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"So what do we have here? A tea party? Lovely! It reminds me about a certain tale about a rabbit, a mouse, and a hatter, all mad having a tea party! I would like a milk tea, please." Pervir then looks around to see what else is there in the area.
"This is actually a better place than the previous one we went into." Pervir is repeating herself.
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One of the cute Agathion robots pours Zarzucket and then Pervir a cup of tea. They wipe the spout between pouring the two cups. A different agathion robot passes a plate with a variety of cakes on it to Zarzucket. It looks like the lemon cake squares are on the part of the plate towards him.
Looking and then tasting your tea, you find it is the type you ordered even though it was poured from the same tea pot.
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One of the Agathion robots looks at Chance, its ears perking up. “Please come join us. We have cake and tea! What sort of tea would you like?”
The biological form uses organic molecules to attune the brain. The infusion stimulates the mind, or provides relaxation in order to enhance the long-term performance of the mind. The consumption of infused liquid becomes a matter of custom and tradition, and lead to a sense of integration with a community. RZMR manages to drain the fun out of everything, before switching to a recorded, familiar voice Tea, earl grey, hot.
Much like the soothing effects of chemical compounds, music stimulates the brain. The intricate pattern of melody and harmony serve to provide distraction and input, and provide respite for the overworked brain. Music is good again stress! RZMR is giving medical advice now, is there anything he can't do? Music suggestions loading... suggesting 'Love is Dead' by the Carrion Crooners
One of the agathion robots tilts its head and looks with curiosity at RZMR. “Don’t you like sugar?” Gesturing towards the tray, it then says “We can look at see if we have any crackers if you would prefer that.”
Another pipes up with “We love music! Even sad songs.”
The third agathion robot grabs the tea pot and a cup. It then hops over to RZMR and offers the cup. “Hot tea coming up. May I recommend the Castrovel blend?”
The agathion robots still at his table both nod their heads in perfect synchronization. “Yes, we have all the good teas!”
The one who originally poured tea for Zarzucket and Pervir reaches under the table and pulls out another tea pot and proceeds to pour Chance some tea.
The two robots with tea pots go around making sure everyone has their tea cup filled with the requested type of tea,
When Zarzucket explains the pipe organ, the Agathion robots say “Yes, the interface uses a progression of chords. Much better than other interfaces, making music!” Another says “That plus you can dance to it!” They do a couple of hopping dance steps as another starts singing the song “So Hoppy Together!”
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RZMR goes for a ponderous philosophical walk, only to cast a telepathic message to the group The data hub is operated by tone, and can be accessed by the right sequence of notes. Subterfuge requires distraction by cunning means. Who determines the enemy's disposition of forces while having no perceptible form, can concentrate their forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it. This is not a floatation device. RZMR goes slightly off-track Those well-versed in music can play, and leave the Agathions none-the-wiser while being distracted with trivial tea-drinking. RZMR suggests. Not doing anything himself, of course.
Meanwhile, he tries to figure out if there is a logical mathematical progression that would apply here
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Pervir blinks twice. She thinks and comes up with something.
"Why, maybe you can teach me how to make different kinds of tea?" she inquires one of the agathions to distract its attention to her allies, while she tries to motion at them to make their move by flicking her hair.
"I only like milk tea, but maybe I can try other types that we have here?" she beams the agathion a smile.
Now that you all know what the data hub is, you can attempt to access it via Profession (musician, vidgamer, or similar), Computers or Mysticism check.
Pervir has the correct idea in trying to distract the agathion robots. Given the situation you could use any skill you can justify while on stage to distract the robots. Bluff can be done without being on stage. Without some sort of distraction, any attempt to access the data hub will be very obvious.
Whomever wants to take advantage of the distraction may want to consider using Stealth so it isn’t obvious what they are doing.
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RZMR doesn't skip an opportunity to hold an extensive oration.
