sweethomey | WEEK ONE

WEEK ONE

Welcome to your new home!

"...Sweet Home: Strangers Strike Back. Airing this Sunday on Lulu."

That's how the video ends. That's how the entire presentation ends, the one that you've been given with a breakdown of what you're doing here, how to earn your wishes, and most importantly, how to use your phone. They promise you that you will go home in four weeks, and hopefully, you won't go home empty-handed, and that your hard work will pay off. Either way, your actions will undoubtedly make for a satisfying finale, and wonderful ratings week after week!

The price in exchange is, well, your privacy. Cameras will not be monitoring you 24/7 (they can't air super inappropriate content, after all!!!), but enough to capture what could potentially be your best and worst moments on the show. Maybe if you plead hard enough, the producers will be merciful and edit out some of your shame, but for the most part, it's best to be ready for anything.

Which includes your introductory day! How exciting. You arrive at the house on a bright and beautiful Sunday morning, and your arrival happens by waking up in a twin-sized bed. Those phones that you were told about are either right next to you or in your pocket; it buzzes with a very interesting song that's certainly telling you to wake up. It will not stop playing until you are awake.

With the alarm, though, is a notification on the screen: "TOUCH TO OPEN!" Tapping the screen as instructed will give you a set of instructions - though, if you don't open it yourself, it will do it for you after a minute. Those instructions are:

HELLO! WELCOME TO SWEET HOME DAY ONE! :)
PLEASE PROCEED TO THE KITCHEN! FUN REFRESHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE WAITING FOR YOU ALL! YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE WILL COME TOMORROW. FOR TODAY, HAVE FUN AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER! <3333

The kitchen is filled with various snacks. Chips, cookies, cake, blood for vampires – you name it. It's there. It's entirely possible they went a little overboard…but there's something interesting about the snacks. Everything is in a locked transparent case, enticing you to unlock it by how tasty it all looks. How do you unlock it? It's simple, according to the little notes left on the cases. "TO OPEN, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME!" The cases are indestructible and will not open until you do this simple task.

Board games are present with some classics like Never Have I Ever prompts, Monopoly, Candyland, you name it!

There's also some music playing in the background on a set of speakers. This is free for you to mess with and shuffle through the modern-day playlist. In fact, pretty much everything in the house is free to tamper with.

Anyone who partakes in at least 2 joint activities with different people (board games, snacking, fighting, dancing, getting up to no good...anything, really) will be rewarded with a complimentary bath bomb on their bed on Monday morning!

Take a look around the house, get to know your housemates (and roommates), and relax on this fine and wonderful Sunday!

OOC Note: The bath bomb reward is not going to be mod-sanctioned, go ahead and just assume your character received one if they interacted with 2 or more people on Sunday ICly.

Also, characters will receive a weekly stipend with enough money for groceries and a few luxury items. You can choose to do whatever you want with this cash, though.

Weekly Challenge

Come Sunday evening, though…that's when the Challenge is issued.

A notification appears on your phone that says "CHALLENGE!! OPEN ME." Doing so will reveal the following instructions:

Did we mention that we forgot to get commercials? Oops! For those who don't know, commercials are advertisements for viewers to try and scam people into buying things they don't need. This time, however, you're going to scam people into buying things that they probably need, for the entirely wrong reason!

Your task this week is to film a commercial with at least one other person. You are to take one of the household objects in this house and give it new meaning. That hairbrush over there? Use it, and it'll turn your hair any color, style, and texture that you want it to! Ooh, how about that washcloth? Wiping your face with it will apply makeup to perfectly suit the occasion! Y'know, stuff like that. It's not actually real, but we think it'd be funny, so work with someone and get it done! Remember, your wishes are your rewards, along with some other fun little prizes! :)

Commercials will all be played on everyone's phones AND the big screen TV next week Sunday! Get excited!

You can film your commercials using your phones, as they are state-of-the-art technology. There are phone stands/tripods/etc. that can be found in your bedroom closets for you to use. Go wild, go ham, be entertaining and have fun!

OOC NOTES: The challenge thread must have a minimum of three comments per character, though I encourage threading beyond that for the sake of cr. I will accept in-progress threads as a completed challenge turn-in. There will be a top level next week for reactions to all the commercials as they play on screen for the characters, but you're free to also thread out reactions if characters stumble into the filming in-person, etc.

The Rest of the Week

The rest of the week will have a fun little treat for the guests: Cats! That's right, cats will show up to the home periodically every day, asking for food. Feed the cats on demand and they will be satisfied. If you don't and they sense that you are walking away, you will have one unlucky event happen to you at some point during the week. What that is can be something as mundane as spilling coffee on your shirt, to having an accident so bad that you need to go to the clinic. The choice is yours.

...

Throughout the week, the following individuals will experience strange phenomena…

– On Monday, Luocha will have the misfortune of encountering a cat that really has decided it doesn't like him. It will try to bother him in various ways, whether it be attempting to scratch him, pee on him, nibble on his shoes…it will do this every hour for 4 hours today, starting at any given time of the day. It will leave Luocha alone afterwards, though it may still stare him from time to time…like a normal cat would. Maybe he can even try to befriend it…

– On Tuesday, Sakura will have a very specific struggle. The first electric or battery-powered appliance she tries to use simply will not work no matter how hard she tries. Even if she charges the appliance, it will not work. The one way to get it to power on is to ask it nicely. Insulting it will get it to actually move and smack her. Whoops! Time to throw down with some electronics?!

