Immersion 26 Under the Influences

'You are human now,' said Flex, 'you are perfectly entitled to make a *fooksymess of everything.'
Seemingly already intoxicated, Flex began a series of disastrous summersaults and cartwheels, crashing into things and laughing hysterically.

Renyke takes the pill and swallows it under the watchful eye of the self-satisfied Freak.
The last thing he would remember for the rest of his life was Empress Sheila entering the room.


There were other things, not quite real enough to mark as memories, but cerebral influences in time and space, changes, warping fluid feelings, fleeting, gone the second there was a connection.


Renyke felt sure that people danced upon his very body: that he was presented as a gift to insatiable appetites in delicious forms.


There were pleasures of the flesh that Renyke had never experienced before and his new sex organ took on a life of its own under neon lights and music from alien instruments and choirs. His member was a fine specimen, that he was aware of, and the Freaks had flocked to pleasure themselves upon it.


Renyke knew well enough about human sex and animal urges. He had been privy to the private and personal lives of his employers at the Midcast house. But he had always misunderstood the power of sexuality and physical pleasures of the human form, both giving and taking, until this night in the tunnels.




Song for Freaks






Saw you on the track
With weight on your back
You're a freak
and I think
that I love you


We've got time ahead
You're inside my head
You're a freak
and I think
that I love you


I see in your moves
When you're in the room
You're a freak
and I think
that I love you


Gliding butterflies' breeze
I'm begging you, please
You're a freak
and I think
that I love you


Don't care what they say
You're my 'this is the day'
You're a freak
and I think
that I love you




Got something to share
but going nowhere
Come share my dreams,
I'm more than I seem
Let's do it for love
just me and you
I'm a freak too


I don't care what they say
You're my 'do it today'
You're a freak and I think I love you


©2022 Tale Teller Club Sarnia de la Maré FRSA




**********




The new day was marked by Maybeline running around squeaking and jumping on Renyke's face.
She seems agitated.


Flex and Renyke stir.


'Was that all real?' Renyke asks Flex.
'Ah, don't ask me, my friend, I only remember singing,' answered Flex.


Renyke engages the POS


Well, thank you for remembering to engage me finally Renyke. I hope that your evening went well.


'Am I OK?'


The POS takes some time to examine Renyke,


You are in good health but your water content is a little low, 75%. And you are low on sleep. There appear to be some areas of chaffing, but nothing to worry about, I have initiated fast cell regrowth.


Do you know what happened?


You danced extensively and overate. It appears that you have impregnated many of the tribespeople. My investigations would suggest that you were used as a donor bank for sperm to add more DNA to the gene pool here.


'What?' shouts Renyke.
'What?' asks Flex.


'It seems I was used as some kind of donor......'


'Oh that,' answers Flex. 'Well, you seemed fine about it.'


We need to get out of here now, exclaimed Renyke, unsure of what he was feeling but concerned about being kidnapped by the Freaks.


Maybeline too seemed to be fretting.


Suddenly the chamber door opens and Empress Sheila enters.


A wave of trepidation engulfs Renyke and he tenses up.


'You are afraid?' asks the Empress.


'We need to get to Redact, now, soon.' replies Renyke.


Flex is gathering their things and Maybeline is at the ready.


'Indeed, your time is done.' The Empress bows. 'Please, allow Nigel to guide you to the end of the tunnels. They lead directly to the perimeter of Redact. There are guards protecting the fences but they are expecting you.'






to be continued
© 2022 Tale Teller Club/Immersion

Immersion Chapter 22 Dreams and Changes

Flex mops Renyke's brow for the final time, staring hopefully into his friend's face.


Maybeline is sniffing and nibbling Renyke's nose and he sneezes and sits up, startled.


At last, the three-day fever is over.


'Ah, thank Goddess you made it. For a moment there I thought you were off to the metamorph,' said Flex, looking relieved.


'What happened, was it real?' Asks Renyke, shaking the silvery powder from his clothes.


'You were dreaming brother, had a fever, delirium, saying all sorts of weird stuff,' answers Flex.


'But it was so real....I was swimming with Shabra, and there were others....women and children, fairies, witches, mermaids, and so much singing.....' Renyke trails off.


'Chance'd be a fine thing,' said Flex, 'just dreams my friend, just dreams.'


Renyke stands and looks down at his clothes.


'Ew, what is that smell?' he asks.


'Ha ha ha ha .....that is your dirty sweat man! Let's find some water and clean up.'


'We can go through the caves to the fjord. It's not far, I was there whilst you dreamed of beautiful women, hahaha! I was busy collecting water so you wouldn't die. Can't have you dying, not after all we been through brother.' Flex smacks Renyke's back.


