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

b

[moondumplings]

[ usagi 'no personal boundaries' tsukino peers over her shoulder, glancing at the open page for herself. so is that what the device shows? she would have never discovered this for herself for at least another three days ]

Is that not your name?

[pikaffeine]

Pikapika!

[ oh, he likes this guy. pikachu holds up his cup right back before drinking it happily. cheers to this weird place at least having coffee ]

[frostythehitman]

[ He grunts in acknowledgement, still focused on digging through drawers. So far, nothing--basic utensils like forks and spoons, pots and pans and lids in the cabinets below...no knives yet though. ]

If they wanted it empty, they could've taken everything out of the gift shop place too. That place was full of all sorts of crap.

[ He looks up at Clementine suddenly and realizes, oh shit, it's a kid. ]

Uh. Junk.

i

[stillnot]

[ Oh thank god, someone else covered in dirt and blood. Clementine was feeling out of place. ]

You're missing people too, huh?

[exercisms]

Dead?

[That definitely does alarm him! Why would you think that? He doesn't get it at all.]

I'm sure they aren't dead. And even if they are, they might belong to someone else.

[soulus]

No service comes without a fee. If you can pay, I will happily provide.

[He sounds dreadfully monotonous as he says this. Helpfully, he adds:]

Please be advised that information is also considered a mode of wealth.

[dianxias]

Erm... a bit, yes. [ what a fashionable lady? she has a headband like the ones that were in his goodie bag, which is at the moment around his wrist. ]

Are you the owner of this establishment? I don't really have any money...

1/2

[moondumplings]

[ zzzz- hhh? ]

...

[ just slowly blinks her eyes open to stare at yona for a mo. this. is not her bedroom is it ]

[evocationary]

[ it's a brief hug, for however tight it is, because god forbid she be seen being affectionate to her brother in public. she pulls away and puts her hands on either side of his face... and pulls on his cheeks. ]

Uh, yeah? The whole - trapped -- okay, well, obviously you recognize me, so that's a good first step?

[yamantaka]

[ but then he catches sight of her outfit. it's one he hasn't seen for some time, but not one he forgets. how could he forget about it, when so much came out in the open after that? he keeps a smile on, but it falls, confused about why she would be wearing that outfit. he pulls at the scarf around his neck, loosening it as he takes off his jacket ]

What makes you think I had something to do with this?

[exercisms]

Oh.

[That does clear it up for him. She's that kind of person, then. Makes sense.]

There might be a good reason, though. There could be hazards in there.

[recrowns]

Oh, of course they are much faster than cars.

[what's a car

but soo-won will smile easily as she comes to sit with him]

I hope to find a library soon - it would be nice if I wouldn't have to ask anyone wandering by about all these things I'm not familiar with. But it's exciting too!

If we could board a train, where would you like to go?

[pulsecannon]

Apparently they are my roommate. This is just great! [ From her tone and the way she waves her arms above her head, it's clear she doesn't find this great. ]

Who the heck asked them to assign us a roommate, huh? [ Wait. Pausing to actually look at the dude she's talking to.

... ]

Who the heck are you, anyways?

[reconnective]

[hm. cater. you ok there buddy? but he rolls the rock between his hands like it'll answer all the questions of the universe before he shrugs and drops it back into the bag. they can yeet later.]

Maybe. [he rolls his eyes upward to look at the headband as best as he can.] And why not? It didn't look like it was gonna do anything bad. Why else would it be in the bag with everything else?

[it's a loot drop, maybe it'll give him a boost in strength.]

[exercisms]

[He's still just. Looking at him. No one seems to have come to collect him.]

2/2

[moondumplings]

[ YELPS LOUDLY AND SCRAMBLES BACK ]

WH-WH-WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHO ARE YOU?

[ HELLO? ]

a.

[uhhhmagic]

Oh, yeah, all the time—- my favorite tip is if you’re really, really fucking annoying, sometimes they decide to just let you go because it’s not worth the effort to keep stopping for bathroom breaks.

[That one isn’t gonna work here?]

[reconnective]

Yeah! Well...I'm still learning, I guess, and I only know a few recipes I learned from Little Chef but it can't be too hard. Everybody's gotta eat, right?

why

[dawnblushed]

[Well.

Yona is not fast enough to stop him from downing that pill, but she sees him eyeballing the rock and really can't help but be concerned.]

You probably shouldn't eat that.

[...her voice is kind of quiet and raspy. Maybe she's just scared? Or maybe she has a sore throat or something. Surely it has nothing to do with the singe marks on her clothes or the way she smells faintly of smoke.]

[stillnot]

I don't think anyone would clear out a gift shop. There's nothing useful there - I checked.

[robopriest]

Well, we already have a message from our esteemed captors, though I guess they forgot to hire a good editor.

[Government conspiracy...? He raises an eyebrow at that.]

You're quite the busy man. Do you get any time to yourself?

[heartablaze]

[She is. Covered in gashes. That's fine. Maybe the weird ribbon snake can't see it if it has no eyes.

Still, her mouth tightens, looking at the odd trash can man with obvious concern.]

Um... um, you're welcome, but...

Hey, you're sure you're okay? Did you lose something? Isn't that a bad way to clean a garbage can?

[Maybe he was the trash can? Poor fellow. At least he seemed happy.

Her eyes flick to the moving piece of linen. That... hadn't been a dream, had it?

She gives a wave.]

[reconnective]

How do you know? Look at it. Ever see a rock like this before?

[exercisms]

[Well, listen. Dimple is a horrible little ghost friend and whenever he possesses something, they get bright red cheeks.]

Why are you in that animal? Stop messing around.

[But that does seem to clear it up, maybe. . . ?]

Wait, you really aren't him?

ii

[evocationary]

[ she absolutely is checking out this kitchen, which is why when she comes in and sees alex sitting on the counter, she makes waving hands. ]

Hey! Hey, ass off the counter, that's so unsanitary! [ HER CLEAN KITCHEN ] I - oh, shit, is that coffee? Hit me up with some of that.

[ and just like that she's immediately forgotten about the sitting thing. ]