shardbond | THE (SHARD)BEACH EPISODE 🌊🛹

THE (SHARD)BEACH EPISODE 🌊🛹

After a grueling two weeks filled to the brim with pain and suffering, a break is more than deserved. So while Gyles is far from a planner of activities, he'll make sure everyone (even the NPCs. stares directly at Redd.) knows about a world he accidentally stumbled upon. As far as he knows, it doesn't have a name, but do the details really matter???? Absolutely not.

What matters is that this is a beautiful beach by the ocean. The sun's shining, the water's warm enough to swim in, and there's plenty of critters and shells to find among the tide pools and beneath the waves. If you're brave enough, you could even take a boat out on the water! ... but maybe don't do that alone?

Don't have a swimsuit? No problem! There's a beach shack with all the swimwear and beach-goer attire you could possibly want, along with things like sunscreen, fishing gear, inflatable beach toys, and snorkels. Basically if you want it, it's there, I'm sure as hell not gonna stop you. The shack also sells whatever cold treats and snacks your heart desires.

There's also a fire pit, perfect for late night s'mores and stories around a bonfire, and a charcoal barbeque for the cooks among the group. The nearby convenience store doesn't have as wide a selection as W*lmart, but there's a decent selection of meats, veggies, and drinks to choose from.

If you're not one for the sand, then a very short walk away from the shore is surely the biggest skate park anyone's ever seen. If you didn't bring your skateboard or hoverboard with you, that's a-okay because there are plenty that're free to borrow. There's also some rollerskates, if that's more your style.

Relax, unwind, and enjoy the (shard)beach episode, Shardbearers.

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Considering the attitude you've described of him to me thus far, I hardly find that surprising.

[ The man seemed like hardly an upstanding guy; paranoid as well as intelligent (and what they assume to be controlling) folks rarely are. ]

Quite incredible that he managed to do something that nearly caused great, irreversible damage. Whatever the case, it sounds like an adequate exchange of words, especially if he was being quite the fool where that was concerned~

Any other foolish acts you wish to speak on about your creator that he's committed, or shall you wish to continue to enjoy the beach properly?

Ah - yes. [A little rueful.] I'm sorry, this isn't really appropriate conversation. We're trying to have fun here.

Ah, well...in this regard, I'm gracious enough to say it wasn't your fault. My boundless curiosity had myself asking such questions already knowing what kind of topic I was walking into!

Consider it merely a true inquiry to see if your inclinations were leaning away from such matters or more. Nothing more, nothing less.

[ There, they give the man a little amused look, though as they say, they are truly hardly troubled by it themselves. ]

Though, I am inhuman myself, so even besides the fact you are relatively new to our group, perhaps you can say that mere commonality has done well in elevating my curiosity.

Oh - is that so?

[They pass very well, though Turo isn't...sure if they would consider that a compliment. He would, but that's just one data point.]

What are you?

[ It is very hard to tell that they're inhuman! ]

In the most simplest of terms, a highly advanced artificial intelligence.

[ But, of course, Void Archives sees no reason to stop there. Rather... ]

In the most elaborate of terms, I am indeed that, but one whose purpose is to function as a information archive of humanity's civilization of over 50,000 years or so. At least that is the foremost intended function, though I also serve as a countermeasure towards any sort of threat that would threaten the existence of humanity as a collective. Which, of course, can include alien threats and the like. Either way, do please imagine if you were communicating with a walking and talking archive - one of which is also constantly updating to add new information that it hasn't had before.

Due to my intended function, I would be able to pass on such knowledge if someone were to interface with myself, and allow them to immediately benefit...under normal circumstances, anyway.

...that is an incredible amount of data!

[It's sort of horrifying to consider! Turo knows his systems couldn't handle it, no more than they can handle him without the benefit of Tera energy.]

Why did they make you...humanoid?

Hmm...I suppose that is a natural response. I wouldn't have presumed how much data you are able to hold - based upon being from a different world and all - but, it is still quite up there even for those who are able to come even close to comprehending the nature of it.

