April Fools Tanuki Trick - RPLOG

Participants

• Fenris
• Magnus
• Vetu

Date

1/4/2020

Log

It is quiet up here, far from the noise and bustle of the lobby. An upper room of the Zephyr building, probably used for meetings and employee orientation on other days, has been set aside as a small museum display. Stands and glass cases are scattered around the room showing off all sorts of tech, high and low, that all seems to have some bearing on the Promethean Virus and its containment. Terminals showing off known infection strains, enlarged models of various nanite varieties, an assortment of Zephyr technologies meant to control nanites, even a small server that would allow nanites to function beyond the Fairhaven bubble. Various agents, scientists, and corporate types wander around the small museum, looking over items and descriptive placards while security watches.

What the fuck was Magnus doing here of all things? He wasn't some sort of science nerd. He wasn't even a scienTIST. Oh, right... security. He was here from the K9 unit to make sure nobody tries anything. Damn straight he would. The feline wasn't in uniform however, he kept his guns and his badge hidden, eyes dancing around the various faces, scanning for trouble, eager to snap up another smelly willy and haul them off to the slammer. Just keep vigilant, do your job, show those punks at the station who's still the 'rookie'. It'd been six months if not longer now that he was doing this job... about time he shakes off that title.

Vetu would be coming here for purpose. He was always a bit inquisitive about this world ever sicne he was admitted to not be feral anymore. He lokked through his com unit on his left arm to navigate to the right area. As he entered the small elevator, his tail almost didn't fit as he pressed "up" from the lobby. With a *beep* the elevator managed to get him up, despite rumbling due to his size and weight. AS he approached the larger area, he looks around, trying to find the right person to talk to abet the memo he had.

The K9 presence was only a concession, of course, since Zephyr has a full contingent of their own guards there, some of them watching the police officer with suspicion as much as anyone else, but they have orders to tolerate him.

The displays are actually pretty interesting and quite a few people are working their way around the room. On one side of the room, beside a holographic terminal cycling through various known infection strains, a scientist in a lab coat is explaining some of the intricacies of nanotech research to a group of corporate types, who are smiling and nodding as if they understand.

"Elias," one of them interrupts, "Why don't you tell us a bit about what you are working on right now?"

All and all however it was starting to look like a dull security theater. Magnus was not even in uniform, what was the point of this? Were they expecting something? Did the chief just send him off to get him off the streets for a little while? What was his reason for being here? Fuck it... may as well look at some of the exhibits. Magnus was especially interested in the sort of technology that would be able to better provide him self-sustainability on the field of battle. The Adept Toys permitted this nicely, but... he didn't want any invasive surgery. So what was there around here that'... oh, someone was talking. Well, lay as well listen in.

Vetu walked around the unusal exhibits, being quite a newb one into the whole nanotechnology area, he was really curious what he can find and try. Sure his interests were into enhancing his natural abilities and flight but he wasn't sure who to ask. He looked through the area around nice circular and very oddly shaped artefacts that had a nice glow on them, though he should not touch them, well he did not, for now. As he moved to the center, a group started to form as one called some "Elias" to speak. He moved his body into the crowd, wit hhis large size it was quite hard to not be noticed but he took his place at the back row and listened.

Most of the displayed technology is definitely in the "look but don't touch" category, especially if the look of all those security guards is any indicator. There are all sorts of gadgets that promise to do everything from maintain human appearance, to allowing someone to sprout functional wings, to allowing complete mastery over nanites and their effects. The scientist, Elias, clears his throat as he addresses those willing to listen. "Yes," he coughs, "My most recent studies have been into the interaction of what is generally known as the Supernatural with the science of nanotechnology." He waves a hand at the collection of tech displayed around the room. "Generally speaking," he says, adjusting his thick rimmed glasses, "For us to interact with this nanite technology, we must use intermediary tech. You are all familiar with the Nanite Interface Control Enhancer? Commonly called the NICE Unit? Without this, most people are unable to interact with nanites except in the most rudimentary way. However, some, in fact, most of the beings designated as supernaturals, seem to be able to interact with the nanites in an intuitive, non-tech-assisted way."

