WEEK ONE: MINGLE

[retellers]

WEEK ONE: MINGLE (40 remain) Rise and shine, gremlins. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it's the start of a new week. To the participants, yesterday's events may seem distant now—albeit not as distant as their life before this. Whether or not they notice, they will have lost a memory upon waking up. The barrier to the north is down, and beyond the bridge lies new areas to explore. Strangely, what was there last week seems to have been replaced overnight. That's not the only thing that's different, either. The participants will find that their lodgings have changed. Finally, should anyone check their PHS, Hajime, Pikachu, and Virid's profiles have been removed. 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. Furthermore, it looks as though the rules have updated. Finally, this week, the participants will find themselves drawn to one person in particular. Whoever that is, they will find themselves compelled to be close to them physically. The longer they attempt to resist this, the more compelled they will be... and the closer they will want to be, to the point that it might be emotionally and physically draining to not be holding hands or hugging them for several hours because you've ignored them too long. That's fun.

NAVIGATION locations ₓ˚. statuses *+:｡ ic profiles :ₓo ic rules ･ﾟﾟ･｡ audience requests murder proposals ｡✧o private conversations ･ﾟo｡ curfew ･ﾟ✧ memories

Comments

[papasha]

[He nods to these things--well, the first few things. The last one gets him to laugh quietly.

Mona Lisa looks great with freckles, by the way.]

I expect many more ladies than you would think enjoy having fun with the occasional gentleman.

[misstrust]

You'd think so, but even fewer would care to admit it. It's not very proper.

[ She says, loftily.

The Mona Lisa had crossed arms, right? SHE DOES NOW. ]

[papasha]

A lot would say that's true, but a woman should be free to do as she likes in that regard so long as she isn't hurting herself, or anyone else.

[THIS MONA LISA. Look, Blanca isn't going to say anything because it's not like he has a completely photogenic memory of the Mona Lisa.]

Do you need any other colors, Miss Dorothy?

[misstrust]

And that's precisely why I like you.

[ And she beams at him, before... turning to frown at her work. ]

Do you remember her eye color? Brown? Blue? Red?

[ Red? ]

[papasha]

[He has the decency to look fucking humble about the compliment. And then his expression drops a bit.]

Ah... I don't recall...

[haha]

I'm sure if you make it dark enough, no one will be able to tell the difference.

[misstrust]

... Ah, then let's go with mixing red and brown.

[ So Mona Lisa can look like she's ready to feast on your soul. ]

[papasha]

[She has brown already, so he digs around to retrieve a nice burgundy red to match.]

Here you are.

[Vampire Demon Succubus Mona Lisa is fine.]

[misstrust]

[ If only Dorothy would think to give her little fangs.

Truly, it is tragic. ]

... Do you think it's going to be convincing enough?

[ She looks a little dubious, even as she mixes the burgundy with the brown and it's dark, sure.

Just maybe a tad Demon Succubus with that Mysterious Smile ML is sporting. ]

[papasha]

I think with your touch, Miss Dorothy, it could fool almost anyone.

[There's a pause from him. The vroom is definitely making distance noise? Hm. Very politely, he hands the palette to Dorothy, and then he starts removing his blazer.

He gives her a small smile.] Keep going. [While he just... unbuttons and rolls up his sleeves. He turns around so they are back to back, and waits.

You know, for the virtual door to bust in with the authorities. It's fine.]

[misstrust]

Flatterer.

[ Though she's also flattered-- even as she also pauses, taking the palette from Blanca and.

Uh.

Oh, dear. ]

Wait, what are you--

[ Oh no, there's the pounding at the door and shrill demands to "Open up!!" ]

[papasha]

Business as usual. [He takes a quarter of a step forward to put himself into position.] It's all right. Keep working. I'll take care of it.

No eyebrows, and a mysterious smile. Don't forget.

[They really only yell open up before busting in. How typical. As soon as the door opens, Blanca is already moving.

He's big, and he's fast.]

[misstrust]

What do you mean "as usual"--

[ Oh there they go. And there Blanca goes, and while Dorothy really kind of wants to watch, she has a painting to continue.

She's just going to have to trust he's got this under control, since it's not like she's going to be of any use here. ]

No eyebrows... [ And so she mutters to herself as she just-- maybe gives her some furrowed eyelid ridges? Look, it looks weird without any kind of eye expression!! ]

[papasha]

[There is a whole lot of scuffling behind her in the back by the door. Nothing can be heard out of Blanca, but periodically, another voice will give a yelp of surprise.

There's some heavy thudding and some snapping, too.

It's just virtual reality, but a few guns go off. It's fine? A bullet lodges into the floor a foot or so away from Dorothy and the easel.

If and when she finally looks back, he is hefting one of the bodies over his shoulder like a sack, and his other hand has one by hte collar so he can... drag them out of the door...

But he offers her a small smile? It doesn't even look like he broke a sweat.]

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy flinches when the guns start firing and she hears the floor splinter beneath a bullet, perilously close. But then Blanca's just apparently having a good old time playing Barricade, and while she's a little too concerned to smile back, she'll wave her paintbrush at him??

IT'S FINE, SHE'S ALMOST DONE. ]

[papasha]

[It is stupid how gently and pleasantly he shuts the door when the trash is taken out.]

I'm afraid back up will likely be on the way now.

[He is fixing his sleeves when he returns to stand at her side.] Apologies for the mess. Some people just get scared. [He looks surprised at the painting.]

That's very well done, Miss Dorothy.

[misstrust]

If you're saying that, I guess we can hope it will fool anyone else who isn't an art critic.

... Do you do this often? [ Beat up guys?? ]

[papasha]

Well, Mister Kano did steal my reading glasses, but I don't think my eyes are deceiving me.

[He offers her a humble smile.]

I'm retired. But I was in the army. I hope I didn't scare you.

[misstrust]

No, just... startled me, more than anything.

I'm certainly glad I wasn't facing you during a war!

[ For many reasons, honestly. ]

[papasha]

[He laughs gently, amused.]

I would hope a pretty woman such as yourself wouldn't be a part of any kind of war like that.

[misstrust]

[ Her lips quirk faintly into a slight smile. ]

That's very sweet of you, Blanca. But it's true that I'd very much prefer not to be involved in any sort of war.

[papasha]

A very reasonable desire.

[He gestures to the painting.]

Any finishing touches to Mrs. Mona Lisa? We shouldn't hang around for very long.

[misstrust]

[ a last dab to the dress and she sets the palette aside. ]

That will have to do. Let's not linger.

[papasha]

Wonderful.

[He bends to scoop up his blazer and ease it on again, situating the front. And then he offers her his elbow while using the other hand to lift the canvas from the top of the back.

They have to take it somewhere, right? So the po-po don't get it.]

It's a shame you can't put your name on it, after working so hard.

[misstrust]

I'm all right not being in the spotlight, in this situation.

[ Time to take that elbow and make like a tree. ]