Part 1: Particles of Chaos

Laboratory environment initialized
Interferometer activated
Particle generation mode enabled Estimated particle consumption: 3.4 x 10^6
Temperature: 22°C, relative humidity: 65%
Observers in position Loading vitals ...
Vertin: It's started to rain.
APPLe: Oh my! We nearly walked into the rain without any protection! The Observer Instruction Book should've told us to bring our Equilibrium Umbrella.
X: No need for excess perspiration. The rain you're seeing is completely dissimilar to the "Storm."
X: Just a byproduct generated by this device, the Huygens-Fresnel Interferometer. It was built to observe the interaction between particular entities and chaotic systems.
APPLe: So this device about our heads ... is an interferometer?
X: That's right! We'll be utilizing it during our experiment, that to jog your memory—you volunteered for—Thanks for that, by the way.
X: Ms. Regulus and Ms. Sotheby already went in ahead of you. You'll probably find them in the world you're going to. Now, prepare for an enthralling adventure!
The two lab rats don't match the experimenter's enthusiasm.
Vertin: The instruction book says this machine sends our minds to other worlds, and the destinations are particular to a time and place. Do I have that right?
X: Wow, you actually did your homework for once. Yep, it's true, these particular sorts of places have many names: quantum superpositions, simulated worlds, space-time bubbles ... Call it whatever you like.
X: I kind of like the name "Stage in the Rain."
APPLe: "Stage in the Rain," sounds lovely! This APPLe can't wait to visit a new world.
APPLe: Now, how do we begin? Are there any experimental procedures we must go through? Let me guess: "Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and walk clockwise in a circle three times" ...
X offers an amused laugh at APPLe's natural humor.
X: No need. Besides, how would I get you to "walk" in a circle?
APPLe: Well ... This APPLe doesn't see a problem.
APPLe: With that said, if you have no strict procedure, what exactly are you intending with this experiment? Is it a novel scientific experience, or just a jolly bit of fun?
X shrugs.
X: Oh. It's a serious experiment. One in which I propose to examine the very randomness that we usually attempt to avoid.
X: As you stand on the stage, breathing in and out ...
X: The raindrops' behavior should start to change.
APPLe: Because I'm breathing on the stage?
X: More precisely, because you exist on the stage. Go ahead and touch the raindrops.
APPLe taps on one of the raindrops that hang in the air, as if it were a miniature heart.
APPLe: What ...?
The raindrops are chaotic at first but a pattern emerges as they bounce and spin before the red fruit, giving off a soft glow.
On the surface they could be mistaken for any other raindrop, yet ancient secrets hide within their apparent randomness.
X: See? You're so much more than an external spectator. You were able to affect the system.
X: Your actions, including your observations, no matter how inconsequential they may seem ...
X: ... can lead the system to produce unequivocally varied results. Alright, now ...
Numbers pop up on the screen at a blinding pace; X widens his eyes to keep track.
X: Loading complete, subjects in position ... Great.
X: See you later. Have fun.
Vitals loaded
Activating chaos particles:
97.6%, 98% ...
99.9% ...
Entering the Stage in the Rain
Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
APPLe: snore
The snoring fruit's consciousness traveled through a dark, raining area to arrive where he is now. Just as the rain's patter disappears, he catches the sound of two distant voices.
???: And you're certain of this?
???: Unquestionably. Listen, what you hear now is the turbulence of air as it passes through its airway. As the soft tissues within vibrate they produce a familiar sound. It is "snoring."
???: This condition is commonly reckoned to be caused by a disorder of black bile in the body. Though, I would posit anatomically speaking, that it is nothing more than the relaxation of throat muscles during deep slumber.
???: We know what snoring is—what we want to know is how an apple can snore.
APPLe: snore Uh? Apple?
A strangely dressed man is standing by APPLe's side, surrounded by a group of soldiers. The wall they form has blocked all the exits.
With curiosity and caution in their eyes, the man and the soldiers stare at the helpless fruit, who has been pinned on the altar.
APPLe: Erhm ... Good day, gentlemen. I believe I owe you thanks for this generous hospitality, unusual as it may be ...
Strange Man: Did you hear that? It appears to have spoken! If that's so, then no wonder it can snore.
Soldier: Enough. Speaking—snoring, it doesn't matter. We didn't hire you to lecture us on medicine.
Strange Man: "Hire," you say? That's odd way of putting it, after you cracked my ribs and hauled me here from Milan. I think some might instead call that "kidnapping."—I think I've caught a fever ...
Soldier: Stop whining: we barely bruised you! It was probably just the bumpy roads on the way to Firenze.
APPLe: Firenze? Am I in Italy? Erhm, gentlemen, may I ask where I am and who you are?
Strange Man: You're the most curious apple I've ever known! Of course, we're in the great city of Firenze, Penisola Italiana.
Strange Man: These "gentlemen" you refer to here are known as the Templars. As for me ...
Leonardo: I am Leonardo of Vinci. Though, please call me Leonardo!
APPLe: Wait, Leonardo?
The sun shining in from the window illuminates the man's gentle smile.
APPLe: You're da Vinci?! Leonardo da Vinci, the great painter?
