WEEK SEVEN: MINGLE

[retellers]

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.

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Comments

[chanteuser]

[ h m


well the music is only okay so alex looks around - does not perceive the guy looking at them for the moment - trying take in what she can regarding the people on stage and the enthusiasm of the crowd.

but she does whisper, eventually: ]

That guy is staring at us.

[lecarre]

[unfortunately Ange notices immediately.

And stares back.]

He has been since we made it to the front of the crowd, if not earlier.

[...]

Should I incapacitate him? [Ange no]

[axecessory]

...Maybe we can try talking first!

[ ange please don't destroy the npcs on sight. hilda will smile and wave at this weirdo who's looking their way. ]

[retellers]

[ He smiles and waves back!

The music continues to be just okay as everyone else listens to okay music. ]

[chanteuser]

[ alex subconsciously starts humming to the just okay music. she will also wave! a little smaller than hilda's though. ]

If they're all from this place they might have helpful information, Ange.

[lecarre]

[Fine.

Ange sighs, closes her eye for a moment, and then straightens and heads over towards the guy.

She has slapped a familiar look on her face, unfortunately.]

U-um...! Excuse me, sir--is... is there something we can help you with...?

[axecessory]

[ the return of fake ange..... hilda shoots her a Look but keeps up an easy smile otherwise as they work their way towards that side of the stage.

hopefully he doesn't freeze when they get closer? ]

[retellers]

[ He does not! He just smiles pleasantly at them, offering a small bow beofre he speaks. ]

You're the next act, correct? It's a shame that she couldn't make it, but I'm sure you'll do brilliantly instead.

[ what ]

[chanteuser]

[ there's a pause while she just stares at the back of ange's head and also closes her eyes. there she go.



also what ]

Pardon?

[lecarre]

[... Hm.

Ange wonders--do they need to do this to progress, or is this a waste of time?

Knowing the Realm, probably the former, but she doesn't really want to waste any time that they don't have to. With this set-up, though....

...]

A-are you sure...? I think, um, you may be mistaken, mister...

[axecessory]

[ this is the ange she's more used to, but it sure is weird to see now...

also, what ]

Oh. [ well, that doesn't sound too bad. rescue who? girl group time. ] Sorry, who are we supposed to be filling in for again?

[retellers]

Oh, you know.

[ do they.

But he just laughs, lifting his hands up in an exaggerated shrugging motion and shaking his head. ]

I see that you weren't given an explanation... well, that's fine. There are costumes back stage you can wear. You need to hurry, it's almost your time.

[ He also explained nothing. ]

[chanteuser]

That doesn't tell us anything!

[ wow? wow! ]

...

[ she looks over at the others. ]

We... probably need to go along with it, don't we? Are either of you good with music?

[lecarre]

[... well, okay. They may as well move backstage to see what their costumes look like?]

Most likely. We should get this over with.

I have never heard this style of music before, but I can play the piano and the violin if need be.

[axecessory]

[ wow that was incredibly unhelpful! they can start to mosey over though, because yeah, they're probably going to have to do this. also she's curious about their costumes. ]

Um. It's been a while, but I could probably manage a rebec or a lute... [ violin or guitar/bass. thanks, noble upbringing? ] And there's always singing and dancing?

[retellers]

[ He just smiles, and then turns his attention back to the stage as the girls head on towards the back.

It's not too hard to find the dressing room, and once they do, they'll see a rack full of clothing. Wow! No matter what they choose, they'll find that it fits them perfectly. ]

[chanteuser]

[ alex looks through the rack and looks more and more bewildered as she goes through them. eventually she holds up two of the outfits and just stares at the rest of the Girl Group™ with a tired, slightly exasperated look. ]

We're... meant to wear these?

These are just straight up costumes!

[lecarre]

[Ange is already getting changed. Of course I have a visual for maid, that's an anime girl staple.

It's slow going since she still only has one good arm, but she's not even hesitating.

A pause to glance at the outfits Alex is holding up, before she shrugs a little bit.]

We have seen worse over the past few weeks. Wear what you can easily move around in, just in case.

[axecessory]

[ Hilda also apparently has no qualms about this. Ange looks so cute... though she looks over Alex's choices and cocks her head, diving back into the costume rack to pull out—


The Bunny Girl Suit. ]

Oooh, Alex, you should try this one! It'll really flatter your figure.

[ practicality who? ]

[discernments]

[ it's three hours later and jeanne would have mentioned she may recognize this city a little and maybe watch out for large blue beings with red eyes and mouths. it's fine.

anyway, thanks for holding her hand through the crowd, hilda. possessing a human girl from 2004 means that jeanne does recognize rock music unfortunately. she's a little alarmed about having to perform, though. ]

Um, I don't see what these.... outfits have to do with going on stage? I don't play any instruments.

[ and isn't her default outfit enough of a costume? ]

But if we must...

[ jeanne picks up a cheerleader outfit. that seems to be the least embarrassing one with the most mobility. i'll look up fanart later.

she's not going to comment on hilda trying to get alex to wear the bunny costume. not yet, at least. ]

[retellers]

[ They can continue chatting, but they can tell from the noise that the act before them seems to be done. They're saying their thanks and goodbyes at the moment. ]

[chanteuser]

Why?!

[ oh my god. she looks bewildered. ] There's no theme to all our outfits -- and we don't know what we're singing or, anything?

[ please just assume she's bullied into wearing it before they all get bundled out on stage, because she's just going to ??? otherwise. ]

[lecarre]

[Quite frankly, Ange just gives the bunny girl outfit an approving nod because it looks perfectly easy to move around in and stab some dudes in? It'll do.]

That is true. If there are instruments out there, we will simply have to make do. [if not, uh. Plan B.]

Alex, you will presumably have to sing. If you choose a song, hopefully we will be able to back you up.

[It's a horrible plan but Ange also only really cares about getting through this, not about how good or bad their performance is.]

It sounds like we are nearly out of time. Is everyone ready?

[axecessory]

[ she will gently bully Alex into this costume, it's fine. she finds some pom poms for jeanne too, to complete her ensemble.

for hilda's part, she's in one of the waitress outfits, which are depressingly similar to her aesthetic anyway. all the girls get some fussing of their hair and accessories...

maybe she's having fun with this. ]

Don't worry, Jeanne. You can always sing and improvise some dance steps! Everyone will be too mesmerized by how pretty you are to listen to anything.

[ it's not a much better plan than ange's, but together... well, at least they can goof off and get something done. ]

I think we're about good to go. It'll be fun! Let's just do our best.

[discernments]

[ Jeanne takes those pom poms with some trepidation. She hopes no one steals all her weapons when they're all on stage. Can you imagine a Servant who lost all their NPs? That'd be so funny. ]

Please. All of you are more mesmerizing than I am.

[ That includes whatever persona Ange puts on, real of fake. ]

I'm ready. Nothing can start if we do nothing.

[ Pink rises to her cheeks before she shakes her head, squares her shoulders. She heads onto stage once or if they get the cue to go on.

No fear!!! ]