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.

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]

I'm not sure.

[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?

[retellers]

[ Through static: ]

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...

[robopriest]

...Oh, what's next? Do I have to write a five-page essay about the meaning of life after this? You know, after a point, I have to say, this is the most complicated survey I've ever taken part in.

[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.]

[arkitect]

-do not call me cute.

[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.

[papasha]

[Hm. Say how they feel, huh? Thanks, enigmatic phone contact. He glances up, looking surprisingly humble and maybe a tad sheepish at the compliments. (And the dunk.)

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?

[retellers]

[ Hansa complains, because the mod actually had no plans for what brought down the wall and was improvising on the spot. Sorry, Hansa.

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). ]