Yeah, things like that really make you realize just how much this group has dwindled.

Also just kind of a crappy setup, honestly. Like, the least fun you could make a pool party.

Yeah, seriously.

Plus like... All pool parties are pretty bad, for me.

Oh... Do you just not like the water? Or...

Can't swim. And I've got a chlorine allergy, soooo even if I could...

Oh, jeez. Sorry, that sucks. I never really even thought about that kind of allergy being a thing...

That's okay. It's a whole thing—it's why my brother got swimming lessons and I didn't.

Anyway, one more mark for a disappointing party.

Yeah, damn. If I were you I probably would have blown the whole thing off altogether... though I guess the drinks were still kind of a perk.

[ since the FOOD SURE WASN'T ]

Are you just going back to the lounge now?

Eh. I don't like passing up a party. Even if I bow out early.

I dunno. Think I'll wander. You?

[ shrugs. ]

Might go to Chilly's or something for some real food beyond one twentieth of a pizza.

Oh, that's a plan. There really wasn't enough food to go around. Ignoring the soup. As everyone should have.

I know, we grabbed some stuff from the food court but it wasn't the same.

You want to come too?

Mm, sure! While I figure out what else to do with my evening.

Sounds good!

[ off we go then!!! he'll get like, a burger with avocado or something like a hipster and a beer that he definitely does not need, and they can grab a booth.

sighing tiredly as he sits down with his food. ]

Man, how is it Wednesday... I don't even know if I want to say "only Wednesday" or "already Wednesday".

[ how does one week go so slow and so fast at the same time ]

[ yay! she probably also gets a beer but nothing else because she doesn't actually eat very often. sits down as well... ]

It's both. Wednesday exists in superposition.

It really is the weirdest day.

[ takes a bite of his burger, then looks down at it. ]

Wonder if this would still look like bugs to everyone else.

Hard competition with Tuesday though. As far as weirdness goes.

[ looks at the burger as well... ]

Probably? Unless the curse was weirdly specific about being at the party.

Yeah, I have no idea what the exact parameters for the illusion were. I feel like they deeply miscalculated who was going to suffer from it, though.

Really going to miss this immunity when it goes away tomorrow.

God, me too. If I get the pity curse again, I'm gonna to scream.

What is that??

Oh. If you get cursed three times in a week you get to pick from a couple sponsorships about it.

Oh. Huh. I guess it's nice that they at least give you a silver lining when you get hit with too many dark clouds, but damn. How many times has that happened?

Twice. Once early on, then again last week.

Oof. Don't envy your popularity in that respect...

[ well not that the emotions were GOOD, but they do drop down a bit. ]

Popular, huh... I guess you could call it that. [ ... ] Well, I don't mind. Everyone is using each other as free entertainment.

Yeah...

[ a bit of a bitter emotion at that himself because lmao his whole life is literally about being someone else's entertainment.

he takes a drink, pausing for a moment. ]

...How do you feel having people here who knew another version of you?