WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

[retellers]

WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL (43 remain) Whatever each character was doing—chatting with friends, going to bed, saving the world—ceases. In fact, it's likely nothing more than a groggy memory now, as they open their eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. Apparently, they took a nap right in the middle of a small town, plopped outside on the paved road. Ow? Oh, but it looks like they've been given a goodie bag. Everyone likes gifts, right? Inside, it contains: - a single random one of the following headbands and sparklers - packets of tea - one unlabeled pill - a rock that resembles the galaxy - if they're of age, a mini bottle of alcohol; if they're underage, a can of Mountain D*w Baja Blast instead - a singular condom - a single random one of these pillows (how did this fit?) - a handheld device Should they boot up the device, the screen helpfully informs them that it's a Participant Help System (PHS). Not much on it, but it does have a few apps, including a memo one for taking notes. There's also a messaging system, though it's only capable of receiving messages, not sending any. As a matter of fact, there's an alert for a new message already. Maybe it'll explain what's going on. Good evening, everyone. Uh, how are we sure they’re arriving in the evening? Just say “hello”! Or “greetings”! Greetings is fancy, right? Oh that’s true. Greetings, everyone. That’s better? Yes! Except maybe we take out the that’s better part in the final version. Will do! We’re sorry that we’re not here jklk oh no how do i erase what i wrote. Where is the question mark. Help press backspace. What is a backspace it’s written on the keyboard. Do you even know how to read? right now. There are a lot of things happening that’s so vague? Could we maybe TRY to not be ominous, guys??, It’s going to be ominous no matter what we say, so who cares so we need time to best prepare for you all. We will greet you properly soon, so please make yourselves at home! There are a lot of places to explore, and the kitchen has a lot of delicious food. Please don’t be shy, but also, don’t damage anything. It’s a little inconvenient. They’re going to do it just because you sound so fucking whiny. I’m sorry oh this is how you write somewhere else. Please do not fight or do. We don’t control your life choices. No please do not fight how do i make an exclamation mark maybe we should’ve gotten someone else to write the draft of the message? No offense. I’m sorry Sorry stop apologizing. No one else volunteered. Maybe we’ll luck out and none of them know how to read Thank you for your time! We’ll see you soon. Also, we promise you haven’t been kidnapped or anything! Oh dear. I don’t know if this is going to be edited, so if it isn’t, then I do apologize to the participants for our lack of organization. We’re doing our best! Probably. Er, what? Unfortunately, it seems as though that's the only info they're given for now. In the meantime, why not explore the surrounding area? A number of buildings are locked, and the Planetarium appears to be closed, but there's enough to keep the characters occupied for a day or two. They might even want to get to know their fellow "participants" better, while they're at it.

NAVIGATION locations ₓ˚. statuses *+:｡ ic profiles :ₓo ic rules ･ﾟﾟ･｡ audience requests murder proposals ｡✧o private conversations ･ﾟo｡ curfew ･ﾟ✧ memories

Comments

[suddenlybees]

Yeah, and what's step two? What step is it where we lie on the ground and stare at the sky and eat ketchup?

[ Maybe things would get solved faster if they skip step one!! please ]

[heartablaze]

Yeah! He's a friend! Very tall and long black hair, but he has kind eyes and gentle hands.

[And, without skipping a beat:]

I met him in a trash can!

[robopriest]

I will take that as "you look especially handsome and dashing in those wonderful glasses, Hansa".

[Thumbs up!!]

[soulus]

[He frowns.]

. . . No.

[evocationary]

[ i fucking forgot she introduced herself as taako ]

Oh, stop. [ she says, in the tone of someone who does not want the compliments to stop. ] Try these on, tall, dork and handsome.

[ and she hands him these. ]

[suddenlybees]

Yeah, I was super certain it would work!

[ pat pat pat on the head ]

I really thought you could do it! It worked before, y'know? So, I wonder what changed?

[favourable]

[well, that sure was serious. but virid won't pry at the moment.]

Something else... all of these look the same to me, though.

[riegan]

(Is this how people usually feel when they deal with him????)

... Right. Well, I'm glad you're alright now.

(A beat and then concerned voice,)

Are you?

[suddenlybees]

[ He could stick it behind the glasses, on top of the frame. It would hold. ]

Um. Wear them? What else would I do with twelve masks?

[evocationary]

Yeah, I agree. [ agree with what. she doesn't understand shit. she comes back over with her milk and coffee and also slurps it. ]

So, what are you in for?

[favourable]

[nooooooo his brother

at some point, he's just going to drop to his knees.]

He's not here...

[suddenlybees]

[ It's damp... ]

But not impossible, right? Man, your prices are high. What's it gonna take for you to sit side saddle with me?

[favourable]

[a beat.]

Device? What are you talking about?

[it's very debatable at this moment if he actually looked at the bag in his distress.]

[dianxias]

[ xie lian nods, immediately making a noise of understanding. like banyue... ]

Yes, that's precisely it. How curious... it does lead to the theory of this all being an illusion but, were that the case, it would have to be an incredibly powerful one, and one we all were experiencing all at once.

[chanteuser]

[ flurry help is ergastulum on earth

throws dart

i'm gonna say yes ]

Yes...?

[suddenlybees]

They don't need to know that.

[favourable]

[what does that even MEAN

virid just looks up at him, pained.]

What do you want...?

[robopriest]

[.................................]

Say that last part again, please?

[misstrust]

All of it, yes. I live in London, currently, but we had a foreign exchange student from Japan at the school where I work.

[chanteuser]

I've never seen somewhere like this before...

[ she's looking around and. wow. there's so much happening here. ]

What would you recommend?

[misstrust]

... So it's a game where the objective is just to dance?

[ Well, she's not saying no?? ]

[favourable]

[puts on modly hat: there are probably water bottles

takes off modly hat]

... Thank you.

[he is still lowkey panicking over everything, but he can manage that much.]

[robopriest]

Maybe we're all just having one big shared hallucination.

[He's not being serious. Probably.]

You've never seen anything like this in your line of work, right?

[soulus]

It isn't. Sitting side-saddle with you is not even an option.

Our objective here has always been to get you in the water without drowning.

[evocationary]

[ he's about to find out ]

Yep. It got eaten. I think. I don't... know what's going to happen to it now, actually. Or if it's still even there.