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

[richesse]

[ debates asking something she knows will spark a story.

sets down her book and does it anyway. ]

What is Don Quixote?

[windmilled]

[He's shocked, horrified, offended, even, for just a second before he remembers that the girl next to him has ice magic.

That definitely would have complicated the story of the man of La Mancha.]

It's my favorite of the stories my grandfather used to tell me. An old nobleman reads so many stories of knights and chivalry that he goes mad as a goat and thinks he can become a knight errant. He saddles up his old workhorse, names himself Don Quixote, and recruits a farmhand named Sancho Panza to be his squire. Except, the real world is not as chivalric as his stories.

[Hilarity ensues.]

I used to ask for it so often, sometimes my grandfather would call me Quijito after the real name of Don Quixote.

[richesse]

Sancho?

[ blinks ]

I could swear I’ve heard you call Leon exactly that. … does this mean you see him as your squire?

[windmilled]

Mm. Not literally - after all, I'm not mad enough to think myself a true knight errant either.

[He thinks for a moment.]

Mostly, it's to get a rise out of him, now.

[richesse]

[ presses a few fingers to her mouth, which does nothing to hide her wobbly, deeply amused smile ]

You two are very cute together.

[windmilled]

I-- what?

[Genuinely, baffled.]

No, I think you have the wrong impression. We shared an adventure before we arrived here, that's all.

[richesse]

Oh my. And when did I mention any such thing? I can think your friendship is cute all I want. I have no idea why your mind jumped that far ahead.





[ of course she knows she’s just high key fucking with him ]

[windmilled]

[A small huff.]

Cute is a word for las señoritas.

[He may have a snatchable little waist but he has a little bit of masculinity.]

And what of you and Aqua, ey?

[richesse]

What, boys can’t be cute? What a silly thing to say.

[ but then he asks her about Aqua, and her mouth drops open slightly. She then immediately blushes and glances away. ]

What … do you mean?

[windmilled]

[Like a wolf on a trail of blood:]

I mean, it seems you two have gotten quite close.

[He adjusts so he's less leaning and more half-sitting on the arm of her plush chair.]

I'm starting to feel a little like a chaperone.

[richesse]

[ looks mortified ]

Have we been that obvious?

[ pause; turns her head away, which probably doesn’t help much with hiding her rising blush. ]

We—don’t need a chaperone!

[windmilled]

[He debates giving her the mercy of telling her he's pretty sure Leon hasn't noticed yet.

Then decides: nah, this is funnier.]

No? Poor Aqua is still healing, you know. Someone has to protect his virtue.

[Purely teasing, of course.]

[richesse]

[ sinks down into her chair, pressing both hands to her face. The veritable picture of embarrassment.

She lowers her hands just enough to uncover her eyes, and the look in them is far away. ]

… I really do like him, Luis.

[windmilled]

[He softens, reaching down and putting a hand on her shoulder.]

Have you told him?

[For all his teasing, he was only picking up vibes.]

[richesse]

[ if at all possible, she sinks even further into her squishy chair. ]

… I’m … not the sort of person who’s ever been lucky with love. The last guy I had a crush on was… I wasn’t going to give up so easily, but it’s pretty clear there’s another girl he likes.

Aqua… he cares about me, without my having to ask. He’s so sweet and attentive. I’ve never met anyone quite like him before.

[ peeks up at him ]

… to be honest, I’m worried that telling him might drive him away.

[ the hush in her voice is what makes it clear she’s being totally sincere. ]