Complete Megathread MetaWorlds 2034

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Best Exotic Marigold Fields

Panel Room

"I'm here with friends, silly!" At the mention of Huifang dodging her and her messages, Meera's smile turned to a frown. "So, you, too, huh?"

Despite his unnecessary quips, Meera was still extremely grateful for Sam. In the back of her mind, she knew that she needed him, that he would be very helpful at this moment in time, which was why she grabbed and dragged him with her. Without him, she would've found herself lost for quite some time in the middle of that crowd of a hundred or so strangers.

Meera apologized to the men Sam had bribed off of their seats but quickly sat down once they had left, eager to talk to Huifang and not wanting to inconvenience the other attendees. The host was still speaking, and it was pretty much rude to have stayed standing in the middle of that room, obscuring the view of the other attendees.

"Hey, Hui-hui! It's, uhh, it's been a while. How have you been? You haven't been answering my messages... Are your gadgets all right?"

She whispered to her, trying to balance not being loud enough to be heard by others so as not to disturb them and not being quiet enough to not be heard by the friend she has been longing to reunite with. From the corner of her eye, she saw another attendee steal an annoyed glimpse at her from in front. Uh-oh.

@Ayna Nietzsche @Chrys

 

[Anne Archy]

Things went pretty much according to Skyler's plan.
Except she still did not have her glasses.
Except @Lady N refused to wear her disguise.
Except she was about to phone... security?!

Accusing Skyler to work for THEM, when it now seemed more like Chelsea was working for THEM! Of course. She was just a young brat, no way she could run a company all by herself! Clearly just a puppet for some Shadow Company.

All this, and much more went through Skyler's head, as she nonetheless swiftly responded. "Y-You can't do that! You're an accomplice now!" Sie tried her best to sound all serious. "If they get me, they also get you!" Skyler gave the Nexon the most serious nod she could muster.

"I am here to uncover the truth! Nothing more, nothing less. We've simply escaped THEM. And now we're safe. Unless you're pressing THAT!" Skyler gave N multiple nods. "You can call me Skyler, I carry all this around to spy on people." In a way, the more Chelsea knew, the more of an accomplice she was. ... Logics. "Not on you, of course! But you just happened to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time, yeah!"

She didn't need to mention Terrasphere to this stranger. As if a puppet CEO had time to waste on some silly virtual reality game that connected all the things.

"Those glasses are really important to me!" Technically she could just make a new one, but in this capitalistic duck-nest, time was sadly money.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

⋇⊶⊰✦⊱⊷⋇

❰ Fukuhara Electric ❱

Panel Room

As soon as Huifang caught a whiff of Sam's shadow, she trembled in fear. Meera was right next to him, and both of them were muttering things with the men sitting next to her. A part of her wanted to scream, to forewarn or even threaten the said men to not accept Sam's bribe, to even run should things get real. But the other part of her could do nothing but just sit there and accept her fate. It was a long time coming, and sooner than later, she was going to stop running. Stupid Sam with his stupid wealth.

Huifang felt her heart race when Meera finally sat next to her. She felt her throat tighten, and her entire mouth dry up. There was nothing she could do, nowhere she could run to, no place she could hide. The fact of the matter was, they were there now, and if she bolted, it would've made the entire thing more awkward. At least earlier she could excuse herself for not having seen them, but now that they were this close? That would've been a disastrous obvious lie.

"Meera? You're here? How? When? Why?"

Huifang whispered back to the friend she had been avoiding after everything that happened in the game. She feigned ignorance at her sudden appearance, at what had happened earlier, at her running from her before. The engineer also caught a glimpse of someone else sitting in front of them watching them with a scowl. Probably just a Karen, though. Her ignorance of them, however, was more intentional than feigned.

"You've been messaging me? I'm so sorry! I've been so busy with work and with this thing and with a lot of things!"

She continued to lie, though the longer she kept it up, the more obvious it became. Huifang also avoided Meera's eyes, so that was a clue in itself. Making stuff up was one thing but doing all that and looking her friend in the eye? That would've been too much. Stupid Sam with his stupid wealth! This is all his fault!

Huifang tried her best to muster a convincing smile but clearly her efforts would be in vain.

@Kamala Graham @Chrys

 

[Lady N]

MetaWorlds 2034[ (?)

What is with all of this THEM and THAT talk? Could it be referencing IT?

Chelsea didn't even consider the similarity of paranoia in this woman to herself. In the Nexon's case, it was a legitimate concern anyway. How could this person just end up being the target of so many possibly sinister interests? What did she know...?

"...Skyler... *stare*...."

Her eyes stayed locked on as she held her phone with a firm grip. Speaking the name mostly to herself in such a monotone it was a little eerie. Her look itself acting as her interrogation tool. Something her father also was known for. However, her look was almost too cold for a moment. Nearly machine-like.

