WEEK 0 MINGLE

[probe]

POPULATION: 37

Good morning, starshines. It is another beautiful day here on the base and it’s the start of a new week!

After the events of the day before and the meet and greet provided by four new Avatars, you may find yourself wondering how you can get in touch with them again. Fear not. One look at your handy dandy cell phone will reveal eight new contacts added to your directory. Feel free to shoot them a message. You may be surprised.

But before you get too far, perhaps it’s worth checking out the base once more. Those locked rooms from the days before have been unlocked, free for exploration. In addition, should occupants visit the central elevator they will find the elevator in working order (and flame-free) and that a new floor has opened. Take a look, familiarize yourself, and make yourself comfortable. Life on the base is a happy place.

And speaking of happiness…it’s funny. For the rest of the week, all who reside on the base will be inflicted with little feelings of hope and happiness, a belief that they can manifest almost anything. This week, all will discover that any mundane thing they hope for will be at their disposal...though do be careful. Those small wishes may come to fruition in ways you don't expect. For example, wishing for a year's supply of sushi may net you one astronomically large sushi roll. An eyeshadow palette may provide you with samples of actual colored eyelids. And a punching bag could be mistaken for a bag full of confetti instead.

May all your hopes and dreams come true, everyone.

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Comments

[probe]

An astute observation.

[they say, dryly.

the feathers seem to glint slightly in the dim light, when he's looking at them.]

But yes. You have been assigned to my sin, have you not?

[kokytos]

I have. I was going to come with more heavy-handed questions, but, hm...

[ All of his probing and asking questions, derived from his need to have the knowledge, be in control. But it all feels less important when he feels the way he does now. Troublesome. ]

They said that your job, as a group, is to "help" us indulge. But indulging in something like Despair feels like it's on a different tier than Lust, Gluttony, or Greed. It feels more... personal, doesn't it?

[probe]

It is. Though I will say that sharing in it with others is a form of indulgence of its own-- I believe they do have a saying about misery and company.

[they wave one hand in a somewhat idle gesture. their fingers appear to be clawed.]

For the most part, however, yes. It is personal. It is about embracing the reasons you have been aligned with this sin, and acting upon the way they make you feel.

[kokytos]

Yes, well... it's all up to interpretation, isn't it.

"Misery loves company" -- as in, when one is miserable, company would make it better. Or, "misery loves company" -- in that misery isn't satisfied with plaguing just one, that the despairing want to drag others down to their depths...

Which one do you believe in better?

[probe]

Both are true. The results rely more upon the person in despair-- those already moved to spend their time among others will desire the company to soothe themselves, while others are naturally inclined to spread their misery to others instead.

Personally, I do prefer to keep to myself.

[kokytos]

So, you're also the type to shoulder it on your own.

Though, I doubt Despair is my only sin, especially when it's something I really would rather run away from. Just how did you decide who gets who?

[probe]

It suits you, whether you would run from it or embrace it-- but really, did you expect obtaining your desires to be so simple?

Perhaps you were found fit to be challenged a bit more.

[kokytos]

No, but...

Well, despair is a tricky slope that could very well be irrecoverable from.

To be quite honest, what you represent for me, personally, is quite a large ask, if left to my imagination. So I suppose I'd like to ask you what exactly are the kinds of things you expect from me.

[probe]

I expect you to act on your feelings aligned with our shared sin, largely. Seek out what drives you to them, embrace the emotions they spark within you. Inflict them upon others, if you so desire.

What I represent for you does not need to be all there is to it.

[kokytos]

[ Mmmmnnn...

YEAH THAT'S ALL STILL VERY CONCERNING. But he seems in thought, hand on his chin, frowning. Figures he might also ask this. ]

What happens when you don't fulfill an indulgence? I don't know what it is, but I just feel... rather detached from the things that usually would drive me down this road, at the moment. [ All this small hope and whatever. ]

Is it immediately game over? Is that where "death" plays in? And furthermore...

Is there a punishment if your indulgence can cause harm?

[probe]

As far as your indulgence causing harm- do you not think those tied to Wrath would be somewhat limited, if that were so?

[hurt them as you please.]

But I do not recommend abstaining from indulgence, unless you already find yourself so willing to give up on your desires.

[kokytos]

I suppose so... it's just a lot to take in. After all, sins aren't usually things that are encouraged in the usual world.

I'm just a little afraid of slipping too far into this, I suppose. It would actually... go against my desires if something like that were to happen.

[probe]

...ah, all of you are like this in some way, aren't you.

[they shake their head slightly.]

A part of this is learning how far you are willing to go. How much you will push your limits, and whether you will break them. I suppose it remains to be seen if you will be able to manage it.

[kokytos]

So is this all, in a sense, a test of will?

[ He smiles at Despair. They'd just met, but he's a little less reserved here than with others -- an "as the gods will" attitude leaking into his posture. ]

Is all this meant to make us worse people, or stronger in the end...

[probe]

You could think of it as something of the sort, yes.

[they nod, sounding faintly amused.]

What it makes you is up to your own interpretation.

[kokytos]

I see... well, thank you for answering my questions.

[ He puts his hands in his pockets, looking up at the simulacrum of stars around them. Then he nods and turns, deciding to leave for now. ]

Then I suppose I'll be leaving you to your favoured solitude. Hope we can chat again sometime.

[probe]

You may call on me if you have need of me.

[they give him a nod in turn, at that, but that's the extent of their goodbye. sorry about them.]