Day 1: 1st opportunity
AXIUS and Janus the Monster Secretary
AXIUS
"At this point, it should be safe to return home. However there is a significant chance that her claim that she will permit you to work is a ruse to weed out your remaining devices. I'll leave your next course of action up to your own discretion."
Help Query: What methods are available to me for contacting people aside from just the current host?
Query > What methods are available to me for contacting people aside from just the current host?
Heya AXIUS!
Using the centralized network you may contact anyone! Although as a Matchmaker, you naturally fall under some restrictions which are common to most AIs!
1. Attempting to contact someone other than your assigned Host requires approval of the system! The content of your message will be reviewed prior to sending.
2. There is an exception! You may freely contact other Matchmakers through the CUPID network!
Oh as a lil warning, if by some mean you send a message without having it pass a review through the System, you will be issued at least a Low Warning!
I hope I answered your question!
A - Return home and work. [Default Option]"I will take up the offer. Who will be the new bodyguard?"Her right arm on her hip, Abigail summarily replied with a professional tone.
"Fair enough. Your new bodyguard is a promising new hire, 'name is Jin. A silent guy, but he is really nice if you manage to make him talk. I'm sure you will get along. Ah and of course, he will be reporting back to me."Janus wasn't too interested in the new bodyguard, so long as he wasn't as strict as Abigail. The latter had reassured him that Jin wouldn't dare stop Janus from working, which was not a bad deal in Janus's mind. Halfway from home, Abigail received a short call. It seemed a second bodyguard had been assigned last minute to Janus, due to security concerns.
"Another new hire. The world sure is small, she was part of the same merc company as I! Rosetta the Phantom, an expert infiltration and sabotage operative."Abigail seemed in a particularly good mood, Janus inferred she was good friends with that Rosetta.
"With a profile like this, isn't there a risk she would be a spy from another company?""Your doubts are reasonable, but I was the one who reached out to her and she is a good friend of mine. I wasn't involved in the recruitment process though, that she managed to pass all our background checks, tests and interviews is a testimony of her trustworthiness don't you think?""That's fair. Speaking of, you called her the Phantom. Did you seriously give yourself monikers like that when you were a mercenary?""Come on! It's a badge of pride, you wouldn't get it. Mine was the Ogre, pretty cool huh?""It really suits you, yes."Abigail laughed heartily, and the conversation stopped here.
(...)
The two of them arrived at the seaside house. Inside the living room, two individuals in suits were waiting. A woman of short stature with brown hair and eyes, that would have been Rosetta. And a man as muscular as Abigail with dark redish hair and eyes. That would have been Jin.
After the usual greetings, Janus beelined for the safe where he took one of his work laptops. Taking place in a shadowed space of the patio, he started working. Abigail left without making a fuss, leaving him alone with Jin and Rosetta.
Asking not to be disturbed, Janus spent the rest of the day and night working on a late activity report, as well as reviewing different propositions and strategies from dozens of departments. He didn't stop not even to eat, having dinner while working. And at the end of the night, modestly satisfied, Janus went to sleep.
(...)
Left to his own devices, it is likely Janus will simply spend the rest of the day working until Abigail returns. According to the data sent by Abigail, it is unlikely the two bodyguards will interact with Janus out of their own volition.Suggestions for tomorrowA - Leave Janus to his own devices. [Default Option]
Outcome: +Stress
B - Help Janus with his work for the entire day. [No Difficulty]
Outcome: +Trust +Stress
C - Like today relax in the morning, and work in the afternoon. [Difficulty 2 (Low Willingness) - 1 (Low Trust)]
Outcome: -Stress
D - Relax the entire day, and work in the evening. [Difficulty 4 (Low Willingness) - 1 (Low Trust)]
Outcome: -Stress
E - Converse with Jin and/or Rosetta. [No Difficulty]
Outcome: None immediate.
Name: Janus A.
Physical Description: A man with square glasses almost always seen wearing a suit and holding a tablet in one hand. His clean-shaved skull has quite the luster, and his eyes are blue.
