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

[dawnblushed]

...I'm glad you were able to have one, again.

[stillnot]

[ she's still not totally sold on its permanence, but that's a downer so she'll keep that thought to herself. ]

What about you? Sounds like you camp out a lot.

[dawnblushed]

My friends and I are traveling around. I really only have a room when we stay at an inn, but that doesn't happen often.

[stillnot]

[ hm. well, if inns still exist that's a good sign? but clem won't be presumptuous as if that means that traveling all the time can't still have its down-sides. ]

Yeah? Are you going somewhere?

[dawnblushed]

Nowhere in particular. We sort of figure it out day by day.

[stillnot]

Me too.

[ until recently. and even this might be temporary, so who knows? ]

[dawnblushed]

...I guess that sort of thing is more common than I thought.

[stillnot]

I'm surprised it's not more common, where I'm from.

Staying in one place is dangerous.

[dawnblushed]

Really? Why is that?

[stillnot]

Mm... There's not enough to go around, basically.

[ that's the easiest way she can think of to put it, even if it's a bit vague. ]

[dawnblushed]

...are you going to be okay, when you go back?

[stillnot]

[ haha! what a good question. ]

... For now. We found a pretty good stash recently. Should last us a while.

[dawnblushed]

[that's concerning, clem!!]

...that's good.

[stillnot]

Whaaat about you?

[ awk... but she thinks traveling around even in Not Apocalypse Times sounds difficult too. especially without a destination in mind. is Yona just homeless!! ]

[dawnblushed]

[haha!

yona looks down at her hands, which are bandaged with scraps salvaged from an emporium t-shirt.]

I think I will be.

[stillnot]

[ uhhhh HM. ]

... What happened?

[dawnblushed]

Um, well... the last I remember, I was in a building that was on fire. So, if we're going back to exactly where we were, it's a little...

[...dangerous?]

[stillnot]

[ Clem looks genuinely sympathetic. she's been there. ]

At least you get to take a break before worrying about getting out.

[dawnblushed]

You're right. And I'll know exactly what I'm getting into, so it should be easy to get out.

[stillnot]

You've already got a plan?

[dawnblushed]

Yes. I was just about to pass out from the smoke, last I remember, but hopefully when I get back I'll be as awake as I am now. So it should be easier to get out.

[stillnot]

That should help.

Maybe you could dump water over yourself before you go back.

[ however the whole. going back process works. who knows. ]

[dawnblushed]

Yeah! That would make it way harder for my clothes to catch fire or something. It will work out.

[stillnot]

[ it's nice to deal with someone else's optimism about their own difficult situation. easier than trying to balance someone else's optimism about her situation - or trying to be optimistic for someone else. ]

Well. At least now I know this place did one good thing.

[dawnblushed]

...oh! You're right, I guess it did.

[Thank you... Realm...?

Smash cut to endgame and they find out they'll be going back in the exact same state they were in before, which means (spoilers).]