Three or four groups so far, from what I've heard. [ ...he may as well be honest since it's likely to come up anyway. ] Alex and I were together before we came here, but everyone else we were with didn't show up. Haven't figured out why, and honestly? I'm not sure it matters.
But maybe you're onto something. Personal experiences that overlap somewhere.
[ someone please help setsu and their lonely hearts club. ]
Of course she did. [ he doesn't sound too fazed that alex mentioned him already, considering. ] We split up earlier today. I've been trying to read through the profiles but there's a lot of information to tackle. Plus we don't know if all of it's true either. Who wrote these things about us? How'd they find out?
[ they're fine!!! they don't need the help. they're good! 100%. ]
I didn't really ask who she meant if that means anything. [ maybe? ] Hmm... I've been taking in the information as well. Some of it is... really questionable. But as you say, we don't know if everything listed is true.
It might not be entirely wrong either though. If we're meant to form teams, it's at the very least something to start with. [ probably encourages some conversation too. like "it lists you crying about ten times." ] ...The "how" does make you wonder.
[ it's a bit... frustrating. they sigh a little, shaking their head. ]
[ I HAVE SEEN THE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU PLAY AND I DON'T BELIEVE YOU. ]
Wouldn't have mattered. Pretty sure people would find out eventually. [ he does not mind if alex does or does not mention him by name. ] A lot of it is stuff you can't really ask people either if it is or isn't true without it being way too personal for a first meeting.
Sure, it's an icebreaker or whatever so you can know what your potential teammates are like, but if there's stuff that isn't listed that you'll miss...[ could be rough. ]
Hmmm, I don't think most of them are really that invasive. [ skimming the profiles again... blinking at a few of them. ] ...Rather, some of them aren't. And others I think I would rather not know if it's true or not.
[ there are some questionable things girl help. ]
My own? [ they glance at their own as if to refresh their memory. before they're scrolling a bit to look at a certain someone's ] I wouldn't say any of it is wrong. It tells enough. What about yours?
One of them literally lists "suppressing homicidal tendencies." [ very funny. ] Some of them look harmless, but that's even more reason to take another look.
[ likewise, he's taking out his phone to look at his profile again for a bit even if he's scrolling back down to theirs. ]
Not sure how I feel about being labeled as awkward, but sure. True enough. [ he says, as an awkward person. there's a pause though and he's just...looking at their profile again. ]
I wonder if they're infected... [ ???? ok ] That's true. You cannot really judge them entirely for what's written down. Even the most innocent looking can actually be the most manipulative.
[ a quiet sigh. just speaking from experience and all. but, they learn to trust their intuition and Jonas at least does not seem like an entirely bad person. they can't trust it completely- but it's a gut feeling. ]
Something like "awkward" can be a bit hard to accept about one's self. [ it's said with a bit of a smile, though the context of looping has their expression falling to neutral. ....hm. ]
It's... a bit complicated to explain. [ ... ] Have you ever considered the idea of reliving the same day? Multiple times.
[ the look he gives them also kind of goes "okay???" because like "infected by what, rage?" but he does not ask. that's not important at this very moment. ]
Exactly. It'd be nice to believe we can take everyone at face value, but when the game's already been framed as a competition...that's harder.
[ he is immediately dropping the topic of being awkward because he knows, he just does not want to admit it at the moment, and because. uh. well. they are talking about looping in terms of repeating stuff and without even realizing it there's suddenly a concerned frown. the thing about it is, it's not a confused frown. it's a frown that says he understands exactly what they're suggesting and he does not like it. ]
Yeah. Maybe not even the same day, but...same events? There's a reason deja vu exists, isn't there? Because of that possibility.
[ well, their thoughts so far are that Jonas certainly already knows how to take care of himself. which Setsu is sure comes from experience. he's not exactly gullible and naive, and when their topic changes they do take note of his expression.
though, their own words still imply they're kinda dancing a bit around what they say. like they're unsure, maybe hesitate to state the truth. ]
That's right. It's not necessarily the same day... it could be longer, or even shorter depending but. Generally, they are the same events. Something new might come up from time to time but the structure is still the same. [ ... ] I've gotten used to that kind of looping.
[ hm...he's not entirely sure what's going on here. he can recognize the way they seem to be holding back, and he himself is holding back a little on some things. guess it comes with the territory of being around new people who may or may not be smart to trust.
but then again, he's the one who asked so he can at least be a little more open about it. ]
Timeloops. [ more of a confirmation than a question. yeah, he understands the concept. ] A repeat of the same events, and nobody around you knows it's a loop, but there are slightly different changes that can fix or make a different outcome of those events. Right? What...I mean...how?