'Arrgh! What was that?' Screams Renyke.


"What d'ya mean man, just a bump Brother.' exclaimed Flex.


'Do it again?' demands Renyke.


'Do what again, what d'ya mean.....?' Flex is shaking his head, convinced Renyke has lost it, finally.


'Hit me. Hit me hard, demands Renyke moving closer, Do it I tell you.....Do it again.'


Flex, getting increasingly agitated, wacks his friend hard on the shoulder so he is thrust forward.


'Aaargghh....again, again.......' demands Renyke.


'Fuxywot .....man?' Flex is shaking his head.


'One more, just one.....please,' begs Renyke.


Flex sighs, 'OK, mudafink, last time.'


Flex gives the final thwack some extra rage and Renyke almost falls over.


Then Renyke begins to laugh and to laugh again. A deep-bellied laugh from deep within.


'Ha ha ha ha ha,'


Flex joins in the hilarity and it continues. 'Ha ha ha ha.'


Then Flex asks, 'Why are we laughing?'


'I can feel, I can feel you touch me. I felt it, like never before.'


Ah, tut,' Flex shows an all-knowing nod. 'That's cos you're a human now Renyke.


Aint no droid left my friend.'






to be continued......


© 2022 Tale Teller Club™








Continue the story





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Find out more about Flex



Listen to Immersion Music





More Episodes ​
Immersion, (strata 1) The Beginning: Renyke Wakes in the Alley
Renyke Risks The Water (Strata 12) Immersion Bk 1
Returning to Land (Strata 12) Immersion Bk 1
The Ship of Sirens (Strata 11) Immersion Bk 1
The Waterway Journey Begins (Strata 11) Immersion Bk 1
Searching for a Signal (Strata 11) Immersion Bk 1
After the Ambush The Journey to the Edge (Strata 10) Immersion Bk 1
Renyke Opens the Window at the Ambush (Strata 10) Bk 1
Shabra Reverses to Escape The Bastardos Gang (Strata 10) Bk 1
The Bar in the Zones and the Urch's Religion: Immersion (Strata 9)
Flex, the Tall Man of Many Colours
The Left Turn at the Crossroad, Immersion (Strata 9) Bk 1
The Right Turn at the Crossroad, Immersion (Strata 9) Bk 1
The Straight Road and the Vortex, Immersion (Strata 9) Bk 1
Immersion, Choices Must be Made (Strata 8) Bk 1
Dinfants, the Story of the Mark 1s (Strata 8) Book 1
An Explosion Occurs Immersion (Strata 8) Bk 1
Dinfant Trouble Immersion (Strata 8) Bk 1
Check Mate (Strata 7) Immersion Bk 1
Renyke Makes an Exchange with Shabra
Immersion Roleplay Book at Tale Teller Club. Immersive Storytelling
Dinfants, First Generation, Immersion Book 1
Glossary Immersion All Strata Book 1
Shabra (Strata 6) Immersion Book 1
The Cart (Strata 6) Immersion Book 1
The Scritters Page, Pests That Prove Hard to Irradicate. From Immersion Strata 5
Jarome and the Scritters, Immersion, (strata 5)
Auld Lang Syne Immersion Video by Tale Teller Club
Immersion, (strata 4) Trouble in the Bank
Immersion, Renyke Sells The File to the Bank
Immersion, (strata 3) Renyke Goes to the Bank
Immersion, The Death Page
Renyke Meets The Female Guide in the Zones (strata 2)
That Damned Dog, Immersion (strata 2)
Immersion, Renyke Tries to Retrace His Steps And Leave the Zones
Immersion (strata 1) Maybeline and Renyke Meet
Immersion, Renyke and Maybeline (Strata 1)
Immersion, Role Play and Interactive Storytelling at Tale Teller Club


Visit Death Page

Strata 2





Return to Start

Strata 3





​

Immersion Chapter 21 Sleep

The Land is Polluted After the Russia China Wars



Flex and Renyke secure the boat in a secluded area, should they need to find it again.


'Better safe than sorry Renyke, in case we encounter any freaks,'


Renyke tries to access the POS but there is not even a flicker of activity.


The rain is hard and there is an ominous sense of doom in this place.


'We Should rest a while maybe sleep, get some strength up. This last bit needs strong wits and gilly feet.' says Flex, pointing towards a cave.


Renyke yawns to release a wave of exhaustion in front of the fire.


'You need to rest my friend', insists Flex.


