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

[gamerbrain]

You have glitter on you.

[ ... thank you aoi. ]

[bachelorbored]

Yeah, you too. Because it blasted out.

I guess we both made a... dazzling entrance!

[gamerbrain]

[ she considers this... ]

Is this a meet-cute?

[bachelorbored]

[he considers this in turn.]

...Only if you want it to be. It's the lady's choice!

I'm a gentleman, after all.

[gamerbrain]

[ .............. she just stares at him blankly again. please do not put this responsibility on her shoulders.

after a very. long moment. she raises her hand. ]

Got it. The scenario is too plain.

[bachelorbored]

Too plain!? [he looks down at himself, and then aoi.] Okay, I've been called a lot of things, but plain? Come on!

[he dramatically puts a hand on his chest]

This is Polo Ralph Lauren!

[gamerbrain]

[ she doesn't know what that means. ]

A lot of people would blame the writers before the characters.

[bachelorbored]

[he has no idea what she's talking about]

"Only an uncouth socialite blames the fashion houses." Helena St Tessero once wrote an enlightening treatise on it.

But regardless, even if this isn't a true meet-cute... I mean, I'm meeting you, and you're pretty cute.

[gamerbrain]

[ that will be a trend, i'm sure.

anyway she's trying to wrap her head around him trying to raise her affection points while also thinking it's probably not a meet-cute. ]

A hidden flag...?

[bachelorbored]

Uh, yeah. Sure. I've always considered myself what the blogs would refer to as a "hidden gem", after all.

[gamerbrain]

Oh. Are you worried no one will play your route?

[bachelorbored]

Play my route?

[he repeats it, but there's no further understanding, and goes for broke anyway, because. girl cute.]

Uh, yeah. Yes. I'm worried about a lot of things, actually.

[gamerbrain]

Too bad.

[ aoi glances down to where she is holding her smartphone... ]

Aoi can't make a connection to patch the game for you.

[bachelorbored]

Oh, that sucks.

[???

????????]

Well, maybe we could... play... each other's routes?

[gamerbrain]

You want to get zappy with Aoi?

[bachelorbored]

[he gives her a long look.]

Uh.

And in this context, what does "zappy" mean?

[gamerbrain]

Sex.

[bachelorbored]

WHAT

[gamerbrain]

Do you want to get zappy?

[bachelorbored]

I don't know! No? Yes? Maybe!

It's just happening a little unbecomingly fast! We're roommates! Isn't there a code of conduct?! Shouldn't we eat some gelato first!?

[gamerbrain]

Aoi could eat gelato, if that's what you want.

[bachelorbored]

Yes!

[he's euphoric. he's ecstatic. everything weird is solved by gelato.]

Let's eat the shit out of some gelato, roomie!

[gamerbrain]

Got it!

[bachelorbored]

Gelato is worthy of celebration, for sure!

[...]

But I should probably get rid of the glitter first. I'm not really sure it fits my personal brand at the moment, or ever.

[gamerbrain]

Special edition glitter version.

[ what? ]