[OPEN] A is for Archaic
Characters: Allen A., Takuto, and YOU
Location: Triple A Arcade
Rating: PG
Time: Jan. 20
Description: Following a recommendation from Takuto and a passing interest in S.E.E.S, Allen checks out this strange place called an 'arcade'.
( Some kid from the 1st century meets video games. Oh boy. )
Location: Triple A Arcade
Rating: PG
Time: Jan. 20
Description: Following a recommendation from Takuto and a passing interest in S.E.E.S, Allen checks out this strange place called an 'arcade'.
( Some kid from the 1st century meets video games. Oh boy. )
Such are Takuto's thoughts as he starts reorganizing the prizes behind the counter, waiting for some more people to come in and get the party started.]
Reply
Perhaps it's because it's rather out of the way compared to the shopping district?
By the time he gets to the area recognizable as the... 'Awesome Arcade of Awesomeness' (???), Allen feels a little like he's trying to sneak someplace he shouldn't be. At least the lights are welcoming, and the door is open for him to peer through, tentative--]
... Hello?
Reply
Allen! Welcome to the Triple A!! [He motions for the boy to come over to counter, leaning over it in his enthusiasm.]
Reply
Hello, Takuto. [He takes a little time getting over there, because everything is new and shiny and strange and it's a miracle he doesn't walk into anything.] So... this is an 'arcade'.
Reply
So each game costs a little bit, but if you do well at the games, you'll get tokens. Then you can exchange the tokens for prizes--the more tokens you have, the better the prize you can get! [But perhaps it's best to give Allen an example, so he hurries out from behind the counter, grabbing the override key for one of the games.]
Pick a game, and I'll show you. [There's pinball and hoops and air hockey and all sorts of video and race car games. There's also a photo booth that Takuto can't help calling a purikura, but it's not technically a game so he's hoping Allen doesn't choose it.]
Reply
[Only, he doesn't know any of these games, of course -- even though some of the non-electronic ones end up looking rather familiar.
For the moment, though, since he's got a guide, Allen figures he'll go for one of the less-recognizable things. So, here we have a race car game. He peers for a long moment at the small contraptions on the screen. They look like some of the things he's seen around the streets. Hmm.]
... What is the point of this game, then?
Reply
[He hopes Allen knows what a car is. This could be more challenging than he first thought, but he's definitely up for the challenge. He turns the override key and hits the start button.] I'll give you a free game since it's your first try. Turn the wheel to choose your vehicle.
[The words on the screen are telling him to do the same thing.]
Reply
[He shuffles a little in the seat and grasps the wheel in a tentative sort of way. At least it's just a game and there's a fairly low chance that running into something will do any harm. The things in the streets had looked fairly dangerous.
He does his best to follow the onscreen instructions, picking a white and green car for his own... now what? Wiggling the wheel a little before giving his companion a quizzical look.
Meanwhile he's missed the fact that there's a countdown on the screen...]
Reply
[The thing is called "Bruisin' the World" which may or may not be a pun related to "cruisin'." This is Death City, though, and Takuto is not oblivious to the morbid theme.]
Reply
Eventually he does settle on one of the most colorful settings, which seems to be some kind of sunset setting in the Caribbean involving a great deal of water.
He's also not entirely certain about the name. This really is just a racing game, isn't it.....]
Then, I just press this button, and... Ah.
[Within about 5 seconds of the race starting -- it's an aerial track and he's already managed to leave the track entirely......]
Should I not have done that...?
Reply
[The car is magically placed back onto the road.] So you've got an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal--the accelerator's on the right. And just steer and try to stay on the road!
[Allen is going to need a lot of practice before he starts winning, but Takuto supposes that as long as the blond has fun it's okay. It might be good business, too?]
Reply
[He hadn't quite realized that he was already stepping on the gas pedal, so when he lets go of it -- the car ends up idling at the starting line for quite a while.
Then he hits the brake.]
This is pretty complicated. Is this something the people on the roads do in these 'cars' as well? How do they stay on the road?
[THERE'S THE ACCELERATOR--
Oh wait, he stayed on the track for longer this time before flying off a curve.]
Reply
You'll get the hang of it. Just play around for a little while, and try to stay on the road. [He pats the blond on the shoulder.]
Reply
The resultant fireball is truly spectacular.]
... Is the race itself this interesting?
[Because honestly, if failing it is netting him results this memorable he's really starting to wonder what he gets for finishing the race.]
Reply
[Though he sees the point Allen's trying to make because playing outside the box looks pretty darn fun. Why hasn't Takuto thought of driving the cars off bridges before?]
I think you hit a dolphin... [Pure awe in that comment.]
Reply
[He'd almost forgotten about those. At Takuto's remark, he looks back at the screen, which is still happily running replays, and--]
This is a very realistic game. [In a tone that's torn between laughter and puzzlement.] If it even includes wildlife.
[Also, it shouldn't be entertaining to hit wildlife with cars. The more you know...]
Reply
Leave a comment