WEEK 1 DAY 4: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Watch a film from start to finish."
Time Limit: Long
Noise Plane: Solo
Wall Instructions: No key walls will be necessary for this task. (Reapers can still put them up to be jerks.)
Wall Rewards: Octo Squeeze
Reaped Rewards: Murasame
Mission Rewards: 1000 yen



[Well, what a fun and easy mission, Players! There's a variety of films, and enough time to see the one you want!

But before you get excited, keep in mind that to complete the mission the whole movie must be watched. And that means at least one Player has to stay in the same spot for the entire duration. Just something to think about.]

Comments

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

A newspaper? I hadn't a hint
That you were in the business of print.

[shinbunshinobi]

[And he had no idea she would know what a newspaper was.]

I'm one of the key members of the newspaper club at my school.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[She tilts her head slightly.]

I feel silly for not realizing.
You are still in school. That is surprising.
Other humans here seemed younger than you --
But I don't know how you age, so I could be wrong, too.

[shinbunshinobi]

Hey hey! I'm still young and not much older than them! Sure, I'll be graduating soon, but that doesn't mean I'm some grandpa!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

No need to get so tense --
I promise I meant no offense.
So you were set to graduate
At a soon-upcoming date?

[She conceals behind this question a certain amount of growing sadness. Zecora isn't one to mourn her own death overmuch -- she's only even participating in the Reaper's Game out of fear that if death came without warning to her, then her friends were in danger as well. But to know that somehow her partner had died as he was heading into the prime of his life upsets her.]

[shinbunshinobi]

[Sasuke leans back in his chair, mollified. He was already called the team mom, so he hoped he at least didn't look it.]

Yeah, they were trying to get us to start to look at colleges and universities. And don't get me started on the studying.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

When you say 'us', what do you mean?
The others from the newspaper scene?

[Zecora looks at the chair in mild annoyance, then eschews it for obvious reasons.]

[shinbunshinobi]

Some, but mostly people from my year. Although, I don't think a few of them have the grades to make it into a good university if they even decide to go.

[Modern Japan really wasn't built for zebras.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[She'd noticed.]

More studies do not suit everyone.
Better they take a job they can find fun.

[shinbunshinobi]

[Just wait. Someday they'll have the game in Ponyville, and all the humans will have problems.]

It's not always that easy in this world, but enough about the depressing stuff. The movie's about to start.

[Or at least previews for upcoming movies.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[She settles in to watch the movie in turn, expecting to understand none of it, but hoping it will entertain despite that.]

[shinbunshinobi]

[And the movie starts And though the mun has read the manga and seen bits of the show, she has no idea how this movie goes. But hey, Sasuke's willing to chat throughout the movie. Only the Player and Reapers will hear him after all.]

Would you believe that Japan, this place, used to look like this?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Sad to think those trees have all been cut down.
But even Manehatten was once a small town.

[shinbunshinobi]

Manehatten? Did I hear you right?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

That is the name of the city.

[She glances over at him, curiously.]

Do you find something about that witty?

[shinbunshinobi]

There's a place called Manhattan in America.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora looks at him for a moment, then bursts into bright laughter.]

Well, that is an amusing joke!
Something humans share with ponyfolk!

[shinbunshinobi]

[He laughs a little along too.]

Maybe we'll find more similarities as this game goes on.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora looks back to the screen, folding her forelegs as she settles back down. For a few minutes, she simply watches the movie, before speaking in a low voice.]

Ponies come in three different forms:
Earth pony, pegasi, and unicorns.
All of them found a zebra strange
Though time and effort made that change.
Baby dragons, griffons too--
All these creatures, old and new
Are much alike, deep in their heart
And can be friends right from the start.
For humankind, this also is true.
So when we live, and part, I will miss you.

[shinbunshinobi]

[He's touched by the sentiment, though he doesn't really show or say so. That isn't really his style.]

Let's worry about missing all this after we win the game, shall we?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I have chosen not to doubt.
If I started my strength might give out.
I've wondered whether this is best
But I must let that thought rest.

[shinbunshinobi]

... Do you regret choosing to be a Player instead of a Reaper?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[This is something Zecora has pondered. Her answer is slow and not terribly certain.]

If this truly is my time
Isn't opposing it a crime?
I try to get back in case my friends
Are also in danger of early ends.

[shinbunshinobi]

[Sasuke takes a similar pause. Zecora's not a bad person--pony, and they are partnered through this, even if Sasuke has the habit of trying to go solo. Ah, but how to word this? He's not really willing to out his true motivations for winning this game.]

Sounds like you already have your answer to me, though worrying about cosmic right or wrong won't help your friends.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I can't stop worrying if I'm right
From keeping me awake at night.
But I'll pursue this path I chose
And hope it's right, though no one knows.
I'd be ashamed if my epitaph were to read
"She fled from death with all her speed".