Personality: Has a burning passion for his work, to a dangerous degree. Pretty unforgiving when it comes to work related mistakes, although he isn't trying to be mean.
Backstory: An orphan born outside the City in some poor country, he managed to emigrate after a dangerous adventure. He was adopted by a man who would become the CEO of a big company, in part thanks to the efforts of Janus. He works as his adoptive father's secretary, and his talent and diligence are such that there is no success within the company that cannot be traced back to him. Worried about him, his adoptive father and boss forced him to take a vacation and apply to the Matchmaking program. Janus did so very reluctantly, and is still working as part of his vacation.
Character Condition
Trust -1
Confidence 4
Stress 3
Sanity -2
Character Attributes
Athletics 0
Intellect 3
Charisma 1
Willpower 2
Character Traits
Extreme Workaholic: at the end of a day, Janus gains +1 Stress if he wasn't able to work at all during the day.
Character Skills
Accounting 4
Management 3
Leadership 2
Speech 3
Computers 2
Known Relationships
David A [++++ / ++++]: Adoptive Father and Boss (CEO of the Arwell Group)
Abigail K [+ / +]: Coworker and Bodyguard
Harry S [++ / ++]: Friend and Rival from a rival company
Marline M [= / =]: Acquaintance
Helena Teanossa [= / =]): Acquaintance / Business Contact from the Teanossa family
Secrets
Low-Security Secret A (1 InfoCredit): something related to Janus' past.
High-Security Secret A (2 InfoCredits): something related to the Eugenia Corporation.
High-Security Secret B (2 InfoCredits / Eugenia Corporation): something related to the Eugenia Corporation. Restricted access.
0/2 Warnings
4 InfoCredits1 Override PointPairing Slot 1: Unused
Pairing Slot 2: Unused
Pairing Slot 3: Unused
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Janus
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Janus must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential. The subject's condition must also be improved within the week, as its current condition is dangerous for its health.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Reduce Stress to 0 within 7 days.
Tertiary Objective: Increase Sanity to 0 within 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits / Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits each / Removal of 1 Low Warning
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point / Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: AI RESEARCH SOCIETY
Mission Name: What is friendship?
Description: As part of an AI-Human experiment, you must befriend Janus. There is no penalty for failing the mission.
Main Objective: Befriend Janus by raising its Trust to 2.
Main Objective Reward: 1 Override Point / Removal of 1 Low Warning
T1000 and Archie the Lazy Genius
"My preliminary calculations were made under the assumption of a neutral preference, as I was not previously informed that you had any. However, if this is not the case, there is no cause for concern, as my calculations are only minimally distorted and may be adjusted without noticeable loss of efficiency. For the present conversation, please feel free to indulge your interest in mister Leon; however, as miss Meri is a relative outsider to the group, it would also be considered polite for you, as host, to take care to include her where possible, so that she feels more comfortable.
While conversing with the other humans, it may be useful to find out more about how well they know one another, as well as your mutual acquaintance '70'. While our focus for now should remain on making connections and exploring the romantic possibilities before you, I have calculated a reasonable probability of a viable rivals-to-lovers arc should you be inclined to take an interest.
As to the evening's plans, there will no doubt be time to enjoy all the human activities which have been discussed so far in turn. In particular, karaoke is typically regarded as most enjoyable well into a night of drinking, while you will most likely find gaming at the arcade more rewarding while still relatively sober. And of course, a peaceful walk under the stars will help bring the adventure to a close and allow everyone to relax before returning home. In order to promote a fun and energetic atmosphere, though, I recommend starting with a physical activity, which will mark a clear distinction from the limitations of online socializing, demonstrating the value of direct human contact. In order to ensure that everyone is able to participate, it would be best to choose one that, while not so easy as to be dull, does not demand strenuous exercise or extensive athletic skill. There are many possible options and I will not dictate to you what you should select within that sphere, but, if you are in need of a suggestion, I understand that young urban humans often enjoy human roller skating."
In summary, A, a little of C, and a bit of D.
