YOU-kai start!

[idolpro]

Who: YOU-kai
Where: The YOU-kai dorms
When: Day 355, morning

[ You all wake up in bed with your smartphone at your bedside, all of you in your sleepwear, with a message on your phone.

Good morning, newly departed guest stars! You've got new co-stars to meet, a new dorm to explore, and the television in the main room with the "names" of everyone in your unit with flashing empty boxes next to them, waiting for you to each assign yourself a personal color as well as a mythological creature (if that is available to you—some of you will have that option grayed out). Or assign them to each other, really, no one's stopping you.

Once you've chosen your color and creature (or, once it's chosen for you), your closets will unlock with 3 sets of traditional Japanese clothing fitted exactly to your size. Additionally, upon choosing your creature, you might find yourself suddenly with some new appendages (check Player Notes).

Also, the front door is currently locked. It looks like you actually have no choice but to get to know each other for an hour or two before those open up. ]

Comments

[byallmeans]

We'll get more points if we conduct them separately.

If we each hold one and then the rest of us attend, we'll each recive the points for all of them. There seems to be some sort of theme bonus, as well. We should incorporate it where possible.

[emptymind]

Ah, the themes... They were first implemented during one of my absences, so I had forgotten them.

[ pulls out her phone to check them ]

Reciprocation and dress up... I will remember to utilize them. Your thoroughness is greatly appreciated.

[byallmeans]

One of your absences?

You've been here before, then?

[emptymind]

That's correct. If my experience has left me with any information which would be of use to us, then I am happy to provide it. Previously, I was a member of the unit avante en garde.

If I may make one singular request, it is only that we are comparatively merciful to them.

[byallmeans]

I want to hear everything you know about this place, starting with ways to maximize point accumulation, inter-team politics, and what we can expect from the games.

[emptymind]

Yes, of course. Let me see... For the permanently established units, point accumulation is not a priority, so I must regrettably admit it is not something I put overmuch thought into accomplishing expediently in the past. Both point accumulation and victories in games are felt by most of our competition to be of secondary importance; it is only the other temporary units who are likely to pursue them with consistent ambition. Rather than a competitive or stratified society, the group as a whole places much more value on good relations with one another... Friendships, sexual relations, and marriages are encouraged throughout. Though ultimately, while there are some exceptions, I suspect this leaves many of their priorities stretched thin. In this sense, avante en garde was not an exception. They had notable obligations to at least nine of the other units, and most likely still do.

When interpersonal conflicts do arise, there is a sense of pressure to contain the conflict to only the individuals involved, rather than extending the disagreement to a conflict between their units, but other people will often involve themselves in defense of their loved ones nevertheless. Whether this is related to unit ties or simply to emotional attachments is also inconsistent. There are some individuals with whom it may be more detrimental to antagonize than others, but I can only estimate the degree of complication for a handful of them.

[ besides members of avante, who we are not antagonizing at all. right. ]

The units who gave the strongest impression of 'wanting to protect their own unit over others' were... at the time, Wild City and Baritones. However, this is only my own impression, which may be out of date, and there are a handful of units I did not come to know particularly well even then. Nevertheless, in more cutthroat games, I would readily wager that Baritones is still the most formidable opponent among the established units.

[byallmeans]

What about your team?

Can you guarantee that they'll give us safe passage because you're here?

[emptymind]

... I have no doubt that they will attempt to do so. But as I said, their obligations are numerous.

[byallmeans]

Offer them an alliance. See what they say.

[emptymind]

Understood. I'll do so promptly.

As for games, there is a wide variety... To the point that it would be difficult to describe any particular structure which is frequently adhered to. Some separate each unit into a separate room to submit decisions in opposition to other units, some are conducted in an open space and have us compete individually, and some isolate us from other units entirely... A number of them inflict injury upon us with no recourse to defend ourselves, but there are also a number wherein violence is strictly prohibited, and any attempts to harm another person may lead to incapacitation of the attempted offender.

[byallmeans]

[Doesn't even bat an eye]

What would you estimate the percentage is, of games that inflict harm to those that don't?

[emptymind]

... Ummm... There have been periods when there were more harmful games, and there are times when there were fewer, in relation to the others... Since we are a temporary group, it could go either way. But, since we are a temporary group, I would expect for there to be more harmful games than not. Or else, for the harmful games which do occur to perhaps be longer, and more involved.

[byallmeans]

...understood.

[It sounds like it's nothing he wasn't expecting,]

[emptymind]

You seem impressively well-prepared.

[byallmeans]

I've been in a similar situation before.

[emptymind]

Is that so? How strange.

What may I call you?

[byallmeans]

Kozuru.

Yourself?

[emptymind]

My previous names are no longer appropriate. The name provided on my profile is 'kedamono,' if you would care to use it, but you may call me however you like.

I will be in your care, Kozuru-kun.

[byallmeans]

Kedamono, then.

Are you ready to begin, as soon as we're able to leave?

[emptymind]

Yes, I am. And Kozuru-kun?

[byallmeans]

Yes?

[emptymind]

Are you ready?

[byallmeans]

Of course.