[ 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 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?

[everwalking]

No, it's -- indoor plumbing.

[emends]

[ Lucina can't help but look slightly deflated to get such a mundane answer. Not that she's unappreciative of his willingness to explain. ]

And this is common for the time you're from, as well?

[everwalking]

Yes, it is. I take it you don't have that... [so she's from -- before him. he was privately wondering]

[emends]

We have pumps for our water sources, but they require manual operation and are rarely found indoors like this.

[ She reaches over and turns the opposite knob, the one with the red H labeling it, and then sticks her fingers under the water. Her recoil is just as quick, a small hiss between her teeth. ]

[everwalking]

Ah, that's-- [not in time] ...hot...

Are you burned? [he reaches out to turn on the cool faucet, and tests the water himself to make sure it's cold before suggesting] Run it under this, it'll help.