So Skyler was a spy? It explained all the equipment. Chelsea honestly already assumed she was some sort of undercover investigator. The truth was, there was no way to be sure, and if Chelsea had allowed herself to be dragged into a potentially dangerous situation here... well boo.

"I will give them back to you if you stay put."

Quietly her hand crept towards Skyler. The palm opened and the glasses rested there, undamaged.

"There, my good faith that you will not run away. I have your voice and name recorded now. So if you run, I will find you. You know who I am right? I have ways to find people."

The threat was basically a bluff since just a first name and voice wouldn't do all that much even with her resources. Not to mention the fact she didn't record anything. This girl looked like someone that would believe it though. Chelsea hoped so anyway.

"Virtual reality games are the focus of this event. I am the owner of Virtual Reality Strategy. So... if there is a conspiracy... do you understand? I say you come with me. If someone is after me now due to whatever you are involved in. I need a safer place than this. I know one. You should consider coming... if you aren't a stupid."

She didn't care at all for this person who got themselves into whatever it was. Chelsea would just get what she needed and toss her out! It's just better if they were in a place she could control, aka the Nexon Estate.

Her look softened for a moment.
Thinking of what can happen to people involved in IT.

"Whatever you choose to do. I don't intend to end up like that Raythean."

@Anne Archy

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

❰ Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway ❱

Panel Room → Main Hall

Sam heaved a long, drawn-out sigh. What the hell was he doing in there? He only came here to check on his client, and now, he's playing matchmaker to two friends that didn't know how to communicate effectively with each other. Was he a glorified babysitter? Did he like being a glorified babysitter? Hell, no. Sam had other concerns to worry about. He heaved another sigh as he checked his phone, just in time for a message from Song to come through:

Mail

I'm outside. Bouncer won't let me in. He did ask for my autograph, though. I think he thinks I'm some kind of gamer. Can't say I don't admire his devotion to his job.

Devotion, my ass. The guy had taken his $100 without even a word. Song just wasn't packing as much moolah as Sam was, so the guy most likely just didn't make the same sacrifice for the quick cash. Sam shook his head and sent a quick reply to Song, telling her to wait for him there. He then turned to Meera and Huifang, both of the girls seemingly busy with whatever was going on between the two of them. Sam didn't really care. He had more important business to attend to. Real-world business. Adult business. Business that gets him paid and laid and whatever else rhymes with those words.

So, with a quick nod to either or one of them when his eyes met any of theirs, he bid his farewells and immediately scooted the heck out of there to meet back up with his lovely lady from the land of perfect women. No, Themyscira isn't real but South Korea is. Song greeted him with eyes wide in delight and the bouncy energy of a golden retriever that couldn't get enough of its owner...'s treats. Then she hugged him. Unnecessarily so.

"How are the girls? Are they all right?" Song sounded very genuine in her concern, and she probably was. Sam could only heave another sigh as he shrugged and led her elsewhere, preferably to where his client was supposed to be, that damned pain in the butt. "They're girls. They're young, single people. Are any of them ever all right?"

Famous last words.

@Ayna Nietzsche @Kamala Graham

 

[Luthien]

Location: Panel Room

Status: Co-hosting a panel with @Rael.
Getting ready for the public!

His touch was comforting, and the blonde couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips when Ari took their linked hands and wrapped them around her shoulders almost like a scarf. "You’re right, can’t let myself overthink this into a tragedy." It caused her to lean closer as her body relaxed, the jittering nerves pushed back for a few moments as the man encouraged them to enjoy themselves and the opportunity they had acquired.

Already a few faces had begun to trickle into the provided panel room as the girls finished the last of their preparations, and the blonde allowed herself one deep breath before turning to Isa with the charming smile Valeria often reserved for her own Twitch streams. "Ready to give them the best VR fashion panel they’ve ever seen?"

@Isabella | @Ari

 

[Devi]

Sher-e-Hind
Super Fit Combat

Main Hall

Chandana narrowed her eyes at Baozhai. Clearly, she was trying to protect her friend. Or maybe she was protecting her. It wouldn't have looked good if she just started fighting people in public. At least that thought finally wandered to her brain.

"If you say so."

So, she bought the story. She tried her best to let the whole thing go. She was still a little annoyed at what that Huifang girl had done to Baozhai, but if Baozhai wanted her to let it go, she was going to let it go. She was too hot to get frozen anyway. Would just melt all that ice.

"Eh, I don't know. To be honest, this isn't really my thing."

Chandana shrugged, throwing an apologetic look at Baozhai before looking around, hoping she'd find something interesting at least. It was all Greek to her. Prior to the game, she wasn't even that involved with VR stuff. The former prizefighter was less tech-savvy and more fists in your face savvy.

