july event.

[falsitates]

JULY 4 ~ 15, 2021

July starts off busy.

With Independence Day approaching, city residents have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming Sunday celebrations. Vitae has always been enthusiastic about the Fourth of July and has made it a city-wide celebration every year. Although it's warned that another heatwave will sweep through the city for the first two weeks of July, everyone still works hard to ensure that they have another memorial holiday.

It's time to unwind.

  MISSION BOARD

Bzzz. Bzzz.

It's your phone. It feels like a brick of ice when you pick it up, providing welcome relief from the heat. It shuts down completely, as usual, until new white words on a black background appear.

NEW MISSIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.
SOLAMEN MISERIS SOCIOS HABUISSE DOLORIS

True to its message, three new tasks appear under the missions module.

  FOURTH OF JULY

Despite the oppressive heat, it almost seems like everyone has gone out for the day. Many people hold barbeques or picnics in their backyards or parks, while others bars and restaurants offer day-long specials, such as free drinks or sides with meals. For those without cash or a barbeque of their own, the church provides free burgers and hotdogs to anyone who stops by their parking lot. Juice and pop are given as drinks, but occasionally, when no one is looking, the volunteer pulls out a bottle of beer from the very bottom of the ice-filled cooler. She gives a wink and puts her finger to her lips. Shhhh.


The beach also has its own free barbeque, though there is no hidden surprise of alcohol to be found. Only food and-- wait, a beach?

It first appeared in the early hours of the morning. A section of the forest has vanished at the city's very edge on the south side. In its place. a large beach is found. Although the waters stretch out as far as the eye can see, Vitae has always been a landlocked city. Where did it come from? Residents claim it's always been there, that the city built an urban beach years ago, before quickly changing the subject. It's Independence Day, man! What does it matter? Let's just have a good time!

Although packed, the beach provides enough room for everyone to find a spot and relax. The water is nice and cool and flocked with screaming kids as they splash each other. Apart from the beach's incredibly strange appearance and the concerning questions it raises, everything appears to be at peace.

Later that night, elaborate fireworks are launched in front of the city hall. Many people also light their own and with a fireworks vendor at every corner, there appears to be no end in sight. The sounds of explosions reverberate throughout the entire night and many people stay up to continue partying, celebrating as if this is the city's final Fourth of July.

  DECISION TIME

The following two weeks are quiet, everyone using up all of their energy for the Fourth of July. The city returns to normal and users of the app are left in peace.

Until the 15th.

YOU HAVE SELECTED [ALLY/BETRAY].
CHOOSE A USER.

A list appear below the message. It contains the names and photos of every person on the app. Until you select one, your phone will be unusable.

Towards the end of the day, if you still have not chosen, it stays stuck to your hand and begins to slowly overheat with an ominous timer counting down from ten minutes. It will not be able to be removed, no matter how much force you use. It will only finally let go after you have chosen a name. A new message will appear after you've made your choice.

YOU HAVE SELECTED [NAME].
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER.
PLEASE WAIT PATIENTLY UNTIL THE NEXT UPDATE.

Comments

Jun Kohinata | Network

[whiteshroud]

SOLAMEN MISERIS SOCIOS HABUISSE DOLORIS = "Misery loves company", essentially.

I'm starting to wonder if they just add classic Latin phrases just to sound cooler...

[ehero]

yea probably
this seems like 14 year old stuff
also why even put it there if most of us cant read it

[whiteshroud]

For the aesthetic, I bet.
Everything sounds more dramatic when it's in Latin.

[ehero]

thats dumb
how do you say that in latin

[whiteshroud]

Id Est Stultum

[ehero]

id est stultum to this message
this whole app is dumb
id est stultum to this app
it makes my phone lag like crazy

[whiteshroud]

We really need to get you a new phone.

Hey, have you found a place to stay that isn't the mall?

[ehero]

whats wrong with my current phone

and yea im living in a boat now

[whiteshroud]

It's old.

A boat??

[Envisioning something like this]

[ehero]

but it still works!
besides i cant afford a new phone

yea i got a boat now
i also got a motorcycle
let me give you a ride sometime

[whiteshroud]

[????]

A boat AND a motorcycle??
How did you get THOSE?

[silentends]

They might be trying to mess with everyone by using Latin. Who knows?

Anyway, I didn't come here to discuss Latin or Linguistics. You know I'm sorry for what happened last time.

Is there any chance you'd see me in person?

[ Nier's gotten so wary of using phones and the app to communicate. In person is always better. ]

[whiteshroud]

If you're hoping we can meet up so you can apologize, that really isn't necessary. I'm already over what happened.

[Jun isn't one to hold grudges. That requires emotional attachments]

[silentends]

Thanks, Jun. Are you doing alright?

I'm kind of worried so I'd like to meet just to have some peace of mind.

Besides, I don't think you've met my sister's dog before. I'd like to introduce you.

[ Okay, this time Nier is telling the truth and he would feel some ease by seeing Jun safe too. Things are crazy outside. ]

[whiteshroud]

All things considered, I'm fine.

[There's a pause as he deliberates]

Do you have a car and/or are you good at moving furniture?

[silentends]

I don't own a car but I could probably rent one for you?

And if it's just moving furniture that should be simple for me. Every day I've been training at the gym.

[whiteshroud]

Alright.

I'm moving into an apartment, and I wouldn't mind getting some help getting some furniture moved in.

[silentends]

That's fine. You've been to my apartment room before are you moving close there?

I'll pick up a rental vehicle and figure out what to do after.

[whiteshroud]

Nah, I'm closer to City Center. I found a cheap studio there.

[Read: really crappy]

Thank you, Nier!

> action

[silentends]

City Center? Sure, don't worry about it. I'll be there soon.

Give me thirty minutes or so.

[ Nier knows how to drive but it's not like he does it often. He prefers running or getting to places on foot. Heading to the place that Jun is moving into now!

There's a really ugly and cheap looking car out honking to the side.]

[tsunotarou]

Maybe, whoever made this app, is a latin fan

[whiteshroud]

Big brain deduction there...
But yes, you're probably right about that.
It does make things seem more dramatic, that's for sure.

[tsunotarou]

Big brain? I assure you, my brain is a regular size.

Maybe they're the kind who needs dramatic flair in their lives to keep the boredom at bay.

[whiteshroud]

It's just an expression.

That's a possiblity. Though we shouldn't underestimate them too much.

[tsunotarou]

I have never heard it before.

If they're the ones who made the forest, I'm quite wary of them.