5595/Home for Christmas

Home for Christmas
Date of Scene:	07 December 2017
Location:	The System <TS>
Synopsis:	A certain resident of Britannica has called a social gathering to her shop. Lexicon, wishing to support a reformed virus, has passed the invitations out across the Multiverse.
Cast of Characters:	Lexicon, 1103, Rebecca Chambers, Deelel

---

Lexicon has posed:
CHRISTMAS
    Thank you for coming!

    One of the streets through Britannica is decorated with tinsil garlands and colorful lights, and some cart vendors have set up to sell hot drinks and portable foods. It's the very same avenue that acts as home for the curious curio shop, System Tower Souvenirs, and its equally curious owner. A two-dimensional panel depicting a picture of a girl dressed for cold weather, against a shimmering holiday backdrop. Floating beneath this panel, a similarly two-dimensional text box containing her name and dialogue.

CHRISTMAS
    It's been one year since the DCC and her friends rescued me!
    So I wanted to host a party to celebrate, and also to welcome the approaching holiday.

    While Christmas floats to and fro in front of the display window of her shop, showing various items pulled from the Tower as merchandise, a certain white-clad Drive Core Controller trots down the opposing sidewalk, flanked by tiny versions of herself, all appropriately dressed for the snowy weather of Britannica in December.

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    A burst of light from the System Bus terminal, and a rainbow streak marks the arrival of another DCC in Britannica. The trail arcs over to the street with the curio shop, and resolves into the HDD form of Diamond Soul, until she gets close to the ground, where her form flares, then shatters away into the normal, blue-haired shape of Theurgus as her feet touch the snowy ground. She grins, and flicks her hair before adjusting her hat to a jaunty angle. "Thank you for the invitation." she says towards Christmas. "Though we have not formally met."

    The Mad Magician waves towards Lexicon and the Twins with a big smile. "Hello Lexi, Codex, Index!" she chirps happily, walking over to join them, even if they /are/ coming to the shop regardless.

    As the DCC walks away, a young woman with shoulder length brown hair trots up the street, dives into the shop and has an animated, but brief chat with Christmas, gives the reformed Virus a careful hug, then scampers back off again. Leaving behind a little wrapped up present with the Virus' name on it.

Rebecca Chambers has posed:
All that matters for Rebecca is that she doesn't hear 'Last Christmas' at all while she's here. That song has been annoying to her ever since the first time she heard it, and to this day she still finds it quite annoying. Aside from that, the cold doesn't bother her, nor do the crowds or anything else like that. Rebecca actually seems fairly upbeat and cheerful right now.

Even though she's still getting used to the way things work here, Rebecca seems to be enjoying herself as she tightens the scarf around her neck while she adjusts her gloves. "Always nice to check out new places for the holidays," Rebecca says with a smile, not noticing the others just yet.

Deelel has posed:
So here Deelel was to catch up with Chrsitmas, she had never run into a Virus of any sort that wasn't hostile or infectious turning other programs into little more than the walking dead She tried to not think about Abraxas as Christmas was nothing like them at all. She was clad in her meat space outfit raher than her full on light suit.

"Greetings programs it's good to see you Chrsitmas I hope your store has been doing well I hope?"

Lexicon has posed:
CHRISTMAS
    Thank you for visiting! Merry Christmas!

    As the mystery girl departs, following their conversation, the virus' dialogue box lifts and waves back and forth, the closest approximation Christmas has to a visible arm. When addressed, the 2-D window spins around to face Deelel directly.

CHRISTMAS
    Oh! Yes, thank you. The shop has been doing well!
    How have you been this past year, DLL?

    The area's music is provided by a speaker sitting just outside the shop's door, and it's all rather generalized instrumental music with jingly bells with some synthetic accompaniment.

    "Ah, Theurgus," Lexicon disentangles a hand from Index's to wave at the approaching DCC. Glancing down to either side, she nods, "You two go and play. Be nice and have fun."

    "Alright!" Index throws her arms up, "Snacks and games!" Beside her, Codex tucks her hands under her chin, "..Snacks and games..!" And with little bows to their 'teacher' in magic, the two dash off to the festivities.

