Futuristic Reality

[Rise of Albion]

Reality


n. the quality or state of being real


"Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else." - George Orwell, 1984


There is no truth in life. Because life as we know it, is simply an illusion. A pre-conceived perception imprinted onto our brains, fooling us into thinking that we're living independantly when really, it's all been a lie. It's almost as though we're stuck in a game, controlled by outside forces that we have absolutely no control over. But we are real. Human beings are real. It's just the world that we live in, is basically just an elaborate simulation.


Beyond our reach, is a world where everything is clearer and brighter, and the human mind can be used to its fullest potential. Emotional and mental connections are so strong that people can literally sense others emotions, and know if someone is near by. Nature is beautiful and abundant yet technology is beyond the wildest imaginations. Colours are more vivid and literally anything is possible. Including immortality. But if everyone can live, who will die?


In a controversial ethical decision, the government decided to enact a secret plan to manage the rapidly growing. Not only did they admit a drug to the populations to half the chances of fertility, but they decided the too large number of babies that were born needed to go somewhere else. So they created 'Earth'. An intricate simulated reality that was inserted into the mind and made the user feel as though they were living for one hundred years when all it really took was one month. These children were robbed of their lives and their freedom. Life was not reality. It was a prison.


But what became worse, was that the people of the rebellion, a secret group outside of society who had managed to discover what was happening to the children of the real world, were going to launch a worlds wide attack. So the government decided it was time to enact a huge shutdown. Submit a permanent infertility pill to the immortal masses, launch a massive war to kill off the weak and murder every single person living in 'Earth'. It would be the ultimate genocide.


But what happened if the impossible occured? A select number of people managed to wake up and realize what was happening. Well, hell would break loose in the beautiful, real world of Atrivia and in 'Earth'.

1. Regular site rules apply.
   
2. When events become too intimate (NC-17+), please fade to black or continue on through pm.
   
3. Literacy is the biggest requirement. Posts need to be detailed and lengthy, preferably two to three full paragraphs each. Not all of it needs to be dialogue, it can be the character's thoughts about current circumstances or even about past experiences and their own relationships. It keeps the rp at a sophisticated level and also helps you to improve your own writing skill.
   
4. NO ONE LINERS.
   
5. Do not start rp-ing until I have accepted you.
   
6. If there are no more spots left, then don't apply. I'm not going to open more up unless the rp has died.
   
7. Have you read the rules? Then put your character's favourite movie or song into the personality section. Ignore the last rule.
   
8. Please be original with your characters. I want depth and personality, no Mary-Sues, Gary-Stus and no stereotypical characters. Don't have your female be strong all the time. People cry and people hurt and it takes awhile to get over it.
   
9. Relationships do not happen over night. Heat of the moment, yes, but there are going to be repercussions of that. One night stands happen, yes, but don't have them fallen in love over that or together in a relationship. That's why it's called a one night stand. No falling in love at one go.
   
10. Characters evolve and develop. It's okay if your character isn't the same as your had her/him at the beginning.
    
11. Do not fight against me. I can/might/will block you from the rp if you disobey these rules, annoy me, fight with others or anything else.
    
12. Don't fight will your fellow rpers. It's not nice and you're just being a bully. Stop it.
    
13. Have fun!
    
14. If you have read the rules, please place 'Is there a true reality?' at the end of your application.
    

 

[Rise of Albion]

Rise of Albion updated Reality with a new update entry:


Starting the Role Play

Hello!
Thank you to everyone who has applied to Reality, and been accepted. I'm keen to begin soon but I am aware that some people may still want to sign up and post characters.


Anyone who has been accepted is allowed to create another one to fill up the spots required.


I want to start July 2nd (Australian EST).


Can't wait to get it going!


Thanks,


Rise of Albion

Read the rest of this update entry...

 

[Rise of Albion]

Rise of Albion updated Reality with a new update entry:


The Beginning & Registstrations

Just a quick note: Although the roleplay will be beginning today, registrations are still open until I decide when. I will still be accepting new characters. If the sign up thread becomes inactive, just e-mail me your application.
Thanks,


Rise of Albion

Read the rest of this update entry... 
‘Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide. No escape from reality.’


The commercial bus rattled through the streets of New York City at 6:13 in the morning, the golden rays of the sun just beginning to pour over the famous city. Earphones blasting music, Audrey mouthed the words to Bohemian Rhapsody as she watched the waking world pass by, stifling a yawn at the thought of sleep. A few joggers were running along, some people were getting coffee or bagels from the stands, and even the ferries were beginning to start their course. She did enjoy the serenity of Manhattan before the hype and bustling began, but she didn’t think she’d ever be able to get used to the hours. The long hour shifts demanded it, and so did the income, but that didn’t mean she had to enjoy it. Who ever thought that the position of a full-time barista at the Coffee Hub was going to be so much work?


Alarm ringing at 5:30, Audrey had begrudgingly started the week with the typical working on a Sunday mood, checked to see if Aaren was still sleeping and started her routine. Shower, get dressed, make-up and hair, breakfast, leave a note for Audrey with instructions about what she wanted done, and a couple of bills for breakfast and lunch if she didn’t want anything in the fridge. She had locked up the small apartment that she worked so hard to maintain and caught the first bus that made its way towards her. Ever since shit hit the fan back in her old home and she’d decided it was time to get away, she’d taken on a position more than just as a coffee maker. It was guardian, sole income, older sister, and friend all at once. Sometimes, she honestly wondered how she even made it through life. It had been a big change, and at first she had hated it yet not returned due to spite, but now she was getting used to it and even somewhat enjoying it. She wouldn’t trade it for anything else. If only life wasn’t so unfair.


