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[After getting changed, and maybe some other distractions, Fukuda shows up at the bar about 5 or 10 minutes later than what he said? It's fine. Hopefully the alcohol means Steven hung around to wait anyway.]
Ah, sorry for keeping you. The people are quite colorful, aren't they?
[Seems he might've been waylaid.]
Ah, sorry for keeping you. The people are quite colorful, aren't they?
[Seems he might've been waylaid.]
[ Steven's on time, if not a little early as he typically tends to do. He's re-dressed in a sharp suit and tie as well as dress shoes, all traces of his entrance uniform now gone. He did indeed spend some time perusing through the drinks made available, which according to his assessment, seemed positively endless. There was something for everybody. ]
Not an issue, I've been busying myself by investigating and having a chat or two as well. Haven't noticed any significant trends in things we have in common, other than what I assume is our base motivation.
[That wish, desire, whatever you want to call it.]
Not an issue, I've been busying myself by investigating and having a chat or two as well. Haven't noticed any significant trends in things we have in common, other than what I assume is our base motivation.
[That wish, desire, whatever you want to call it.]
[Dressed to the nines... Fukuda meanwhile, is just dressed in a faintly disheveled dress shirt, no tie, but with suspenders holding up his pants. And some lace up boots? It's a strange look.]
Well, there might be some smaller trends among the ones who have the same marks on their hands. I've noticed a few of them going around, and I know I saw at least one that's the same as mine.
[He holds out his hand to display the green Envy mark.]
Thought that Welcome message... made it sound like they picked their "team" at random.
Well, there might be some smaller trends among the ones who have the same marks on their hands. I've noticed a few of them going around, and I know I saw at least one that's the same as mine.
[He holds out his hand to display the green Envy mark.]
Thought that Welcome message... made it sound like they picked their "team" at random.
[ In his defense -- not any odder than the people Steven works with dresses. At least you don't look like a fashion clown.
Fair is fair, so Steven shows Fukuda his own -- a deep blue mark that matches his undershirt, in sharp contrast with the red tattoos he already seems to have on his neck. Colour theme on point. ]
I've yet to meet anyone else with the same look. [ He smiles. ] By "teams", do you suppose we'll have to face off at some point?
Fair is fair, so Steven shows Fukuda his own -- a deep blue mark that matches his undershirt, in sharp contrast with the red tattoos he already seems to have on his neck. Colour theme on point. ]
I've yet to meet anyone else with the same look. [ He smiles. ] By "teams", do you suppose we'll have to face off at some point?
[ You'd actually be surprised. Having a hole in your head is not the most outlandish thing Steven's seen over the last three years of his life, at minimum. ]
I see... the most straightforward train of thought, then, is that the theoretical "winners" get what it is that they wished for. Losers uncertain, but I suppose the safest answer there, too, is that they simply don't get anything.
[ It's all starting to sound like a game of sorts. ]
I see... the most straightforward train of thought, then, is that the theoretical "winners" get what it is that they wished for. Losers uncertain, but I suppose the safest answer there, too, is that they simply don't get anything.
[ It's all starting to sound like a game of sorts. ]
[People have been generally very polite about not freaking out over the hole and frankly Fukuda is a little confused.]
Aah. Though you'd think if it was such a situation, they would have explained such in their welcome letter. What we've been presented with currently doesn't suggest anything beyond "indulging will get you your wish."
[A pause, before;]
Maybe it's a matter of bringing about a conclusion. Making the other teams unable to indulge.
Aah. Though you'd think if it was such a situation, they would have explained such in their welcome letter. What we've been presented with currently doesn't suggest anything beyond "indulging will get you your wish."
[A pause, before;]
Maybe it's a matter of bringing about a conclusion. Making the other teams unable to indulge.
[ You came to the wrong neighbourhood fucker, if you wanted people to react normally to your shit. Though, to be fair, no one has pointed out Steven's giant face scar as of yet either. ]
"Indulgence" in concept, in itself, is a luxury. I don't imagine it would be particularly difficult to not indulge...
