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redactable2020-11-15 01:53 pm
retellers) wrote in redactable2020-11-15 01:53 pm
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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 |
no subject
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?
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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. ]
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[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.]
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[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.]
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[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?
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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—" ]
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[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.]
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[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.]
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He twines his arms around Lup and waits for the fireworks to go off. They're very nice. The voice makes him feel a bit sympathetic, but no less discouraged about the preciousness of chance.
He told more than one person here they shouldn't squander the present, hadn't he? The ones always looking at the future, planning, worrying. "It's better to have loved and lost, than not loved at all," right? In more than simply romance, too.
Being so worried about it ending, about being lonely, means not taking the chance to try. And, in the end, being lonelier for not having done it.]
no subject
Anyway. As the fireworks fade, the three will find themselves gradually getting sleepier, before sleep takes them in time.
Once more, they'll dream. In their head, various voices echo, all of them belonging to what's wrong with the world aka upper class middle-aged and/or old men. But, you know.
"Seeing the constant 'There was no change' everyday, is there any meaning to her ReLIFE? Are you really supporting her enough?"
"Aren't you driving the subject into a corner by giving her too much advice again? You're intervening too much. Don't forget that you're only part of the Support Division."
"Hey! What the hell is going on, █████!? Aren't you ashamed of showing me this kind of report!? You better do something!"
When they wake up, they're in what looks to be an empty white space, with no apparent end. Moreover, they're all separated by... an invisible wall? It's not quite like the barriers of the Realm. If they touch it, it'll shimmer for a moment, allowing them to see that it does end at some point, high above their heads. So, hypothetically, it could be climbed, if the wall weren't also perfectly smooth.
But this wall is dividing all three of them, so they can't reach other. ): ]
no subject
[Its the last thought he has before he drifts into sleep. He doesn't understand the arguing. ReLIFE? Support division? He stirs, sitting up...]
[And everything is so white. He stands up, a bit wobbly on his feet, to walk towards the others - and knocks into the wall. His brows furrowing, he starts to beat his fists against it, before kicking it.]
Come on! What is this-!!
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Not unfamiliar tactics, I suppose, but how difficult...
[but as he glances around and notices the empty space, the wall that hansa is busy trying to fight... he places a hand against that barrier, frowning.]
Well, this is a problem. If we fail to receive any indication of how to proceed, then shall I try breaking it?
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He's also a bit groggy when he sits up. A frown thins his lips as he watches both Hansa and Emet-Selch try the barrier. For now, he won't resort to trying to see if he can shoot his overly large gun.
He will... see if he still has the phone? To try to call the only contact in there? If not, welp. He'll at least stand up.]
Do either of you know what "ReLIFE" might mean?
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Blanca does, in fact, still have the phone. When he calls, there's static as if he has terrible reception right now, but whoever's on the other end picks up. ]
He... llo...?
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[He sneers at the barrier when it ripples. Guess even his cyborg strength won't be enough.]
No, I have no idea. [...?] Blanca, who are you calling?
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[but with the way the barrier reacts, and blanca's phone call, he holds off on trying anything drastic for now. he will just keep it in mind, watching blanca.]
If you could allow all of us to hear, that may help.
[blanca put them on speaker]
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[Oh. He will put them on speaker phone if he can, sure.] Hello there. [He is too young to sound this sultry, it's funny. Unless they are adults.]
This is Blanca. My friends and I are in a bit of a predicament. You see, there are some walls that won't let us pass.
There wouldn't happen to be a way on your end to fix that, would there?
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I... n't do any... thing... It's up to you...
Everything is... ultimately yo... oice... I can only... guidance...
[ There's a pause. ]
Try what... 've been doing... til now? Maybe say... what you think of each... other...
no subject
[Hansa just lets out a low groan and shakes his head. Look, he's very open about things when you ask, but after a certain point, it becomes exhausting. Hansa steps away from the wall, throws up his hands like! Might as well!]
[He turns to Blanca, thinking for a moment, before he speaks.]
...You are one of my best friends here, I think. You're reliable, and someone I always enjoy talking to. Maybe you have a dark past, but you, at this moment, seeing everything you've done for others...you have a good heart, I know you do. Its no wonder so many people like you as well. I think its because...they look at you, and they know they can feel safe around you. Even though I can take care of myself...I know I can understand the feeling.