Yawning once again, Audrey took a long draught from her coffee filled travel mug, and almost instantly felt the wonder that was caffeine surge through her, helping her to keep awake. Think about the money, Audes, you can do it, She thought to herself, It’s not even a bad job. Stop complaining. You can do this. If not, think about Aaren. She cleared her throat and straightened her posture to prepare herself as her surroundings became uncomfortably familiar. Packing away her music, she swung up into the aisle of the moving bus and neglected to press the stop button, knowing that the driver would be pulling over anyway.


“Morning Audrey, how’s life going?” Steve asked her as she neared the front, and she couldn’t help a smile. The portly middle-aged man had receding blonde hair and a golden heart, an altogether very likeable person. She was glad that at the moment it didn’t seem too busy for him. Only a quarter of the seats were full. Prepared tourists or other New Yorkers with early morning jobs.


“Alright. Aaren’s doing well in school, getting straight A’s. I think she’s going to graduate with a good score. I’m proud of her and she’s really trying to help me out at home. Cleaning up and doing everything I ask. She’s even inquired about getting a job to help me out with the rent. I laughed at that and bought us ice cream and rented us a movie. I don’t want her to stress about living with me.” Audrey laughed, almost reminiscent. “Mum sent an e-mail the other day, asking if we wanted to come over for Christmas this year. I’m not thinking about replying but you know how the relationship between us is.”


Steve nodded with a grin as he opened up the doors to let her out. She paused however and let the three other passengers go by first. Slipping out a fifty into pocket without his knowledge, she winked at him and then stepped out as well. Though not before quickly turning back and asking, “How’s Maria?”


“She’s alright, love. I think that one day soon she might wake up and the hospital bills won’t be so hard. Doubt she’ll ever want to go in a car again though. I’ll send her your best.” Steve replied with a grateful smile and then pulled the bus away from the curb to continue on his route. Audrey smiled sadly for a moment before turning on her heel and walking straight towards the building in front of her.


Four stories high, the corner shopping mall was home to the Coffee Hub she worked at, and was open at all hours of the day. The stores weren’t necessarily always welcoming to customers but a couple of security guards would always stroll through, checking for looters and squatters. She was able to enter before opening hours with no trouble, making her way up three flights of stairs to the almost food court. The bright orange and black food house was a blinding sight but she readied herself with a smile, and nodded in greeting to her manager who was visible in the kitchens.


“Good morning, Audes.” Jerry called out, already turning on the fryers and ovens. She walked through the employee’s entrance, finished the offered high five, dumped her bag on the counter and signed in onto the computer. Her twelve-hour shift had officially started.

 

[TwistedDreams]

There was a Green glow as Jax moved through the dark gloomy hallway. "Help meee" a soft voice echoed down the gloomy hallway. "Pleaassee", "Hello?" Jax called to no one in particular, as he moved further down the hallway he could see the room that the green glow was coming from. He continued cautiously down the hallway until he was a foot from the door. he turned to look behind him and suddenly he saw a masked man but before he had time to take in what he had seen, there was a deafening scream and a loud explosion of green light.


Jax sat bolt upright drenched in sweat, breathing furiously, it was just a dream. Jax took a second to catch his breath, he had had this dream before. Jax stepped out of his plain single bed, only a few steps towards his desk, where there was multiple computer monitors, this was his Morning ritual, Have a nightmare, wake up, get on the computer. Jax started typing away, not even paying attention to the dirty clothes on the floor or the various other items strewn across his room.


After a few clicks a window popped up on the middle monitor, it showed a series of credit card numbers, order placements and personal info. Now many people would consider what Jax did for a living as wrong, Scamming people, stealing their credit cards, taking their hard earned money. But unlike most people in his particular profession, Jax makes a huge effort to only steal from those who can afford it.


After about half an hour, Jax got up and walked through his small one room apartment into the kitchen, which was quite clean compared to his room. He opened the window which led out onto the fire escape and sounds from the busy Manhattan street below flooded into his kitchen, He actually enjoyed living in New York City, which was quite rare for the fact that he didnt enjoy anything these days not after the incident. He looked down below at the people all consumed in their lives, going to work and some were even coming home. Jax looked at his watch, 8:30am, time to get some breakfast.


A few moments later Jax had dressed in Black pants, a white t-shirt and it was quite cold outside so he decided wear an old and slightly batter brown coat. He grabbed his wallet, phone and bag and left the apartment. Jax lived on the 4th floor of an apartment building in downtown Manhattan, even though he could afford a much "classier" apartment for some reason he liked his small dingy apartment. He walked down the stairs of the apartment building without passing anyone, it wasn't until he was out the front of the apartment block that he saw someone, an old woman who also lived in the apartment block.


"Good morning Jackson" the old lady said kindly to Jax who hadnt actually noticed her.


"Oh, hi miss Davis" Jax said without really looking at her.


The old lady looked sadly at Jax, "Oh my, nightmares again?" it was obvious to anyone, that just by physical appearance Jax looked like a broken and depressed man.


"Uh, yeah sorta, well i gotta go, bye" He said awkwardly as he saw a bus pull up. He dashed onto the nearly full pass and took a seat next to another passenger that he didnt even look at. A few minutes later the bus pulled up at the corner Shopping mall. Jax quickly got out and with his hands in his coat, and almost looking down at the ground he walked quickly into the mall, he looked around at his options, McDonalds, Starbucks, IHOP and also the Coffee Hub that he occasionally went to. He sat down on a bench in the middle of the mall and pulled out his phone.

