>>31787310
>Go for your glasses. You can find out information about the fire online, and check your emails.
I'm sure that'll work out.

>>31787310
>Nurse! (Find out what day it is, what’s wrong with you and Melissa's status.)

>>31787310
>Nurse! (Find out what day it is, what’s wrong with you and Melissa's status.)
This is the normal thing to do.

>>31787310
>Nurse! (Find out what day it is, what’s wrong with you and Melissa's status.)
It's important dammit!

>>31787310
>Get your glasses on and play Arcadia.
It's the logical thing to do, clearly. It only makes sense.

>>31787438
>>31787435
>>31787428

After some fuzzy-headed searching around, you find the button that summons the nurse, and a short while later a tall, bald man who could probably have moonlighted as a greek god arrives. He introduces himself as Andy, and he asks you how you're feeling.

"Fine," you wheeze, out of sheer politeness. "No, wait, terrible. What's wrong with me?"

"Smoke inhalation." He explains that you've managed to escape brain injury; you weren't deprived of oxygen long enough to do real damage.

"What time is it? What day is it?"

"It's," he glances at his watch. "Three-thirty five am, Thursday morning." You were out for a day and you feel a sense of relief; it could have been much worse.

"And Melissa? Is she okay?"

"She's still in intensive care. She hasn't woken up yet, I can't tell you anything more."

She's alive. Thank fuck. This, you feel, was at least partially your fault. Andy won't let you take the mask off and suggests you try and get more rest. You feel out of the loop; anything could have happened while you were unconcious.

>Try and sleep.
>Go online for news of the fire.
>Call your mom.
>Contact someone else: Jess, Prof Green, Martin or Emily.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>31787656
>Call your mom.
As much as we're obsessed with the mystery of Arcadia, this is the obvious next step.

>>31787656
>>Call your mom.
Again, normal thing to do.

>>31787656
>Call your mom.

>>31787656
>Go online for news of the fire.

>>31787656
>Call your mom.

>>31787723
>>31787703
>>31787691

You fumble your glasses over and sit them awkwardly over the oxygen mask. It's not terribly comfortable, but you obey instructions and leave it on; you want to get out of here as soon as possible, and if that means obeying orders you will.

You call your mom. She's probably asleep; which is why it rings for a little while before she answers.

"Ash?"

At her voice you finally crack. You were so scared, and you're still scared and Melissa hasn't woken up and you don't know what's going to happen next.

"Hey Mom," you choke out, and start to cry. "I'm okay, I'm awake." You add and you think she might be crying too. She calls you baby and little girl and she hasn't called you that since you were eight.

"I was so scared," she says. "When I heard what happened. You were so brave, trying to rescue that girl. Thank God you're okay."

You eventually learn that she's actually in town, staying at a motel near the hospital. She flew over as soon as she heard, and to hell with work. Your father is still trying to arrange leave.

You're having trouble wiping your nose because of the stupid mask and you tell her this and you laugh and cry and cough.

>Ask her about the fire.
>Ask her about Melissa.
>Tell her what's been going on; the whole thing.
>Tell her a 'safe' version of the story; you were playing a game with Melissa and saw her disconnect, which is why you went to save her.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>31787656
>Call your mom.

>>31787960
>Tell her a 'safe' version of the story; you were playing a game with Melissa and saw her disconnect, which is why you went to save her.

>>31787960
>Tell her a 'safe' version of the story; you were playing a game with Melissa and saw her disconnect, which is why you went to save her.

>>31787960
>>Tell her a 'safe' version of the story; you were playing a game with Melissa and saw her disconnect, which is why you went to save her.

>>31787960
>Tell her a 'safe' version of the story; you were playing a game with Melissa and saw her disconnect, which is why you went to save her.
I feel like staying safe here. Not like she could do much to help anyway.

>>31787960
>Tell her a 'safe' version of the story; you were playing a game with Melissa and saw her disconnect, which is why you went to save her.

>>31788016
>>31788015
>>31787988

She wants to know what happened, and you tell her a version that you think will keep her safe. You do not want her mixed up in this; too many other people already are. You don't think you've ever been this brave in your life; you've never needed to be.

Your mother seems slightly awestruck by you.

"It was the front page of the local paper," she tells you. "You might get an award; but I'm just glad you're okay. That poor girl, though."

You've calmed down a bit in the process of telling your story. Fear is slowly turning to rage. Whatever this is, you're going to fight it. This game is global; who knows what other disasters it's causing elsewhere, and for some reason it was Melissa that was attacked, not you. You need to capitalise on your relative immunity before it runs out.

Your mother will see you during visiting hours later, and you're looking forward to seeing her like you never have before. She tells you to get some rest, but you're waking up now. You tell her you love her and hang up.

