[ Opening Mingle ]

[randomly_modding]

[Everyone will wake up suddenly, as if having drifted off -- while sitting upright in an uncomfortable office chair. In one hand they're holding the communicator, and in their lap is propped a clipboard with a job application (standard, looking something like this; it requests up to ten years of job history, ) and a pen. The waiting room is also fairly standard, except for being empty.]

[The communicator's lock screen reads, Complete the job application. Time limit, twenty-four hours.]

[There are magazines, fake plants, and computers. There's a staff lounge with food -- tupperware that might have belonged to some of these nonexistent workers, popcorn and cocoa packets, vending machines -- and restrooms. There are exits, but characters will be unable to use them... or make their own, or escape in any way.]

[So the characters are stuck here, until tomorrow morning. Set up a comment telling everyone what your character is doing, and thinking, whether they're obeying the task or not, at any time during the day. Then tag other people! Be sure to check back later in the week, when people are encouraged make threads for the evening as well as the day! Characters that have been claimed are also welcome at this point to join the community, and will be able to make their own posts, which can be tagged by anyone taking part in the event.]

Comments

[emends]

[ Lucina gives Allen a quick glance before politely ignoring his gluttony.

Instead, she focuses on pulling out the electrical cord from the wall socket to investigate it. In the process, she gets a mild electrical shock and swears somewhat loudly— ] Naga!

[everwalking]

[did she say "naga"? he pauses with his arms piled high with food] I beg your pardon?

[emends]

[ She shakes out her shocked hand, giving Allen a longer look than she had previous. ]

My apologies for the disturbance, sir. I had a mishap with the... instrument. [ WHAT ARE THESE THINGS ] Please, return to breaking your fast.

[everwalking]

Oh, it can wait. If you've just hurt yourself, it can more than wait. [stepping closer, and glancing at the machine, and her hands]

Did you need something? Perhaps I can help.

[emends]

[ She's never been shocked by a wayward electrical current before. :( ]

I was trying to determine what this instrument's function is. I believe I may have caused it some irreparable damage.

[everwalking]

I find it's often best to stay far away from machines I don't understand. In my experience they are usually harmful. [helps] [to be fair, this is very true in his experience

But I wouldn't worry about it, miss. I'm sure if it's important, there'll be a way to fix it. [head tilting at it. yeah, he's got nothing]

[emends]

[ Machines? Like waterwheels or trebuchets? Lucina leans back, eyeing it a bit more warily. It may be a Plegian invention, designed for torture. It wouldn't surprise her. ]

I should leave a note so no one else tries to use it until it's repaired. [ Like an honourable princess would. ]

[everwalking]

That's a wonderful idea. Here-- [he reaches for his clipboard and tears a rectangular strip off the bottom of his application. warning, job applicants: do not try this for any application you want to be considered seriously. he hands her the paper and pen] Let's use this.

[emends]

[ Lucina smiles, taking the strip of paper from him. ]

You have my gratitude. [ It's a good thing her old age Ylissean script is translatable by whatever magic also allows them to speak, and she pens a tidy note. ]

You may need to request another copy of your examination. Or -- would you prefer I do so? It is the least I can do since you helped me out.

[everwalking]

I'm not terribly worried. All the important parts that I filled in are still on the paper, and that's what matters, isn't it? [he flips the page, checking. yeah, should be good. there was enough blank space at the bottom for it]

I guess I'm just relieved I'm not the only one here who doesn't seem to have an innate understanding of all the devices around us. [somewhat sheepish]

[emends]

It is all a little extreme, [ she admits. She's figured out what the purpose of the fridge is, at least, even if she has no idea how it works. The microwave on the other hand? Completely alien to her. Lucina gives it a quick look, almost frowning. ]

Other people I've spoken to have made it seem that we are very far in the future.

[everwalking]

I have the same feeling. [a faint smile at her] I'm looking forward to waking up and saying to myself, "What a bizarre dream!"

But since that doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon...

[emends]

[ She plucks up her communicator from where she left it sitting, and holds it up to show him. ]

This, too, is an oddity. Do you know what it's supposed to be?

[everwalking]

It's some sort of -- communication device. [he takes hers, having left his on the table as well; he turns it over in his gloved hands and sort of nudges the buttons gently to see what they do] It has instructions on it when you start it up, but I'm certain there must be more it can do... [he gets the lock screen to disappear. oh! pause]

[emends]

[ Lucina watches what he's doing rather intently. ]

You got it to change, [ she notes. ]

[everwalking]

It does seem that way, doesn't it? But I'm not entirely sure how I did, or... how to make it go back. [ehe. but there's a bunch of new button-shaped images on this screen... he taps one tentatively to see what it does]

[emends]

[ A song starts to play as tiny grey men surge over the screen, happily running amok. Lucina squints at the screen image's title.

There's only one thing she can say. ]

I don't understand.

[everwalking]

[...] I -- must have done something wrong. [very wrong]

Although zombies are terrible. [let's see if he can get out of there... ah! with a few more reckless button pokes he has made it stop making noise]

[emends]

Was that necessary for communicating?

[ The plant vs. zombie battle, she means. Lucina can't help but look sufficiently relieved when he closes out of it. ]

[everwalking]

It didn't seem like it. And -- I also hope not. [he peers at the device a little bit longer, and then says, puzzled] This one says "Stream". What do you think that could mean?

[emends]

Perhaps it tells you where the nearest body of water is.

[ Some of the battlemages she had in her coterie had been able to do that. Maybe this device was of the same sort of magic.

In fact, Lucina sure that's what it does! And will now commence being proud of herself. ]

[everwalking]

Well, that would be handy to know. [whenever you want to make an accidental network post, that is] Of course, there's running water right here in the kitchen, so that's of no matter right now.

[emends]

[ Accidental network posts are the best. ]

A well of some sort, you mean? [ Looking for it, looking for it... ]

[everwalking]

[a blink, and then he smiles at her] No, the sink. That's what this tap is for. [he reaches out to the faucet and turns one of the knobs to demonstrate how it causes water to flow]

[emends]

[ ZOMGWTFBBQ ]

Is it magic?