[Video]

[mysteryhero]

Further to my ongoing technical research here, I am asking for some volunteers for testing purposes.

I'm afraid that I can't offer you much information beforehand about this test since that could be detrimental at this phase of the development. Just know that it is completely safe for you to undergo this experimentation and there will be no harm or side-effects.

Let me know here if you are interested and I will send you the location to take part.

Comments

[made_up_names]

[ Beck doesn't know as much about Peter as he thinks he does. Just like Peter really barely knows Beck, all things considered. ]

Uh ... there's not a lot I won't eat? But if I had to pick, I guess it'd be pizza.

[mysterioisthetruth]

[It's true, he knows very little and he wants to ask - to get more information - but maybe there'll be time for that in the future. When some trust has been earned back. Or at least, that's what he hopes.]

Pizza. Nice choice.

[He grins.]

But then who doesn't like pizza?

[made_up_names]

Pretty much nobody at this point. I've had awesome vegan and gluten-free versions too.

[ He's brightening a bit. The casual conversation and the juice are helping perk him back up, even if he is now starving. (Then again, when isn't he starving.) ]

[mysterioisthetruth]

It sounds like you're not that fussy when it comes to toppings.

[Even Beck can feel the more relaxed atmosphere. He goes with it.]

[made_up_names]

Nope. Pineapple’s kind of terrible, and cilantro’s hit or miss. But just about anything else is great.

[mysterioisthetruth]

Are you hungry? Maybe we could order something...

That is, if I'm not keeping you from something else?

[made_up_names]

[ On the one hand, this is kind of nice? And he’s starving. On the other hand... he did tell Gwen to show up if he didn’t come back after two hours, and he’s pretty sure he’s close to that mark. ]

Lemme just send somebody a text real quick. I promised a friend I’d meet them later today.

[mysterioisthetruth]

Sure, go ahead.

[He does want Peter to know he's free to leave any time. But he was also welcome to hang around. It wasn't every day he met somebody as tech savvy and smart as Peter and he had to reluctantly admit to himself that he was enjoying the company.]

[made_up_names]

Hang on a sec then.

[ He takes a moment to send a quick text to Gwen: “not dead. staying longer at beck’s place. if I’m not back 2 hrs after this then I’ve definitely been kidnapped. don’t let owlfred eat any more doritos, he’s had enough.”

That last part is to make sure she knows it’s really him and not Beck trying to mimic him or something. ]

[mysterioisthetruth]

[Meanwhile, Beck is perusing the network to see if indeed any pizza places in Genessia deliver. Once Peter's finished texting, he looks up.]

I don't suppose you know of the best place in this city for pizza? Maybe you have a number on speed-dial?

[made_up_names]

Dunno, I live in Nova City —

[ Wait. Shit. That’s not where his official address is. He realizes his mistake a fraction of a second too late. ]

I mean, that’s where I’ve spent the most time. I made friends there already.

[mysterioisthetruth]

It's a fascinating city. Maybe one day I should move there myself but this is a pretty convenient location to all the cities.

[He makes a mental note but doesn't pry further.]

[made_up_names]

Yeah, I guess that’s true. But I like all the tech in Nova.

[ And Gwen’s apartment is pretty sweet. ]

[mysterioisthetruth]

Well, it's easily accessible. Where do you think I got my new equipment?

[Primarily the projectors and all the wiring for the room.]

[made_up_names]

... I guess I didn't actually think about it. But it makes sense.

[mysterioisthetruth]

But I can see why someone would want to live there.

[It probably would have been his first choice if he hadn't just been given the key for this apartment. This would at least do for now.]

Now! Where were we.... Pizza!

[He goes back to browsing for a place to order from.]

[made_up_names]

[ Peter leans over to look. ]

How about that one?

[mysterioisthetruth]

Sounds good. I'll make the call.

[And he orders three large pizzas, after checking if Peter wants anything specific. Otherwise it'll pretty much be heaped with toppings aside from those he didn't like. He also orders some sodas.]

There. Won't be too long.

[made_up_names]

[ Three pizzas and lots of toppings seem about perfect. He can easily eat a full one by himself, and probably two. ]

... Thanks.

[mysterioisthetruth]

[The majority was for Peter, probably two and a half. But if not, it could have become leftovers.]

You're welcome.

[Beck says graciously, a note of the interdimensional hero that Peter first met in his polite tone.]

[made_up_names]

[ Still weird. He prefers the Beck that had been vulnerable and uncertain. But okay, pizza, he can cope with that. ]

Um, what else are you trying to test with that tech?

[mysterioisthetruth]

[Being vulnerable or uncertain isn't something Beck likes being - likely most people don't like it. Acting was like his shield over it; dropping another persona over his true feelings to disguise or just hide those vulnerabilities. Although, if he knew Peter was more sympathetic to his real weaknesses then he actually would act more that way on purpose... It's for the best that he doesn't realise this.]

The illusions as they are are fine, for the most part. Small tweaks here and there. What I want to do is make the entire experience more real. Sound, sight, touch, smell, even taste.

I've spoken to a few people and promoted this as a vacation entertainment, for when you don't have the time to travel or are concerned about risks. This can be a great experience in the comfort of your own home. It'll be like you really are there.

The testing is for any senses apart from sight and sound.

And also I want to do more with the memory connections. People could relive their favourite memories or make them better.

Not to mention there are beings other than human in this place. That needs further adjusting of the programming.

[made_up_names]

[ Hmm. Peter pours himself another glass of juice, thinking about all of that. It’s a lot of ground to cover, to be sure. And he can’t help but be stupid excited about aliens, of course, but - ]

The memory stuff is more solid, right? Since you’re scanning someone’s brain, you’re getting more sensory input out of them.

[mysterioisthetruth]

Yes, the more familiar they are with something, the more vivid it should be.

Even for the scenes I'm creating, their senses will work best in an environment they are familiar with or at least can imagine. Such as, if snow is falling their brains can fill in what that should feel like. If they're at the ocean, their senses can provoke the scent.

But I'm working on making it more realistic for even those who have not experienced these things before.

[made_up_names]

[ Hmm. Peter thinks about that. ]

Can you record those scans? Like - work with people to have them remember specific things. Then keep a database of, say, all of your snow scans and compare the data to see if you can make something out of data alone.