WEEK ZERO: INTRO MINGLE

[probe]

POPULATION: 37

There's the soft, chiming ding of an elevator as you slowly grow conscious. You remember the sound of a voice whispering in your ear, and then a very gentle, easy darkness as you fell asleep.

Then the elevator jolts, and you promptly ram into some of the thirty or so other people also waking up from their nap. Time to trample people on your way out! Be careful not to rip your flattering outfit with light up furry ears of an animal of your choice. On this elevator there are a total of 10 buttons and they're all lit up! But they don't work. A shame. The elevator doesn't go anywhere else.

In any case, once you exit the elevator, you'll find that you have a decently wide area to explore. There doesn't seem to be any sort of exit to the outside world, but that's okay. You didn't want to leave without what you came for, right? Besides, it's wonderful here: the temperature is perfect, every surface is as soft as clouds, and the atmosphere is so, so inviting. The base itself is low-lit in fluorescent neon colors which shift and pulse over time, and there's a soft, reassuring humming sound under your feet. It would be comforting if you didn't feel like you were being watched every time you walk along the hallways.

But hey, don't worry about that! Maybe you should be more concerned with the phone in your pocket! The phones have a few functions, as well as a low pixel camera. Pictures are in black and white, so no brightly colored selfies for you. Oh, and while you're taking those selfies, you might notice the symbol of your Avatar tattooed and glowing faintly on the back of your hand. Hope you're fine with impromptu body mods.

Eventually during your wandering, you'll find your room with roommates included! On the floor of your room, there is a big gift box with your name on it. Upon opening it, you will be absolutely obliterated with glittery confetti. But once you manage to get past that, the gift box contains the following:

✦ your item from home
✦ a pair of boxer-briefs labeled "ball hammock"
✦ a stress ball that looks suspiciously like a boob
✦ a rainbow bath bomb
✦ a Polaroid camera with 10 instant film
✦ a frozen steak in a vacuum-sealed pouch
✦ a blue and pink dual flashlight; one end has a normal white bulb, and one end has a blacklight bulb
✦ a tiny crown

Welcome to your new home. Take some time to look around, talk to your fellow indulgers. All of you can see each other's symbols on the back of your hands - maybe it'll strike up a conversation. After all, there's no better way to get to know each other than talking about your sins on the first date!

✨ FULL NAVIGATION ✨
🌙 Locations 🌙 IC Profiles 🌙 Statuses 🌙 Private Conversations 🌙
🌙 Audience Requests 🌙 Murder Proposals 🌙 Indulgence Reports 🌙

Comments

[niceguyferatu]

Oh? Another life?

[commedia]

Indeed. When I was a human being.

[niceguyferatu]

And...what are you now, then? A ghost?

[commedia]

Not...quite, no. I am officially what is known as a Heroic Spirit.

[niceguyferatu]

Really? Fascinating. And how does that differ from a ghost, exactly?

[commedia]

We are more like...familiars. We come from the Throne of Heroes, a space that gathers the figures of legends and history, and is able to give them form when they are summoned for the use of a mage. Its a bit complicated, but that's the gist of it!

[niceguyferatu]

[ Vlad has to take some time to digest this, hand resting thoughtfully on his chin. ]

So if you lived a life of certain notoriety, you end up in this realm called the Throne of Heroes, where you can magically be plucked out of it and brought back to life by magic?

[commedia]

Yes, pretty much. Not that living a life of notoriety can guarantee you a place...I think some people in history simply can't be summoned as Heroic Spirits, for one reason or another.

[niceguyferatu]

[ nods like this makes perfect sense ]

So these Heroic Spirits sound like a subset of ghosts...are you still one now that you've been summoned? Or has it fully revived you as a human again?

[commedia]

You know...I don't think so? I should be. But I'm quite physical. Usually, I would be able to access a spiritual form...

[niceguyferatu]

Oh? And what's that like?

[commedia]

Oh, its more like...I don't take form, but I'm still here! Like...my essence. My core. It wouldn't be seen by the naked eye.

[A pause.]

I did have some shikigami bodies that came in the form of large skeleton-like ghosts though, but that's a separate thing, hm.

[niceguyferatu]

Really? How fascinating!

I've done my fair share of research on ghosts, myself. I've never encountered anything like what you're describing, but it is very interesting to hear about.

[commedia]

Is that so? A ghost researcher?

[Leaning forward now. Tell them more!]

I used to work with spirits and such things during my life. Its nice to find someone who appreciates them as much as I do, mm!

[niceguyferatu]

Yes, it's been something of a lifelong interest of mine. And given the state of things where I came from, it's become...quite valuable and lucrative. But few others have quite the history and head start in the field that I've had.

[commedia]

[lol nerd]

You're a human, aren't you? Do you have some abilities that allow you to see them and research them better, or is your work based on conjecture only?

[niceguyferatu]

[ raising a genuinely curious eyebrow: ]

I'm not sure I follow. Ghosts are perfectly visible to the naked eye, unless they're actively using their powers to be invisible.

And even if they are, I have an array of devices that can detect their presence regardless. It's child's play, really.

[commedia]

Ah, perhaps it depends on the type of ghost! And of course, we do come from different worlds, different times. Different rules to play by.

[And a slight narrowing of the eyes.]

Er. Devices?

[niceguyferatu]

Mm, yes, very possible.

Devices as in...sensors. They monitor ectoplasm levels in a given area and provide alerts for when levels are high enough to indicate a ghost in the area.

[commedia]

[what the hell is ectoplasm]

To detect their presence...and what do you do with them when you find them? Capture them?

[niceguyferatu]

It depends. Sometimes they're captured. Sometimes people are evacuated from the area. Sometimes ghost shields are activated to keep them out. Sometimes they're sent back where they came from. Sometimes they're destroyed.

Ghosts tend to be destructive in the human world.