– On Wednesday, Jeanne will wake up to something very strange. There will be vines, leaves, and flowers that have grown all around her bed. It's rather unruly, actually, and inhaling the pollen for too long will make her a little loopy. Drunk, essentially, minus the alcohol. It is possible to get a hangover from this and nursing it will be done the same way it normally would be if alcohol were involved. The greenery will go away by Thursday midnight, but she can also make it go away earlier if she rips them out of the roots. (Which are in the floor. Don't worry about it)

– On Thursday, Avery will find a book on his bed when he wakes up. The book says My Diary. He can write whatever he wants in it, but if he writes something about any of the other residents, the book will drag him to wherever said resident is – in the house OR the town – and read his writings about them outloud, right where the resident can hear it all! Sadly, there is no way to test this out beforehand, as any thoughts that are unrelated to the other residents will be kept confidential. The diary will disappear on Friday at midnight.

– On Friday, Hakuya will gain a voucher, good for one day, for free candy at Sweet-E's! He can get a max of two full bags of whatever candy he wants. The bags are freezer bag-sized. The candy itself looks normal, but eating it will cause something interesting to happen. Hakuya will 1) gain a pair of shades that, if removed, will make another pair of shades to go on his face; 2) his top will turn into the equivalent of a disco ball shirt; and 3) party music will follow him around wherever he goes for the next 2 hours. Congrats, you're the coolest kid on the block!!!

OOC Notes

Welcome to the Week One log of Sweet Home Round 2! I had a lot of fun with this and hope you guys enjoy the game. Some important notes:

Please do not literally burn down any buildings or property in this game. ICly, if a character tries, the house will immediately put it out via temperature regulation and built-in sprinkler systems. If your character has fire-based powers, they can affect people and objects but will not cause great damage to the overall building. Do not mess with the built-in safety precautions, please. There is an OOC reason for this that I will not disclose and please do not ask me for it; I am serious about shutting down anything that involves this at any point in the game. You will only get a slap on the wrist if it happens after being warned.
Challenges are due at the end of the week, along with AC! See the AC + Rewards page for more information.
Gossip Board submissions are essentially a way for your characters to get exposed ICly on any shenanigans they've gotten up to. This is purely on a voluntary basis OOCly. A link to submissions can be found below.
OOC Plotting for Week One can be. found here! Feel free to reply to that top level with anything you're looking for.
Feel free to ask any questions in the #mod-questions Discord channel! And please don't hesitate to ping me too so I don't miss it. Thanks!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Let it be known that Sakura Bakushin O will rise up against all challenges. She'd been teeming with excitement about this opportunity since it had been announced, and though she feels a little sad she's going to be so far from the home she loves...well, what's there to lose here? It's exciting! It's a new opportunity, and maybe if she plays her cards right, she can get all she desires! So really, what's wrong with any of this?

Well, mostly Bakushin herself, but that's a problem that'll come up in due time--

Of course, once Bakushin actually wakes up, she's off in her usual sprint to check out other parts of the house--namely, the kitchen. Bakushin sees the food in the interesting cases, and well--she'll look to anyone in the kitchen with her, outstretching a hand at speeds unquantifiable as she speaks in her usual, brash and excited tone.]

Good morning!! I do not believe we have been introduced, though I am certain we will know each other very well with due time! I am Sakura Bakushin O, and though my titles mean very little in a place like this, it is my hope that in time, I can assist all of you as I have those in my school!

Who do I owe the pleasure of speaking to?!

[...Look, she really wants the carrots in this box, but she also wants to get to know everyone that she can! It's a simple matter for someone as extroverted as Sakura Bakushin O, after all!

Of course, you'll absolutely find her later checking out the board games; her tail seems to swish around with interest as she looks the board over, but if you happen to be unfortunate enough to be looking at the same time as her, Bakushin will look over with those pink eyes of hers and bound toward you, stopping just shy of crashing--]

Excuse me, new friend! Are you familiar with any of these games?! A responsible class representative such as myself has little experience with such things, so I would like to learn all I can!

[And perhaps surprisingly, Bakushin will actually be looking around town a fair amount--in fact, you might be hearing the town's people complain just a bit about the girl who's rushing all around town as if in a frenzy, though oddly, she's actually doing her best to be helpful? Just. Kind of failing at it because she's a speedrunner at heart.

But no matter where in town you find her, you'll find her lamenting the same thing...]

Humu, humu--with so many people around, it's going to be hard to find a place to stay in shape. Gah, how can I hope to keep training toward the Classics like this?!

--No, come on, I cannot stop now! I must continue to Bakushin, no matter the circumstances! Bakushin, BAKUSHIIIIN--!!

[And she's. Probably darting off again unless you want to stop her in the middle of thinking! She sprints like hell on bare feet and she's fast. Good luck...!]

