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

[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? ]

[bachelorbored]

What?

[gamerbrain]

There's always a market for alternate appearances.

[bachelorbored]

[he perks up.]

Really? So you think I should keep it?

[gamerbrain]

[ she has no strong feelings about it and also doesn't think to answer him so she's just staring vacantly. sorry. ]

[bachelorbored]

[he

stares blankly back

this continues for a solid minute, before:]

Is that a yes?

[gamerbrain]

Boop boop... It seems easier to keep it. Unless you want to unlock a shower CG already?

[bachelorbored]

Ugh, that's true. Imagine the mess—a glittering, glistening bathroom, and I haven't seen a single maid.

We could at least towel it off, then burn the towels.

[gamerbrain]

Aoi is surprised there aren't any maids, yet.

[bachelorbored]

Yeah, are you kidding me? Zero out of five stars. Have you seen a manager? Maybe we could argue for an upgraded room.

[gamerbrain]

Maybe they spent too much budget on these outfits to give maid uniforms, too.

[bachelorbored]

That's their problem, not ours! Why summon us here, if they don't even have the funding necessary to fully maintain our space?

[he wipes a finger in his ear, and frowns at the glitter that it removes.]

Okay, that's it. I really am going for the towel burning method.

[gamerbrain]

Only having two outfits fully illustrated is pretty standard. Plenty of games get by with only one outfit per character.

[bachelorbored]

Oh, that's hyper bullshit. We're definitely going to get more outfits if I have anything to say about it!

[he pauses, and points to himself.]

I'm Kaz Kaan, by the way. Uh. Since it feels like we should... get to know each other? Before considering our gelato time together?

[gamerbrain]

They'll probably be CGs and not dialogue sprites. But that might be better, anyway.

I'm Aoi.

[bachelorbored]

Nice to meet you, Aoi. Let's, uh... hang out sometime.

Like, now? I guess? We can CG it up.

[gamerbrain]

[ she doesn't think there would be a CG for something like having some gelato but she won't point that out. he's got the spirit. ]

We'll hang out later, too. [ they're roommates! ]

[bachelorbored]

Yeah, let's just hang out a lot, then, I guess. Uh.

What room do you want? Or bed? Whatever.

[gamerbrain]

We could share.

[bachelorbored]

[kaz makes a sound like "gckk", and flushes.]

O-Our gelato, Aoi!

[gamerbrain]

[ but what does that have to do with which bed she takes she doesn't understand ]

Boop boop?

[bachelorbored]

Bo...op?