    "Your new protege stuck at the Cathoderal tonight?" Lexicon asks, a small smile on her face.

    Elsewhere in the get-together, a small girl in a blue gown, sporting bunny ears, trots into the festival from elsewhere in Britannica, an ornate tome hugged to her chest. While she looks adult, Bunnabelle is just physically smaller than most, with doll-like joints hidden by her gloves.

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    Theurgus nods to Lexicon, as she watches the twins scamper off. "She is not fond of the festivities. Though I have tried to coax her out of her shell, it is rather difficult. She has the spark of greatness, but her mind is closed in certain ways yet... she cannot see." she replies, turning to look back at the shorter DCC. "I hope the Twins have been studying well, I do intend to test their abilities soon." she adds, reaching out and placing a companionable hand on Lexicon's shoulder, as she turns to fall into step with her friend. "But for tonight, let us relax, and enjoy the reprieve the Tower has given us."

Rebecca Chambers has posed:
Meanwhile, Rebecca finds the others and gives them a slight smile and a nod. "Greetings," She says. "Finally, I find someone else who I recognize." She runs a hand through her hair and says, "It's a rather nice place to be during the holidays, I have to say."

Deelel has posed:
Deelel says "Home could be a lot better to be perfectly honest but over all things are going well enough." Tessler and Clu still have the GRID by the throat and she's actually afraid of what some of the other WATCH mady do given how chaotic many of them are. Still such thoughts fade away and she seems to be in morew focused on the get together here.

She can't complainabout games with a small g at all and snacks? She's finally got over most beings in the multiveese need to eat other things and can enjoy it mostly.

"So hey Theurgus Lexixon it's good to see you and games and food this should be fun!"

She also turns to give Rebecca a wave, most don't know it but deelel is aware Rebecca is one of longest active elites in the sector.

Lexicon has posed:
    Lexicon nods once, "Yeah." Her eyes lift to the skyline, "It's been absent since floor 90, apparently. I'll take that, but I can't help but wonder what it means." Eyes closing, the silver DCC shrugs, "Can't complain about peace over the holidays, I guess." With a hand on her shoulder, she opens an eye, glancing aside at the Magician. That little smile returns, and she folds her hands behind her back, "Yeah, let's just enjoy the break."

CHRISTMAS
    Ah? So long as it's improving even a little bit, then it's still better, right?

    Christmas' displayed image shifts in expression to a wide, eyes-closed smile. Eager and honest, and maybe a bit innocent.

    "Ah," Lexicon nods towards Rebecca and Deelel as they approach, "Welcome to the festival, Chambers, Deelel. Though it's all Christmas' doing. I just approved it, really." She blinks, leaning aside slightly, "Bunnabelle?"

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    Theurgus nods to the other pair, lifting her left hand to touch the peak of her hat to Rebecca and Deelel. "Greetings, it is good to see you both again. I hope your worlds are doing well?" she remarks to them, then looks to Lexicon curiously, before her blue eyes track towards the thing that caught Lexicon's attention.

Rebecca Chambers has posed:
"They're doing all right, yes" Rebecca says with a slight smirk, adjusting her scarf again. Although, Rebecca doesn't disclose that in her world, her hometown is no more. "I presume everyone else is doing all right?"

Deelel has posed:
Deelel Says "I agree Christmas you have a godo point." She nods to Lexicon and she seems ver glad that Christmas has proven to be on the level, as it's changed Deelel's centuries old views on osme things. If a virus by existance isn't a clear and pres4nt danger maybe something can be done for them. "It's as I said things are not getting worse back home but not getting better. I ... can't leave CLue as is and given some rumours as of late I need to look into them and I may need some help when I do."

Lexicon has posed:
    CHRISTMAS
    I'm not much of a fighter, but maybe the DCC will be able to help you!

    Christmas' window dips slightly forward in a little bow, though when attention is drawn behind her, she lifts slightly and pulls aside. The image depicted changes from the smile to one of curiosity, while the text in her dialogue box just changes to question marks.

    When attention is drawn to her, the rabbit-eared doll program pauses mid-step with a deer-in-headlights sort of blank look on her face directed at both Theurgus and Lexicon. It takes a moment for her to recover enough to properly plant her feet, but still remains somewhat stunned.

