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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[arkitect]

[he has the feeling it might be difficult; it's strange for all of them, he's sure, glancing over to blanca as well. his hand stays settled on hansa's arm for now, as he gives alex and chiron a small nod.]

We may as well, yes. Shall we?

[it's not a familiar tradition to him, but he'll go along with the rest of them.]

[papasha]

[Oh, he HATES that.

He lets Lup take him by the hand, but glances over between Hansa and Emet-Selch. Even with how... innocuous this seems, he still looks a tad concerned for the three of them. Like he thinks it isn't going to turn out great.]

No harm in trying.

[He will tuck Lup's arm under his, still holding her hand, since it's what he'd do anyway, and walk with the rest to go retrieve a fortune. Haha.]

[retellers]

[ Everyone goes to draw their fortune! Alex gets a Great Blessing, Chiron gets a (Regular) Blessing, and Lup gets a Curse.

While Chiron congratulates Alex on her fortune and gently teases Lup for the opposite, Lup takes a moment to point out fuck y'all, getting a curse is so rare that it means the opposite? She's going to have GREAT luck? That's how it works.

Anyway, on Hansa, Emet-Selch, and Blanca's fortunes is something a bit... different.

If you forget something, does that make it no longer real? If everyone forgets about your existence, what does that make your time with them?

Which would you choose, if you had to: staying stagnant but remaining among the memories of others', or moving forward even if you are the only person who will ever know what you went through?

Looks like we're back to existentialism! How did all of that fit on the slip of paper? Don't ask. ]

[robopriest]

[It's nice, just letting himself enjoy this moment, but there's always that feeling that this is just sand running through his fingers. He looks down at the fortune in his hand after briefly smiling at the others, and lets out a groan.]

Oh, this again. [He shoots a sort of unamused look at the others.] More questions...

[And this is a hard one. Sure, he's been forgetting a lot. He even forgot ever being civilized. But the people, the things that happened...forgetting them doesn't mean they never happened in the first place, right?]

...I'm the only one who remains from my village. I'm the only one who remembers their names, even their faces. I can't live in the past, as much as I miss it. To move forward, even being the only one that holds those memories, even if it hurts...that's something special. Because you hold histories in yourself that will never fade, in your own heart. That's what...really matters.

[arkitect]

[none of us can fault lup's flawless logic.

but emet-selch frowns down at that slip, brow furrowing as he reads it and listens to hansa speak.]

... I cannot disagree, but moving forward may well not be an opportunity I have.

[it makes this both easier and more complicated to think on, in different ways. but--]

Forgetting does not make it no longer real. Still-- I would prefer to be the one forgotten, than to lose my own past. We have been unknown to history before; 'tis not entirely unfamiliar.

[papasha]

[Yet again, he's being gaslit by pretend dream Lup sounding exactly like the real Lup. Maybe this ISN'T a dream, wow.]

What a soft thing to say, Mister Cervantes.

[He's teasing, as lightly as he can given the current circumstances.] You're a difficult man to forget, you know. [Just so Emet-Selch is aware that, like, not everyone is going to want to simply forget him.]

I suppose I've been stagnant before. In a life of routine, rather. Looking back, it wasn't fun. I was just a cog in a machine. I can accept the burden of being the only one to remember, so long as I can move forward. Not that it wouldn't hurt.

[retellers]

[ I'm glad that they're just talking about feelings without any real prompting. I'm actually not sure what I would've done if you all had refused to say anything?

As Alex, Chiron, and Lup chat in the background, and Lup possibly steals Chiron's fortune while Alex laughs a little, the words on Hansa and co.'s fortunes fade. New ones take their place.

Now, they say: What do you see in your future? ]

[robopriest]

[Look, they've been through this song and dance before in this CYOA. Its to be expected.]

[At the next question...his expression softens.]

I'm not one for predicting the future. Whatever happens, happens. But after I finish this job I have, I'll...just do the things I always do, in my role. But I'll have others by my side this time.

[He looks at Chiron, then Alex, and then lastly, he looks at Emet. His smile is intensely fond as he reaches out to rest a hand on the other's hand.]

Just all of us, together. I couldn't ask for anything more.