...Though, then, the so-called "punishment" in that case would be, as I said -- that the loser doesn't get anything.
[ Could it really be that simple, an odd game with technically only winners in the end? ]
"Indulgence" in concept, in itself, is a luxury. I don't imagine it would be particularly difficult to not indulge...
...Though, then, the so-called "punishment" in that case would be, as I said -- that the loser doesn't get anything.
[ Could it really be that simple, an odd game with technically only winners in the end? ]
Aah. But what I'm saying is we haven't been given a finish line, a win condition. I doubt a single act of indulgence will secure someone their wish. With the given parameters, we could be stuck here indefinitely, to indulge. Our hosts have not given us a deadline or quantitative amount.
What they did mention was killing. If someone is dead, they cannot make the choice one way or the other to indulge.
[He's not saying "maybe we have to kill the other teams to win" but he's also not NOT saying that.]
What they did mention was killing. If someone is dead, they cannot make the choice one way or the other to indulge.
[He's not saying "maybe we have to kill the other teams to win" but he's also not NOT saying that.]
[ How concerning. ]
If I may be so blunt, would it possibly have anything to do with your injury?
[ He's seen some CRAZY ASS SHIT in his life, like a human man literally having his whole brain removed from his body but still walking and talking, but that's his world and involved a ton of technology. From his stance, he's not seeing any technology wired into Fukuda's grievous head hole. ]
If I may be so blunt, would it possibly have anything to do with your injury?
[ He's seen some CRAZY ASS SHIT in his life, like a human man literally having his whole brain removed from his body but still walking and talking, but that's his world and involved a ton of technology. From his stance, he's not seeing any technology wired into Fukuda's grievous head hole. ]
Yes... that does seem like a given. All the pleasantries might just be enough to throw you off guard from the deeper implications. "Indulgence" doesn't have a strict definition, nor does it limit only us as those who can.
[ Cruel gods who run their own little games, seeing mortal lives as nothing but entertainment -- Steven's apathy suggests he's maybe not so unfamiliar with the idea. ]
[ Cruel gods who run their own little games, seeing mortal lives as nothing but entertainment -- Steven's apathy suggests he's maybe not so unfamiliar with the idea. ]
[ It's not like he's participated in games just like this or anything -- but rather more a seemingly permanent nihilistic view that permeates him at times. Gods, and individuals given god-like positions, are often cruel, and that was the way of the world. ]
Who knows... it's too early to say. But if "death" is a mechanic, then I suspect something will happen soon enough -- after all, it seems too significant a notion to be ignored.
I suspect someone will go missing or turn up dead soon.
Who knows... it's too early to say. But if "death" is a mechanic, then I suspect something will happen soon enough -- after all, it seems too significant a notion to be ignored.
I suspect someone will go missing or turn up dead soon.
Our "wishes" are a form of incentive, aren't they? Though mine isn't something to kill a man over, I can't say the same for everyone else. And if the notion of not being able to get said "wish" is a playing factor...
...But then there must be a risk, or else one person could murder everyone else and walk away.
...But then there must be a risk, or else one person could murder everyone else and walk away.
[ Paranoia bonding!!! The worst form of bonding. At least they're both extremely subtle / mild about said business paranoia. ]
I suppose not. That would be the best outcome, if everyone had the potential to get whatever it is they wanted...
... [ Though he raises the back of his hand, drawing attention back to it. ] Still, these aren't the most comforting marks I've ever seen. Yours appears to be a mass of eyes, while I'm not completely certain what mine is.
I suppose not. That would be the best outcome, if everyone had the potential to get whatever it is they wanted...
... [ Though he raises the back of his hand, drawing attention back to it. ] Still, these aren't the most comforting marks I've ever seen. Yours appears to be a mass of eyes, while I'm not completely certain what mine is.
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