117.0

[encryptedlock]

[Backdated slightly to this morning.

York wakes up not only on the floor but in a completely different room than where he was before. There's a moment of panic - it looks entirely too much like something from home to be recognizable as the castle immediately - but as always Delta is there in his mind, reassuring him. Yes, he can still access the CastleNet, and look around a little. This is Noble Six's room.

The question then becomes why is he in Noble Six's room, and how did he get there? And why is his journal mostly blank?]

Hey there, castle. It's me, and I seem to be back to normal now. So. What kind of loss was I on and for how long?

[UNSC filter, sans Maine]

And what the hell is going on with the journals?

Comments

[alaspooryork]

[Meanwhile, Delta is entering through the hall, as the projection demands. He speaks calmly and firmly.]

Agent Washington? I am here. Will you come out now?

Your situation is secure.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[Washington feels the attempt to calm him, to soothe him. It's just frightening him more. They'd enjoyed that. Let him calm down. Letting him relax. Just to torment him more once they got bored.

He doesn't even really comprehend time now.] You can't be real.

[alaspooryork]

[In response he sends his complex AI identification code. "I'm real", he's saying without words.]

The power outage has resolved itself; it was only temporary. York and I are no longer stuffed toys.

Do you remember what I taught you about controlling your surroundings, Wash?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Delta.

I can't... I tried to change it. To fix it. I just made it worse. It was fine until the power went. It went dark in here. [Feeding all his fears and insecurities. Took half a day to get him unresponsive.]

[alaspooryork]

Then I will help you, if you desire my assistance. I have far more experience in such matters than you.

[His tone isn't accusatory. After all, Wash has had only a few days in total as an AI, while Delta has been manipulating this kind of environment his entire life.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Help me. Please. Can't even hear the outside anymore. Just the voices. They won't go away.

[alaspooryork]

Of course.

[Delta concentrates for a moment, and inside the unit things begin to noticeably brighten. He leaves the hallway and room alone, but connects it to a much more familiar Paradisan-looking hallway and a replica of Wash's own castle room. Once that room is entered, it becomes blessedly silent. All that's left is for Wash to make the move himself.]

Please, come here. You must move of your own free will.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[There's hesitation, but Wash finally starts moving. The cell scares him more than he wants anyone to know.

He hesitates at the edge of the changed area.]

[alaspooryork]

[And Delta is there, offering him a hand. Here at least he can offer physical contact, and he's as solid as any human on the outside would be.]

I am here.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[Washington can't help the shakiness as he takes that hand.] Thank you, Delta...

[alaspooryork]

[And Delta remains steady throughout, leading him to a more familiar environment. They're still inside the unit for now, but he hopes the more comfortable surroundings will help Wash relax.]

I am here to assist--when I have not been turned into a toy by virtue of the castle's meddling. Is there anything else you would like me to change?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

No. This is wonderful. Better than what I had before the darkness.

I couldn't fight my own fear...

[alaspooryork]

[Delta simply nods.]

As a human, you have many ways to react to fear. As an AI, you have only your mind. If your mind is not well-trained to find an outlet, it will surround you and overtake you.

There are ways, but they take practice and more time than you likely have had to discipline yourself. However, as long as I am here, you are anchored. I will keep this simulation stable.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

The more I panicked the more it changed. The more it changed, the more I panicked. Until it ended up what you saw.

[alaspooryork]

A self-fulfilling prophecy, in a way. That is understandable.

[Though it's completely illusory, Delta sits down at a chair and offers Wash a drink of water.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[Wash moves to a chair himself.] Are the others waiting for us outside?

[alaspooryork]

[He nods.]

York, Noble Five, and Agent Carolina are waiting. However, there is no rush.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[Washington pauses, trying to adjust to the silence. He should be able to pay attention to the outside again.] I'm fine.

[Not looking it though.]

[alaspooryork]

[No he's not, Wash is a lying liar who lies. Delta won't call him out on it, though.]

Agent Carolina is proposing we move the storage unit to York's room. Would that be acceptable?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Please. As nice as this is... I've been stuck in this thing, only able to hear the outside world for almost a week.

[alaspooryork]

Of course. I will notify York immediately.

[And with all the activity they're having inside, the unit should start making noises again now....]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Good to be able to speak to people in person again.

[Of course it is making noises. He spent too long being quiet...]

[alaspooryork]

Then we will be there soon. Would you like a refresher on how to use external projectors?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

I think I can remember that much, Delta.

[alaspooryork]

Excellent. Even York found that much possible to do. [Eventually. And he wasn't very good at it, but at least he'd tried.]