Round 4 intro post

[foundationmods]

The last checks have been made. The support staff is pulling back to site 4 proper. Everyone not staying on-site at the containment area is saying their goodbyes and their 'see you soon's. It's all supposed to be business as usual, after all. Nothing really bad ever happens during this containment procedure, so everything should be alright. But despite that knowledge, there is a sense of anxiety in the air. Nobody expects anything bad to happen, but after the last year of chaos even a safe SCP like this has become 'I'll breathe more easily when it's over.'

Gabe is there too, giving his final instructions to everyone staying at the house. He looks almost bored with the proceedings, and he keeps looking back to his clipboard to make sure he has covered everything. One last run-through of how the 'game' will work, one last reminder of where to meet the retrieval team once someone has been eliminated from the game, one last warning to stay on-site until you have been eliminated. "We can't contact any of you directly during the game," he says at the end, "But we'll be watching. It should be smooth sailing, barring a bit of personal drama here and there, but all of us back at the main site will be watching carefully. If something goes wrong, we'll extract you guys."

At the very least, those familiar with Gabe will be able to tell he means what he says. So maybe his words can be reassuring?

Once everyone has left and the 24 contestants are left to their own devices, they will find a note in the living room:

Welcome!

Meet me in the studio at 2 pm. Until then, say your hellos and get to know each other.

- The Host

It looks like everyone has some time to get acquainted with each other. Some finger foods (fruit and veggie trays, sandwiches, cans of soda) have been left in the kitchen for people to have for lunch.

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((Welcome to SCP Round 4: Friend or Foe? This first part is for mingling. Part 2 will go up at 2 pm EST.

If you haven't done so already, go here and do the mass-adding for private conversation posts.))

Comments

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi had gravitated towards the spread in the kitchen pretty easily, figuring it would be best to eat up now rather than later. He's got a plate piled high with food, dressed simply in a thin grey hoodie as he makes himself comfortable in the living room on a bean bag.]

At least we have snacks?

[A bright side, maybe.]

[dereban]

[ spots him

internal screaming and she even sees her eyes widen for a second before smiling. This is Fine. ]

Yeah. . . At least there's that.

[ Ahaha.

She's trying so hard to act casual though. ]

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi tilts his head at her slightly, just the barest hint of confusion. What was with that face....? Or were his eyes playing tricks on him?]

The sandwiches are pretty good, actually. So we might as well, right?

[Free food! Also he is not dealing with whatever today throws at them on an empty stomach.]

Um... I don't think we've been introduced...?

[dereban]

[ Now the real question here is this: does she pretend she knows nothing or does she— ]

Makes you wonder who made them, huh. I'm Inaba, by the way. I already know your name, so there's no need for any proper introductions, Nakajima.

[ Let's go with that for now. Knowing more than she should but still keeping her emotions buried down beneath the surface. ]

[scarsnstripes]

Eh...?

[...Oh. Now he's the one feeling a little off kilter, at that. he supposes she might have heard his name secondhand given their job here, but...]

Oh... well... um. It's nice to meet you, Inaba-chan. Though feel free to call me 'Atsushi'.

[dereban]

Aah, same here. . .

[ She admits, feeling admittedly sheepish as her smile relaxes a bit. Although there's still an awkwardness to it. ]

You're really okay with that, though?

[mastersdefender]

...You seem pretty enthusiastic about that.

[ She doesn't sound particularly bothered, if anything kind of a little amused? That sure is a tall stack of food. It helps ease a little of the tension she feels, at any rate. ]

[scarsnstripes]

Ahaha... Well, we didn't have to cook ourselves breakfast. That's nice, isn't it?

[Also, he just liked free food. Free snacks. He's terribly simple in some ways. He offers Aqua a small, friendly smile for her amusement.]

[mastersdefender]

[ Aqua begins to place a few pieces of food herself (fruit and sandwiches) on a plate. She's not above helping herself to something that's free, after all. ]

It is rather nice. I suppose our host decided feeling a little generous; I think I'd prefer if things keep going in that direction.

[scarsnstripes]

You don't suppose they'll keep providing us lunches like these? I'd like that, too.

