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!

NAVIGATION locations ₓ˚. statuses *+:｡ ic profiles :ₓo ic rules ･ﾟﾟ･｡ audience requests murder proposals ｡✧o private conversations ･ﾟo｡ curfew ･ﾟ✧ memories

Comments

[lecarre]

Oh, that's...

[Ange is quiet for a moment, contemplative, before:]

... Yes... I have been trying not to think too hard about it because it sounds so ridiculous... but we truly are... um, forgetting things. Aren't we?

[showyourself]

You, too?

[for a moment, there's surprise—nearly immediately followed by a kind of relief.]

I haven't told anyone, because it feels so... [she gives a small laugh, nearly aghast at herself.] ...crazy! You don't know how much of a relief it is... [without a second thought, she suddenly takes ange's hands in her own and gives them an affectionate squeeze.]

[lecarre]

I understand... it seems just too strange, doesn't it?

[She looks a little flustered at the affectionate squeeze of her hands, but not in a bad way--more in a "displays of affection in Victorian era England are ???". For some reason, though, she doesn't want to let go of Elsa's hands at all.]

But it is true. You most certainly are not crazy at all, miss!

[showyourself]

[elsa, meanwhile, seems to think nothing of this hand squeezing business. it's fine? it's fine. she just really wanted to, so she did! any deep-seated fear of hurting someone with her magic hands seems to be being thwarted handily. haha.]

Oh, thank goodness. In that case, you're not ridiculous or strange. We're both just...

[she glances up at the sky, and sighs.]

...Trapped in a magic bubble, with discernible way home. [bleak.]

[lecarre]

[Just hand-holding in the middle of a magic forest in the middle of their magic bubble prison. As you do.]

... That may be so, but...! Um...!

[She is trying to be fierce here. It is debatable how well that works.]

We are together as well, and... um, everyone seems quite kind! I believe in all of us to be able to succeed in this "job" and go home..!

[showyourself]

[as you do........

also... cute........]

..."Job"? [her expression hesitates, and she smiles warmly.] Yes. Let's make sure we succeed at our job—together.

[another gentle hand squeeze! when it's right, it's right.]

If all of us work together, I don't think it will take any time at all. Right?

[lecarre]

Right! I absolutely agree.

[It's just right. The hand-holding is comforting and somehow settles her even though she still feels a bit embarrassed.

No point in questioning it too hard.]

Though, um... I think I've been rude. My name is Ange. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss.

[showyourself]

Oh—I'm sorry, where are my manners? [she shrugs her shoulders upwards in greeting, along with another smile. she still hasn't let go of Ange's hands.] Elsa.

It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Ange.

[lecarre]

It is my pleasure, Miss Elsa!

[And then, she blurts out because she can't help it:]

You are amazingly lovely, Miss Elsa. You are so beautiful, like a fairy tale princess...!

[She can't help it, ok, Elsa is so Disney.]

[showyourself]

[okay, well

she's just outright blushing at that. but this direct, apropos of nothing compliment will not stand!! she laughs it off lightly, shaking her head.]

That's very kind of you to say—but I'm no more so than you are yourself, Ange. [still holding her hands, elsa bumps against ange's shoulder playfully, warm and friendly.] Should we go and find a mirror, so I can show you your own beauty?

[lecarre]

W-what--?

[Ange... leans into that shoulder bump, because it just feels totally right to. Besides, Elsa seems so kind... there's nothing wrong with leaning against her a bit affectionately, right?]

Oh, no, Miss Elsa, that would be far too much for me...! T-thank you, but I would most certainly be far too embarrassed for that!

[She would spontaneously combust.]

[showyourself]

[awwww oh no this is so cute and friendly. she giggles, and shakes her head again.]

Well, we'll just have to call it even, then, won't we?

[she's. still holding hands, huh? huh. strangely, it... doesn't feel wrong, or even bad. just... normal. nice, even.]

...I know this is odd, as we've only just met, but... would you like to join me for some tea?

[lecarre]

[That is probably wise--they can call it even instead of going in complimenting circles.]

Oh--I do not think it's odd at all. Rather, I would love to have tea with you. I'm so pleased you would want to!

Besides, I believe company may help with... all of everything else. [The whole...dwelling on memory loss thing.]

[showyourself]

Agreed. Shall we? [not dwelling is a good place to start!!

with a gentle tug, elsa and ange are walking, strolling, hand in hand, back towards the town center.]

Do you have a favorite kind?

[lecarre]

I do, though I believe I like most all teas.

[Just taking a walk with her new disney princess bestie, this is fine!]

If I were given the choice, however, I am very fond of black currant tea. What about you, Miss Elsa?

[showyourself]

Black currant—what an interesting choice. [a mature sweetness, with a hint of bitterness on the backnote, and rich overall! sometimes you have a lot of time.]

Oh, I drink anything. [...] I mean, I'm not that picky. Do you have a lot of... tea experience? Maybe you could pick something for me.

[lecarre]

[Elsa....]

Um... I don't know that I would say I have a lot of experience, per se... but I would not mind picking a tea for you out of the teas we have here.

[showyourself]

Oh, please. I'd love to try your recommendation.

[lalala, two gals being pals.]

What's your background, Ange? Outside of... here, I mean.

[lecarre]

My...background?

[She's quiet for a moment as they walk, before she just laughs softly and a little weakly behind her free hand.]

Well, it certainly isn't anything special... I am a student! But before that, I'm afraid I was nothing more than an orphan.

[showyourself]

A student? You're in school? [WOW, BIG JEALOUS

but she waves away the last part.]

If you're "nothing more" than an orphan, then I guess we're in the same boat. [orphan solidarity..........]

[lecarre]

[... Oh. Oh?? Oh!! CAMARADERIE...]

Truly...? I, um--I think I'm a little happy that we are similar in something, Miss Elsa.

[even though that sounds kind of awful, Ange.]

But yes, I do go to school. I'm very excited about it as well--making it into the Academy has been quite lucky, I think, but I intend on making the most of my studies there.

[showyourself]

[us wee parentless babes gotta stick together....... they make their way towards the inn, still hand in hand.]

What are you studying?

[lecarre]

Oh, a little bit of everything...!

[She squeezes Elsa's hand, clearly excited to talk about it.]

Science, and math, and literature and history...! The Mayfair Academy is well known for its curriculum.

I hope to learn as much as I can!

[showyourself]

That's a wonderful goal. It sounds like an ideal place to do so.

Do you have a favorite subject?

[lecarre]

Oh, I do! I like most all of the subjects, though I must admit I have a particular fondness for history and science.

They are so fascinating!