MINGLE | WEEK FOUR

[lockedmods]

MINGLE LOG | WEEK 4
Locations | Rooming | Full Nav

Another week gone, and with it, two of your number. Only eleven of you remain alive. And still, there is no escape. Or is there?

This week, something has changed. Something is different. Beginning Sunday, Pratibha is gone, and cannot be found or located at all. After Sunday's puzzle is solved, and the attic opened to you, you will see why. But what has happened? How has this happened? And why is the only other object there a strange mirror? Perhaps you should investigate.

On Monday morning, your motive quickly becomes apparent. Will you isolate yourself? Will you risk being around others? The choice, as ever, is yours.

On Tuesday, the week's second puzzle becomes available, and with its solving, the game room. If you wanted another way to unwind from all the stress, pressure, and uncertainty, at least there's this?

Come Wednesday, you may realize that at last you have full run of the house. Every room is available to you now. Nevertheless, you cannot run from the messages, which come thicker and faster than ever.

On Thursday, you may wish to visit the greenhouse. There is nothing there for you--including no mysterious messages, from the dead or otherwise. Should you wish for a reprieve, the greenhouse will grant it to you. That is, at least until curfew. Should you remain out of your room past that time, the messages will return, and they will be utterly inescapable no matter where you go--or if you are alone.

Friday is investigation time once again. The investigation post will go live at 3 PM EST, 5/30.

Saturday is the day of your fourth real ritual. The ritual post will go live at 12 PM EST, 6/1.

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[madderbloom]

Should we put them on randomly and see if anything happens?

[ Not their fault someone forgot to write the numbers in. ]

[selfreliar]

Why not?

[Just places the rings on the tiles, lining them up just so. Do they fit the tiles, even?]

[lockedmods]

[ They do fit, but nothing happens. ]

[madderbloom]

[ She picks up a ring and stares it down. ]

That didn't work. If we switch them around until we get it right we could be here forever!

[ There's too many combinations to go in blind arghrahh. Anemone feels a headache coming on. ]

Why rings, anyway? Are we supposed to go for a swim?

[selfreliar]

That's usually what these are for. They're for practicing diving and holding your breath.

[Octagonal rings, octagonal tiles...

Does anything else in here match that pattern?]

[madderbloom]

I prefer the floating rings you can sit on.

[ That seems like a much more relaxing way to spend time in the water. Anemone takes the ring over to the pool, but something catches her eye on the way. ]

Hey Aqua... the jacuzzi.

[selfreliar]

[He catches on.]

Heat's often used to make something change or reveal invisible inks.

[Do it.]

[madderbloom]

[ Anemone dips the ring into the jacuzzi! Does anything happen? ]

[lockedmods]

[Immersed in the jacuzzi's hot water, the ring changes color to green and displays the number 4 in black.]

[madderbloom]

[ Her eyes light up with delight. ]

Aqua! Bring the rest over here!

[selfreliar]

[Cute girl smiling! Aqua regains +1 HP. He's happy to comply with the demand, offering her the rest of the rings so she can do the honors.]

Here.

[madderbloom]

[ Just +1HP?

She happily takes the rings and submerges them into the water one by one until the color has changed, laying them out on the pool floor once they have. Do the colors change back when it cools off or? ]

[lockedmods]

[ Rather quickly, they all lose their colors and numbers.

Seems like they need a longer soak.

If you’re not diving for these rings in the pool, where else can you fish them out of? ]

[selfreliar]

...I'll do it.

[Anemone's from a world without water, right? Aqua's passed his schools' swim tests twice.

Aqua drops the rings back into the jacuzzi, letting them sink all the way to the bottom. In the meantime, he goes over to where the towels are, takes off his shirt and folds it neatly there, where it won't get wet, and returns to carefully ease his way into the jacuzzi.

He put on a bathing suit when he felt weirdly drawn to the pool this morning, after all.

After about a minute, he reaches down for the green ring again and lifts it out of the water. Does it hold its color longer this time?]

[lockedmods]

[ It does.

It’s not quite diving for rings, but it’s close enough. ]

[selfreliar]

Looks like it worked.

[Smiling a little, he passes the ring up to Anemone, then goes for the rest. Those that have drifted a little farther from his seat he does have to dunk for, at least. Happy, house?]

[madderbloom]

[ While Aqua is fishing out the rest of the rings, Anemone takes the first few and flits over to the marked tiles, setting the rings in place by number before they lose their color again. Teamwork! She returns to grab the remaining rings. ]

This had better work!

[lockedmods]

[ Once all the rings are in their proper positions, they will both hear the sound of a soft click.

One of the tiles has popped loose, and beneath it lays their prize: a key with the word ATTIC etched on the shaft, and a piece of paper with the following words:

“Love like life depends upon it.”

Congratulations on solving your puzzle! ]

[madderbloom]

Look! We did it, Aqua!

[ She's throwing her arms around him once he gets out of the jacuzzi. ]

[selfreliar]

[Oh. The hug is a surprise, but after a moment, he smiles and pats her back a little.]

Mm. Good job, Anemone.

[Teamwork makes the dream work.]

[madderbloom]

You're all wet.

[ She protests (what did she expect....). Anemone lets him go to snatch up their prize. Time to find the attic! ]