...As you imagine, not just anyone can interface with someone like myself. There might be even the danger of them being overwhelmed by such knowledge.

[ Oh, certainly horrifying. Receiving such knowledge can even cause someone to cease to exist depending on the circumstances. That, is a solid fact.

But, of course, they are made for such things. Whether or not the execution of it all is...good, is debatable, however. ]

Here is where I have to tell you, my fellow ally:

This body you see here is merely a vessel. I was not created with a humanoid body - rather, I decided to go ahead and "borrow" one, for the simple fact that remaining in my original state makes it quite difficult to communicate with others en masse. As well as speak to people, generally, and carry out various goals.

I suppose it was not the same for you, and you were designed from the start to be humanoid, hm?

Oh, yes. The Professor always hated being torn away from his work, for meetings and business up on the surface. I was intended to take on that work for him as well. But...well, I cannot even contain as much data as myself.

[He shrugs ruefully.]

It was only the Tera energy down in the Lab that allowed my systems to operate at greater than their technical capacity - so, when I tried to go to the surface, I ceased to function. I don't know why I survived leaving my dimension at all.

[ A considering hum escapes them as they seem to ponder on certain potentials after being granted that tidbit of information. ]

Perhaps the mystery behind it all is that the laws of other dimensions allowed an exception to this so-called "Tera energy" that served as fuel? Though, that being said, I'm not sure what this energy is supposed to be...?

While considering possibilities I also imagine that it could have something to do with those rings. They are still awfully a mysterious relic by my standards. And even if it weren't, the universe can be quite a strange place, yes?

Is it entirely also possible that you somehow managed to make a break through on your own and exceeded the potential limitations placed upon your person?

[ They did one day suddenly gain sentience when all the other Divine Keys had not. ]

It's produced by crystals only found in the Zero Crater - so, extraterrestrial in origin.

[He has a lot more data, but getting into it honestly just doesn't feel that productive. It was one of the Professor's pet topics.]

It could be the rings or the Shard, maybe, though if so they are clearly producing something other than Tera energy. [He contemplates the shard in the back of his hand.] I don't think it could be me. I cannot exceed my physical limitations just by...wishing for it.

...Oh? I see. Well, it's fortunate you don't have to rely it on anymore, no?

[ They are well aware of their own experiences with alien technology. Though, what it all boils down in the end is the simple fact that it is a power source...of a sort. They imagine it must be a relief not to be concerned with it no longer - in a sense. ]

And of course random happenstance is far less likely, with other elements in place. By which I mean that it seems it has slipped my mind to consider the matter of the Shard - it does feel like it would be a potential particular element in all of this, as all of us do have one in the first place.

But, freedom is a glorious thing. Whether it's enabled by shards or the rings, or somehow something else, I feel this is an irrefutable fact.

[ Which, in retrospect, makes the people under that mind control ever more stark. But, well, everyone is here to rectify that, even if it is for their own reasons. ]

That's certainly true...

[He's looking at his Shard again. Of course he can't be entirely sure, but it seems a likely correlation. It makes him wonder whether or not they're supposed to keep them after this is all over...]

I'd feel a little better if I knew for certain, but I suppose I should not get too caught up on it. It is working perfectly well right now, at least.

Admittedly, I wouldn't consider myself one of those so-called bright-eyed optimists or any such things, however...

[ ...well. They think that he has a point, and so it is with ease that they'll add on: ]

In a case like this, and given our situation, with everything that has transpired thus far, looking on the bright side will undeniably be a benefit~

Oh - I'm glad you think so!

[He hasn't really presented this conundrum to anyone else; it's nice to have something of a second opinion.]

[ Sometimes, minds do so happen to think alike - it's something like solidarity, in a small way. But, not every thing must be so large to have meaning or have impact. ]

...There is something to being on the same page.

Well, it makes me feel a little better. I have not felt...entirely at ease about allowing anyone here to look at my inner workings.

[He still hasn't accepted repairs from anyone, only healing or, at worst, getting taped up a little. Maybe the people here can be trusted, but...he trusted the Professor like that once, too. The risk is simply too great to make that mistake again.]

