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!

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Comments

common room

[headmt]

[Holding up his own, which is the golden crown.]

I agree, mine is much better.

[love that tiny horn look. It's bold.]

[fisherwoman]

[Something in her expression says she agrees with that assessment, even as she frowns and leans back onto the couch.]

You aren't royalty, are you? I wonder why you have the crown even though you haven't earned it...

[headmt]

Oh-- to be found out already. I was hoping to keep it quiet, you know how it gets when people find out that you're royalty, I'm sure.

[He does have that tiny crown from the gift bag hanging off the tip of one horn?]

Perhaps not so much earned as born into it, however. So maybe you're correct on that one.

[fisherwoman]

[She squints at him for a half second before she looks back at her phone; it seems at first like she's just started to ignore him, but then she tilts her head in thought, speaking again. Playfully:]

Try again! I don't believe you. What kind of a royal family would be called Tealeaf?

[headmt]

[He opens his mouth to continue bullshitting, then looks very confused - coming over to just try and pull the phone down to look at it.]

Well-- That thing tells you my name?

[fisherwoman]

[She smacks at his hand as he does, but lightly, trying to pulling the phone away.]

Use your own, blood magic boy!

[headmt]

Don't have one anymore! Gave it to some kid. And I've felt terrible ever since, so, it was probably very cursed.

[The light slapping does not stop him at all, trying to look more.]

Show me!

[fisherwoman]

Shouldn't you try to get it back if you feel terrible without it?

[She just leans back enough so that she flips off the back of the couch, landing on her feet and taking the phone with her if he doesn't try to stop her.]

[headmt]

Probably, but I was hoping it would go away on its own and perhaps not be related. No such luck.

[Oh!!! Impressive. He claps.]

What else does it say about me?

[fisherwoman]

[She looks Pleased at the clapping, but then she puts a finger to her lips in thought.]

It's not very interesting if I just tell you, is it? What else do you think is important enough for it to mention?

[headmt]

Good point.

[He. Sits down kind of heavily, because, uh. Without the phone he is feeling worse and worse? This is going well. Still smiling though.]

I know that you have my name and something about my blood. Hm. Anything about my charming personality? Oh-- I can read fortunes.

[fisherwoman]

[She doesn't notice how heavily he sits with her gaze on the phone, but she holds up a finger when he guesses.]

You got one! The second one, though. How cruel that they didn't think your personality was worth mentioning...

[After a beat, though:]

How do you read fortunes?

[headmt]

[Reaching into his jacket pocket, holding up a deck of cards - well-worn, but the back is certainly pretty - inked with a golden filigree.]

Cards, mostly, but I dabble in other forms too.

[fisherwoman]

Hm... Show me, and I'll read the rest of what they wrote about you. Deal?

[headmt]

[Starting to shuffle the deck immediately, pulling one of the coffee tables over with a foot.]

Deal. Do you have a specific question for the deck, or do you just want a general reading?

[fisherwoman]

[After a moment of thought, she's leaning forward to prop her elbows on the coffee table as she sits.]

Hm... General, since I've never done this before.

[headmt]

Advice, then. For the circumstances you've found yourself in. If you're thinking of something in particular, you don't have to tell me. Just concentrate on it, and maybe the cards will hear.

[Once he finishes shuffling, he pulls three cards from the deck, laying them out face down from left to right on the coffee table. Pointing to each in turn.]

Your past, your present, and your future.

[fisherwoman]

[She watches his hands as he goes, curious, and glances at each card as he points to them.]

What's the point of having a card for the past? Wouldn't I already know that?

[headmt]

The past can tell you a lot of things. How you reacted before, the actions that you took lead you to this point. For example, you wouldn't be here, making a wish for something you desire unless you had something in your past that made you want something that badly. Not just anyone agrees to that sort of deal.

It isn't as if you have to live with it. Next reading it will be different, right?

[Tapping the card on the left.]

Are you ready? I'll flip them.

[fisherwoman]

[She thinks that over as he explains, and gives a small laugh when he says she doesn't have to live with it.]

Well, that's true, I suppose. But don't be angry if I don't like it and ask you to draw again, in that case!

[Either way, she nods to indicate she's ready.]

[headmt]

Fair enough.

[Off we go then! He flips the first card - the past. An illustration of a young woman, holding a torch above her head, though she is looking back over her shoulder.]

The Princess. You've been in battle. Strong, brave, confident - I'm sure it's very impressive. Though you can be stubborn, maybe even hot-headed.

[fisherwoman]

Well, it’s accurate enough so far! Though I would use persistent instead of stubborn or hotheaded...

[no stubborn and hotheaded are right]

[headmt]

[Laughing a bit.]

You're right, I like persistent better.

[Flipping the second card - an illustration of a moon in the sky, hanging above a lake. In the reflection on the water's surface, there are two moons. One smaller and red, hiding in the shadow of the larger one.]

Ah - the Mirror. You have a secret. Hiding something about who you are. These things tend to have a way of coming out, you know.

[fisherwoman]

[She props her cheek into a hand as she looks down at the card, shaking her head after a moment.]

Someone like me doesn't have anything to hide. Especially not about who I am!

[she's perfect and everyone should know it? (no)]

[headmt]

Oh, interesting. Then some other hidden information. Maybe it's about you, and you don't even know it yet!

[He doesn't seem dissuaded, in fact. This is even more thrilling.]

Information you've yet to learn. A twist.