[ it really does have to do with the fact one can't be too sure as to who to fully trust. especially in a situation like this. but there's something to his words that they're drawn to. that they're curious about.
it doesn't sound like he's doubting the concept. he isn't disbelieving it outright, but supporting a bit of what they're saying. maybe that puts them a bit at ease. because before now, there was only one person that could understand, that could relate. it's probably not the same here but ]
...Yes. Timeloops. [ there's a strong look of familiarity at the word. ] It doesn't necessarily tie to the fact if you lose, win, or try to draw it out... it always loops again. Sometimes with different people, different roles.
[ their hand comes to their own pocket, seeming to reach for something in there. but they don't pull it out. ]
Those are the kind of loops I've become accustomed to. My fate is deeply tied to them.
[ he's not the looper. he doesn't know how loops work, barely knows when they happen now, but there's enough familiarity that he can grasp what they're saying.
"fate." just another word that bothers him, but he doesn't say so right at the moment. ]
But then there has to be a way to break the loop, doesn't there? Once you fulfill the right criteria that's causing it in the first place. If you get to an end and it restarts, it just means there's something else that was missed for the whole picture. I think.
[ it's not said suspiciously, or wary, just... curious. bewildered. it wasn't the direction they had expected this conversation to go but. after a moment, they nod. seeming to come to a decision and are prepared for whatever comes after. ]
There is a way to break it, with the right criteria, yes. I know exactly what's needed but it's... a bit harder to execute it. [ finally, they pull their hand out, revealing something in it, encased inside a transparent box. ] It has to do with this, a "Silver Key."
It's complicated. [ he mirrors their words back to him, because it's not really his story to tell. and also he doesn't quite know how to explain everything when he was just in the aftermath and experiencing the residuals. ] I don't know if I'd say "really familiar", but...I get it.
[ not in a "i understand what you're trying to convey" way, but a "i understand what you've gone through, even if it wasn't my experience." but then they bring out the key and he leans forward to get a closer look. ]
Really? Kinda looks like a box to me. [ terrible joke, jonas. but he is examining it closer. ] What's it do?
[ they don't push on it. if he says it's complicated, they will leave it at that, even if they look like they want to know more. they want to ask. after all it's information, they're interested to know.
however, they will leave it at that. turning their attention to the encased key that glimmers in the light that reflects off it. ]
That would be because it's in its dormant state. Normally, it'll be inside me [ their other hand comes to rest over their chest at that mention ] while it's active. But, something about this place seems to have left it inactive.
[ since he's examining it closer, he can get a better look of it from inside its cube. ]
It's a parasite. [ :) ] It affixes onto a host, imprisoning them in loops as it rewinds time and travels through parallel universes. It feeds on its host and consumes information. [ ... ] It's attached to me, and until I fulfill its conditions, it'll remain that way.
[ so dw, it won't suddenly attach to him or anything! ]
[ time will tell, and maybe jonas will, too. for now, he's busy eyeballing the key and listening to what they're saying, well aware that they're both getting off-track of what the initial conversation was about. ]
A few other people I've talked to have said powers they usually have seem to be turned off. Maybe it's something like that.
[ anyway they say it's a parasite and he immediately goes "ah???" and leans back out of reach. no! bad! ]
I've heard of bookworms, but this is a whole other level. [ it...looks pretty harmless is the thing, so that's also wild to him. ] There's no other way to get it to move to another host or anything? It's out now. Maybe it doesn't have to go back when we get out of here.
Powers? [ ... huh. a nod, staring at the silver key in their hand. ] I see... that would explain why it's dormant right now.
[ honestly, they don't blame them for the reaction? they don't laugh at him, but instead, give him a reassuring look. it may be a living organism but it is "vibing" per se. ]
No, the only way it moves on relies solely on the conditions being met. [ so there's no other way outside that. they are stuck with it, yipee. ] Once I return, it'll stay affixed to me. ...Even if I wanted to get rid of it, I can't do it just yet. There's something I still need to do.
They used the word "magic" so that's about all I can figure. Your key probably falls under the same category. [ he's glad the parasite is simply vibing and won't do anything, but he still has concerns. ]
...guess that makes sense. If it were that easy, why would anyone keep it? Does whatever you have to do fall in line with the criteria you have to meet?
It must. ...If it was still active, I likely wouldn't be here right now.
[ it's essentially a free escape.... op... ]
No, they're separate things. The criteria mostly involves gathering specific information for it. Which I'm not really in the state to do so here, especially with it inactive.
[ so they just have to deal with a sneeping parasite. ]
It's piloting you like a spy. [ that. sucks. ] Well...if it's inactive right now then it's probably fine. Just keep it safe until we get out of here. I mean I'm sure you don't need me telling you that, but...you get it.
I will. [ with that, they set it back away into their pocket. looking to him with a small smile after. ] Maybe I don't, but I don't mind. A reminder doesn't hurt.
