audio; un: shades

[laserguy]

[Not that the camera’s picking up on this, but Scott’s with Kotone and both of them are hovering over his tablet. They’ve been thinking about this for a while, especially after the disappearance of both Claude and Miller, and after discussing with each other about the idea…]

So, uh. Does anyone remember how Claude mentioned about holding a remembrance for all the people that disappeared? I know he’s gone now… but I think it’s a good idea still and we should go through with it.

[Especially since so many of them have ‘returned’ home now. Disappeared. Scott would like to believe that everyone is safely back home. At least it helps that when he vanished from this place, he did go back home and experience a bunch of things. But anyway…]

We’re thinking about holding it at Richard’s Inn. [And he definitely agreed, 100%. Uh-huh.] We’ll probably manage some food and drinks, but it would be helpful if you brought something too. Kotone can’t cook that much.

[Don’t make his girlfriend cook in the kitchen for hours on end okay!!]

If everybody brings a little bit, I think it'll be really fun! [Ah, yeah, unsurprisingly, there's the sound of Kotone's voice, neither confirming nor denying that she could cook that much.] Remembering people who are gone doesn't have to be sad. It would be nice if we could all eat together and share some of our favorite memories.

[Scott almost wants to add something really corny like ‘we can make new memories!’ But he refrains. No, that’s too much!!] And along with that, it might be nice to write down names and brief memories of them. You know. Have it in writing and for others to read. Like a book.

[Kotone hums, the sound of her voice getting a little louder as if she's leaning closer to Scott. Without him having to say he wants to make new memories, it seems she's having the same idea.] It might be nice if we could exchange something, too. You know, 'cause it's not just about the people who are gone, but making sure we can remember everyone who's still here, too. I could get the stuff from the Sewing Club, maybe…

Yeah, just a small something for the other person to hold onto. [He helps, concluding Kotone’s thoughts. Is there that obvious warmth in his voice as he looks at Kotone? Maybe. Yeah gross, don’t worry, they’re about to wrap up.] So yeah, bring food. Or if you have any extra thoughts, let us know.

[ooc: Replies will be given by either Scott or Kotone or both!]

Comments

audio; un: altius

[chimericalclaw]

[Hum. He'd almost thought the idea would simply have been dropped. Or perhaps these two are trying to follow in the others' footsteps, enticing fate or the AI to take them back home? Ha—as humorous as he finds the idea, that would be out of character for Scott, wouldn't it. His tone remains casual and mildly encouraging, regardless of his thoughts.]

The writing is a thoughtful idea. Perhaps you could make a scrapbook out of it.

[It reminds him of a funeral—of guestbooks left at the front for people who've not seen them in years to sign, as if their visit meant anything other than fulfilling a social obligation. He notes to himself that for many of those who left, it might as well be funeral.]

audio;

[laserguy]

Yeah, that was the idea. I have one of those instant cameras too, so it'll be easy to take pictures and stuff.

[Add those photos to the book or whatever. Maybe put it on a wall? Although, having a wall of missing people sounds just a bit morbid...]

So, you're coming too, right?

[chimericalclaw]

Ah, I should have expected you'd have thought it through.

[Scott, the activity planner—apparently. His answer to the question comes with a casual ease, even though he'd had no real interest other than moments of wondering if anyone would notice if he didn't. The decision has been made, he supposes.]

Of course. Would you like me to bring anything in particular?

audio: @lorem_ipsum

[memori3s]

[ ...something in writing, or something to exchange with one another, huh. It evokes the memory of a cold morning spent with company on the clubhouse's rooftop. ]

That's a good idea.

[ ... ]

Hey. Do you think everyone really went back home?

[ After all, they don't actually know for sure, do they? ]

audio;

[laserguy]

[....]

It's the most likely scenario, right? A lot of people have 'disappeared' and later come back, myself included, and we remember stuff from home.

[It sucks to think about the alternative, that they just been killed somehow. For good. Although, going home for some people is that same death sentence, including the person he's talking to. And the person next to him.

...Go away depressing thoughts!!] I know I can't really confirm it though, either way.

[memori3s]

[ Go away depressing thoughts indeed... ]

You remember things from home when you return here, but I guess it's not the same the other way around.

[ If everyone who has disappeared truly returned home... then hopefully that's where they stay. It's only right. ]

...but if this place is a simulation, maybe we're not here at all.

Text; un: eyeofzaun

[conflictresolution]

There has been a decided downturn of the Chosen population in the last few months. Perhaps part of this mourning and remembrance process should focus on how to stop the bleed of our own out of the system?

We should ask ourselves when the system fails, especially if we consider our most recent snake friends who were healed. We would hate for a reboot, wouldn't we?

