redactable | WEEK SEVEN: MINGLE

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mingle

WEEK SEVEN: MINGLE

WEEK SEVEN: MINGLE
(21 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.

As usual, the participants will find that their lodgings have changed, and should anyone check their PHS, Chiron, Ochako, Soo-won, and Dorothy's profiles have been removed. They may also find that they have difficulty recalling complete details of the past weeks.

Furthermore, it looks as though the rules have updated.

Not everything is the same as the previous pattern, though. The barrier to the north is back up, and once more, what lies beyond is an empty field. In contrast, however, participants may notice that they can finally access a place they haven't been able to before...

Additionally, it looks like the Leaders aren't around. No matter where the participants look, they're nowhere to be found. Should anyone try calling for them in the Planetarium, there will be no response—not even a message telling the participant that they're busy.

Finally, everything around the participants begins to... glitch? Buildings may suddenly blink out of existence and then back in, random items like chairs or cups may suddenly distort even while they're being used, and looking at any particular thing for too long may give someone a headache. It's worse than it was that one week, though: participants will find that it's happening to themselves as well. Body parts might suddenly glitch out of existence then back in, and there will be a shot of pain when it occurs. It'll happen randomly, but it also seems to occur more often if they're touching something or another person.

NAVIGATION

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ she'll grin at hua cheng before taking a minute to look at the moon, wishing absently on her former mom for luck. nothing like a lil dose of extra good fortune, right...?

otherwise, she'll be going through the mail, looking for anything of interest. any mail order catalogs for her to nose through? ]

He's unconscious.

[ zuko will just bandage up this birdie while they do the plot stuff ]

[ The glass is in the house! It looks as though something shattered the window from outside. There are stairs, but if Xie Lian goes up to the second floor, it's equally deserted.

Unfortunately for Xie Lian, the backpack does not contain any food. It does, however, contain weapons! Again unfortunately, though, they're all guns. Normal guns, guns that shoot fiery beams of light (no, they don't heal), guns that shoot wires that latch onto their target and taze them... not that Xie Lian will necessarily know any of this.

Hua Cheng finds traces of death, but not the kind he expected. Rather than any physical evidence, he will get the sense that... someone passed away here? More specifically, in the house, so he might want to go inside to properly focus on that sensation.

There are catalogs in the mail that seem like they'd be relevant to Usagi, yeah. Cute clothes, pet supplies (are those to relevant to her? maybe not, but they're there), etc. As a matter of fact, as she's browsing through them and Zuko bandages up the falcon... they will, just momentarily see a vision: a red-haired girl passes by them, walking a (very fat) dog. In the seconds that they see her for, she looks carefree, as though she doesn't have a worry in her life.

Then, the image fades. ]

[ yeah he has. no idea. why would you, in fact, keep a backpack full of guns? they all just look like guns that shoot things to him, so... it's probably better not to throw it out. instead, he takes the bag and shuts the top of it, then comes to stand at the open doorway, leaning against the frame and looking concerned. ]

I found a bag full of guns... but, otherwise, the house is empty - just like everything else.

[ he looks between the other three for a moment, his gaze lingering on the falcon in zuko's arms for a little while longer. ]

There was no sign of where the blood came from. Are the three of you still alright...?

[ Missing the redhead, Hua Cheng pauses where he's looking past the house, letting that familiar feeling of death settle on him. He hears Xie Lian, but he doesn't respond at first. Instead, he turns, jingling footsteps steady as he makes his way after that sensation. His hand has stayed on the hilt of his sword the whole time, but, for just a moment, he removes it to touch Xie Lian's arm as he comes to slip past him. ]

There's something off. [ As his hand returns to his sword, and his steps take him after that feeling, he clarifies without turning: ] Someone died here. Everyone stay close to each other, don't wander off.

[ The ghost is tracking the passing, where's he going, Jan. ]

[ she has a cat, of course it's relevant. look at all these cute lil clothes for both. that is until the vision startles her and she starts looking around for a hint of either girl or dog. ]

What was.....?

