02 - week two

[afflictionmods]

WEEK TWO

When the glitter settles and everyone returns to their dorms - or wherever they intend to sleep for the night, if you’re planning on sleeping at all - your first week of school officially ends. Perhaps it was better than you expected, perhaps it was worse.

Hopefully you learned a bit more about teamwork and school spirit.

Still, this course is going to run for longer than a full week, and come Sunday morning you’re still exactly as you were when you settled down for the night. Still in Estelline, still with that mark on your wrist, still connected to your partner. There are some changes, though. The bookstore has received quite a few books, and those of you who added to the bulletin board and pep rally tasks in the first week will find an envelope taped to their dorm door (or themselves, if they spent the night elsewhere). Inside of the envelope is some kind of voucher! Furthermore, the common area is covered in a bunch of glitter.

Also, there are a ton of eggs in the kitchen – at least 10 dozens.

Florence or Lorelei are still available, should you wish to speak to them.

Finally, you've got some new locations to explore.


SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

TASK LIST

CLUMSINESS AFFECT DETAILS (BEGINS TUESDAY ICLY)

W2 CYOA SIGNUPS
CYOA Signups for Week 2 close Sunday, May 29th at 6pm EST.

THREAD SURVEY
Google form for partner threads, due by Friday, June 3rd at 6pm EST. Optional.

W3 CYOA SIGNUPS
CYOA Signups for Week 3 close Friday, June 3rd at 6pm EST.

OOC NOTE

OOC: Anyone who performed in the Pep Rally (Sabo, Madara, Riku, Shizuku, Herlock, Idia, Flat, Miach) task will be able to redeem a voucher for a prize with one of the NPCs. This can be handwaved, and the prize selection is below.

-Single-serve coffee machine wither a selection of creamer. Comes with packs of coffee beans.
-Popcorn maker and kernels.
-High-quality tea kettle with a selection of just as high-quality tea.
-Carbonation machine (think Sodastream, etc) with flavored syrup.

Any coffee, tea, popcorn, etc. will last characters up to two weeks.

Anyone who participated in the Bulletin Board task will receive a voucher for your choice of two pairs colorful socks with cute animal designs. (Worry frog design available.)

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[sicklysweet]

[Owen isn't particularly hard to track down, even if he is avoiding Room 15 like the plague. He's spent a fair amount of time at the mall (largely because he can't not investigate a bakery), but he does return to campus.

And he immediately regrets it as soon as Madara approaches.]

You.

[Derogatory.]

What do you want?

[festiverogue]

[Madara checks the hallway to make sure nobody is nearby, then squares up with Owen immediately, backing him into a wall.]

Just the guy I was looking for.

[He is launching right into this.]

You can do whatever you want, and I'm not really going to stop you. The second you start taking it out on people who can't handle it, though, you make it my business.

[He slams a fist against the wall beside Owen's head.]

So I want to make a deal.

[sicklysweet]

[kyaaa so forward

Except the display of force doesn't get much of a reaction - just a thin smile and a raised eyebrow.]

A deal, huh?

[He thinks he knows what this is about, and he tries to push Madara away but... whether he'll be successful or not is another story.]

Are you worried for poor, poor Riku?

[festiverogue]

[This man is just as immovable as you are, Owen. Try again when you have your magic.]

You'd think that's why I'm here, and you've got a point in thinking that. But you pegged me for a selfish bastard from the start, so try again.

[He looks at Owen with narrowed eyes and drops his voice. This isn't about intimidation. It's about secrecy, or the appearance thereof. If Owen wants to chew on someone, let him feast.]

Two things. One: When you feel like laying into him, pick on somebody on your level. Don't be a damn coward. There's plenty of stronger people here you can screw around with, mentally. Just because it gets you off doesn't mean it doesn't have consequences.

[A smile.]

Consider me consequences. Now, that brings me to point number two. The deal. I want to see if I can talk them into letting me swap partners, and I'm gonna propose that you're the swap.

[sicklysweet]

[He will!!! And then everyone will regret perceiving him.]

A coward? Are you thinking I'm stuck with this over-emotional child because I want to be?

[Owen doesn't bother lowering his voice, but he doesn't tend to speak very loudly to begin with... So it's probably still a relatively private conversation.]

I'd rather be with anyone else.

[This is interesting, though.]

