Donor Logs

1484.??? - PRIVATE GROUP BROADCAST
Nine Moonlit Melodies, Shifting Tides; Legacy of Vestiges Long Since Passed; Extended Period of Silence, Plentiful Waterfalls

NMMST: Look! I drew me and Legacy as Iterators!

LVLSP: yo we look so cute
LVLSP: wheres falls

EPSPW: Oh nice

NMMST: well I tried drawing them but it doesn't look as good,, >_<

EPSPW: show

NMMST: here!

LVLSP: whys it so boring

NMMST: i mean the cutesy stuff doesn't rlly seem like Falls' thing so... I kinda struggled ngl but I tried to do something a little different

LVLSP: ohhh
LVLSP: so theyre ugly

EPSPW: It's not ugly. Melodies, I think your designs are wonderful.

LVLSP: why do they get a cool cape and i dont

NMMST: Your outfit is supposed to be easier to move around in, hence the poncho,

LVLSP: oh
LVLSP: neways your iterator is rlly cute melmel

EPSPW: Yeah
EPSPW: it's

LVLSP: mines cuter tho

EPSPW: [kino]

NMMST: thank you!!!
NMMST: ah

EPSPW: ok catgirl

LVLSP: ok

NMMST: I'm not happy with my design yet, but... I'll work on it. I'll make your designs better, too.

LVLSP: i think they look amazing already tbh

EPSPW: I don't think you need to worry so much about something that's just for fun

NMMST: ...
NMMST: I know, but... this is kinda like a dream of mine yknow

LVLSP: being an Iterator?

NMMST: yeah. or something like that
NMMST: to be effortlessly perfect and cute, as like, a fundamental part of my existence... a body perfectly shaped in my image. something reliable. something that lasts forever.

EPSPW: you know Iterators are more than just their puppets, right?

NMMST: . yes
NMMST: but like the puppet's still their point of identity, isn't it?

LVLSP: idk

NMMST: well. i could also just be a puppet, I guess. it'd be better than this disgusting flesh prison. At least it'd WORK. or if it didn't, I could fix it. and I wouldn't hate being in it.
NMMST: Um. Sorry. It's just a fantasy, anyways. im fine.

LVLSP: it's ok
LVLSP: I dont think ur body is disgusting though, melmel. i think its pretty cute

EPSPW: I mean I can understand where you're coming from here

NMMST: . sorry. thank you. um
NMMST: ...we should uh, move on i think

EPSPW: Uh
EPSPW: Prof has decided to bring back his favorite Rubric again (the one that doesn't fucking match any of our actual assignments)...

[Excerpt Cuts Off Here.]

1484.89X - CLOSED GROUP [THE FSH GUYS] (ENCRYPTED)
Group: "The Fsh Guys", all participants fishing
False SHoal; LunarSanctuary; Nocturnal Grove; Forgotten MegaLopolis; Wintry Cliffs; DarK Museum; Snowy Pipe Organ

FSH: hey great news guys

LS: hiii leggy

FSH: hi luna

NG: are you dead yet

FML: Every time you bring "great news" I get concerned.
FML: Please don't get arrested.

NG: he hasnt responded yet the Wheel took him ⁉️

FSH: damn hi everyone else
FSH: ok now hold on the connection here is kinda shitty

NG: Hi

FSH: espeshy with the encryption.
FSH: nocty stfu

FML: (quietly) Hi

WC: shhhhhhhhhh…

FSH: ANYWAYS
FSH: guys I'm finally gonna do it. I'm ready

NG: prayers in the chat
NG: hes about to escape samsara 🙏

DKM: We will miss you False SHoal 🙏👌

FML: …Is he? 🙏

LS: chat

FSH: EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP NOW OR I WILL KICK ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FSH: Okay, great.
FSH: so there's this Bunker I found
FSH: or like it's a gate in the ground but like it's realisitcally a Bunker
FSH: somewhere in the P5 area. there's not a lot of shit here
FSH: but look

LS:Why do they have a bunker in the middle of the desert

FSH: IDK
FSH: but im about to find out.
FSH: I really thiunk there's something good down there. I've been eyeing this one for like a Shift at this point.

