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

[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?

[mastersdefender]

Hmm, I meant other things. But, it'd be nice if they did provide us lunches from time to time, as long as it's varied.

[ Aqua is not spoiled enough to demand them, but having a different spread would be nice. ]

By the way, I don't think we've met, have we? My name's Aqua.

[scarsnstripes]

Other things? But variety would be nice...

[Atsushi is always, always here for free food. Always.

He offers Aqua a small smile though, at her introduction. She seemed nice!]

Ah, I'm Atsushi! It's nice to meet you, Aqua-san.

[mastersdefender]

As in, the host being ultimately generous in not just providing us meals.

[ She'll nod at his name. At least they're getting off to a nice start. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you too. Oh and I'm also of a C-Class rank. Mind if you tell me which one is yours?

[scarsnstripes]

That would be nice...

[Said a little wistfully. He's not sure how likely it is, but...]

Oh! I'm D-class... I'm fairly new, I guess.

[mastersdefender]

We all have to start somewhere.

[ Not very likely, but she hopes nonetheless. ]

By the way, if you ever feel like you might need help with anything, feel free to seek me out. We're all together in the same situation, after all.

[scarsnstripes]

Ah...

[He seems surprised by that. Even if she outranks him, she seems nice. A small smile comes to his lips.]

I'll keep that in mind, thank you!

[mastersdefender]

It's no problem. Being new to the Foundation can be rather...rough, with the way things are.

[ Aqua easily remembers her beginning and boy, it wasn't a fun time. ]

[scarsnstripes]

[Ha...hahahah...hahahaha.

Boy, was Atsushi's start at the Foundation rough.]

...R-right. Rough is a word for it, I suppose.

[There's something in his tone that makes it sound like there's another, harsher word he'd like to use, something in the way his expression tightens and grip on his plate grows tighter still that says his experience might have been too much for him.]

I-I... it was nice meeting you, Aqua-san, but I think I need to go check on something.

[He moves to stand. Sorry, he doesn't want to talk about this.]

[mastersdefender]

[ Oh.

There's a small pause as she notices the change drastically. She would ask, but prying at this stage be impolite, and unfortunately she can't think of anything to say to comfort him. ]

...If it's something I said, I'm sorry. [ ... ] I just hope you have a good rest of your day.

[ She'll inwardly struggle whether to check up on him later or not, though. ]