WEEK ONE

[killerwaves]

WEEK ONE

29 Vacationers

As much as this vacation was unplanned, hopefully you've found some time to enjoy yourself this weekend as you've settled in. The idyllic beach, all inclusive food, drink, and shopping might be almost enough to distract you from that pesky talk of sacrifice. Vacations really are about letting your worries pass you by. Hopefully you've found the time to set up your U-PINION too, because if you haven't, it's been chirping incessantly since the date turned to Monday. And come Monday at noon, everyone's device will let out a pleasant jingle, heralding several announcements across the screen:

Happy Monday! We've hope you've been enjoying your time at Sungem's Peak. The Mermer (intranet) is now fully operational. Chat with your friends and get recommendations for how to best enjoy your vacation, by:

• Reading about your fellow vacationers via their profile
• Chatting on the network
• Asking honest questions via our anonymous poll system
• REQUIRED: Reading the RULES set by the administrators

We're also happy to announce our reward system is live! Complete tasks to receive special items to improve your stay!!! Contact your administrators for any questions or concerns. We hope you have a wonderful week!

The artificial peppiness of the announcement just oozes out from the U-PINION, and soon thereafter everyone will be accosted by a friendly robot that forces a physical copy of the rules into their hands anyway. Just in case. They'll also present a copy of the tasks this week as well, for any interested parties.

!

TASKS:

Be Nice
Now that you're acquainted, tell another person one thing you like about them, and why.
(REWARD: RARE!)

Let's Play!
Play a game with someone else. Any type of game: board games, card games, or even a party game! (Reward: Common )

Summer Spooks
Tell a two-sentence horror story in person, or on the network.
(Reward: Common)

((OOC: Welcome to Week 1! This is a peace week, so they'll be no case this weekend. However, we have something for you to chew on Saturday, time to be announced later in discord.

We'll also be playing around with the network and seeing what works as far as formatting goes, so thanks for bearing with us! Also please note, that the poll questions are anon, but any answers won't be. ))

MONDAY • TUESDAY • WEDNESDAY • THURSDAY • FRIDAY

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Comments

[passetemps]

[ zelkov is only here because merlin managed to annoy him until he caved. he's seated at a small out-of-the-way table, and rather than a drink from the bar, he has a thermos (a very convenient invention he found in the gift shop) full of hot tea he brewed himself.

he seems thoroughly out of place in this kind of setting and is quietly keeping himself busy with a stack of paper napkins, each of which is being meticulously folded into a swan, flower, or some other shape. ]

[idologue]

[ Don't mind Lacus, she's just hovering nearby watching him work, mesmerized.

Whenever he notices her, she'll smile apologetically. ]

So pretty... Can I try one, too?

[passetemps]

[ oh. he blinks, but then motions to the chair across from him with a slight smile. ]

Of course. I would be happy to instruct you.

[ he'll slide a napkin over to the other side of the table and take a fresh one for himself. ]

What shape would you like to make?

[idologue]

They're all so beautiful, but I am positively intrigued by the swan! It looks so delicate.

[ She'll gladly take a seat here. This is honestly more her speed than party games, though she can appreciate the novelty of those. ]

[passetemps]

A fine choice.

Whatever you choose to make, you always begin with a perfectly square paper, so these napkins are rather convenient in that regard.

[ orientating his napkin appropriately and lifting the corner to illustrate... ]

Now, you'll want the open points to be in the upper right to start off.

[idologue]

[ Lacus is very precise at following instructions. Her folds are incredibly orderly, she's got that good Genetically Enhanced Hand-Eye-Coordination going for her. ]

Like so...?

[ Haro is rolling over the table next to their work, but has the good sense to not get in the way. ]

Have you been doing this type of thing for a while?

[passetemps]

[ looks over and nods. ]

Yes, like that.

[ folding from the bottom right to top left to make a crease and then opening back up... i'm not going to write out all these steps but please assume he is showing her how to do all this ]

This is a relatively new pursuit for me. It is an art form unique to my colleague's homeland, which he introduced to me... though it is not one he actually has much interest in himself.

[ he shakes his head, though he looks a little bit fond. ]

He can never sit still for very long.

[idologue]

[ Lacus follows along with even the more complicated steps easily enough, so it's no problem for them to chat while she copies him bit by bit. ]

The art of paperfolding exists in my world as well, I've just never had much of a reason to lean it. I'm happy to rectify this..

[ And with a glance up at Zelkov: ] Even though he's the impatient type, he taught you. That's quite sweet.

[passetemps]

I see... it is most interesting to see how many things exist in more than one world.

[ wondering now as he folds if each world has their own special technique... and what new crafting methods might be out there that don't yet exist in his own. ]

He mentioned it offhand before, but he only agreed to give me instruction in the subject as a concession after he lost to me in a sparring match. That is often the only way to get him to do anything, as much as I personally dislike it.

[ kagetsu really is his opposite in a lot of ways. ]

...But yes, he is a kind and earnest person, excessive energy aside.

