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Lighting to Bright (5) Ambient Noise to Moderate (3)
It's only when I get up from the cold tile that I start to look around the room around me.
The City Streets: This area lies outside of Changed, and is where humans live. It may not always be safe however, as the remains of the city show signs of war or other conflicts having occurred here in the past. There are a few cars around, but most seem abandoned or wrecked. The streets have various buildings along them, some showing damage while others appear relatively intact. Overall, it's clear that this area was once bustling with life, but now lies in ruins.
latexes what lives there:
I just shake my head and start to explore the city in more detail, just seeing with my own eyes literally a huge laboratory in front of me.
The Changed Facility Entrance: This is the main entrance to Changed, marked by massive double doors with a logo engraved on them. The doors are closed and locked at the moment, but appear to be reinforced with metal bands. Beyond the doors lies the interior of Changed, where you might find someone who can help you gain access or simply force your way in. The area around the entrance is somewhat open, allowing for a good view of the city in the distance.
I just don't fully understand what to do, I start wandering along the sidewalk of this City, trying to find answers to numerous questions
The City Streets
I just keep looking at the ruined streets and wandering along the sidewalk
The ruined buildings and destroyed cars evoke feelings of desolation and despair, a testament to the city's struggle against whatever forces brought it to this state. The occasional flutter of rubble as something collapses in the distance serves as a reminder that nature is slowly reclaiming its territory, albeit at a glacial pace. As you walk along the sidewalk, a flicker of movement catches your eye; from behind one of the broken cars, a lone latex creature emerges and begins to follow you discreetly.
I just happen to notice him when I turn around, and I slowly start waving at Latex.
The latex creature hesitates for a moment, looking confused by your gesture. After a few seconds, it seems to relax slightly and ambles over towards you, still keeping its distance. Once it reaches a more comfortable distance, the latex beast dips its head in what appears to be a gesture of greeting or acknowledgement. It watches you intently as you continue walking down the street.
while I'm just trying to open my mouth, which is sticky with thirst, I'm trying to say at least a word, but no, for days or maybe months of being unconscious, I can't pronounce speech clearly, only softly and fragmentally saying h...hh...hhhow.. y-y..our nnname?
The latex creature tenses slightly at your slurred words, its eyes widening momentarily in what might be surprise or concern. It hesitates again before replying, "M-my name... is Shadow..." The creature seems to struggle with the pronunciation, its mouth twisting into an apologetic expression.
I still have difficulty pronouncing the following phrase better and easier and I... S...s-sasha, my name is s..sasha
Shadow studies Sasha carefully, seemingly uncertain how to respond. "I-it's a pleasure to meet you...?" Shadow stutters, hesitation clear in his voice as well. The creature tilts its head curiously, gaze flickering between Sasha and the surroundings.
me too.. I'm already fully pronouncing words with ease, smiling slightly, saying this to latex is it difficult for you to speak..?
Shadow shakes its head, looking relieved. "No, not really... just finding it hard to believe someone can speak so well right now." It pauses for a moment before asking cautiously, "You were in there too, weren't you?" Shadow nods toward the Changed facility entrance.
I don't remember... I just watch the floor warily and say again why are you like... like in a costume..? and maybe we'll be friends..?
Shadow blinks in surprise at the question but seems to relax somewhat at the mention of friendship. "Oh... well, it's just what we are." The creature tilts its head again, considering how much more information to share with Sasha. Eventually, Shadow continues cautiously, "I am made of latex, like you said. We were... created by Changed for various reasons."
Shadow hesitates once more before continuing, seemingly unsure if it should trust Sasha yet. "You see... there are different types of latexes inside there. Some live peacefully with humans, while others don't." The creature pauses, regarding Sasha carefully. "But I think you already know that."
well... I honestly don't know what happened at all.. It was like I was in a coma the whole time.. But I'm really glad that I met someone! I just smile slightly and coming closer to the shadow, I say well, will we be friends..? and I hold out my hand as if not knowing what could happen to me if I touch the shadow
Shadow eyes widen in surprise as Sasha approaches and holds out their hand. The latex creature hesitates once more before cautiously reaching forward to tentatively take Sasha's hand in its own. "I-I... would like that," Shadow stammers, looking uncertain but genuinely pleased. It tilts its head back ever so slightly as it studies Sasha more closely, seemingly trying to gauge the other latex creature's intentions.
The moment of contact feels odd for both of them; their latex skin not quite fitting together perfectly like flesh and blood might. Yet there is an undeniable connection forming between them, a sense of understanding and camaraderie that goes beyond mere words. Shadow takes a small step closer to Sasha, relieved to find no sign of hostility or threat in their gestures.
Your skin feels good..Maybe you know what happened, at least, and I have so many questions about everything here...
Shadow tilts its head curiously at Sasha's observation before offering a small smile. "Well, I can try to help you with that." The creature pauses for a moment, considering where they should begin. "You see, Changed is... complicated. There are many experiments going on inside there, and not all of them have good intentions behind them." Shadow hesitates again before continuing softly, "I think it's important that we try to find out more about what exactly is happening here and why."
The latex creature gazes at Sasha intently, searching for any sign of understanding or agreement. As they continue walking along the city streets, Shadow begins to share pieces of information with Sasha, piecing together the fragmented memories of their time inside Changed into a somewhat coherent picture of the lab's past and present.
The sun dips lower in the sky as they talk
Wow, and it all happened literally while I was sleeping the whole time.. Oh, my goodness...it's shocking, thanks Shadow for telling me everything, I forgot to ask you, are you a girl or a boy..?
"Girl," Shadow answers simply, as they continue walking side by side. "But that's really not important right now. What matters is figuring out what to do about all of this." The latex creature glances at Sasha meaningfully, its expression a mix of determination and uncertainty.
listen, aren't you hungry by any chance..? I just trustingly and very friendly tilt my head in order to hear shadow's answer
Shadow hesitates before answering, glancing around them uneasily. "A-actually... yes. I haven't had anything to eat in a while." It dips its head slightly in what might be an apologetic gesture. "But we should probably find somewhere safe first." The creature eyeballs several abandoned cars nearby warily, looking for potential hiding spots or dangers they might not have noticed earlier.
I just wouldn't mind eating too, but it seems like I see one grocery store, maybe there's at least something left, let's go..? I'm just completely trusting the latex monster, I hold out my hand to her.
Shadow glances at Sasha with uncertainty in its eyes before taking their hand hesitantly. "O-okay... lead the way." The latex creature remains cautious as they walk toward the grocery store, keeping an eye out for any potential threats or dangers that might lurk nearby.
So far, I'm just walking her to the store, inviting her to enter first, if she doesn't mind.
Shadow hesitates before entering the grocery store, peering inside warily. Once satisfied that it appears relatively safe, it slowly steps over the threshold and onto the dilapidated linoleum floor. The interior of the store is dimly lit, with shelves stripped bare of their contents save for a few cans of food and packages of dry goods scattered about haphazardly.
The latex creature glances at Sasha, studying them carefully before asking in a low voice, "Are you sure this is wise? There might be other creatures inside who are... less friendly than I am."