[001] -- first level.

[kinbound]

[...it's snowing.

there is a white-haired boy of no older than ten looking a little dazedly up at the sky with a frown furrowing his brow... one of sincere confusion. these are clouds... and THIS is...]

Snow?

[it's an absent murmur; once his initial shock wears off as the little flakes fall to melt on his skin -- he hadn't seen real snow before

Comments

[kinbinding]

[Cain was equally as disoriented, staring up at the sky in an almost exact mirror image of his brother.

He has dreamed of snow, rain, sunshine... all of them, his whole life. To be outside and experiencing it is one of his fondest wishes. Yet, also an impossibility considering where they lived.

What's... happening?

Glancing to the right when he feels someone take his wrist, he is at least relieved to see his twin beside him.]

...Is this a simulation?

[kinbound]

...I don't know.

[and he doesn't. he has no clue what's going on... but a simulation seems to be the only explanation...]

We weren't... [...] I don't remember... anything about being taken to the VR room, do you?

[kinbinding]

No, nothing.

[That in itself was unusual. Even had they been drugged, they would remember the injection or the dosing before waking here.]

I was just on my way to meet you at the cafeteria.

[kinbound]

[he realizes belatedly he's still gripping his brother's wrist, and reluctantly eases up.]

How did we get in here without either of us remembering anything about it?

[kinbinding]

[He hadn't minded, but when the grip eases then he slides his hand up and into Abel's to hold it instead.]

I don't know, but we should try and find the control panel to shut off the simulation.

[kinbound]

What if we're unconscious?

[it might explain the memory gap. they could've placed individual sensory units on each of them instead of the typical virtual reality programs they physically interacted with.

he looks down at his brother's hand clutching his. :| bro what, they're not five anymore. be a big boy.]

[kinbinding]

[Shut up, they didn't know each other when they were five, so he's just making up for lost time or something.

He considers this possibility seriously for a moment, but eventually shakes his head.]

I don't think we could be reacting to one another with this level of cognizance if we were.

[kinbound]

Don't tell me you'd be surprised if they found more toys to play with us.

[sou dry. unimpressed. he's regaining his balance the more he convinces himself this isn't real :|]

[kinbinding]

No, of course not, but we would have heard about an advancement this big.

[He's regaining his equilibrium as well, calm as long as Abel was safe and beside him.]

[kinbound]

I don't think we would if they wanted to take us by surprise.

[since when are the clones ever in the know? especially regarding 'procedures' and tests.]

[kinbinding]

Mm. If that is the case, then we won't be able to find a way out until we've completed the mission objective.

[They don't have a say when they're pulled in and out of consciousness, after all.]

[kinbound]

So what do you want to do? [he's never keen about playing into the hands of the authorities.]

[kinbinding]

[Their objective will likely be revealed before long, until then there is little point in wandering aimlessly.]

We could enjoy the snow?

[kinbound]

Enjoy the snow.

[ARE YOU FOR REAL it's not even real okay... they're trapped in some stupid VR, Cain.]

[kinbinding]

Right, enjoy the snow!

[He grins at his brother, before tilting his head up and catching a snowflake on his tongue.]

[kinbound]

I'd rather get this over with and get out of here.