 

[Hell0NHighWater]

Beeps of the alarm clock on the bed stand brought Quinn to the realization that she had another day to live through with more then enough hearts to break. Frowning in utter disappointment, her fist slammed onto the dark grey alarm clock. Her pale fist barely missing the iPhone that was charging in the port by centimeters. With a mildly satisfied grunt, she rolled off her bed, her body becoming tangled in flawless white and baby blue sheets. Quinn let out an annoyed huff, slowly standing to yawn and shake out the paralysis of sleep.


To Quinn, mornings were the worst part of the day. So much to do to look presentable, so much to think about what you had to do, and so much to think about once it was over just to repeat the entire process the next time the sun figured to rise. She made her way to the huge window, in her loft, that overlooked the smaller city of Manhattan. A tired smile tugged at her lips before another yawn escaped them.


"I need coffee..." She muttered to herself as she walked to her closet in a zombie like daze. After a moments thought she grabbed a pair of white skinny jeans, a black tank top with a grey leather jacket over it, and her usual beanie. Today, being the color white, she grabbed the knitted accessory to match. By the time her morning put-together was completed she made her way out of the house. Deciding to walk to the local Coffee Hub, Quinn took her time to watch the oblivious people rush past her. She found it whimsical how people moved through their lives, such simple things as they were...it was no wonder she could personify just about any life needed.


Coming into the square where there were all these shops in one little section, she noticed a man sitting on a bench. His fingers moved away on a keyboard, texting or doing....whatever he was doing. Quinn gave him a quick once over, not really in the mood to be so outgoing that she would walk up to him and start talking. She needed a source of energy first. With that debate inside her head ended, she strolled into the coffee hub.

 

[agoraphobia]

A loud vibration startled Stella awake. She jumped and glared at her phone. She stretched, realizing she had once again fallen asleep while studying. She was seriously going to get a bad back. Tired and generally unwilling to start the day, Stella unlocked her phone, yawning. She read the alert once, not comprehending, then again once she realized that the alert said 'Sister'. Suddenly wide awake, Stella stood up fast and started mentally counting what she'd need to do.


Shower, change, clean, breakfast. Checking the time, she realized she had a little over an hour and simultaneously thanked herself for her planning and cursed her sister for her early flight. Stella closed the book she had been reading and straightened her desk before showering. She had a minor crisis while getting dressed. Should she go with formal or dressy-casual? She didn't see her sister very often and wanted to impress her. She checked the clock again.


Forty-five minutes. She could do this. Once she was changed, and she made sure everything was in it's proper place. It mostly was; she kept her rather large apartment pretty clean anyway. And she was even left with twenty minutes left for breakfast. She waved to the valet outside her building and told him that she had decided to walk. Exercise was always good anyway. While her younger sister adored L.A., Stella had a special place in her heart for the big apple. She was born in Manhattan, and though she'd spent most of her time in a private school in Ohio, she still thought of New York City as her hometown.


She felt her phone vibrate. Her sister was texting her. 'Sry cant make it'. Stella stopped for a moment before the ever present New York City dwellers reminded her that stopping in the middle of the sidewalk was one of the biggest sins a pedestrian could commit. Once she started walking again, she couldn't stop.


She should be used to this by now. It was Olivia. She was the most irresponsible unreliable person on the planet. Of course she would cancel their plans on the day of without explanation. How had Stella expected anything else? She texted her sister back 'k'. And what else needed to be said? Olivia had said she needed a place to stay for the night in the city, and Stella had offered. She no longer needed a place, so it was no big deal.


Stella had been ranting in her head long enough to realize she had gone a little further than the cute little bakery she had originally planned to go to. She was standing in front of a mall and she realized she was in a poorer place than she'd started. She sighed, ready to just walk back to where she had originally planned to go, not wanting to risk getting mugged, but before she turned around she decided not to care. It was 6:3o in the morning, she was tired, her sister had ditched her, and she was hungry. So she marched confidently into the mall deciding that she really didn't care. Even if the mall was sort of gross and definitely lower class.

 

[RainbowWave]

Jackson's short dark brown hair danced in the breeze, his light gray jacket reaching to his wrists, and ending at the tip of his hips. His jacket was a rather old one, showing signs of small holes, it's zipper only went as far as to his belly button, and exposed his pink short shelve t-shirt. Jackson sighed, his hand holding a small plastic cup in front of him as he walked, steam rolling into the air above it. His other hand, his left one in fact, was holding a small touch screen phone to his ear.


"Yes, I know, Father, I know." Jackson's slow paced walk continued, the state of Manhattan was in a traffic blaze despite the current time of 6:30 AM, many of the cars passing where rushing to work, or to school of some sort he guessed. Jackson kept his tone calm with his father, who kept repeating his same concern .


"Are you sure Jackson that you can handle her?"


"Fath-"


"Jackson, it's not that I think you can't do it, it's just that your sister is going through alot right now, plus if she realizes im trying to have you take care of her, She's going to know somethings up."


"I understand that father, but why would you as-"


"Can you do it or not?"


Jackson responded with only a simple word,


"Yes."


"Great!" Expressed his father, his tone jumping form his normal deep sickly voice to a high toned teenager as he screamed.