Beyond the threshold of mortal existence lies the ineffable realm of the afterlife, where wisdom transcends the boundaries of corporeal form. In this idealised realm, we are presented with the seeds of transcendental understanding, the culmination of earthly wisdom. To converse with the beings of this realm is to have a conversation with the echoes of history itself and the whispers of eternity...
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This is a message from AbadarCorp Entertainment. In order to preserve the enjoyment of the viewers, we interrupt our broadcast here for an episode of 'Nufriend Yufriend'. Don't worry, we'll be back to see the final words of RZMR's oration.
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...metaphysical insight Together, they traverse the corridors of existence, exploring the tapestry of experience, and seeking to illuminate the path to cosmic enlightenment.
The agathion robot’s attention seems to switch between RZMR’s oration and Pervir’s asking about new tea types. This is very effective as agathion’s are not known for having long attention spans.
Should someone want to access the data hub, you think now is the time. Just don’t draw attention to yourself and everything should be fine!
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Pervir nods aggressively while glancing at Chance once in a while, while the agathion is explaining to her how they make different teas. "Yes!" she exclaims, like an answer to chance, but is also an answer to agathion's question of "Do you understand?".
"Yes, indeed. So basically..." She continues, and repeats the process the agathion just explained to her, and ignoring Chance altogether.
As Delikie blatantly walks up to the data hub, Purple Agathion Robot tilts their head and says with puzzlement “Why are you…” only to be cut off as suddenly there is a chipper, catchy tune comes from the data hub and a voice cheerfully sings out “”
It seems there are some security measures on the data hub.
As the alarm is sounding, all three agathion robots look at you with hurt expressions and mournfully sing “Why oh why are you stealing from us?”
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Pervir is compelled to dance to the tune for many seconds!
"We are not stealing..." Pervir explains. "Well, I'm sorry, we just need your data for our mission. I hope you forgive us." she gives them puppies eyes while under the influence of the music. "I hope you can help us if you let us have the data you have there." she pleads the agathions.
"And can anyone of you make the music stop?"
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(-1 to Mind Affecting - Whee!)
Chance starts to feel the urge to dance, but although she manages to save against the effect, she doesn't want Pervir to feel all alone, so she dances along.
"Also I was hoping that your data hub has some information about Ruby-17. I'm worried about her."
Chance remembers the shifting behavior of Historia-4's hologram, and then the shifting portrait in the entrance way with the paintbrushes, and then the information that Historia-Prime took over the bodies of his proteges. "Can you help us please?"
"Also, this is a great dance tune!"
Pervir begins dancing, which causes Chance to join in the dance with her.
In response to Pervir one of the robots asks “Is your mission for a good cause?” At that point Chance mentions Ruby-17 to which they all reply in unison “We love Ruby-17! Oh! We'd do anything to help Ruby-17!”
The music and alarm ends after a short time and the robots are willing to give you permission to access the data.
This data is a detailed file tracking fallen angels operating on the Material Plane. They also uncover one hidden file embedded within this dataset called “Key2.r17.” It looks like it is another electronic key to unlock something on this complex's main server. This key is incomplete and must be used in tandem with additional keys to properly function.
Finally, your group uncover a gigantic and amorphous file labelled “ForLater.r17” that is far too large to download and is encrypted. This file can't be opened at present, but the file description reads, “I am not wasteful. I saved them. Every last one of them is preserved forever.” Decrypting this file is within the Society's capabilities, but it will take time and the attention of some very skilled programmers; it is beyond what your group can decrypt here.
Since you have convinced them this is for a good cause, the little agathion robots dance with the group.
As Delikie is accessing the data, the Orange robot brings the tray with the cake on it up to Pervir and says “There is only one slice left. Do you want it? You can keep the tray as well.”
Looking at it, you realize the crumb covered tray is a sopranino singing disk.
As Orange does that, green comes up to Chance with a sparkly, glittery pendant of a flower that they hand to Chance. “I don’t know which of you needs it, but here is something to make you feel better when down or sick.”
A few minutes after the dance is done and Delikie finishes accessing the data, all the robots freeze again and the door opens to the next area.
