Drafted another little scene for the May P*treon story. I realized while writing that I really need to solidify my sense of what the ‘chip’ tech in my universe really does; I was trying to explain it to someone, and kind of stumbled incoherently. Maybe you can help?
If you had a ‘chip in your head,’ and it let you silently message your friends, send images and sound, get the news (all without a tablet or other physical device) — what would that actually mean? Is it something that’s directly plugged into the relevant parts of your brain? Is it somehow projecting images and sounds and text?
I think I’ve been leaning on a SF convention, but am at a point where I need to lock it down a little bit.
*****
Nami’s story, scene 2:
‘Are you going to the welcome dance tomorrow?’ Surinder was sitting just a few feet away at his own registration table, but they were supposed to be focused on welcoming in the new students, not chatting with each other, so messaging was a better option than trying to talk.
“Name?” Nam’kuko had only been doing this job for a few days, but it was repetitive enough that she could do it in her sleep, leaving her plenty of attention for chatting with an old friend.
She sent to him: ‘Doubt it. Not really my thing.’
‘But you might meet someone cute! It’s been months since you dated anyone.’
‘Dating is the last thing I need right now. Going all googly-eyed over some pretty face, losing your train of thought every time you see them, feeling your heart go pitter-pat when they smile – it’s all so distracting. And then you’re dating, and you’re spending every waking moment with them, and you forget to study for your exams, or write that essay, doing it frantically the morning it’s due. When the break-up comes is the worst, because then you’re too focused on your misery to concentrate on your studies – and, of course, you’re miserable, so that’s just adding insult to injury.’
“You haven’t been assigned a roommate yet,” Nam’kuko said out loud, frowning. That was unusual.
‘You know, you don’t have to date like that. Not everyone does. I know you’re a hopeless romantic, but maybe you could learn to take things a little more lightly? Just have fun, Nami. The guy you’re processing looks pretty cute. I like it when their hair falls in front of their eyes like that – makes you want to brush it back…’
Nam’kuko studiously ignored Surinder’s chatter, focusing on the screen. “Oh, I see what the problem is. You specified you only wanted an unmodified human, same-gender roommate. Did you mean to be that restrictive? It’s going to really limit your roommate options.”
The young human standing across from her frowned. He looked tired, and frustrated, so it wasn’t so surprising that the words out of his mouth snapped with irritation, “Yes, I knew exactly what I meant when I filled out the form. They don’t let you into university unless you can read, you know…”
“All right, all right.”
‘This one would be attractive if he weren’t such an ass.’
‘Ah well. That’s why you should come to the dance – they can’t all be asses.’
Nami wasn’t so sure. “Well, for now, I guess you have a single – there wasn’t anyone available who met your requirements. You may have a roommate assigned later in the semester.”
He nodded. “That’s fine. Great, actually.”
“All first-years are housed in the dorm behind me – you’re on the second floor down, corridor B.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh. “I can read a map.”
“Great – guess you don’t need anything else from me, then. Welcome to the University of All Worlds!” Nam’kuko turned to the next person behind him in line, relieved to be done with the ass. “Next!”
‘What about this one?’ Surinder asked. ‘She’s even cuter than he was.’
The young woman stepped forward, blinking confusedly at a piece of crumpled paper in her hand, her steps a little unsteady, as if she weren’t used to walking on land.
“Name?” Nam’kuko asked.
The woman looked up, wide brown eyes set in a heart-shaped face, framed with masses of curling dark hair. Her lips were pursed, probably with a question, but all Nami could think was how luscious they’d be to kiss.
‘Oh, all the blessed little gods,’ Nami cursed, feeling herself fall into those dark brown pools. ‘Not again.’
*****