[ a small pause. ]
Thank you, for listening. It's a lot to take in, I know, but.. [ to have at least one person aware of their position, it.. gives them a bit of comfort. ] ..In any case, there's probably more to see around, but don't let me keep you here if you want to go looking around somewhere else.
[ me giving the opportunity to gently slide this thread to a close as i preorder for monday :creature: ]
We could all use one at some point. [ but...he nods. ] It's okay, it's...not that weird to think about. I don't mind. You're probably right though. I should get back to what I was doing. Figure some stuff out. But maybe I'll see you later?
[ he would not object, but he is being nice and giving them the option while i keep this catchall in a chokehold for more threads. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
But maybe you're onto something. Personal experiences that overlap somewhere.
no subject
Oh, she did mention she arrived with someone else here. [ so it is jonas.. a little tap on their phone before they put it away. ]
It could also have nothing to do with it at all too. If our profiles on the device are to be believed, I haven't really made any connections there.
no subject
Of course she did. [ he doesn't sound too fazed that alex mentioned him already, considering. ] We split up earlier today. I've been trying to read through the profiles but there's a lot of information to tackle. Plus we don't know if all of it's true either. Who wrote these things about us? How'd they find out?
no subject
I didn't really ask who she meant if that means anything. [ maybe? ] Hmm... I've been taking in the information as well. Some of it is... really questionable. But as you say, we don't know if everything listed is true.
It might not be entirely wrong either though. If we're meant to form teams, it's at the very least something to start with. [ probably encourages some conversation too. like "it lists you crying about ten times." ] ...The "how" does make you wonder.
[ it's a bit... frustrating. they sigh a little, shaking their head. ]
no subject
Wouldn't have mattered. Pretty sure people would find out eventually. [ he does not mind if alex does or does not mention him by name. ] A lot of it is stuff you can't really ask people either if it is or isn't true without it being way too personal for a first meeting.
Sure, it's an icebreaker or whatever so you can know what your potential teammates are like, but if there's stuff that isn't listed that you'll miss...[ could be rough. ]
...how much of yours would you say is true?
no subject
Hmmm, I don't think most of them are really that invasive. [ skimming the profiles again... blinking at a few of them. ] ...Rather, some of them aren't. And others I think I would rather not know if it's true or not.
[ there are some questionable things girl help. ]
My own? [ they glance at their own as if to refresh their memory. before they're scrolling a bit to look at a certain someone's ] I wouldn't say any of it is wrong. It tells enough. What about yours?
no subject
One of them literally lists "suppressing homicidal tendencies." [ very funny. ] Some of them look harmless, but that's even more reason to take another look.
[ likewise, he's taking out his phone to look at his profile again for a bit even if he's scrolling back down to theirs. ]
Not sure how I feel about being labeled as awkward, but sure. True enough. [ he says, as an awkward person. there's a pause though and he's just...looking at their profile again. ]
What exactly does looping mean?
no subject
I wonder if they're infected... [ ???? ok ] That's true. You cannot really judge them entirely for what's written down. Even the most innocent looking can actually be the most manipulative.
[ a quiet sigh. just speaking from experience and all. but, they learn to trust their intuition and Jonas at least does not seem like an entirely bad person. they can't trust it completely- but it's a gut feeling. ]
Something like "awkward" can be a bit hard to accept about one's self. [ it's said with a bit of a smile, though the context of looping has their expression falling to neutral. ....hm. ]
It's... a bit complicated to explain. [ ... ] Have you ever considered the idea of reliving the same day? Multiple times.
no subject
Exactly. It'd be nice to believe we can take everyone at face value, but when the game's already been framed as a competition...that's harder.
[ he is immediately dropping the topic of being awkward because he knows, he just does not want to admit it at the moment, and because. uh. well. they are talking about looping in terms of repeating stuff and without even realizing it there's suddenly a concerned frown. the thing about it is, it's not a confused frown. it's a frown that says he understands exactly what they're suggesting and he does not like it. ]
Yeah. Maybe not even the same day, but...same events? There's a reason deja vu exists, isn't there? Because of that possibility.
no subject
though, their own words still imply they're kinda dancing a bit around what they say. like they're unsure, maybe hesitate to state the truth. ]
That's right. It's not necessarily the same day... it could be longer, or even shorter depending but. Generally, they are the same events. Something new might come up from time to time but the structure is still the same. [ ... ] I've gotten used to that kind of looping.
no subject
but then again, he's the one who asked so he can at least be a little more open about it. ]
Timeloops. [ more of a confirmation than a question. yeah, he understands the concept. ] A repeat of the same events, and nobody around you knows it's a loop, but there are slightly different changes that can fix or make a different outcome of those events. Right? What...I mean...how?
no subject
it doesn't sound like he's doubting the concept. he isn't disbelieving it outright, but supporting a bit of what they're saying. maybe that puts them a bit at ease. because before now, there was only one person that could understand, that could relate. it's probably not the same here but ]
...Yes. Timeloops. [ there's a strong look of familiarity at the word. ] It doesn't necessarily tie to the fact if you lose, win, or try to draw it out... it always loops again. Sometimes with different people, different roles.