"Fact is, I'm just here for you, so if you wanna do something, I'm always down. Or we could just leave and find somewhere else to get a bite? Isn't Seattle known for their coffee?"

Chandana wasn't well-versed in American states. The most she knew of them were from online media. Texas is big. New York has loud cab drivers. DC has comic books. Chicago has thick-ass pizzas because they have a lot of bulls. Nevada isn't real. She'd love to learn more about Seattle, though. Hopefully with Baozhai. More intimately or whatever.

@Aika

 

[Aika]

推理
Ippodo Tea

Main Hall

Baozhai squinted at Chandana, though her lips curled into a playful smirk. As she crossed an arm over her chest to become a makeshift base for the other arm upon which her fingers elegantly caressed her chin, she started thinking about what she knew of Seattle. Specifically, of what she would love to do in Seattle. Especially with such a lovely companion.

"Hm. Well, Seattle is no Tokyo, but I believe an old friend of mine still has a restaurant here."

"Old friend" was such a weird descriptor for the man Baozhai had met through her former profession, which made it perfect. He was, to be fair, old. At least older than her. But friend? Well, he wouldn't try to kill her, after everything they've been through, so there was that. Hopefully— No, he would definitely remember her. Hard to forget your father's "killer."

"Want to try some Edomae-style sushi with me, sweetie?"

Baozhai grabbed Chandana's arm without any warning, wrapping her own arm around it tightly as if giving the lone limb a hug. Many fools would do foolish things to be in Chandana's position, which Baozhai hoped the prizefighter knew. Sometimes, it was hard to tell. As sly as Baozhai was, Chandana was even more cunning. Or maybe it was just the familiarity that bred ignorance. Sushi Chef Kashiba... Time should have already healed your wound.

@Devi

 

[Yugam]

With Valeria and Isabella having returned from their preparation, Ari greeted his girlfriend with a quick kiss on the forehead, before taking her hand. "Ready for your fifteen in the spotlight?" he asked with an encouraging smile.

Already people had begun to filter into the room, filling up the seats, slowly but surely. It was honestly an impressive showing, at least for someone who had never been to something like this before. It only went to show the level of success that the two streamers had found, and how many people they'd managed to reach.

"So uh, I guess we just kinda stand backstage?" the dark-haired man asked the twin, not having any real idea of what to do, and most certainly hoping that he did. "Do we have to hold those signs that are like, when to applaud, or laugh and stuff," he joked.

@Luthien | @Rael

 

[Anne Archy]

Yoink

Skyler took the glasses from @Lady N immediately, just to take a step back in surprise as N revealed something about having a name and her voice recorded. But when... how?! There was. Sure, the blonde was maybe a little bit paranoid, but there was just so much to call out on N's bluff there! Skyler didn't even know where to start.

"..." Yet, Skyler could smell opportunity. Chelsea Nexon seemed sort of bossy and annoying, but they were somewhat the same age and - as much of a puppet as she may be - the raven-haired girl had something Skyler did not. She was born into a rich family, basically. The connections and the background were all-natural for Chelsea!

"I never mentioned a conspiracy..." Skyler murmured with a pout. Or did she? Though, yeah, her plan was set. Turn this puppet against the puppeteer and gain a powerful tool to use! Because that is what greedy corporate ducks did, and Skyler hated it. But she had to play the game, too. If you can't beat em, join em, and all that.

"Ah, please! Don't report me." Skyler said with as much pretense-panic as she could, which really wasn't much considering how safe she now felt. "I'll... follow you for now! We're the same age, yes? What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Mine's Chocolate Smoked Sea Salt." That is how you befriended people, right? Speak about FOOD and stuff! And nobody could possibly hate ice cream.

 

[Lady N]

Chelsea R. Nexon

The tiniest hint of a smile would emerge on the practiced stoic visage of the Nexon.

Good. It worked... sigh.

Removing the glasses she wore now. She would enter the closest to a directive mission-first mentality she could muster. Chelsea grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her along this time. Being similar in size, the girl looking a bit sporty but actually being quite a nerd, and Chelsea herself retaining some firm grip muscle memory as a *redacted*, this proved easy enough. Striding with a sudden burst of confidence she had lacked up till now. She had to take the initiative here and since they may or may not be in danger, her solution was the opposite of going to hide... it was... to run again...for now.

Be a Nexon and take charge!
Always on the forefront!
Sometimes that meant getting away and going home!

...how much she missed it being so simple. Now it felt more like she was trying hard to mimic a her that died. Nexus... her father... IT... What she barely could recall from that day but still held untold subconscious effects from.

She would do her best to avoid any more stupid trouble for now!

And that meant getting this person out of here and herself back to the estate, ASAP!

"Don't complain just come. We can get back to my car before anyone notices. My bodyguard is also my chauffeur."