[arkitect]

[yeah they've learned by now that they can't get out of talking about it, they're good, they're behaving...

and while there's a certain fondness in him, at hansa's answer, he still can't help but temper it with some caution.]

...if we are lucky, yes. We do not know for a certainty there will be any opportunity-- Archer and I may well not have one.

[a slight shake of his head. he recalls the things both of them have said to him, things he cannot in good conscience give them in return, but despite that-- he still accepts hansa's gesture.

for now, they are here. if that's all there ever will be, this extension has not been a bad one.]

I do not know if there is a future. But if there should prove to be a chance to continue to exist, then I do know where I intend to be, until I eventually return to where I now belong.

[papasha]

Even before coming here, I'd learned... you don't always have to follow the role you've been given. At least, someone I know taught me that. I guess the teacher became the student then.

[He doesn't say this directly to Hansa, but that's who it's for. He's looking at Lup instead, endeared, but also a little sad, a little wry.

What future do they really have, separated by very different world, a rapidly aging human man, and a (un)dead elf? But she's told him differently so many times, he thinks he believes it.]

I don't know. Maybe somewhere on a warm beach with a little red ruby when she feels like paying me a visit.

[retellers]

[ This is all so sweet and cute and I'm sorry I have to make you all suffer another question:

If they were to forget you, would you still seek them out again? ]

[robopriest]

[More questions for the question god! Hansa glances over at Blanca at his statement. Not always follow his role, huh...but he wants to have his cake, and eat it too. He wants to enjoy life, and everything it has to offer, but...]

[If they forgot him. If they looked at him, and saw a stranger, what then...?]

[He smiles, lightly.]

Yeah. Of course I would.

[Because despite everything, even being close, and making sure they're okay...is enough for him, he thinks.]

[arkitect]

...I cannot say for certain that I would.

[he's not looking at hansa when he says it.

because there was the offer from one to remain at his side, no matter what; there was the admission that one just wanted him to be happy. there's the fact that, despite everything, he is comfortable in their company, even if he cannot ascribe a particular emotion to it.

but then there is the reality of who it is they have offered to tie themselves to, the way that any sort of future existence is twisting fate. there's the fact that some things are best left alone, once there's a rift there, and that things happened to line up just so. there's no guarantee they ever would under other circumstances, and there is no certainty he would tolerate being looked at as a stranger by someone familiar again. he is tired, has been for a very long time.

in a very literal sense, he is not going to exist without them, so if they forget-- then what will there be?]

[papasha]

[Fifty First Dates for all of them.

He is quiet while they both seemingly answer so easily, even if they are very different answers.

He's a normie. He's aware there isn't much he can do exactly if that were the case. What's he going to do, dimension travel? In his economy? Please.

His eyes look away from Lup, but also away from Hansa and Emet, too, his lips thin. It isn't just Lup either; there are others, obviously. It'd be nice to see how they're doing.]

Perhaps if I could.

[retellers]

[ The variety in these answers is killing me.

A voice echoes—it's hard to make out, but while Blanca won't recognize it, something about it might feel familiar to Hansa and Emet-Selch...? "She might forget everything about me, but I'll remember her. It's not like we'll never be able to meet again afterwards, so I'm hopeful!"

And then, each of them will find that another memory of theirs has returned.

Not that they'll be given much time to think on it, as Lup slaps Blanca on the back. ]

All right, let's go. We're going to go find a good seat to watch the fireworks before other people hog them all.

[ Wow, when did it suddenly become evening. Alex and Chiron nod. ]

[robopriest]

[Emet's answer isn't actually that surprising - Hansa only lets out a sigh, but he nods, his expression filled with understanding.]

I see. Especially after everything, that's...

[That's fair.]

The voice...makes him flinch, as he looks around, hopeful for a moment, but realizing, once again, that its not like he's here-]

[And ah. Wow, it is rather dark, isn't it? Hansa shakes his head, a little taken aback by the time change.]

Not the best time for the coffee craving to come back...ah, well. [Maybe later he can have a cup, after all this craziness has ended. He gives another shake of the head as he looks at the other two.] Time to go see fireworks, I suppose.

