suitedreams | WEEK ZERO: MINGLE

W̴͍̎E̴̝̊E̸͚͝K̸͕̿ ZERO: MINGLE

(35 ḡ̴̻u̷͌͜ê̴̯s̶̢͑t̵̻͝s̴̡̐ ̴c̴h̴e̶c̴k̷e̶d̸ ̶i̴n̴)

Needless to say, marble isn't exactly the most comfortable surface to sleep on. Do you even remember falling asleep? Maybe not, but the moment your eyes flutter open and the lingering stardust fades, you come into consciousness with the distinct feeling that your dreams were very important.

You vaguely remember a shadowed hand, the pen and the scroll in its grip as the terms and conditions glow softly before you. You can't quite remember the details, the words blurring and fading fasting the longer you try, but you come to a conclusion rather quickly:

-Someone you care about is in trouble and their life is now your responsibility.
-You have signed a contract to provide entertainment to the Host in exchange for their safe return.

Your other memories begin to settle now that you're more awake. You remember that this isn't the first time you've been swept away for a game by someone else's design. You remember what those games entailed, too, but as the pieces click together you get the sense that murdering everyone around you isn't a solution. It won't get your hostage back sooner. It will only end tragically for everyone involved.

So instead, perhaps it's time to take in your surroundings. Where the hell even are you now? The marble floor of the lobby is still cool to the touch, and the front desk is before you with several keys on hooks against the wall. Each of them includes a keychain with two small, clear star-shaped crystals embedded at the bottom. Too bad you can't seem to remove the keys just yet! Guest accommodations aren't quite ready.

Ah, right. About that. You aren't alone! After all, what's the fun in playing a game by yourself? Should one try to actually count the keys hanging on the wall, you'll find there are 35 in total. You can also learn more about them should you look at the leather-bound book bolted to the front desk. Though some of them may look a bit different, seeing how everyone gathered in the lobby is dressed to the nines. What happened to your other clothing? Worry not. You do want to be presentable at the front desk, don't you?

Speaking of the front desk, while you aren't able to retrieve your keys or even leave the ground floor right now, you will find small gift boxes scattered around the desk as a complementary gift for each guest. Inside these boxes, you will find:

-A flask. Those of legal drinking age will find it filled with a sweet wine, and those underage will find juice of some kind.
-A shaving kit
- A single aspirin
-A keychain
-A condolence card
-A sheet of temporary tattoos
-A small bag of jerky
-A compact mirror with a cute pattern on the outer casing

No other items are on your person even if you were holding onto them prior to your arrival. Perhaps the bellhop has already taken your luggage for you?

But despite the front desk hosting a small cluster of bells, ringing them doesn't seem to draw the attention of anyone. The bells cannot be removed from the desk, but the hotel staff appears to be occupied with other tasks.

It looks as though you're on your own for now until maintenance is finished. But it's just like the first time, isn't it? Get to know the other guests, start asking questions, and settle in for your stay.

You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave...

N̸A̵V̴I̶G̶A̶T̴I̴O̸N̷.̷

█ LOCATIONS █ STATUSES █ PROFILES █ AUDIENCES
█ REPORTING █ PRIVATE CONVOS █ MURDER

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[a pause.]

Yes. You have to follow all my rules or else. Wait, hold on.

[she pulls the headpiece she's wearing down to cover her eyes. now she's an npc. again.]

[ So mysterious! I just saw her face and yet I suddenly do not know what Lup looks like until she unmasks again. ]

I only follow rules for gyo -- food.

Well, that's easy enough. What do you want? I'll make you something.

[she won't, the kitchen will kick her out, but]

[ Oh. ]

Wait, for real?

[ SITTING UP ]

Uh, no, I was lying.

Yes. I'm hungry, so hurry it up, bucko.

Damn, you really know how to get a guy's attention... then break his heart.

[ ...He will get up though. ]

Alright, food. Maybe that'll make all this bullshit better.

[she laughs.] You have no idea!

[pushes the entirety of rings away from me]

Food usually does. What's your name, thug?

Damn, you think I look like a thug? I'm all dressed up nice and everything! [ He is a thug. ]

It's Aikawa. You?

You have that energy. [she is teasing.] Lup. What do you want to eat?

[ Wow he got her real name off the bat instead of identity theft, I'm honoured. ]

Uh, anything I guess.

Do you think they've got like, ramen?

[amazing right]

Ramen. Yeesh. At least ask for something fancy. I mean, I guess ramen can get uh, pretty dolled up, I guess.

Damn! Okay! Starting off strong!

What's your idea of fancy food then?

[ He's poor Lup!!! Have mercy!!! ]

That's me, I don't do anything half-assed.

Anyway, I don't know, uhhh. Spinach stuffed salmon in garlic butter with an herb crust, paired with mushroom risotto and rainbow orzo salad? Maybe some sort of soup...

[ 'I don't do anything half-assed' reminds him of someone somehow. ]

You lost me after 'spinach stuffed'. There's a lot of directions and adjectives happening. Am I using that word right?

The heck's 'orzo'?

[vibes...]

Adjectives yes, directions maybe? I guess those are directions. Uh, orzo is pasta that looks like rice. You've never had it?

Nah, sounds like all kinds of fancy shit to me. I just go to the closest ramen shop I like, raid a store for their breadsnacks.

Sounds kinda fun though, if we're not paying for shit here then I'm down to try anything.

[she glances up at him as they go, head tilted just a little, and then:]

Nothing bad about taking the backstreets. [she offers, ear flicking.] I guess I can't say a ding-dang thing, considering I grew up on bread crusts and stew.

Let's see what this restaurant has to offer.

[ She's an elf with ear movements!!! I love that for her. ]

Hey, nothing to diss about bread crusts and stew either! But why not eat good if life's gonna let you, right?

[ Swinging an arm! Feeling a bit better! Food! Let's go! ]

[oh yeah get ready for 8 weeks of expressive elf ears it's my FAVORITE.

i can't believe he's managed to endear her in like two seconds. it's the food thing, she can't help it.]

True!

[she's also like, going to get kicked out of the kitchen immediately, so. she will try to get in there and do stuff but when they yeet her back out she is SO disgruntled.]

[ >:O

He watches her get kicked out of the kitchen. ]

Damn, that was fast. Did you piss them off or something?

[ While he's eating a bread he asked for. ]

Terrible service! I'm doing you a favor, you nasty, frog-footed wine-huffers!

[hands on her hips!! rude.]

Ugh. No, I tried to make my own food and they got ticked off. I'm a better cook than any of them.