thefoundation | WEEK 5 MINGLE

WEEK 5

They said it was a break week, but two of your number were lost anyway last week. While you're all tired and still recovering, the speakers crackle to life with the voice of The Lady.

"Attention, Guests. The game is back on. Break week is now over. Happy Holidays."

The Staff are still like they were last week - only this time, the orders almost always go wrong, if they even manage to go through - the Staff are vanishing constantly. Meals are also getting affected - they're still perfectly edible, but they're not as delicious as they once were, with seasoning and other things occasionally being off. The Sign warning people to not take knives is still on the kitchen door, but The Chef seems incredibly tired, often resting on a chair in the corner.

The Resort is still furnished with Holiday items - but after Medic's christmas protest, there are more items related to other holidays up, and it's much more balanced - objects and colors of multiple holidays side by side in harmony, with the mistletoe still up for any needed smooching. There are, however, more wriggling...things, and there's even an entire 'tree' made of eldritch tentacles with glowing balls of light on them that wink in an oddly hypnotic fashion.

The weather is still nothing, but the courtyard seems to have switched to a much warmer clime, which while still a little cool is pleasant enough to sit outside in. Finally, the music this week seems... almost ominous...?

On Monday morning, another memory is returned to everyone, one more traumatic this time instead of gentle like the others have been. Yet, you feel as if you know a little more about your time in this world, now. Not everything, but...enough.

Enough to see this game through to the end, at least.

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[Ha... ha. It makes sense, of course, and yet...

He...shifts to bury his face in his hands, elbows on the table.]

... I don't know how.

[Taking care of other people, sure. Taking care of himself? At a time like this?

He just doesn't know how.]

Rely on us, just like we've relied on you.

If you want, we can talk about it later. Since it seems that something is definitely on your mind. I've been known for being a good listener for this sort of thing.

[... He swallows tightly...and nods.]

I'll... try. Right now, I--I can't.

[Even trying to think about it threatens to send him spiraling again.]

But I'll...try.

It's okay if you can't, alright?

[After that message is sent, there's a few invisible headpats.]

I'll wait. And if you really don't want to, you don't have to tell me, or anyone else. I just think that sometimes bottling it all in won't help matters and might make things worse on yourself.

And doing that might not be good in a situation like this.

[A-aw... headpats. Minato will willingly lean into those, sighing as his shoulders slump wearily.]

You're right...

I guess... I'm just trying to process that it could've been real. That... that the memories we saw really--

[...Really happened.]

They might have been real.

But even if they are, it's okay to be scared, Arisato. It's okay to feel weak. People have taught me that it's okay to feel those things, and I want to help you in return for supporting me.

[That's...true. Hasn't he said the same things to her before?

... His breath hitches, but he just swallows tightly.]

... I am scared. I'm...really, really scared. I'm so, so scared that that was real... and if it was real, I don't know what to do.

I honestly can't give you any good advice without the context. And I'm sure as hell am not going to sugarcoat things and say that everything is going to be alright either, because I honestly couldn't be able to tell you that after everything that's happened.

[ After those lines of text, he'll be able to feel a ghostly hand on his shoulder. ]

But what I can tell you is that if you don't know what to do... I'm not going to judge you for that. And I think your closest friends, your allies aren't going to, either.

I believe in your ability to push through this. I've always believed that you guys were really strong. Stronger than I ever was. Am.

You don't have to stop being scared, you know. Fear, I think... is what allows people to grow stronger. I'm scared all the time, so I understand that.

[... Quietly, he drags a shaky breath in--but he finally lifts his chin.]

Yeah... you're right.

[It's okay for him to be scared.]

I...won't let it stop me here. So...

[He drags in...another shaky breath, eyes sliding shut.]

Inaba-san... I'm so, so scared for my family.

[ ... Oh.

It takes a moment but Minato is going to just get a ghostly hug from the side. He deserves it, especially right now, and especially because he's terrified about his family. ]

[Ah.

And quietly, Minato leans into that hug, eyes sliding shut.

For now, this is enough.]

[ He gets pats on the back as he leans into it, not knowing what else to say. What can they say besides what they've already said?

Which is why he's right: this is enough. ]

WEEK 5 MINGLE

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