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

[robopriest]

Annoying? Ah, I guess even a priest like me has to find the heart to be someone completely aggravating...

[The way he says though makes it clear that it's SUPER easy for him to get on someone's nerves.]

Anything else, Kidnapping Expert? Do I need to make bargains if being annoying doesn't work?

[soulus]

[This is fine.

That's not even worth the energy. The pillow strikes true, but he catches it with his free hand before it falls to the floor, his eyes narrowing ever slightly.]

You must be the academician.

[moondumplings]

[ hello new favorite person ]

All dessert is good dessert..!

[pulsecannon]

You never know where it's been or who it even belongs to.

[ It may have adult germs or something ]

The bag is weird, okay? We shouldn't just trust it because it's there.

[lecarre]

... Yes, I am...

[She threads her fingers together in front of herself awkwardly.]

Is that embarrassing to admit...? The other people I've seen here seem to have taken this well in stride, but I am quite astonished still...

[robopriest]

[NICE CATCH!]

Oh! [He's momentarily surprised, but his expression eases into a grin.] Hey, have you thought about getting a career in baseball? That isn't half bad.

[stillnot]

Don't worry about it. Everyone is confused here, so it's not a big deal to have questions.

[ Even if she is very baffled because how he could not know? At his age? But oh well.

As for that question... She brings her hands together on her lap, lacing her fingers together - she's missing one of her ring fingers just past the first knuckle. Hm. Hm. ]

... I don't know. What about you?

[reconnective]

Cool...[and just like that, he abandons his endeavour to break into the office and immediately wanders toward mob to join him. he hasn't noticed he's nerfed himself if only because there hasn't been a reason to summon the keyblade, but maybe that's a problem for later.] Can you talk to them, too? Have you met a lot of them?

[soulus]

Can you not defy gravity? The bridge is inaccessible.

[stillnot]

No, but... You ever seen a rock that does something?

[dianxias]

I'm fine -- [ and, as he's properly coming out of the trash can and actually looking, xie lian realizes with a start: ]-- ah, miss, you're hurt!

[ xie lian is perfectly fine, and even if he wasn't, it wouldn't matter! the poor thing, she's cut all over... ] Did that just happen? Are you alright?

[ ruoye, upon being seen, withdraws suddenly and wraps back around xie lian's wrist, disappearing among the actual bandages on his arm. maybe it was a dream! ]

[evocationary]

Yeah, two options. [ sorry, mob, she talks right over the top of the last few words. ] You can either owe me one for all your ill-gotten not-purchases, or you can just steal all of them and run.

[ a beat. ] Actually, wait, who is Ritsu? That might change your options.

b.

[lecarre]

[The rock bounces.

Bubbles majestically float through the air behind it.

Ange does not see it coming at all--but miraculously, trips instead over a cobblestone at just the right moment to fall face first to the ground, just barely avoiding said rock.

It hits the ground with a thunk behind her, and slowly, she lifts her head to peer over her shoulder.

????!???]

[pulsecannon]

It is. I know I definitely like my privacy. Who the heck wants to room with strangers, anyways?

[ Huffing as she crosses her arms. It's rude. ]

I don't know about that. You kind of have creep written all over you. What the heck is a priest, anyways?

[pikaffeine]

Pikapi. [ YOU stop messing around, what even is an animal. he is clearly a pikachu? who doesn't know what a pikachu is. everyone loves pikachu.

but since mob seems to have gotten the picture he will deposit his coffee cup (he will be back for you, love) and edge closer to the counter to peer at mob and shake his head once again ]

Pi-ka-chu! [ if he hits his little body with a paw. will this boy get it. ]

[robopriest]

Information, huh...

[Hm. Hmm hmmm hmmmm.]

I can tell you something about the bridge I just discovered, at least. The one that's at the north end of town.

[lecarre]

Um... I believe that may have been making a little fun at my own expense, if you mean the odd list of skills.

I quite like high places, you see.

[exercisms]

You think so?

[He is going to hold out the keychain, which says 'Ritsu' on it, and also pink and green souvenir hats with little frogs on them.]

I don't need them, so it's okay. I can wait and see if someone comes back. I just wanted to do something nice for everyone while I was here.

iii.

[chanteuser]

I think so?

[ she's going to be big stylin' if she puts these on, woowoo is not wrong. ]

Different shape to what I've seen sold before, though.

a

[reconnective]

[surprisingly, he's kind of smiling in a soft, fond way and nods in agreement. it looks like he was reading the message, too.]

Yeah. It's nice, isn't it? Especially if we're going to meet all of them soon.

[they both need to really reassess what good friends means.]

[stillnot]

I don't think this is any kind of prank.

[ She looks a bit antsy on the subject of missing people, but doesn't really comment further and just shakes her head. ]

Don't know. It looks way too clean.

[dianxias]

Ahaha...

[ dignity, what dignity, he thinks, and then waves his hand to worry it away, reaching up to rub his nose. he's been hit with worse! ] I'm quite alright, it didn't hurt... thank you for asking.

Where did you throw it, that it bounced back so quickly...?

party in the kitchen

[moondumplings]

[ usagi's just watching him slowly get eaten by the trash, head tilting while her heart shaped headband bounces with the movement. rip stranger in white ]

Did you lose something?

[supremity]

i. goodies(?) on arrival

[ Despite the fact he looks very at odds with his stuffed animal (a white ferret, how charming!) under his arm, and the PHS in his free hand, Hua Cheng is going to just keep going with his life. He certainly isn't going to panic, or look perterbed, because that just isn't his style. No, instead, he reads the slapdash message, once he figures it out, and cocks an eyebrow down at the device. ]

Oh, good. [ Is that sarcasm? Drippingly. ] Definitely not kidnapped by absolute morons. I never knew someone could be more of a mess than the Heavens, but here we are.

ii. goat ghost on a bridge

[ See: someone not willing to stand idly around.

When he couldn't get any closer to the castle, Hua Cheng made his way in the opposite direction. He's currently on the bridge, cool as a cucumber, knocking his knuckles against the invisible barrier with no real intent to break it. If someone else wants to try that, he'll stand and watch what happens to them. Because he's an ass.

He does, however, calmly pull out his stupid looking headband with sproingy hearts. With a finger, he absently jostles one of the hearts, eyeing (or just looking? hard to tell, with the single eyeball and all) a spot over the river.

Then, suddenly, YEET.

Of course the sparklers go off, but he watches as he shamelessly commits the horrible crime of littering when the headband kerplunks into the river. At least nothing else happens? ]

... disappointing, but nothing of value was lost.

iii. profile match

[ Sitting at the dining hall, long legs crossed and stretched out to take up as much floor space as possible, Hua Cheng flips through profiles.

His makes him snort, but when he sees you - yes, you there - on the app and in person, he holds the PHS up and cocks his head a little. His eye tracks from the profile, to the person, scrutinizing. ]

Interesting. You're very, ah, talented.

iv. wildcard

[ you know the drill here my friends ]

B.

[uhhhmagic]

Hm, the insatiable crushing maw of Consumerism demands cheap goods to sell to unwitting customers to make them believe that memories can only be commemorated via tchotchkes instead of real humanoid connection?

[Poking the rack, twirling it around.]