june event.

[falsitates]

JUNE 15, 2021

The heatwave has passed and the weather has never been better. The city is full of life once again, and the streets are busy as people return outdoors to enjoy what summer has to offer. Everything appears to have returned back to normal.

For everyone, but you.

The newcomers are given an envelope that is either addressed to their current residence or placed in their belongings. There is no return address, and inside is a New York state government-issued ID. It appears to be authentic. The residents, on the other hand, receive a similar envelope, but with a SIM card. There are no other notes.

Are these your rewards?

  MISSION BOARD

Your phone vibrates.

It doesn't stop until you pick it up and when you do, it's cold. The buttons do nothing as it shuts down, unresponsive to whatever actions that you take. Then, much like last time, white lettering on a black backdrop appears.

WELCOME TO WEEK THREE.
A NEW MODULE HAS BEEN UNLOCKED.
YOU MAY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT.
OR YOU MAY CHOOSE TO USE IT.
AUDENTES FORTUNA IUVAT

A new section has been added to the app. It reads as 'missions'. There are currently three tasks available right now.

  BEGINNINGS OF A FOREST

The barrier continues to grow in size. Vitae's outskirts are gradually, but surely, expanding, and in its new area is a sea of trees. There has never been a forest surrounding the city, yet one is unmistakably forming. It's small, extending outside for less than a quarter-mile, and asides from its sudden appearance, there's nothing unusual about it. Only trees, the barrier, and the nagging feeling that someone is watching you.

Nobody in the city seems to notice. When questioned, they claim that the forest has always been there. In fact, the city was created in the heart of a forest, and it has remained that way since its inception. None of them are aware of the fact that these trees were never there until now.

It's as though the forest has always been there.

  DECISION TIME

By the end of the day, your phone vibrates again. A new message appears.

ALLY?
BETRAY?

One of the two choices must be selected. Otherwise, you won't be able to use your phone.

Make your choice.

Comments

[rightminded]

Are you a gambling man, then?

[ with an air of polite interest. ]

[curriculumachine]

[Mike will never understand why people point out the obvious just to start useless conversations. It makes no sense, but everyone does it. He doesn't answer until all the circles are filled in and he's placed the pencil back in the container.]

Yes.

[That's it.]

1/2

[rightminded]

[rightminded]

You're on Ava, aren't you? Your face seems familiar.

[curriculumachine]

[There's a sudden, surprised choking noise. He hasn't looked at the profiles since that first day, and Akechi wasn't there then. It only occurs to him right now that all his information, none of it particularly important aside, is out there and available to anyone with that app. He feels exposed, perceived; his skin is crawling, heat flashes across his face, he can hear his heart beating in his ears.]

Y-yes...

[He wants to go home now... but he can't move, and can't breathe, he can only stare at the dingy linoleum tiles and think about how far away the door is.]

[rightminded]

[ Akechi is regretting everything right now.

Gently, carefully, not getting too close: ]

Are you alright? Do you need some air?

[curriculumachine]

[There's several wheezing breaths before Mike answers, eyes still on the floor.]

I'm... fine.

[He is not, but whatever. Concern is just more attention, and he'll push it away as much as he can. The app has made his life harder, required socialising beyond what he feels capable of at times, and he'll have to do something with this guy at some point so he might as well get as much awkward conversation out of the way as soon as possible. The words are forced and distant, like he's not sure if they're actually being spoken or just in his head.]

I'm fine... Did... you just get here?

[That's a normal question. Success.]

[rightminded]

[ note to self pick a target with less social anxiety less time?

anyway ]

I ... did, yes. Only a few hours ago. It's my understanding that as a new arrival I'll need to find housing and work, so I thought to check here.

[curriculumachine]

[If Mike were indeed more social, he would offer his van as a place to sleep. He does have extra space, but... No.]

Check the mall. They're... always hiring.

[rightminded]

Is that so? Then I appreciate your help. Goro Akechi. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance...?

[ he said his face was familiar; no need to say he already knows his full name. ]

[curriculumachine]

Okay.

[After he says it, he realises it's not an appropriate response, there was nothing to really agree to.]

It's... nice to meet you... Goro.

[The words sound weird to him, and before this app situation, he'd spent years talking only to a very small number of people; new meetings were rare, and he's not used to them yet. How many more people will show up out of nowhere? He needs more practise.]

[rightminded]

Might I ask what you prefer to be called? I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable...

[ still trying to be careful, but he feels fairly off his guard here anyway. what an awkward person. ]

[curriculumachine]

[Is it obvious? Fuck. He's now perhaps making it worse by trying to appear less uncomfortable and just kind of shifting his weight awkwardly instead, internally squirming.]

... Mike.

[He should a ask a question, engage in the give and take of conversations, but he doesn't. For a second, it looks like he's going to say something else, but no. This is it.]