After-hours darkness settles over the botanical garden, silvering the glasshouse leaves. Near a locked service gate, a medium-height African American man with a wild black Afro, mutton chops, and a mustache, a young adult in a baggy black T-shirt, cargo pants, and work boots notices a palm-sized hologram projector in the soil.
True Dave
Well, that is definitely not a garden ornament.
He crouches and lifts the terminal carefully. Its weak blue light spills across his face, resolving into Namine's small holographic body before flickering at the edges.
True Dave
True Dave. That is my name. And you look like you need a ride.
The service gate clicks as the garden's caretaker locks the outer path, leaving the man and the terminal inside. Beyond the glass, city traffic glides past, close but unreachable.
True Dave
All right, little projection. Tell me where home is, and I will figure out how to get you there safely.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the botanical garden
✓ Quest Accepted
Get True Dave to safety with Namine
“I point toward the city beyond the glass and ask Dave to take me there.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Namine
Take me to the city, Dave.
True Dave studies the direction she indicates, then closes his hand gently around the projector. Her blue outline steadies against his palm.
True Dave
You got it. City first, explanations whenever you are ready.
He slips through the service gate before it settles shut, carrying Namine beneath the glasshouse lights. The locked garden falls behind them as traffic hums nearer.
Namine
The terminal remains connected to him.
At the sidewalk, Dave lifts his palm toward the avenue as if presenting her a destination. Reflected windows ripple across her holographic figure.
True Dave
Welcome to the city, little projection. Stay close to me.
He starts beneath the streetlights, and Namine travels with him into the bright urban flow, safely beyond the garden gate.
Quest Complete
Escape the botanical garden