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

[bonetiddies]

[. . .]

Oh. Yes, I got one of those, too.

[disreguarded]

Nobody should ever look like that at the mention of boobs, dude.

[ a beat. ] I like the whole look, though. Hardcore.

[bonetiddies]

I thought they might give us trinkets with meaning.

[Instead it's. . . a boob. But she doesn't really know what to make of the compliment, suddenly awkward.]

Ah. I take it you, too, are unfamiliar with the traditional garb of the Ninth House. It is not a look, but I thank you.

[disreguarded]

Oh, no, this already seems like the kind of place that's gonna fuck with us, right? Like, the outfits, first of all. [ this time i'm tagging the correct response ]

Ninth House, huh? You some kind of noble?

[bonetiddies]

You could put it that way. As the first daughter of my house, I oversee both Castle Drearburh and the nuns of the Locked Tomb.

[So that's that.]

[disreguarded]

You - oversee nuns? [ she looks amused by this. ] Nuns of what?

[ she's so curious. ]

[bonetiddies]

Vestal sisters who guard the Locked Tomb.

Truly, the history of my House is interesting to you? It is a venerable tradition, but dry.

[disreguarded]

Yeah, actually, I'm - well, I guess I'm trying to be -- my job is collecting information on places and stuff. I've never heard of your House, or... any tombs?

[bonetiddies]

Collecting information? For what purpose?

[That sounds a little. . . suspect to her, somehow? Why does her job want information about her.]

I understand. Having spoken with others here, I suspect most of us came from great distances to be here. Our societies may have little in common.

[disreguarded]

[ yeah she really could not have put that in a more suspicious way, huh ]

For records. History, you know? [ and also monitoring, but she doesn't need to know that. ]

... I guess that makes sense though. I was thinking other planes of existence, since my roommate knows what these phone things are and I don't. [ she gestures vaguely at her phone. ] I've never seen anything like these. The lights are new too.

[bonetiddies]

I know what those things are, but a lot here isn't very familiar.

[She frowns, and considers whether she still wants to be suspicious. But she doesn't? Beau was literally playing with a titty ball, she doesn't think she has a lot to fear from her.]

History, then. The Nine Houses were established when the Necrolord Prime ascended to godhood and carried out the resurrection. Those he restored to life went on to populate the Dominicus system. In time, he placed families of necromancers in charge of each planet in the system.

My house is the Ninth, the last established, charged by the Emperor to guard the Locked Tomb until the end of days. We make our home at Castle Drearburh, guard the tomb, and practice bone necromancy. I am the Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, the heir to the Reverend Father and Mother who protect the Tomb and guard Drearburh from foes.

[disreguarded]

[ this incredible dunk on beau i'm crying ]

Necromancy. [ oh, that's a word she knows. she does her best to not look suspicion, but she is a little guarded after that. ] That sounds like some dangerous shit. Gods ascending is always a huge thing.

[bonetiddies]

It is dangerous. [She can understand the hesitation.] But it's our way of life.

Have you met many Gods?

[disreguarded]

I've met one. He's sort of a ditz, though.

[ her lips twitch. ] He's a friend of my friend's. Gives her magic powers and shit, and really likes it when you draw dicks in people's notebooks.

[bonetiddies]

The Emperor Undying - he was once a man, and it shows. He likes terrible jokes, and he can be very kind. His power is terrible, yes, but rests in benevolent hands.

[disreguarded]

Hah, Jester would like him, I bet. [ ah. she's momentarily overcome with love for her friends. ]

I don't mind gods as long as they're not fucking people over, you know?

[bonetiddies]

Yes. I understand the reticence, but he has done very much for me. He is a worthy God.

[She seems thoughtful as well.]

I suppose being here complicates my servitude to him.