>Emails, internet, find out what's gone on while you were out.
>Contact Jess; if her parents haven't kidnapped her, she's probably still awake.
>Contact Prof Green; you hope nothing's happened to him.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>31788290
>>Emails, internet, find out what's gone on while you were out.
Update ourselves before contacting people.

>>31788290
>Emails, internet, find out what's gone on while you were out.
>Contact Jess; if her parents haven't kidnapped her, she's probably still awake.

>>31788290
>Contact Jess; if her parents haven't kidnapped her, she's probably still awake.

>>31788290
>Emails, internet, find out what's gone on while you were out.

>>31788290
>Emails, internet, find out what's gone on while you were out.

>>31788290
>Contact Jess; if her parents haven't kidnapped her, she's probably still awake.
She'll have good info.

>>31788328
>>31788330
>>31788336
>>31788337
>>31788363
>>31788385

You check your emails. There are a bunch of official ones about alternative accommodation, counseling services, and various other things to do with the fire. There are also 'Get Well Soon' messages, mostly from people you don't know very well.

There's one from Professor Green, sent an hour or so after you started playing Arcadia Tuesday night. In it, he merely says he's done some research and suggests meeting in person sometime ASAP. There are no others from him, but given the distinct avoidance of any specific information from him, you suspect he's no longer trusting emails as a method of communication.

Then you turn to the news sites. You and Melissa feature prominently, and it's a strange, dizzying feeling to see your own student ID photograph on the website. It amuses you slightly that that was the only picture they could find of you.

The fire is being treated as suspicious (no shit, you think) and the police are investigating. The SILENCE graffiti is also mentioned, and there are interviews with the prettiest dorm residents the reporters could find to talk to.

Melissa's in a coma. The doctors sound circumspect. Your prospects are reported as much brighter and you're expected to wake up any day now.

Your described as heroic. The whole city wishes for your speedy recovery.

You call Jess. She answers fast.

"Holy shit, you're awake! Welcome back, Ash!"

"Hey."

"You sound horrible."

"Yeah. Um, how are you?"

"Fine, I guess. They've moved people in the burned wing to alternative accommodation, but the rest of us are still here. Cheapskates. Hey um, Melissa."

"I was slow," you say.

"You nearly killed yourself! Jesus. You did more than anyone could expect."

>"It's my fault."
>"I want you to stay out of this."
>"Where are your parents?"
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>31788618
>"It's my fault."
Survivor's guilt out of fucking nowhere!

>>31788618
>"It's my fault."
>"I want you to stay out of this."
The fire was a pretty big deal, it would make sense for Ash to feel this way.

>>31788618
>>"Where are your parents?"

>>31788618
>"It's my fault."
To be fair it kinda is for introducing her to the game after the spooky fireman thing and related weirdness.

>>31788618
>"It's my fault."
>"I want you to stay out of this."
Yeah, sure. Dangerous shit!

>>31788667
>>31788774
>>31788781
>>31788849

"It's my fault," you say. "I got her into the game, and I may have aggravated things."

To your surprise, Jess doesn't argue with the basic premise. "Okay. But, you then tried to save her at risk to your own life. Don't beat yourself up; it's a waste of energy. We've got better things to do with our time."

"Yeah, look, I want you to stay out of this. It's getting dangerous."

Jess laughs. "Fuck off. I'm not backing down now. I just got myself this big fire extinguisher. If that thing comes around again, it's getting ten gallons of retardant foam to the face."

"Aren't those things expensive? Where did you get it?"

Jess doesn't answer for a few moments. "Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies," she says.

You sigh, but you're slightly relieved as well that she has given some thought to defense. At least she's unlikely to be caught napping.

"Look," Jess says. "My parents talk a lot of shit, but one thing they've got right; it's our responsibility to try and do good, protect people. I still don't get what this shit is all about, but I said I'd help, and that hasn't changed."

>Thank her. You appreciate what she's agreeing to, despite the danger.
>Ask her to get in contact with Green and find out what he knows, but not to use electronic communication.
>Argue. This isn't her fight.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>31789102
>Thank her. You appreciate what she's agreeing to, despite the danger.

>>31789102
>Thank her. You appreciate what she's agreeing to, despite the danger.
>Ask her to get in contact with Green and find out what he knows, but not to use electronic communication.
We're kinda stuck here, so.

>>31789102
>>Ask her to get in contact with Green and find out what he knows, but not to use electronic communication.

>>31789102

>Thank her. You appreciate what she's agreeing to, despite the danger.
>Ask her to get in contact with Green and find out what he knows, but not to use electronic communication.

>>31789212
>>31789179
>>31789160
>>31789145

You get the impression Jess isn't someone who backs down easily.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I really do, you know?"

"Yeah. I know."

"Look, can you do me a favour and try and get in contact with Green? Don't use email. I'm not even sure calling is a good idea. I dunno when they'll let me out of here, but I asked him to do some stuff for me."

