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

[arkitect]

a- planetarium

[you can find your local rat grandpa settled in the planetarium, further away from the door in-- just lounging on the floor in the absence of any furniture, back propped against the wall as he observes the stars.]

Not entirely like our own, but not entirely unlike it...

[that's more to himself, really, eyes still fixed upwards for now. you might catch a faint glint off of a small purple object in one hand, though if anyone steps closer he'll close his hand around it, giving them a sidelong glance. consistently being perceived is a bit of an adjustment.]

Yes?

[well, it isn't a "go away". he is absolutely not inviting anyone close outright, though.]

b- kitchen

[it's sometime between morning and afternoon. he's in here fixing up a small meal and looking highly annoyed about it, as if every single step of the cooking process is a personal affront to him. if you walk in at the right moment, you might spot him waving a hand in the direction of one utensil or implement or another, then catching himself when nothing happens and looking even more miffed about it.

do you want to deal with this, go right ahead.]

c, the whatever option

[aka Come Bug His Ass! he does a lot of lurking, probably.]

a

[recrowns]

[soo-won is curious about the object but only gives it a passing glance, instead opting for fixing a smile on for emet-selch]

Do your constellations have stories? I thought it might be fun to trade, and see what tales are now sharing sky space with one another.

[arkitect]

[well well it's mr congeniality... emet-selch nods, at that.]

They have been given myths, over the ages-- as I presume yours have.

[recrowns]

Mm! That's right.

Tales of warriors so strong and beasts so fierce that their likenesses are etched into the heavens -

Are yours similar?

B.

[uhhhmagic]

[lol

Just leaning against the doorframe, arms crossing, looking very smug for someone with the exact same problem.]

Kind of a shitty wizard, huh . . . ?

[arkitect]

As any mage would be, in this place.

[oh boy there's two and they're both like this. that definitely does not improve The Mood in here, as he opens a cabinet and stares at its contents.]

[uhhhmagic]

I guess! I'm handling it alright. But, I mean, my skills go beyond being wildly talented and cover the mundane as well. Also, like, common sense.

[Going to pick up one of the wooden spoons for him, holding it out.]

b

[reconnective]

[how many times is sora going to go in and out of the kitchen in this mingle alone. well either way he's here! he was interested in making an easy lunch for himself but as he enters he spots emet-selch hard at work. he should probably not meddle, but he finds himself watching for a minute.]

Any luck? [a for effort.]

[arkitect]

Luck is hardly necessary.

[he's capable of this, he just hates it.]

[reconnective]

But it doesn't hurt. [give him a moment to continue watching.] Have you always used magic to cook?

[that's an assumption, but what else could he be doing with his hand?]

b

[soulus]

[Sure, he'll deal with it.]

Does sorcery extend to cooking?

[arkitect]

Normally, yes. But it seems everything here must be done the tedious way.

[it sucks, thanks.]

[soulus]

Why do you suppose that is?

b

[stillnot]

... Bossing around the utensils not working out for you?

[ she is trying to tease and be friendly, but... ]

[arkitect]

[he can tell she is, at least... that and the fact that she hasn't been a pain to deal with so far mean she doesn't get the brunt of his poor mood.]

They are poor listeners, here.

[shutting a drawer with just slightly more force than it needed.]

[stillnot]

And I take it you're used to people doing what you say. Or - things.

b!

[siblingless]

... Is something the matter, sir?

[rat grandpa, wyd. she just wanted to grab herself something to eat, and walked into this.]

[arkitect]

Do such questions truly need asking, in a place such as this?

[there's been something the matter since all of them got here, for more or less everyone.]

[siblingless]

... I suppose that was a silly question, wasn't it?

[Sometimes, you are all just collectively suffering from DoT. It's fine. She can read the room, though, so she will just briefly bow from the waist and walk towards one of the cabinets.]

Then, please, don't allow me to disturb you. I'll be in and out in a minute.

a

[infreefall]

Do you recognize some of them?

[ don't mind ochako who is just coming to sit right next to him like it's nbd. ]

Which ones? I've only found a few constellations I know.

[arkitect]

[hello ochako, he is just. shifting away, thank you. the compulsion is there, but he is not here to just let it happen.]

Some, but not all. It seems these skies are only partially familiar to each of us, thus far.

[infreefall]

[ that's fine. she may have no concept of personal space, but she won't touch someone who's really against it! ]

Looks that way. So are there any constellations you know? They may not all be from my world, but I'd still like to learn about the other ones.

a

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano has no idea what the heck this guy is talking about ever. But he trots on over and crouches down in front of him and chin hands. ]

Whatcha got there?

[arkitect]

[that's fine because nobody ever knows what is up with kano. fair trade.

kano gets a raised brow, but since he's not scooting close enough to be touching, emet-selch allows it for now; his hand closes around whatever the object is, though.]

Nothing of import here, it seems.

[suddenlybees]

[ Sometimes I have Kano do the most straightforward mundane thing and people are still /squints suspiciously ]

To you, maybe, but how 'bout a second opinion? Is it something fun? Embarrassing? Both?