NG: You've never mentioned it before.

LS: whys the lock look like that

FSH: I haven't mentioned it before cause that would make me easier to track. Im only telling everyone now cause Im gonna break in Very Soon
FSH: like, before anyone would have the time to de-crypt my messages lol

NG: Okay but what about after you break in

DKM: (reply to “LS: whys the lock look like that") It's some kind of Bio-Scanner 👌
DKM: Not a Common design 👌

FSH: that is a problem for future me

DKM: They will be apprehended by Council Agents; Void Bless 👌

LS: like actually or

DKM: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 👌

DKM: Honestly, I'm more curious about how they plan to crack it 👌

FSH: relax ill be fine
FSH: and I got a genome bomb for the scanner.
FSH: it might take a while but it should work

LS: . is that safe

NG: Where the fuck did you get a genome bomb????

FML: ...?

DKM: Holy Shit 👌

FSH: I got connections, Noctis. also itll be fine its not gonna inject me or anything lol
FSH: ill just set it down and let it work. u can control it remotely
FSH: if the scrambling doesnt work we can do an overload but i feel like that might fuck up the bunker

LS: please be careful

FML: I feel like you should probably stop detailing your plans to us

FSH: I dont think anyone cares
FSH: im near some plateau model
FSH: SSR or something. he just let me into his city unannounced after confirming i have a citizen id
FSH: i really dont think he or any of the City officials care That Much

LS: …huh.
LS: please be careful. idk this whole thing seems kinda Off
LS: i mean im sure it'll work out but still

FSH: yeah yeah I know
FSH: speaking of I really gotta get started

NG: Try not to die.

WC: I hope you don't get locked up and experimented on

FSH: thanks
FSH: ill give everyone an update as soon as im able to
FSH: might take a while idk

LS: We'll be here, FSH!!

DKM: Excited to see assuming you live 👌

NG: Alright.

FSH: [USER IDLE]

[Excerpt Cuts Off Here.]

1484.902 - [ARCHIVED BROADCAST LOG]
PRIVATE, ENCRYPTED
Legacy of Vestiges Long Since Passed; Nine Moonlit Melodies, Shifting Tides

LVLSP: Heyyy Melodies

NMMST: Legacy! Are you doing okay?
NMMST: sorry you've just been inactive since the Bunker thing
NMMST: and I got a little worried

LVLSP: Oh right
LVLSP: yeah im fine lol ill update the groupchat later
LVLSP: but first i gotta talk to you cause its super important

NMMST: I'm listening; glad you're okay. im surprised youre able to update us so soon

LVLSP: yeah i just got rlly lucky. anyways
LVLSP: so like in the Bunker right
LVLSP: turns out it was a secret lab
LVLSP: or something
LVLSP: and

NMMST: a Secret Lab ??

LVLSP: it wasn't Abandoned entirely and i tripped the security system inside
LVLSP: yeah
LVLSP: wait i should stop sending these messages separately

NMMST: nods

LVLSP: anyways More Importantly: apparently its owned by this Scientist named No Cost Too Great and they were looking for some new big Project to pursue

LVLSP: and since i was there and i was at least smart and unhinged enough to successfully break in there they asked Me for ideas

LVLSP: so i told them "I have a friend who really wants to become an Iterator" and they were like "Hm... perhaps I can work with that." so i showed them your drawings and stuff

NMMST: what ?????
NMMST: Is this a bit, or are you being serious??

LVLSP: 100 percent serious
LVLSP: anyways, they wanted to meet you In Person to discuss things further. They talk about lots of weirdo metaphysical (?) stuff and i feel like youd probably understand that better than i do yknow

NMMST: um
NMMST: I uh
NMMST: Like, Now???

LVLSP: as soon as possible yeah
LVLSP: they live at some Iterator named Sand-Smoothed Reckoning in P5. ik thats kinda far but i can come get you!! we'll ride together and stuff and theyre willing to cover transportation costs

NMMST: I just
NMMST: this seems like a lot are you sure this isn't a scam or something??? or. like... trafficking??