"Okay, gotcha. I'll see what classes he's teaching tomorrow and catch him then. I've been working on my assignments while you were out, so I can spare the time to help. Oh, and you're now my parents' favourite person, by the way. Apparently you're so heroic you might be a Child of Light."

"Wow. Um."

"Yeah. I know. When the cops arrived they questioned them; as if they might have set the fire. It was actually kind of funny. They've moved them on from the car park, and they're staying at a camping ground somewhere nearby. They're waiting for you to wake up so we can all go camping. This fire has basically proved that they were right, as far as they're concerned."

"Wonderful."

"It's not so bad. I have access to a car now, sort of. I'll get on to Green and see you tomorrow once I have some info. Concentrate on getting well, okay?"

"Yeah. Stay safe."

Jess hangs up. It's about four-fifteen am. You've decided that you hate it here; the noise of the hospital is irritating and it smells weird and your mask is annoying as fuck.

>Try and sleep.
>Play Arcadia.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>31789473
>Play Arcadia.
It was given twice so it must be the best option

>>31789473
>Play Arcadia.
Haha, well if you're gonna list it twice...

>>31789473
>Try and sleep.
We need rest! Can play after the short time-skip.

>>31789473
>>Play Arcadia.

>>31789523
>>31789517 (It reflects your lack of other options right now, really.)
>>31789691

You decide to escape for a while, and you fire up Quest for Arcadia. The moment of vertigo ends with you in the same alleyway you logged out in. The stars are still out, but the sky is lightening a little.

It's cool, and you can smell the dew on the stonework of the buildings around you.

Amadeus and Wolf are online. Mason and Lily are offline. You try and contact Amadeus, your heart metaphorically in your mouth, but there's no response, just his surprised smile looping over and over.

It doesn't really surprise you. You walk out of the alleyway back towards the forges. There aren't many people about at this time, but it's not deserted either.

>Go to Trish and Shrike's house on the off-chance one of them is online.
>Contact Wolf, see what's happened while you were away.
>Wander the city; see if anyone you recognise is around.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>31789845
>>Contact Wolf, see what's happened while you were away.

>>31789845
>Go to Trish and Shrike's house on the off-chance one of them is online.
this way we can check on Melissa's virtual body.

>>31789845
>Go to Trish and Shrike's house on the off-chance one of them is online
Base of operations!

>>31789845
>Go to Trish and Shrike's house on the off-chance one of them is online.

because >>31789911
makes a good point

File: Trish.jpg (176 KB, 1500x1169)

176 KB JPG

>>31789999
>>31789911
>>31790236

You start walking to Trish and Shrike's house. Since they keep similar hours to you, you don't really expect them to be around, but it's worth a try.

You spot Toxicity, without her friends for once, chatting into her mirror in one of the cafes. She doesn't see you. You dislike her quite strongly, but she is probably in the loop if anything happened with regards to the war while you were gone.

You continue on.

It's not easy to locate Trish and Shrike's place. The buildings all look a bit samey, and there are no signs or numbers to use as landmarks.

Eventually you think you find the right building, complete with a dozing NPC sitting in a large chair near the door. You wake him up, and ask if Trish and Shrike live here.

He tells you that they do, and gives you directions to their apartment before dozing off again while you watch. It's pretty quiet in here; the stairwell's empty and you can't hear anything coming from the other rooms.

The door to Trish and Shrike's place is of course locked, and you knock a few times. You're about to give up and leave when the door is opened by a bleary-eyed Trish, sans her armour and weapons.

"Leandra? What time is it? Come in." She waves you inside.

"Sorry to wake you. It's really early."

"That's okay." Trish had clearly been sleeping on one of the low couches around their fish pool, and Amadeus is laid out on the other one. He looks peaceful.

>Examine Amadeus.
>Tell Trish what happened in the real world.
>Ask Trish what happened while you were gone.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>31790354
>Tell Trish what happened in the real world.
Ask why she's sleeping while in game. That sounds unhealthy.

>>31790354
>Tell Trish what happened in the real world.

>>31790354

>Examine Amadeus.
>Tell Trish what happened in the real world.

>>31790354
>Ask Trish what happened while you were gone.
Doesn't really matter if it's ask or tell first.

>>31790410
>>31790491
>>31790503

You kneel beside Amadeus. He's breathing, but his eyes are open and staring, which is frankly creepy combination. You lift his hand and it lies limp and warm in your own.

"He hasn't changed," Trish says, sitting down on the other couch. "We figured he'd disappear if his connection timed out eventually."

You take a deep breath and explain what happened in the real world. You're still staring at Amadeus's face when you feel Trish wrap an arm around your shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart" she says. "Oh, that's horrible." She's warm and solid and you appreciate the gesture, but you don't feel like crying any more. You were never much of a crier and you're done for now.

