WEEK ZERO: MINGLE

[retellers]

WEEK ZERO: MINGLE (43 remain) Rise and shine, gremlins. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it's the start of a new week. Speaking of new, if participants turn on their PHS, they'll notice another section available. There's also an alert for a new message, titled TEAM ASSIGNMENT. Opening it will reveal which Leader they have been assigned to. Furthermore, at the corner of the PHS screen is an icon of an animal, depending on who their Leader is. It is visible only to them and no one else. That's not the only change, though. Participants may not notice at first—or perhaps they will?—but sooner or later, they may realize that they're... missing something? Strange. Three Leaders can be found around the area, open (?) to approach. If participants want to speak to them more privately, or to an absent Leader, it looks like they'll have to go through another channel. Which is to say, the Planetarium is now open! Finally, for the rest of the week, the participants will inexplicably have the urge to be physically affectionate. That person you just met days ago? Time to cuddle! This complete stranger you ran into? It sure is tempting to hold their hand. This urge can range anywhere from minor to impossible to ignore, depending on the situation. Enjoy your bonding!

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Comments

[papasha]

In a way. I learned them when I was serving in the military.

[He tips his head back a bit, and gestures upward.]

Most navigators use the North Star. Polaris. It's at the tip of the constellation called Ursa Minor. You may know it as the Little Dipper.

Do you know that one?

[stillnot]

[ she mirrors him, tilting her head to look up. ]

The Little Dipper and Big Dipper are pretty much all I remember.

[papasha]

That's alright. Those are not bad places to start.

[He is thoughtful for a moment, even humming pointedly.]

How about Orion?

[stillnot]

It sounds familiar?

[papasha]

Alright.

[He scans their sky for a moment or two, and then points toward a little collection of prominent stars.]

Orion, the hunter. The three stars in the middle are his belt. Usually, he's holding a club, like this. [He holds one arm back above his head.] And the other hand holds a shield, but sometimes it's a wild cat.

[stillnot]

Huh.

[ it takes her a moment to locate it, but she does! ]

Guess it's not surprising that people wouldn't all see the same thing in that. I don't really see either.

[papasha]

That's true. [He laughs a bit.] People from different cultures see different things.

Like the morning and evening star. They are Zorya, the Auroras to me. Goddesses who watch over the hound chained to Polaris. If he ever breaks free, he'll eat Ursa Minor, and the world will end.

What does it look like to you?

[stillnot]

[ hm. morbid. also she feels sorry for the goddesses? ]

Sounds like a tiring job.

[ ... she squints up at the stars, considering. ]

A scorpion.

[papasha]

It probably is.

[A scorpion, huh? He glances at the sky again and hums.]

Well, there is one. It's called Scorpius. It looks like a hook if you follow its stars. [He glances at her and closes one eye playfully.] Myths say Orion fought a scorpion, and Zeus put the two of them in the sky as a warning about pride.

[stillnot]

Not a very good warning. It would just make me want to do something to be a constellation, too.

[papasha]

Hoh?

[Both of his brows rise even if it might be hard to see.]

Would you really want to be a constellation? Stuck in the sky forever for everyone to look up and see?

[stillnot]

... Maybe not right now. Not right away.

But it doesn't sound so bad.

[papasha]

[Hm. This is terrible to hear actually.]

You mean when you're old and grey, after you die...?

[stillnot]

[ she looks amused, and laughs lightly. ]

Sure. Yeah, when I'm an old granny.

[papasha]

[He's not buying it, but he'll pretend. He smiles a little.]

I see. Granny Clem, in the northern sky. Or would you rather be in the southern sky? Would you be in a rocking chair?

[stillnot]

Hmm. Southern. And no rocking chair. I still want to look like I'm spry.

[papasha]

Alright, southern. And no rocking chair. But you know you can take a break every so often, correct?

Even if you're spry.

[stillnot]

Nope. If someone looks up, I want them to see me on my feet.

[papasha]

[He smiles a bit.]

Alright. A granny who is always on her toes. Babushka Clementine.

[stillnot]

[ she is not familiar with the word babushka but that's fine. she seems pretty pleased with this hypothetical. ]

Exactly.

[papasha]

Hmm. And anything else? Just a constellation of a grandmother, standing tall? I would say that is doable.

[stillnot]

... Doable, huh? Is it?

[ does he have Zeus powers...... ]

[papasha]

[The curious sort of accusation makes him laugh. He holds up both hands in surrender.]

I'm just a simple man. But I imagine whoever tosses the stars up there could make one of a formidable granny for your legend.

[stillnot]

Too bad they're not on my side.

[ she means this as a joke? her tone says it's funny! ]

[papasha]

[Please cease saying concerning things, Clem. He's fucking dying.

Which sort of shows on his face, like he's uncertain whether to laugh with her, or point out it shouldn't be a joke. He's about had it with kids not having good lives.]

Is there a reason you need them on your side?