[ their hand comes to their own pocket, seeming to reach for something in there. but they don't pull it out. ]
Those are the kind of loops I've become accustomed to. My fate is deeply tied to them.
no subject
"fate." just another word that bothers him, but he doesn't say so right at the moment. ]
But then there has to be a way to break the loop, doesn't there? Once you fulfill the right criteria that's causing it in the first place. If you get to an end and it restarts, it just means there's something else that was missed for the whole picture. I think.
no subject
... You sound really familiar with the concept.
[ it's not said suspiciously, or wary, just... curious. bewildered. it wasn't the direction they had expected this conversation to go but. after a moment, they nod. seeming to come to a decision and are prepared for whatever comes after. ]
There is a way to break it, with the right criteria, yes. I know exactly what's needed but it's... a bit harder to execute it. [ finally, they pull their hand out, revealing something in it, encased inside a transparent box. ] It has to do with this, a "Silver Key."
[ which is indeed listed on their profile. ]
no subject
It's complicated. [ he mirrors their words back to him, because it's not really his story to tell. and also he doesn't quite know how to explain everything when he was just in the aftermath and experiencing the residuals. ] I don't know if I'd say "really familiar", but...I get it.
[ not in a "i understand what you're trying to convey" way, but a "i understand what you've gone through, even if it wasn't my experience." but then they bring out the key and he leans forward to get a closer look. ]
Really? Kinda looks like a box to me. [ terrible joke, jonas. but he is examining it closer. ] What's it do?
no subject
however, they will leave it at that. turning their attention to the encased key that glimmers in the light that reflects off it. ]
That would be because it's in its dormant state. Normally, it'll be inside me [ their other hand comes to rest over their chest at that mention ] while it's active. But, something about this place seems to have left it inactive.
[ since he's examining it closer, he can get a better look of it from inside its cube. ]
It's a parasite. [ :) ] It affixes onto a host, imprisoning them in loops as it rewinds time and travels through parallel universes. It feeds on its host and consumes information. [ ... ] It's attached to me, and until I fulfill its conditions, it'll remain that way.
[ so dw, it won't suddenly attach to him or anything! ]
no subject
A few other people I've talked to have said powers they usually have seem to be turned off. Maybe it's something like that.
[ anyway they say it's a parasite and he immediately goes "ah???" and leans back out of reach. no! bad! ]
I've heard of bookworms, but this is a whole other level. [ it...looks pretty harmless is the thing, so that's also wild to him. ] There's no other way to get it to move to another host or anything? It's out now. Maybe it doesn't have to go back when we get out of here.
no subject
[ honestly, they don't blame them for the reaction? they don't laugh at him, but instead, give him a reassuring look. it may be a living organism but it is "vibing" per se. ]
No, the only way it moves on relies solely on the conditions being met. [ so there's no other way outside that. they are stuck with it, yipee. ] Once I return, it'll stay affixed to me. ...Even if I wanted to get rid of it, I can't do it just yet. There's something I still need to do.
[ simply put, they have accepted this fate. ]
no subject
...guess that makes sense. If it were that easy, why would anyone keep it? Does whatever you have to do fall in line with the criteria you have to meet?
no subject
[ it's essentially a free escape.... op... ]
No, they're separate things. The criteria mostly involves gathering specific information for it. Which I'm not really in the state to do so here, especially with it inactive.
[ so they just have to deal with a sneeping parasite. ]
no subject
It's piloting you like a spy. [ that. sucks. ] Well...if it's inactive right now then it's probably fine. Just keep it safe until we get out of here. I mean I'm sure you don't need me telling you that, but...you get it.
no subject
I will. [ with that, they set it back away into their pocket. looking to him with a small smile after. ] Maybe I don't, but I don't mind. A reminder doesn't hurt.
[ a small pause. ]
Thank you, for listening. It's a lot to take in, I know, but.. [ to have at least one person aware of their position, it.. gives them a bit of comfort. ] ..In any case, there's probably more to see around, but don't let me keep you here if you want to go looking around somewhere else.
[ me giving the opportunity to gently slide this thread to a close as i preorder for monday :creature: ]
no subject
We could all use one at some point. [ but...he nods. ] It's okay, it's...not that weird to think about. I don't mind. You're probably right though. I should get back to what I was doing. Figure some stuff out. But maybe I'll see you later?
[ he would not object, but he is being nice and giving them the option while i keep this catchall in a chokehold for more threads. ]