"If you're in hospital, are you sure you should be online?"

"I've got nothing better to do." You can't feel the mask on your face now you're in game, and other than a strange heaviness in your chest, it's as if you're back to normal, which is a great relief. "And I wanted to see if I'd missed anything important."

"Not that anyone's told us," Trish says. "We've just been keeping an eye on him and waiting for you to come back. We can keep him here as long as needed; no one can get in but Shrike and I, so he's safe."

>"Why are you sleeping here?"
>Contact Wolf.
>Tell her about the weird stuff that's been happening in real life.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>31790840
>"Why are you sleeping here?"
Let's not involve her.

>>31790840
>"Why are you sleeping here?"
When we get back to meatspace we should go find Melissa's glasses.

>>31790840
>"Why are you sleeping here?"

>>31790840
>Contact Wolf

>>31790954
>>31790936
>>31790905

"Why are you sleeping here?" you ask.

Trish shrugs, "Well, I haven't been sleeping well in real life lately. It's so peaceful here, I find I get a better nights' rest than I do at home. And so far I haven't overslept. The sun comes up around the time I need to be getting up in real life anyway, so it works out."

You seem to recall Martin fell pretty deeply asleep when he was playing once too, but he claimed it wasn't on purpose, and given how many classes he missed you believe him.

"If you want I can probably find some rugs if you want to rest here as well," she says, yawning.

It's tempting; it would keep you away from the noise of the hospital, but on the other hand, once you're playing now it seems not even a fire alarm and being carried off somewhere will get through to you.

>Take her up on the offer.
>Contact Wolf.
>Thank her, but decline and leave.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>31791241
>but on the other hand, once you're playing now it seems not even a fire alarm and being carried off somewhere will get through to you.
Warn her exactly that. Ash and Melissa are in the hospital because they couldn't be shaken from the game.

>>31791241
>Contact Wolf.
>Thank her, but decline and leave.

>>31791241
>Thank her, but decline and leave.
do >>31791306

>>31791306

You frown, "Just be careful okay? When I was playing a fire alarm couldn't get through. When you're asleep it has to be much worse."

Trish looks at you, "Do you think I should log out?"

"How long have you been logged in?"

"Oh, it's not like that. I do my other stuff. This is just free time, and sleeping." Still, she's looking slightly concerned. She glances at Amadeus, "I guess he doesn't need anyone watching over him."

You shrug. There doesn't seem to be any actual harm in sleeping in-game, as long as you're safe in the real world, but you don't want to see another friend end up like this. "Just be careful."

"Yeah, I'll, I'll think about it."
>>31791340
>>31791374

You head back out. You're not sure you'd actually manage to sleep with Amadeus staring at the ceiling like that in the same room. You make a mental note to try and find out what happened to Melissa's glasses. You'd assume they'd take them off at the hospital.

You tap on Wolf's picture and he responds pretty quickly. No beach party for him; he's in his armour, and you can hear the sound of waves in the background. You can't actually tell if he's standing in the surf or astride Typhoon.

"Hey, someone's awake. Hi Leandrda, must be pretty early over there.

"Any news?" you ask.

"Yeah." The image shifts as he moves his mirror, holding it up so you can see the sea and the horizon. Lightning stabs down from a towering storm cloud miles off. "Storm's coming."

"The Thunderlands?" you ask.

"Maybe. It's been sitting out there all day. Hasn't moved like normal weather does."

>Let's investigate.
>Nothing you can do now, thank him for the info.
>Ask him about the Thunderlands.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>31792003
>Let's investigate.

>>31792003
>Ask him about the Thunderlands.
We need to get some sleep today.

>>31792003
>>Ask him about the Thunderlands.
Just talking if fine.

>>31792385
>>31792176
"What do you know about the Thunderlands?" you ask.

"Well, I've been there once or twice. Unless you can fly you have to wait for the Lightning Bridge. There are a couple of dungeons up there, and a city with player housing and the usual. When the bridge breaks it floats about. Some people actually use it to get about. There was a rumour that it was possible to steer it, if you could work out how."

He frowns. "I don't see any bridge right now, but in that case it should be moving." He glances from it back to you. "I'm gonna have a look. I just wanted to pass the info on before I went; worst case scenario and all that."

"You can get up there without a bridge?"

He grins. "I'm an Avatar; I can fly. It's going to be a near thing, though. It's quite a ways up."

~~~
And I have to stop for now and go to work.

These Monday threads really are a bit short, aren't they? Unfortunately I have a game next weekend, so next thread will be next Monday EST. Twitter will have details.

As always, thanks for playing.

>>31792577
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>>31792577
Thank you for running Arcadian! Great thread like always.

>>31792653
Is it just you that types that? Every quest I follow there's one guy.

>>31792734
as far as I know it's just me

>>31792577
aw
stupid family making me do shit and missing the end of the thread