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

[soulus]

I prefer to be productive with my time. If you have no need for my services, I ask that our encounters be brief.

[recrowns]

[yea it's terrible but he seems to be having a good time]

Ah, is that why? So they're perfectly suited to their environment!

When they need to move faster, what do they do? Slide on their sides? Their bellies?

[misstrust]

Then my next question--

... No, there's really no proper way to ask this...

D

[riegan]

Starving. Famished.

(Really! And at least this kid seems to be handling things well? So he's just going to roll with it.)

Who knew getting kidnapped to a strange new place would work up such an appetite?

[stillnot]

[ she just stares at him for a moment, trying to assess if he's fucking with her or not. eventually, she sighs. ]

You know. Magic. Fairy-tale stuff. It's not real.

[soulus]

No.

Why do you think so?

[misstrust]

But doesn't that strike you as strange? Apart from everyone else, who's apparently just as confused as I am, I haven't seen other people here.

[ A centaur, though. ]

[papasha]

[ROCK BUDDIES.]

I see. [Sora iS YOUNG, HE HATES THIS. He smiles.] It's peculiar, isn't it? And we all have one.

It looks like the night sky.

[reconnective]

Yeah...[that's exactly it. it's pretty, but it makes him wonder.] What if there's a way to release it somehow?

[uhhhmagic]

Not feeling particularly combustable, but guess we’ll wait and see.

So, what’d you do, run into a burning building to rescue a kitten?

[recrowns]

Ah, nothing to that extent. I'm merely a traveling merchant and the roads can be treacherous now and again, so I employed help to assist me.

[easily!]

Oh, but if I'm here and they aren't... perhaps I'll have to dock their pay....

[as if he is just realizing this]

[supremity]

[ How many children on this weird murder t*nder are going to wind up reminding him of the same person.

Hua Cheng cocks his head, putting his cheek on his shoulder as he assesses Sora's profile. ]

You do look like you would have overwhelming optimism. [ Protags. ] Locksmithing is a little surprising.

[exercisms]

[Nodding.]

I want to get a lot stronger, and have muscles.

[misstrust]

I agree! [ Also said with a laugh. ]

I appreciate that they also offered alcohol, of course.

[twitter]

Hm... it's hard to say without meeting them in person! Or unless they send another message. But it sounded like they do want to meet us?

[ since they. apologized for not being here right away. ]

[recrowns]

It is very odd. The town and structures exist to welcome us, but we have none but each other and some odd guidance provided by a very...

Talkative message.

[sure, that's a word]

At present there is no apparent danger, but I wouldn't blame anyone for being nervous.

[heartablaze]

Soo-won.... soowon, soowon...

[Where has she heard that before? It's definitely not anything from Tokyo, but... gah, it's on the tip of her tongue.]

Like... oh!

Like hakuchou? The bird!

[evocationary]

[ it's actually kind of adorable. she's endeared by this trash man. ]

That'll do. Who knows what kind of quality we're looking at here, but I guess beggars can't be choosers. [ she takes the fish and sets it on the counter. ] Get me some butter, too. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, potatoes, annnnnd shrimp, actually, if you can find that in the cold box.

[ she's gonna prepare this fish. ] Oh - what's your name, garbage boy?

[chanteuser]

[ it’s fine, at least they’ll look funny to anyone watching. ]

Doesn’t mean it’s right though. If they’re going to go as far as to provide rooms for the people they kidnapped, you’d think they could provide them for everyone.

[uhhhmagic]

[Hmmmmmmm.

Pulling up the message to read it again.]

A really, really disorganized vacation?

[chanteuser]

[ no bully ]

It’d be a lot of work for one use, I think.

[papasha]

I'm not sure if they fit me, but thank you.

[When he straightens, the lil heart antennae bob around.]

Blanca. It's a pleasure. And you are?

[stillnot]

Full of walkers. Same as anywhere else.

[ ... ]

I've never heard of Kouka, either. [ but that doesn't mean much because she doesn't know geography. she stopped going to school when she was 8. ]

[soulus]

An exaggeration is still the truth.

[He doesn't volunteer more, instead giving her time to scroll through the rest of the data.]

[chanteuser]

It’s fine. [ what if she needs it later? ]

Yes. Before I got here.