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

[touchups]

[Time to grab a glass! And give a generous, heavy-handed pour!! The scent of Strong Booze is definitely here now, phew. Even Mahito leans back a little, surprised by the sharpness of it.]

Wah, you're right, you're right. What is this, anyway? [GIVE HIM A SECOND as he flips the bottle around to look for a label. It's probably some strongass cognac or something.] Are you supposed to mix it with something?

[shiftingwinds]

Are you? I've never mixed my alcohol before.

[shi qingxuan is not a lightweight and will just drink this strongass cognac straight.]

[touchups]

[ah... shi qingxuan is who britt wishes she was.......

Mahito just shrugs though because hell if he knows!! They're two people who know nothing.]

Neither have I. [Or had any like, period, probably. He picks up the glass and takes a little sip...]

...Ahhh, I see! I see. [Nodding.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.]

[shiftingwinds]

[1. fuck you 2. yes

anyway, she's drinking her cognac and doesn't seem at all affected by it.]

What do you see?

[touchups]

[im in tears britt i love u

Wow though, HE'S IMPRESSED. He will even golf clap for her.]

Why people mix things up into it! It's not good. Mm - I don't like it, anyway.

[shiftingwinds]

Its taste does leave a bit to be desired, that's true. [continuing to sip at it] But it's strong, so it'll do the job.

I'm sure there are others with a better flavor if you'd prefer. Why not sample a few things and find something you like?

[touchups]

Mmm, that's a good idea. Too bad, striking out on the first try, though.

[A sigh!! His luck has seen better days... But with that, he turns to rummage through the cabinets again. Eventually he pulls out a bottle of midori because the unnatural color attracts him, god.]

Huh... Have you tried this one yet?

[shiftingwinds]

Hm?

[glances at it...]

I haven't, but if it interests you, let's try it!

[touchups]

[HE'S ALREADY GETTING OUT TWO SHOT GLASSES AND CRACKING THE BOTTLE OPEN.]

—Huh... It has a weird smell? [Helpfully, he holds the bottle out toward this other fool.] Not a bad one, though.

[shiftingwinds]

[takes the bottle...]

Hmm. That is interesting.

[oh, shot glasses! she'll grab those from him, pour two out, and then slide a shot glass back before downing hers.]

[touchups]

[He takes his, too! And makes a contemplative face... But at least he doesn't seem to immediately reject it, unlike the cognac.]

--Melon? Doesn't it taste a little like those melon candies?

[shiftingwinds]

...oh! Now that you mention it, I suppose it does.

How refreshing!

[touchups]

It's not bad! I like it better than the last one. But why does this place like candy so much...?

[EVERYTHING'S! SWEET!!]

[shiftingwinds]

Well, candies are usually pretty popular, so maybe they thought most of us would like them.

[touchups]

Are they? Mm, I guess, I guess... They're not all that great, though. [A SIGH.] A little boring! At least things like this have some bite, too.

[shiftingwinds]

Most alcohols do. If this one isn't entirely to your liking, I'm sure we can find another that is.

[touchups]

You're pretty kind to be spending your time on taste-testing things with a stranger, yeah? [He says it with open amusement, though, and a bright note of cheer.]

[shiftingwinds]

It's more fun to drink with someone who's enjoying it, that's all.

[touchups]

Ah! I see, I see. This is my first time ever drinking anything with anyone, to be honest!

[ANYTHING AT ALL. He makes a vague cheersing motion in her direction with his midori shotglass.]

So I'll defer to the expert.

[shiftingwinds]

All the more reason to make sure we find you a drink you like!

[if it's his first time, it has to be good or he won't want to drink again! sqx makes a vague cheering expert in return, then finishes off the midori and looks for another bottle that looks interesting.

she comes back with this.]

What a fun color, don't you think?

[touchups]

[the way that i personally immediately recoiled bc hpnotiq has THE nastiest flavor profile, which means Mahito will probably love it.]

I like that one, too! They really do like drinking things that look like they could be poisoned, huh?

[Literally WHAT NATURAL THING HAS THESE COLORS. WHY IS EVERYTHING NEON.]

[shiftingwinds]

[it really does and i severely regret ever having tasted it.]

Apparently! It hasn't killed me yet, though, so it's probably not poisoned.

[pours some out for them both]

[touchups]

[US SHAKING HANDS FASTLY OVER HPNOTIQ TASTING VILE AS HELL!!!!

Also that's hilarious and unfortunately Mahito laughs before reaching to take his pour.]

No better way to find out than checking for yourself, is it?

[shiftingwinds]

That's right!

[this is a hands-on experience!!]

Besides, our hosts went through the trouble of bringing us here - it wouldn't make any sense for them to poison us on our first day.

[touchups]

Haha! That'd be a really short competition.

[IT'D BE HILARIOUS HONESTLY. He toasts in her direction again though, before downing his share. THE HORRIFIC MEMORY OF HPNOTIQ

He seems unfazed, unfortunately.]