This was... bad... definitely not what Magnus wanted to hear. These magical fuckers were able to command the nanites without the use of a NICE unit. Figures, all the more reason to have his guard up at all times. There were already plenty of wayward nanomagic users... now all he needed were magicians with an innate and probably more signifant bond with the one trump card they had! Was this person taking questions? Magnus had one... He raises his hand and should he be given the opening to speak, the question that comes out of his mouth is "Can we weaponize this knowledge to better ward off these otherworldly influences?" Typical...

Vetu listened very closely to this interesting speech "Nanomagic" and "Nanites" and "Supernaturals?" WOW. I mean he knew these terms but he never really went into a library to study such things, he only liekd to fly around, practice his skill with his rifle and spread his ... inner knowledge among his mates. But if there was one question he had, it would be the origins of this thing and how to acquire it. He was twitching his tail windly as he was mounting up a courage to ask that, but just as he took a breath in, someone else interrupted him, someone with a very loud and booming voice, albeit smaller then him.

Elias looks rather taken aback by Magnus's question, though a number of the corporate types, and even some of the nearby security guys seem eager to hear the answer. "Weaponize?" the scientist asks, confused, "I am not sure what you mean. Certainly the abilities of the nanite technology has been used for weapons and security, but I am not sure how that applies to the entities that seem to be able to use the nanites," he frowns and says the next word as if it tastes bad, "magically."

The feline dips his head huffs softly. "Magically, inferring a method we don't yet understand. To quote Alan D. Foster from Into The Out Of, "Today's science is yesterday's magic. Today's magic is tomorrow's science." I think I speak securely from the minority or majority of people out there who are worried about the amount of influence the otherworldly have on this tiny life-sustaining granule we have here. Others invite their influence based almost entirely on blind faith, throwing our technological advancements into their waiting arms, expecting heaven on earth in return with no guarantee that we'd see that specific end of the deal. Is it merely a coincidence that these entities are now able to, as you put it "magically" control the nanites? Or is it the work of the faithful constantly dumping more and more of our precious resources into them in exchange for otherworldly favors?"

Vetu listens in to the exchange between the Fennec and Elias. He gives it a long thought but he didn't understand the basics and lacked the proper knowledge. But despite his lack of knowledge he wanted to learn, and for this he was here. He spread his wings to grab Elisa's attention and asked "Hey, ehm.. I'm here for some testing, I saw it advertized over the network and was wondering when you mentioned it if you do it? I really don't know much about all these nanomagic or supernatural but I like to learn, experience." He paused for a bit and continuned "Soo... can you give me some guide who to ask about these trials?" The area was silent as all eyes turned back to Elias

Quite a few members of the crowd turn to look at Magnus with some concern. "Ahem," Elias coughs, "I can see you have some strong feelings about the influence of the Supernaturals, but I am not here to debate philosophy, only to share some of my scientific findings." He coughs again, obviously a little discomfited by Magnus's outburst. "As I was saying, many seem to be able to make use of the nanites intuitively. Not," he says, raising a finger, "With the levels of control that we can with properly applied technology, but for a few, specific uses." He waves at the terminal nearby, which is currently displaying a fox form with multiple tails. "Take the Kitsune, for example. They are able to assume this, specific form and utilize nanites in much the same way that feral strains can to produce remarkable effects. The most remarkable way that they differ from ferals is their ability to assume this form with no regard to any control mechanism or exposure to form specific nanites." Elias falls silent when he looks at Vetu and seems confused. "Trials?" he asks, and looks around the room, "I. . . I think you might be in the wrong place, my friend." He taps his chin, a sudden thought coming to him. "Unless you are part of a supernatural faction?" he asks, "Perhaps you might provide us with a demonstration?"

The feline backs down. This wasn't about philosophy, but he'd gotten his word out and people had heard his stance on the matter. Sowing the seeds of dissent as one might say. Once Kitsune were brought up, he raises a brow and chymes in. "The supernaturals don't use nanites to change form, or so I am told. They just..." He shakes his head and sighs deeply "...do it. Magically. I know, I know... but they can do it outside of the influence of the bubble, strongly suggesting that it is done without the aid of the server. It just... happens, by means of... mysticism." A soft 'ick' parts his muzzle.

