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

[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.

[fisherwoman]

Oh, how mysterious! I wonder when it'll come to light.

[headmt]

[Flipping the last card! A pair of hands holds an eye above a stormy sea.]

The eye. Something is revealed. Sometime very soon, I'd imagine.

[fisherwoman]

Hm... So, related to the last one, you think?

[headmt]

Most definitely.

[He points to the images of the eye and the moon, both hanging in the sky in their respective cards.]

Easy to find connections when you're looking for them.

[fisherwoman]

I suppose we'll have to wait and see if some great mystery from my life comes to light, then.

[But from the slightly playful way she says that, she isn't really counting on it.]

Are you allowed to draw for yourself?

[headmt]

You mean I draw cards for myself or you draw your own card?

[ Does she want to know his future. ]

[fisherwoman]

For yourself! It seems a little bit unfair that you know so much about my past now, doesn't it?

[she told him nothing]