[Though he supposes the same spread every day might get dull...]

Or do you mean other things?

[merirut]

[Still sipping coffee in the corner like a wallflower douchebag.]

If you trust what they're serving you, anyway.

[Truly the ray of sunshine Atsushi needs right now.]

[scarsnstripes]

[Oh thanks Sandalphon, just what he needed. Something to be anxious about.]

W-Well, it doesn't taste off, at least.

[Or smell off. He might have sniffed it earlier with the tiger's sense of smell, but he hadn't really expected... well.]

[merirut]

[You're welcome, he'll be here all week.]

It doesn't need to. [Dryly:] But I'm glad to know that we'll have a taste-taster during our stay.

[scarsnstripes]

[Why this.]

Good thing I heal fast.

[Said in a deadpan manner. What was this guy's problem?]

I really don't see why they'd set out food just to poison us though. There would have been lots of other ways to kill us, if so.

[shortstacked]

Yeah, that's something at least. [he had a pretty full plate in his hands too as he settles down to start eating] The food is pretty good too.

[scarsnstripes]

It is! Free meals are the best.

[It sounds more like he's happy he doesn't have to spend his paycheck on this....? Really, Atsushi.]

[shortstacked]

Yeah, that's definitely the best part. [he just take a bit of his sandwich before he continues] It almost makes up for having to wait a couple more hours before whoever this host is to show up.

[it's fine. he is in total agreement with him on this free food is always a good thing especially when you don't have to pay for it]

[eldritcheyes]

[Yeah, guess who else is always hungry? Leo grabs a couple of sandwiches, some fruit, and a soda before flopping down on a bean bag near Atsushi.]

Food's always a good thing. Hope we can get some good burgers later, though. The ones in the Foundation cafeteria are kinda dry sometimes.

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi offers a friendly smile Leo's way, nodding enthusiastically.]

Ah... I wouldn't call myself picky or anything, but the cafeteria food definitely isn't always the greatest, you're right. Someone must have ordered out special or made it themselves, this time.

Oh, I did see a grill out back earlier! Maybe we will?

[eldritcheyes]

Seriously? Yes, that's awesome! I mean, I'm not a great cook or anything but I still know how to make burgers and hot dogs and stuff on the grill!

[He looks seriously pumped now. Ah, the simple pleasures in life.]

Hopefully this is just like a vacation, we all really need it. Like... like an extended house party! Maybe a little less rowdy though, huh?

[scarsnstripes]

I've never really used a grill myself, so I'm little blind when it comes to that sort of thing... but it could be fun!

[He smiles a bit, enjoying the other's enthusiasm.]

Ahaha... I hope we get that, really. A vacation.

[He hopes, but he's not so sure they'll get that...]

[arraignments]

[ That gets a small smile as he nods. ]

I can't deny that is an upside... [ this sure is a pile of food he's forming ] People do better when they have an excuse to pause during conversations without seeming especially awkward.

[ There's a faint widening of his smile as he adds that last part. ]

[scarsnstripes]

Oh! That's true, too.

[Honestly he was mostly referring to the fact the food is free, but he was That Guy who even liked the cafeteria food since it didn't cost them anything.

He smiles a little at the pile of food forming on Goro's plate.]

I was mostly referring to the free lunch, though. It's nice, having decent food for free.

[arraignments]

[ A soft 'heh' slips out as he nods, smile lingering, though his expression softens and dims a little. It's brief before he offers a somewhat brighter smile. ]

Free meals are pretty wonderful, I'll admit... [ stalling by taking a bite of a sandwich ] I certainly would have appreciated more of these, back then.

[ Rent In Japan Is Hell.

After a brief pause. ]

My name's Goro Akechi, by the way.

[scarsnstripes]

[Rent Is Hell, and also, food bills. And anything bills.

...Honestly, Atsushi eats way too much for his paycheck to begin with.]

Same here, honestly. I never had to budget before I left the orphanage and joined the agency, it's still harder than it looks.

[Rather: He was overcautious with money, to a slight extreme.]

Ah, I'm Atsushi! Atsushi Nakajima. It's nice to meet you.