Vetu listens, his lc kof knowledge obviously not helping with the matter. He was wondering if such nanited would be demonstrated so he could learn the technology or experience it, but his questions was put to dust. Was the poster wrong, was he dragged by his tail again? Damnit! He must have been. He became agitated somewhat, he was hoping to learn more but this was a complete waste of his time it seems. He was almost about to leave but then.. there's that ferret who obviously knows a lot about this subject. "Perhaps it would be wise to listen it and learn something?" He thought to himself as he slowly moved closer to the ferret, obviously thanks to his size, everybody knew as soon as he stood up and moved closer to the ferret, sitting down next to him, listening

Elias holds up a finger toward Magnus. "Yes, the fact that they are able to manipulate their forms beyond the nanite bubble is remarkable, but I hypothesize that they are, in fact, utilizing the power of the nanites to accomplish the transformation. I have several experiments ongoing with both members of the supernatural community and with other scientists here at Zephyr to try to understand the transformations of the supernaturals. I have found members of some factions to be particularly helpful in these endeavors." He addresses the main body of the group again. "The Zephyr company is not, as yet, particularly concerned about the incursions of these Supernaturals, since we can, for the most part, replicate much of what they are able to do with our own technology." He indicates the terminal, which is now showing a holographic viking warrior. "For example, we can imitate the forms that these beings assume, and most of the powers that they display within the bubble, with some few exceptions." He looks thoughtfully over at Vetu. "Perhaps you might be willing to volunteer for a demonstration?" he offers, "You will be compensated for your time, of course."

The feline raises an eyebrow very high. "Implying you know the full extent of what they are capable of." His brows furrow and his features darken. "Either you do and this knowledge is witheld from the masses, or you are merely mimicking what little the supernaturals offer to those willing to toss mako nanites at them. Regardless, I am... actually thrilled that we are making new breakthroughs like this." He'd note in the end with a bright expression, examining the hologram right there. "In the event that the supernaturals ARE using the nanites however... well... that's also reassuring, but I won't get into that, I've said enough." He then wraps an arm around the dragon and gives him a squeeze. "Hey Vetu."

Vetu purrs at the aquafeline's squeeze of his arm and says "Heyy nice question by the way. Well, I think I'll take up his offer, I always wondered whiat is this technology, so if you excuse me for a bit, I'll be back soon" he pull the Aquafeline's grasp away from him and moving closely to Elias he offers him to try the nanites on himself. It was why he came here, so... He appraoches the display and looks at an unappealing hairy figure they call "Viking warrior" and says "Ehm, I don't want to be picky but don't you have something more interesting then this? It looks small and weird for my form and quite unappealing with all the hair everywhere. I hope they was reagularly.

"Hmm?" Elias says, looking down at the display, "Oh! Yes, of course! Like I said, we have perfected the forms of almost all those supernatural entities that have touched on our world here in Fairhaven. Though I understand the the Norsemen were known for regularly bathing." He either did not hear Magnus's caution, or has chosen to ignore it in his desire to show what some of these devices can do. He holds up a pair of small devices, formed like modern smart phones for convenience. "Now, let me see. I have three supernatural forms prepared here. Roman Satyr, the dedicants to Dyonysus, not to be confused with the greek subtype which seems to have not supernatural connection, the Ixchel Jaguar, dedicated to a Mayan fertility goddess, or the Japanese Tanuki yokai. Do you have a preference? And don't worry sir, we can certainly restore you to your current form, should you like."

Vetu ponders his choices out loud "Well, jaguars are nice and crunchy to hunt and kitsunes are quite hard to miss if they ever appear, but hmm, I want to try the Satyr this time" hi twitches his tail excitedly as he puts his com unit down on the hologram of Satyr and asks "So, what do you want me to do Elias?