[arkitect]

[ah-- the voice is a distraction, for sure, even if it's only an echo; along with the return of someone he hadn't recognized earlier, it's close to disorienting. when did it get dark... but you know, he's not going to complain about the timeskips, he'd like to get out of here sooner than later.]

We will have time for it later, Hansa. For the time being...

[fireworks time, let's go.]

[papasha]

[Oh. Hm. That's not a great memory at all, but it's fine. Sometimes you just go through your whole time here without knowing what you've lost except, like, maybe being able to read once.

The smack on the back jars him out of his thoughts, and he glances at Lup, and then at the others. He takes her by the hand again because he's a good (teenage) boy.]

We might can find some after the fireworks. Ever seen any?

[retellers]

[ The others lead the three to a spot—a clearing where they'll have a good view of the sky. Chiron even came prepared, as he places a blanket on the ground for all of them to sit on.

They're not alone in the area, either. As more people come by to find a good spot, they'll recognize the faces of their other friends in the Realm, chatting and dressed for the weather without any other worries.

Get comfy, the fireworks are going to start soon. ]

[robopriest]

I've seen fireworks, yes. They're a sight to behold.

[He moves to sit with the others, of course closer to Emet, Chiron, and Alex as he extends his legs, gazes up at the clear night sky. The movement of the people around them draws his attention, though, and he smiles briefly at them as they move to sit as well.]

You know...for an illusion of a mess of memories, this is rather nice.

[It's just...a nice moment. One that could never happen, but its nice, nevertheless.]

[arkitect]

I have seen them as well, yes.

[he's not usually very impressed with the displays, because of course their magic could have done it better-- but he at least doesn't say so.

he'll take a seat between hansa and chiron, settling in to make himself comfortable. while hansa isn't wrong about it being nice... it's a little too much so. he doesn't think he trusts it in this situation. but he says nothing about that either, for now, just quietly looking up to the sky.]

[papasha]

They are.

[Wow. Kind dream Chiron. Blanca offers his thanks even if it happens to be a dream. It's fine.

And if this Lup is anything like real Lup, then she is absolute in his lap no matter where he's sitting. so he may as well sit nearby to the other four; it's not like Lup is going to be tacked on the end.]

Is it too cheesy for me to say that I suppose, if I had anyone at all, ringing in the new year with you all isn't quite so bad?

[retellers]

[ Lup sure is going to slide into Blanca's lap. Alex will discreetly reach over to grasp Hansa's hand, while Chiron smiles over at Emet-Selch.

As night falls, the fireworks begin. They're beautiful, even if Emet-Selch is a butt with high standards.

And again, a voice echoes: "But fireworks make me a little sad. They're flashy, beautiful, and draw me in for a while. But then comes the time they disappear and it makes me feel lonely. It just makes me remember things are beautiful but only for a fleeting moment—" ]

[robopriest]

I don't think its cheesy at all.

[Its things like this, he thinks, that make life as joyous as it is. He is a man who lives day by day, and enjoys every little thing it blessed him with. Of course, it has its ups and downs, but there's light around every corner. He knows that. He feels that. So, he disagrees with the voice, in a sense. It is a reminder. It's a reminder that life is good, and always will be. Life is beautiful.]

[He looks up at the fireworks, both of his intact dark blue eyes reflecting the bright lights and streaks of color. Alex reaches for his hand, and glancing to her, he grips it back, squeezing it. She may not be real, but...]

[Well, there's definitely someone real, here. His other hand moves to rest on the back of Emet-Selch's hand.]

[...He wishes he had a third for Chiron. Ah, well. Its the thought that counts.]

[arkitect]

It is somewhat, yes, do not listen to him. But that is not necessarily negative.

[it's fine we'll build cyborg hansa a third hand.

but, well. he had never been one for fleeting moments-- so much was ephemeral, including mortals' very existences. it was always something he found depressing, a reminder of everything lost.

having faced a limited amount of time himself, here, he can perhaps see some of the good in it from that perspective. he can allow this indulgence in it, with the fireworks going off above.

he lets his weight rest against chiron, as hansa rests a hand on his-- and takes advantage of the dim light to lace their fingers together and bring that hand up, pressing a brief kiss to the back of it.

there's still something to do here, but they can have just a moment.]