15strangers | (no subject)

W̡͜E̶EK ̵̕2̕͠

[The blight would not stop.

The world's leading experts have been trying to find a cure, to no avail. Th blight keeps changing, keeps foiling all attempts at being fully understood. It's almost sentient, or at least more sentient than any disease that's been encountered before. People fear the disease jumping from what's left of the grapes into other plants, into animals, or even humans.

You can only watch as entire economies and ecosystems collapse. You can only bury your head in your hands as your own business comes to its end. The destruction of the clusters of grapes has not simply destroyed the wine industry, either-other businesses are being destroyed by the plague. Food, transport, retail, nothing is untouched.

You look on your own vineyard, its yield almost entirely blackened and dead.

This can't keep going on.

-

A week has passed since everyone's arrival. No one has died, yet. But surely no one is holding their breath to see if they would survive this unscathed. They are veterans of the game, and they must know that whoever it is that is in charge demands their pound of flesh. The question is when it will happen.

It is the second week, after all-and when the second week of the game comes, death is not far behind. Not even when you wake up, feeling something different in your mind as you remember the truths you originally woke up with, deep in your mind. You feel...lighter, somehow, when you realize there is a change.

Even so, there are 15 strangers left in this place.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hiyori shrugs, lightly, trying not to push into his space anymore.]

Well, I was. I guess that's why I do.

[hm... HMMMMMMM.

he sighs. things are getting too Real over here]

I see. Well, I am glad you're... happy.

And everyone I cared about is long dead or equally unhappy. There was no space in that world for me anymore.

It's better here.

[now he seems to be getting a fuller picture. and, you know what? there is some truth to what they are saying. at the same time, Osomatsu is not completely sold yet. he's glad they could talk about this, but he doesn't trust the Hosts entirely. not yet. he doesn't exactly trust anyone yet...]

Well, if it's better for you, then, that's fine. You should always take care of yourself and make sure you're happy. Self-care is very important!

[He seems a little thrown by the term for a moment, blinking rhythmically, before he recovers.]

I also want to make everyone else feel happy. For once, I am at peace and I want everyone else to feel that, too.

[ah. Osomatsu nods. of course Link wants to share his happiness. he would, too...]

I just think kidnapping people is the wrong way to go about it, though.

We're not kidnapping you. We're saving you and making you comfortable.

[um]

Saving us... from our old lives?

Of course. Were you really happy there?

[NO. he wasn't! this is hitting too close to home.

he doesn't answer, but his expression tightens]

I wasn't happy in my old world. Perhaps less war than poor Link experienced, but it was like a planet without the right amount of oxygen.

[Just adding some color and detail during the lull, not even aimed too directly at Osomatsu. This just came from his soul.]

[now he's a bit confused. he crosses his arms, looking down at the table]

Did you feel like you didn't belong?

Yeah...

[Hiyori stares into the distance.]

There was... Some way I used to always describe it, but now that I've had so much help to not dwell on that loneliness, I can't actually remember what it was. So! Sorry if I sounded strange, haha.

[he shakes his head, then slowly gets to his feet]

No, it's... it's fine! I'm glad you took the time to tell me how you felt. Thanks.

Oh, I'm glad! It did take a bit of time, though, didn't it? [To both the others] Shall we at last consume the actual pills and take our leave, then?