Memorial is all well and good, but it's cheap whispers in the wind and clicking ineffectively if we don't do something to solve the issue in the first place.

text;

[orphne]

What do you think happens when people disappear from Aldrip?

text;

[conflictresolution]

It depends on their circumstances, but in the end, what does it matter? They are gone, and even upon the rare occasions of a return, they don't remember their time here. We have no control over our own existence in this place.

We can enter a live and die cycle here and it would simply be another day of the week and potentially not even matter. Unlike home where death is finality.

text;

[laserguy]

it sounds like you already have a couple of ideas on how to handle the 'bleed.' as you put it.

because i don't know how you stop people from disappearing.

text;

[conflictresolution]

Of course. Moaning about a problem doesn't provide solutions to ceasing it out of existence. We've spent too long playing house in this place, as it were.

Now if the remainder of us have the will and want to do anything about it is a conundrum. We have not been particularly cooperative as a full group.

video | un: plantogetit

[traumaticus]

I had allowed Miller to use the inn for this purpose. It pleases my heart that you two are looking to complete my dear friend's wish. I shall help you with any way that I can.

audio;

[laserguy]

[Oh right, guess Miller and Richard were friends. Makes sense. They're both old with a kid.]

Hey thanks. [And thanks for being chill for having your place be volunteered for this event!!] And yeah... the last time I talked with Miller, he was thinking about having it here too. Why change a good idea?

[traumaticus]

It is the least we can do. Our numbers have weakened greatly as of late, making gatherings like these even more important.

I am grateful you are continuing my dear friend's work.

audio; un: echo

[individualized]

I know people are very sad at all of the disappearances. A gathering may certainly help with those feelings. I know they are typically intended for people to enjoy. And perhaps seeing who is still here may be helpful?

Maybe there could also be a discussion about what might be done before more people vanish.

[That's totally party talk, right?]

audio;

[laserguy]

Yeah, that's the idea. Celebrating those that left, but reminding ourselves of the people that still remain. It's important to keep that in mind.

[Maybe easy for him to say, since the person he loves the most is still here and he knows he's so lucky for that, but also a chance for others to create new bonds??]

We can, yeah. Someone else brought that up too. [Even though he knows that there will also be a lot of people that want to go home. He wants to do both. Find a way to make this place better and also give that opportunity for people to return. Both at least seem tied to confronting the AI in some way.]

[individualized]

Right. I've found that it's less painful to miss someone when others are with you.

[She doesn't mean to just state the obvious; Echo thought it was helpful when she learned this stuff so she's trying to pay it forward.]

Good. I have been concerned by the stories I've heard. Apparently even I was here previously and disappeared, though I have no recollection of it.

voice; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ This topic sure is coming up a lot - and it never feels any easier when it does, really. Ange listens to the message, feeling something twitch in her face, but she makes sure to steel it into something a little more like her usual poker face before she actually speaks up to reply. ]

It feels a little cursed to suggest something like this at this point, huh?

voice;

[laserguy]

[He almost wants to joke, asking if Ange would miss him, but after everything... he doesn't even try. A lot of them have gone missing and. He 'disappeared' on her for a week before.]

If Kotone and I disappear after this, maybe we've actually unlocked the way back home.

[entreats]

I guess so.

[ There's no real humor in that statement, despite the fact that they interchange the words like it's supposed to be some sort of joke. ]

Maybe that's a good thing. It would mean that all I would have to do is also suggest a memorial, and then I can leave too, right?

audio

[grappler]

You said food, how about booze too?

[of course she's going to volunteer for it.

she's. not going to think about Claude trying to take it over and disappearing... that still kind of hurts.]

audio;

[laserguy]

I'm not saying no to booze. It sounds like a lot of people are going to need it.

[Not that he really gets drunk, mostly because it's a loss of control that he doesn't want to get involved with. Not when his glasses are the only thing that stops him from blasting everything. He doesn't want the event to be a memorial in a different way--]

Going to bring an extra bottle just for yourself?

🔒text; un: QUEENOFZAUN / threadjack + privated

[opheliac]

if she says yes or says no, but shows up with one, take it from her.

audio; un: LETSROCK

[travailler]

This is the most bittersweet thing I've ever heard!

[There is just, like, the grossest sound of someone cry-sniffling followed by the loudest nose blowing. One could assume she knew someone who left but, uh, no. She just got here.]

To see young love standing strong in the face of such an existential crisis is inspiring!

audio;

[laserguy]

[Scott stares at his tablet for a moment as he hears her blow her nose, loudly. Uh, is she okay......]

Uh, sure. Yeah, guess we're inspiring? [He might look at Kotone with a helpless expression. Maybe she can chime in here.] We've been together for over a year now.