[Received: Tracked Data; Wit of Zephyr; and Hyperprosexia]
The previously empty panel now had words relaying the sudden message. Jacob calmed down from his panic and rubbed his chin with a raised brow.
'And these are?' He requested.
The moment the thought that, the words formed into sentences, offering the much needed explanation.
[As congratulations for a successful synchronization, the Host has received the following:
Tracked Data; a feature allowing the Host to paste and replicate information from a technological device and be able to operate as functionally expected.
Currently 3 slots available.
Wit of Zephyr; Host shall at all times maintain a rational mind in dire situations.
Conscience no longer shackles you.
Hyperprosexia; Host now posseses the ability to entirely focus on a designated task(s) with premier concentration span.
Highly resistant to distractions. ]
Immediately after reading that, Jacob felt a change occuring in his brain. The walls of his mind felt eerily cold, but it was later accompanied by a soothing feel of freedom. As though invisible chains were being severed. His hazel eyes dimmed and the always aloof expression on his face doubled over and became stoical.
His mind now felt sharper and his thoughts now glided along the globe of his consciousness. Jacob took a deep breath, savoring the air as if it were his first time. He exhaled through his teeth and massaged his chin, mulling over what had just transpired. He had undergone a change in demeanor. His thinking capacity had just undergone a massive upgrade, he surely would be trying that out soon. Might help in his studies even.
"Haaa~ that felt miraculous," his bass had gained a note lower, if before he had a deep voice; now he sounded like an ancient being passing on his will through speech.
Jacob sauntered over to his room (a small area beside the bathroom that acted as a storage for equipment, it was big enough to sleep in and Clara had allowed him the place), opening the door, he was presented with a small space that fit a mattress and a small wooden shelf that he kept his clothes. A small circular window graced the compact walls, flooding the serene space with golden light. He kept the place tidy, unlike his roommate, that owl just lived however.
Walking over to the shelf, he picked out a navy blue, casual round neck Polo shirt. He desired to head over to Oliver's and get done with the business issue that he still thought of as a prank. 'Wouldn't hurt to know what this is all about, I'm already late for my job anyways,' he got dressed and prepared to leave for the meeting.
"Clara, Anne, I'm heading out."
The air vibrated to his echoes, a groan came from the room and Jacob chuckled, Clara was surely not going to like his voice now in the mornings. In fact, he now had a way to annoy her.
'Can my phone's data be replicated?' He asked as he left his unit, it was 8.30.
{Affirmative, would the Host like to use up a slot for this?}
"Proceed," Jacob began his stroll towards Stragenah building.
A bar appeared before him with a green glow filling up the space, probably a download? His field of vision felt cramped with all the interfaces occupying his sight. Everything was new and it would take time to get used to the system. Jacob willed the status away and only the left panels and the download bar remained.
The graph relayed his heart rate, blood pressure, a plethora of minerals in his body and many more minute concepts; updating in real time. The mint coloured anatomy model was now walking like him, which was an interesting discovery to Jacob. It kept count of his steps too.
Jacob had some money on him (of course he was not stupid enough to keep all of his cash in that wallet), but he decided on the two-hour walk to his destination.
{Task completed!}
Accompanying the mechanical announcement, a new panel appeared at his left, beside the graphs. It was small, thus Jacob willed it to expand and it did. He was getting the hang of utilizing the system, at least it did not require physical operation. He would have been crowned a mad man; tapping, dragging and swiping at empty air.
The new screen was indeed like his phone; containing the apps of importance. Keeping his gaze ahead of him, Jacob walked at a measured pace as he dove further into familiarizing himself with the interface. He was so occupied that he did not take note of how easily he maneuvered the streets amidst people while his focus was not at all on his path! The perks of hyperprosexia were indeed invaluable.
A few minutes past 10.30am, Jacob was before the gates of Stragenah Coop. His step count was in the ten thousand. Strangely, he did not find the jovial guard, Peter.