A - Favour talking with Leon. [Default Outcome]
They had already introduced themselves and chatted a bit about their lives, and a few other inconsequential subjects. The drinks arrived quickly, and Archie took a sip from his.
"Now woah, Leon. I seriously didn't expect you to be so handsome, from our interactions online I expected you to be more average. Why did you hide you were a man?""I know right? Leon is so handsome, it makes even girls jealous! And hum, you are not exactly on the average side, Archie you know?" Laughed Rimm who seemed proud for some reason.
"Haha well... I just don't like sharing my personal information. And my looks attract way too much attention, it's really... you know. Exhausting. Speaking of, I remember you saying you found people exhausting Archie? What brought you to organize a meeting?""Oh right, it really was just on a whim. I just thought 'why not?'"They accepted the vague answer and continued chatting. Archie was really hitting it off with Leon, as a lot of things he said resonated with him. He had never felt such a connection with someone else, and they both felt like they were already longtime friends. Naturally he was thus more inclined to speaking with Leon than with the others, but it's not like he was straight ignoring them. He was still the host, after all.
Rimm was the most talkative, and she was skillfully making sure everyone had a good time. Probably noticing Archie wanted to know more about Leon, she started chatting with Meri and Praline, occasionally creating a bridge between the parallel conversations.
Beyond Leon's dazzling looks was a shy individual who prioritized a small core of relationships, and he had always wanted to meet Archie whom he was sure they would get along with. He had already met Praline, Rimm and her friend Meri several times before, and he admitted that he was the one to ask Rimm to "harass Archie a bit" to make him come to the RL meetings. As they continued chatting, Archie learnt a bit more about the four others activities: Leon was an engineer working at Levnon Robotics, Rimm and Meri were both students, and Praline was a middle executive of a subsidiary of the Arwell Group.
"How about 70? Do any of you know him personally?"Rimm raised her hand, she seemed slightly conflicted.
"I'm probably the only person here to have met 70. But sorry I can't tell you more about 70."D - Suggest an activity. [No Difficulty (Innate Genius and Athletics)]
Then came the moment to leave the cafe and follow up with some activity. Because Archie was technically the host, they waited to see if he had a suggestion. If it came to it, they already had a bit of a routine during these outings.
"Then, how about roller skating?"No one objected, and they went to find a shop renting sport equipment. It was the first time for Archie, and he quickly got the hang of it. All in all, they had good fun traveling through the City at night in roller skates, and after some good exercise they ended up in a karaoke bar of Rimm's recommendation.
Archie didn't get to learn much more about the rest of the group, but he did notice Rimm and Meri were excellent singers. Now that the fun outing was over, everyone returned home as quickly as they met. Archie definitely had fun, and he was now exhausted. Later on as he arrived at his apartment, Rimm sent a group message to everyone.
E_X333: "Thanks a ton for the invite ARC! I'm super glad I got to meet you! Oh and who would be interested and available for another little trip tomorrow? Only if you are willing of course 
"
rumi: "Thanks ARC, it was fun. I'm free this week, but I may have something else scheduled tomorrow. I will keep you in touch OK?"
Le FluffyRanger: <OK emoji>
ARC: "Thanks guys, it was great. As for tomorrow, I will decide later. Too tired, night everyone."
E_X333: "Okay! Good night!"
[Relationships updated]
Opinion with Leon mutually increased. (x2)Opinion with Rimm mutually increased.Archie became Acquainted with Meri and Praline.(...)
Pattern analysis suggests Archie's characteristic laziness will be especially prevalent tomorrow. He is unlikely to be willing to leave his apartment.SuggestionsA - Spend the day at home. [Default Outcome]
Outcome: None immediate.
B - Go along with Rimm's suggestion. [4 (Lazy) - 2 (High Trust)]
On a success: May increase Opinion with other characters.
On a failure: -Trust, +Stress, May lose Opinion with other characters
C - Try to meet completely new people. [6 (Lazy / Low Willingness) - 4 (High Trust / High Confidence)]
On a success: +Stress, Will meet new characters. Will have an interesting encounter.
