Even though the Neon City is the crown jewel of this planet, it doesn't mean the rest of it is barren. Smaller cities, broadly referred to as 'satellite cities', all function under Hyperion and the same laws and regulations as NC, but naturally, they don't have access to the same top-tier tech and many of the fun and convenient offerings the giant city has. Or at least, not as easy. Most people on smaller towns still rely and surprisingly have access to older pre-surge tech, not because of lack of availability, it's not like Hyper doesn't send hover convoys and monitors consistently to ensure the wellbeing of the people, they just found out people from the towns legitimately enjoyed more their own unique culture and ways, so they let them be, while still providing the support they give any intelligent species by default. Visiting one of these towns is sure to give new experiences you just can't get on a metal and glass jungle, if one is willing to compromise some of the comfort and convenience. Actual jungles, relatively empty beaches, snowy peaks, sometimes it's hard to remember the Neon city isn't 100% of the entire surface, and just about 10% of it.
Hailing from Trinity, a small town in the mountain ranges, Ash sought the Neon City for a chance at a better life. Like many young people from the satellite cities, she saw the shining metropolis as a cornucopia of endless opportunity. Eager and full of hope, she traded the rocky peaks for the pristine skyscrapers, and dirt roads for mag-lev trains.
The coastal heat was a bit tough to get used to at first, but it sure was nice to be able to wear lighter clothing, and there was always something just so refreshing about stepping into a precisely air-conditioned space. Upon her arrival in the city, the intrepid raccoon wasted no time heading to the Hyperion Medical Center to get a set of AR contacts far beyond anything she could have dreamed of back in Trinity. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and if one looked close enough, literally sparkled with UIs. While there, she also got her integrated mesh upgraded as well. It felt like a new self, not having to carry around big glasses prone to dropping, plus more goodies worthy of a brand new start.
Ash almost instantly fell in love with her new home, but it wasn't long before she noticed a tragic flaw; there was a distinct lack of analog, 'retro', pre-surge technology preservation. Everywhere she looked, there were nanomesh screens, malleable projections, or floating phone displays bobbing along with their owners. It was as though they had forgotten the joys of old, actually physical entertainment. She would remind them, though. This was her opportunity!
Through some paperwork, contracts, and Hyperion's grace, Ash got herself a very nice spot inside one of the malls in Hillside View. She still had some of her own retro consoles and even a full on arcade machine back in Trinity, she'd just have to coordinate a delivery to get them to NC and get to work. It wasn't a lot, surely not enough to start a full on public arcade, but even then it was much more than any young soul in the Neon City had seen by then. Through clever methods and social engineering, she got a hold of more and more retro arcade machines. With the help of "Blinky", a hand-crafted drone she had made out of spare parts and her personal device, and an annoyingly opinionated fabrication unit, she was able to repair and refurbish nearly every machine she got her paws on. It wasn't too long before She had set up a nice, retro arcade, fulfilling her passion for preserving and working with older tech.
It was truly fascinating. One would think people wouldn't be interested in buttons and joysticks when they have fully immersive VR and AR experiences at home. One must not underestimate the golden glow of nostalgia, that subtle longing for things as they were when you were a kid. At the end of the day, the most perfect VR experience can’t compete with the cacophonous rattle of plastic, wired gun as you mow down pixelated aliens in an old rail shooter. Needless to say, the arcade was a success, and Ash soon started seeing amazing returns, the rewards for acting on a great vision.
The arcade caught a certain girl's eyes. Her gamer soul screamed at her to check it out. She had a faint memory of seeing these machines, much like the rest of her childhood it was a bit of a fuzzy cloud in her mind. From the very first visit, Mirai was hooked. Yes, MMOs with friends and playing the latest NCA release was a blast, but this was so different, it couldn't even be compared. It wasn’t long before Ash took notice of the little critter jumping around on a dance machine every weekend, and audibly laughing as she mashed buttons in one of the space shooter games.
They started talking organically. First, it was redeeming tickets, then a couple chit chats, then they even grabbed lunch together at the mall's food court. Mirai clearly had a deep admiration for the place, and given her passion for videogames it was incredible to her she hadn't done more of this kind of gaming before. Now she could, though, thanks to a raccoon girl with a unique vision and the determination to see it through. They became good friends, Ash's sheer passion for this tech was contagious, it helped that she was always so thrilled to share it with anyone iterested, and though Mirai didn't understand it well at all, it was just such a treat to go to the mantainence room with her and just look at her work. Wires, buttons, hard disks...such new old things. She particularly liked Ash's tool box. It made cool sounds when it opened and closed, in her opinion anyway.
"Aha~! This little bugger was obviously the problem" "oooh, yes yes, I see!" (Mirai doesn't know what she's looking at, but it sure is cool)
My two favorite girls!! OOOOOH my God. They've never looked sweeter. ❤
Who exactly wrote that brilliant description?? I adore the Neon City lore involved... Also, what does it take to commission you nowadays? Keeping an eye out for an announcement journal, perhaps?
My two favorite girls!! OOOOOH my God. They've never looked sweeter. ❤ Who exactly wrote that bril
Hehe, the story and lore is made by myself, though this time with input and edits from Geeky given it's their character. About the commissions, yeah, a journal akin to this one with all the deets, from last week https://inkbunny.net/j/492485-NotHyperion-september-com...
Hehe, the story and lore is made by myself, though this time with input and edits from Geeky given i
Heck. Yes. Now I feel like Neon City has fulfilled all my wishes thanks to Ash! Hyperion Co., help me find an apartment and maybe a job in the Neon City, and I'll be happy to have a 2nd home! :3
Heck. Yes. Now I feel like Neon City has fulfilled all my wishes thanks to Ash! Hyperion Co., help m