[And then to Emet-Selch, this time with a smile.]
You already know my feelings well. I've told you as much, before. But just to say it, once again...I'm deeply fond of you. I really am. To this day, its just because I think...living with you those ten years, and seeing you with Kaiza, and how, after everything you've experienced, you are able to find some solace and satisfaction in experiencing these short, mortal lives of ours is...well, its terribly endearing, to say the least. I love talking to you. Always do, because you've seen more and know more than I ever will. And I think, above all, I just like knowing that I can provide some measure of happiness to you. Maybe because you are a huge grump at the end of the day. But you didn't hear that from me! Its cute, anyways.
[He winks. Because he has two eyes, it really does look like a wink, this time.]
no subject
[he looks every bit the part of a huffy teenager as he sighs, arms folded. his physical age takes any dignity out of it, he hates this.]
But if we truly must, then... well, we are more or less in agreement when it comes to you, Blanca. I have not disliked our conversations, nor have I objected whenever we have had reason to work together; you have proven yourself quite the reliable figure, and you have yet to disappoint me on that front. [a pause.] Save for the mine incident, perhaps. But it is possible that not being above such things is part of why you remain of interest.
You complement her well, I think. I believe her to be in good hands.
[a nod to him, there, before he turns to hansa; he has to think before he begins.]
...you are aware of my thoughts on you as well, and know I cannot offer you as much as you have offered me. It may be that such things will come in time, but for now-- yours is a presence I find myself comfortable with, despite the inherent differences. I suppose spending a decade with a person makes that clear enough, but then you know that as well as I.
I would agree to ten more, if we had them. If we do not... then I do not believe I have directly said you have made the time spent here more tolerable.
[anyway that's all you're getting out of him along those lines, because the last thing is:]
Both of you could, however, stand to have better taste on occasion.
no subject
He waits his turn, though!!]
Ah, well, I believe the two of you put me to shame. [He offers them a lopsided smile.] At first, I didn't think we would get along, [is what he says to Emet-Selch.]
No particular reason exactly... A difference in opinion maybe. You were always making me think just that little bit more about the bigger picture, even after a tough day. Kept me on my toes. I appreciate it. But after getting to know you... Well, I suppose I grew to enjoy your logical outlook on things, even if it was a little bleak sometimes. You were a good partner to have with the rest of us.
[He glances at Hansa, pretending to be appraising.]
I'm honored you consider me such a good friend. You helped me more than you'd realize the first few weeks we had been here. I enjoyed your company. And... I missed it these last few weeks, but wasn't ever too sad knowing you had a good lot to stick with. [A look at Emet-Selch, almost pointedly.] It was nice... knowing you could take care of yourself, but that we could talk about things that bothered both of us.
More than that, I think... I'm glad you both are looking out for Miss Alex and Archer. They've also been good to me. I know they're in good hands with the two of you. Others were, too, of course, but... you know.
Is that... good enough then?
no subject
Apparently, this is sufficient, as the wall disappears. Hurray, you can each reach other again! Now kiss—I mean. Once they presumably step towards each other or something to that effect, their surroundings change again, though at least this time they don't fall asleep. A blink, and they're elsewhere.
They're back in the alleyway from the start of this. In a neat pile on the ground are: three pieces of papers, accompanied by three containers and two business cards.
The papers are identical, resembling a contract. Once more, most of it won't register, but the end simply states:
Congratulations on your successful completion, and thank you.
Once you take the pills, you will return to your original forms.
The containers contain pills, resembling the ones they took at the start of this.
The two business cards both state the same company name: ReLIFE Laboratory. However, one belongs to an Onoya An, while the other belongs to Yoake Ryō.
Assuming they take the pills—
At that moment, Fox can be seen in the street, looking tired, if outright depressed. When he sees them, though, his expression switches over into a cheerful smile with almost startling quickness.
... And then everything goes to black! Also, because you all wanted proof of your teenage life: while they'll be adults again, they will find themselves dressed in their PE outfits for no apparent reason (their actual clothes are back in the inn). ]