[ h-hello? ]

A girl and her dog.........?

[ zuko's just holding this bird to his chest now, his emotional support bird. but he does follow along with the gang, frowning at the guns and the vision. ]

... It's trying to tell us something, but what? We have to find the girl?

[ Hua Cheng will be led to the area with the broken glass. Why didn't Xie Lian get to sense anything? Because he's not the Ghost King, clearly.

But once he checks it out, it's his turn for a vision (and anyone who else looks back inside the house): there are drops of blood around the glass, before they disappear. Then, everything is brightly lit, and there stands a family. A young red-haired boy, holding balloons, wearing a party hat, and blowing into a party horn; a middle-aged woman, holding a red-haired infant girl. She laughs, full of cheer.

"Take a look at your brother!"

"I'm congratulating her on her birthday," the boy says around the party blower.

The woman reaches to pat him on the head, nudging the hat away. "I know, I know. Now then, why don't we go eat some cake?"

"Yeah!"

And then, everything fades, leaving behind a spirit in its wake: that of the woman in the vision. She turns to Hua Cheng, and smiles gently. ]

... You're not here to guide me either, are you?

[ Meanwhile, over with Usagi and Zuko: there's no sign of the girl or her dog anymore, but into the distance, they might hear some noise? Only Usagi will have any idea what it could be, maybe: it sounds like a car driving by. ]

[ that's valid actually only hua cheng has rights

anyway - there's a lot to take in. the little, bright party feels happy, for the brief moment that it stands. even with the bloodied glass (little flicker it was), there's just a sense of utter warmth to the scene, and then...

...and then, it feels like ghost city, for a moment. like standing with a ghost fire - wayward spirits are familiar.

xie lian looks at the spirit in front of them - he presses his fist to his hand and bows his head to her, respectfully, and the expression on his face is gentle, his voice to match, as it squeezes at is heartstrings. ]

...If there is a way that we can safely guide you to rest, perhaps the two of us would be better suited to it than most, my lady.

Might've found her. [ To Zuko, who is now in our tender loving care along with the birb, since Sipp is heading to bed. If there was a girl for them, maybe this is the same one? Hua Cheng inclines his head slightly when Xie Lian bows, and either doesn't acknowledge the noise in the distance, or realize that it's something to pay any attention to.

For most, going from that happy scene to this, now, would be whiplash. But he's largely unfazed, and almost detached. At least he's not outright unkind. ]

Being here, I think we're meant to be guiding one another. [ This isn't normally the Ghost King's role - even if he let Soo-won assume as much, so long ago - but he can work with it. ] What can you say, about what happened here?

A car....?

[ she will be taking her now godmodded blast shield and his emotional support birb to peer around and see if she can spot where it's coming from. only if so she doesn't start make squawking noises about spirits being real. (no, hua cheng apparently doesn't count) ]

[ Usagi, if she dares to separate from her chinese gays, will have to leave the neighbourhood and towards what looks to be a more bustling area of the city if she wants to pursue the vroom vroom noises. At least she has a meat shield.

As for the gays and their spirit, though: ]

... The last person to speak with me... He couldn't guide me back, as he no longer had the power to do so.

Still, I can wait.

[ And then, she begins to recount her story. ]

A monster—a pitch black woman swallowed me, trapping me with countless other souls. Still, I couldn't accept my fate. My son was out there, in danger from her. I've been told that I then cast aside the path that the dead are meant to walk, in order to protect him.

... But I'm content. The guide told me that my son still lives now, because of it. All a mother wishes for is for her children to live long, happy lives—so if my son and daughter are both alive, then I've done what I needed to.

[ With that gentle smile— ]

... When it comes to death, there is no justifiable reasons that we humans will accept. So, whether it's resentment or regrets... [ and here, her voice echoes, as if a memory is laid over what they're witnessing now ] ... happy memories should be placed first.

[ Then, it returns to normal. ]

I don't think you'll find my children here. However... you're looking for him, aren't you? The guide, that is. I asked him to protect my children, so I'll ask of you: please watch over him, then.

