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

[lockedmods]

["This little flower has strong ties to the sun and its power to resurrect. However, flower language experts also consider it a symbol of despair and grief, which is shared with other cultural conceptions linking it to the remembrance of the dead."]

[doctopoda]

Right.

[Geez, this guy's really multi-disciplined or something, hm? Otto will get the snapdragon properly potted, then! Delicate work like this is easier with hands anyway, even if he has to squint to tease some of the smaller roots loose.]

[windmilled]

[Or something!]

You were right about the marigold - that one goes in the pot for 'Grief.'

[doctopoda]

[Dryly:]

Oh, good.

[let him just put the grief flower in the grief pot and try to dissociate away from this entire concept!]

mods!

[windmilled]

[Don't worry, amigo! He's off to the next flower - Lily, Orange]

[lockedmods]

[ ”Lilies are a peculiar flower, associated with many meanings based on color. White lilies mean purity or innocence of soul, making them a popular flower for funerals. The orange lily, on the other hand, is said to have dual, conflicting meanings: passionate desire and hatred.” ]

[windmilled]

Hm, not necessarily so conflicting.

The lily goes in the one marked...

[He squints to check and see what D words they have.]

"Hatred."

[doctopoda]

Bit of a shame. They're pretty.

[But yes, it's good to get away from the Contemplation of Grief Planter]

[windmilled]

At least it says here the tiger lily - equally orange, from the picture, means wealth and good fortune.

[Moving on to the Lavender, maybe this one will be one of the nice words :)]

[lockedmods]

[Isn't there only, like, one nice word?

'Calming, aromatic lavender has been cultivated by many peoples in many times. As a result, it has many meanings, including purity, silence, devotion, serenity, and grace on the positive side--and distrust on the negative. An ancient queen is said to have been killed by a serpent hidden beneath a lavender bush.'

[windmilled]

[You know, you right.]

I'm starting to think this puzzle is about seeing the negative in beautiful things - the lavender goes in the distrust pot, by the way.

[doctopoda]

Really? Not "sleep" or "fancy soaps"?

[He'll get to that one, then.]

I never knew there were so many flowers with negative meanings in the first place.

[windmilled]

Well, Lavender has some nice meanings, too. It says the distrust meaning comes from an 'ancient queen' killed by a serpent under a lavender bush.

[Next up is...the Geranium! And they only have Forsaken, Beware, Folly, and Justice left.]

[lockedmods]

['Appreciated for their abundant flowering, diversity of colors, and medicinal properties, geranium varieties range in size, shape, and overall appearance. The discerning floriographist must rely on circumstance and color to refine the flower's meaning. Some of the most common meanings are folly or stupidity, gentility, expected or unexpected meetings, and true friendship.']

[doctopoda]

Sounds like that was more about the snake.

[But, whatever. He's getting into the rhythm of replanting these, by now, moving a little faster while still taking care around the root balls.]

[windmilled]

It does, doesn't it? But maybe the lavender put it to sleep and let it get surprised.

[Technically, they're probably taking more care repotting them than the challenge demands. But the Surgeon Simulator strategy of just dropping it in and calling it a day is still about 10 years out for both of them.]

Evidently, the geraniums are for folly.

[Next up: is the Black-eyed Susan. Which better be for Justice, because that's what they're tattooed on my back for.]

[lockedmods]

[ “Beloved by pollinators, black-eyed Susans often blanket open fields with their golden-yellow beauty. Their meanings in flower language are encouragement, motivation, and justice. These meanings stem from the flower's vibrant and enduring nature.” ]

[doctopoda]

[This would be a wild way to learn about a tattoo mistake huh]

Good to know.

[Maybe he'll get a geranium tattoo on his back. What's left of it.]

[windmilled]

[He and Luis can get matching geraniums! :)

Luis waits for Otto to finish with the geranium.]

The "Black-Eyed Susan" goes in the Justice pot.

[Beat.]

Why is it called that, do you know?

[doctopoda]

Not at all. Botany's never been an interest of mine - and we live in New York City, so there's not much opportunity for gardening.

["We", for once, slips out without a thought. He's not thinking about the actuators.]

[windmilled]

New York City! The Big Apple, eh? I've only seen it in movies, but the reality I bet is much different.

[Luis doesn't notice the "we," or if he does he doesn't think anything of it.

He's gonna go ahead and look up Begonia, and by process of elimination that should leave only one possibility for Anemone.]

Almost there.

[lockedmods]

[ ”Often given to repay favors, this cautious and considerate flower can also mean to beware. So named for French diplomat and politician Michel Bégon.” ]