    "Well? Come on," A voice comes from Bunnabelle's direction, but isn't Bunnabelle's voice. It's enough to startle her out of the surprise, though, and she shoots a glance down at the book in her hands, "Weren't you looking for them?"

    "Right..!" The research program shifts, tucking the book under one arm and approaching with quick steps, "Miss Silver Soul, miss Diamond Soul, good evening." A glance to either side, "Miss Rebecca Chambers and miss DLL as well, veterans of the System Tower, good to see you." Straightening, she fixes her eyes on the two Controllers, "Thanks to your efforts, and the others who have delved into the Tower, I believe all of the pieces have been collected. Graphice has been an immeasurable asset and I believe, with her help, I've made a discovery."

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    Theurgus grins a bit at Deelel. "Well, if you need help, The Mad Magician is willing to give hers." she remarks. "The Organization's reach is long, but mine is longer still."

    Bunnabelle's arrival earns Theurgus full attention at that revelation though. "Ah, good. Knowledge is power, and the more we know about that accursed Tower, the quicker we can be rid of it." She kneels down, not minding the cold snow, to bring herself closer to Bunnabelle's level. "Graphice seems to be a very good assistant for you, I am glad you have each other." The tall DCC smiles wistfully, likely remembering her own meeting with Charta so many Cycles ago.

Lexicon has posed:
    Glancing from one face to another, Bunnabelle nods once, "Okay. Graphice?" The book is released, floating in front of her and opening. Pages flip until it settles, and a hologram is projected of the contents: Streams of numbers and letters in bright, vibrant blue. Off to one side, the horned headpiece collected earlier in the Tower's inception rotates slowly. The code streams left to right while a second window opens, showing the familiar headpiece worn by Silver soul. As the code strings stream through, identical portions highlight themselves in green.

    "The items recovered are, undeniably, Processors," Bunnabelle admits, "The formats are incompatible with any of the current Drive Core Controllers, but what I initially thought was damaged code is actually something I was able to use...somewhat like a key."

    The scan of Lexicon's processor disappears, and is replaced with a readout of code pulled from the most recently encountered version of Patty Cat. Several strings of the animatronic's code are highlighted in red, flickering and changing, but several sequences do line up and show green with the unknown Head processor unit.

    "It's shown me that all of the corrupted programs inhabiting the Tower are connected to these items. Moreover, I think the Tower itself is connected to them in a way I hadn't anticipated. Graphice?"

    The book shuts itself, shutting off its holograms, then re-opens, "Before I was found by Bunnabelle, I recorded history. Ancient, esoteric stuff. You couldn't even find this in Britannica."

    The comment causes Lexicon to puff up indignantly, but whatever she's about to say is cut off when Graphice projects a holographic image of an unknown Drive, a city of wood and canvas and bright colors.

Deelel has posed:
Deelel says "I'll likely be asking for the help. Theres not many of lest who can resist."

She is hones but Christmas is right she's going to have to seek help from beound her own world is dhe's going to pull anything off. She now seems to be focusing on party time. It's time to cut lose and have a littl4 and have some fun. Still Bunnabell whom she's not met before. She pauses at the information and this is pretty interesting.

"So they are connected to something else? Almost sounds like Abraxis....humm but not quite. The corrupted programs are still sapient."

She also note to Thergus nodding. "I'll have to confer with Alpha on that but it's something to have on the table."

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    Theurgus' eyes watch the holograms, taking in the sight. "So... the Processors are connected to the tower. We knew this already, or at least suspected." she looks over to Lexicon as the shorter DCC puffs up. The new hologram that Graphice brings up actually makes Theurgus look surprised. "I've never seen a Drive like that before."

Rebecca Chambers has posed:
Rebecca doesn't entirely realize what the conversation is all about, so in an attempt to be polite, she simply listens intently and nods a little. She would speak but she doesn't want to mess things up.

Lexicon has posed:
    "The code strings that differentiate these Processors from yours, Lady Diamond Soul," Bunnabelle nods once, "Is the identifier. Yours identify you as the Controller of the Diamond Drive. Lady Silver Soul's are inextricably connected to the Silver Drive. She cannot use your specific Processors, nor can you use hers, because of this embedded code." Her eyes lift to the image projected above Graphice.