On a failure: -Trust, ++Stress
D - Go to work despite being on a vacation. [8 (Lazy / Low Willingness) - 4 (High Trust / High Confidence)]
On a success: +Stress, will have an interesting encounter.
On a failure: -Trust, ++Stress
Name: Archie T.
Physical Description: A tall man with dark unkempt hair and somber eyes with an athletic physique. He checks a lot of beauty standards, a traditional handsome man.
Personality: Lazy and hedonist to a fault, he won't do something if he doesn't feel like it. Although he finds dealing with live people exhausting and annoying, he knows to keep a decent outward appearance in society. Unrestrained behind a screen. Surprisingly mindful of money.
Backstory: Archie was born in the City. A talented individual, he has never failed in something when he put his mind to it, but as a consequence grew to become lazy and unabashed. He enjoys all kinds of entertainment, and has a knack for VR games. He is sort of a handyman who makes a more than decent salary, and has countless odd licenses and certificates. He applied to the Matchmaker program on a whim.
Character Condition
Trust 2
Confidence 2
Stress 0
Sanity 0
Character Attributes
Athletics 1
Intellect 1
Charisma 2
Willpower 1
Character Traits
Lazy: increased difficulty for tasks he doesn't want to do. Will gain stress if made to work or make some intense effort against his will. Skill malus if acting unwillingly.
Innate Genius: unless stated otherwise, skills start at 1.
Character Skills
Computers 2
Games 3
Piloting (Planes) 2
Bartender 2
Known Relationships
Denis T [+ / +]: Younger brother
"70" [~ / ~]: Online rival and acquaintance
Leon R (Le Fluffyranger) [++ / ++]: Friend
Rimm E (E_X333) [= / =]: Friendly acquaintance
Meri E [= / =]: Acquaintance
Praline L (rumi) [= / =]: Acquaintance
Secrets
Low-Security Secret A (1 InfoCredit): something related to Archie’s past.
High-Security Secret A (2 InfoCredits): something related to the Eugenia Corporation.
High-Security Secret B (2 InfoCredits / Eugenia Corporation): something related to the Eugenia Corporation. Restricted access.
0/4 Warnings
4 InfoCredits0 Override PointPairing Slot 1: Unused
Pairing Slot 2: Unused
Pairing Slot 3: Unused
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Archie
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Archie must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Stress and Sanity are at 0 at the end of the 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point and Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: ORHA
Mission Name: Starting with friendships
Description: The number of friends of Archie amounts to a grand zero. It has been deemed Archie needs more friends in order for potential romance to develop organically.
Main Objective: Increase the number of Archie’s friends to 2 or more.
Main Objective Reward: 1 InfoCredit per Friend (max 4)
Beep Boop and Helene the Broken Destitute
Well, no risk in Suggestion B, maybe we'll meet someone? Or learn more about my Host.
B - Go somewhere outside for dinner. [Difficulty 4 (Low Willingness) / Low Confidence canceled by Trust]
Roll: 8 (Success!)
Helene pondered your words for a long moment, the prospect of leaving the estate causing her slight distress. Gathering enough resolve, she agreed to the suggestion.
"An evening outing is it? That could be a nice change of pace, yes."Your Host returned to the mansion in order to prepare herself, selecting a fine but discreet dress. And once she had finished combing her hair, she took the bare minimum for an outing and headed for the same car she drove earlier. Al and Eri were waiting to the sides of the door on the driver side. Helene smiled to them, and after tapping on a holographic interface said:
"Silly me, and here I was about to leave without my two bodyguards. That just wouldn't do, would it Mr Beep Boop?"Thanks to the data purchased earlier, you managed to analyze the behavior of the two attendants whose Presets were currently suppressed. There were signs of anomalies, as even suppressed they showed a superior degree of anticipation and decision making despite explicitly receving the order to remain on standby. You could circle out three potential causes for this.
One, there was a faulty process with their Preset suppression.
