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

[dawnblushed]

...with keys, I think.

[maidforservice]

Something like that, yes.

[lol she does her best]

And. . . I wouldn't necessarily call it kind. [???] Working so hard on this meal helped take my mind off of our situation, too.

[oh so cooking was a nice distraction]

[robopriest]

[That gets him to let out a laugh.]

Ah, I guess I really am a weirdo to you! Though I promise, I'll let you do your thing. I really don't mean to impose.

[reconnective]

Sure. [he looks kind of pleased that she said yes.] What about an appetizer? That should do the trick, right? I only know a few recipes right now but they should taste okay.

[stillnot]

[ Hm. She is conflicted because she really doesn't like putting herself in debt to someone she doesn't know. Or stealing from a stranger. There's still no real guarantee that this isn't what's happening, but...

Ultimately, food is too tempting to turn down. ]

... Alright.

[soulus]

Then we're in agreement.

Shall we part ways?

[recrowns]

Mm, I do. Thank you in advance, and I take silence as an answer as well.

[in case there's just something that archer would rather not answer!

he tilts his head]

If you are not commonly amongst other people, where do you dwell? Who might you dwell with? Are you familiar with others who possess the same form as you?

[siblingless]

[i can't believe hajime stole from pikachu, too.

but also you're valid.

She hums, thoughtfully.]

... It would be awfully boring if we agreed on everything all the time, wouldn't it? [Disagreements between friends are healthy, she guesses?] Do you think we'll get to meet them soon? They seem— [uh] like an interesting bunch.

[dianxias]

Ahaha... More along the lines of ghosts and demons.

[ wow, if only they were just criminals! well, not really. xie lian's quite fond of ghosts, actually. ] So, I suppose that doesn't match up either.

I think your theory holds water.

[laid]

Yeah. The trouble is that the barrier keepin' us in town seems like magic to me, and if everyone's in the same boat as me, there's somethin' keeping all of us from doing magic to dispel it.

[That said;]

Maybe if someone who knew about formulas could find the blastia creating it, we could get out.
[Raven what are you talking about.]

[recrowns]

I can't say that I do... [because locks didn't really exist in kouka]

But if you do, I won't tell anyone.

[lmao]

[reconnective]

Yeah. Here, let me...[he'll definitely touch base on the fact that fiora abandoned all of her stuff, but he's too busy pulling out his phs to clumsily navigate to the message app. once the message is pulled up, he'll hand it to her.] Take a look.

[robopriest]

How very nice. I tend to do something more like freelance work, and I don't have a shrine or church of my own...but I do what I can where the Lord needs me to be.

[Priest solidarity!!! He just shakes his head.]

Technically, we're referred to with "Father", but...you don't really need to be so formal. I won't force you.

[axecessory]

Right? They're actually really ugly.

[ She says it very matter-of-factly, even as she watches the keychains spin with a delightful little rattle. ]

But who would turn down the chance to show off their name a little? Oh, and I'm Hilda.

[soulus]

[Rufus, on the other hand, doesn't pause much in favor of replying swiftly:]

What you think has no bearing on me. Please don't waste my time with nonsense.

[lionson]

Sounds about right. I've seen three Shimas go through the Academy since then too. The oldest one, he was just a little kid when I went up that mountain. He's got to be in his 20s now, yeah?

[recrowns]

Can I have your name first?

[dawnblushed]

Um... no. Kuuto is the capital.

[...]

Are you not from Kouka...?

[riegan]

So some sort of sneaky magic. Yeah, that checks out.

(Kidnapped to a strange new place? Ominous message telling you things aren't ominous? Sneaky magic? Cool.)

I wonder how important the castle really is, then. You can see the image around in the shop but you can't actually go to it. Is it all an illusion? Or is it real and just off limits?

(Now he's just thinking out loud and he catches himself,)

Sorry, just trying to get some answers here. (Ahem, he'll turn to properly face his new friend now though? Because they're definitely friends now that they've had a short conversation,) I'm guessing you and I are in the same situation here.

The name's Claude, by the way.

[sacredchants]

[ YEAH WELL. the laughing softens her up a touch. ]

Izumo Kamiki.

[ she says with a slight nod. ]

All of our names can be looked up using that. [ she gestures to the device. ] ...if you know how to use it.

[lionson]

I could ask 'why', but I get the feeling the answer isn't that great.

[recrowns]

[yea he doesn't like being in people's debts but it's ok, he's fine with being creative]

Won-san...? [repeated,] Won is fine.

May I call you Usagi... or is there an honorific I should use for politeness?

[reconnective]

I think they were confusing themselves, too. [cooking, cooking. this is much slower without little chef but he seems to remember the steps.] It's a little hard to know how many of them were talking to us, but it's at least three different people. And they're coming soon. They sound like they were expecting us though even if we weren't kidnapped.

[...so what does that mean.]

[heartablaze]

...Hikaru. It's Hikaru. It's nice to meet you, Raven-san.

[The attention to her wounds gets her to squirm a little, ]

It was. But it was what I knew I needed to do... what my heart knew was important. What happens to me will heal someday, no matter how much it might hurt.

To not do the right thing, the tough thing, and just be left with regrets later... that's too sad.

[dawnblushed]

...

[Sad. She looks up at Rufus.]

What is your friend's name? And what is yours? [A pause, and in case he wants to get paid for it -] My name is Yona.

[There, information!]