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depersonalization:  a reality or detachment within the self, regarding one's mind or body.  

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It spreads like wildfire.

Half his employees are out of commission, and the remaining few are too busy coughing and sneezing and blowing noses like there is no tomorrow to actually get any work done. As if a year with an incompetent Vice Gamemaker at his side couldn't get any worse, here he is without replacements for the dozen out sick, and has to force everyone to work twice as hard to manage the cameras, monitor each tribute's actions, and design the next obstacle each of them would face. Challenges of previous games fly through his mind in rapid progression, but he can't think of a single twist to make them unique, and his own symptoms certainly don't help. God, his headache. He doesn't think he's ever experienced something so painful.

How ironic, that Pluto Solaris, creator of a game made of sickness, would fall ill as well.

Even Gorgeous seems to be weighed down by the somberness of the scene. Her typical jokes haven't reverberated throughout the room for a solid half hour, for she's been too busy blowing her nose to mutter a flirtatious word. Apparently, snot isn't attractive. But Pluto can't even relish the quiet, for his own skull pounds in his temples, a searing ache spreading throughout his entire brain. Maybe it's because he can't remember the last time he slept. Maybe it's because of the disease spreading throughout the command room faster than the Black Death through Europe.

The Head Gamemaker clutches his head as he walks over to one of the few remaining workers- who, unfortunately, looks as though she is about to pass out any second. "Throw them right in it," he mutters, exhaustion degrading what should have been the strong voice of a successful Gamemaker. "You can't have success without 'succ'," Gorgeous's sing-song voice echoes in his mind as he recalls one of her old jokes. He shakes it off- in no way was it endearing. Not in the least.

He turns back to the worker. "Let's show them what they'll become."

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THE TASK:

Once more, you have been temporarily relieved of your symptoms- as you wake from the recollections of the fallen tribute whose mind you ventured into, you will realize that some certain changes have taken place. Firstly, your gas mask has transformed into a beak-shaped nose with glass eye openings, and you now wear a long, protective overcoat. Another thing- the hospital has come alive. All those people who had once been dead? They're alive and kicking, only in the first stages of sickness. Those you find in beds will be worse, of course, and if you dare take a peek outside, you might see the carts of corpses are far fresher than they had been before. The town is bustling, albeit in the process of dying.

Perhaps another doctor will cue you in as to what your role is, or you'll figure it out for yourself based on your attire and supplies- a cane, to examine patients from afar, and a small supply of medical instruments. You are a plague doctor. Feel free to interact with the people and do some exploration throughout this 1350s environment.

Eventually, as you wander through the hospital, you will come across a patient that looks vaguely familiar. Decorated in bulging tumors and the edges of their flesh blackened as it rots away, it may take you a bit to recognize yourself at the verge of death. With this in mind, you may do what you please with the task from here.

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Word Count Maximum: 2500.

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Due Date:

EST: Sunday, 5 February 2017, 22:00pm

CST: Sunday, 5 February 2017, 21:00pm

MST: Sunday, 5 February 2017, 20:00pm

PST: Sunday, 5 February 2017, 19:00pm

GMT: Monday, 6 February 2017, 3:00am

UTC+8: Monday, 6 February 2017, 11:00am

AEST: Monday, 6 February 2017, 1:00pm

I received word that many of you had difficulties with the time of the previous task's deadline, so it has been altered once more to better fit your schedules. Please note that because this is an awkward time for me, scores may be posted a little later than usual. If your time zone has not been listed or you have difficulties converting, alert us and it will be added.

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Deaths/Ballots:

Deaths: No tributes, though you will see a lot of death around you this task, and may include the death of a patient- as long as it's not you.

Ballots: 3 [as this is an odd round, these will count against scores]

Please note that six of you will be going up for votes at the conclusion of this task, with four leaving us forever.

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Bonuses:

First Entry: +0.5 points

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Formatting:

As Pluto is no longer gamemaking on this account, you no longer need to copy him on your entries- please send only to district.panem123(at)gmail.com, and not pluto.panem(at)gmail.com.

SPONSORSHIP GIFTS:

Deemed unnecessary for this round.

Note to all sponsored tributes: You have this task and next task to use all your perks.

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Have fun, everyone! If you have any questions or need to confirm something, please do not hesitate to ask. Hope to read great things from you this round!

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