Do you hate your partner? She seems like such a nice girl... So is it that you just feel bad that you're not as good as she is? You don't want to look at her and get reminded of just how selfish and cruel you really are.

[festiverogue]

It's not about being stuck with him. You could play nice for a handful of weeks and get out easy with a cooperative guy like that. You'd have nothing to worry about. He'd be like a knight in shining armor for you, if you let him.

[This is going to hurt so, so much to say, but he's going to say it anyway.]

You and I are in the same boat. I'm willing to bet on it, that you're the kind of guy who can't stand not going all-out when you're cornered, and you're more mad that that guy's holding you back just as much as the rest of this place.

[His smile is dark and unreadable.]

If I cared what somebody I didn't know thought, I'd be a pretty terrible idol. I'd never be able to smile, I'd never get anything done. I'd be so frozen up I'd wilt. I'm a reasonable guy, but I'm not here to listen to somebody just because they're cute and sweet. Try again, if you want. I got all day.

[sicklysweet]

[Well. Mama has struck a nerve.

There is an actual, genuine flash of emotion across Owen's face - or maybe emotions would be better, as anger, hurt, and shock cycle across his face before he scrapes back his control.]

The last thing I want is a bleeding heart who thinks he could save me. I'd rather rip my tongue out and die all over again than have to deal with fools like that. I don't need to play along nice.

[His voice gets very, very cold. As cold as his skin, which has an almost unnatural chill to it.]

But if you don't want me to hold back...

[And that's all the warning Madara's going to get before Owen tries to slam his forehead into Mama's nose.]

[festiverogue]

[Madara notes those emotions, notes he's struck something he probably shouldn't have, though he's not sure what or why. It's a good indication that Owen's more than he appears. He's not scared of this, but it's good to know what owen looks like when he lets loose.

As for the headbutt... He's not going to have a lot of momentum at this distance, but it'll smart, that's for sure. Madara's response is to clamp a hand around Owen's throat and ease him back against the wall, unfazed.]

Theeere we go. How'd that feel? You could do that any time you wanted if you were stuck with me instead.

[sicklysweet]

[This is fine. Owen's laughter isn't at all unhinged.]

I think it might be more fun to watch you have to suffer because you can't hold back. What if I want to see how long you can keep yourself from hurting someone else? How long can you hold up this charade, I wonder.

[He leans forward, even if that means cutting off his airflow.]

I don't care who else gets hurt, but it seems like you might still care more than you want to admit to yourself. Otherwise you'd fight back better than this.

[festiverogue]

[Madara laughs right with him.]

Be my guest. But if a point in time comes that you wish you could go wild and you can't because of him, don't come crying to me.

[He'll let Owen do that for a moment, squeezing a little tighter, but definitely not enough to bruise or actually injure.]

Why would I hurt you when I'm here trying to make things work? Boy, do you have me backwards or what? I'm a nice guy, Owen.

[sicklysweet]

You won’t have to worry about that.

[Sorry if he ever goes apeshit, Riku.]

Your lies are less convincing than that author’s. But I can play along for now.

[It’ll be more satisfying when he sees Madara snap that way.]

[festiverogue]

[He smiles, releasing his hold on Owen's throat with one last squeeze.]

Lies? You're a funny guy.

[Giving him a jovial clap on the back like alllllllllllllll the rest of that did not just occur.]

I just don't like seeing things go south. So, Riku or not, if you cause something that hurts everyone else here, I hope you'll think real fondly of our conversation. You picked this route, not me.

[sicklysweet]

[wow this guy is moody





absolutely zero self-awareness here]

Oh, I will. I'll look forward to being punished. Maybe that'll even make me call you Mama.

[festiverogue]

[Oh, that's actually kind of hilarious. So enjoy a hearty Mama laugh.]

Can't say I'm not looking forward to that! We're not so different, you and me.

[sicklysweet]

I'm not so sure about that.

[Why would anyone even say that in the first place? Being like Owen isn't a good thing.

But maybe Mama's just a freak.]

Anyways, is that it?

[He wants to exit this conversation as soon as possible, but he can't teleport away like he used to.]

[festiverogue]

[Mama's something, all right.]

Yep, that's all I've got!

[He backs off properly, then offers a little wave.]

Just keep me in mind, you know, if you need something I can deliver.