And with the sweat of your brow...

[bathymetric]

Fun Fact: Did you know that if the multiverse is real, there could be an almost infinite square mileage of completely unexplored ocean out there?

No reason.

...

You wake in one of 25 rooms with a sense of unease that doesn't quite track with how nice the accommodations are. Maybe it has something to do with the giant window leading out to the sea. The temperature is low, which might make you wish you had woken up under the luxurious covers instead of atop them. The lights, too, are low. But next to your bed is a small personal radio, and it's playing a song for you. There's also a small note printed on folded cardstock next to it.

Dear Prospective Citizen,

Welcome to the Helios Suites at New Rapture. The time should currently be 12:00 PM. Please take a moment to get your bearings and become acquainted with your new environment, then meet in the hotel lobby at 1:30 PM sharp for an orientation with Mayor Fontaine.

With only that for guidance, there's only the one thing to do: get out there and start exploring... well, it's hardly a full city, but it's something! And in the halls (or on the wall of your suite or the lobby), you very well may find up to 24 other captives.

What you do until your meeting with Mayor Fontaine, well... that's up to you. Every room certainly gives you something to talk about.

Comments

[pairtner]

Are you indicating I haven't raised the right 'flag' to convince you to work with me?

[i thought you were playing from a light novel limon are you actually playing from an otome again i see how it is

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Her calculations indicated a disarming greeting and a willingness to cooperate would ensure the person she talks to would be willing to help her. Now this is unusual. Normally her calculations are accurate even when it's about predicting how people would react.

Her theory at a later point is that people from other worlds react differently from anyone in her world, meaning her calculations won't work correctly anymore. the things i have to come up with to explain things haha]

[buriedstar]

[ Aiba have you met rich arrogant jerks in your world? If not, Seo Dawon will help with those calculations. ]

Pretty much. I don't just party with anyone, you know. What do you have to offer?

[pairtner]

[She has seen them through her partner's eye, so...tangentially! Somehow! Talking to one directly is going to be so draining, isn't it]

Aren't your freedom and physical wellbeing reward enough?

[buriedstar]

[ His smile is thin and his eyes bright. ]

...are you really sure that's yours to give?

[pairtner]

Are you serious?

[Yup, this definitely was much better when Date was the one who had to deal with people like these guy, while she was content with watching and empathize with his seething annoyance. To be the one to talk directly to this kind of person...augh]

You're in the same situation as the rest of us. You will not be forced to cooperate -- but there's no point in being uncooperative.

[buriedstar]

Did it ever occur to you that leaving this place doesn't mean freedom for everyone? There's some who might be better off here.

[ He doesn't go so far as to insinuate that's him, but. ]

[pairtner]

You won't be forced to leave this city if you're interested in becoming a citizen.

[Statistically speaking, it's possible a few of the people trapped here would prefer to stay down here instead of return wherever they came from...but it feels wrong to not push for leaving.

After all...]

If you're interested in staying you should remember there's no guarantee the situation here won't worsen or turn unfavorable for you in the near future.

[...she hardly can foresee a scenario where staying here in a long-term basis will lead to anything good at all. This Mayor Fontaine's actions already hint trouble in the horizon -- and the rules already prove being here is a bad idea]

[buriedstar]

I didn't say that either, did I? [ He also might be one of those types who has to poke a hole in everything too. ]

Like I said, I'm interested in whatever's more favorable to me. But right now that remains to be seen. Hasty decisions benefit the lucky, and I'm not a treasure hunter.

[pairtner]

[Looks like this one is an opportunistic person to some extent, she thinks. Alright]

Your attitude will be helpful enough. Contrary to popular belief, the saying 'Fortune favors the bold' is not encouragement, it's a warning.

[That saying has gotten mangled into something it wasn't meant to say, haha

Hey, if there won't be cooperation, not getting in the way intentionally or inadvertently is good enough -- and fooling around is how one accidentally gets in the way. You go your way, she goes her way, Seo. She's satisfied with that]

[buriedstar]

You managed to say something I never hear and something I always hear, almost in the same breath. Interesting. [ He has heard many complaints about his attitude. He has also heard many warnings which went unheeded. ]

[pairtner]

It most likely was a waste of time. You're not the kind of person who listens to others, are you?

[buriedstar]

I do if their opinions are worthwhile.

[pairtner]

The insult has been noted.

[It wasn't all that subtle -- or at least Aiba interpreted as such]

[buriedstar]

Really? [ Honestly he didn't mean it as one, though he is aware of how he comes off. ]

If I listened to everyone who tried to influence me, I'd be level 5 and broke. I only want what's the best.

[pairtner]

Do you tend to use videogame vernacular?

[People can be quite quirky sometimes. Not that Aiba can look down on anyone when it's about quirks. They may not be as pronounced as they are when she's in a Somnium, but her constant projecting into people's eyes really sap into her resources. It makes her a little more loopy than most of the time -- not that she's not loopy at times anyway, haha]

[buriedstar]

It's not really video game vernacular anymore. Levels, potions, dungeons—they all matter in physical reality where I'm from.

[ #sometimestheworldbecomesanMMO ]

[pairtner]

[do you live in a somnium world 24/7 buddy is that what happened do you live in shovelforge]

You make it sound like you live in a MMO.

[Even though she says this, her tone doesn't show she believes it at all. Levels, potions, dungeons, and other people being involved with the insinuation of an economy of some sort existing really bring MMOs to mind but Aiba just can't cross the final line of accepting that as this man's reality]

[buriedstar]

That's pretty much what happened, actually. I'm surprised you know what an MMO is, the most I've gotten here is a video game, and even that's been fairly rare.

I'm a mage, by the way. [ This is an easier topic than discussing his cooperation. ]

[pairtner]

Please tell me you don't mean to say you use magic spells to fight enemies.

[This is the most nonsensical thing she has heard today and she's currently in an underwater city that will host a murdergame, how can you bring up a situation more outlandish than a murdergame]

[buriedstar]

Well since you asked, I won't. I'll just show you one day instead.

[ Let's not get into the far sillier territory of. Well none of us need to go there, trust me :worrybean: ]

[pairtner]

Seeing is believing. I will have to hold you onto that someday.

[I can't wait to find out a lot of Seo Dawon's circumstances throughout the next two months]