~*~
A crowd of people known as the Roosterteeth cast, interns and all, were gathered right outside their base of opperations a.k.a the parking lot, as Ryan Haywood spoke with Michael Jones and Gavin Free by his sides. Lindsey stood near the front of the crowd, camera in-hand.
"Hello everyone! Now, I know I'm not the one who usually starts these kind of things," Scattered snickers from the crowd. ".. but we are starting a new age of Immersion."
Ryan motioned to two reclined chairs that were right inside the building, various wires pouring from them and into a helmet, several suction-cups, and what looked to be an I.V.
Gavin felt his stomach knot up in anticipation. Ryan had told him how safe it was, that they had taken every precaution, but he still felt scared. His hazel eyes moved to the redhead not too far from him. Michael met his gaze before giving a nervous, yet reassuring smile. It was unlike him to show that.. He was usually the one telling Gavin to grow some balls and man up, but he was just as nervous and frightful this time..
He didn't blame him one bit.
After returning the thought-banishing smile, Gavin was all ears for Ryan's words.
"Here with me is Michael Jones and Gavin Free, our little test monkeys for the new Immersion."
A loud round of applause sounded, and laughter was spread throughout the crowd.
"We are using a program called 'Fall-Back.' The program with enter them into a virtual reality world, in which we're beginning in Minecraft. The helmets will not only send them visual content, but also sensory content, meaning they will taste, smell, feel, and hear all of their surroundings. It is the ultimate reality."
The crowd was silent, eagerly awaiting to see how it worked.
Ryan led the pair inside to the wired chairs that stood side by side. They were placed near the front desk, for observing purposes. Plus, the security cameras were poised near the spot so they could capture the video more easily.
Gavin and Michael each sat in a chair. It wasn't surprisingly comfy, but it wasn't too bad. They both leaned into the obtuse angle of the chairs, waiting as Ryan and Geoff placed the suction cups onto their skin. Lindsey stayed by Michael's side, placing a loving kiss to his cheek before standing back and watching silently.
Ray was next to Gavin's chair, a warm smile on his face as he spoke to the pair. "Hey, better not mess up. X-Ray still needs his Vav, and Team Lads needs to stay. Can't let the Gents win, now can we?" Gavin returned the smile before Ray stepped back to let them continue.
After everything was set up, including an I.V. in each arm for the upkeep of their bodies if the timing inside 'Fall-Back' were prolonged, Geoff started up the world they had pre-loaded for Michael and Gavin to explore. There was a screen attached to Fall-Back, as well as a small desk, mouse, keyboard, and headset.
Geoff placed the headset on before looking at his screen. Gavin and Michael looked as they did in the real world, although they were dressed in a Banjo Kazooie and Creeper costume respectively. They looked over themselves with interest before addressing the new world.
"How's it look, guys?"
Michael and Gavin both winced as the voice boomed from the recently appeared blocky man.
"Jesus Christ, Geoff. Turn the volume down!" Michael growled in anger.
Geoff lowered the mic volume and adjusted it a bit farther from his face.
"How's it sound now?"
"Well, you aren't blasting our ears. And everything looks absolutely top!" The brit was nearly bouncing in excitement. Michael just rolled his eyes.
"Alright Geoff, where are we?"
"Well, you two are in the beginnings of Achievement City. The logo and houses are here, but all of our Let's Play builds are not. It should be right this way."
And with that, the blocky Master Chief started running through the trees. Michael and Gavin jogged to keep up the the unnatural image as it led them to the vast clearing of Achievement City.
"Wow, Geoff. Your house looks even bigger then before." Michael spoke, craning his head to search for the top of the skyscraper of a building.
Gavin squealed like a toddler in a toy store, elated at the virtual world. "Micool! Look at our houses! Everything looks tippy toppers!" Gavin placed his hands against the cobblestone wall of his house. "And everything feels so real!"
Michael rolled his eyes, but to his surprise, the brit was right. He flattened his hand against the textured wood of the door, feeling the individual rivets. It felt as it would in the real world.
Michael remembered what else Ryan had explained.
"Hey Gav. You have any apples?"
Gavin nodded, very sure of himself. "Yeah, just inside. I'll get one." As soon as Gavin swung open the door, he tripped over a painting, and proceeded to laugh about his forgetfulness.
"Ha, forgot that was even there."
Michael groaned softly at the tan-haired boy's stupidity before an apple landed at his feet. He glanced at Gavin who had one of his signature grins plastered to his face.
Michael picked up and took a tentative bite of the red apple to find it was surprisingly sweet. He munched on it before a scary thought appeared. If everything was so real, what would happen if they got hurt? Or died?
Geoff broke into his solemn thoughts like he was reading his mind.
"Now, this world is on Easy Mode, meaning you can die. But we have an automatic eject for when that happens."
"What happens if it doesn't eject?" Gavin questioned, moving over to prod their pixeled guide.
Geoff's character batted his hand away.
"It won't, don't worry about it."
Michael raised a brow at how easily Geoff blew off the question.
"What happens when it doesn't, Geoff?" Michael pressured. It wasn't a matter of 'if', but 'when' in his eyes.
Geoff's voice flaired with anger as it emitted from the emotionless pixels.
"It /won't,/ Michael."
Michael felt uneasy before growling. "Let us out, Geoff."
"Michael, it-!"
"I said LET US OUT." Michael's words were angry and forceful, sending Gavin into backing away from the two.
".. Fine." Geoff grumbled before audibly slamming his headphones down and mumbling angry profanity. His voice faded and Gavin frowned softly at the red-headed boy.
"He said it was safe, Micool."
"I don't care. I want out of this."
"But Micool.. Why are you so scared-"
"I'm NOT scared. I just don't feel like losing my life to a fucking video game."
Gavin slinked back a step more, seeming very interested in his shoes as he murmured a soft 'okay.'
After several silent moments, Ray's voice appeared from the blocky Master Chief.
"Hey, uhm.. Guys?" Ray's voice shook as if he was terrified.
"Yeah, Ray?" Gavin questioned, worried about his friend's tone.
"We have a.. Er, small problem."
