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

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[showyourself]

Because I'm interested in you.

[suddenlybees]

Uh. Why?

[ Why the fuck, Elsa. ]

That's gonna be, like, the opposite of happiness.

[showyourself]

Why?

[she steps towards him, turning the question back around, as both a reply and a question itself. why was she interested? why was it the opposite of happiness?]

Because... you remind me of a spirit. Maybe.

[suddenlybees]

I remind you of a dead person...

[ They can continue to not answer each others' questions, yeah. It doesn't make any sense, but it also does? Dead people are boring; they have nothing going for them anymore. They're time is already up. ]

I guess, yeah! That's 'cause I am.

[showyourself]

[she opens her mouth to say no, that's not at all what she meant?? but--]

--You're... dead?

[suddenlybees]

[ "all" means she was thinking it, though?? ]

Haha~ Do you believe me?

[showyourself]

No! You're standing in front of me, very much alive!

If you were dead, then you're not. [firmly.] Not anymore.

And that's not what I meant by a spirit.

[suddenlybees]

Uh huh. Okay.

[ Dead's supposed to be dead, Elsa. Even if he's what he is... an abomination, if anything. ]

What'd you mean by "spirit" if not a ghostie, then?

[showyourself]

A... spirit.

[she's not sure where to go from there, so she tries again.]

Spirits are an important part of nature, a part of everything around us. We live in balance with them—but when they're upset, things go out of balance. Life can still continue, but it's...

...a little chaotic.

[hmm.]

Something can look like happiness, but that doesn't mean it is. That's all.

[suddenlybees]

[ He has no idea how to respond to "you remind me of a mystical chaotic force of nature, like he bends the world around him and causes things to pitch and stall and turn wherever he goes. If only. ]

Man, you make me sound so selfish, dragging everybody down with me, huh? I wonder, though, if it matter what it is, when people can't tell the difference anyways?

[showyourself]

Spirits don't drag people down. They... well, they pull them along—and usually for a reason.

[she tilts her head at kano, looking thoughtful.]

Do you feel you have nothing left to lose?

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano mirrors that head tilt, realigning their views. ]

Hmm... Got nothing that's mine to lose, at any rate~

[showyourself]

Why do you say that? You mentioned it before.

[suddenlybees]

Did I?

[ Did he? memloss sure is real ]

I mean, there's nothing else but my life, right? And even that's sorta, ehh...

[showyourself]

[elsa gives him a long, quiet look, letting only his words fill the space between them for a moment. "nothing else but his life", huh.]

Because you... don't have a claim on it? You said you don't have anything that's yours to lose.

[she takes another step forward, looking into his eyes. was it servitude? imprisonment? or something more sinister?]

...But you do have worth. Just... remember that. Please.

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano doesn't shrink back, but he freezes where he is and closes up, this mask of a smile blocking everything else out and it's my favorite icon bc it's such a bland Kano smile, it's very versatile. ]

Sure, sure!

[ disbelieving ]

For however long I can still be used.

[showyourself]

[elsa gives him a sharp look—but it's only momentary, as she shakes her head. there's no arguing with someone who's dug their feet in like that, complete with a smiling facade—and no yelling at someone who has no other choice—or defense—but to believe in it. nothing was coming down overnight, or even any time soon.

so instead she sighs—and, because the affectionate stuff is still happening in w0—reaches out, and brushes his hair to the side, patting down a few loose ends.]

I'm sorry. I know this isn't the reaction you want.

[suddenlybees]

[ Nnnnnnnnno? This is absolutely not the reaction he wanted, nor what he would have expected in a thousand years, affection bullshit or not. ]

Um.

[ hm. ]

I think that's enough alcohol for you tonight.

[showyourself]

I haven't had any.

[there's something nearing reproachful in her eyes, but it's probably not for the reason he thinks it is.

elsa gives him another long look—and touches him lightly on the arm.]

Take care of yourself. That's all I can ask.

Excuse me.

[with that, she inclines her head, and turns, drifting away.]