Pressing the button on her phone.

"Gregory, I will meet you at the car. We are leaving... no I don't care about the next event! Something important has come up. Yes... good. Also have someone pick up a Chocolate Smoked Sea Salt and Cherry Vanilla icecream. I will be there in about 5 minutes..."

Hanging up, they would already be outside.

The car was waiting for them. It had tinted windows. Chelsea was already a paranoid sort so this was something she at least had some preparation for.

Next thing Skyler would know she was in the back seat of the Nexons car with her sitting across from her with one arm resting and tapping her finger in a rhythm that she couldn't seem to remember where she got it from. The other hand held her cherry vanilla and she licked it while staying eye locked on Skyler.

"Buckle your safety belt or you lose the icecream and end up on the road hmph! Now... we are safe here. I'm Chelsea Nexon, that one. Although I think you know that by now. I'm taking you to my place for a while."

She leaned forward still holding a slightly dripping icecream cone... menacingly.

"...Skyler. Let's talk."

< @Anne Archy this is Chelsea's last post for this thread. You can respond here if you want to close out! I'll make a new thread later!>​

 

[Anne Archy]

After checking the glasses several times to ensure everything was in order, Skyler didn't have too much of an issue following @Lady N. Who was complaining anyway?! Hmpf.

"What are you-!" Yet, whatever bud of friendship would have been about to blossom, was betrayed by Chelsea pressing THE button. With wide eyes for a moment, Skyler calmed down immediately. This had been going on for long enough that it sort of just felt silly by now!

Right. Her bodyguard and chauffeur. Of course, had those. She was rich after all! Though this Gregory didn't seem to do a very good job at bodyguarding her considering his lack of being around. At the very least she seemed to have warmed up to the ice cream idea.

...

"I shall accept your bribe," Skyler responded. As she found herself in the car, licking the very ice cream she had mentioned. Salt and sweet, just perfect! "I'm Skyler..." Had she mentioned that already before? "Just your average netizen!" Hopefully, the Nexon wouldn't ask for her last name for the time being. Wondering for a moment that whatever she had planned before didn't sort of get out of control.

"Yes... safe. Mhm, let's talk." She gave N a nod. I'm taking you to my place for a while.

Wait what?

It sounded both imposing and exciting... and, who was in the driver's seat anyway!?

 

[Devi]

Sher-e-Hind
Super Fit Combat

Main Hall

Chandana shrugged, a playful smirk finding its way on her lips. Baozhai didn't have to ask her twice. Wherever she wanted to go, Chandana would go. Like she said, she was only here for her. Nothing more, nothing less, definitely nothing else. Or no one, if that mattered more.

"You had me at 'restaurant', darling!"

Chandana gestured for Baozhai to take the lead. After all, she was the one who knew where this restaurant was. Otherwise, Chandana would've dragged both of them out of this convention thingy before she could even say no. Then again, she'd respectfully ask first, of course. No point in being macho about it. That's why they preferred each other's company instead.

"Say, this old friend of yours... They're not, like, an old ex or something, right?"

Chandana wouldn't mind letting off some steam at an old ex, especially if they were on bad terms. Fact was, she didn't doubt Baozhai would have loads of exes. She was a beauty all right, and most beauties often had throngs of lovers following them, haunting their past, present, and future.

But Chandana wasn't an insecure piece of s-word, so she didn't really care about that whole thing. An old abusive ex would be a different matter, though. There's always one of those, usually before a pretty girl wises up.

@Aika

EXIT THREAD?

 

[Aika]

推理
Ippodo Tea

Main Hall

Baozhai raised an eyebrow, arms crossed over her chest, as her lips curled into a grin. Again. Chandana had a way that always made her smile, easing any tension she might have at any given moment. This time, the concerns she had about facing an old "friend" dissipated into the air, replaced by the warmness of being with a really close "friend." Times like this, she was glad she had someone like her.

"Then let's go, sweetie! You'll love this place. "

Leading Chandana out of the convention, she chuckled out loud when the retired professional fighter started sounding envious, rather concerned, with the identity of her so-called "friend." If she had only known their past, their history, she wouldn't even make the mistake of thinking that way. Of course, Baozhai had more experience dealing with people's past, their history, as it was all a part of her job. But she digressed.

"Far from it. We share a history, but nothing like that. If he does act up, please don't beat him down. He's got all the reason, and I'll tell you more about it once we're waiting for our food."

Kashiba was more than likely to throw chairs and tables at her than greet her with a wide smile and a warm embrace. At the very least, he'd stare daggers at her or try to get her to leave. But time should heal all wounds, right? Maybe not all wounds, but she was banking on the son having already forgiven her. Doubt he'd forgotten what had happened, though. If she hasn't, he definitely wouldn't.

@Devi

EXIT THREAD