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

[riegan]

(Guess who's just been dancing the evening away! This guy. He's had some moderate success drawing people away from walls and into conversations and even onto the floor for a dance or twirl! There are some people he's managed to rile up but it still contributes to the lively sort of air of the place... and once everything is exactly the way he wants it to be, he steps away from the crowd almost as quickly as he'd entered them.

And he resurfaces over by Chiron.)

Truthfully? I'm beat.

(But he doesn't seem too bothered.)

[antaressnipe]

But it looked like you were enjoying yourself on the dance floor as well.

[Yeah, he saw Claude flutter around like a social butterfly. Still reminds him of someone, but Chiron is now used to those invasive thoughts and just casts them out without a pause]

[riegan]

(Called out! And he just shrugs,)

I guess being away from Fodlan has me longing for familiar things. (He shrugs,) Even if they're stuffy dances.

Ah, but I learned a few new ones tonight. (Who knew!! Other worlds and nations could have such interesting dances,) That was fun. Maybe I can take them back home. Convince everyone to drop the old ones for something new and exciting.

[antaressnipe]

Or perhaps just add the new to the old. There is a comfort in the familiar for some.

[... He knows he should not be taking the Sensei tone over something like dance, but he can't help but be amused by Claude claiming he's going to buck the system]

[riegan]

There's nothing wrong with tradition. In fact, I enjoy quite a few myself.

(Some traditions are safe!)

But when they become the status quo and nothing changes, sometimes you wind up with... certain practices. Beliefs that are never questioned, lifestyles that just don't make any sense.

[antaressnipe]

[Arching a brow]

I agree, though I suspect we are not just talking about ornate dances.

[riegan]

Oh, we're absolutely talking about dances.

(Yup,)

Let's say... the same fifteen or so dances and those are the only ones allowed on the floor and if you don't know those dances then you're out of luck. You'll just have to make do with staying off to the side while everyone else enjoys being the center of attention.

Oh, but to be on the floor at all, you all have to practice the exact same one first... And that one has a bunch of rules, some that they tell you and some that they don't. The latter doesn't matter as long as you just follow the former but the moment you get off step...

(This is all a metaphor.)

[antaressnipe]

[His other brow goes up to greet the first the longer Claude talks.

Yes... dances. Of course.]

Such pressure, just to be able to perform to the wishes of your peers and society.

[Spoken mildly]

I can understand why you wouldn't mind adding a bit of fresh perspective to these "stuffy dances", even if there are often dangers to being so bold.

[riegan]

It's exhausting. (...) But I guess I can't complain too much. It was my choice, after all.

(Stretching,)

The world's pretty unforgiving as it is. It doesn't matter if you're bold or keep your head down. Right now, all I can do is the right dance... but just wait. I'll show everyone something different some day. In fact, I'll blow them all out the room.

[antaressnipe]

Ah, the enthusiasm of youth.

[Ha]

But I do not believe you are incorrect. We are equally judged by our inaction and action, even if the consequences may vary.

Most will find it easiest to submit to whatever dance is expected of them, but on occasion...

[Well. You get the bold, the crafty, the ones unwilling to ghost through life on the expectations of the world. And that is often how you get heroes... and villains...]

[riegan]

Hey, gotta make the most with what you've got.

(Just gonna wink at Chiron here.)

I guess it depends on your perspective. (He can definitely see where Chiron is coming from. At least, in this aspect, he relents some and he waits to see where he might be going iwth his next statement. Instead, the hero's words trail off and leave him hanging,) What? C'mon don't leave me hanging.

(He has an idea! But he wants to hear it for himself!!!)

[antaressnipe]

Oh, I'm certain you knew where I was leading with that.

[A smile. Maybe on occasion, "Teach" is a troll and will leave the heavy lifting to his students to keep them on their toes.]