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

Koi pond

[tsunotarou]

[Malleus likes to take walks on the park sometimes, specially when there's no school, or violin lessons, or anything else really. He has some fish food he wants to feed to the koi, so he walks with a destination in mind.

When he reaches the pond, he opens the bag of food and crouches next to the pond.]

I've brought your dinner, fishies.

[He spreads some of the food and watches as the fish get closer to eat.

Malleus is content feeding the fish, but something catches his attention. He raises an eyebrow, and stands up straight, walking over to the other side of the pond. Yup, there's someone there.]

Hi... Would you like to feed the fish?

[curriculumachine]

[There's a tiny distressed noised when Malleus speaks; Mike had been completely zoning out looking at the fish, and never saw him coming.]

I...

[If he says yes, is he agreeing to just feeding the fish, or to a conversation...]

... Okay.

[It's said rather cautiously, and regretted instantly. He won't return to the park for another two months.]

[tsunotarou]

[He hands the guy some of the fish feed and then just sits next to him. He doesn't know if the guy knows how to feed fish, so he demonstrates by sprinkling a little on the water and waiting for the fish to come get it.

He smiles at the little ones trying to swim faster, but the big ones get there first. He puts a bit of food on the path of the small fish and waits.

Malleus doesn't really want to talk, so he will quietly sit there for a while.]

[curriculumachine]

[Mike just stares at the fish food in his hand for a moment, completely ignoring Malleus's unnecessary demonstration. There doesn't seem to be anything else forthcoming, which he appreciates, despite this strange meeting. Eventually, he realises he should do something with the fish food he's been holding awkwardly for who knows how many minutes. It just gets tossed into the pond with no flair or finesse, half of it landing in the grass. Whatever.]

[tsunotarou]

[What a weird guy.

Malleus is glad the fish are eating but this guy....

He sighs, and shakes his head, but doesn't say anything, finishing up the food in his hands before leaning back on the grass.]