[mysticpowerbroker]

[ And here is Merlin, the serial helper. ]

Hey, Zelkov! Looks like...you're enjoying yourself?

[ Looking at what he's got folded, though more or less at the flower, admiring the effect placed behind it. ]

Hmm, you're a man of many talents, huh?

[passetemps]

[ just kind of SIGHS at the first part, but at the second... well, he thinks of them more as learned skills than talents, but it's true that he's picked almost every one of them up with ease. ]

I suppose that would not be inaccurate to say.

[ ... ]

If any of them strike your fancy, you are welcome to take them.

[mysticpowerbroker]

[ A playful smile escapes Merlin briefly when he hears the exasperated sigh. But he looks a little surprised at the offer, even if the things in particular are so small. ]

Oh, really?

[ Well, he isn't the type to turn down an opportunity to receive something, but he just didn't expect it? He lets out a different sort of smile across his face now as he gently and carefully scoops up a 'flower'.

Something constructed carefully by human hands has a certain welcoming emotion to it. ]

Hhmhm, you're too kind. I will receive your gift properly with proper thanks, of course~

What are your thoughts so far on the party, anyway? Now that you're here.

[passetemps]

You are welcome.

[ a shake of his head as he continues folding... ]

As I tried to tell you before, I dislike parties. This is no exception. I find large crowds and loud noises to be both unpleasant and distracting, leaving one less alert to potential dangers.

Though I suppose there is something to be said for gaining a better understanding of everyone here.

[mysticpowerbroker]

Yes, I remember...

Which does make me glad you decided to come along anyway!

[ ...

You know, after he pouted and whined, then proceeded to sparkle, making hopeful looks, etc...rinse and repeat. Merlin is very committed when he wants to apply himself for certain. ]

And going hand-in-hand with that, I see you're looking on the bright side to sticking around. We're definitely bound to learn a lot about people at parties. As well as have so much fun.

[passetemps]

At least one of us is finding some joy in it, though I am not certain why.

[ i.e. his presence here. why did you care enough to put that much effort into annoying him... ]

I find the fun part unlikely, but yes, I intend to stay at least long enough to obtain some information now that I am here.

[mysticpowerbroker]

Hmm...why not, though? Isn't it nice, seeing everyone come together?

[ Merlin asks in a almost sing-song tone, with one of those smiles of his. ]

A practical man at his finest! But, I don't blame you.

Hearing what everyone says about each other is interesting too~

Why, it can help to even deepen bonds between all of us and potentially raise morale. For some people, anyway. Pragmatism, intelligence-gathering, and developing bonds...what a wonderful combination.

[passetemps]

I will concede that it is not objectionable.

[ pausing his folding to look out at the group ]

While it would be nice to think that "deepening bonds" would prevent any killings from taking place, I suspect that those most likely to act are not so easily swayed by friendship.

[diabolizes]

[ Hi Zelkov, hope you wanted someone to slide into the chair right next to you! Wei Wuxian eyes that swan for a moment or two before speaking up. ]

You have quite a bit of skill, I'm almost jealous.

[passetemps]

[ well, he isn't expecting anyone to sit there, especially someone he hasn't really interacted with, so he looks vaguely confused for a moment. ]

...Thank you.

Though this particular art is one that relies less on natural talent and more on technique and precision. With adequate lessons, you should have no trouble reaching a similar level yourself.

[diabolizes]

Technique and precision, you say?

[ He looks at the already folded swan. Wei Wuxian likes things that require that sort of skill, so... ]

Could you show me one from the beginning?

[passetemps]

Certainly.

[ he'll take a new napkin from the pile for himself and slide a second one over to wei wuxian if he wants to follow along.

...and he will go through the steps of making something like this. ]

From what I understand, cranes are a more typical subject when using standard paper, but the layers of the napkin make it especially suitable for the tail feathers of a swan.

[diabolizes]

Ah, I see! The layers add the fluff that the feathers of a swan has in the back. You have a good eye for this sort of thing.

[ And he follows along closely, his meticulousness shining though as he very carefully and very deliberately follows Zelkov's movements. As a result, it means his swan is pretty decent... though it doesn't hold a candle to Zelkov's. ]

[passetemps]

Thank you. Though some of it is simply experience.

[ this is a relatively new pursuit by his standards, but he's still spent many hours at it.

he'll carefully look over the other swan when it's done like a judge evaluating a contest entry... and then give an approving nod. ]

A perfectly respectable first effort. With a bit of practice, I am sure your results would be quite impressive.

[diabolizes]

Thank you.

[ He smiles, glad that Zelkov confirmed his own thoughts. ]

Perhaps I'll give it a few more tries later, when I'm bored in my cabana. What other creatures do you like making?

[passetemps]

Then take all the napkins you need.

[ not like he really owns these napkins anyway, but ]

I've enjoyed making other types of birds, and dragons. There are some much more complex designs I have in mind with highly detailed wings, if all the folds actually work the way I picture them.