"My treatment begins in seven days, so I will inform Violet of the current move and situation, would you like me to have her take a plane to you or will you come to us?" Jackson's father's voice filled Jackson's head, almost blocking Jackson from thought.


"I don't know, I have to see if I have enough money to take the trip, call me tomorrow and i'll have the answer father."


"Fair enough, i'll call you tomorrow after my appointment with the doc, Love you son."


"Yeah, I love you too."


Jackson moved the small purple phone from his ear, looking to the screen as it showed the call ending. 'I can barely buy food for myself, how can I for both me and my sister?' Jackson's mind screamed with questions, his mind only snapping back as he heard the sound of a door bell ring above his head, his hands pushing in a glass door, its handle a small golden knob. Upon entering Jackson could see he entered a bookstore, the store was large, shelves holding more books then Jackson could count where dotting around the large building. Jackson could see the top selling books in front of him, taking a step in front of him, Jackson could see the small wooden shelve holding the books. The Holy Bible sat as the Number one selling book, number 2 being a book called Filthy Shades Of Gray.

 

[Rise of Albion]

7:15. Audrey glanced at the black clock on the wall as she walked past, carrying two cappuccinos in her hands, balancing plates of waffles and strawberries along her outstretched arms. The day was growing to become a busy one, and she felt uncomfortable being out and around the customers of the Coffee Hub, doubling as both a waitress and a barista.


Sandy had called ahead to warn that she was going to be too sick to get to the shift, and Jerry had turned to her. They were under-staffed, their tables were quickly filling up and a certain family was daring to start a small food fight between them. Refraining from gritting her teeth in disgust, she faked a smile and recounted an order to a cute couple as she placed their orders in front of them. Two customers down, eleven hours to go.


Her hair had been hastily tied up into a high ponytail, covered with the Coffee Hub’s signature hat and she was instantly back behind the counter, stirring up some beverages. Oliver was at the till, speeding through orders so that he would sooner be able to help Audrey out with her waitoring. However, despite his valiant efforts, she was unsure about if it was going to provide them with many advantages. At the moment, all they were faced with were people who were growing impatient as the time passed. Let no one say that life was ever easy.


As she poured the milk into six cups of different kinds of coffee, her gaze circled around the mall's "coffee" court, evaluating the people of whom were currently inhabiting it. McDonald's had the most business as usual, Starbucks had a long line but a fortunate reputation of having a long time to serve, IHOP was sporting pancakes and coffee in it's little restaurant, the Coffee Hub was busy and then there was Killian's Koffee, a little shop notorious for having the absolute worst... anything in all of New York. Their employee's were currently lounging around playing games. Once, she had asked how they stayed open if they had no business but Jerry had informed her that they held a secret drug organization in the underground criminal world which actually soared. She wasn't sure if that was actually true when one of the richest men in New York walked in and called the young manager, "How's my little princess going?".


Audrey smiled and returned to focusing on her work, when a familiar voice called her name and she looked up in complete surprise. "Aaren? What on earth are you doing here?"


Her eighteen year old little sister grinned and leaned against the counter, laying her head on her crossed arms. "Well, you left money at home for me to buy breakfast so I figured I'd catch the bus and go to this cafe I've heard of. The Coffee Hub, I don't think you would've heard of it before." She winked and continued, "Look's like you're a little busy today so I'll just go and join that lovely queue and wait for my lovely sister to serve me."


Audrey groaned but couldn't help a grin as the young woman skipped away like a little girl. Weirdo, she thought endearingly, shaking her head. She finished off the coffee's, shot one more look towards Aaren, and called out the name she read off the first portable cup.

 

[TwistedDreams]

Jax put his phone back into his pocket and looked around, where shall he eat? He looked around and spotted Killian's Koffee he knew from experience that they made awful food and coffee, he also knew that they were a front were money laundering and organised crime. He looked over to the Coffee Hub, it looked busy but he knew they made great coffee. He stood up and walked into the store and sat down at a small table towards the back of the store. He surveyed the people around him, most were people stopping on their way to their boring nine to five jobs, this made Jax grateful that he made so much money and didnt have to do this awful work (although he didnt look like he was well off).


He picked up the New York Times newspaper that was sitting on his table, the same boring financial headlines were all he could find in the paper, he set it back down just before he was approached by a rather pretty but very busy waitress. He noticed that she was trying to do two jobs at once, make coffee and waitress. It was a little to noisy to hear what she asked him clearly but he assumed it was something about his order.


"uh, just a uh cappuccino please" he said awkwardly, he had actually never drunk coffee in his life, infact he had no idea why he was ordering it.


The waitress took his order and Jax paid, she stood there for a second after he had given her the money.


He had almost forgot about the tip.


"oh, sorry" he said and gave her two hundred dollar bills. He assumed that she wouldnt make to much waitressing and always enjoyed helping people that didnt exactly have a whole lot of money, he tried to smile at her, but he didnt know what it looked like, it had been a long time since he had smiled.

 

[Rise of Albion]

The customer held out a two hundred dollar bill for a tip and Audrey's eyes widened before she shook her head and offered the man a quick smile, pushing the money back towards him. "I'm sorry sir, but you were about to give me two hundred dollars. I'm sure you didn't mean to do that." She replied, but the awkward feelings of a rather big slip up disappeared when the man went to give the money to her again. Her mouth fell open slightly in shock, and she shook her head slightly. He meant it, the man actually wanted to give her a two hundred dollar tip. He was either insane or incredibly generous and she wasn't sure which one it was. He even smiled at her too, a cute, shy one that told her he was exactly sure about what he was doing. She didn't know what to do.