The doors open on the still tableau of a coffee shop, a server carrying a dessert tray, and all the robotic diners caught mid-conversation. Holographic abacuses adorn each table of the Abacus Café, a coffee shop that celebrates antique methods of calculation. Slide rules, drawing compasses, and mathematical symbols adorn the walls. Cheery red chairs are placed at precise and exacting intervals around each of the perfectly round tables.
Whoever designed this place certainly liked the color red!
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Seeing that Pervir is joined by Chance, she continues dancing at her own will this time since the music is also good anyway.
Having offered the last slice of cake, she is touched by the gesture. "Aww, sure. Thank you!" she receives it and eats with heart's content, not minding her figure at the moment. She will deal with it after the mission because these robots are too cute to reject whatever they offer. When she finds the tray is a sopranino singing disk, "Oh, lovely. I just wish I knew how to use this."
"How I wish too I could stay with them here forever." she almost cries. She gives them a kiss on the forehead to each of them and bids them goodbye before heading to the next area.
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"Ooh, thank you for the sparkly flower pendant!" Before going into the next location, Chance asks the rabbits, "When did you last see Ruby-17?"
Then she sees everyone going into Axis. "Oh, I guess it's time to leave. Can we have hugs before we go?" After they leave Chance looks at the plate. "Ooh, I could make use of that if you don't mind, Pervir!"
Then she settles into one of the red chairs of the Cafe, discovering that they are spinning bar stools. "Wheee!"
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"Ooh, thank you for the sparkly flower pendant!" Before going into the next location, Chance asks the rabbits, "When did you last see Ruby-17?"
“I don’t know, wasn’t that long ago. Two tea parties ago. What time is it?”
The other two sing “Does anyone really know what time it is?
Does anyone really care?”
Some of you may realize that asking the time of immortal beings, or even robots that have been around for over a hundred years and are programmed to emulate immortal beings, might not work as well as you might like.
Hugs are exchanged and cute agathion robots all wave saying “Come visit again!” They just barely finish the invite when they are frozen in place.
As the last of you enter the new room, the doors shut and everything starts moving. The inevitable clientele chatters amongst themselves, using the abacuses to bring up and order menu items. A fireplace in the south wall flickers with red flames.
You are greeted by a server robot, who proclaims “Welcome to the Abacus Café. Please be seated and place your orders.” The other inevitables talk among themselves but do not interact with you.
I command number four! RZMR exclaims bluntly…
RZMR waits a short time only to realize his verbal order is being ignored. Looking around, he sees one of the inevitables using the holographic abacus in front of them to place an order.
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"Well, this is weird. Then again, I've been in weirder bars. Back home in the Sparks, there's this great bar called Sanity. A bit of a weird name, especially considering that the whole gimmick is that it's Abyss themed. All the wait staff are dressed as Succubi. Or inncubi, if that's your type. I worked there for a while, got a girlfriend out of it, but then my boss caught me and said 'No kissin' on company time. Or at least make it public.'"
Delikie pulls a hip flask out of somewhere and takes a swig. She turns to Tag.
"I wonder, can frogs absorb alcohol through their skin?"
When Pervir slides the beads across the abacus, text comes up indicating she should select 5 for Burger or 10 for Veggie. She figures out that the next line of beads each counts as five and selects the Veggie burger.
A few minutes later, one of the wait staff comes out with a square plate on which is a perfectly square veggie burger. The lettuce is square. The tomato is square. The pickles are each rectangles so that the slices form a perfect square.
It is a square meal!
She also gets a short, cubical glass of water with her burger.
Moments later, two inevitable delegates previously seated at another table approach. “I am Consensus-23. This is Skepticism-7. Are you here to initiate commerce?”
The veggie burger has a simple but pleasing flavor. Fresh ingredients and the burger at just the right temperature.
The white robot says “Depending on the information you have, we have two data sets that we would be willing to exchange. The first is a curated library of physics and metaphysics. The second is records of anomalies we have detected.”
The metallic robot says “Please tell us what data you have to trade and the providence of said data.”