[ Hm, wonder who she's talking about! They won't be able to get any confirmation or clarification, though, before she disappears, leaving Hua Cheng and Xie Lian alone in the house. ]

[ a pitch black woman swallowed me.

there is a brief moment, where xie lian's eyes widen, because, suddenly, he remembers teeth, an act of kindness -

...but he listens, and holds that knowledge in the back of his mind, so every word she says moves his heart. xie lian feels a soft swell of warmth in his chest for the woman's determination, for her wise words about death, for the fact that her son still lives, for her gentle smile, for her safe passage onto the next life, after death. a surge of affection for this guide, and...

happy memories should be placed first, she says, and if there's another memory layered on top in that echo, there's a third that goes with it, too, but that voice belongs to someone else.

("Is there anything in particular you'd like to learn about? Though, I must confess, I'm starting to forget many things, so I can't guarantee what I can share..."

"Hm... if you can recall, a memory that brings you happiness?)

as the woman asks them to watch over this guide, xie lian opens his mouth to say something, but -- just like that, she's gone.

and xie lian knows who they have to save. ] ...San Lang. [ xie lian says, softly. ]

The guide -- it must be Brother Goat.

[ with the spirit gone, xie lian clasps both of his hands together, palm to palm, and bows his head. ]

I'll find him. For the sake of your children and the people he's been protecting. I swear it - I will ensure him the kindness that he has given to you and yours. May your soul rest in peace with this knowledge as it moves onto wherever it may lie.

[ and with that, he straightens, looking up at hua cheng, and giving a determined little nod, with his sense of purpose as true as an arrow, as it has always been. ]

...Let's go meet back up with Miss Usagi and Zuko - we must keep moving forward.

[ As if he could ever miss that reaction. Hua Cheng's gaze slides to Xie Lian, away from this woman - this mother, and her conviction, and he supposes some part of him softens the same as it turns to a steel resolve. (Not that strange, really, given the ghosts that call his city home, given the people that have taken shelter there for as long as it's existed, instead of him turning them away.)

Even without knowing everything, he can hazard a guess. Having the confirmation only sets everything in place.

They need all of the Leaders, regardless - but this is more personal to Dianxia than anything else, given their interactions with every time that Goat has been among the participants. For every moment beyond.

Xie Lian says his name, but he doesn't react right away - when he does, it's like he's shaken off a sensation, before turning to look at him once he's given his vow to the now-faded ghost. If there's nothing left here, no sense of something lingering, then they only have one choice left. ]

Her conviction will guide her where she needs to go, the same as ours will. We'll find him. [ A second, and he reaches to touch Xie Lian's hand - a squeeze, a promise - and then he's turning to locate their wayward teenagers.

... whaaaat are you doing ] ... Usagi, Zuko. What is it?

[ she does have a trouble buddy but she's also a good girl who checks in with her parents before running. that is, of course, in the midst of flinching and shaking her head at the strange static. huh, wonder what that's about! ]

We might have found something! I heard a car just now heading in that direction....!

[ and since the vrooms are vrooming, she ushers zuko to come with her follow the noise before it gets away. at least if she gets kidnapped at least she has her surprisingly complacent meat shield....? COME GANG, TO THE ~~BAT~~ BUN MOBILE. ]

[ As Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, a voice that sounds suspiciously like the White No-Face whispers in their ears: "Happiness is so easy to destroy." Enjoy that parting gift! There's no one there if they stop to look.

Miraculously, Usagi and Zuko catch up to the source of the noise. Somehow. It's a bunch of horned people partying atop a car (maybe not those exact people, but the same general edginess). When they see the two, though, one of them pauses, grinning widely. ]

Huuuuh? What do we have here? Humans?

[ one step out of the house, and that whisper soft, mellifluous voice sends a chill straight down xie lian's spine. he straightens and whips around, immediately, hand to the sword at his side, but -

nothing.

it's nothing. just like before - it's not real. (his memories are not always correct, not here. xie lian has to keep reminding himself; and he won't let the white no face be the one to stop him. not again.)

he shakes his head to clear it off and rolls his shoulders back. with a quick glance to san lang - even if there's still a trace of a haunted look on his face, xie lian gives hua cheng a small, reassuring smile and sets out to follow zuko and usagi after this edgy car full of partying horned people.