In the midcast projects there was no such thing as sleep. Occasionally owners would turn their droids off to conserve energy or for privacy reasons but usually home connected droids would be available and on alert at all hours.


'I don't understand why I would be tired, it makes no sense,' says Renyke, looking concerned but barely able to keep his eyes open.


'Stress not, my friend, you are safe here,' says Flex folding a jumper and making a pillow for him.


Renyke rubs his eyes and feels something on his face. His skin is falling off and tiny flecks of shiny detritus fill the air around him in a glittering aura.


'Brother got him a halo,' laughs Flex as the light from the cave opening refracts through tiny particles of silver.


Then Renyke falls asleep and for the first time since his manufacture, dreams.

Immersion Chapter 20 The Ship of Sirens

The small sailboat is dwarfed by an expanse of open water with inlets and makeshift jetties that jut from the coastline. There are remnants of industrial activity, torn and broken bridges, and old shipwrecks.


'What happened here?' Renyke asks, pointing at the knotted metal casings of old aircraft and skeletal flyovers. It looks like a war zone.'


'It was just that brother, a war zone. They left because of the gas and radiation, way back after the China Russian wars killed everything off. Even the weeds stopped growing. It's OK now but they never came back to fix it. Not yet anyway, so the urchs and zoners made homes here.'


Renyke suddenly engages his arm extension and catches a fish.


'Can I eat this? Is it safe?'


Flex raises an eyebrow.


'Man, you are fast, I didn't even see your hand move.'


A large fish is wriggling in Renyke's hand.


'Yes, we can eat the fish. Here, I will save it till we make......


Before Flex had a chance to mention a campfire Renyke swallows the fish's head and eagerly chomps on it. The fish's tail fin lets go of one final motor neuron impulse as Renyke swallows it whole.


'Ah man, you droids are sickos. Get me another for lunch, we can cook it, if you don't mind.'


Renyke collects a pile of fish onto the deck, separating one out for Maybeline.


'I never really ate before. Not since I woke in the Alley. Then I felt hungry.' explains Renyke.


'Something must have happened when you, ya know...' Flex trails off as a Large ship approaches.




'Ah *fuxywot, it's a scout ship. Don't look, they will steal your dreams!'


The ship has a large figurehead shaped like a Greek statue. The hull is painted black and a warning horn is sounding.


There is some kind of music bellowing, opera and drums. The noise was captivating and Renyke found it hard not to look.


Dark figures stand on the ship's deck in masks. They carry weapons and begin to pound sticks on the decks as the ship sails past.


'Who are they?' Ask Renyke.


'Stop staring,' Flex hisses, 'They hate being stared at. It's insulting brother.'


'But.....'


'Stop it!' shouts Flex splashing water in Renyke's face.'


The ship moves past, its black hull, a monster eating waves and chanting echoes to the rhythm of the clattering and pounding of sticks. The music is petrifying and exhilarating all at once.


The women stare back at Renyke burning their energy deep into his soul. He finally looks away, releasing his pent-up fear and adoration in a gasp of relief. Water drips from his nose and chin.



'You are going to get us killed, do you hear me....killed, a nasty slow death-by-siren, that's what.'


'But they were so.....'


'Droid got no clue,' mumbles Flex.


A wind rises as the black ship fades from sight.


The sky turns grey and there is a sudden temperature drop.


'See now brother, that's a curse for staring at them. Now we got a storm to deal with.'


There is a small inlet with an old pier that Flex points to.


'We should take cover, no point fighting a storm.'


'How far to Redact?' Asks Renyke.


'We are real close. See that island yonder, it's a peninsular. That is where Redact is. But it is tricky to get there by sea because of the rocks, best on foot my friend. Especially in a storm.'


Renyke is keen to get to the island. It would be a fast sail in the wind and the rain is light. But the POS is not active and he realizes that he is no sailor.


'I am a strong swimmer,' says Renyke, assuming he can actually swim as he had never tried.


'Hahahahahahahaha, what like some kinda reptile droid now are you?' Flex is laughing hysterically when he pushes Renyke just enough to scare him.


'Hahahahaha, what are you Renyke my friend, an amphibian or a smartphone? Hahahaha.
You wanna try that my friend you go alone with the rat on your head, and I will be on my way. I will see your insides washed up on the shore next week and use them for *swapsy-trade. Ain't no fool like a *midcast fool, fresh from the laundry room.'


Flex is no longer laughing. He is warning Renyke behind the joke.




Renyke thinks for a moment as the rain begins to pelt.








© 2022 Tale Teller Club™






​

Immersion 16 Shabra and the Bar

Shabra leads the group into the bar after parking the vehicle outside.