"I... I can't-" Audrey began when a hand shot out and grabbed the money from the man's hands, stuffing them into her own hands. She frowned in confusion and turned to see Aaren, who nodded in gratitude to the customer before she pulled her big sister back to the coffee counter. "What did you just do Aaren? I can't take this tip. Do you see him? It doesn't look like he has it to give."


"Nonsense." Aaren replied, crossing her arms to help her stand her ground. "I saw the look on his face too. He knew what he was doing or he was so starstruck by your beauty that he just grabbed the first bills he could from his wallet." The remark was incredibly sarcastic and Audrey raised an eyebrow in response, but she continued talking. "Plus, we need this. I know you try to hide it from me, but I saw the bill. And you left your bank account open. Really, Audrey I was going to just steal all of the money to teach you a lesson when I saw how little it was. You need this. We need this. We can't continue to rely on mum for the rest of our lives, and this shitty job. Take it, get the man back his order and I'll see if people saved my spot in the line."


Audrey opened her mouth to protest but the girl had already run, and she felt her shoulders slump. Feeling morally torn, her gaze slipped back to the man, who was not bad looking, and she nodded. Okay, she would take it. And yes they did need it. She might even be able to take a day off from work one time, and spend it with Aaren. It would be a big relief. She grinned and proceeded to make the man's cappuccino. When she was finished, she nodded to the recently arrived Kyle to help Oliver with the take-away drink customers, and brought the drink and a muffin over to the man.


"On the house." Audrey told him, setting it down on his table, with a wink. "If you need anything else, just come up and ask." She smoothed down her skirt and turned back to serving other tables. She had hastily scrabbled down a note on a side of the cup for the generous man which read: You're an angel. Thank you. - Audrey.

 

[TwistedDreams]

The woman returned his money, insisting that he made a mistake, unsure what to say he continued to give her the money until a younger girl swiped the money from his hands he was about to say something when he realised they knew each other, he watched as they talked amongst themselves, unknown to them he heard every word. He felt quite good about himself now, he had helped someone who really needed the money, after all he knew how expensive even a dingy broken down apartment can be in Manhattan, the prices were outrageous.


The woman returned with his order and a muffin. He could afford to pay for it buy who would turn down free food? not him. He could tell that she was quite happy with the money, he knew that waitressing wasnt very well payed and heavily relied on tips. Why should someone have to slave their asses off all day to earn minimum wage while he sits on a computer all day, stealing. they shouldnt. He took a sip from he cappuccino and thought not to spit it out, he closed his eyes tight. "Ugh" he sort of choked out at the strong taste of coffee, after all this was his first time having coffee, he usually relied on energy drinks during those long hacking nights.


He noticed a note taped to the side of his cup, he smiled while he read it. "No number?" he called out sort of jokingly but also a little hopefully to the waitress named Audrey, of course he wasnt being extremely serious but he still wouldnt of said no.

 

[Hell0NHighWater]

Letting out a sigh, Quinn gripped her ice latte in her right hand as she flipped through her phone with her dominate left hand. Her eyes glanced around the shop, settling on a few interesting people. The one who caught her eye was the man who tipped a waitress with two hundred dollar bills.


"Well, that is something you do not see every day." She mused to herself, taking a sip of her drink. She wondered if she should go stop in and say hello to Killian if he was in the 'office'. She stood from her comfortable seat by the window heading over towards the man who had this cute little grimace after trying his, what looked to be, cappuccino or latte. She slid into the booth facing him, tilting her sun glasses down to look at him clearly. A smirk twitched onto the corner of her lips. "My, my, my what a generous tip." She chuckled lightly finding it mildly amusing. "I wonder what other things you tip that generously for?" She continued, quirking her eyebrow in a suggestive matter. She leaned her chin on her fist looking at him, not caring that she just randomly sat down and started talking to him. He intrigued her, she couldn't help but be curious. It was a fatal flaw of hers, but what could she say? As a con it was her job to be so intrigued when an opportunity presented itself.

 

[agoraphobia]

Stella internally cringed as she walked into the mall with two hundred dollar stilettos on. She was definitely not dressed for this. And probably going to get mugged. She projected confidence she didn't feel, took off her sunglasses because she wasn't quite that tacky, and looked for somewhere to eat. A little ashamed for how she had to remind herself that McDonald's was always a bad idea, she decided on coffee. It would be quicker and she needed to wake up anyhow.


When she actually got in line, she overheard some sort of debate about money and tips or something. She didn't mean to overhear, but it couldn't be helped. Stella only cared as far as she'd have to wait even longer for her coffee. She rolled her eyes silently, and unlocked her phone. It was a coffee hub, not rocket science. She still had a lot of time before her 11:00 am lecture, but didn't want to stay here longer than necessary. She opened the calender on her phone, and whatever was going on in the hub faded into background noise.

 

[TwistedDreams]

Jax sat there, unsure if Audrey had heard him, he turned his head back around to see a woman sitting across from him. He ignored her at first when she mentioned his tip, of course someone would approach him after the large amount of money he handed out. All people want it money he thought to himself. "Yeah , it was generous, think of me as a modern day robin hood.." he replied to the woman, he refrained from mentioning the steal from the rich give to the poor part. Although Jax didnt know who she was exactly, he knew what she was, a thief, a con. Arent you like that? he thought to himself. No no, i give back, i just tipped $200! "Uh, not interested" he said giving her a look that said "Really?". "Maybe you should pay your friend Killian a visit?" he replied.


