Day 1 Night

[12npcs]

[ Over the murmur of conversations, explorations and violent attempts at escape, there comes a sound tick tick tick tick tick.............. CLICK.... The sky above snaps across the dome from blue to black... and everything goes dark.

A glow comes from the front door of each of the inns and one by one, you can see street lanterns begin to light up steadily past each of the gates.

The only flickering, organic light comes from above in the tower, spluttering high, high above everyone, through the slats of the closed shutters. After a moment, it's gone. ]

Comments

[allsneakandnoplay]

[rolls his head so he's looking at you. shit's unsettling.]

Found anything?

[devotedtothecore]

[ you're unsettling. Though also fascinating???? like seriously don't know whether to keep a distance from you or ask you if I can touch y--

--ok no focus chrysos focus on the job. Focus. ]

...I was intending to attempt dismantling one of the automata. I needed a light.

[ nods at the candle. The flame is obviously glass, though alight ] There was one of these in every bedroom, in our inn.

[allsneakandnoplay]

[...

deeep breaths. stops glowing red and the next time he talks is back to normal.]

You picked one yet?

[devotedtothecore]

[ ....indicators....? ]

Not yet. Though it seems wise to avoid the guardsmen. ...they're not as inert as they look.

[allsneakandnoplay]

They're all... giving off a little heat.

I don't like it that much, but if we're gonna learn anything about them, getting a closer look's pretty much needed. You a bio-engineer?

[devotedtothecore]

Bio-...?

[ ...shakes his head ] I work strictly with the mechanical. Foundational clockwork, circuits, power generation. Steamcraft.

[allsneakandnoplay]

Steamcraft. Huh.

Sounds like this place is perfect for you.

[devotedtothecore]

[ blinks--- and scowls ]

I've no intent to stay longer than necessary. ...I'd assume the same for you.

[allsneakandnoplay]

I only meant you had a good skill. Like I think anyone wants to be here.

[devotedtothecore]

[ ...ngh. Glances off to the side. Trying to stay cool, but this place + realities sinking in despite trying to shove them aside... ]

Apologies. I misunderstood.

[ relaxing a bit, though body language is still pretty up on uneasy ]

[allsneakandnoplay]

Hmph.

[walking towards him, then past him.]

[devotedtothecore]

[ as Raiden is walking past: ]

Wait-- "they're all giving off a little heat", you said. How do you know this?

[allsneakandnoplay]

I switched to thermal vision.

[devotedtothecore]

......you can see heat?

[allsneakandnoplay]

One of my many talents.

[devotedtothecore]

....

[ two seconds of internal debate > turn to face him ]

I'd like your assistance. ...if possible.

[allsneakandnoplay]

With what?

[devotedtothecore]

With... observing.

The guards looked inert, but they moved without warning once I tried to push a gate. ...if it was some inbuilt mechanism responsible, there might have been some spike in internal heat in that moment.

[allsneakandnoplay]

... Show me then.

[devotedtothecore]

.... [ nods

heading for a gate!!11 not the same one he tried before at least 8[ eying the guards to see if they're in the same position as all the others ]

[12npcs]

[The guards stand still and silent, their expressions silhouetted by the streetlamps behind the gate.]

[devotedtothecore]

[ ...just to confirm further, putting a hand to the face of one, and another on their chest, listening with his fingers. ]

[12npcs]

[Nothing, not the rhythmic vibration of clockwork, nor the constant resonance of steam, nor the thrum of electricity. It feels as inert as the cloth and wood it seems to be.]

[devotedtothecore]

[ ...

straightens. Pushes up his headband. ]

Alright. I'm going to attempt the gate.

[ sssstepping past the soldiers, casually, keeping his eyes forward ]

[12npcs]

[The only sound you hear is your own footfalls on cobblestone.]