'OK, doggy, you stay guard of Miss Shabra's sexy wheels. Let no one touch it OK.'
The dog wags its tail and sits importantly on the roof.


It is busy around the doorway and visitors and guests have to be approved to enter.


A large fat man with a long beard frisks them before they go in.
Renyke, not used to any sort of frisking in his past life, already feels uncomfortable.


'Welcome brother.' the bouncer said to Flex, 'how thee go?'


'Fine, just fine, my friend,' Flex answered, 'All is good. We continue unabated. We live another day, brother, *vilarev.'


They enter the bar. Renyke is uncertain about what to do. He has never been in a bar before. It is thick with smoke, the smell of nibs, sweat, and the streets. Never has the scent of raw humanity been so prevalent in his nasal cavity.






the bar owner talks in rhymes like many Urchs

A woman approaches chanting poetry with her arms outstretched.
'The sun shines bright when you let in the light, welcome my sister of the night.'


She embraces Shabra and they exchange warm greetings. Excited to make new acquaintances the woman beckons the group to sit at a table.


'Ah, Come, come my friends. I have a perfect place for you to sit. And you know this one is on the house for you my dear sister. Because, my Shabra, I have not seen her for so long. And this feels good for she is a mighty fine warrior.


The woman beckons a member of staff 'let's have liquor.' she says, 'bring my best for my new friends.'


'Rennick asks the POS for details about the venue, the location and the owner.


The POS struggles to stay connected.


.......data unavailable..... scrambled information




'How come these places aren't mapped?' Renyke asked Shabra.


'Mr Renick, you ask too many questions. 'We hide. We survive best when we hide.'


'Yes,' interjected Flex, 'and we move, we move often. The key is to keep moving. This bar pops up all over the place. You never know where it's going to be. You've got to move on your feet in the zones. Nothing is permanent. Only your lungs and your heart. Only your breath and when that's not permanent, you're dead and you're ready for the •metamorph.




And we know not where that will take us for sure.


Renyke checks the POS.....


.....Urchs believe in various spiritual concepts, nothing is written down, oral tradition and faith are passed from parents to children.


....Urchs believe that unhappy entities (ghosts) from the future can affect the present and so they take care to create a better path for their descendants.


.....Urchs believe that death is the start of something else, neither better nor worse, just different, referred to as the third life.


....Urchs are highly protective of the third life and understand that hate manifested in individuals from the second life can be passed through to the third. They believe that hate is so powerful that it can cause great evolutionary pain even when it is an unknown or unrecognised force. They believe that hate and anger are such powerful energies that they can control what people do in the future and that the present is thus also affected by it. Hate becomes circular energy that rotates between past present and future, forging an eternal link.


....Urchs seek fulfillment, enlightenment, and enrichment in the second life. They believe that these things, ideals of contentment, will be taken to the third life and that without these things there will be suffering. The dead are responsible for the living, the living are responsible for the future born.


.....Urchs believe that taking drugs will help them understand what is 'real real' and that the stresses of daily existence mask these realities and render them misunderstood. Urchs believe that getting high enables them a greater understanding of reality and even an ability to meet the entities of the future and to realise their path to enlightenment.





'We shouldn't stay here too long, and you shouldn't get high,' says Renyke, looking at Shabra who is drinking the free liquor.


'You are so uptight Mr Renyke.' Shabra winks.


There is a brief conversation between a man and Shabra that Renyke cannot understand.


The POS has lost signal so Renyke turns to Flex.


'What is this dialect?' he asks.


'Ah, that is zonespeak, with some colour changes for the Urchs. We have our own code see.'


Shabra rises, 'Let's Go! I think there is some trouble around tonight.'






Outside a small urch child sits on the bonnet of the car.


'Can I come too?' the child asks excitedly.


'No man, This is grown-up stuff, Come see me tomorrow, now *fucksyoff.'




The child jumps off the bonnet, hugs Flex and runs away


Various people try to offer them drugs. Another offers a selection of weapons. Finally they are all in the car and they drive to the underpass through a thinning crowd. The child appears again on the bonnet, facing forwards and singing with a fist raised.




'No sweat,' says Flex, 'we will get him off the other side. He does no harm, annoying little wretch.'


Suddenly there is an almighty bang and the child on the bonnet is shot. Its guts are all over the windscreen, blood drips down the glass and the crowd scarpers.
Everyone screams.


The OS engages


.....99% likelihood of robbery, ambush, death alert!


There is a man in front of the car pointing an AK 47 and two other men flank the vehicle banging on the windows


'Bastardos gang aint getting my *vicular.', screams Shabra.


Then..........