for uta

[dzelkva]

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Δ Haggard Traveler’s Reprieve

[dzelkva]

[ As promised, Zelkova is at the Twilight Shoreline, standing on the beach as he looks out into the ocean. It's hard to read exactly what he's feeling, or if he's even feeling anything at all as he gazes upon the water.

When he notices Uta warping in, he turns to give her a smile. ]

You've made it!

[tot]

[ while it isn't obvious for zelkova, it'll be quite obvious for uta as she'll clasp her hands together in delight when she fully loads into the area. some people might not like this kind of scene but it was comforting to her. she'll wander towards zelkova with a wave when she sees him. ]

Of course, and you did too! [ after a quick beat and frowning to herself briefly. ] I'm not sure why I'm so surprised by this.

[dzelkva]

[ He tilts his head, fixing her with a curious look. ]

Why are you surprised?

[ It's true that he's relatively aloof, so he supposes it could make sense in that regard. ]

[tot]

I don't know.

[ she'll hum to herself as she thinks it over. why is it weird? it's totally normal. ...even if he might be an AI. ]

It makes sense that you play the game like the rest of us, but it's different than actually experiencing it. I'm glad, however.

[dzelkva]

I might be a higher level, but you're right. I do play the game like all of you.

[ It's just that his playing is more like living... in a sense, at least. ]

[tot]

[ in a sense, and uta will walk towards the water's edge and kneel down so that she can place a hand into the water. ]

Did it take you a long time to get to level 100?

[dzelkva]

Not really. I hacked my level.

[ But other than that, he really does play the game regularly. ]

[tot]

You hacked your level?

[ the temptation of asking him how he went about doing it is extremely strong but she knows it's pretty useless to ask that. ]

I didn't expect that answer.

[dzelkva]

It was pretty easy.

[ But he won't show her how, or even say how he did it. ]

I've hacked a few other things, but nothing important.

[tot]

[ well doesn't that sound extremely sus?? she wants to ask many questions but she knows that those questions will be rebuffed. this one should be fine?? hopefully..?? ]

Is it okay for a moderator to have hacked the game?

[dzelkva]

Why not? I live here, so I should be allowed to hack it.

[ Flawless logic, right? ]

[tot]

[ kind...of...??? though way to have her really solidify her belief that he's an AI but that's also kind of confusing?? ]

I've been wondering about that.

The way you talk about the Fragment, it sounds like you were born in here.

[dzelkva]

[ He tilts his head, a small smile on his face. ]

I was. I'm from Fragment's world. I guess you could say that I was born here, in that sense.

@ Moon Tree, back dated to 10/1

[tot]

[ they should probably talk about nicer things but given the news, she doesn't really know who to talk to?? she can't—doesn't—want to talk to the people she's met here about this.

not to mention, what will happen to her after they "figured this out"? ]

Zelkova...

Do you read the news?

[dzelkva]

Not really. Why?

[ The "outside world" doesn't concern him as much as the one here, so he usually has no reason to read the news.

But if she's asking him about it... hm. He's admittedly a little concerned. ]

[tot]

Well...

[ honestly it's fair of him and she's trying to find the right words. if there are any to begin with. ]

There...was a news report of how I... [ she really can't say it. she has spent a lot of time mulling over things but accepting and coming to terms with the news is still something she's far, far away from. ] Would you have any idea of how it could be possible of how someone could still be "alive" within the Fragment when they aren't in reality.

[dzelkva]

[ Oh.

Does that mean...? He furrows his brows. ]

It's in the same way you always felt things here, like physical touch or the taste of a drink. Part of you is here.

[tot]

[ it sure does.

she just doesn't want to say the words out-loud and hopes that zelkova won't force her to spell it out. she'll look down for a moment with a small smile. ]

...like a ghost in the machine.

[ which is a reference that he might not get and that's fine. ]

Then this means that I should be even more careful as to what happens to me from here on out. [ ... ] Is there a possibility that the news was lying?

[dzelkva]

[ Please teach him the reference, Uta.

The reference may fly over his head, but he understands. With a sad shake of his head, he sighs. ]

...I don't know. Would they have a reason to lie about this?

[tot]

[ if he asks her, then she'll definitely teach him. ...since it's hilariously relevant to what's happening here. ]

I can't think of any reason.

[ and boy has she been wracking her brain to see if there wasn't something that could implicate it all to being one huge lie or hoax. ]

If they're using my actual last name then there'd be no point to lie about it. They would have gotten everything.

[dzelkva]

[ Ah... so in that case, what she read is more than likely to be true. Sadness is a strange feeling to have, especially when he's never felt it before, and Zelkova isn't sure what to do with the hollowness it leaves him with.

This is the downside to friendship, isn't it? Seeing them go through impossible trials. ]

...I'm sorry.

[ He really, truly means it. ]

[tot]

[ she's so sorry to burden zelkova with this since he doesn't deserve it, but it is a valuable lesson to learn about friendship. ...whether he should have or shouldn't have learned it might have been debatable. either way, uta is both happy and sad that he is expressing sadness over her death.

it means a lot. ]

Thank you...even if you don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong.

[ but as for one other reason why she's here: ]

Do you have any idea of what will happen to me from here on out?

[dzelkva]

You'll probably keep existing in the same way you are now.

[ Here, continuing to talk and interact with everyone.

Is this better or worse? She gets a little bit of extra time, in a way, but she knows she's dead. There's a layer of existential horror to it, knowing that she can never truly wake up from this nightmare. ]

[tot]

I see.

[ there sure is a horror that comes to this and it's really uncomfortable to wrap her mind around. there are so many levels of emotions that she's currently feeling and will keep feeling.

in a way she's happy?? but also. this will surely eat her alive (or not alive) overtime. ]

Then this also means that if and when everyone else is able to log-out, I'll remain here with the rest of you.

[dzelkva]

It does. You won't be alone, at least.

[ As sad as it is, at least she'll have that much. She won't be alone in this wide expanse of a world. ]