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

a.

[exercisms]

[Good morning, ???. He too is back in the Emporium, watching while Bucky picks through the nametags.]

. . . What one are you looking for? Is it Ritsu? Because I have that one.

[frostythehitman]

No. I'm looking for the one with my name on it.

...it's not Ritsu, is it?

[ It doesn't sound like a name he'd have but, well, considering he doesn't remember his name at all right now, he's not much of an authority on the subject, is he? ]

[exercisms]

Um. . .

[Oh. Oops. Shoot.]

I must have forgotten to get your name. I'm Kageyama Shigeo.

[frostythehitman]

Shigeo. Right. Someone told me your name earlier.

Well.

I'd tell you my name, but it turns out I don't remember it anymore!

[exercisms]

You were talking about me?

[Blushing as though this is a positive thing? Instead of clearly someone talking about the most gullible kid here.]

Ah. . . you forgot your name. . . maybe if you try writing your signature, you'll remember?

[frostythehitman]

Just ran into somebody else who met you. They told me.

...That's not a half-bad idea, actually.

[ He flits around the emporium to grab anything that can pass as a writing implement, and anything that can pass as a writing surface. He holds the pen in his fingers, shifting his grip on it a few moments, before eventually scribbling out a star shape. ]

Goddammit.

[exercisms]

Did they say something about me?

[Maybe it was a girl? Maybe a girl was saying he was cute to this adult man?]

[frostythehitman]

[ He has to keep himself from snorting. Oh, kid. No way is he gonna tell you they were lamenting how gullible you are. ]

We were...concerned about you.

[exercisms]

Oh.

[He looks. A little crestfallen. That doesn't sound like it was a complimentary conversation.]

[frostythehitman]

[ ????? would feel bad but like. That's what you get. This is the consequence of your naivete. Soak in it and let the shame teach you, Shigeo. ]

You say a lot of concerning stuff.

[exercisms]

[He doesn't know what he's being shamed for????]

I do?

[frostythehitman]

Yeah kid, you do. You really do. If I were your parents, I'd have gotten one of those kid-leash things for you.

[exercisms]

How come?

[frostythehitman]

You get kidnapped and hardly even notice it, kid. You earn your "no kid-leash and no concerning talks about you" rights when you know basic anti-kidnapping protocol.

[exercisms]

. . . I don't want to fight anyone.

[frostythehitman]

Sometimes you don't get a choice, kid.

[exercisms]

I know that. I've had to fight before, a few different times. But if it isn't needed, I would prefer not to.

. . . I don't want to hurt anyone.

[frostythehitman]

Like I said, sometimes you don't get a choice.

All you can do is try and avoid it. And if you can't, then you only did it out of self-defense.

[exercisms]

Mm. That's what I'm trying to do. But sometimes, if I get too angry, it isn't as easy to hold back.

That's what I really dislike about fighting.

[frostythehitman]

[ He sighs and looks away. He's barely qualified to think about this issue on his own, much less handle a kid with the same concerns. He didn't even think about this shit at Mob's age. ]

Yeah. That comes with the territory.

All you can do is try your best, hope you don't mess up too badly, and if you do, try to do better next time.

...It's...easier said than done.

[exercisms]

[He listens, seeming to absorb it? ??? is so wise.]

I understand. I'm trying to do better.

[frostythehitman]

[ the only good advice he's ever given ]

Good. It's...wanting and trying to do better is the most important part.

[exercisms]

[Listen, it's good advice, and for reasons it resonates. Just because Bucky may struggle with it too is no reason why he shouldn't take it to heart.]

Mm. So as long as I keep trying. . .