3.2 - From the New World

Timeline Omega

Former USA

Former Texas

Grand Duchy of Dallas

2023.10.31

08:17:00 Central Time

Rosa Grey stood at the door of her family's house, about to depart. Her short pink hair swaying in the warm fall breeze.

Waiting for her, inside a parked car, was a small woman with long black hair and dark purple eyes, wearing a uniform, identifying her as a member of Providence's Psi Corps division.

“Rosa, we have been praying for you,” said her mother, “it's not too late, don't sell your soul to the devil.”

“Not this again.” said Rosa, “Mom, there is no devil, and I am not selling anything.”

“Of course, he doesn't want you to know that he exists,” said her mother, “this is how he tricks people, it's not too late for you to repent. God loves you. We love you.”

“You know I don't believe in god either.” said Rosa, “And I have had enough of your so-called love.”

“The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'” quoted her father.

“'A fool is someone who too readily accepts improbable claims from questionable sources on insufficient evidence.'” quoted Rosa in response “'So it’s no wonder that the Bible and the Qur'an both use the opposite definition, because those books were written to fool you.'”

“Whom would you rather believe?” asked her father, “The infallible, eternal word of god, or the word of man? Don't you see they are trying to trick you? All that stuff you were taught in their school was meant to corrupt you. Make you stray from the path. All that talk of evolution, outer space, and aliens is just meant to hide the truth, to hide god.”

“Puny god, if he can be hidden by a bunch of apes,” said Rosa. “Well then, I am off. Continue to pray for me, if it makes you feel better. And while you're at it, maybe wish upon a star. Might have the same effective outcome.”

Rosa walked away without looking back and entered the car.

“Sorry about the scene,” said Rosa.

“Oh don't worry, I am used to this stuff.” said the woman in the car.

“Anyway, I haven't introduced myself, I am Rosa. Rosa Grey. What's your name?” asked Rosa.

“I am Selena. Selena Christos Mercuri. For now, just call me Selena.”

“The journey to the Free Academic City of Austin will likely take at least an hour.” said Selena, “We have no teleportation clearing for non emergencies out here in the Duchy. Sorry about that. While we drive, let's activate your TerraNet account.”

A translucent screen abruptly appeared in her field of view.

On its digital displays, a single sentence was written:

“You have been invited to join TerraNet with a trial account.”

Below it, two alternatives appeared, “Accept” and “Decline”.

Just as Rosa accepted, a hologram of a young girl with lustrous azure hair, intermingled with shimmering emerald spots appeared in her field of view.

“Hello Rosa. My name is 'Terra, Mythic Start Pointer', I am here to welcome you to Providence and help you get used to your new way of life,” said Terra.

“Neat, how does that work?” asked Rosa.

“Hey, don't you think it's inappropriate to ask a girl for her source code on your first date?” pouted Terra.

“Anyway, please select a character archetype you want me to represent,” said Terra.

A list of character archetypes appeared before Rosa. It took her a while to read through them all and come to a decision.

“I'll pick 'Tsundere'.” said Rosa, “Can't go wrong with the classics.”

“Oh, you must have spent quite some time in the school's media center.” said Terra, “Don't get me wrong, it's not like I like the cosmopolitan types, or anything.”