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

[hippocarnival]

I'm just retrieving something lost. [Intentionally thrown and littering the pond is almost certainly a penalty, he's doing a favor.

He's pretty sure he saw where Mike tossed it, anyway. He pulls off his shoes and socks and leans over the very edge of the pond to try and see it first.]

[curriculumachine]

[Mike's not going to protest, but also not going to help; standing there awkwardly while trying not to look involved with this, though he's the one who threw the phone.

The water is murky after a couple inches, a cloudy mix of mud and fish excrement, slimy reeds, maybe a frog or two, and the koi, seemingly attracted to the spot where the phone landed.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya crouches, hands on his knees as he continues staring a the pond for a long minute.]

... I can't see where you threw it.

[curriculumachine]

It's fine. Just leave it.

[About seven feet out, the koi begin swimming in circles.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya looks over his shoulder.] Are you sure? You need it, don't you?

[curriculumachine]

[There's a moment of indecision. 'Need' is a strong word, and the phone isn't essential.]

I can find something cheap at the pawn shop.

[Is there a pawn shop? Or is he going to shop for unnecessary replacement phones from sketchy people selling shit off their trucks in shady parking lots?]

[hippocarnival]

Okay. [Yuya also doesn't look sure, but he can't quite tell where Mike threw his phone that far, so it might just have to be one with the fishes.] I... guess if I see you around the teahouse I can tell you if anything happens?

[curriculumachine]

[The tips of his ears turn red with shame, but he will be back to the teahouse.]

Yes... I'll.... stop by to look for raccoons.

[Like he's doing Yuya a pest control favour and not picking through his trash.]

[hippocarnival]

[They both know that's not why he stops by. But Yuya plays along with it. Genuinely.] Thanks, that's a huge favor! They really make a mess sometimes.