NMMST: Like, if it's true, it's a dream come true and all yeah—like I would give the world for a chance like this

NMMST: But you realize it's pretty difficult to believe that, right? and what am I supposed to tell my Parents even if it is true?

LVLSP: oh ... hm
LVLSP: ok you're visiting SSR for an "Academic Excursion". Birdbrain says it's a huge Culture Science Art whatever center

NMMST: is "Birdbrain" supposed to be the Scientist

LVLSP: Yeah
LVLSP: look melmel i promise you this guy is the real deal. i showed them my Unlucky hand and they clocked not JUST the Void Fluid damage but also how strong the Void Fluid was and how long I kept it in there for (and i didnt tell them that!!)
LVLSP: apparently theyre a researcher for some big Global Council Research Thing called the "Void Fluid Research Committee".

NMMST: oh I've heard about them before

NMMST: There's a lot of speculation about them on certain forums... since Void Fluid comes from the Void Sea, which ties into the immaterial realm and all that Cosmic kinda stuff

NMMST: It's pretty broadly accepted that they've been Sponsored to research said Meta-physical Spiritual stuff in tandem with the Iterators' pursuit of the Big Problem. Like, a lot of the VFRC's Research probably isn't about global ascension methodology Directly, but it (presumedly) deepens our understanding of the Spiritual Realm so we can get closer to finding one.

NMMST: But, more importantly, there's kind of a tacit implication that they must be using all that Spiritual Knowledge for things outside of the Problem. hence all the speculation lol

LVLSP: well damn guess you know better than i do
LVLSP: so you know theyre Legit, right?

NMMST: ...Presumably.

LVLSP: Look melmel I'll come and get you, okay? just tell them your College is doing a School Trip these Off-Cycles. worst case scenario you miss a class or two at most and you get to see a cool Art City. it won't take that long to get there and back.

NMMST: um.......
NMMST: alright
NMMST: I'll do my best I guess

LVLSP: YAYYYYY
LVLSP: I get to go on a trip with MelMel!!! ^^

NMMST: yay
NMMST: It would be nice to see you in-person again. I really, really hope this works out ;;

LVLSP: It will!

[BROADCAST TERMINATED, ARCHIVED]

1484.9XX - [ARCHIVED OBSERVATION LOG]

LOCATION: No Cost Too Great's Lab, atop Sand-Smoothed Reckoning's Mesa City; Conference Room B

INVOLVED PARTIES:
No Cost Too Great, of the House of Progress
Legacy of Vestiges Long Since Passed, of Unknown Affiliation
Nine Moonlit Melodies, Shifting Tides, of the House of Still Waters
Sand-Smoothed Reckoning, of the House of Progress (Iterator)

AUTHOR: "Nine"
EDITOR: "No Cost Too Great"

(A pair of Citizens approaches the doorway of Conference Room B, led by Sand-Smoothed Reckoning's Overseer. Legacy Of Vestiges Long Since Passed can be seen clearly; his shadow, Nine Moonlit Melodies, Shifting Tides, trails behind him.)

SSR: “Uh, hey, L—Sir, I got the Visitors here.” (The Overseer spins its tendrils.)

NCTG: “Thank you, Sands.” (They motion towards a row of chairs across the conference table.) “Please, have a seat. Or, stand, if you prefer.”

(The figure behind Legacy shifts, but he keeps standing.)

LVLSP: “Hi, Birdbrain!” (She waves cheerfully.) “I brought Melodies here, like you asked.”

NMMST: (She shuffles next to Legacy.) “Uh, h—”

NCTG: “I told you not to call me that. 'Cost' is fine.”

LVLSP: (They grin, probably.) “Sorry, sorry...!”

(They're not sorry.)

NCTG: “Who's your friend? Also, get out of my doorway. Stand in the room, at least.”

(NMMST begins to shuffle to Legacy's side before he takes her hand and drags her into the room. They stand next to the table, but they do not sit. NMMST glances at the chairs.)

LVLSP: “Weren't you listening? She's Melodies, like I said.”

NCTG: “I meant—”

NMMST: “Uh, Nine Moonlit Melodies, Shifting Tides... Sir.”