The scientist nods and raises one of the devices to point at Vetu. "Just stand there, please," he says, "Let's see, I just tap here, here and..." a pleasant DING sounds from his handheld device and it starts to loudly play the theme from My Neighbor Totoro. "Oops," he says, and a wash of energy washes through the small crowd.

Suddenly, instead of a collection of Zephyr corporate types and security guards, the room is suddenly full of chubby tanuki! And one Roman Satyr. And an Aquafeline because of Magnus' complete immunity to nanite fueled form changes. In fact, the room seems to have a lot more tanuki in it than it did humans a moment ago. And a lot less Zephyr technology.

"APRIL FOOLS!" a couple dozen tanuki shout, then start running in all directions!

The tanuki in suits all seem very, very confused.

The feline blinks a few times as his body itches, hinting that the transformation sequence had been successfuly halted. The chief had sent him over for this? Well, this too had Fenris written all over it. "Feeeeeeeeeeeeen!" He covers his face, and starts laughing, and laughing, and laughing, and laughing. "Okay, I admit it... this was funny. Who orchestrated this? FENRIS ARE YOU BEHIND THIS?!" He'd call out. Sadly, Magnus was of little use here. No coyote know-how yet.

Vetu grunted as his body begun changing, shrinking and twisting, mis legs changing shape and his tail and wings receding much to his horror. As he opened his closed eyes lated, his body resembled the holograph exactly. "Oh WOW! this is Awes.." he stopped his words as he looked across the room full of tanuki's, many cleaning up their fur, otehrs desperately trying to leave their oversized lab coats. He looked at Elias in confusion and asked with concern "I really hh.. hope this isn't my doing. right? right?" He treis movign his body a bit but without proper tail support, he nearly fell behind only to grab hold of the nearby hologram tightly.

"Maybe," a familiar tanuki in a security guard's outfit says, taking a seat next to Magnus while the rest of the security guards quickly collect themselves and try to capture the fleeing tanuki. Fenris passes a packet of knock-off Oreos to his fellow police officer while they watch the chaos unfold. Most of the security guards are trying to sort the transformed corporate officers from the tanuki who were disguised as tech displays. "Actually, a lot of this was Elias's idea," Fenris waves a chubby hand at the scientist who has fallen on his butt from laughing so hard at the combined confusion and antics of the raccoon dogs, "Guy's a tanuki without a tail, I swear."

Elias wipes tears of mirth from his eyes and looks at Vetu. "No, sir," he chuckles, "Not you at all. Sorry that the demonstration got cut short." He climbs to his feet and walks up to the new Satyr. "I can change you back right away, if you like," he looks at his nanite control device and frowns, "I think. It might take me a minute to fix whatever the tanuki did to cause this."

A pair of serious looking guards, also transformed into tanuki, have seized the remaining bits of tech that were real and are hustling them out of the room, now that security is completely compromised.

The feline sighs softly and ruffles the nearest nuki's head. He casts a glance towards Vetu and winces, then prods for his nanite collector and extracts what appears to be a small glowing flask of prime feral dragon nanites. "Here. In case you need help shifting back, if not then just keep it." Magnus hooks a thumb behind himself. "I gotta go file a report about this, take care you crazy raccoon dogs." With that, he makes his exit, vastly entertained.

Vetu looksa round the commotion but after a while he sees the global turmoil he spreads his wings .... "Oh!, damn!" he excalims as he looks at his new body, he looks at his legs, his bits and opper body and decides "naah, maaybe not satyr" and he shifts back into his native form with "magic". He turns to Elias and says "well thank you for the experience, if you have some dragons to try or equne forms I'd love to give them a try next time, though.." he pauses whincing "I hope you won't be changing everyone to dragons next time, they tend to cause a mess".

Elias shakes his head. "Not my zoo, not my monkeys," he asserts, "Still it was pretty funny. Zephyr will take care of everyone and get them back to normal." The scientist watches with interest as Vetu restores himself. "Thanks for volunteering anyway." Fenris waves goodbye to Magnus, then gives a thumbs up to a pair of tanuki dressed as security guards who wave to him from the window where they have just finished lowering something out. "That went well," he says, then rises to help corral confused corporates.