He thought about possibly leaving, he was feeling uncomfortable but he still sort of wanted the Waitress, Audrey's number. He took another sip from his Cappuccino, screwing up his face again at the taste.

 

[RainbowWave]

Jackson smiled, his light pink lips curling as he exited the book store. 'I loved that book when i was in high school, It was one of the best books i ever picked up." Jackson kept his pace, his hand occasionally lifting the plastic cup to his mouth, driveling a blast of lemon tea. Jackson knew he was packing light, his black and gray backpack only charring 5 sets of clothes. His blue jeans flapped in the wind, causing him to take a swift left turn, and find him self in front of a coffee shop. Jackson manged to take the doors handle before memory's overtook him.


The square building was small its red brick walls siting oddly compared to the neat black roof, the coffee shop could only hold a max of 50 people at once, and was isolated as far as Jackson was cornered. The day was bright, and the Afternoon was setting into a fiery orange, and Jackson had a large moving truck sitting outside.


"Well, you do seem to have job experience, and with the job you could offered my mouthy rent, Your hired and approved to move in."


"Oh, Thank you Sir, You wont regret this." Jackson stood as the man did, Shaking one anthers hand. His face holding a massive smile, and his eyes sparkling.


Jackson snapped back to reality as the coffee shop's door opened, releasing the handle Jackson moved to the side, letting the small group of 3 leave the coffee area.


"My Apologizes." Answered Jackson, before quickly catching the door before it closed, and making his way inside.

 

[Hell0NHighWater]

Quinn smirked, "Robin Hood? Ugh, way too noble. Besides, I'm not selling anything I'm just a curious passerby who happens to have connections. Oh, and next time you want a girls number try turning up the charm a little. Just ask her outright." She mused, winking before getting up. Heading over towards her regular seat by the window she thought for a moment as she glanced back at the man. Her smirk was even bigger now, as she sat back in her seat. She drank her coffee, crossing her legs as she got back on her phone, pretending nothing had even happened.


She glanced up when the door opened, making brief eye contact with the man who walked in. She looked back at her phone again, disengaging herself from anything further. Her curiosity was sated, and she went about her own business.

 

[RainbowWave]

Jackson looked to the coffee shop, his eyes meeting with a browned hair women near the window, the stare lasted only a few seconds before both parties with on with there business. Jackson looked to a table that was sitting in the corner near the window, and smiled, walking to the small table that housed two chairs, he placed his backpack down, and sat on the other side of it, Taking up both seats. "I wouldn't mind company, but, because of Jeff, be...' Jackson quickly fell into his mind, Dark flashbacks overtaking him. Jackson stared out the window, memory's of Jeff blasting his fist into Jackson's skull flooding his mind.


"Jeff! Stop!" Screamed Jackson, Jeff sat upon Jackson's chest, repeatedly punching him across the cheeks. Jackson struggled, kicking, and throwing his feet, his arms roused and threw a punch, knocking Jeff from atop of Jackson. Jackson stood, his breath shallow and quick.


"Your a monster! I wont let you beat me anymore."


Jackson quickly lunched for the lamp, and succeeded. Trusting the lamp sideways, the Lamp smashed into Jeff's temple, knocking him to the ground, and leaving a small puddle of blood below his head.

 

[Rise of Albion]

Audrey smiled at Jax's comment, but continued to help serving the customers, thinking that if he really did mean it, he could always go up and straight out ask her out. It would show her that he actually meant it, instead of just joking around. There was a giggle in the corner of the room, and recognizing the sound of it, she intentionally didn't turn around to look. Aaren had obviously heard the call and she was definitely not going to give her the satisfaction of seeing her reaction. Even so, she was going to be teased about the event for the next weeks. For an entire month if something actually did come out of it. "Two flat whites, a chocolate milkshake and a bowl of hot chips?" She checked with the customers sitting at the round table.


She was returning to the kitchens to notify Jerry and the other chefs about the recent order when something unnerving caught her eye in the middle of the court. Four men, one with a large black duffel bag, and the other three with large bulges hidden under their jackets. She froze in her place, watching them carefully as their gaze swept across everyone inhabiting the eating area. She shouldn't be so obvious, she knew that, but she couldn't help herself. It was a fear instinct or something, a feeling that stopped all movements as a horrid thought crossed her conscience. Don't just stand there, Audrey. Go and do something. Get Aaren out before something bad happens.


Turning quickly on her heel, she tried to walk back to Aaren, focusing intently on keeping her pace normal and without suspicion. Her younger sister looked up as she approached, but frowned when she saw her expression. She was trying to hide her fear and anxiety, but Aaren knew her too well and could guess that something was wrong. Not wanting to alarm the other customers, she slid into the booth with her and made sure to keep her voice lowered. "Aaren, I need you to go home right now. Okay? No questions, get out now."


"Audrey, what's wrong?" She whispered anyway, only half following her sister's orders. She quickly checked the cafe for any possible disturbances, and then into the court. At first, she didn't notice. On second glance though, her eyes widened almost comically and she gripped her arm painfully. "Oh my god. Are those... guns? Dear god Audrey, we need to get out now. In case this is actually a real problem. Audrey please, come-"


She was interrupted as someone screamed from the court and yelled, "He's got a gun!". All hell broke loose, and Audrey realized she had actually been right. The four men pulled out machine guns from under their trench coat like jackets and from the bags, and began to fire on the unsuspecting people sitting right amongst them. Audrey pushed Aaren to the ground, and gasped as a bullet ripped centimeters past her hair. She felt the wind blow it a little, and for a moment thought her sight turned insane. A little rip seemed to appear in the world and was filled with what appeared to be matrix/computer code. Her eyes widened in surprise before Aaren grabbed her arm and pulled her down too.

