7rings | WEEK ZERO: INTRO MINGLE

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Erm, "recognize" is a little.... You definitely don't look the same as any woodblock prints or anything? And even those are more based on the play—

[INTERRUPTING HIS OWN NERD SPIEL

but he looks so happy at the confirmation, wow. i truly hate this. mineo now stans one clown.]

Enomoto Mineo!! I wanted to meet you, Ashiya-san! Haaa, I'm so lucky!

The play...

[Woodblock prints and kabuki plays, oh my. Of course, Douman is a figure that went down in history, all for the wrong reasons...]

[Which makes it all the more interesting, the way this eyepatched man reacts. This would be a reaction he would expect for a certain other onmyouji. How odd. How very odd.]

Oh, Mineo. A pleasure. And please, please, your response is so overwhelming! I know I'm one who is known through legend, but even this feels like too much...I didn't even think I would have any kind of admiration like this...

Huh? Like - oh, because you're normally the underdog and everything against Abe no Seimei?

["underdog" is a word for it - but still, mineo just frowns and tilts his head.]

I mean, I guess.... but everyone in history's got baggage. It's part of the lives you led, and the choices you had to make, right? Uh - though I guess I shouldn't be talking like I know all about it when you're right in front of me....

[but to even have a legend that extends that far - he still thinks it's pretty cool.]

Ah...yes.

[The mention of the name Seimei is...grating. Douman winces slightly, like he just heard someone running nails down a chalkboard, and just shakes his head. The bells gently jingle.]

Mmm. I'd rather not talk about that man. [The smile on his face is a little forced.] But I suppose you're correct. Servants such as myself as aspects of that history. The coalescence of myth and legend and the voices of many. Things like that are complicated, for sure. Either way...you sound like quite the fan of history, Mineo!

[Oh - the little wince manages to get Mineo to look apologetic, bringing a hand up in both acknowledgement and apology.]

Got it - my bad. Sorry.

[it's like the equivalent of someone bringing up sasazuka in conversation to him probably???? (no)]

But ah, yeah! I think that stuff's the coolest. Sengoku Era's my favorite, but I've been dabbling with the others too. Uh... what do you mean by 'Servant' though? Is that like the 'Master' thing you were asking about?

There's always things to be learned from history, that's true. A curious mind such as yours is always useful for such pursuits.

[And back to a light smile! Seimei? Who's Seimei? Only Douman now, whose smile quirks up, amused, at the question.]

Well, I'm not human, you see. I'm something that they call a Heroic Spirit. I, in this form, am made to help humans - mages - in the role of a Servant. For those not in the know, its complicated...but that is what I am.

Huh....

[he looks thoughtful at that and - a little confused? yeah, he accepted meeting ashiya douman faster than he'll understand anything fate/ related. but given the weirdness of the situation, he seems to buy it anyway. and he'll just nod along before grinning.]

I guess I'm not in the know but... congrats! It means you get to keep living on and doing things, right? I'm sure you'll be a great help to whoever you're supposed to follow. I'm glad you're here!

[Once again, that boisterous sort of positivity. Douman just lowers their gaze shyly.]

In my life...I harmed many people. I also helped many people. I hope that whatever happens...I can do what I need to do for the sake of whoever is my Master. Thank you for thinking so, Mineo.

[What a good, good young man.]

Do you want to walk around together? I admit, I have yet to see much of it...its all just too much for thus humble priest to take in at once.

[ - it's just. that choice of words seems to throw him off. what it means to harm people, and help others, and yet still pressing on for the sake of one person... that manages to get mineo to falter for a second. like it's making him think about something more seriously, and his gaze flicks to the side almost in sadness.

but then he gets asked to walk around and he just grins easily enough after, even if his spirits aren't as high as they were a second ago]

Oh yeah! Let's do it. And if you have any questions, then this Enomoto Mineo's at your service.

[look a lot of time passed between modern times and roughly the heian period?? so he figures he might as well offer

until he gets a single question about a sex toy and just wishes to be claimed by the earth]

[me: haha there's the hint of the dark emotional backstory dana is going to use to roam me over the coals later]

For sure, for sure. [And a happy sort of nod.] Mmm, but I do have a question, already. Is it true that we all decided to come here on our own volition?

[ :) ]

Oh, yeah... I think so. So far everyone I've talked to has said as much, even if they haven't been super clear about their own reasons - make sense, we're all strangers and all.

[but he tilts his head]

Is there still something you've got left to want, Ashiya-san?

Me?

[A curious look over at Mineo...before they let out a short laugh.]

Hahaha! Ah, no. No. I don't really desire anything. Hahaha. [And a shrug.] But mm, my wish at the moment before I came was...well, a bit complicated, I think, but I think I just wanted to be a Servant that a Master could be proud of.

Eh? Really...?

[mineo's an idiot but even he still seems to doubt that a little bit. wanting for nothing? at all? makes him feel a little greedy but maybe when you're an onmyouji things are different....]

... well, I think that you're probably well on your way to that. You're trying so hard to find your Master, after all. Is it gonna put you in a bind if they aren't here?

[A shrug but its punctuated with a sigh.]

It might. Heroic Spirits and their existence are bound to a Master, after all. I don't know if things work the same here...I mean, its possible that even without one, I can continue to live, and do as I may. But usually, a Master's mana keeps us in this world.

—Wait, you might die?!

[HOW ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT IT, SIR]

Ahaha. Well, a Heroic Spirit doesn't exactly "live", either. I would prefer not to have a thing like that happen...but the pieces may fall as they may.

[And a shake of the head.]

Please don't worry for the fate of this faithful follower of Buddha. I'll simply return to the Throne of Heroes, and hopefully be summoned again down the road.

Hopefully... but you don't know for sure...? And even if you don't "live" or "die" or whatever - it still means that you don't get to be around anymore, right? Even though you want to.

[and that's enough for him to get to think a little more seriously about this.]

Even if you tell me not to worry, that's not exactly easy... I don't want to let someone get hurt in front of me regardless. What if we can't find your Master? Can you make a temporary bond with someone or something?

WEEK ZERO: INTRO MINGLE

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