Farewell to Cloudbank

Ø User Authenticated. Welcome. ▼ Amelia Garbur. Associate Editor of the OVC, reporter, and citizen of Cloudbank. ▽ Roleplay blog from Transistor. ▽ Please check out the links for important information!

[mrkanman]

transistored replied to your post “favorite underrated transistor character”

Amelia Garbur was too good for Cloudbank

literally the only character who could do no wrong….

[turbiidus]

your character is allowed to have misconceptions about my character.

your character is allowed to assume mine is stereotypical.

your character is allowed to have an opinion of mine based on appearance.

your character is allowed to judge mine.

your character is allowed to TREAT MINE LIKE A PERSON.

[spookyprime]

commission for @emberwhite

[cosmictuna]

Practice, practice. Amelia Garbur, editor for the OVC terminals. Will be transferring this to photoshop soon. Quick sketch. @transistored

[akatokuro]

Through ice and through fire  A wilderness of stone  With dreams and desires  I have come alone  Seeking the answers  Only you could know  Show me the wisdom of the world  Tell me the secrets of the heart  And the sweet mysteries of love  Come fill my eyes with visions  So that I may see  Reveal the ancient powers  Whisper them to me  Here I stand before you  Ready to receive  Does a place called paradise  Wait beyond the azure skies  Bright as day?  Look into your crystal ball  Read the future in the stars  Does it say?  Will I give my heart in vain  To a lover or a friend  Come what may?  Who to trust and where to turn  There's so much I've yet to learn  Show the way  I am down on my knees  Begging now, begging please 

[nonbinarykars-deactivated201702]

Visit Original Link

I see the lights Dance on the bay All of the dark falls away

A glow from the heights Glances along the water’s skin Nimble and bright, swallowed in I’m always breathless to see Growing so slowly to greet me Where I end and where she begins

When she shines for me at night And her skies show green and white She will keep us in her sight We all lie beneath her light

Lost in the clouds Like tears in the rain Blinking along, all the same

Sleeping alone We never mind her diligence Watching us all lie awake Just on the edge of a dream Growing so slowly to greet me Tearing it all at its seams

When she shines for me at night And her skies show green and white She will keep us in her sight We all lie beneath her light

When she shines for me at night And her skies show green and white She will keep us in her sight We all lie beneath her light

[outcrying]

[ameliaovc]

you can hide underneath me and come out at night when i turn jet black and you show off your light i live to let you shine

[aseaofquotes]

[ameliaovc]

aseaofquotes:

Greer Macallister, The Magician’s Lie

[favoritelittlelyrics]

[ameliaovc]

favoritelittlelyrics:

They May Be Giants, “I Should Be Allowed to Think”

[televisionversion]

Visit Original Link

son lux // no fate awaits me (feat. faux fix)

[ameliaovc]

Ace Reporter, Master Teleporter

[askromana2]

Romana was indeed, more than content to disembark from the boat by herself. She had little patience for formalities when she was able to do without them, although if Amelia had offered to assist her, she would have politely accepted. Her hands full with carrying K9, she carefully hopped from one surface to the other, before setting K9 back down onto more solid land.

”Not at all, it’s quite all right,” She reassured Amelia, “You have a job to do, and I could hardly expect you to drop everything due to my unannounced visit. K9 and I will be quite happy to follow you along to wherever you are needed.”

The two strangers didn’t have much to say as they followed the editor around parts of the city. They remained silent observers, for the most part, keeping pace with Amelia, holding back and staying behind when they needed to, and allowing the editor to do her job without too much interruption. Once or twice, K9 tried to ask several questions, and even tried to wander off - until Romana scolded him and instructed him to behave and remain quiet until they reached Amelia’s apartment. Having considerably more self-restraint than her robotic companion, Romana bit back her own curiosity and wonderment for later, quite content for now to just simply listen, to follow along and observe what she could along the way. There was so much to look at and take in, it was tempting to dawdle and soak more of the city in, but somehow Romana managed to resist that temptation. She stopped to look only when their journey naturally permitted it.    

It was only later on, as they arrived at Amelia’s apartment, that Romana allowed herself to be more inquisitive. Having had the briefest glimpse into the life Amelia and the other citizens of Cloudbank led here, the time lady had quite the appetite for more information.

“I’ve been wondering - you mentioned earlier that you all have a voice here - how exactly does that work?” 

[ameliaovc]

Most of the citizens seemed to walk around the place just like the three of them, though Amelia’s brisk pace made good time. At one point the reporter led them on a quick public shuttle to take them into Highrise quicker. Passersby didn’t take too much notice of either woman, though K9 attracted more than a few curious glances. At a couple of points Amelia had to quicken the pace to stop people from trying to touch the robot, counting on propriety to keep them from interfering.

Once they finished and Amelia opens up her apartment she allowed herself a moment to settle on one side of the couch. The curtains on the nearest window were drawn to allow them their privacy.