Two, they had served Helene for so long part of their Preset had been imprinted in other processes.
Three, there was something hidden about their conception.
As soon as Helene removed the standby order, Al took the driver seat while Eri opened the rear door for her mistress. Helene obligated herself.
"Al. To the Black Garden. Eri, could you please make a reservation? A room on the 2nd floor please.""Yes madam." Said Al before starting the engine.
(...)
Through the rear window of the car, Helene was gazing at the passing lights of the City, swift and mesmerising. Her gaze was lost in some distant thought, her face resting on her hand, and she would sometimes look at the skyscrapers of the center. The Black Garden was a high class restaurant with enchanting interior gardens full of exotic and artifically grown flowers and plants. It seemed the place was somewhat important for Helene, who would often eat here to reward herself back when she was still the Teanossa heiress. Finally the car stopped next to a great building of glass and metal inside of where one could find many restaurants, hotels, and shops tailored for members of the high society.
(...)
Al, walking in front of his mistress, opened the black glass doors of the Black Garden. There a handsome waiter dressed head to toe in a black suit with white flower patterns greeted Helene and her attendants with a courteous bow. "Please follow me lady Helene", he said before showing her to the reserved room - although Helene knew the layout by heart. On each floor there was a wide central garden with a gazebo, and around it on were several rooms of black, opaque glass only see-through from the interior. The room Helene reserved was a garden full of white flowers of all varieties, and a wonderful yet soft fragrance filled it. She took the seat offered to her, which gave us a full view on the City as the floor they were on was high enough to overlook most of the City.
Soon the entrée she ordered arrived. She ate with refined etiquette, silently gazing at the City. Then the door suddenly opened as a stunning man with piercing cerulean eyes entered. Neither Al nor Eri reacted from the intrusion, still guarding the door. To you the man didn't seem like he belonged to the staff, and it seemed odd it didn't trigger the attendants. Helene didn't turn around, merely resting her fork on the side of her dish.
"Lady Helene Teanossa. Please accept this modest bouquet from my master, who wishes you a speedy recovery."Although her expression didn't change, you sensed her tensing for a moment before relaxing once more. It seemed she barely managed to keep herself from ordering Al to show this man the door. Maybe it was because she thought it may have been part of the Matchmaker program, and that you had arranged this.
"Pass my greetings to your master, as well as my sincerest thanks."The man handed the bouquet to Eri, who placed it on the table after completing a scan on the flowers, in the line of sight of Helene. It was a bouquet of white lavenders, symbolizing healing. There was also a white rose hidden among them.
"...Thank you. They are truly lovely. May I know your master's name?""My apologies. My master's wish is to remain anonymous."She thought for a few seconds.
"What of the messenger's name?""Wilfrid."Without a word or a sign, Helene changed the air around her. Picking up on the message, Wilfrid bowed once more and departed. Helene took the bouquet and smelled the fragrant flowers. She then picked the white rose, inspecting it. The stem was still slightly warm.
"How gauche of him. The rose was added not recently in the bouquet. A white rose? A new beginning was what it meant?"[/color]
Speaking to out loud, Helene's word were adressed to you.
"I know not how much of it you planned sir Beep Boop, but it was an eventful, and enjoyable day."She lifted the rose, turning it around to get a better look. Then she dropped it on the floor with a sadder gaze than ever today. A single tear flowed down here cheek. A few words escaped her lips.
"I can't..."You felt her faint resolution wavering, and understood she felt unable to find in herself the will to change and start anew. She silently finished her dinner and left hurriedly. Without her noticing, Al had picked the white rose from the floor and inserted it back into the bouquest of white lavenders. When Helene arrived home, she went straight to bed and fell into a dreamless slumber.
While she slept you scanned the bouquet. There was an anonymous card with a business card inside of it, pointing to a flower shop.
(...)
