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

[chanteuser]

I don't know. You pulled it off well enough.

[ she will reclaim her token of pure fashion. ]

They're not very effective at actually blocking sunlight though.

2

[dawnblushed]

[This is NOT what Yona is expecting when she goes into the kitchen.

? ??? ??????????]

I wish I knew!

[...her voice sounds very raspy and upon closer inspection her clothing seems like it's been singed. But Yona's paying more attention to the busted microwave and the mess than to that.]

It looks like something exploded!

[riegan]

Yeah, running into the same problem here.

(Which confirms it for him,)

There's gotta be some sort of illusion or something... Is it even real?

[papasha]

Just one would be enough, but usually the only thing I wear on my face are glasses.

[Kano, that isn't your face. BLANCA IS FINE, BUT MY NERVES ARE BEING TORN UP.]

[dianxias]

En... and even things like this [ xie lian gestures to the device... and the door, while he's at it, ] seem wildly beyond the possibilities of almost anyone. Even the Heavenly Emperor couldn't have created such a thing.

[ so this is bad, actually. he doesn't know why, but he just has a bad feeling in his gut... and despite his bad luck, xie lian's danger senses aren't usually wrong. ]

What a strange situation. [ a beat, and then, he looks up at his companion, offering him a smile, a little sheepish. ] I'm sorry, San Lang, I'm sure you've ended up in this situation because of me...

[dawnblushed]

From Kouka. Where are you from?

[antaressnipe]

Mm... it would be to your benefit to remain shocked at the unknown.

[Smiling faintly]

New experiences are enjoyable for a reason. Though... take heed all the same. I don't expect to find another centaur here, but where I'm from, they are considered dangerous.

[Folding his arms, a glance shot around their surroundings]

And we don't know surprises there will be in this town, yet.

[suddenlybees]

[ gatcha............................

Kano gets crushed under her weight because he does not have the presence of mind to lug a squishable around with him wherever he goes. ]

Ugh... Were you close? I couldn't see, 'cause there was, like, a foot in my face.

[cuedoves]

[ it's mainly there to mock zuko, as it should be. relatable content. ]

[ zuko pauses in his futile efforts for a moment to take in the other man -- he already looks more sensible than the others he's run into here. ]

... Firebending. It's not working.

[ obviously. ]

What exactly is this barrier made of?

[dawnblushed]

[i just pulled a bottle of painkillers out of my purse to sniff and they don't really smell like anything and i don't know if it's because they don't have a scent or if i just can't smell. hmm.]

...sorry, I don't know what this is either.

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano has to flamingo on one foot or else he'd help. ]

Huh... It's really not working, huh? Are there, like, any chainsaws lying around? Windows to break into?

[misstrust]

Hmm... it looks as though you move about with this stick. And you avoid the brightly-colored ones.

[ What a weird game. ]

[dawnblushed]

...what if the work I gave you was to be my friend?

[heartablaze]

Oh.

Right.

[Her ears go red.]

A-anyway, yeah, it's super weird. I couldn't get it open, and no one is answering so I guess Hilda isn't in there?

It... wouldn't just have my name there without a reason, though.

[suddenlybees]

Let's try it! Can't let that skill get out of practice, right? No way! Does it have to be, like, a rock? Or can it be something else?

[ He's already directing Xie Lian outside, we're going to smash down the barrier with his powerful tiddies ]

[supremity]

[ Can't wait until he can show gege these godawful things. ]

Ahh, I see. [ Unfazed by the fetishization of his impairment and just trucking along with shitty puns and the driest tone. ] Considering our current positions, I can't exactly object and face losing the only employment I have.

[chanteuser]

[ help.

it's like au earth it's fine. ]

The same place? Sounds like they just picked somewhere and grabbed their majority there.

[soulus]

Where it's real or not, there must be a reason for it. There are locked buildings here, and we're limited in how far we can go.

[Everything appears to be by design.]

[soulus]

I'm afraid that wouldn't qualify as work.

[cuedoves]

[ yona stop participating in agni kais. ]

[ zuko glances yona's way, gaze hard, then... sighs. some of the tension disappears. ]

I don't understand. This has never happened before.

[ weaker, sure? but to lose it entirely.... there's something very wrong here. ]

[ anyway, he's not as much of a jerk as he could have been, so he's not just going to ignore her state. especially when it really looks like she got attacked by firebenders. ]

What happened to you?

[suddenlybees]

[ He has limited currency ): ]

Aw, alright... Is there, like a food shop somewhere? With potato chips?

[papasha]

Yes.

[His smile is light.]

Are you a teacher then, Miss Dorothy, or a student yourself?

[chanteuser]

[ what is even happening ]

You could just get a spoon? Right now?

[lecarre]

[gal pal friendship, as Yona deserves.

Ange laughs a little sheepishly at that, rubbing the back of her head.]

I suppose we could easily go in circles like this, huh...? Maybe it is fine to just say we can look out for each other as best we are able.

[antaressnipe]

[Mmm well this boy just dropped the words "Olympus" and "Titans", so...

Close enough.

The centaur shakes his head in great amusement and stands straight again]

And I should consider you a student of Phil's as well?

[Me @ Sora iTS A TRAP--]