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]

So you did.

[That's fine. He puts one hand behind on her shoulder blade, and then uses the other to take up her opposite hand.]

Has no one really ever danced with you, Miss Alex?

[chanteuser]

[ she keeps tensing when his hands move, even in spite of the weekly effects. ]

I'm not really somewhere where people do a lot of dancing, so. No. [ unless you think of fighting as a dance in which case... still no, but other people are into it. ] Is it normal for people to dance like this where you're from?

[papasha]

[He gives her a bit to settle into the fact their set-up is so close and touchy.]

Oh yes, always. People break out into spontaneous dancing all the time.

[And then he moves, careful not to take large steps so she can follow without struggling.

They don't go very far really. Not unlike an awkward prom dance that ends up swaying back and forth in a little circle.]

Just kidding. Not many dance like this unless it is in private, I imagine.

[chanteuser]

[ she is probably not going to settle completely, sorry m'dude. ]

[ she looks bewildered and then not-exactly amused and then she sighs. ]

I guess this is private. It's kinda formal though? [ she's really not a fancy enough victorian lady for this. ]

[papasha]

You're right, it is.

Would you like something more casual? I can't say I have much rhythm, unfortunately.

[He does not move to try anything more than what they're doing right now, not until she says any differently.]

[chanteuser]

[ yeah show her some disco fever, blanca. ]

I'm not sure I know any casual dances either. Is there more or less chance of causing each other injury this way, or casually?

[papasha]

You may have a little more fun with a casual dance, but between the two of our dancing skills, we may step on a few feet.

[He drops the hand by her shoulder and steps back without her, still holding her other hand. He's trying to see if she'll give a little spin maybe by turning her by the hand.

Then he can bring her back. Hopefully, she doesn't fall.]

[chanteuser]

A lot of time that's just moving however to whatever music's playing, isn't it?

[ her shoes are weapons, blanca.

she does not spin because she doesn't know how to dance, so as smooth as that attempt was she just looks confused. talk her through it. ]

[papasha]

Yes. You move however you'd like to the rhythm of the song.

[It's fine. He isn't impatient. He lifts their hands up without stretching her unnecessarily, and then loops it around behind her to get her to spin around in place.

See, spin?

He laughs quietly, and then brings her back to him.]

I think you're getting the hang of it.

[chanteuser]

[ she absolutely lets out a squeaky noise as she's twirled. yup that's a spin. her first spin, thanks blanca. ]

Ahhh... thank you?

[ she takes a couple of steps back with a determined look on her face, and coaxes his arm to straighten out again. when it's far enough out, she'll spin herself under it this time. like she's getting used to.

but she does wobble a little in the process so maybe she's not ready to move on from the beginner's stages yet. ]

[papasha]

[This makes him laugh earnestly actually. He keeps her supported without forcing her to spin, so she's mostly doing it at her own pace.]

Maybe we should ask one of our hosts for a ballgown for you, so when you spin, it's more fun.

[chanteuser]

A long skirt?

[ that's hilarious. ]

I'm already wobbling in a short one, I'd just trip on it and send half the room flying, probably.

[papasha]

If it's been tailored to you, it shouldn't come down so far. Just to your ankles, enough to let you have some fun when you spin, but not enough to trip you.

[He gives her another spin? Still slow.]

How are you liking it so far?

[chanteuser]

If we ever come across a dress shop I'll keep it in mind. [ she won't. i have a shoplook page for her with just lots of outfits and all of them are shorts. ]

I still feel kinda awkward, but I'm getting used to it.

[papasha]

[Bold of you to think I won't get Alex into a fancy dress if I'm able, Becks. Screw your shoplook.]

The more you practice, the easier it'll come. Like singing in front of people.

[He pulls her gently back so he can slow dance with her again because, sue him, he's garbage.]

[chanteuser]

[ MEET ME AND MY SHOPLOOK BEHIND DENNY'S ANNA, WE'RE GONNA FIGHT YOU ]

Do you think there's going to be much dancing as we're running around finding this nova?

[ maybe something here will make them do a dance off for the nova item, who knows.

oh. welp. sues him. ]

[papasha]

[FINE I'M THERE AND READY]

I can't say. It would make it easy on us to get some back from dancing, wouldn't it? Maybe we will have to dance, and play games.

[It does not sound like he believes this will be the case.]

[chanteuser]

[ ROUND ONE, FIGHT. upper cuts you. ]

That sounds way too pleasant for a job that's supposed to involve saving multiple worlds. Isn't that supposed to a difficult thing to do?

[papasha]

My, what kind of helping have you been doing for it to be not so pleasant...?

[She cannot see his raised brows in the dark, but they are there, bewildered.]

[chanteuser]

[ blink ]

Things like that are supposed to be difficult, aren't they?

Difficult isn't usually enjoyable. It can mean a lot of things you don't want happening, or things that can be a struggle to get through.

[papasha]

Well, I would say even dancing, or singing, or anything like it could be difficult to some people. They wouldn't find it enjoyable. Even talking to people, some find it hard.

[He tries to see if she can do a more steady spin this time.]

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[chanteuser]

I haven't heard of many times saving worlds has come down to dancing or singing...

[ alex has clearly never played long live the queen.

and she manages a pretty stable turn this time, so hey! character development . ]

[papasha]

Neither have I, but there's a first time for everything, Miss Alex.

[He gives her an appreciative whistle when she lands the spin.]

Better already. We'll get a lot of nova back at this rate.

[chanteuser]

If spinning's going to save the world then we've got a head start, true.

[ she finishes up the spin and, rather than return to hold, pulls off a small curtsey instead. thank you, thank you, she's here all (static noises). ]