HIRUNE: Make some plans.

[austereastronomer]

-- CURRENT austereAstronomer [AA] RIGHT NOW opened memo on board Team planning, welcome to new players --

AA: If you're reading this memo, that means you have been invited to play a game called "Scrib."
AA: I will warn you right now that there is a great deal of inherent danger in proceeding with this path.
AA: You will almost certainly need to fight for your life immediately.
AA: But unlike meteors, the challenges this game presents can be fought and overcome.
AA: If you think you are not up to it, this is a good time to back out. Once you enter the game, there is no turning back.
AA: But if you still want to play, we're going to need to do some planning.
AA: Who do we have on board?

Comments

[apiarycryptonaut]

Well now you're REALLY CONFUSED.

W4it, wh4t is th4t.
Th4t thing it m4de?
But um, th4t's new!
Th4t h4s to be... the import4nt thing, yes!

You're particularly fascinated, drawing your face closer to the screen as you attempt to get a better idea of what exactly that HAT-LIKE THING made of CRUXITE is. It's... what is it? You have no idea, but all you can see is what you're looking at on the screen.

Ex4mine it, I think?
M4ybe it's the puzzle!
Or um, the solution!

[austereastronomer]

You EXAMINE the CRUXITE ITEM. You're not exactly sure what it's supposed to do to help. Is there a switch on it somewhere? You turn it over in your hands, aware of the light in the sky drawing DISTRESSINGLY CLOSE.

Why would the game give you a hat?

I'm overthinking things again, aren't I?

You PUT THE HAT ON just as you think it's too late, and close your eyes against the brightness of the meteor crashing down on you.

You open your eyes and it's DARK. It's REALLY, REALLY DARK and for a second you're sure you're dead except for then your eyes adjust.

I...
I think I made it, Avispa.

[apiarycryptonaut]

You stare in horror, watching the events unfold on the screen of your husktop. You don't know what to do or how to help. This puzzle is new to you. Strange, bizarre, and you don't understand at all. Just as you set your claws down on the keys, you receive the messages. Hirune made it? She, what, huh?

Your confusion aside, you make sure to immediately respond.

Um, you're still t4lking... to me 4nd you're... not de4d, I think!
4nd I don't see... the silly h4t 4nywhere!
I think, m4ybe, um... you m4de it, yes?
Th4t would m4ke sense!

[austereastronomer]

You stagger over to lean against your WORKSTATION. Suddenly, it feels like your legs can't hold you up anymore. But you're sure that you're ALIVE, and that's enough for right now.

You know what... I think I did.
Can you see more of this place from your screen?
It's pretty dark out...
Maybe it's nighttime.
But I... I can see something in the distance.
Mountains, maybe?

SQUINTING, even with your glasses on, you're PRETTY SURE there's something rising toward the sky in the distance. They don't look like the pictures of mountains you've seen, tall and thin, but maybe there's more than one kind of mountain. You can't even see the ground from here.

Though here I am going on when you probably have other things to be taking care of.
You still have to complete your entry sequence, after all.

[apiarycryptonaut]

You take a look around from where you see HIRUNE standing to see where she is. This isn't where she was. What the? It is really, REALLY DARK here.

I c4n't see 4nything... else either, oh no.
But um, m4ybe, mount4ins?
You might be right!
Other th4n th4t it's... re4lly d4rk, I think.
M4ybe it will get... brighter l4ter, um, m4ybe?

4nd oh, um, I... do need to do... th4t don't I, um.
I'm 4 little sc4red.
But I know I... h4ve to do it!
Soon, um, m4ybe, um.
But, is there 4nything... else I c4n do... for right now, m4ybe?

[austereastronomer]

You squint around in the darkness, and start thinking about ways to produce some very large light sources. This is going to get annoying fast.

Though, above you, you can see something kind of glowing above you... a sort of teal color, a sort of circular thing. That's probably important.

Well, your progress at this juncture is far more pressing than my own.
But I imagine it should go relatively smoothly for you.
You got me through it safely, after all.
I think... I think, though, after that, that our next goal should be to build upwards.

[apiarycryptonaut]

You... don't think that you'll be able to get in as smoothly, especially after what you just watched, but you do nod at your screen at Hirune's suggestion.

Oh, um, you me4n... m4ybe building up your... hive higher, upw4rds, m4ybe?
I think I c4n... do th4t 4fter I... get into the g4me!
I, um, m4ybe, um.
I hope I c4n... get in, too, Hirune.

[austereastronomer]

Yes, precisely.
Regarding your entry, I *would* say there's no pressure, but in fact this seems to be a matter of life and death.
So if there was ever a time to have confidence in your abilities, I think it would be now.
If it's any help, I have great faith in your ability to make it through.
You're the best at solving puzzles I know, after all.
Just think of it as a particularly challenging one.
...perhaps with a few pieces missing.

[apiarycryptonaut]

... ... ... ...
I c4n do th4t.
I c4n 4bsolutely do... th4t, I hope, yes!
4nd when I solve... it I won't h4ve... to do it 4g4in!
I just h4ve to... m4ke it through once!
I c4n do it... I hope, I think.
I'll get in the... g4me too, I will!

[austereastronomer]

You can and you will.
Well, the earlier start you get the easier it'll be.
So I'll let you go.
I think it's time I go see what's out there.

[apiarycryptonaut]

Ok4y, th4nk you, Hirune!
I'll see you in... the g4me 4g4in, 4bsolutely...!
St4y s4fe, ple4se, ok4y?

[austereastronomer]

I will.
You stay safe, too.

Fingers crossed. Maybe... just maybe, things will work out.

You hope, anyway.

[apiarycryptonaut]

I will, 4bsolutely, Hirune!

--apiaryCryptonaut [AC] ceased pestering austereAstronomer [AA]--