that was rude."
"It's fine, people say that a lot. <:)"
"Yeah, and you nearly joined them. Now mind you, people go crazy over being in debt, but I don't know. Feels like people entered in to some sort of, weird madness."
"I'll be fully honest, I both don't care, and don't think about it!"
"I'm the debt collector. What's going on in your life doesn't matter to me."
Looking out of one of the windows they watch the classless notails, stewing on the Collector's words.
"Does not thinking help? The second I started to question things more, I guess I just found myself feeling..." They pause, looking for the word.
"Upset? Like things were all wrong, and that I should be scared."
Collector
2025-03-25 19:29:32
Collector Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-25 19:29:47
"Troubled? Yeah, I feel you."
"It's easier to just keep going and not think too hard about it. Get the job done. Get your money. Pay your rent, and get ready for it again the next day."
"Course you're a notail, you don't think about that, but I'm sure you have something similar."
"It was easier. Things were weird but I just didn't think to question it."
"But if those really are notails then I think..."
"No. I know I should help them. It's simple."
"What are you going to do? Take off their weird bedsheets? What if they're like....."
"....naked?"
"Uh, maybe I don't care?"
"Wait."
"No, you're making me think about it too much."
"I was just going to try and lead some back to the ship. My boss can figure out what to do with them later."
"Maybe they can be used for something, and we can make money back that way. <:)"
"Like, repo."
"Oooooooh! That's a good plan. If you don't know what to do, make it your manager's problem! Thankfully for you, one of those creepy guys stayed behind."
"Neigh."
"I think it likes you!"
"Not that...that's a good thing."
"But hey! You can lead it back to your ship and......"
"Try to not think to hard about the fact you're locking a dude in a cage for your manager to find!!!"
"Are you sure you don't think too much about it? <:)"
"Unlike you, I don't put men in cages."
"..........................................................."
"Like........................technically I don't.............................."
"Just don't think about it!"
"You're right! Just don't think about it and do your job! That's the freelancer motto!"
"But do me a favor. If you find one of these capsules. Do no open them. Don't even think about what's inside."
"Just send them to me. They belong to the company."
"Good luck on your capturing, fellow creature collector!"
"Do you need like....a leash to....you know.....bring that guy back to the ship or do you think he'll just follow you?"
"Yes please. <:)"
"Dang." Collector shifts through drawers, picking out a leash to give to G-1094. "Good luck, and remember. Don't. Think. About. It."
"Just don't think about it."
"I mean, how hard could it be? <:)"
"Neigh?"
"Alright, c'mere 'pony'. <:)"
After putting a leash on the pony, G-1094 takes it back to the ship. They're not going to think about it.

Absolutely nothing about this series of events was weird. Especially the part involving it eating out of the food bowl.

Just don't think about it!
No one is typing.