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

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Seems like it. Like some weird carrot and stick thing. You think it’s a good idea?

[ He pauses, considering the question, then rephrases; ] Or, you think it’s a better idea than avoiding the ballroom at all costs? It’s probably some kind of trap, but we’ve seen what the house can do if we don’t play along.

[doctopoda]

[He sighs.]

I don't like it, but I do think we need to play along. This isn't important enough to take a stand about.

[Honestly, he's worried that if he kicks up a fuss about it, he might not necessarily be the one punished.]

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Yeah. I agree. [ He sighs, as well. ] Guess we can just hope for the best and prepare for the worst. You know. For all that we can prepare when we don't actually know what 'the worst' could be.

[doctopoda]

True. It all feels so inadequate.

[But there's really nothing more to be done. They don't have enough information, much less the ability to act on it.]

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Ugh. [ Leon grunts in agreement, before going quiet as he goes back to rifling through the drawers for jewelry or baubles that look sufficiently puzzle-related. It's a moment before he speaks up again. ]

Still not finding too much useful in here, either. You got anything?

[doctopoda]

Mmm...

[Let's see this one...oh.]

Well, I think you're right... [A claw holds up a hanger with a suit jacket on it. There's a neatly tailored flap in the back, right where his actuators are set.] Not sure how I feel about that.

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

[ Leon leans over to take a closer look at that. Huh. Yeah that's pretty decisive, huh? ]

Wasn't fully expecting to be right about that, but I guess that does make things easier. That's a little creepy.

[doctopoda]

[One of the actuators curves around to peer at Otto's back, and he remarks after a second of sizing both up:]

Exactly the right size and everything. Tch...I should probably still take these. I doubt I'm going to find many clothes tailored for this.

[Two other tentacles have continued to rifle the racks.]

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Hm. Yeah, probably. [ He still sounds wary, but resigned. It is what it is. ] Kind of makes you wonder how long the house has been preparing for us. I was joking about it rolling out the red carpet when we got here, but this is a bit much.

[doctopoda]

It does seem to know a lot about us. Though most of what was in my profile, at least, wouldn't have required too long of an observation period...

[It was all fairly public knowledge, or else simply obvious. Though, the one thing that does bother him a bit...]

That title is an interesting touch.

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Mine either.

[ The details of his job aren't all that public, but his job title is a matter of record. ]

What did it call you again? Icarus? That's the 'flew too close to the sun' guy, right?

[doctopoda]

That's the one.

[He Gets It]

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

[ It is perhaps for the best that Leon didn't have much of a Greek mythology phase as a kid, only knowing the general gist of that whole mess. He decides not to press on it too hard. ]

That feels like it's probably a lot more telling than mine, yeah. [ As far as he's concerned, calling him a 'government dog' is just redundant. Like, yeah, that's his employer all right. ] Some of the other ones seem pretty rude, though. It's a weird mix.

[doctopoda]

It is.

[He can't deny that his own is accurate, even as he might not have thought to apply the metaphor to himself. But there's quite the spread of tones there.]

Just some more pettiness of the house, I suppose. It's hardly worth worrying about at this point.

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Guess not. It's probably just supposed to psych us out anyway.

[ Part of him wants to think there could be some kind of hidden message in there somewhere, but per Pratibha's warning, anything they could find would likely be another layer of the house fucking with them anyway. ]

Might as well ignore them unless something pops up that makes them seem relevant later.