[ Someone is certainly lively today! Luocha has just risen up and though he is a man who doesn't oft live with others, the bright and bubbly personality is not the type to make him squint with wonder about how someone can do this early in the day.

He has met all types, suffice to say. He imparts a polite smile, and reaches out for a brief, gentlemanly hand-shake. ]

My name is Luocha. It's a pleasure to be speaking with you.

Now, should we try to see if the cases open? It seems that we should have cleared that little requirement.

[What a polite man! Bakushin's grip on his hand is firm as she shakes it, and she's definitely pleased with his promptness!]

Mr. Luocha! It is likewise a pleasure to speak with someone so sensible! You seem to be a man of sound mind and incredible cooperation! I look forward to working with you going forward!

But yes, let us see--

[Bakushin will go for the case she was interested in first, some nice, fresh carrots inside--and it opens with ease! Look at that!]

Ah-ha-ha! We have done it! Not that such simple deeds are a problem for a class representative, but it would seem we are victorious!

[CARROTS, HER BELOVED, SHE IS GOING TO IMMEDIATELY SNAG ONE--and even offer one to Luocha, if he wants one!]

Here, new friend! You should enjoy the fruits of your labor as well!

[ A firm grip is always a necessity in business; he learnt that as a time as a travelling "merchant". It seems that the liveliness has not simmered down, but he is just as gracious in receiving it as before. ]

It is very much a victory well-obtained...one where I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy, and commemorate the start of a friendship.

[ Also, a healthy mind requires a health body. And so he takes a carrot to bite down on it as a nice snack! ]

...So, you mentioned something about being a class representative. Are you a student?

[This man seems to speak her language well. She likes him already!]

Indeed, I am! I am a student of the prestigious Tracen Academy, a place for Umamusume such as myself to truly find their way in the world! Whether it be taking part in the races we are famous for, to stride ever toward glory...or to study to become the smartest possible version of ourselves! No matter the dream, Tracen Academy will assist one in helping realize it!

And I intend to become a racer of great renown! For my parent's graced the earth with a child of beauty and power, and it is up to me to forge my speed and smarts toward becoming the ultimate Umamusume, to inspire those around me and stride ever forward toward victory!

[this girl does NOT have an off switch. i'm so sorry.]

And yourself, Mr. Luocha? I imagine you must have great dreams to realize as well, don't you?

[...can she turn around and leave...?? No, that would be unbearably rude, and she does have to remember she's putting on a show. So. She just sort of has to Deal.]

My name's Klara, I'm the Poison-type Gym Leader in Galar. [A little self-advertisement doesn't hurt~!] But I'm guessing that doesn't mean much to you.

[Her eyes flick to Bakushin's ears and tail... Yeah, she's got Questions and is trying to figure out the most polite way to ask them.]

Pleasure to meet you, Sakura. Are you always such a morning person?

[please say no, please say no...]

Not a thing, but that is quite alright! I must confess, a gym regarding poisons seems a bit concerning...but! You must be an expert in your field. so I trust we can all go to you for all matters regarding poison! I would like nothing more than to learn all about your work from you, so please, feel free to tell me everything!

[Bakushin's ears wiggle a bit, her tail swishing as she puts her hands to her hips, grinning brightly!]

But worry not; it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Klara! And I am an all times of day person!

A class representative in pursuit of the ultimate speed and power must always be vigilant for her fellows, whether they be ne'er-do-wells or model individuals, so that they too will be able to reach the greatest heights!

[This is... so much. Where does she even start...]

You really don't know anything about Pokémon, huh? I kinda figured as much, but sheesh...

[What kind of a weird world has she found herself in?? This is like something out of an isekai novel except stupider, probably.]

Aaaaanyway, [let's just try to move on,] tell me more about yourself. What— [are you, wait no that's rude...] Wh-Where do you come from? What's your class like?

The name feels familiar somehow, but I cannot place it, unfortunately!

[someday umamusume is going to prove me wrong with something like umamon or something, but today is not that day.

Still, what's that?? Talk about herself, her most favorite subject in the world??? Bakushin's eyes practically shine, the stupid little sakura petals in her eyes all the more visible for a moment before she straightens up, an arm going behind her and one pointing to nothing in particular as she stands at attention!]

I would be most happy to! For you see, I come from a wonderful place known as Tokyo, Japan--the location of the prestigious Tracen Academy, a school for all Uma-kind to partake in! Some intend to go into other fields, but the most popular reason for attending Tracen Academy is it's prestigious racing program for Umas!

For you see, we are partnered with Trainers who assist us in bringing out our potential and helping us fulfill our dreams! Mine is to race in the classics, taking every title and glory for myself and my family, to make them proud and happy with the perfect, beautiful daughter that they raised!

[Bakushin beams brightly at that, though.]

But of course, I simply want to be the best that I can possibly be for my own sake, as well! And though my trainer oft needs convincing to go my way, in pursuit of the ultimate speed, I intend to do all that I can to grasp victory with my own two hands! Not just for myself, but to inspire all others to blaze a trail of their own alongside me as well!

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