WEE͠K ̸́4͝

[strangerpeople]

W҉͘E͜͠͝E̕K̡̛͡ ̡͟4̸

[The blight is all-consuming.

Within days dozens are confirmed infected, and you and your unexpected new scientist friend find yourselves trying to work on a cure. If not a cure, a stopgap of some kind. Anything to prevent this thing from destroying everything. It's hard work. It's not going very well. Really, it feels like with every step forward, you're taking ten steps back. Discouraging is an understatement, to say the least.

A week passes, and the death toll rises. It's really starting to look bleak. You constantly second-guess yourself, and even get into a fistfight with your new ally one night. It's getting to the point where you are working on fumes.

Then, unexpectedly, you get a phone call. It's been a long night, and the sun is beginning to rise above the mountains, when it happens.

You and the scientist are not the only ones looking for a cure. In fact, there are at least a dozen others-and they think they may be close to a breakthrough.

But-and you can't believe you're hearing this, after all of the failure you'd experienced throughout this blight-they need your help.]


---


[To say that the end of last week sucked would be an understatement. To say that no one knows what this week will bring is not even in question. Yet even as you wake, you feel a cloud lift from your mind, as one of the truths you've been living with since the beginning has suddenly changed.]




[But is it possible to abide by this new truth? The Hosts, and IT beyond, seem intent on making that impossible. And the rat...well. Obviously the rat's not an ally. Let's not kid ourselves.

There's only one way to find out if more deaths can truly be prevented-and that's to keep going, and hoping that the new floor that has opened up will offer something in the way of an opportunity.

In the meantime.


There are 11 strangers left in this place.]

Comments

[illusionarymelody]

[Good to at least see he seems to be doing as well as he could be. Definitely better than after the last trial.

She's going to unfold the map and show it to him.]

I received this from the vending machine and you were the first one who came to mind for who it could belong to.

[incendiarize]

Hm? [It doesn't take more than a glance to identify.] Oh yeah! That's my guild's map of the Labyrinth! You can tell the chunks I did by the doodles.

[illusionarymelody]

I thought so! I remember you explaining about your explorations and the doodles just felt like they had to be yours. Obviously I'm not going to keep something as priceless as this from you. [She'll hand it to him.]

[incendiarize]

Maps are a huge lifesaver in the Labyrinth, totally indispensable! The Radha don't even let you go in without proving you can make one!

[He takes it, smiling as he looks over the well-worn parchment. Simon's detailed notes, Raquna's quick-and-dirty mapping, Ricky's precise lines, Rune's careful markings...they'd all taken turns.]

[illusionarymelody]

I can imagine! They are even in places more explored since they allow you to share your knowledge and experiences with those who go later. A good memory can only remember so much, writing down good notes ensures your knowledge can also be passed down to others.

[incendiarize]

The only thing that'll save your hide faster than a good map is an Ariadne Thread!

And yeah, that's like, the Library's whole thing - collecting and keeping knowledge. Well, that and raising orphans.

[illusionarymelody]

Your Library sounds a lot like my and Emma's grandmother. She's taken in many orphan witches in her time. She gave us a home in her manor and trained us in magic. Our village also has the most knowledge about magic written down, plus there is the oral traditions the witches themselves will pass to their children.

[incendiarize]

I, uh....think I've seen her. She looked kind of young to be a granny.

The Midgard Library is big enough to be a small country, or at least operate like a city-state. Simon took us there after we left what was left of Gotham.

[illusionarymelody]

Oh? Quite the shame, that could have been a fun way for Emma to tease you. Yes, she does look very young for her age. Last I saw her she looked younger than you. I had some fun teasing Jonathan by not warning him before he first met her.

But Emma, probably would have warned you first. [Because Vita knows very well Emma is the only responsible adult in the family and Vita takes after Roselia far too much in personality.]