    "My theory is that the System Tower is, somehow, the compressed remains of a lost Drive. The entire Drive, crushed down into a single impossible structure, inhabited by facsimiles of the programs who once lived there..." A flicker of digitized light heralds the removal of an item from her inventory, and she holds up the horned headpiece in one hand, "And these...would be the remains of the Drive Core Controller."

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    Theurgus gets a thoughtful look on her face for a few moments... then looks over to Lexicon. "There has only been one Drive to crash... according to the records. The Diamond Drive came online less than a Cycle after it did..." she cups her chin, holding her elbow with the opposite hand. "What was it called... the Cobalt Drive... no, the Basalt Drive? Hmm..." she goes into full Pondering Mode.

Deelel has posed:
Deelel says "Wait are you saying they are from a compressed drive? If that's the case could it be extracted? The Grid has archival processes when the Creator was active? He could even restore programs who had been Derezzed..."

She thinks for a moment and thinks Lexicon is on to something.

Lexicon has posed:
    "Sapphire Soul," Lexicon mutters, "My predecessor fought alongside her during that calamity. No real records were kept that I've been able to find." An incredulous glance fixates on Graphice, "I'd wonder where you found that data, but it's certainly new and useful information."

    The book closes itself in response, "It could be the Sapphire Drive, or it could've been an even older Drive from an era before Britannica. My entries aren't dated so I have no way of knowing." The tone is flippant, dismissive, "It's the best I've got right now."

    "Hnn," Bunnabelle cradles her chin, "The idea of cycles of repeating eras that don't know about what came before isn't unheard of in fiction, but there'd be signs..right?" Glancing aside, her voice lowers, "Is the Tower that sort of sign..?" Her voice lowers as she mutters, rolling Deelel's ideas around as well, "Extraction... Unpacking might be possible, if it'd un-do the corruption, would it be worth it..?"

    Christmas interrupts the atmosphere by banging her dialogue box against her window. The image displayed on her screen is an earnest smile, hands clasped together.

CHRISTMAS
    This has gotten far too serious for a holiday celebration!
    I understand that the matters are serious. I can't expect anyone to forget about the Tower completely...
    But for now, let's enjoy the rest of our night!

Theurgus (1103) has posed:
    Theurgus listens, then looks over at Christmas. "Ah, yes, The Tower is asleep for now, and we should take this opportunity to relax and unwind. Even The Organization is quiet at this time of year." The DCC then grins. "This is good information to have, and I thank you both, Bunnabelle and Graphice. Perhaps we can convene at another time to talk this over in more detail?"

Deelel has posed:
Deelel thinks for a moment looking at Lexicon for a moment and tilts her head. "It would bring an end to the conflict I would suspect and can you leave other programs like that." I couldn't leave being like that but..." She's cut off as Christmas talks about the party.

"Christmas is right, we should enjoy the evening we can talk about this matter at another time." She humms a few bars of the song of Skaia for a moment though a she goes to join the party.

Lexicon has posed:
    Lexicon nods at last, in response to Christmas, Theurgus, and Deelel's comments on the situation, "That seems fair." Her gaze returns to Bunnabelle, "We'll talk at length later, but thank you for reporting your findings so promptly." The book, Graphice, is given a bit more of a glare before she returns her attention to Theurgus.

    Bunnabelle collects her tome once more, shifting her posture enough to bow, "I felt it was urgent, sorry to interrupt. Please have a fun evening, Ladies Silver and Diamond, miss Chambers, miss Deelel." With that, she turns and trots off, blue gown flecked with snowflakes.

CHRISTMAS
    Please enjoy yourselves!
    I worked extra hard to organize lots of fun things to do.

    Which are all just background elements, naturally.

    Lexicon re-folds her hands behind her back, letting out a little sigh, "It's that time of year, I guess. I'll need to organize what I intend to do about gifts. Something heartfelt and relevant, but also useful in some way, for each person who's touched my life over the past year. It'll take some thinking, for sure."