LVLSP: “The artist I told you about! I showed you her designs!.”

NCTG: “Yes, I know. You told me.”
NCTG: (They turn to Melodies.) “Is he always like this?”

NMMST: (She flinches.) “Uh... Yeah? I'm sorry, um...”

NCTG: “Don't apologize.”
NCTG: “...It is his issue to resolve. Regardless, we should move forward.”

NMMST: (She nods.)

LVLSP: (He straightens his posture.)

NCTG: “Firstly, I must ask: Are you familiar with Echoes?”

NMMST: (She looks over at Legacy, then back at Cost.) “Oh. Um, sort of? Like... in what sense?”

NCTG: “In the sense of what they are.”

NMMST: “Uh... Well, they're what lingers after someone fails to Ascend, right? Through Void Fluid... Um, some people think they're just, uh, like... y'know, Echoes. Like, memories repeating themselves, or something.”
NMMST: (She brings her attention to her hands, wringing them.)
NMMST: “But, um... Some... I guess, like, uh, me, would say it's more like, uh... Like a Soul? What's left behind after the Void Fluid erases the physical, y'know...”

NCTG: “The Essence of Self. Or, Selves, perhaps more aptly.”

NMMST: (She looks up.) “Y-Yeah. That's, um, a really good way of putting it.”

NCTG: “You're correct.”

NMMST: “Y-Yeah?”

NCTG: “Echoes are that Experiential, Spiritual element of a Person in its purest form. Demonstrably so, even.”

NMMST: “...”

LVLSP: “...Demonstrably?”

NCTG: “Yes; a large portion of my body of work has been dedicated to the subject.”

NMMST: “Can... Can I see? Please, I mean? Do you have any recordings?”

NCTG: “Ah; I would be happy to regale you, but perhaps another time. For now, I'd like to focus on your Request.”

NMMST: “Oh! You... C-Can you really do it? Are you suggesting the Echo can—”

NCTG: “It is what I wish to test, yes.”

NMMST: (She gasps and shakes Legacy excitedly.)

LVLSP: (He glances at Melodies, then at Cost.) “Uh... Test what, exactly?”

NMMST: “The Soul Transfer! They're gonna help transfer my Essence into an Iterator Puppet!! It's like—Like, um...”
NMMST: “...Sorry, um, is that correct, Sir?”

NCTG: “...Yes, actually.”
NCTG: “Though, I should reiterate that I am testing the procedure; I can offer no guarantees of its success, and I have yet to develop the methodology.”

NMMST: (She returns to fidgeting with her hands.) “Oh... right...”

NCTG: “Therefore, I ask for your Cooperation throughout the process.”

NMMST: (She brightens) “O-Of course!”

(Legacy quickly steps forward.)

LVLSP: “I'll help, too.”

NCTG: “...”
NCTG: “Yes, of course. Your cooperation shall be invaluable. I extend my gratitude towards the both of you.”

NMMST: “No, th-thank you for making my dream come true!”

LVLSP: (He grabs her hand.) “And me..?”

NMMST: “Oh, right!”
NMMST: (She grabs both of Legacy's hands and turns to face him.)
NMMST: “I'm sorry, Legacy. I should really be thanking you. Thank you so much for doing this for me. I... Void, I... Oh, Void, is this really happening...? Am I allowed to be this lucky?”

LVLSP: “Of course, Melmel. We're gonna make it happen.”

NCTG: “Yes... Though, in the interest of time, we should continue moving forward. I understand you cannot remain here all cycle.”

LVLSP: “Yeah.”

NMMST: (She nods.)

NCTG: “We can remain in contact over Broadcast, but, before you leave, there is something I would like to show you.”
NCTG: “There is an Echo tethered to a local Arboretum. If you believe you have time, we can meet them.”

NMMST: (Excited gasp) “Yes!! Yes, yes please! I've always wanted to meet one! Can we really?”

LVLSP: “Uh, I'm down if Melmel's down.”

NCTG: “Great. Then, follow me.”

[AUTHOR'S NOTES]:
"This is so exciting... Do you think this is our big chance? I hope we look back on this fondly someday."

[OBSERVATION LOG END]