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

[bisouled]

[ oh! it's the guy from before. When he speaks up, she steps back from the shelf, shaking her head. ]

Oh, nothing... I'm trying to find my other dagger. All these new items are in this shop, so I thought maybe it would show up here, too. [ a sigh. ] It was a long shot.

[ a pause... Fiora's gaze lingers on him, and she frowns, looking like she wants to say something. ]

... I'm sorry for being a bit rude to you the other day, by the way. I was confused, but that's no excuse.

[soulus]

Apologies are unnecessary.

[While she frowns, he doesn't look particularly bothered—that is, until his hand moves like it's possessed and comes down to pat her on the head. Then he scowls, pats her one more time, and withdraws his hand.

Acting like none of that just happened, he glances at the topmost shelf. It's far from a proper sweep.]

It's doubtful that you'll find weapons here. Was your dagger returned to you at the inn?

[bisouled]

[ she doesn't jerk away or anything, at least... but she does look really puzzled. Maybe slightly weirded out. ]

Um...?

[ wait, rewind, what just happened?? ]

What was that?

[ SHE'LL ANSWER THE QUESTION LATER ]

[soulus]

What was what?

[He looks blandly at her. She has to be specific.]

[bisouled]

The pat on the head...?

[ luckily, she's straightforward. ]

Oh, nevermind. I guess I'm glad you forgive me. [ even if it was sort of weird?? ] I did find my dagger in the inn, though. How'd you know?

[soulus]

[Silly girl. There was nothing to forgive.]

Something of mine was also there when I arrived.

[bisouled]

Really? Hmm...

[ contemplating. ]

But I know I had both of them on me before.

[soulus]

When did this one go missing?

[bisouled]

It's hard to say. Only the one was in the hotel room. [ a frown. ] Maybe it got lost in transit here somehow? That would be such a shame.

[soulus]

If that's true, you'll have to settle for just one.

[bisouled]

Well, that's no good. They're supposed to be a pair. I won't be able to fight nearly as well.

[soulus]

But you'll still be able to fight. There are those of us here without our regular tools.

[bisouled]

Including you?

[ it sounds like it. anyway, she doesn't think she's finding her blade anywhere, so she bends down and starts gathering up some of the stuffed animals she'd displaced so she can begin putting them back on the shelf. ]

[soulus]

[He, a true gentleman, does not help.]

None of my firearms arrived with me.

[bisouled]

[ a nod. So he can fight, too. ]

Let's just hope we don't need them. [ ... ] ... A little help would be appreciated, you know.

[ RUFUS!! ]

[soulus]

[He looks down at the pile of toys.]

I didn't contribute to this.

[bisouled]

That's not the point! It's impolite not to help a girl in need.

[soulus]

If you pay me, I will help you.

[bisouled]

What?! Are you joking?

[ she genuinely can't tell. ]

[soulus]

I don't joke.

[bisouled]

[ that sounds about right. ]

Just what are you expecting me to pay you with here? [ Fiora crosses her arms. ] To think you were being all nice earlier, too.

[soulus]

[He, nice?]

Information is a form of currency—as are goods. For something this small, I won't charge much.

[bisouled]

[ that head pat was real and she remembers it. ]

Wow. Men... [ Fiora shakes her head, then goes back to picking up the animals by herself. ] No thanks. I guess I'll just do it by myself!

[soulus]

Then I'll be going.

[But not before he gives her one last pat on the head. He can't control these urges. Before either of them can dwell on it, he turns around and leaves.]

[bisouled]

[ ???????????????????? ]