MINGLE | WEEK TWO

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MINGLE LOG | WEEK 2
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Greetings, house guests. Surely you're getting into the swing of things, by now? Though, a friendly reminder: there is no escape.


Sunday is, once again, a quiet and likely somber day. At least, until there's one hopefully welcome surprise: belongings from back home that you may have missed will be delivered to your rooms today, if you did not come in with them. (Note: these should be the personal items from your applications, if your characters don't already have them on hand. The dead's personal items WILL NOT be appearing.)

Iris, Shauna, and anyone else in the house who might be considered a mother will also find a red carnation in a small vase by their bedsides. Enjoy these small creature comforts. You have earned them.

(Don't forget to check out the post-trial afterparty!)

Come Monday, everyone will once again wake up to a most unpleasant surprise: their motive for the week. This one is more immediately apparent than the last; the house's hunger has not been sated.

Pratibha is, once again, nowhere to be found, but this time, she's absent every day this week. What's up with that? (Should you feel strongly about this, you may attempt to find her.)

Bucking tradition, this week's first puzzle also arrives on Monday; it unlocks, of all things, a huge wardrobe full of fancy clothes. What could all this be for?

On Tuesday, the second puzzle appears; and it unlocks, this time, a grand ballroom.

On Wednesday, it will become clear what this week's locations are for. Because the ballroom doors open by themselves at 6 PM sharp, and reveal:

A ball. Splendid and scintillating, this gracefully lit space is warmed by the sound of distant music that has no apparent source. There are tables for food and drink, and more tables besides at which to sit. The star, however, is the dance floor; are you feeling brave enough to step out there? More importantly: with whom as your partner?

The windows display only endless green forest before night falls. Twilight and rising darkness paint the ballroom in shadows and shades of gold. All of it is enchanting and lovely to behold. The ballroom even sports numerous little nooks for ... privacy.

Remember, above all, rule 5: Get to know each other. Become friends. Become more. Who cares. Just do it.

Thursday brings calm after the busy storm of the ball. Rest, recuperate, and reflect; you all know what tomorrow brings.

Friday is investigation time once again. The investigation post will go live at 3 PM EST, 5/16.

Saturday is the day of your second real ritual. You may find the ritual post here at 12 PM EST, 5/17.

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[treebornekettlegirl]

Hey, if I gotta be here, I'm gonna look great. Greater than usual.

[How modest. Ranma barely makes an attempt to veil her exuberant amour propre at the other's reaction.]

Anemone helped me with it, since my speed's--

[Thumbs down accompanied with a raspberry. It's going to be a drag retying it when the party's done, but it's worth it for Lortel's look alone.

Speaking of whom...]

Don't sell yourself short now. [Ranma rests her hands at her hips, eyes studying Lortel up and down before she gives an impressed whistle.] You look stunning in that dress. Flower's a nice touch too.

[richesse]

Hm~ you never do anything by half, do you? [ smiles ] It’s an admirable quality.

[ then Ranma complements her, going so far as to pretty blatantly check her out, and she actually blushes a little harder. She is very obviously pleased with the praise, though.

She reaches hand up to touch her flower-laden hair, a bittersweet smile on her face. ] … they’re for Leona. He called me Ixora during the first trial, and … ever since I wanted to find one for real. Luckily for me, I found some in the greenhouse.

[treebornekettlegirl]

Nope!~ [Ranma flexes an arm and winks boldly.] Only 110% from this guy every time!

[As wishy-washy and tight-lipped as she can be sometimes regarding feelings, she can acknowledge when girls look cute or pretty. She's just calling it as she sees it, and what she sees is dazzling!]

Leona, huh? [Ranma's not about to pretend Leona was her favorite person in this place. Everybody saw her deck that lion man in the trial. Still, she won't badmouth him, especially seeing that poignant look on Lortel. In the end, he's another unfortunate sap that wound up in this mess.] That pussycat was onto something, Ixora really suits you. It goes along with your dress and hair nicely.

[A perfect fit.]

[richesse]

Ranma, if I didn’t know any better, I might think you were actually flirting with me~

1/2

[treebornekettlegirl]

[ACK--??????????]

2/2

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Nice going Lortel, you got this poor guy-girl's cheek's matching up with her hair.]

Hardy har har. [Scoffing with a tsk.] You wish.

[Can't a guy just compliment a girl?]

[richesse]

Oh? And what if I did wish?

1/?

[treebornekettlegirl]

2/?

[treebornekettlegirl]

3/?

[treebornekettlegirl]

4/5

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Rebooting... Rebooting... Rebooting...]

5/5

[treebornekettlegirl]

[... does it say more about her or her home life when she has to stop and contemplate hard if a girl's actually serious about her feelings or jerking her chain?

Letting that blush and fluster ebb away, looking away with a harrumph.]

Get better wishes then.

[Ones that don't involve embarrassing her.]

[richesse]

[ laughs brightly, the sound far more sweet than mean ]

I see… then you’ll never find out if I meant it or not. Have it your way~

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Making a pouty face at her saccharin-laden words, before rolling her eyes and crossing her arms behind her head, letting them be buried in that mane of pink.]

For your sake, I'd hope it's one over the other.

[Lest Lortel desires to put up with at least three other girls trying to take her out unromantically.

Ranma casts a glance over to the dance floor.]

Didja dance with anyone else yet?

[richesse]

[ All the best lies have a grain of truth in them. Not that she will ever, on her life, tell Ranma that.

Her expression softens at the question. ]

I haven’t. I’ve just been mingling since Aqua and I arrived. … would you like to dance with me, Ranma?

[treebornekettlegirl]

[That's the best for both of them.

At her offer, Ranma gives her classic smirk.]

Only if you promise not to trip me up.

[She holds out her hand for the other to take. Ranma can't remember how long it's been since she last danced with a girl. Oh well, long as Lortel don't have two left feet, this'll go swimmingly.]

[richesse]

[ LOOKS AT HER AGHAST ]

I know how to dance! I’d be a poor merchant if I couldn’t. Parties are an excellent way to network.

[ … rolls her eyes ]

So, I won’t. I can promise you that. [ peers at the other girl ]

So you’re saying you can dance?

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Lortel's getting a peer back, one teeming with fervor.]

Please, like you're the first girl I've danced with.

[And she'll be all too happy to back up that claim on the dance floor.]

[richesse]

… well now I don’t know if I should feel insulted or not. Exactly how many girls have you danced with?

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Squints, before throwing back:]

How many guys have you danced with?

[Basically: no u]

[richesse]

… you would have been the first if you were in your boy form.

[ said not exactly shyly, but something close to it. ]

[treebornekettlegirl]

[That. Actually manages to throw her off her witty game for a sec.]

... Wait, you've never danced with anyone before?

[Or, well, not with a guy?]

[richesse]

… remember what I said about parties being good for networking?

I was expected to work, not play. So … no. Not once.

1/2

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Oof. That hits a bit close to home there. Different circumstances, but still...

For a moment, Ranma lets a sympathetic look slip. Way to make her feel like an asshole...]

[treebornekettlegirl]

[... it segues to a smile. It wasn't her typical cocksure smile, but more gentle.]

Well, it's your lucky day then. No one's expecting you to work here.