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

[silvertongueheir]

[Gerard lets out a gleeful squawk when he sees Franciscus, and Franciscus lets out a cry of happiness in return, wrapping his arms around the Archeops and stroking his feathers.]

Gerard, I'm so glad to see you! It must have been hard, right, being all alone and not knowing what happened...but I bet Osomatsu's been taking good care of you, right? It's okay, Dad's here.

[Gerard nudges Franciscus, now letting out a chirp of confusion. Franciscus smiles sadly.]

...yeah. I'm...not a hundred percent back yet. You can tell, hm?

[relieable]

[SAD.

Osomatsu watches this display, then peeks out the window again. things are getting more escalated]

We should... probably go out there.

[silvertongueheir]

Indeed. [Franciscus gives Gerard one last head-scratch before opening the door again and peering out.] If I had known what was going on here, I'd have tried to convince Zelda to come along...perhaps the sight of her would have done something for Link.

[relieable]

It's not like you knew.

[Gerard goes back in the pokeball, for his own safety]

...If we don't get the chance to see each other again, I want you to know...

[he turns his head to look at Franciscus dead in the eyes]

You've made me incredibly happy, just from getting to know you.

[silvertongueheir]

[Ah...that gets a warm smile to spread across Franciscus' face, just from hearing those words. He looks right back, eyes glowing with gentle affection.]

I feel the same. I've been blessed, to have your friendship and love.

[relieable]

[HMMMMM.... Osomatsu doesn't want to cry again, but he looks like he is pretty close, his body warming up. he nods, and then he's opening the door to step out into the unfolding chaos]