mistletoe 2: mistletoe harder

[idolpro]

Who: You!
Where: Game Tower, to start
When: Day 187

[ It's snowing outside. . . ! So it's pretty cold. You know what's not cold, though? The Game Tower! It's nice and warm and you are definitely being yoinked out of wherever you currently are for a possibly familiar ~game~. Don't worry though: you don't have to stay.

Instead of the elevators opening, the rules just appear on your phone. There's hot cocoa provided in the lobby, though in limited quantity and all of them come with marshmallows. Mandatory marshmallows. If you don't like marshmallows, well, too bad!

Incidentally, there are also a bunch of green plants growing around . . . everywhere. Everywhere!! At the doorways, in the elevators, just hanging from the ceiling, growing parasitically on plants that aren't even mistletoe . . . !? Where did they come from!? They're all tied with a red ribbon too, to make them more easily visible and clearly part of the game. They're not restricted to the game tower, either - the only places mistletoe doesn't show up in are the unit dorms. ]

RULES | TURN-IN - due 12/26/19 @ 6PM PST

Comments

[time5kip]

[ He didn't but he doesn't want to say he's right. So he'll just look mildly annoyed, definitely at the remark ]

Either your hand or your cheek — I'm doing the kissing, not you.

[firstworldproblem]

This is where you are drawing the line after what we've shared.

[Leaning down though so he can kiss his cheek.]

[time5kip]

You hanging out in my body is still more tolerable than any of this. Just barely, though.

[ Why are you so tall, Emet-Selch. He's going to move so he can kiss his cheek once he leans down and wow. This is still uncomfortable ]

[firstworldproblem]

Just barely? One has to question your upbringing. At what age were you adopted?

[Blame Solus! Whoever Solus was before he got his body yoinked out from under him anyway. He holds still though and is completely polite and professional about it at least.]

[time5kip]

[ thank u emet he appreciates that, and pulls back shortly after ]

I'm fairly sure my upbringing was questionable in and of itself. I mean, my actual name is Number Five.

[firstworldproblem]

If you do not care for it, simply pick another, and demand people refer to you as such. Don't humor the old man if you don't feel inclined.

[time5kip]

I'm still undecided about whether I care for it or not. I'm already going by Valour here, so it doesn't really matter. But both embracing my number or rejecting it feel like giving him a win.

[ and he's not quite Over It without his memories of years spent without his father ]

[firstworldproblem]

Ah, I was wondering which you preferred. Now that small matter is cleared up.

I see. You wish to spite him.

[time5kip]

Spite him, or simply prove I'm better. Though I realize it's childish and pointless.

[firstworldproblem]

At least you are honest to yourself on that point. But he is not here, and you are not the person you once were. At least, not yet.

[time5kip]

I suppose that's true as well. But for the time being at least, I'll leave the choice on whether to use Five or Valour to other people. It at least serves to give it less power over me, if nothing else.

[firstworldproblem]

'Tis not a terrible way to approach it. When you do decided, however, on what you wish to be called I would like to know.

[time5kip]

Valour, for now. I'll have to admit it does deel mine more than Number Five does.

[firstworldproblem]

And it does stay on theme with your unit. Which, considering the circumstances, is still a factor to be considered.

[time5kip]

That's funny. I wasn't aware we had a theme. L on AlcheME came up with it.

[firstworldproblem]

Truly? With so many patrons of the arts I had assumed one of them assisted you with the name. Ah, then again I did name Auracite.

[time5kip]

That reminds me. You have your memories, so you do know his real name. Any reason why you're not sharing it with him?

[firstworldproblem]

We did not part on the friendliest of terms. That he will have to earn. That besides, once he learns the meaning of the name I gifted him he will know my opinion of him.

[time5kip]

You don't actually strike to me as someone who'd pull a long-term joke for the sake of it, so I'm assuming it's not an insult.

[firstworldproblem]

I would be lying if I said it didn't hold some amount of spite.

[time5kip]

You sure know how to keep me interested. Between our recent shared dream and this, I'll have to admit I'm getting eager to find out what your whole deal is.

Your soul was different from the others.

[firstworldproblem]

It isn't--- I would not wish the tragedy upon any other.

[He waves a hand though at the comment about his soul.]

That simply isn't possible. 'Tis no different than --- not yours --- but others. Such is the way of hail and whole souls.

[Pausing for a moment before considering.]

You have been patient. Considerably so. I suppose I could provide more details especially concerning dear Auracite. What you impart to him is up to you.

His true name is Alphinaud Leveilleur, twin of Alisae, and grandson of Louisoix, a most renown scholar.

As for my ire for him and the band of companions he traveled with, while they are most noble indeed, they are incredibly short-sighted. Only ever content to solve the problem in front of their noses. And despite travelling with them and becoming somewhat close though I wouldn't go as far to say allies, it eventually culminated into battle. And I was slain.

And yet, they ever come to be a thorn in my side even here. To feeble and weak to even remember. To be dragged here. I do not doubt we will again be at odds once his memory returns. Ever have I been disappointed in them.

[time5kip]

[ He very much did not expect him to provide him any more details, not now, and certainly not about Auracite - so he's surprised, and it shows. There's several things that catch his attention, like Emet-Selch making a point to mention hail and whole souls, or that he eventually came at odds with those who he'd been traveling with upon then. It's like the more he talks the more he can tell there's more behind his words, and more he wants to learn about ]

My personal curiosity aside, your history with Auracite and your relationship is none of my business. I have no intention of involving myself in it, or rely any information to him — all the more so considering he'll remember on his own, eventually.

Though I hate to admit I'm starting to get considerably invested in your tales.

[firstworldproblem]

But he is your unitmate, and I can provide insight on who he was for your own benefit. To manipulate as you see fit. And I do not dislike him, and, oh, how easier it would be if I did. Naive, yet courageous. Always thinking to aide others. He is unsure of himself being young and doubts his own conclusions. The House of Mirth and other games have only enhanced this. He could be an incredibly useful pawn should you play your hand right.

Though do ensure that he eats. He's stubborn enough he'll waste himself away. And would it be that death was permanent I wouldn't mind, but considering it would just be a bother.

[He sighs.]

I do hope something does come from our research. But if it does not, well, there are more schemes to be had.

[time5kip]

I'm not going to use people.

[ Okay, that's not actually true. ]

—Not those from my Units, not without reason. As it stands there's hardly a benefit in trying to make pawns of them, and they wouldn't outweigh the risks of breaking my Unit' trust and unity. That would be short-sighted.

And for the record, I'm not going to be anyone's babysitter. If he doesn't know to eat when he should, that's his problem. Don't you have your own naive but unfortunately charming child to take care of in your team, anyway? Wildfire didn't even know what abilities to prioritize.