"humans"? well, kind of? awkward. ]

[ Huh, he would've focused more on that flinch from Usagi, but there's a distraction.

What Xie Lian sees when he looks at Hua Cheng is that he's drawn his sword, immediate and instinctive as he visibly bristles. (Lup can't be the only one with 50+ lbs of hair that Ghibli poofs.) Very few people here have actually been witness to his killing intent, but just because he's come to care about others doesn't mean the edge of it has dulled any.

Counter to that, it's had all the more reason to sharpen.

He moves to be closer to Xie Lian as they walk to follow the teens, solidarity, comfort, understanding. Not again.

... at least his abrupt snort at overhearing the question is amused, and cuts a little of the tension.

Yeah, no. ]

[ ....hm.

somehow this makes her square her shoulders (even if she is hiding 80% behind zuko at this point) and glare ]

What of it!

[ her intimidation factor is like -20 but that’s what her bodyguards are for ]

[ I don't know if Zuko is still on autopilot or not, but. I assume he's looking very tough right now and about to pick a fight, while cradling a half-dead falcon.

The horned beings look mostly amused at Usagi's bravado, as they sneer. ]

Aw, aren't you a cute one?

[ Another one of the men speak up, though. ]

We don't have time, man. You got enough souls for now, so leave it. We can't be late for the ceremony—whatever the hell it's gonna be about.

[ They look at each other, before they drive off again. Hua Cheng, Xie Lian, Zuko, and Usagi (and the bird) are alone, for approximately ten seconds before a scream echoes elsewhere, coming from the alleyways. ]

[ xie lian's still trying to process that (wow his first car) but -

--then someone screams. his head whips up, looking towards the alleyways, and he's

already running in that direction.

bye! ]

[ The mention of souls gets his attention, and Hua Cheng's eye narrows - but there's really no time to process, or find a way to follow their first car, because. There Xie Lian goes!

Of course he's going to follow.

As he does, he looks at Usagi and Zuko. ]

Let's go, we'll figure out what to do with that after.

[ NYOOM ]

[ she bristles from behind zuko, hmphing loudly. but at the talk of ‘souls’ she blinks, pausing. hewwo? human souls?

but none of that matters because off they go and new problems take its place...! her own head whips around at the sound and off she goes after her dads ]

[ Autopiloting Zuko for one last round because I assume that without knowing what you're going to find, he's also running after the sound and not about to nyoom off in the opposite direction with the bird for some reason

In the alleyway is another horned being, biting a human girl's neck but in, like, a non-kinky way. It definitely does not look like she agreed to this biting, though? As he does so, dark vapour spills from his mouth.

There's a man and a woman, both with horns with him, who turn to the group when they burst in. The latter bares her teeth—revealing that where a human would have molars, she instead has fangs—and swings her fist at whoever's nearest. She's stronger and faster than a human, but with no real finesse in her attack.

The (second) man does something similar, going after whoever (else) is near. ]

[ FINALLY A PUNCHABLE MONSTER

the faster they get these resentful things gone, the faster they can get them free of the human woman. xie lian skids around the corner and is immediately springing into action — when the woman swings her fist, he dodges the strike with a step to the left and blocking the motion with his forearm. after that it’s quick work; he pivots, the side of his left hand makes contact with the back of her head, and the right delivers a devastatingly strong clothesline to her ribs.

he’s used to fighting the supernatural - and no finesse is a bad choice against a martial god. I didn’t roll for this so I deeply hope I fail every time I have to roll in this cyoa from now on.

he’ll stay to tussle with the female demon if that isn’t enough to wind her or take her out but otherwise, xie lian shouts - ]

Watch out! [ because there’s another one aiming for the others!! but he’ll leave that to his very capable and trustworthy companions so he can try and attack the other demon and get him off of the human woman. ]

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