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

[reconnective]

We just call it magic. I've never heard of bending before. [but hm...] When I was talking to someone else, we thought maybe this world's magic is stronger than ours, or there's something about it that doesn't work with our own and that's why we can't use our powers. But we don't know why yet.

locked building

[discernments]

[ Jeanne had opened her mouth to protest, but Zuko just went for it before she could say anything.

She winces a little, but she doesn't get out of the way. She puts out her arms to try and cushion his ricochet? She's not as strong as she usually is, so there's a lot of stumbling, but she manages so they don't at least fall over. ]

Are you all right? I think it's something particular to this location.

[papasha]

[He laughs very quietly at her distress.]

It would be a little. I wouldn't feel as crazy, I suppose. But if we are truly taken against our will, then I would not want that for the people I know.

[arkitect]

If it includes a pocket capable of containing this- [a gesture at the big animal pillow-] then I shall concede the point.

[there is no practical way to haul that around, and he has no use for it. it's not getting carried to the room.]

Fun is hardly at the forefront of anyone's thoughts here, I should think.

[robopriest]

What plastic thing?

[There goes Mr. Frog....bye Mr. Frog...Hansa just looks rather amused.]

Useful? If you need someone to hug and hold in these scary times, sure.

ai

[cuedoves]

[ zuko doesn't wake her up immediately, but he does stand over her, scowling. ]

[ then he nudges her with his foot. ]

Wake up.

[suddenlybees]

Alright, one more time! On the count of three, same as last, alright?

[ He gets them both lined up again, counts down, and matches Ange's flaily schoogirl pace with a light jog of his own. It's not going to hurt even if he bumps into the barrier. ]

[evocationary]

[ ganba, frog, may you find better insults out in the wild...

she leans down just a little and puts both her hands on his either of his cheeks. her hands are freezing. like being touched by the living dead, maybe. ]

I don't believe you. [ she tells him, very solemnly. ]

[arkitect]

I would not say I could argue its veracity, no, but one must wonder just how these have all come to be.

[who is out here doxxing a ghost king and an immortal.]

[evocationary]

And they're not here, I assume.

[papasha]

Not half as ridiculous as you look with them off.

[Hello fun police, this is familiar to him, sorry. He's smiling. And teasing.]

[lecarre]

[!!]

Truly, you are familiar with all of that? How amazing...! I did not think that was even remotely possible.

I hope we are not here tomorrow, but if we are... I will definitely be looking forward to your curry, miss!

2

[discernments]

[ Well, Jeanne can't exactly ignore or pretend that she doesn't see Elsa trying to find something. ]

Excuse me, but will you accept my help?

[lecarre]

[... Oh.

Oh. She covers her mouth, horrified.]

That--you're right. It... is so terrible to be grateful that other people I care for are here, trapped in this situation...!

[papasha]

[This is getting wilder and wilder.]

"We"? There are more of you who do this?

[laid]

[He doesn't have a real counter for this so he'll just;]

Eat ketchup?
[JUST BY ITSELF?]

[suddenlybees]

You've never had ketchup?

[ Like, straight up, all by itself? ]

[lecarre]

[A second flaily schoolgirl run!

Head first towards the barrier!

They are going to hit it again, though this time Ange is at least a little braced, so she doesn't fall again, just stumbles back.

Then her shoulders slump.]

[laid]

[He is.]

... Ya know, you've got an interestin' way of talking, miss chef.
[He has never heard this idiom before. He can infer the meaning, he thinks, but honestly. Between that and "incel"...]

2

[discernments]

[ She heard the small microwave explosion and came running to investigate. Hello?

Is that what an egg in a microwave does? ]

I'm not sure. I didn't know this could happen. I've heard about it, but I've never seen it.

[ Her brows knit. ]

Although I'm not sure why someone didn't choose to use the stove instead.

[reconnective]

[you're doing great sweetie. sora keeps the pillow under one arm and walks slow enough that pikachu can keep up with his bag. he'll help if he's struggling but he's doing fine for now.]

This way. [and so they walk!] I haven't looked at everything they have, but I'm sure we can find something for you. But if you have a bag that means you woke up here just like everybody else, huh?

[dawnblushed]

Maybe frogs just sound like that...?

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano lets himself get lightly bumped in the chest, leaning back with a dramatic pinwheel of the arms before finding his balance again. ]

...Huh. Wow, yeah. [ no surprise here ] It didn't work, huh? But at least now we can say we tried!

[dawnblushed]

[Sip sip sip.]

I don't mind.

[...oops.]

[dawnblushed]

...well, there's a lot of ground to cover in this town, and it seemed like there were a lot of us waking up on the street. Just because I haven't seen him doesn't mean he's not here.