“It’s pretty simple in theory, though it’s a lifelong process. Have a seat, if you like. Or I can get you a drink from the kitchen.” With a hand the editor gestured toward the other half of the large house before she gave a nod to the chair at her desk. “It requires going through one of our centers of learning, known as Halls, and then choosing Selections as part of a rite of passage.

“Once we’re part of the system we can vote on local and city-wide issues using our OVC terminals that are spread throughout the city. The OVC also hosts things like radio shows, the news, and individual enterprises. What the city wills, Cloudbank makes into being, utilizing architects, skypainters, businesspeople, and people whose lives and Selections are based off of what they do best. Cloudbank Central Authority keeps things running smoothly through the Administrators, who have the highest privileges. They’re our public servants who we vote into office.”

Amelia pauses in her stream of thoughts with an apologetic smile before getting up. “Water,” she says for explanation before heading toward the kitchen.

[rachell-redacted]

[deermouth]

Visit Original Link

there’s a place called queens

but nobody’s looking for trouble…

[ameliaovc]

Ace Reporter, Master Teleporter

[askromana2]

And so Romana followed, K9 trundling alongside her.

As they reached the dock, Romana bent down and lifted K9 up, carrying him onto the boat, since he couldn’t get onto it himself without assistance. She set him carefully down close to her, hopefully where he wouldn’t get too splashed on the journey, and looked out towards the city. 

“It’s beautiful,” she marveled out loud. It really was. In all of her travels, Romana could think of very few sights she had seen that could compare to something so…radiant. And alive. She felt instantly drawn to it.

The technology she had seen so far fascinated her too. She couldn’t quite place how advanced this civilization was. Amelia’s reaction to her arrival and her reaction to K-9 suggested that Cloudbank couldn’t be that advanced, and yet…other aspects that Romana had seen so far - the terminals, the look of the city, the way the boat they were in appeared to operate…there was a sophistication to it that Romana would have classified as being well beyond the standards of a primitive level 5 civilization, or below.

However this was a different universe to the one Romana was used to. Perhaps Time Lord classifications of civilizations and technology couldn’t really be applied here. So far it appeared this place followed its own set of rules that didn’t quite correlate with what Romana was used to, and it confused and intrigued her greatly. What a strange place this was…!

[ameliaovc]

The wind of their passage ruffled Amelia’s hair into a disheveled mess and made her blink. Her stare remained on the city ahead, though she could barely hear the time lady’s exclamation. “It’s the perfect city, really. We all have a voice here, carried out by Central Authority, and we can choose the future with a simple vote.” A proud smile flickered on her lips. What else was there to say? Cloudbank didn’t need an advocate when it spoke for itself.

Once the boat came to a halt at the lamp-lit dock she stepped out and turned toward her guest. Courtesy insisted that she offer a hand to help the strange woman off of the boat, though she had a feeling it would be turned down. Romana seemed like the sort of woman who took pride in doing things by herself. Taking a step back instead, she offered a nod and a brief itinerary.

“We’re on the outer stretch of Goldwalk Channel at the moment. I’ll have to take us to the Promenade first, before swinging into Highrise and Bracket Towers for a quick report. I don’t need to go into the offices for my pieces today so we’ll be free to go straight to the apartment after that,” Amelia added, “but I need to be quick about the reports. We can tour the city on our own time tomorrow after work. Sorry to drag you along for the ride!”

[ameliaovc]

Ace Reporter, Master Teleporter

[askromana2]

“Yes, K-9. The letter ‘k’ and the number ‘nine’ - someone thought it was a clever name for him. He is my dog and my friend,” Romana explained. Although maybe her explanation was rather lacking for people who weren’t familiar with robots.

K9 wagged the stiff antennae on his rear like tail, and the red panel placed roughly where the eyes should have been, lit up for a brief moment as he spoke again. “Greetings,” the AI said politely, addressing Amelia directly. 

Romana nodded in agreement with Amelia’s words. “That sounds quite agreeable. Thank you. In that case, lead the way, and we’ll follow.”

For the moment, she wasn’t too concerned about her ship. It could stay where it was in its current OVC terminal disguise - hopefully the locals wouldn’t pay it too much attention, and besides, Romana’s TARDIS was more than capable of looking after itself. Perhaps she would see about moving it later so that she could work on the repairs, but for now…Romana was more intrigued to see just what this ‘Cloudbank’ was like, and what she could find out about it.

[ameliaovc]

Dark eyes narrowed at the word ‘dog’ but there wasn’t much she could say on the matter. Dogs didn’t talk, or look remotely like this creature, but perhaps Romana’s world was somehow different in that aspect. “Hello, K9,” the editor ventured cautiously, before giving them a smile and beckoning.

Leading the way was a tad awkward at first. Amelia had to start off a few steps ahead, rather than the usual Cloudbank method of walking side by side, because neither the strange woman or her talking dog box knew the way. So she headed in the general direction of the city-owned water crafts and cut across any paths in their way. It took about seven minutes of winding around trees to get to the dock and step into an empty boat. All she had to do was activate it with a touch to the on-board control screen and they would be off.

