04 - week four

[afflictionmods]

WEEK FOUR

Saturday comes to a close, and it’s time for some rest and recovery. Perhaps the TLC you deserve will come this week, or perhaps the nightmare will continue. It’s hard to say with things being so strange around you, from Wei Wuxian’s disappearance to the sudden addition of objects and places and creatures from your homes. Who knows what this week will bring? Nothing ordinary, that’s for sure.

You wake up on Sunday to an increase in those little glimpses you saw yesterday. What were snippets of songs, locations that might’ve seemed familiar, and creatures that were dormant, are now all alive and whole. When you go to the karaoke bar, the songs you once knew are there. Monsters and animals are alive and sentient. New business are abound. Vehicles are operable, and perhaps some of your old belongings are back, too.

However, some of these things aren’t even things that should exist outside of your dreams. They may be far too strange and unusual to be real, or just things you don't remember ever seeing. The only thing you remember about these things in particular is that they were, quite literally, in your dreams this week.

That being said, every few hours, all of these things from your homes and dreams fade out and get replaced by new sounds, places, beasts….only to maybe come back again at another time.

Well. At least there's one constant here: You’ve got a handful of new locations to look at, with the fog having spread once more, and they aren't going anywhere. There aren’t as many new places that are native to Estelline this time around, but that may be for the best, considering everything going on.


SETTING TRACKER

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

NEWSPAPER SUBMISSIONS + EDITION #1

SAGE / FLORENCE / LORELEI

MEM SHARE DETAILS

OOC NOTE

OOC: Details on this week can be found here!

Also, we have a lot of participants for the news activity from last week. Neat! Everyone who participated in some capacity will have a small polaroid camera delivered to their doorstep. There's limited film, though - 10 photos per camera. It doesn't seem like there's any extra film at this time, either.

Finally, there will not be any weekly tasks this week. You guys are going to be busy with memshare and dreamscape stuff; instead, enjoy the Estelline University Newspaper!

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[affligere]

You are not in any sort of trouble.

[Which is surprising, for some of the gathered party, not to name names or anything.

Gentaro.]

I am sure you are familiar of the disappearance of Mr. Wei over a week ago - Mr. Grimnir had another bond established, however... Mr. Bennett has also been removed from the program, which means Mr. Yumeno is now lacking a partner for the course.

[They believe the two of them are smart enough to figure out where this is going, hopefully? If not then they can explain more... But you're smart men, right?]

[vedr]

[ yes there is a pause to figure this out. ]

Ohhh, we're being partnered up! Because for whatever reason you need to pair the spares, as they say.

[ Grimnir that's a bad romance trope, no. ]

I have no issues with it, I guess? I might have a question or two to ask you but first... How about you, Gentaro. Is this fine?

[catarou]

[ Gentaro coughs delicately at pair the spares. He won't say anything about it though; there's a kernel of truth in it. ]

I assumed that was the case, as I haven't seen Bennett around.

[ Which sucks, but-- he hopes Bennett lives well, hopes that the conversations they've had will encourage him. ]

I have no issues with it as well. So, Grimnir, let's work together, shall we?

[affligere]

That is one way to view it, yes.

[Moving on.]

The bond between the two of you has already been established, but I am glad you are not opposed to it regardless.

[There's a brief pause.]

You may ask your questions now, Mr. Grimnir.

[vedr]

[ okay, try to be calm... Ask maturely... ]

Um... Why are the partnerships so significant that you have to pair us up? I want to hear the uh, official reasoning for them.

[catarou]

I have the same question. Is it a necessary component of this program? It seems quite troublesome if someone happens to disappear.

Is it for some sort of purpose--a means to an end, perhaps?

[affligere]

The bonds are what this all hinges on. They are more integral than any test or trial you may take. Being unbonded would render having you here utterly pointless.

[...]

I do not know that I can divulge much more than this at this moment in time, but I can try to answer any more questions you might have.

[vedr]

That is a very dramatic answer, but I will believe you.

[ As for any other questions... ]

Without testing it (because I'd like for this partnership to start on a good note), I assume this is like any other bond here? Shared pain and all that? Just made in the moment cause it's important, like you said?

And... Are those who have disappeared going to be okay?

[catarou]

I appreciate it--I'd much rather not test our newly formed bond. Nor am I interested in hurting myself or my partner, even to confirm a theory.

[ ... ]

I'm also concerned about our missing partners. Furthermore, do you have any idea how they disappeared?

[ Gentaro's also a suspicious person, so.... sorry for that sudden bout of it, Grimnir!! ]

[affligere]

[:worry:]

That is correct, yes. Your new bond will function identically to your original ones.

[:worry: :worry: :worry:]

They are in fine condition, and there is nothing to worry about regarding their safety and wellbeing.

[vedr]

C-condition???

[ :big worry: ]

[catarou]

[ ........................... ]

A poor choice of wording, I am certain.

[ did you want some more suspicion, grimnir?? no? too bad ]

When someone who assists in keeping people here against their will and facilitating "lessons" that elicit less than ideal responses tells us not to worry... Well, I do hope you know that only prompts even more worry.

[affligere]

[…………………]

I see. I can assure you they are still alive and intact, body and soul.

[vedr]

[ Elbow nudges Gentaro. Sus? Sus. ]

That's good to hear! I think. The body and soul are the important parts. Hopefully they can go home.

[catarou]

[ Inconspicuously nudges him back. This is concerning, and indeed, Incredibly Sus. ]

Yes, I agree with Grimnir. It would be a terrible and unnecessarily cruel thing if they were not returned home.

[affligere]

[Florence? Sus? They would never.]

They will be returned home, just like everyone else.