[OPEN MINGLE]

[justscribing]

WHO: Everyone! It's a mingle!
WHAT: Discussing recent reveals about the simulation
WHERE: Pairidaeza Architectural Studio
WHEN: Feb 3rd morning to evening
WARNINGS: Potential existential crises, discussions of death, memory manipulation, basically everything to do with their actual situation in a simulated environment.




[The actual setup within the garage-turned-studio is away from all the actual workbenches.

On one folding table are copies of multiple documents available around the X: The main document is a summary of a resident from a prior iteration that's clearly been redacted via scanning copies with stuff blocked out. Additionally are copies of the most recent newsletter with the memo on the back and photos of the hotel journal printed in black and white.

Lined up on another folding table away from the one with the documents is an array of finger foods: hummus, chutneys, and yoghurt dips with a variety of sliced vegetables, cheeses, cold cuts, and fresh pita bread. cardamom cookies, panipuri, and both vegetable and chicken samosas take up the other side. Mint water and fresh juice are in pitchers to the center. It's actually a little crowded.

Chairs are set up in small grounds and around the document table. And finally, a whiteboard has been rolled in for people to make use of in group discussions.]



((This is a mingle, so everyone is encouraged to threadjack, make toplevels, etc prior plot mingles have been done. Alhaitham and Kaveh will be around and participating but not taking the lead beyond making sure people stay orderly in the studio and have enough papers.

If you character has discussed the simulation with either Kaveh or Alhaitham, you can also handwave they texted them directly about it.))

Comments

[strongroots]

[ The shade of the shelter comes over them, a little dark, but the light of the day around them stops that from being a problem. Robby doesn't pull himself away from Tsuruno, but stands with her words. Even though it means we're in this mess together. ]

I wouldn't want to be in it alone. [ He tilts his head to her, his expression difficult, despite- ] I'm glad you're here, even if that means you're not where you're supposed to be.

[ ... ] None of us are.

[ In his (failed attempt of light humour) defence. ]

[fanstheflames]

Yeah.

[ And she tips her chin up to meet his eyes, gaze rueful but affectionate. There are so many more emotions beneath that, ones he's probably familiar with.

In the shelter, she can let her hood fall, a little less obscured. ]

I'd have a rough time of it if I was alone, too. I'd be missing out on a really great boyfriend, for starters.

[strongroots]

[ He lets out a soft breath, not enough to be a laugh but close. This time smiling, a small pinch to his lips. ]

And all your other favourites? Alhaitham--and Kaveh?

[ He doesn't know the extent of most of her relationships, but he knows she's pretty friendly (in her Tsuruno way, mind) with Alhaitham most of all. ]

[fanstheflames]

Al and Kaveh and Daan-san and Altria and Sensei and--

[ Well, she has a list. ]

[strongroots]

[ Do you think he's going to stop her?? Please, feel free to go on with it, while he's wearing a tiny funny smile. ]

[fanstheflames]

And Peter and even though they're gone, Welt and Yuki-san and--

[ She pauses, frowning lightly at him. ]

What? What's so funny?

[strongroots]

Nothing. [ Even if he is wearing that smile. ] It's just... listening to the connections you can make. The people you care about.

It's not something I hear someone talk about every day. [ And, most of all, so she doesn't think he's picking on her!!: ] It's a good thing.

[fanstheflames]

...

If that's the case, I've gotta do it more often. I think people should talk about when they care.