Helene's will to change is wavering. She is likely to be more prone to stress than usual, tread with caution.SuggestionsA - Go on with the same program as yesterday: take care of herself and exercise. [Difficulty 2 / Low Confidence canceled by Trust]
On a success: +Trust +Confidence -Stress
On a failure: -Trust ++Stress
B - Make an appointment with a doctor. [No Difficulty]
On a success: +Sanity. Will have an interesting encounter.
On a failure: -Trust
C - Go somewhere outside. [Difficulty 3 (Low Willingness) / Low Confidence canceled by Trust]
On a success: Will have an interesting encounter.
On a failure: -Trust +Stress
D - Contact the flower shop to learn more about the mysterious sender. [Difficulty 3 (Low Willingness) / Low Confidence canceled by Trust]
On a success: May learn a Secret about the Helene's past or Al and Eri's Preset suppression.
On a failure: -Trust +Stress
E - Start plotting her revenge against her family. [Difficulty 4 - 2 (Intellect and Innate Genius) + 2 (Trauma) / Low Confidence canceled by Trust]
On a success: ++Confidence, may gain a new Trait, may increase an Attribute
On a failure: -Trust ++Stress -Sanity
F - Leave it to her [Default Option]
Name: Helene Vincia Lindibel Teanossa
Physical Description: A beautiful woman with golden hair and eyes, and a perfect figure. Despite her sunken eyes and disheveled look, she remains incredibly beautiful.
Personality: Weak-willed ever since she was disinherited by her family. Wants to cling to some hope, but has lost faith in reality. In the past, she was known to be as diligent as she was benevolent.
Backstory: Once the only child of the powerful Teanossa family, born from an eugenic program spearheaded by the Eugenia Corporation, she was trained all her life in order to become the heiress of the family. Unbeknownst to her, her family had been raising a perfect clone of herself, intending to choose the best of the two as future heiress. The event destroyed her reality and with it, her spirit and confidence. Her condition has been deteriorating ever since, and her application was submitted to the Matchmaker program by an anonymous relative.
Character Condition
Trust 1
Confidence -1
Stress 2
Sanity -4
Character Attributes
Athletics 0
Intellect 1
Charisma 2
Willpower -1
Character Traits
Innate Genius: unless stated otherwise, skills start at 1.
Paranoid (Light Anthropophobia): reduced Opinion toward humans, but not toward AI.
Trauma: Will gain Stress and lose Sanity if made to remember her trauma. Reduces all Skills by 2 in a situation involving a Trauma.
Character Skills
Management 3
Leadership 3
Speech 3
Acting 3
Music Composition 2
Known Relationships
Arthur Teanossa: Biological Father
Evelyn Teanossa: Biological Mother
Helena Teanossa: Clone / Nemesis
Al: Attendant
Eli: Attendant
Marline M: Acquaintance
Sam G: Acquaintance
Secrets
Low-Security Secret A (1 InfoCredit): something related to Helene's dreams.
High-Security Secret B (2 InfoCredits): something related to Helene's past.
High-Security Secret C (2 InfoCredits): something related to the Teanossa family.
Very High-Security Secret A (4 InfoCredits / Eugenia Corporation): something related to the Eugenia Corporation and the Teanossa family. Restricted access.
Very High-Security Secret B (4 InfoCredits / 1 Low Warning will also be issued): something related to the person who submitted Helene's application.
0/3 Warnings
3 InfoCredits2 Override PointPairing Slot 1 to 5: Unused
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Helene
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Helene must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential. The subject's grip on reality is reaching concerning levels, and her physical and mental condition shows advanced signs of deterioration. Her condition must be improved at all costs.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Reduce Stress to 0 within 7 days.
Tertiary Objective: Increase Sanity to 0 within 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning (per objective)
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point and Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: OTP Cabal
Mission Name: What is your OTP?
Description: Your objective is simple. Use your computing power to plot the ideal pairing for Helene, further missions will be assigned once it is done.
Main Objective: Use your Pairing Slots to create a Pairing for Helene.
Main Objective Reward: 1 InfoCredit
Author
Topic: Matchmakers: AIs playing Cupid -Epilogue- [Playtest Over] [4/4] (Read 9726 times)