'Maybe it's not his shift?' Jacob chose to place the issue at the back of his mind as he made his way towards the behemoth of glass.
He ambled towards the reception desk, this time, it was being manned by an older gentleman. He had a name tag on his left breast pocket, the man had laugh lines on his cheeks and as Jacob neared the desk, his brown eyes lit up as he smiled welcomingly.
"How may I be of service sir?" The gentle soul, whose tag christened him Stephen, addressed his guest.
"I am to meet with a man residing in the 40th floor. Oliver Brix."
Stephen was stunned for a couple of seconds at the velvety voice of the young man before him. That booming seemingly came from such a scrawny lad? He would have hardly believed were he not witnessing it.
"Oh, Mr. Brix? Have you an appointment?" Stephen recovered and took on a professional tone.
"Not at all, I spoke to him yesterday and he requested I meet him here," Jacob shook his head and glanced at his screen. He had 5 missed calls from an unknown number which he was sure the Lawyer had used to contact him. He probably became worried after the sudden end of the call.
"Ah, I see, then let me get to his phone and inform him of your arrival," Stephen reached out for the residential telephone and gave Jacob the side-eye to gauge his reaction.
But Jacob's features remained nonchalant. Stephen seeing this, deemed the man truthful as his character did not appear to be that of a childish prankster. He began to dial the Lawyer's room when clacking of heels approached and a new staff joined.
"What are you doing Stephen?!" A slim hand grabbed at the older man's wrist that held the phone, stopping him from dialing further.
Sarah had coincidentally spotted Jacob's arrival while on her break. Deciding on following him (for whatever reason), she heard the earlier conversation and was irked by the man's audacity of claiming to know the top dog residing in their establishment. She would not stand for it. This was utterly preposterous!
"Are you just going to allow 'anyone' to waltz in and disturb our guests?" Sarah spat, her blue eyes icing over and her slender lips pursed to the side.
She then directed her gaze at Jacob, solely intent on intimidating him, wanting, no, needing him to back away in embarrassment for such blatant lies. But the latter did not give her his time of day, he kept his gaze on Stephen and ignored the senseless woman. Jacob of course knew of Sarah, she had made it her mission to make his deliveries as unenjoyable as possible; be it making him take the stairs to impossibly high floors; making him wait and wasting his time so as to get a bad review for tardiness; publicly shaming him...she did a lot!
But right now, Jacob was not in uniform, and his tolerance was in the lows. Besides, he was here as a customer, is this the type of service this prominent estiblishment could offer?
Sarah did not like his ignoring of her, she was getting red. What a waste, if only she were not bitch-wired, she might have easily been amongst the top listing in beauty contests. Her beauty only ran on the outside it would seem.
"You...you...how dare you ignore me!" Sarah stepped forward, intent on slapping Jacob over the polished wooden desk.
But Stephen was not going to let this get out of hand. He had been shocked at Sarah's arrival and attitude towards Jacob. However, this type of behaviour would not be tolerated towards a guest.
"Sarah!" Stephen called out, he was no longer smiling. "We are before a customer!"
"Bu...but-" she was caught off guard by Stephen's change of tone and was now desperately reaching out for whatever excuse to justify her action.
"Know your place," Stephen reprimanded his fellow staff.
Sarah flinched under his stone gaze. If she had previously forgotten who Stephen is because of his out going nature, it was now refreshed; this old man that was always smiling and had more tolerance and joy that he could donate, was a senior staff. In fact, he was the leading figure of HR.
Apologizing to Jacob, Stephen proceeded to contact Oliver Brix and explained the situation. He asked for a name, Jacob gave it, and the call ended shortly after.
"Please, Mr. Jacob, allow me to show you to the lounge," Stephen offered, his expression repentant.
As the two men departed, Sarah was left to her devices, cursing Jacob for having her superior take notice of her- not in a good light. She vowed to settle the score!