...Oh? In regards to that is it something that you have hoped for others to do? Or is it something you considered due to a problem of some sort? Or rather, it is something you realize you wouldn't quite ever allow anyone else to do in any sort of situation and it bothers you?

[ There are healers here indeed, but to be quite frank, Void Archives isn't entirely sure what they can do when it comes to certain issues. For example, if there is an internal or fundamental problem with the software at the core being of an artificial lifeform. That seems beyond 'healer's work', from their point of view. ]

I don't know if I could trust someone that much.

[There's certainly aspects of his software that would be better removed. Healing won't do anything there. But if he let someone just muck around in his brain again, who knows what else might happen?]

The fact you mentioned it all seems to indicate that you may wish you could.

And if I am correct in presuming so, what is stopping you from seeking someone who could assist you so?

[ There are quite the many experts here. Though it all essentially boils down to an issue of trust, there is usually a reason behind such things - whether it's simply a general one or because of something specific. ]

My creator was the only person who ever worked on me before. He...would alter my programming without my knowledge. I can't even be certain of everything he left behind, it's all been hidden from me rather effectively...

[He knows the Protocol exists now, but he still can't actually locate any of its code or files within his own. Of course now; he was never supposed to.]

I couldn't stop someone from doing that again, if they had that kind of access. There's nothing I could do.

So, there's essentially a potential for a backdoor that's been buried in your software, with all of that work he's done.

[ That's what it sounds like to them, really. They can connect the dots on the potentials - their goals are hard-coded into their being, and there are some problems with that, but they do believe that their creator never altered their programming without them knowing. It's a sliver of a positive, but it is one nonetheless over uncertainty - such to the point they don't envy Turo. ]

I can't convince you to speak to the others to go ahead with performing such an in-depth system check, or otherwise assisting you with the others, however...perhaps one day that will change. I'm also not about to tout about how suddenly trustworthy I am, but Tails is unfailingly and unflinchingly kind, as well as extremely knowledgeable for a child. If you can find it within yourself, I would recommend him.

After all, I can't see how living in fear would assuage your worries. And, depending on the issue, there would be risk either way. Just something to consider, hm?

Edited 2025-02-17 21:45 (UTC)

...I suppose that's true. The...program I'm aware of should not be able to meet its trigger conditions as long as I never return to my world. But of course there might be others...

[And of course something could also just go wrong. Maybe he doesn't even know all of the Protocol's triggers. Turo couldn't have planned for a situation like this one, but if something just hits the AI's systems wrong one day...he's staring to breathe more shallowly just thinking about it.]

[ Oh. Void Archives is definitely detecting a distinctly elevated kind of panic over there, which makes them give pause, and then quickly, decisively- ]

Yes, well, there is still quite a bit of time to consider matters more thoroughly, is there not? While these elements should be considered, I don't believe it hurts to...

[ Damn, what do they say. They thought that they could help in making a decision, and maybe did the opposite of helping...classic for them, really. ]

Pace some of the thoughts a little?

[Oh - oh, no, he's doing that thing again. Turo takes a breath and composes himself.]

Yes - yes, of course, I am sorry.

Tsk, tsk. I believe granting you so much blame for that might be unreasonable for even me, hm~? Though I could always find fault nonetheless...I will graciously not.

[ But, they shake their head with a somewhat amused smile, words hinging somewhere more towards the playful sort. Though their next words contain an undeniable serious edge to them. ]

While I have no regrets in my saying something, the inner workings of an individual's struggles with a decision are not to be taken lightly. I understand this.

[ Maybe better now. Though... ]

I also do understand what it means to be bound by what a creator has done unto them. So, while I shall leave it at this for now, I will not cease in my encouragement whenever appropriate, nor my belief that you should see to be free from such potential dangers, at the least. [ However dubious that is, because it is them involved in such matters. ] Do take that to heart.

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tworo - 2025-02-19 00:47 (UTC) - Expand

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