Leonardo: But please, as I said, I prefer just Leonardo.
Leonardo: Leonardo the inventor, or Leonardo the engineer—perhaps even the anatomist? I should hope there is more to my reputation than just painting.
Leonardo's smile doesn't waver at all as the blade of his scalpel glints under the sunlight.
Leonardo: Okay, it's safe to conclude you must be the mythical apple they've been looking for. I've never heard of any other talking apples.
APPLe: And I must conclude you are indeed THE Leonardo da Vinci.
APPLe: Although ... If I might ask, Leonardo, what are you planning to do with that scalpel? And might this APPLe request you point it some other way?
APPLe: You see, pointing a knife at someone is seen as somewhat unfriendly where I'm from.
Leonardo: Please, do not worry, sir. This scalpel is a very delicate instrument, one of my favorites. Cold, sharp, and painless!
Leonardo: One swift cut, and it will find its way straight through the skin down to your core without spilling a drop of juice.
Leonardo leers closer to APPLe.
Leonardo: Allow me to be honest with you and state things clearly: I have been asked to cut you into quarters so that I might record the make-up and consistency of your inner flesh—crisp, I'd wager.
Leonardo: Next I'll soak you—I mean, your pieces—into a special solution so that I might ...
Leonardo: Oh, my apologies. I always get a bit excited whenever I start talking about my work. Now, hold still, Mr. Golden Apple ...
Leonardo reaches down toward the pinned APPLe, his smile increasingly less gentle and more wild.
Leonardo: Just a little slice.

APPLe: Stop this madness! I'll have you know what you're about to do is a severe violation of the Geneva Convention!
Leonardo: What the devil are you talking about? I'm growing more and more curious about you ...
The apple breaks free from his restraints and bounds around the room, but there is nowhere to hide, and the little fruit is eventually cornered.
APPLe: Oh no ... Calm down! We can solve this in a civilized manner, can't we, like proper gentlemen?
Templar I: There is no need for propriety when dealing with witchcraft like whatever created you. Now, if you want to save yourself some pain, I suggest you stop.
APPLe: I feel like I'm in a nightmare! What in the world could you want with this APPLe for?
Leonardo: I can answer that. These "gentlemen" believe you to be the key to a rumored secret chamber.
Leonardo: Of course, to prove their theory, they "hired" me to figure out just what it is that you are.
Leonardo bends down low; as if about to pick him up, but instead, he leans close and whispers.
Leonardo: I don't intend to hurt you. Just cooperate for now. Help is on the way.
APPLe: ... Help?
Before APPLe can say more, Leonardo straightens up and shakes his head.
APPLe: Oh. I do apologize, gentlemen. But I think there might have been a misunderstanding.
Templar Commander: You expect us to believe that?
An emotionless voice comes from the corner, followed by a towering man in armor.
Templar Commander: Perhaps you've forgotten.
Templar Commander: Months ago, a golden apple was found floating in the Arno by a fisherman.
Templar Commander: Being a faithful man, he brought it to the church. And there something strange happened.
APPLe: Strange? What are you talking about? I'm only an apple.
The Templar commander raises his chin at Leonardo.
Templar Commander: You—Demonstrate for our guest.
Leonardo puts on a long face.
Leonardo: I've already demonstrated it a dozen times ...
The towering man rests his hand on the sword at his waist, tilting it forward with intent.
Leonardo: But of course, I would be glad to demonstrate once more, sir.
APPLe: Whoa! Please be careful.
Leonardo picks up APPLe and paces the room, trying to find the right angle beneath the sunlight.
The soldiers are leaning against the wall, enjoying a reprieve from the heat outside.
As soon as Leonardo raises APPLe, however, they all stand straight and stare at him.
Leonardo: Found it! The perfect angle!
Leonardo walks to the fresco, looking at the blurred faces of the figures on it.
APPLe: Who are they?
Leonardo: Persons unknown.
Their identity is plainly a mystery to everyone in the room.
They do not appear to be the sort that would usually be recorded in the annals of history, and there is not even a subtle hint of their identity beyond their visage.
Nothing that might indicate the artist's intent in depicting them, nor in choosing to paint them in what can only be abject sorrow.
APPLe: Is that all? According to this APPLe's experience, you should only need to cast an incantation to reveal the details.
Leonardo: Call it magic, miracle, or trick as you like. All that I can see is a mystery that must be unraveled. Now wait ...
APPLe: What for?
Leonardo: For the perfect ray of light.
When half the sun sinks below the horizon, a particular beam of light travels through the golden apple, turning into warm light spots.
As the light reaches the fresco, the blurred faces are suddenly illuminated.
And so the miracle is recreated—
APPLe: Blimey! What's going on?!
Leonardo: It's beyond me to explain what I am seeing here. I've examined both the wall and your skin for some time, but found nothing.
Leonardo: This may truly be a miracle.
APPLe: Gentlemen, there's a line of letters down there.
Leonardo: Oh, it's nothing but a Caesar cipher. I can decode this in no time. Let me see ...
Leonardo: Sub cadente fulgore, cadentia sanctuaria coniunguntur.
Leonardo: Under the waning glow, the waning sanctuaries unite.