week two: mingle

[cyclists]

Week Two
26 in Competition

As the sun rises on Monday morning, all participants will find themselves awakening with a sense of purpose. Regardless of where they slept the night before, they’ll find themselves compelled to return to the main meeting hall first thing in the morning.

Approaching the hall, however, they will find a large, swirling mass grey in color looming near the sakura tree. This swirl cannot be approached just yet, but seems to be locked and waiting for something more.

As the last member of the village enters the hall, they will find Lune and Sol at the head of the room. Though they’re together, it’s Lune who speaks up first this time.

"Good morning, good morning. You've done well to purge the corruption in the previous gateway - allow us to assist with the finishing touches. For the time being, it would appear as though we've been able to locate another. The land might appear a bit familiar to some however... I only advise you watch your step."

When Lune finishes, Sol chimes in from their place at Lune's side.

"The corruption is still out there, and we're going to do all that we can to find a way to contain it. But until then... stick close to others this week. Do your best to protect yourselves and look after each other. Okay?"

The moment participants leave the hall, they will find that the gateway has changed from grey to white, the opening widening enough for multiple people to step through. The Signs will soon take their leave, and all will remain peaceful once more.

The only oddity is that throughout the week, in a noise that extends past the portal but seems to resound even through the village, there will be the occasional, resounding call of a war horn.

In addition, as the week goes on, partners will find ever-growing feelings of anxiety and nervousness dwelling within them the longer they are separated from one another. They will feel compelled to be very close to their partners at all times, and will be on edge if separated for more than an hour by the end of the week. Welcome to surprise codependence at its finest.



Welcome to your week two mingle! As a reminder, murder proposals are open. We will also be hosting a mini-event on Tuesday, so please be on the lookout for that.

In addition, ensure that all of your week one private conversations were reported on the page, and your week two private conversations are reported on that page. If you'll be taking anything from locations, please report that as well.

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Comments

[wagashis]

...if you're certain that's what they are.

[He's already pushed himself to his feet and positioned himself between them and Akane, but... he appears to be hesitating, for just a few moments.

They're there, that's for sure. What's less sure is that they aren't who they look like to him-- it's like this affliction is designed to make one both uncertain of their surroundings and uncertain of whether to act.

After a moment though, he shakes it off. It isn't as if he hasn't done this before, in at least one case-- so he shifts his grip on his dagger and pushes himself forward.]

Stay there. If you absolutely have to move, tell me.

[Knowing that spot is where she's supposed to be is what's gonna keep her from being stabbed again, basically.]

[specialdog]

[ She nods at her instructions. Staying put is the easiest thing to do when you're injured, so... No problem. ]

I'm sure of it. They're not--anyone. They're zombies.

[ And she would probably stop there, but she needs to keep talking, because sure, keeping still is a fine strategy, but her voice seems more reliable than Shirasu's perception right now. ]

I promise. Trust me.

[wagashis]

...all right.

[Trust, for someone like him, is hard to come by-- but right now, he doesn't have a choice but to trust her directions, because they don't look like that to him at all.

He appears to step over something that's not actually there as he darts forward, slicing one's neck with what might be alarming ease. In the process, his blade breaks the beads they wear, freeing the scroll and letting it drop to the floor; he doesn't stop to pick it up, though, busy ducking a grab from the other.]

Tell me if more of them come--

[specialdog]

One down.

[ Hm, she knows that the commander or whoever wants that scroll, but she's smart enough not to go try to retrieve it now.

She keeps her eyes on Shirasu, impressed, but still concerned by things like him stepping over nothing. Um, but she's transitioned into just? Cheering him on?? Sure. ]

Just one left, you can do it...!

[wagashis]

[He comes very close to saying that yes, he knows he can, but that might not be so easy to believe when he also stabbed her unintentionally just a few minutes ago? So. Shirasu keeps his focus on his target, striking at the legs to disable them before driving the blade into their chest.

Considering he can't actually see the scroll on them, this strike isn't as lucky, but they are at least down. It'll be hard to follow them when their pursuer can't walk.]

...that should do it. Let's get out and get your arm proper treatment, Akane-chan.

[specialdog]

... I'm coming closer to you, okay?

[ It feels silly to announce it, but she is moving, so - better safe than sorry.

She stops to pick up the scroll from the first body, then veeeeers wide around the other one. She's still not entirely convinced they aren't zombies so if it can still bite her ankles it's still a threat! ]

Hey, that guy wanted these things, right? The scrolls?

[wagashis]

He did. We'll see what that Kumou wants with them, then.

[When you're just out of it enough that you don't quite remember not to namedrop.

Shirasu watches her a little warily, but he's certain enough that it's her-- there's no tension when she approaches, and he gestures for her to follow as he searches for a good exit from the area.]

[specialdog]

[ Her voice is a little strained because it's harder to play cheerful and casual when you just got stabbed and the shock from that is wearing off, but she's

defaulting to lightly sing-songing her actions. She's supposed to keep making noise, so!!! Here's what you get. ]

Picking up the scroll, picking up the scroll. ♪ Mirrors mirrors, nothing but mirrors. ♪ Don't know what a Kumou is. ♪

[wagashis]

-I'll explain later.

[The sing-songing definitely gets a bit of a side-eye from him there, though, as he glances away from another one of those mirrors and quietly reminds himself there's nothing in it. It's fine. He's fine.]

Tell me if you start having any difficulty. I can carry you, if it's necessary.

[But he kind of doubts she'd care for it, considering her reaction to being touched earlier and the fact that He Literally Stabbed Her.]

[specialdog]

That sounds like a bad plan.

[ Boy can she transition fast from sing-song to super harsh tones. Oh well. ]

[wagashis]

I assumed as much. Follow carefully, then.

[He's not gonna be at fault if she also runs afoul of a trap here?

On the plus side, he is good enough at what he does that the hallucinations aren't too much of a hindrance-- there's a time or two where he very nearly makes a wrong step, but blinks and shifts at the last second to set his foot somewhere else instead.]

[specialdog]

[ The good side of moving slow because you're injured is that you're less likely to trigger some kind of trap; you're more likely to see it coming.

So, following carefully it is, with under-her-breath songs to let him know if there are mirrors or enemies. ]