Cadenza: Veritas
Chapter 6: Plurality
The files in Brandon's USB were intriguing, at best. While the document entitled "letters.txt" was relatively easy to decrypt, "readme.txt" proved to be a more daunting task.
Who is this Master? What is this about Lower Ziara? And what could the readme file really contain? These are questions whose answers you may or may not eventually know.
Who is this Master? What is this about Lower Ziara? And what could the readme file really contain? These are questions whose answers you may or may not eventually know.
With word that the Masquerade was extended, along with the influx of Lower Ziaran fashions into the Menagerie, courtesy of Adriette, fills many people with anticipation of guests from the underbelly of the magnificent lunar city. It's an unfortunate truth that abject poverty and counter-culture can be romanticised by those who do not truly understand what it means to live among the scorched earth of a dystopia.
How is it that these people were not brought to the consciousness of Ziara City's inhabitants? Perhaps this is why they chose to put up a clinic in the moon...
How is it that these people were not brought to the consciousness of Ziara City's inhabitants? Perhaps this is why they chose to put up a clinic in the moon...
Just then, a stranger invites you to a dance. She hands you a bag of trinkets, and places something in your pocket. She instructs you leave the ballroom immediately, and not to take out the object she gave you while you're still within the premises.
When you leave the ballroom premises, safe from the prying eyes of any nosy bystanders, you take out the object your dance partner placed in your pocket. It seems to be some kind of rod, wrapped in white paper. You unfurl the wrapper on one end to reveal a glow stick. There also seems to be writing on the paper itself:
When you leave the ballroom premises, safe from the prying eyes of any nosy bystanders, you take out the object your dance partner placed in your pocket. It seems to be some kind of rod, wrapped in white paper. You unfurl the wrapper on one end to reveal a glow stick. There also seems to be writing on the paper itself:
"You're invited to a night of music and friendship. See the side of Ziara you've never seen before. Trade the metallic colours of elite balls for the neon lights of the Ziara's vibrant nightlife. Head over to Club PLURality and bring this glowstick with you. If you're initially denied entry, tell them Big Al sent you.
PS. You might not want to wear clothing of the Overworlders. I've left behind a few things that can help you blend in on that bag."
After asking people who seem not to fit in the usual dress of the "floating city" for directions to Lower Ziara, something apparently only given in hushed tones and guarded whispers, you make your way to what appears to be a run-down garage, with a busted signage reading "Club PLURality." It is dark by the time you reach Lower Ziara, but there is an eerie silence in this part of Atebus, even though it is bathed in neon lights and bright colours. It reminds you of the illumination of casinos, but not quite.
As you walk closer to the door of the establishment, you notice a "Sorry, we're CLOSED!" sign on the front door. However, a touch-screen terminal seems to have been activated on the door, for you to leave messages to the people inside. It has an interface much like an old chatroom.
As you walk closer to the door of the establishment, you notice a "Sorry, we're CLOSED!" sign on the front door. However, a touch-screen terminal seems to have been activated on the door, for you to leave messages to the people inside. It has an interface much like an old chatroom.
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