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

[shiftingwinds]

You can say that again.

[toyska]

I don't suppose you'd like to share what tempted you?

[shiftingwinds]

Would you share what tempted you in return?

[toyska]

Certainly. There's hardly a need for secrecy.

[shiftingwinds]

[shrugs. well, it can't really hurt, can it?]

There's a monster that's been stalking me. My friends agreed to help me deal with it, but it could be dangerous, so I came here to get what I need to deal with it myself so they don't have to get involved.

[toyska]

I see. That's a noble cause.

[Noble, or stubbornly foolish, who's to say. Not him! He takes another sip of his death booze.]

It's something quite powerful, I'd imagine.

1/2

[shiftingwinds]

It is.

2/2

[shiftingwinds]

[her expression is a little sad-looking for just a moment - nearly immediately, she brightens up.]

But it'll be fine! That's why I'm here, right? To handle it.

[toyska]

Exactly right. [He lifts his glass in something of a toast!] What do you make of all this, so far?

[shiftingwinds]

[a toast! time to drink.]

I can't say I expected this place specifically, but it does seem to be set up in such a way as to encourage us to indulge. I'd like to meet our hosts face to face, though.

[toyska]

Haha, as would I. [As, ah, generous as they've been...] Their welcome manual was rather vague, despite the length.

[shiftingwinds]

They're bound to show their faces sooner or later, I suppose.

[toyska]

Let us hope that's true.

[shiftingwinds]

Right...

Oh, you mentioned you'd tell me what you came here for. What was it?

[toyska]

Ah, I did, didn't I? Well, in the simplest of terms, I'd say it's for peace.

[shiftingwinds]

Is that so? That's an admirable goal.

[toyska]

Haha, isn't it? But I can't claim to be such a lofty person myself. I'm here on behalf of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.

[shiftingwinds]

I'm afraid I don't know who that is...

[toyska]

I'm beginning to think no one else does. [It's weird? It's really weird. He's been in some tiny villages before, but never has he run into so many people who don't know about Archons.] She's the goddess of my home country--we call them Archons.

[shiftingwinds]

I see... well, I'm most familiar with my country's gods and goddesses [lol] so I'm afraid I haven't learned much about foreign ones.

What are your Archons like?

[toyska]

["LOL"

But he holds up his glass! It's mostly empty. He's going to die of alcohol poisoning.]

I'd be happy to tell you, if you'll tell me about yours? [legend trade legend trade]

[shiftingwinds]

[refills his glass!]

Certainly - you first, though.

[she told about what she came here for first, after all!]

[toyska]

That's fair.

[Thanks for the refill! He tilts his head, humming thoughtfully.]

Well, these days, we have seven Archons, one for each nation of Teyvat. There were hundreds of them, once, but that was thousands of years ago. [And he is but a lowly mortal who wasn't born at the time. Alas.] Each of the Seven represent an element--for example, the Tsaritsa is the Cryo Archon. That is, she has dominion over ice.

[shiftingwinds]

[...what happened to the ones that aren't the current seven? yikes.]

I see - they sound like the elemental masters of my world, then. Although there are only five.

[toyska]

[They..... retired?]

What elements do they represent?