 

[Hell0NHighWater]

"He's got a gun!"


Quinn's head shot up to see the men pull out their machine guns.


"Oh shi-" Her curses were overruled by the sound of gun fire causing her to drop quickly. A bullet slammed into the table she had just been seated at. A frown creased her lips, "I knew I should have stayed in bed." She mumbled, crawling out slowly from under the table. The shop was in chaos, for a second she thought about how much money she could take from the register...but the idea of death forced her to stay put. She looked for an opening, a way to KO one of the gunmen. The only thing she had was a butter knife and that wasn't going to get her very far. As her eyes surveyed the scene she swore that she saw what looked to be a computer code. Confusion etched itself onto her face, only when a bullet grazed her cheek did she duck down again quickly. A trickle of blood from where the bullet grazed her slowly oozed down her cheek.

 

[TwistedDreams]

Jax had had enough of his disgusting coffee and stood up to leave, he looked over at Audrey, considering actually asking properly for her number. He noticed she looked quite scared and serious while she was talking to her sister in a booth no far from him. He checked his phone for the time. The coffee shop was still very busy, and he continued to contemplate whether or not he should ask her, he finally decided he'd just go for it.


He took one step in her direction when he heard a woman scream "He's got a gun!" Jax looked over out into the middle of the food court, 4 men had pulled out machine guns and started firing on innocent people. One of the men turned to the Coffee Hub "DOWN!" Jax yelled as the glass shattered in front of him, a bullet grazed the side of his head as he dived onto the floor. The men continued firing an endless spray of bullets. Jax wildly looked around, 2 people, a man and young teenage girl lay dead only a few feet away from him. The entire coffee shop was on the floor, alot of people had their head tucked into their knees. Jax heard a childs voice "Mommyyyyy" the voice cried, he looked behind him and a blonde haired boy no older then 4 was running in his direction, Jax pushed himself off the ground a little bit in a dive for boy, Jax managed to grab the boy and while in the air tucking the boy under himself.


They landed back on the ground as a hail of bullets was directed at them. Jax made eye contact with Audrey, she looked extremely frightened, then her saw something strange. It looked like a sort of tear had happened in the world, it looked like it was full of some sort of computer code, it reminded him of the Matrix. He assumed the panic of the shooting and this huge amount of time spent on the computer was playing with his mind. He rubbed his eyes, but it was still there.

 

[Rise of Albion]

There were wet tears against her face, and blood, splash back from some random customer who had been so unlucky as to be caught in the fire line, straight with a bullet to the heart. Aaren was curled up next to her, shielding her head with her arms, and they were both hiding behind an upturned table. It wouldn't last forever though. They both knew that. Either the cheap wood would splinter and break, or the shooters would come into the store to finish of the job. They were both going to die eventually. And they knew that too. Audrey leaned over and pressed a shaky kiss to her younger sister's forehead. She couldn't do this again. She couldn't have another member of her family die. Even if there was no hope, she had to do something.


Just moments earlier, she had made eye contact with the customer who had generously tipped her. He had just saved a little boy's life from the hail of bullets and yet, was suffering from his own serious wound. Blood was gushing down his face, but she knew from research prior, that head injuries always bled the most. It seemed to be a testament to the mind and the conscious thought saying, Look at me. I'm important. This is your head and if I get hurt, you will suffer dearly for it. I know I'm not as serious as I appear, but this is a warning. Get something done. Don't forget me or I'll make you die of blood loss first. She closed her eyes and shivered at the recent, extremely traumatic memory of the bullet just missing her head, breezing through her hair. That could be her. Or she could be dead. Better now, she would be dead soon.


Oliver, her fellow employee, was lying dead in a pool of his own blood, shot through the head as he tried to escape from the emergency exit door. He had almost made it too, except he didn't have anyone to distract the shooters from him. Currently, at the Coffee Bean, there was only one as the others aimed their bullets at the other restaurants. Screams were still piercing the air across the court, but they were beginning to lose their volume. People were dying. People were dead. She was going to be gone soon. Her eyes widened as she thought of her one chance to save Aaren. It needed to be quick too. The gunman was beginning to step into the Coffee Hub to kill the remaining survivors.


"Aaren. Sis, look at me." Audrey whispered, tilting her head towards her so their eyes met. "I love you, okay? I love you sis, and I am not going to let you die. You hear me? I need you to get out of here. To live. You need to follow every instruction I have. Don't argue. Do this for me. Please. I love you. Okay? I'm going to stand up and cause a distraction for the gunman. You're going to run for the exit. Don't look back. Don't stop. Get out and live. Do this for me. Okay? I know you can do it. I know you can."


A fresh wave of tears fell down her face, but she nodded, understanding the sacrifice Audrey was willing to do. It was obvious she didn't want to, but they had no choice. Her fingers counted slowly down from three to one and then she did it. She scrambled to her feet and ran in the opposite direction, screaming to make sure she grabbed his attention. The gun fire turned on her. The air rippled. More rips appeared around her, filled with computer code and matrix. Aaren sprinted for the door and was about to make it.