Across the channel Cloudbank glimmered. Buildings towered on the horizon like incandescent building blocks; an impossibility that kept rebuilding itself from moment to moment on a whim. It was some mad architect’s opus—a relic from an age that never could have been. Down below people bustled from event to event, carving out lives and decisions with absolute freedom. Decadence and industriousness radiated from the proud city across from them, amplified by the customizable canvas that could be anything and everything one desired.

[ameliaovc]

Ace Reporter, Master Teleporter

[askromana2]

“Well I’m quite certain I’m no one important. Just a visitor passing through who happened to take a wrong turning.” She nodded in acknowledgement. Having just met Amelia, Romana wasn’t sure just how much she could trust her - but she seemed genuine and decent enough. Romana trusted her words were honest.     

“…Until I can get my ship working again. It appears I’m stuck here, yes.” Still, the time lord mused, as far as places to get stranded in went, this place seemed rather inviting. Far better this than an inhospitable rock in the middle of nowhere…or worse. By comparison this place looked positively enchanting!

“Fairview and Cloudbank…” Romana considered thoughtfully, “I can’t say I recognize those names at all. What about you, K9?”

The dog-shaped robot, which had stood entirely still beside Romana’s ship up until now, slowly lifted his head. There was a whirring sound as his ‘ears’ swiveled left and right.

“Negative.” an electronic voice from the robot agreed. “No results found for ‘Fairview’ and ‘Cloudbank’ in my database, Mistress. The location is unknown.”

“-And I’ve certainly never been here before. Yes, a tour would be very welcome, and so would a place to stay.” Romana smiled at Amelia, before adding sincerely, “That is, if it really isn’t too much trouble for you. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

[ameliaovc]

The... thing Romana had pulled out was moving. Amelia eyed it with growing unease before backing up. Then a voice came out of it—a prim, quick voice, oddly pitched, with a faint buzz that sounded incredibly foreign—and the reporter flinched automatically. Something like that couldn’t exist. It wasn’t human or animal, was it?

“...Canine?” It didn’t seem very dog-shaped, unless it was a particularly deformed animal, nor was it in any way furry or alive. Animals didn’t talk either, as far as Amelia was concerned.  Whatever it was, that thing was unnatural.

Finding her thoughts again took a moment. “I... uh, I’m happy to let you sleep on the couch in my apartment. You and your... well. It’s not a problem. How about we start by getting over to the mainland? I have a few places I need to see today for reports before going home.” Regardless of the terminal ship or the odd foundations, Amelia still had a job to do and events to record for her readers.

[ameliaovc]

Ace Reporter, Master Teleporter

[askromana2]

“…If it’s more convenient, you can call me Romana,” she added helpfully. She shook the editor’s hand firmly. “It’s good to meet you, Amelia. An associate editor? I do hope that doesn’t mean I’ll end up on today’s news. I had been intending not to draw too much attention.”

Romana looked back at the terminal, mildly intrigued. “Oh, is that what it’s called? I was wondering what it was. …I’m afraid my ship isn’t really an OVC Terminal at all; what you are seeing is merely a disguise. You see, whenever I arrive at a new destination, the chameleon circuit in my ship analyses the surrounding area and determines a shape which would best blend in with the environment.” She paused in her explanation to sigh. “-And apparently my ship thought disguising itself as that terminal would be a great idea. Not consulting me at all in the matter, of course. Struggling out of a terminal screen wasn’t exactly the kind of entrance I had in mind.” Romana glanced apologetically at Amelia. “…I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

“And really I didn’t even intend to land here at all…there was a malfunction with my guidance system. Long story short, my ship crashed and here I am. I managed to stabilize the damage done to my ship, but unfortunately from what I can tell, it’s going to take a while to make the repairs to get it operational again. I thought I might as well get out and see where I landed. Perhaps take a look around.”

Romana glanced around at her surroundings with immense curiosity. It wasn’t quite like anything she had ever seen before. “What do you call this place?”

[ameliaovc]

“Romana,” she repeated, returning the handshake with similar pressure. “That depends on if you’re someone important to the city, but I don’t think you need to worry.” With a smile Amelia tucked her hands back into her coat pockets. “While I’m always on the lookout for a story, I don’t seek to share it all. The truth I want is my own.”

Her eyes slid back toward the terminal with the other woman’s explanation. Whatever this chameleon circuit was, it had done an exact job on making it look like a terminal. The function and texture, though, had something to be desired. “I’m sure I’ve seen worse,” she murmured, hopefully in a conciliating manner, “but I can’t think of anything at the moment. It’s fine. So... you’re stuck here until you fix your ship.”

Having a perplexing woman appear from the sky out of an even more peculiar vehicle was hardly everyday news. The reason for landing, at least, seemed to be straightforward and truthful.

After a moment’s thought the editor answered, “We’re in Fairview. It’s more of a suburb of Cloudbank, since it’s further from the center, so this place isn’t very developed.” The strange foundations briefly flashed before her mind’s eye. “If you’ve never been here, I could give you a tour later. At the moment, though, I need to get back to the mainland. Do you need a place to stay while you fix your ship?”