A bullet pierced Audrey through the stomach. She fell with a gasp and another bullet smacked her right through the head. The last thing she saw before she died, was Aaren escaping and the computer matrix completely taking over her vision. That wasn't how it was supposed to work. Wasn't it supposed to go black? Against every belief ever created in the world, her heart stopped, but her mind began.

 

[TwistedDreams]

Jax watched a bullet pierced the beautiful waitress he had meet no more then 10 minutes ago. The bullet went straight through her stomach as she stood up, and then another subsequently through her head, she was dead. He watched as Audrey's sister ran into the back room of the Coffee shop, narrowly dodging a hail bullets. Jax was in complete shock, his mind was completely blank. Suddenly he saw a foot appear at the edge of his booth, the another foot, there was a man, wearing a suit and holding a machine gun standing right in front of him. This was it he thought to himself, he was going to die. "See you soon, Keira" he thought to himself as he heard the deafening blast of the machine gun as a bullet went straight into his skull at point blank range. The last thin he saw was the mans show and the matrix/computer code completely filled his vision.

 

[agoraphobia]

"He's got a gun!" Someone screamed and Stella froze. She knew it. She knew she shouldn't have gone to some poor mall with germs and muggers and now apparently guns. She thought that people had to have either a fight or flight instinct, but just then, as she stood in a stupid coffee hub frozen in horror, Stella realized she didn't have either. Her instincts told her to do nothing as she watched someone literally get shot in front of her.


The last thing Stella felt was regret. All that work, all that effort for nothing. She tried her absolute hardest so she could die on the dirty floor of a coffee hub in a rough part of town. It was almost funny. Maybe, at the very end, she felt the urge to run, but it didn't matter anyway. Stella heard a shrill scream as the coffee worker in front of her died, and briefly looked away from the gunman to watch the poor girl die. She only had the time and mental capacity to realize that it was actually her who was screaming before the coffee hub disappeared and she saw...numbers?

 

[RainbowWave]

Jackson's head snapped to the direction he heard a voice shout,


"His got a gun!"


And his legs manged to throw him up, kicking the small wooden table over onto its side, and planting himself behind it. "By the heavens, what is going on?' Jackson manged to peek his hand from the table, watching as bullets ripped through the air, ending peoples life, and ripples of matrix/codex floated in the air. 'What the hell is that? Codex should only appear if where in a video game, or, maybe i'm just seeing things" Jackson removed his head from view, once again planting his back against the table. Grabbing a small knife next to him, he rose to his feet, and threw the knife, having it tare trough the air. Jackson felt pain for only a second, a bullet have stroke his head, causing his vision to fill with matrix and codex,


"What...Is this? All....Wrong.'

 

[Rise of Albion]

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Checking vital signs... ... Results have been founded... ... Incomplete termination of simulation... ... Requesting aid in section 9, area B, room 34... ... Vital signs: Healthy... ... Virus discovered in system 'Earth'... Patient 607... Welcome to Atrivia.


Her breathing was slow and steady, calculated and deep, yet it began to pick up speed as her heart did, dragging Audrey out of the depths of her forced unconsciousness. As her mind began to wake up, she could still hear the bloodcurdling screams and blasting gunfire shots from the Coffee Hub. A phantom aching in her stomach and head replaced the actual fatal wounds from the simulation. Patient 607, Audrey Eden Roarke, was perfectly healthy in all terms a human being should be. Except for one confounding error in the Atrivian Simulation System (ASS). Her mind was waking up. And so were those of four other beings sentenced to mortal life in 'Earth'.


"Aaren." Audrey whispered, her eyes slowly flickering open as she woke. A blinding white light met her, too bright for her at the moment, and she clamped them shut again until she felt that she would finally be ready to try and see again. She was dead. That much was evident to her. Her body felt almost like it were floating, there was no more pain surging through her, and there was the white gleam of heaven that everyone spoke of. It was all as it was supposed to be. She tried to admit to herself with defeat that she was actually prepared to move on to the after life, but something was still holding her back. Not something exactly. No, someone. Aaren.


The last she had seen of her little sister was her escaping from the scene of the crime, seemingly unhurt. If she had indeed been able to manage it to some form of secure safety, then that was all Audrey had ever wanted. Sacrificing her life for her sister's was a big occasion, but she was happy that she did it. If Aaren was given the chance to live at least a couple more years, then she would do it a hundred times over. Even despite the pain. That girl still owed her when she eventually came to see her again, and if she didn't get a thank you, she'd throw her down to Hell herself. With a weak smile, Audrey opened her eyes slowly again and when her the objects in her location solidified, her heart almost stopped completely.


In a stereotypical view, she had figured that when she eventually died, she would awaken, standing on a bed of clouds and her father would be there to welcome her. Maybe even her grandparents too, and some ancestors from hundreds of years ago who had decided to finally meet one of their descendants. But as her eyes adjusted to the bright light that was shining in her eyes, she realized that it was probably the farthest thing possible from what she had imagined. For some reason, she was waking up in a futuristic hibernation pod, one of five in the center of an empty, small white room. Audrey sucked in a breath and warily turned her head around, looking at what she could possibly see.


She wasn't naked. She had no make-up on, and her hair was much longer than normal, but she was clothed in a skin-tight white body suit. Little monitor straps were stuck on her forehead, arms, legs and above her heart and chest. Her breath caught in her throat as she suddenly became really claustrophobic, nearing hysteria. She needed to get out. Ripping off the monitors, she placed her hands against the clear glass top and pushed it open. There was no more sound, but suddenly her head was overthrown with an unbearable pounding. Everything was so clear!